Katy had a horrible time sleeping; she would wake every two hours, dreaming that Callen was there with her. When she'd roll over to fine him not there, she'd cry. By four, she was up for the morning, showered and went to her usual coffee shop. She stood at the base of the stairs and looked up at the large gothic structure, gulped down the rest of her coffee and threw the paper cup in the trash. It was always peaceful at the cathedral this time of the day; the city was just starting to come alive. Katy drew a deep breath and started up the steps. Once she got to the top of the steps, she looked up at the huge stained glass window above the door and heaved the large door open.
The early morning light filtered through the rest of the stained glass windows, causing the colorful light to dance on the pews and tiled floor below. She took her usual seat near the back of the church and admired the architecture. Katy was lost in thought and didn't hear him approach.
"I see your priorities. Shower, coffee and then church." He laughed.
Katy shot out of the seat and turned around to see the familiar brown eyed man. "Reggie, how are you?" she asked hugging him
"I'm good; I didn't expect to see you this year. How are you?" He asked kissing her cheek.
"I've been better." She said tears rolling down her cheeks. "I don't know, something about this year is especially hard."
He took her hand and walked her down the aisle; "It's been five years Katy. Whoever told you it was going to get easier lied to you. I know of some parents who come see their kids every year. If anything it gets harder the longer they're gone."
"So, how are Joanie and the kids?" Katy asked changed the subject.
"They're good, they'll be excited to hear you made it. The kids have gotten so big." He said seeing the pained look of Katy's face; he stopped and changed the subject. "So what are you up to?"
"Ah, same old, same old. You know I can't tell you very much. I met someone." She said with weak smile.
"Really? Tell me all about him. You know Joanie's going to want to know everything." He laughed. "Did you bring him?"
"No, I didn't bring him. He doesn't even know about Karolina. We work together." She smiled and then it quickly faded.
"Is it serious?" Reggie asked.
"We're living together, but that's because I had no place else to live." She told him.
"So living together like roommates in separate rooms or like lovers in the same bed?" He asked eagerly.
Katy smiled widely and shook her head. "Ah Reggie, what can I say. I'm in love with him."
"So what's the problem?" Reggie laughed.
"I'm scared. You know how my life was and is; what if it all blows up in my face?" she said looking at the tiled labyrinth as they walked past.
"Katy, you're going to have to let that all go sometime and let yourself be happy and be loved." He told her.
"I found my father or I guess I should say he found me." She said giving him an odd look.
"I thought he was dead?" Reggie asked.
Katy shook her head. "Nope, very much alive, I know that he had my mother killed and dropped me off at the orphanage. Oh, I also have a homicidal older half-brother."
"Good Lord Katy, what have you gotten yourself into?" Reggie asked.
"They're both in custody for other crimes. I'll never see them again. In fact, I left before they could arrest and question my father." She told him.
"Are you sure they got him?" He asked.
"Oh yes, I talked to my friend, she confirmed it." She smiled.
"Have you eaten yet or do you want to go over to see Karolina?" he asked.
"I'd like to go see her." She said.
"Alright, let's go." He told her, leading her out of the church.
Callen walked into Ops, "Where is she?" he asked.
"Looks like she's at Grace Cathedral, she's leaving the building but still on the property." Nell told him.
"Mr. Callen what time does your flight leave this afternoon?" Hetty asked.
"Out at four, I land in San Francisco at four forty-five. I'll take a cab to the Marines Memorial Hotel. I'll be calling to see where she is from there." He said turning towards Nell.
"Here," she said handing him an electronic gadget. "You can track her on this. Both of the phone numbers have been programmed into it."
Callen smiled, "Thank you."
Katy bid her friend good bye and told him she'd meet him there tomorrow. She walked back down California Street towards the bay. Katy stopped at Macy's on her way back to her hotel knowing she'd need suitable attire for the service tomorrow afternoon. As she walked through the dress department, she stopped at a rack of black dresses. She pulled one from the rack and looked at it. It was a simple and plain dress; it looked to be tea-length. Katy put the dress back on the rack and looked for one in her size. From there, she walked to the Shoe department and picked up a pair of heels.
She walked to the nearest register and paid for her selections and walked back to the hotel. Like she always did when she stayed at the hotel, she stopped in the lobby for cocktails before heading back up to her room. Katy sat at the bar, talking with some old friends and made a few new ones throughout the night. After more than a few drinks, she stumbled out the door and over to the elevators. When she stepped in the elevator and the doors closed behind her, she slumped against the cool metal wall. It felt good on her skin. When it reached her floor, she reached in her pocket for the card key and inserted it into the lock. Quickly, she stripped out of her clothes, fed Callie and fell into bed. Katy felt so lonely and wished Callen was there, but knew if she told him, it would be the end of them. Once the tears fell, she couldn't stop them and cried herself to sleep.
