Questions are finally answered about the team's one enigma,

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

Joelle's House, Dining Room

Callen sat at the dining room table with a tablet in front of him. Next to him sat Joelle Taylor. They had been dating for half a year but the recent events of the past few days had cause a huge road bump in their relationship. She told him that she wanted to know who he was, her way of saying that she was still in it.

"Joelle, before I go any further I want you to know that there are certain things I can't tell you. It's not that I don't want to. If I had my way you would know everything, but I can't." He said.

Joelle nodded. "I understand." She said.

"To start my name really is G Callen, that was not a lie. And no, I don't know what the G stands for. I am the Special Agent in Charge for the NCIS Office of Special Projects. Naval Criminal Investigative Service. In layman's terms we police the Navy and Marines as well as anyone connected to them. Officially we don't exist. Everyone has cover identities that we have to maintain for our security as well as those around us." Callen explained. Joelle just nodded, trying to keep up.

"I was born in Romania but was brought to the United States when I was a child. I was raised in Foster care for most of my childhood, rarely staying in the same place for long. My house was one of the ones I stayed in the longest at just a few months. For a few years I worked for the CIA as an undercover agent until I moved to NCIS where I am now."

Callen powered on the tablet and pulled open a folder of pictures. He pulled up one of the entire group on one of their outings.

"You already know Sam so I won't go into much detail but Sam and I have been partners for almost 7 years. Through thick and thin he has always had my back."

Callen pointed to a slim brunette with wavy hair. "That is Kensi Blye. Don't let her looks deceive you. She is tough enough to eat nails and ask for seconds. She is a Marine child and is a huge tom boy. Has an encyclopedic knowledge and can give me a run for my money when it comes to languages she speaks."

He then pointed to a scruffy blond with shaggy hair next to her. "That is Marty Deeks. He isn't an Agent technically. He is our liaison with LAPD and he is Kensi's second partner, and her boyfriend. They just went public with it a few days ago but I've had a feeling for a few months about them. He is a fun person to have around because of his sense of humor. He always finds a way to make you laugh. We've been tough on him in the past but he has saved my life on more than a few occasions. There are a few times I felt bad for what we put him through. All of us are hoping that he officially becomes an Agent since he has proven time and time again that he belongs."

Next he pointed to two people. One was a tall, blond man with glasses and a stereotypical surfer look. Next to him was a short girl with red hair. By how close they stood to each other Joelle figured they were together somehow.

"That is Eric Beale and Nell Jones. We call them the Wonder Twins because they are inseparable. He is our Technical Operator who helps us out with anything computer, cell phone or video related. He also does a lot of our research. Nell is our Intelligence Analyst. She goes through all of our data and looks for things we can't see. She eventually wants to become a field agent and she is a wicked shot with a gun. And to answer your question, Yes. They are dating." Callen explained, chuckling at his last line.

Callen then pointed to the tall man with the short dark hair. "Nate Getz is our operational psychologist. For a time he helped us out with psychological profiles of suspects, witnesses, and things of that nature. Lately he has been doing some undercover stuff on his own so we don't see him that much but he pops in from time to time to help out."

Callen focused on a balding man in a suit. "This is Assistant Director Owen Grainger. He is basically our boss' boss, real rough around the edges but he stands behind us, even though he will never admit it himself. He and Hetty go way back."

Callen finally focused on a short, old woman wearing glasses. "Henrietta Lange, or Hetty as everyone calls her. She is our Operations Manager and is one of the most interesting people you will ever meet in your life. There are things even I don't know about her. But she was responsible for me coming to the United States because of her connection with my Grandfather in the OSS. She helped take care of me growing up, making sure I was in foster care, getting an education. She actually bought me the house I live in. Very much the den mother of our little family." Callen finished explaining.

Joelle took a few moments to try to process everything. "That is quite a family you have, G." She said.

"I still want you to meet them. You kinda already met Kensi and Deeks but I want you to know them as I know them." Callen said as he reached out and took her hand, softly rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.

