Hello my darlings. I would like to thank I Feel Possessed, sarainichol13, sgc2602, LKK (Guest), Petunia3116, French fan (Guest), kirallie and sarainichol13 for the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.

So here is the next chapter, it's a long one. I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS: LA, nor any lines I have taken from the show.

Callen pulled into the parking lot of Marty's building, trying to sort through the thoughts that were going through his mind. It kept jumping between different things, the first being the fact that one of the canisters of chemicals was out there somewhere, with someone who would no doubt use it against the country he risked his life to protect. It felt like he had failed to do his job properly knowing that, despite Hetty's assurance that they would work it out. He was worried they wouldn't work it out in time. Then there was a slight irritation and embarrassment at the fact Hetty had indeed beaten him up the climbing wall without even breaking a sweat. Damn her. How was it she was so good?

Oh he knew she had only agreed to the challenge at the end of the day in the hopes of taking his mind of the problems in it. And it had worked, for a few minutes. But now they were back. Which brought him to the last thing on his mind, though this one was much more personal in nature. He couldn't remove the image of Marty being thrown off the bridge by the bad guy he had been chasing, from his mind. Sure when Nell had shown them all the security footage in ops he had chuckled along with Sam and Kensi as they made jokes at his lover's expense. He knew it was all in good fun, just as Marty did. But the thought wouldn't leave his mind that if Marty hadn't been so quick thinking as to come up from the water with his gun in hand, he wouldn't be there now. Why was it always Marty getting into these dangerous situations? Sure, he didn't have all the training the rest of the team did, but Sam had given him a solid foundation it the basics…

And yet, it was still always Marty who came of worse whenever they confronted the enemy. He really didn't like it. But he wasn't sure what to do, because he knew if Marty was any other team member he would get Kensi and Sam to come down hard on him, get him up to scratch. But he couldn't do that, because Marty was the man he loved. The man he was in relationship with and he really didn't want to piss him off. Oh yeah, this dilemma was a clear example of why he had tried to never have relationships with co-workers. Not that that really mattered now. No he was going to have to do something about this himself, maybe he could give Marty some pointers, a bit of extra training under the guise of not wanting him to get hurt. Of course he knew that if Sam ever found out then he would never let him live it down, but hey that was a much better outcome than the possibility of anything happening to Marty. Just the thought was enough to make him feel cold all over and his heart to miss a beat. No there was no way he could ever deal with anything happening to his man.

But right now he needed to get out of the car and go and see said man in person. Make sure he really was okay after his unplanned dip in the canal. So climbing out of the car and trying to put all the worries from his mind Callen instead wondered if Marty was cooking or if they were going to have take-out. He kind of hoped for the latter. He could think of nothing better than curling up on the couch with Marty in his arms right then, and he couldn't exactly do that when the guy was busy in the kitchen. He loved the domesticity of Marty cooking them dinner, but tonight he just wanted to hold him.

He got to the door and without thought pulled out his lock picks to open it, even if he did have a key of his own. It was habit more than anything else. As he moved into the apartment he was greeted by Monty who insisted he give his ears a rub before he let him move further down the corridor. Though the dog was also being surprisingly quiet, not that Callen noticed. Not until he heard Marty's voice coming from the living room. Callen frowned as he wondered if he had people round, and he wondered if the younger man would want him to just walk in on whoever it was. But as he stood and listened he realised he could only hear Marty's voice, though he appeared to be having a conversation. He must be on the phone. Therefore making his way to the doorway Callen leaned against the frame and watched as the man he loved stood with his back to him, running a hand through his hair and spoke into his cell.

"Yeah, I'm sure. He really is dead." Marty said with exasperation. He had called him mom to tell her about G, but once he got speaking to her and she reprimanded him for not calling her in months, which had taken a good 10-15 minutes, he realised he hadn't actually told her about his dad either. He had always intended to make the call, he just never got round to it. Oops. Oh she was so going to kill him. So rather than discussing his relationship, he had found himself explaining what he knew.

Callen on the other hand raised his eyebrow at that sentence. Who was dead, and who was Marty talking to?

