I'm coming out.

chapter 5

Callen had gone home with Charlie last night and she had left early the next morning. Callen waking early with her had gone for a run, his clothes in his backpack and jogged to work. He hadn't expected Sam to pick him up as normal, but he wasn't going to get in a car with the man either.

He arrived at Ops before 6am and went into the showers to wash before he started his day. Getting dressed he walked out into the bullpen to find a coffee on his desk.

Sam was nowhere to be seen, and Callen eyed the drink suspiciously.

"Drink it G," Sam said from behind him.

"You buy it?" Callen asked eyeing him warily.

Sam nodded, "I was wrong G, you're my partner…it's not your fault your parents were straight, you didn't know and I shouldn't hold it against you…you did good on the op last night, even I was convinced." He said trying to placate him.

Callen clenched his fist and looked over at him, but said nothing.

"Come on G, I'm sure after the op, they'll let you keep your job." Sam said as Deeks and Kensi walked in.

Callen picked up the coffee strode over to Sam's desk and dropped it in the trash can beside it. "No thanks." He snapped and walked over to Hetty's office.

"Ah, Mr. Callen good morning, I hope you and Mr. Hanna managed to resolve your differences?" she said as she poured him a cup of tea.

Callen shook his head, "He's not going to accept me, and in fact I am surprised he hasn't called the containment team to pick me up yet."

Hetty smiled, "I had and still have your back son." She said quietly.

Callen smiled around his teacup and took a sip. "Nice." He nodded.

"You have to give Sam time, he's trying to get over the shock, remember what he lost." Hetty told him somberly thinking of his son.

"What about what I have lost," Callen snapped, "My mother, my father, my sister and more than likely after this my job. Don't kid yourself Hetty, the containment team will let me stay for this operation, but as soon as it's over both you and I know that I'm out of a job, a home and any chance of a normal life, I'm gonna end up back on the streets."

"You know I wouldn't let that happen to you Callen." Hetty said.

Callen smiled sadly, "I know you wouldn't want to but its 30 years in Maximum security for harboring a natural born person, and an extra 10 years if they …." Callen stopped as Hetty nodded in understanding.

"Be that as it may, you will always have a home with me." Hetty said sternly.

Callen knew he couldn't argue with her so he didn't even try, "Did Kensi and Sam get any leads on Gerry's killer?" he asked.

Hetty shook her head, "They know she left with a man the night before she died, they still don't know who killed her."

"I didn't kill her; she was alive when she left my house." Callen said quietly to her.

"I know," Hetty said, "Mr. Beale is checking out some camera footage from surrounding roads looking for anyone who may have been in the car with her, but right now our best lead is to get you into the NBSCA." She told him.

As if it had been pre ordained Callen's phone vibrated, not his work one but his undercover alias work phone.

He looked at Hetty and she nodded as he took it.

"Callen?" he said, his face lit up, "Charlie…how are you?" he asked.

He listened to her as she told him that the NBSCA were meeting that night, not the main group but a local chapter, and if he checked out he might get invited to the main meeting.