It was a typical San Francisco morning, cloudy as she looked out her window at the city and the bay. Alcatraz was barely visible through the fog that was rolling in through the Golden Gate Bridge. She'd told one of her friends she'd meet him downstairs for coffee and left the window to shower. Katy didn't hear the knock at the door, but noticed the note that had been slipped under it when she walked back into the room from the bathroom. It was a crisp white envelope, card sized. She opened it and sat in the arm chair to read it. Her friend had met a woman and wasn't going to be able to make it for coffee. Typical Marine, she thought.
Katy walked to the window once more and saw rays of sunlight peeking through the clouds; she smiled and knew exactly where to spend the morning. She pulled on a pair of jeans and t-shirt, grabbed one of her sweatshirts and her camera before telling Callie she'd be back in a bit. Katy could smell the coffee as the elevator doors opened. She looked herself over in the mirror-like metal as she rode down to the lobby, tucking a few strands of wet hair behind her ears. When the doors opened, she stepped out and walked to the table holding the continental breakfast, she felt like she was being watched. Katy turned around and saw no one she recognized, a few people were hidden behind the pages of the Chronicle so she went on about her business.
A couple of the men she'd met the night before approached her and started a conversation. She was gracious enough to stand and talk for a few minutes before she excused herself and walked out the door. They were older men, Vietnam and Korea era Marines there for an annual reunion. They'd invited her to join them for dinner that evening, but Katy told them she had a prior engagement. Once out on the street, she casually walked to one of the bus stops and waited. It was a twenty minute ride through the city to Crissy Field.
She loved the views of the Golden Gate Bridge she had. Katy swung her back pack around and took out her camera, never noticing the man who sat on the bench watching her. Walking a few hundred yards up the beach, Katy snapped a few photos here and there. As the morning progressed, the sun found its way through the clouds and offered beautiful photo opportunities of the glistening waters. For some reason, something told her to turn around; she started taking pictures of the crowd. Now nervous, she made her way off the beach and back up to the city.
He was following her up the hill and stopped in the shadows or the recess in a building when she stopped to look in a gallery or store window. He was angry that she wasn't more aware of her surroundings, she knew better. When she resumed walking up the hill, he followed a few yards behind. She took the bus to the Cathedral instead of going back to the hotel, by the time he caught up with her, she as sitting on the grass. He couldn't help but notice the sadness on her face, nor could he read the name on the headstone.
Katy's phone went off, it was a text message. 'You're being followed-Reggie' it said.
She replied. 'Where are you? Take a picture of him, send it to me.' Katy didn't dare turn around; her heart was in her throat. No one, not even Hetty knew about her yearly journey to San Francisco. Her phone went off again and she opened the text, immediately, she turned around and scanned the area looking for him. Katy stood for a better view over the headstones and didn't hear him walk up behind her.
"Who is Karolina Levin Rocco?" he asked.
Katy didn't turn to look at him; she knew if she did, she'd be reduced to tears. "My daughter." She said.
"Oh Katy, why didn't you ever tell me?" he asked walking up to her.
She slowly turned to face him, staring into the bright blue eyes she loved so deeply. "Well, I figured once you learned I had a child that you'd leave me." She told him, choking the tears back.
He took a few steps closer to her. "Katy, how many times have I told you that nothing could ever change how I feel about you?"
She smiled through the tears and dropped her head. "Countless."
Callen raised her head with the slightest touch of his finger to her chin. "Then when are you going to listen? Do you have any idea how worried I've been? You left a cryptic note."
"Callen, I do this every year; disappear for a week or two. Hetty doesn't even know about Karolina." She said.
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. She sighed and smiled against his neck. "I love you Katy, but if you ever disappear on me again, I'll kick your ass." He laughed.
"I love you too, Callen." She said looking into his eyes.
"So tell me about Karolina." He said looking at the simple headstone.
"Oh wow." She said collecting her thoughts. "She'd be sixteen this year. I was twenty-one when she was born. I started hanging out with one of the only Marines who treated me like a human being. Just before he got orders to Japan, I got pregnant. Being that we were non-NCO's he couldn't change his orders and the fact that we weren't married only complicated things more."
"Reggie and I agreed that we'd give her to his parents here in San Francisco. They were wonderful with her. Reggie and I were always welcome whenever we wanted to come see her. I got out of the Corps and went to school. Reggie stayed in and met his wife Joanie. They got married, have a few kids. The plan was for Reggie and Joanie to take custody of Kari when his last enlistment was up. Unfortunately, Reggie was hurt in an IED explosion in two thousand seven which delayed his getting out."
Neither Katy nor Callen saw the man approach. "You must be Katy's friend. I'm Reggie, nice to meet you."
"Callen, yes I'm Katy's boyfriend." Callen smiled. "I'm sorry for the loss."
Reggie looked at Katy, "Do you guys need a few minutes?"
"No, we're at the part where you were injured in Iraq." She told him.
"Ah." He said and smiled as he tapped the crutch against his prosthetic leg.
"Kari and Reggie's parents were killed in a car accident five years ago. We meet here every year for a memorial service for them." Katy said turning to Callen.
