A Draw …

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: as you'll understand, I only share these great characters Shane Brennan and CBS came up with.

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His breath came in gasps as he bent over, his hands on his knees.

A soft chuckle made him look up.

"Burgers. Bacon. Black coffee. Burritos. Told you G, no matter your bragging about your natural low cholesterol, you can never cheat your own body. You should give it a try man."

Callen inhaled deeply and stretched his upper body. "Try what?"

"The slow food thing. Remember? Eating what's around you, watching it grow," Sam explained.

A half smile appeared on Callen's face. "I've seen cows, Sam. I've even watched them walk around near a farm. So don't you judge me for eating a burger. And talking about slow? This slow running of yours is simply not my thing. I don't do those endurance long distance running, y'know? I am not a trained navy SEAL and never will be."

"Tell me something I don't know G. This slow running with you is not my thing either buddy," Sam laughed.

"You see… You are kinda Wilson Kipsang while I am definitely a Usain Bolt."

The fact that the team leader summed up some names that Sam never heard of, made him doubt a little. He squinted as he said "Prove it."

Callen pointed at the pier. "On my three Sam. One-Two-Three!" He started sprinting, knowing Sam needed only a second to adjust. Nevertheless, he reached the Hermosa Beach Pier seconds before his partner and easily beat the big guy. This time it was Sam who needed to control his breathing as they walked toward the end of the pier.

"Alright. Now I get it. You really got used to this extreme sprinting cuz it's the only way you can escape bullets or explosions."

"Or chase the bad guys. When was the last time you needed to chase them for half a marathon Sam?" Callen now chuckled.

The all too familiar dimple that came with a genuine smile appeared on Sam's face. "At least I'll always have your back."

Wordlessly for some minutes, both men enjoyed one of the great southern Californian sunsets.

"So perfectly quiet in here. A much better place for a workout than Venice, don't you think?" Sam said, his stance completely relaxed.

He remembered how Callen had once told him he preferred the hustle and bustle of Venice, simply because it was easy to blend in the crowds. Something that must be a result of Callen's past - his troubled youth and his previous careers with other agencies. All Sam really knew was that his partner had been working too long on his own, a loner on lonely and long missions. There was an urge to stay unseen and at the same time, a talent to be around although nobody really noticed.
The 'Ghost' - Callen's CIA nickname - had finally given up the need to work alone and accepted the offer to work as the lead agent of the Los Angeles department of the NCIS. And for those same seven years, Sam Hanna had enjoyed working with G. Callen.

The only thing that really bothered Sam was that Callen still had trouble opening up, trusting others enough to share his deepest feelings. Instead Callen preferred to keep things close to the vest.

Working like that was difficult for Sam. As a former Navy SEAL he had been used to trust his team and easily share his thoughts. Still, he considered Callen as more than his friend and Sam could tell that by the way the Hanna family had accepted the younger man, Callen somehow felt that way too.

"Si Hermosa—" Before Callen got the chance to finish his sentence the loud crack of a gunshot sounded.

Alarmed by this both men turned to the beach. Callen ducked and quickly took the gun he had holstered near his ankle.
Sam raised his brow. He had come without any arms and had expected the same from Callen. Without words, Sam motioned to where the shot had come from. He noticed the curt nod from his partner who then sprinted to the lifeguard headquarters at the pier.

Another shot sounded and this time they heard a woman screaming in fear. Two more shots were fired with only a second between them. Then all was quiet.

Callen glanced at his partner who nodded at the question he needed not ask with words.
"Federal Agents, drop your weapons!" Callen then shouted as he quickly looked around the corner and dodging back.
For a second, nothing moved. Then, a shadow appeared from the shadows of the stairs that lead up to the pier.

"Freeze!" Callen warned, his gun at the ready. "Drop the weapon!"

Another split second when nothing was going on, then finally the man slowly kneeled and lay down the gun.

"Stay on your knees. Put your hands behind your head," Sam ordered. As he stepped forward to shove away the gun, Sam recognized the whizzing sound of a knife blade that cut its way deep into the chest of the man that had just killed others.

In a swift move Callen had turned to where the knife had come from and shot in the same direction. It took only two bullets to stop the person. As he checked he knew one of those two bullets had been lethal.

From everywhere it seemed people were now coming closer, phones in their hands, calling and taking pictures. Distant sirens indicated that some of them had warned 911 already.

Sam did not know if the red-haired man in front of him ever knew what had hit him.
Gasping for air the man grasped Sam's shirt, pulling him closer as he panted "Find Jason—Tedrow."
On that, he let out a long breath and slid back on the ground.

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