Comfort and Joy

By Shaz1

Disclaimer: None of the recognised characters belong to me- please don't sue me.

This is my little festive offering for this year- Merry Christmas everyone!

Comfort and Joy

Staff Sergeant Raymond Hughes was a happy man- he had just landed back stateside from his third tour in Helmand, and he was just in time for what he was certain would be the best Christmas of his adult life. He took a deep breath and held his head up high as he was finally safe to do so. He had seen things that he could never imagine- that he had never dreamed off when he had signed up for the Marines all that time ago. He had finally fallen in love and got married two years early- a daughter following a year later, but his love affair with the Marine Corps had also continued and he had found himself unable to walk away from his other family- the men in his unit. He knew he was a lucky man, his wife was beyond understanding- although he also knew that if he went back on his word and signed up for another tour it would be the end of them. No he was ready for a quieter safer life, one where he could return home of an evening to his family waiting for him. One where he didn't have to look over his shoulder every minute to make sure he wasn't about to be killed. He looked around his surroundings- he had missed Los Angeles, missed the freedom to just be whoever you were, missed the sunshine and the clean beaches. Most of all he had missed his beautiful family and he was more than ready to go and see them and celebrate being back together again for good. First he had to sign in and ditch his kit at Pendleton and then he had a whole three weeks leave. He grinned to himself- life was good and he planned on enjoying it.

He swung his bag over his shoulder and sauntered through the gate as he entered the base moving quickly through the familiar streets towards his lodgings. He refrained from whistling out of respect for his not so fortunate colleagues who hadn't been spared for the festive season. As he stepped through the doorway he swung his bag onto his bunk, put his cap on the dresser and reached into his kit bag for his clean jeans. He had just zipped the bag together when a bright flash filled his vision and a booming sound like no other assailed his ears before his entire world was turned to darkness and he was tossed through the air like a rag doll.

LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA

Special Agent G Callen rolled his neck as he walked towards the coffee stand- he was getting to old to be fighting mad gunmen every week- or getting thrown from moving cars. He felt stiff and sore and yet he knew there was every chance he would have to do exactly the same today. He sighed as he handed over the twenty dollar bill and gratefully accepted the two steaming cups of coffee- he knew his partner would feel just as badly as he did- but he was also aware that it was the older man's fault. Sam Hanna had been the one to formulate their latest plan- he was also the one that had been driving the car that Callen had subsequently been launched from which was closely followed by the one on one fight with a member of a very well equipped Cartel. Yes it was definitely all Sam's fault- still he had bought the older man a coffee to prevent him having to work with the grumpy bear all day. He smiled to himself at the thought as he turned on his heal, his bag slung over his shoulder and the two drinks balanced in his hands as he started the short walk towards the boat shed where his partner was due to pick him up- the hair on the back of his neck prickled as his senses suddenly went into overdrive. He suddenly had a terrible feeling that this was going to be a long and very tiring day.

LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA

Sam Hanna smiled to himself as he saw his partner walking stiffly towards him- his trusty kit bag slung over his shoulder and two coffees grasped in his hands. He knew that Callen held him responsible for the various cuts and bruises that he had acquired on their latest case- but he also knew that his loyal partner wouldn't hold it against him. His point was proven by the coffee that his partner had clearly bought for him.

"Hey" Callen greeted as he pulled open the passenger side door with a wince. He reached in and handed the former Seal the steaming cup of coffee before throwing his bag onto the back seat and climbing in himself.

"Morning G" Sam greeted with a smile. He took another glance at the serious expression gracing his friend's face. "What's eating you?" Sam asked with a smirk.

"Nothing" Callen replied sipping from his coffee and squinting into the sunshine. It was five days before Christmas and it was still warmer than some countries in summer, yet the lead special agent couldn't help the shudder that ran through him. Sam noticed the involuntary action and his expression grew serious.

"Seriously man, what's going on?" Sam asked his tone firm.

"Nothing Sam- honestly. I just have a bad feeling that's all" Callen stated with a sigh.

"What sort of a bad feeling? Should I be getting the EMTs on standby or warning Michelle that I won't be home for Christmas type of bad feeling?" Sam queried- knowing he would never forget a previous time when his partner told him he was having a bad feeling- it had resulted in the younger man being shot full of holes and nearly cost him his life.

"Nothing like a near death experience or getting stuck on a ship over Christmas" Callen replied with a wry smile. "Just like we are going to catch a tough case is all" he added with a shrug. Sam sighed- he had learnt a long time ago to trust his partner's instinct, the lifelong agent was infamous for finding himself in sticky situations- however he was equally well known for how creatively he always managed to dig his way out of them. When he stated that he had a bad feeling about something only a fool would ignore it.

"I think I might just text Michelle just in case" Sam commented with a roll of his eyes and a heartfelt sigh. If only he had known just how right his partner was then he would probably have just turned around right there and then.

End of Chapter One

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