"You should've told me so you didn't have to do this alone." Callen told her.
"He's right, Katy. You should have. I know how you like to disappear off the grid, but you've got a lot of people who care about you. It's been months since I heard from you last, that's why I was surprised when you showed up yesterday." Reggie told her.
"You need to call Hetty and let her know why you're up here." Callen told her.
"I will call her tomorrow." She said, looking at the headstone again.
"What time is the service?" Callen asked Reggie.
"Four here at the church, then we will be placing flowers on the graves afterwards. We'd be honored if you'd join us, if that's alright with you Katy?" Reggie said.
"Callen will be there." Katy said nodding her head.
"Alright, I'm going to head back to work. Enjoy the rest of the morning. We'll see you later." He said and walked away.
Katy leaned into Callen, she knew he was angry with her but didn't care. All she wanted was to feel his arms around her. She stared down at her daughter's grave and cried. "I wish you could've met her. She was so smart and so beautiful. The one thing I wanted more than a family and God took it from me." She said.
"Oh Katy." Callen said holding her tighter. "You can have another baby, I know it won't replace what you lost, but it's something else to love. Something to focus on."
She shook her head. "No, I can't go through that again. Parents aren't supposed to outlive their kids, Callen. I can't even think about having a baby. I've got my career, you've got yours. Besides, we don't know if we're going to stay together."
"I wasn't talking about having it with me." He said straight faced.
Katy spun around with hurt in her eyes. "What?"
Callen tried to pull her back to him, "Katy, I'm joking. I've wanted to talk to you about making our relationship more permanent."
"Callen, that's not funny. The only way to make this more permanent is by getting married and I'm not ready to get married." She said.
"Ok, so you're not ready now, we have the rest of our lives." He said cupping her face. "Katy I love you. Please get that through your thick head. I'm not going anywhere. Now, I'm hungry, let's walk back to the hotel and get something to eat. I want you to call Hetty before the memorial service."
"It was hard enough telling you, do I really have to repeat the whole thing again." She asked.
"Fine, I'll call her, but you need to be available to answer any questions she may have." He said as they walked back through the cemetery to the street.
They stopped by the same diner she'd been to yesterday morning for breakfast while they were there, Katy called Hetty. It was an emotional conversation; Katy had to pass the phone to Callen several times because she couldn't talk. Hetty agreed to give Callen a few more days off to stay with Katy in San Francisco. When he hung up, he told her than he had until Wednesday, then he had to be back at work and wanted her to go with him. She told him she'd think about it.
Once they paid the bill, they walked over to Union Square so Callen could pick up a suit. Katy smiled as he walked out of the dressing room with a black blazer and slacks on. "You look so nice in that, too bad you don't have to wear suits for work more often." She told him.
"I don't think it would last too long when we're chasing after someone and I split the seam in the slacks." He laughed.
"No, but it would be a sight to see and something we could laugh at you for." She said laughing.
Callen walked up to her and planted a huge kiss on her lips. "I'll wear a suit any time you want me to."
She smiled. "What color shirt were you thinking about?" she asked walking to the display of dress shirts.
"I was thinking white or blue and a nice tie." He said looking at the ties.
"Thank you for this Callen." She said tears in her eyes again.
"Katy I don't know what made you think you could do this on your own." He said walking over to her.
"I've done it every other year, I don't know why this year is so hard." She admitted.
"It never gets easier. Whether it's a child or a friend or a parent, it never gets easier. Will you talk to Nate about it when we get back to work?" He asked.
"Yes, I will. I'm going to need to." She said wiping the tears from her eyes. "I'm sure Hetty's already called him about it."
"I wouldn't doubt it." He said picking up a black and charcoal grey tie. "How about this one?"
"I like it, with a blue shirt, it will bring out your eyes even more." She told him taking the tie and laying it over the shirt, putting it up to his chest.
"What are you wearing?" he asked.
"I bought a dress yesterday and some heels." She told him.
"What are you going to wear for jewelry?" he asked.
"I hadn't planned on wearing anything." She said looking at him.
"Alright, we'll pick up a necklace or something for you." He said.
They paid for Callen's suit, shirt and tie before they walked over to the jewelry department. Katy stopped to look at the spinning racks of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Callen walked directly over to the fine jewelry case and started looking at pendants.
"Hey Katy, do you prefer yellow or white gold?" he asked.
"None of that, Callen it's too expensive." She said walking to his side.
"No, I want to get you something nice. Something that will show everyone you're mine." He said smiling warmly.
"You make it sound like I'm a possession or something." She said.
"Let me buy you something nice, Katy." He said tilting his head, giving her that look that melted her heart.
She pushed his head away and smiled. "Fine, I hate it when you use that look on me."
"It's one of the only things I can use on you when we're fully clothed." He smirked.
The sales associate smiled when she walked up. "Is there anything I can show you?"
"Yes, I'd like to see that pendant there, the diamond cluster." He said.