"How do you know for sure?" Roberta Deeks asked down the line, still finding it hard to process the fact her ex-husband, the one who she had allowed to hurt her child, was dead. She had never truly forgiven herself for the fact that Martin had to pull a gun on his own father to stop him. She should have been stronger, protected her boy better. But to now find out Gordon John Brandell was dead? And to hear it come from her son, who she knew didn't have any contact with him either… how did he know?

"A friend of mine found out when he was looking for him." Deeks answered simply, though he could feel his hands getting sweaty at the fact he had just described G to his mom as a friend. Because he was so much more than that, he needed to tell her. He needed to get off this topic of conversation and onto the real reason he had called, he just wasn't sure how to do it. Oh he knew she would be okay with him dating guy, but he was still worried about what she would do. He would not put it past the woman to turn up on his doorstep tomorrow after he shared his news, and he was so not ready for that to happen.

"And why was your friend looking for him?" Roberta snapped, worried that maybe someone who didn't know the truth had tried to stick their nose in and get him to rebuild his relationship with his father.

"Because he wanted to make sure he wasn't anywhere near me. He can be kinda… protective." Deeks replied not being able to stop the smile that appeared on his lips as he thought over the scene earlier that day when he had returned from the bombed van. Yeah, G could be very protective of him, and Deeks would have it no other way.

"Are you sure he's just a friend Martin? Because it sounds to me like someone has a crush on you." Roberta responded smiling now. She could hear the softer tone of her son's voice, and she could tell that he liked this man, whoever he was. But have no fear, she was going to find out.

"Mom." Deeks groaned rolling his eyes at her teasing tone, but at least they were now on the right topic of conversation. "Fine. He's my boyfriend." He finished with, wincing slightly at how childish that sounded, but what other word could he use?

"And how long have you been in this relationship Martin?" Roberta asked her eyes lighting up at the idea that her son had found someone he cared enough about that he was actually telling her about him. It was past time in her mind. She wanted him to fall in love and be happy, to find someone he could share his life with. He deserved it so very much.

"A few months." Deeks mumbled hoping she wouldn't pick up on the words. Because he knew what was coming if she did. She was gonna be pissed he hadn't told her about G from the start. Yeah okay, maybe Kensi had had a point, maybe he should have called him mom before now to tell her about him and G.

"Is that why you haven't called? You been too busy to talk to your own mother?" Roberta asked with a twinkle in her eyes as she put emphasis on the word busy. She wasn't cross with him like Deeks assumed she would be. She was more inclined to be happy that he had finally found someone, to worry about him not calling her earlier. She knew her son was very private, and he didn't tell her half of the things that happened in his life. So when he did share news with her she knew it had to be important to him.

Deeks just groaned. How did his mom make that sound so dirty? It might have been better if she chewed him out instead of that comment. I mean she was his mom.

At that sound from her son Roberta chuckled before turning back to the questions in her mind. She wanted to know everything she could about Martin's man. "What's his name?"

"G." Deeks replied simply. Not that he thought for a minute he would get away with simple answers, but he was gonna give it his best shot.

"What kind of name is that?" Roberta asked with a frown. G was not a name, it was a letter for god's sake. Didn't the guy have a really name?

"His." Deeks responded, but while it was only one word, he said it in such a tone that his mom knew to leave that question well enough alone. Fine, she had other things she needed to know after all.

"Do you love him?" She asked hoping that the answer was yes and that his affection was returned.

"Yeah, with all my heart." Deeks answered smiling as his eyes found the photo which was now framed sitting on the bookcase in front of him. He still hadn't turned round to discover his audience. The one that was very keen to hear Deeks half of the conversation even if he didn't know what his lover's mom was asking.

"What's he like? Does he treat you right?" came Roberta's next questions. She wanted to make sure her son was not making the mistakes she had made when she had been young and stupid. When she had believed the lies his father had told her.

"Yes. He's sexy, funny, quiet, protective," as Deeks was listing G's qualities he finally turned round only to find the man in question leaning against the doorframe with a smug look on his face. Damn him for being able to move so quietly. Therefore his list changed slightly "a softy when he isn't being a pain in the ass, oh and he's also a superspy."