"We are having a potluck get together at our boatshed in two weeks. I really want you to come with." He said, his eyes showing that he was not lying to her, not this time, not ever again. She nodded.

"Ok, G. I trust you. I will come." She said

Callen smiled as he pulled her in for a kiss.

The Boatshed Two weeks later

Nell and Kensi worked frantically to arrange the food on the table. Everyone was started to arrive and the table was filling up quickly. Deeks was outside working the grill with Eric bringing in the food in as it was finishing up. Sam and Michelle arrived, bringing their food as well. Soon after Nate arrived with Rose in tow. Hetty followed close behind and even Granger showed up. They were all about to dig in when Nell asked where Callen was. "We can't start without all of us being here." She explained.

Everyone looked to each other and it became clear no one knew where Callen was. Sam pulled out his phone and was about to call him when the door opened and Callen stepped in. "Sorry I'm late guys." He explained. "I had to make a stop on the way."

He waved toward the door and someone else entered. Sam smiled when he realized who it was. "Everyone, I would like you to meet my girlfriend. Joelle Taylor." Callen said, smiling.

"Hi, everyone," She said. "I hope it's not a problem me being here."

Hetty walked up to her and took her hand. "Not at all, my dear. The more the merrier." She said, smiling and patting Joelle's hand. They stepped over to the table as Deeks brought in the last of the food from the grill.

"Chow time!" He said out loud as he set the burgers and hotdogs down. "Dig in everyone!" He said.

Later on

Everyone was eating and just enjoying the day when Hetty walked over to Joelle. "Ms Taylor. Might I have a moment of your time?" She asked.

Callen patted her on the shoulder, telling her not to worry. "Sure. Hetty was it?" Joelle said as she stood up from the couch and followed Hetty to an empty corner of the room.

"I'm sure Mr. Callen explained the nature of our work, correct?" Hetty said.

Joelle nodded. "He gave me the basics. Told me about each of you and what you do." She said.

"Then you understand our need for secrecy. Now, don't believe that I oppose your presence here or in Mr. Callen's life. In fact the opposite is true. I feel responsible for him ever since I was unable to save his mother so he is very much like a son to me. All I ask is that you protect our secret. We are putting our trust in you." Hetty said, patting Joelle's hand.

"Of course, Hetty. I may not fully understand what you do but your secret is safe with me." She said, smiling.

"Thank you, my dear." Hetty said, placing a kiss on Joelle's cheek. They returned to the rest of the group.

Joelle sat back down next to Callen, who wrapped his arm around her. She looked around the couples. Nell sitting on Eric's lap, his arms wrapped around her waist. Deeks sitting on the floor up against Kensi's legs, her arms wrapped around his neck, Rose and Nate holding hands as she leaned up against him and Sam and Michelle sitting shoulder to shoulder, her resting her weight against him. Joelle for the first time in years felt like she belonged. After a few minutes Hetty returned with a bottle and a tray of glasses. "I believe a toast is in order." She said. She poured the alcohol and passes the glasses out. "To family, the ones we are born into, and the ones we chose. Ms Taylor. Welcome to our family" She said as they raised their glasses together.

As much as I hate to say it I'm starting to run out of ideas. I have maybe two more good ones but most of the others that pop in my head I am not particularly keen on them. If you guys have any ideas please send them to me and if I like them I'll write them out. This is a nice challenge for my writing and creative skills. It still blows me away that I have 5.3k views in less than a week. I hope you continue to enjoy these scenes.

Quick update on future plans. Tales from the Navy Yard is still a possibility as I have 2, maybe 3 scenes that I can do. To be honest Tales from the Big Easy might not happen. I guess because the characters are so new it's hard to write for them. I am really trying to push through the blocks I have on the sequel to It's Hell getting to Heaven too but unfortunately since it is very case heavy there are a lot of details I need to come up with. But I will not abandon it, trust me. Thank you for your continued reading and I hope you continue to enjoy them.