"No, Callen, that's too." She started to say but he gave her that look again and walked away.
"Here you are Sir." She associate said as she handed it to him.
Callen looked at the price tag and smiled. "Does this have a matching set of earrings?" he asked.
"No Callen, no earrings, the pendant is enough." She said walking back to him.
"You two make an adorable couple." The woman said.
Katy stopped and smiled. "Thank you. The last time we heard that we weren't dating yet and we were fighting over who was going to pay for a comforter set."
"Yeah and I won that fight too." Callen reminded her. The associate showed Callen the matching earrings. "We'll take both."
"Alright, will that be cash, debit or charge?" the girl asked.
"Debit." Callen said handing her his card. "Katy, it might get a little chilly tonight, do you have a wrap?"
"No, I don't we can look at them, we've got plenty of time before we have to be at the church." She said.
"Here you are Sir, have a good afternoon." The sales associate said handing Callen the bag and his card. "I put the receipt in the bag."
"Thank you." He said and joined Katy in the accessories department.
Katy found a simple black wrap and purchased it. They walked back to the hotel and up to her room. Callie was so happy to see Callen. He picked her up and walked to the picture window. Katy opened a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass.
"Don't you think it's a little too early to start drinking?" He asked.
Katy laughed and shook her head. "I'm not going to get drunk; besides, I'm going to need something to make it through tonight."
"One or two, that's it." He told her.
"Yes Daddy." She said when he walked up to her.
"I love you Katy." He said kissing her forehead.
She wrapped an arm around him. "I love you too. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Kari sooner."
"I know now, better late than never. You never have to do this alone again. I will always come up here with you." He said.
She smiled up at him. With an hour and a half before they had to be at the church, Katy disappeared into the bathroom to start getting ready. Callen had his slacks, shirt and tie on when she came out of the bathroom. Her hair was curled loosely and she wore the littlest bit of make-up. She walked to the bed and grabbed the box with the heels in it.
"Katy, you look… wow." Callen said softly.
"Thank you." She smiled.
He got up and walked to the bag with the jewelry in it. "Please don't forget these. Not that they will make you look any better than you already do."
"Stop." She said blushing.
"I'm serious, the dress fits perfectly, your long legs look even longer in those heels. You look so sexy." He said.
She turned her back to him and raised her hair so he could clasp the necklace on her and handed her the earrings. At three thirty, they headed down in the elevator. Several of the men she'd been talking to that morning whistled as they walked through the lobby. Callen had his hand on the small of her back leading her to the door. They walked to the parking garage and drove over to the church. Callen was mesmerized by the sheer size of the buildings. When they walked in, he looked around in awe at the stained glass windows and large buttresses.
Reggie was waiting at the second set of pews and greeted them. Katy gave him a hug and the three walked to the front of the church. Callen saw them first and smiled.
"Apparently you have some friends here this year." Reggie said and pointed to the right side pews.
Kensi stood and turned around, then Deeks and Hetty. Katy walked over to them and thanked them for coming. Kensi gave her a huge hug and whispered that she should have told them. Deeks gave her a hug and then she turned to Hetty. There were tears in her eyes, so uncharacteristic for her.
"Katy, you should have told me. All these years that we've been friends." She stopped shaking her head.
"I'm sorry Hetty, I didn't see the point in burdening you with anymore of my problems." She told her.
"A child is a child and the death of a child is never something you should have to go through alone." Hetty said and hugged her.
"Thank you Hetty. I love you." Katy whispered.
Hetty let her go and looked in her eyes, "I love you too."
Callen heard footsteps coming up behind them and found Nate, Eric and Nell walking up the aisle. He tapped Katy's shoulder to draw her attention to them. It was the same round of hugs and thanks as it was with the first three. "Sam and Michelle should be here in a few minutes." Nate told her.
"I can't believe you guys would come all the way up here for this." Katy cried.
"That's what we do." Kensi told her. "We are a family; we come together when another is in need. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else tonight."
"Thank you Kensi." Katy said. "Oh, I have to make introductions."
Katy took the group over and introduced them to Reggie, Joanie and their three kids. "This is Karolina's father, Reggie and his wife Joanie and their three kids, Reggie the third, Cassandra and Mary."
Sam and Michelle walked in hand-in-hand looking very much like a power couple. Sam with his broad shoulders in a dark suit and Michelle in an elegant black dress. Katy thanked them both for coming as the diocese Bishop walked up the aisle. He wore beautifully embroidered robed and greeted the group.
"Would you like to start now?" he asked.
Katy and Reggie agreed and they all took their seats. Deeks passed a box of tissues up the pew; Katy took a handful and passed them to Kensi next to her. It was a beautiful memorial, the Bishop spoke about both Reggie's parents and Karolina. Katy spent most of the service in tears as did, Kensi, Nell and Michelle. Once or twice, they caught Hetty wiping away a tear. Callen had Katy pulled close to him. At one point, she laid her head on his chest and listened as the bishop talked about her daughter's antics. She smiled through the tears.
