I'm coming out.

chapter 4

Hetty called the team up to ops and sealed the room.

"We are going undercover in the NBSCA."

Sam looked at her. "Is this sanctioned by SECNAV?" he asked.

Hetty looked at him, "Yes this is sanctioned Mr. Hanna, it is also top secret, only those in this room will know about the operation, there will be no discussion of it outside of here."

"How are we going to get anyone in there, I hear they test for genetic markers, none of us will pass the test." Kensi said looking over at their boss.

"I will." Callen said.

He wasn't going to come out to his team as straight, he wasn't ready for that, but the news that he was a Natural Born, and he didn't know about it… He hoped the team would be understanding.

"What do you mean you will?" Sam asked.

Callen took a step back in concern at the tone Sam was using.

"You?" Deeks looked surprised.

Callen nodded but kept his eyes down waiting for his teammates to turn on him.

"I had been told there was someone here who didn't have the markers, but I didn't know who…" Deeks started, "How long have you known?" he asked.

Callen shrugged, he'd lost track of time since his talk with Hetty, and he looked at his watch, "About 45 minutes." He admitted.

"How did you make it into a government agency, the markers are designed to keep people like you out!" Sam snapped.

"People like….me…?" Callen looked up and saw the anger in Sam's eyes. "Forget it Hetty, I'll quit, go on the streets where I belong, let Sam take the lead."Callen felt utterly betrayed as he walked across Ops, made it as far as the door and kicked it in frustration, as it wouldn't open.

"Mr. Hanna, are you telling me that now that you know the circumstances of Mr. Callen's birth you are not as much his partner now as you were 45 minutes ago." Hetty said, the others watching wide-eyed as the two senior agents stood on opposite sides of the room.

Callen stood with his back to the door; arms wrapped protectively around himself, took a deep breath and looked at the others.

Eric had moved closer to Deeks, both looking at him with pity, Kensi and Nell, were, it seemed more accepting and Sam was angry.

"How did you not know?" Sam asked trying to not feel the hatred that normally came with an announcement like that.

"I don't even know my first name Sam, I don't know how I managed to pass all the tests, all I know is I did, maybe someone is looking out for me I don't know. Look I know how you feel, I was shocked too, but I'm still me, nothing has changed." Callen said imploring his partner to look at him with something other than hatred.

Sam shook his head, "I…I …I can't…"

Callen looked at Hetty who nodded sadly.

"This mission is still top priority people, Agent Hanna, you may work with Kensi for the time being, Mr. Deeks will be on point with Mr. Callen and Ms Blye you and Agent Hanna can work the Marine angle, see if you can find out who killed her."

The door opened and Callen all but ran from the room.

"Mr. Deeks my office." Hetty said and walked out with Deeks on her tail.

Sam felt bad. Callen was his partner. But as soon as he heard this he had flashed back to the day his son died and the weeks afterwards, Michael going through the pouch removal and the flood of hormones that hit his system afterwards, the crying and the feeling of loss that couldn't be replaced and Callen was just like them.