"I am not a spy." Callen grumbled. He hadn't meant to say anything, not wanting to interrupt the conversation Marty was having with his mom, but he couldn't let him tell her that. He didn't want the woman, who in his mind was the closest thing he was going to get to a mother-in-law, thinking that.

"Is he there? Right now?" Roberta asked as her ears picked up some unintelligible words in the background. She hadn't heard her son going to answer the door or anything, and she doubted the man had been there at the start of the conversation. So… that must mean he had a key to Martin's apartment. It was very serious then, good.

"Yep." Deeks confirmed smiling at the man in question as he answered her.

"Let me talk to him Martin." She demanded. She couldn't' wait to find out more about this man who meant so much to her boy.

"I don't think so mom. In fact I had better go-" Deeks quickly back tracked, trying to think of a way to get off the phone quickly, without hurting her. He really would prefer to keep G and his mom away from each other for as long as possible. He didn't want her scaring him off.

"Fine. I'll met him when I come down for the weekend instead." Roberta replied with determination already planning her journey to visit her son.

"No, no. Mom, no need for you to come visit. We'll probably be working this weekend anyway so we couldn't spend any time with you, and the apartment really isn't big enough-" Deeks rushed to say his eyes widening in fear at the idea of her turning up. But before he could come up with any more excuses as to why his mom should definitely not visit, the phone was snatched out of his hand and he could do nothing but watch with growing alarm as G raised it to his ear.

"Hello Mrs Deeks." Callen said amiably as he side stepped away from Marty to make sure he was out of reach of the phone. He didn't trust the look on the younger man's face and he felt he might just try and grab it back. And while they both knew Marty would lose, he wasn't sure that was quite the right impression to give to his lover's mother the first time they spoke.

"Who's this?" Roberta asked, though there really could only be one answer. But maybe he would give her a proper name rather than just a letter.

"G Callen at your service." Came the reply. Well it was more than just a letter at least, she was getting somewhere.

"So you're my boy's boyfriend are you?" She asked trying to put a commanding and scary tone in her voice. After all aren't men supposed to be scared of their mother-in-law's? She wanted to make sure she gave the right impression.

"I am." Callen answered smirking as he silently added a ma'am at the end. He didn't think he should say that out loud though.

"You care for him?" Roberta asked going straight to the questions she needed answering from the man who meant so much to her Martin.

"He's the most important person in the world to me." Callen replied without thought as he stared into the blue eyes he loved so much. And as he stared he could see them light up with the blinding smile Marty was giving him due to his words. But hey, they were nothing short of the truth. he may not be able to say out loud that he was in love with the guy, that word still got stuck in his throat, but he could say that.

"Good. You make sure you treat him right." Roberta responded nodding to herself. He loved her Martin just as much as her son loved him. That was all that really mattered in her mind.

"Always." Callen stated with complete conviction in his voice. He would never do anything to hurt Marty.

"You cook G Callen?" Roberta asked changing the conversation just as her son did. Taking it in a direction where he couldn't see what the end game was or the relevance to what they had been discussing. He loved that she was so similar to her son. It showed him just how close they really were, even if he had never heard of her until tonight. He briefly wondered why that was, but pushed the thought from his mind as he turned back to the conversation and the question he had been asked.

"No. In fact Marty refuses to let me near the kitchen in case I burn down his building." He replied with a chuckle.

"When I visit I'll show you how to make his favourite lasagne. He won't argue with me." Roberta stated, already looking forward the idea of spending time with this man, finding out about him as she taught him how to take care of the one they both loved.

"Sounds good, I'd like that." Callen agreed readily, though he hoped she would let him stick to chopping things. He was good with knives after all, though he used them less on vegetables and more on people, but still… same principle right?

"I'm looking forward to meeting you." Roberta said smiling down the line. He hadn't said much, but the warmth in his voice and the way he spoke about Martin, she could see what it was that had made her son fall in love with him.

"The feeling is mutual." Callen replied sincerely, he really couldn't wait to meet the woman who had brought up Marty Deeks. Had helped shape him into the man he loved with all his heart.

"So I'll see you this weekend?" Roberta asked cheekily. She knew Martin had told her they were working, but she was pretty sure that was just some excuse. If this G Callen said she could come, she knew her son would not be able to say no.