When the service was over, they walked out to the family's grave and laid fire and ice roses on the headstones. Reggie walked over to Katy and gave her a tight hug; she lost it and fell to the ground crying. Reggie looked first at Joanie, then at Callen before he knelt beside her and pulled her close.
"You know she's in a better place, looking down on us. She knows how much we love and miss her and that we will never forget her." He said wiping tears of his own.
Callen walked to Joanie, "Is it always this hard for them?" He asked.
"It is it gets harder and harder to watch each year. I feel horrible that Reggie and I found each other, had the kids and are happy. I love Katy like she was a sister. I'd give anything to ease some of her pain and see her happy."
"It's been a long road getting here, but I think she's found a little bit of happiness." He said looking at Katy and Reggie.
"I can tell she loves you. I've known Katy for a lot of years and I've never seen her look at anyone the way she looks at you. She's been through so much in her life, please don't hurt her." She said.
"I'm not planning on it." Callen smiled.
"If he does, the whole lot of us will be after him." Kensi said from behind them.
"So you all work together?" Joanie asked.
"Yes we do for about two three months now." Kensi said.
"So how long have you two been together?" Joanie asked Callen shyly.
"A couple weeks less than we've been working together. Katy and I have a lot in common in the way we grew up. I see a lot of myself in her." He said smiling.
"Well, thank you both for being there for her when Reggie and I can't." Joanie said hugging the two at the same time.
"It's our pleasure." Kensi smiled.
"I think it's time we get them up before they make themselves sick." Joanie said walking to Reggie's side. "Come on honey, it's time to go."
Reggie sat for another moment before he stood and walked to her headstone and kissed it. Callen helped Katy up and walked her to Reggie's side. She knelt down in front of the headstone and hugged it, ran her hand across the etched granite and kissed it softly. Then stood and turned to Callen, holding him tight. Kensi walked up to them and hugged the two of them; Katy put her arm around her and thanked her for being there between sobs.
Hetty cleared her throat, "Dinner should be ready if you'd all like to join us back at the Marines Memorial Hotel."
"Hetty, you didn't have to do that." Katy said.
"Reggie, Joanie you will be joining us, won't you?" she asked.
"Of course, Ms. Lange." Reggie said.
The group walked slowly back out to their cars and drove back to the hotel. Kensi rode back with Katy and Callen. When they arrived, the lobby was full of guests, all turned around and silently watched as the group filed in. Several of the men and women Katy had spoken to earlier walked over to the group.
"Ma'am, Sir," they said looking at Katy and Reggie. "We'd like to offer out sincerest condolences for you loss and ask that your entire group accompany is to the bar for a drink."
"You don't have to." Katy smiled weakly.
"From one Marine to another, it's the least we can do." The graying man said. "My name is Corporal David Johnson, Desert Storm. This is Captain Josh Turner and Staff Sergeant Hall Matheson; Korea."
"Corporal Katya Levin, ninety-five to ninety-nine." Katy said offering her hand.
"Gunnery Sergeant Reginald Rocco Jr., Ninty-five to two thousand seven." Reggie said offering his hand as well.
"Off to the bar with you all." Hetty said with a smile.
They stood at the bar to order their drinks then walked to the back while everyone else got their drinks. They all talked for a while before the catering director got them for dinner. It was a welcome distraction from the events of earlier that evening. Katy and Reggie actually managed to smile while talking with everyone in the bar. Callen stood back and watched Katy, amazed by her grace and strength. He'd never met another woman; aside from Hetty; who he had so much respect for.
He held her hand as they walked to the dining room and stopped to let everyone pass. "Have I told you how beautiful you are?" he asked.
Katy smiled, "A few times."
"I love you." He said as Reggie and Joanie walked up.
"I love you too." She smiled not seeing them standing there.
"It's about time, Katy." Reggie said standing next to them. "I wish you two the best of luck I hope you have a very long future together."
"Me too." Katy smiled and kissed Callen.
"So Katy said you two are living together, looking to make that a more permanent situation?" He asked.
"One day at a time, Reggie. Don't go trying to marry me off already." Katy laughed.
"Well, let's just say it's on the table for discussion." Callen said.
Reggie smiled and patted Callen on the back. "Very good, carry on." He laughed as he escorted his wife into the hall.
Katy and Callen followed them in and sat at the table with them. They talked while the servers brought dinner around. Hetty out did herself. There was a little bit of everything. A beef dish was offered as well as chicken and vegetarian. The wine flowed freely. When dinner was done, the plates were cleared and the four got up to mingle with their friends.
"So I know you all work for NCIS, but that's all Katy will tell us. Anything more we should know?" Reggie asked knowing he question would go unanswered.
"Yes, that's correct, we work for NCIS." Hetty told him. "As for the rest of it, we shouldn't really tell you, but seeing that you've known Katy about as long as I have, I'll tell you a bit about them. The people you see before you are part of an elite team that works some of the toughest cases ever handed to our agency. They are the absolute best at what they do and each of them brings a different skill or specialty to the table. Pay attention, Ms. Levin, I'm talking about you too."
Katy snapped to attention. Hetty continued. "Each of them fits so well together, like a well oiled machine or puzzle. Without one, yes they can function, but nowhere near what they would if they were all together."
Katy smiled and looked around at the team. "So I take it you're trying to convince me to stay?"
"What? You're thinking about leaving the team?" Kensi gasped.
"You're not leaving, we won't let you." Sam said. "Who else can I trust my partner to when I can't be there?"
"Katy, you're not really thinking about leaving, are you?" Callen asked with a pained look.
"I thought about it, yes, but after today and what you've all done, there's no possible way I can walk away from this team. You all mean so much to me, you have no clue. I'm staying and will wait patiently for a partner of my own, but in the meantime…" She smiled. "Sam and Deeks had better watch it."
Reggie stood back and smiled knowing that all of these people truly cared about his old friend. He looked to Joanie and smiled. "Yeah, the world is complete now." He laughed. "So what do you all do? I know you all can't be field agents."
"Mr. Callen is the team lead, Mr. Hanna is his partner. Ms. Blye and Mr. Deeks are paired up. We're looking diligently for a suitable partner for Ms. Levin at the moment, but she can work with either of the two sets of partners if need be. Mr. Beale and Ms. Jones are our technical analysts, Mr. Getz is our Operational Psychologist and I'm the boss." Hetty smiled.
"Wow, looks like you've got yourself a good group of friends, Katy." Reggie said.
"What do you do Reggie?" Callen asked.
Reggie very proudly answered, "I'm a priest at Grace Cathedral. I was ordained shortly after recovering from my injuries and Kari's death. It was my way of finding answers for why she and my parents were taken from us."
"Wow, a priest?" Sam said. "I take it Grace is not a catholic church?"
"No, we're Protestant Episcopalian." He said.
"And what do you do, Joanie?" Kensi asked.
"Actually, I'm a school teacher. Nothing nearly as exciting as what you all do, but exciting in its own right. I teach at one of the local private schools here in the city. It doesn't pay as much as I'd like it to, but it's better than working in the public school system." She said.
"Teaching is just as important a job as ours. You're molding the future and we're trying to protect it." Callen told her.
"Well, thank you, but I beg to differ." Joanie laughed.
By eleven, the kids had all fallen asleep, so Callen and Sam helped take them out to their van while Katy walked out with Reggie to say goodnight. "So it's only Saturday, when are you leaving?" Reggie asked.
"I've got a couple weeks off, but Callen has to be back on Wednesday. He wants me to go back with him, I'm pretty sure I will." Katy smiled watching Callen carry their youngest Mary to the van.
"He's a good man Katy. Do us all a favor and let yourself love him and be loved by him. He won't hurt you that much is evident. Why else would he come chasing after you when you disappeared?" he said holding Katy's hand between him.
"Ah, the priest comes out." Katy laughed. "It's hard to let go of the past, you know that. I'm trying, I really am."
"Yes, Katy you've been trying out patience for years." Reggie laughed. "Will I see you at tomorrow morning's service?"
"Are you presiding over mass?" she asked.
"I wouldn't tell you if I wasn't." He smiled.
"I'll talk to Callen and send you a text." She said.
"Talk to me about what?" Callen asked as he walked up to them.
"I'm saying mass tomorrow morning and I would like you to join me as my special guests." Reggie told him with a smile.
"Well, I don't see why not. What time?" Callen asked looking at Katy.
"Ten o'clock. That's when the sun filters through the stained glass and the cathedral is the prettiest." He smiled again.
"I'm sure we'll be able to make it." Callen told him shaking his hand. "Thank you for everything. Katy's been very fortunate to have had you all these years."
"Oh no, thank you. You're the one who's saved Katy from the darkness and loneliness." Reggie said.
"Alright Father Reggie, get your kids into bed and tell your wife I love her." Katy said kissing his cheek and waving at Joanie waiting in the car.
"Fine, have a good night, see you in the morning." He said as he walked away.
"I like them." Callen said as they turned back towards the hotel.
"They've helped me through a lot of really bad times." Katy said as she kissed Callen, stopping him dead in his tracks. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and lifted her off the ground.
"Come on you two get a room." Someone said. They laughed and walked back into the hotel to visit more with their co-workers.
Katy thanked them all again and asked when they were returning to LA. Most were leaving the following afternoon or evening. She invited them all to church and then out to see the city until they all had to leave for the airport. All agreed. Callen could tell that Katy was exhausted and told everyone he was taking her up to bed. Hetty had booked them all at the hotel as well, so they all went up to their rooms.
Callen unzipped the back of Katy's dress for her while she stepped out of her heels. She leaned into him and thanked him again for being there. He turned her around and kissed her. Callie was up on the table pawing at them, so Callen picked her up and held her between them. She rubber against their faces and purred, Katy smiled.