But Callen knew exactly what she was doing, and there was no way he would go against what Marty wanted. Therefore he responded in an easy tone. "We are actually working then Mrs Deeks, but I'm sure we both can take some time off soon and work something out."

"Okay, just make sure that you look after Martin for me." Roberta admitted defeat. Maybe they really were working, she couldn't see this man lying to her.

"I will." Callen answered with a smile.

"Good, now hand me back to my son."

With that Callen handed the phone back over to Marty before going to pick up his bag which he had dropped by the door and took it into the bedroom, leaving Marty to talk to his mom without an audience.

"I like him. He has a nice voice." was the first thing Roberta said when she knew her son was back on the line.

"He does, he has even nicer eyes." Deeks smirked as he watched G's retreating back. He knew he had heard him by the way he turned and winked at him before continuing out of the room.

"Well go on then, go be with you boyfriend. But I expect you to arrange some vacation time soon, or I will come down there." Roberta stated, knowing that she was unlikely to get anything more from her son while G Callen was there. But she was determined to meet the man soon, then she would find out everything she wanted to know. And she wanted to know a lot.

"Yes mom. See you soon. Bye." Deeks replied agreeing to arranging some vacation, though when they would be able to get it he had no idea. But he would try, if only to stop her turning up on his doorstep unannounced.

"Goodbye Martin."

With that Deeks hung up his phone and collapsed onto the couch leaning back to stare at the ceiling. He had to confess, that had gone a lot better than he had thought it would. He was surprised that Callen had been so calm as he talked to his mom. He wondered what she had said to him, his answers hadn't told him much, expect you know, that he was the most important person in G's world. Hmm, yeah, he definitely liked that answer.

"So that's your mom." Came G's voice from the doorway causing him to sit up and smile at the other man with a large grin as the words once more went through his mind.

"Yeah. She didn't say anything embarrassing did she?" Deeks asked pulling himself together. He probably looked really goofy right about now.

"No, I think she's saving that for our first face to face meeting." Callen answered with a smirk as he moved to sit on the couch and pulling Marty into his arms before he leaned back.

"Oh god." Deeks groaned, but he went easily towards the man he loved and settled down with his back to him and his head resting on G's shoulder so he could see his face as they continued to talk.

"I like her. She's a nice woman." Callen said smiling as he placed a gentle kiss on Marty's forehead before resting his cheek against his hair.

"Thanks." Deeks replied. He hadn't realised how much he had wanted to hear those words from G until he had spoken them and they had caused a warmth to spread through him. He was so glad that they got on.

"So dinner? Take-out?" Callen asked already moving to grab his phone from his pocket and call for a pizza.

"Hell yeah.. I ain't cooking now." Deeks answered without thought.

"Good, cos I don't want to let you go just yet." Callen replied tightening his hold on the man in his arms. The place he had wanted him to be ever since the start of their case.

With that Deeks smiled as he snuggled closer to G, turning in his arms so he could lie there listening to the beat of his heart and his calm breathing. Trying to say without words how happy he was, and how much telling his mom had lifted a weight he hadn't known had been on his shoulders. It was strange. He hadn't really considered telling her, but it had been at the back of his mind all the time. He could admit that now. But it was done and it had worked out really well. As such he allowed himself to relax in the arms of the man he loved. Oh yeah, this was definitely the best way to spend their evening.

And that was something Callen agreed with completely. It was then he let his mind go other what had happened since he had returned to Marty's home. He admitted to himself that it had been a shock to listen to Marty talking to his mom, he had never really considered what relationship he had with her. In fact he had had no idea if she was a life or dead, but now he knew that they were close. That Marty loved his mom. It was nice and normal talking to her, just as he would expect it to be talking to the man he loved's family. But… it was also strange, because he had never had a relationship where that was normal before. Where he had talked to his partner's parents, or met his family. It strange and new and he couldn't wait to do more of the normal things people take for granted when in a relationship. It was exciting and new and for the first time in a long time made him feel like he was actually living in the world, not just protecting it from danger. It was perfect remedy for the chaotic thoughts he had had when he had arrived, just like the man in his arms was.