"Are you okay?" Callen asked.
"I am, I think tonight would've gone a different way had you not been here. I probably would've gone through the rest of those bottles of wine by now and passed out." She laughed.
"Where did you get the wine?" he asked.
"A little place on the one-fifty-two called Casa de Fruita. They've got a coffee shop, candy store, gift shop, the specialty store that sells the wines and some other stuff. There's a train that runs through the place and they've got a petting zoo. Reggie and I wanted to take Kari there, but never got a chance. I'm thankful his parents took her to Disneyland and a few other places in her short life." She said feeling the tears again.
"I'm sure she had a good life." He said wiping a tear from her cheek. "I know you wished you could've spent more time with her."
"I did," she said walking away to the window. "I didn't want to turn her out like Dmitri did me. Reggie and I both knew that his parents were the best alternative. They gave her everything she ever wanted and then some. They were so good to her and she loved them so much. It hurt so badly the day they died. I can't even imagine how it was for Reggie to lose his parents and his daughter at the same time. He never once held any of it against me. Never blamed me for anything, aside from you, he's the only man who ever told me he loved me and I believed him."
"Would you have married him if he hadn't gotten orders?" Callen asked.
"I doubt it. We were so much better as friends. What happened was an accident. It was the one and only time we ever slept together. He was always there to comfort me. He treated me like a lady, not a piece of trash like everyone else did." She said turning back to him.
"So you weren't dating?" Callen asked.
"We were and we weren't. We were inseparable until he got the orders. I don't know what would've happened had he remained stateside. He's with who he was supposed to be with. Joanie accepted me for who I am and never questioned the friendship. Other women would have. I love Reggie; I can't deny that, but look at what we've been through together."
"Katy, I'm not judging you. I was just asking." He told her.
"I know, I just don't want you to think that I'd run off with Reggie if given the chance." She laughed.
"I know you wouldn't." he said taking her hand.
"Besides, you're the only one I want to be with, now and forever." She smiled as she put her arms around his neck.
"I love you and I do want you to think about making this more permanent." He told her.
"Callen you're talking marriage?" she asked.
"I am I know it's too soon, but think about it. We're already living together, we love each other Callie is out furry child." He laughed.
"Yes, but Callie's not going to be around forever. I found her a year before I got pregnant." She said.
"Well, maybe by that time we'll have a little one of our own, not so furry, wears a diaper, cries incessantly." He laughed.
"I don't know it's only been a few months." She said.
"It's not a formal marriage proposal. Just food for thought." He said kissing her.
"We should probably go to bed." She said smiling fiendishly.
"Mm, I agree." He said kissing her neck, letting the dress slowly fall from her body.
The following morning, Callen and Katy woke to the cat standing between them howling. It was a cloudless morning and they forgot to pull the curtains too, so they were blinded in the sunlight. Katy threw the covers over her head and burrowed into Callen's side. He tossed the covers over his head and kissed her.
"Again this morning?" Katy laughed.
"Why not, we have a few hours before we need to be at the church." He said kissing her neck.
"Oh lord, I hate it when you do that, but I love it some much." She said breathlessly.
Callen made his way down her body, enjoying every inch of her soft skin. They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Both groaned as Callen got out of bed and put on his pants. When he opened the door, Sam was standing there with Michelle.
"We're all going out to breakfast; do you two want to join us?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, give us a few minutes to get dresses." Callen said.
Katy sat up in the bed with the sheet wrapped around her. "Good morning."
"Morning Katy. We didn't interrupt anything, did we?" Sam smiled, knowing they did.
"Nothing we can't finish later." Callen said with an awkward smile. "We will be down in about fifteen minutes."
"That's all you need, fifteen minutes, I thought you had more stamina than that." Sam laughed as he and Michelle walked away from the door.
"Ha ha, funny Sam." Callen said stepping out of the door.
By the time he closed the door and turned around, Katy was out of bed and walking to the closet. Callen walked up behind her and put his arms around her. "So I take it we'll finish this later?"
"Yeah I think food is more important." She said kissing him.
They quickly showered and dressed to meet the other down stairs. By nine thirty, they were headed to Grace Cathedral. Reggie said a beautiful service and acknowledged Katy and Karolina during the service. He offered a special blessing for the team as the service ended. The parishioners greeted Katy and the others warmly and invited them to the hall for refreshments. Overwhelmed by the reception and applause they'd received during the service, they couldn't refuse.
They snacked on cookies and juice for a half-hour or so before they said their goodbyes and left to enjoy the rest of the day at Fisherman's Warf and Pier thirty-nine. It was a beautiful afternoon, very warm, in fact. The group stopped and watched the street performers and looked in several of the stores. It was a wonderfully relaxing day that they all sorely needed after the Sidorov and Leshev-Larionov cases. By three, they were headed back to the hotel so the others could pack and make their flights home. Before leaving for the airport, Hetty reminded Callen than he needed to be back at work on Wednesday and hope to see Katy with him. Katy agreed that they'd be leaving Tuesday morning to head back down to Southern California.
Callen and Katy accompanied them down to their rental cars and waved as they drove off. They had one more full day in San Francisco and Katy's mind raced with the possibilities of how to spend that day. Callen suggested they take a dinner cruise that evening and talked to the hotel's concierge about booking a reservation. There was a myriad of other things to do while they were there. Shows, museums, tours to Alcatraz, Golden Gate Park, and The Presidio. They were told that there were no more available reservations for any of the dinner cruises that evening, but that they could be booked on one the following day. Callen agreed and settled for walking the few blocks to China town for dinner.
They had such a wonderful time together, wandering through the shops. Callen wanted to make the house a little more Katy, so he had her pick a few things. There wasn't much that she didn't like and had a hard time choosing just a few. An older woman in one of the shops helped with the selection. She was really a very sweet woman who spoke broken English, but between the three of them they were able to understand one another. They walked out of the shop with two bags full of goodies and a few things they didn't see the woman slip into the bag. It was nothing expensive or valuable, just a few trinkets that the woman wanted them to have.
Katy walked out of the shop truly feeling as if the world had been lifted from her shoulders. She didn't understand how or why, but it felt wonderful. From there, they went to one of the many restaurants for dinner. By the time darkness fell upon the city, they walked back to the hotel and had a drink at the bar with the men and women from the night before. It was a very relaxing end to an emotional weekend.
The next morning, Katy lay away watching Callen sleep with Callie nestled between them. She thought more about their discussion of marriage, but came to the conclusion that it was entirely too soon for it. As much as she loved him and would love to spend the rest of her life as his wife, she was content with their current situation. Katy was enjoying watching him sleep, the sun was peeking through the drapes and the combination of his even breathing and Callie's purr, she drifted back to sleep. Only to wake two hours later when Callen kissed her.
"Ah, sleeping beauty awakes." Callen said smiling down at her.
"How long have you been awake?" She asked stretching.
"Not long. How did you sleep?" He asked kissing her neck.
"Mm well, I woke up a couple hours ago and watched you and Callie sleep, then I fell back to sleep." She smiled.
"Good, you're well rested." He said pulling the covers over their heads.
His hands were warm on her skin and his breath caused goose bumps. God she loved him, she thought when she wrapped herself around him. They fit so well together, they laid there until the cat got in the middle of it and meowed at them. Callen reached for the remote and turned on the TV. With nothing to do until the dinner cruise that evening, they stayed in bed the majority of the day. By three, they were showered and dressed. Hand-in-hand, they walked to Hyde Street, took a Cable Car to Aquatic Park and walked up the street to Pier thirty-nine, wandering through the fish stands. They crossed the street to the Kiosk where they checked in for the dinner cruise.
With fifteen minutes to spare before they boarded, they wandered through some of the shops across the street. Both Callen and Katy had an odd feeling about the cruise. The closer to the time they needed to board, the more nervous they got.
"Do you just want to head back to the hotel?" Callen offered.
"I don't know it's a waste of money if we don't go, but something's not right." She told him.
"I feel it too. Did you by chance bring your weapon, just in case?" he asked quietly.
"Always, it's like American Express, I never leave home without it." She laughed.
"Did you have it last night too?" he asked.
"Of course, it was in my purse." She said.
"Hopefully it's nothing, but we need to be on our toes." He told her.
"I agree." She said.
An hour into the cruise and nothing had happened. They began to relax and enjoy dinner. They sat with a few other couples and chatted with them through dinner. When the plates were cleared, the other couples went off to the dance floor. Katy and Callen both watched the room, neither saw anything suspicious. Callen ran his hand down Katy's back and felt her pistol and smiled at her. About fifteen minutes after dessert was served, they tablemates disappeared again. There was a loud crashing and banging sound and the dining room filled with thick smoke. It was chaos screaming and yelling, for a moment, the boat went dark then the emergency lights flicker on. Callen and Katy tried to make their way to the deck, but the doors had been shut and locked.
Callen and Katy looked at one another and made their way back through the pandemonium to another door, it was locked too. Then smoke was almost overwhelming, Callen grabbed clean napkins off the cart and poured water on them, handing one to Katy and keeping the other for himself. Within fifteen minutes the smoke was so thick that they could barely see the emergency lights and bodies that littered the floor. Callen could think of nothing else to do but try to kick the doors open. Katy held her breath and picked up a chair, trying to throw it though one of the windows, but it bounced back at her. Callen pulled his pistol and shot at the glass, but it only splintered.
He picked up the chair and slammed it into the glass several times before it finally gave way. He turned around to find Katy slumped over on the floor. With what energy he had left, he lifted her out the window and laid her on the deck. Smoke poured out the window making him dizzy and nauseous. There was another loud bang and a bright flash. The force of the blast blew him out the window, on top of Katy. There was another explosion and then another. Glass flew everywhere, Callen tried to cover Katy and him the best he could until he was struck over the head and blacked out.