I like to write stories that follow the series (I'm going to try some pre-series stories later this year), so this story opens after Unleashed (if you haven't seen it, this story contains SPOILERS). I'm grateful that CBS and Shane allow writers to use their creations for new stories. Only the story and new characters are mine; the NCIS characters belong to CBS and Shane.

When Sam entered OSP, it was late afternoon and the building was eerily quiet, the only sound being footsteps of personnel and the soft persistent hum of the computer stations scattered throughout the building. He dropped his duffle bag at his desk and paused for just a moment before walking to see Hetty. Henrietta Lange, the OSP operations manager, was at her desk reviewing several files while sipping her pai mu tan tea. As Sam approached, she looked up and put aside the files and then motioned for him to take a seat in the chair facing her. Sam settled in without a word. Hetty paused a moment before speaking. It had been almost two months since Sam's wife, Michelle, had been killed by Tahir Khaled who, in turn, had been killed by Sam.

"How are you, Sam?" Hetty asked quietly.

Sam hesitated a moment and then looked at her with an expression of determined resignation. "I'm doing better, Hetty."

"You've been missed very much, Mr. Hanna" she said with a bluntness that was tempered by gentleness. "And your children, Kam and Aiden? How are they doing?"

Sam rubbed his palms together and then interlaced his fingers. "They're doing better, too. Being able to spend time with them helped. It helped them, and me, begin to deal with everything. Thank you."

"There's no need to thank me, Mr. Hanna. Allowing you time to be with your children was the least we could do."

"All the same."

"If you find that you need more time for any reason, Mr. Hanna, let me know. We will cover it."

"Thank you, Hetty, but with both Kam and Aiden in school again, I don't foresee a need to take more time . . . at least, not in the near future."

"Still, if you have a need, let me know."

"I will."

There was a brief pause before Hetty spoke again. "You know that you must be evaluated before you can resume active duty, Sam." Sam merely nodded in the affirmative. "Nate can be here tomorrow and evaluate you in the morning. Until that's been completed, you won't be able to assist in any active cases, but you're welcome to remain here as long as you like. I know that Mr. Callen and everyone on the team will be happy to see you."

"It'll be good to see them, too."

"Have you spoken with Mr. Callen yet?"

"Yea. I called him when I got back in town two days ago, but I haven't seen him yet."

"Well, then, I think it would be nice if you stayed at least so that he can welcome you back in person."

"Is there a case?"

"Yes. A naval recruiting officer was murdered this afternoon as he was leaving a naval recruiting station. I'm sure they'll be grateful to have your assistance again."

Sam smiled slightly, "Unless I'm rusty."

"Even with a little rust, you are a valuable asset."

Sam rose from the chair and nodded to Hetty before heading back to his desk. He didn't feel like tackling any paperwork, so he took his service weapon and his backup weapon and headed to the armory. This would be as good a time as any to clean them since he might be putting them to use tomorrow.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Callen and Anna descended from Ops and were on their way out the building when Callen spotted Sam's duffle. "I'll be out in a minute," Callen said and then made his way to Hetty's desk. Anna continued outside. He stopped in front of Hetty. "Sam's back?"

"Yes, he is, but he's not back in the field until his evaluation."

"Where is he?"

"I believe he took his service weapons to the armory."

Before she had even finished, Callen was on his way to the armory. He stopped just outside the door. Callen knew Sam still needed space, and he wanted to make sure that Sam knew that he wasn't trying to crowd him, but Callen also wanted to be sure that Sam knew that when he didn't need so much space and needed someone to be there for him, he was always ready. Callen stepped through the door.

Sam looked up from cleaning his backup weapon. Callen stopped for a moment and then walked over to his partner. He put out his hand.

"Hey, Sam. Good to see you."

Sam reached out and took Callen's hand, "Good to see you, G." And then they embraced as though they hadn't seen each other for years. When they separated, their hands were still clasped.

"How are you doing?" Callen asked never taking his eyes off his partner who closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. Sam's free hand went up to his eyes reflexively.

"I've been better," he said quietly while Callen waited silently for him to continue. "It's been tough, G. It's the worst thing that's ever happened in my life." Callen reached out and grasped his shoulder.

"I know, Sam. I'm sorry. We all are." Silence hung between them until Callen broke it. "How are Kam and Aiden doing?"

"They're hurting but they're hanging in. Aiden has been great with Kam. It helped that I could take time off to be with them."

"That's good." More silence followed and then Sam turned back to his weapon and continued with its cleaning. "If you or the kids need anything, Sam, all you have to do is ask."

Sam didn't take his eyes off his weapon, but his face relaxed and some of its sorrow drained away, "I know, G, and I will ask if the time comes."

"Good," Callen replied and some of the tension in his voice eased. "Hetty said Nate's evaluating you tomorrow, and if you pass, you'll be cleared for field work."

"Yea, it looks like you'll have your old partner back—whether you want him or not."

"My old partner is the best, but I don't want him back until he's ready." Callen paused and Sam looked up. Callen continued, "I want what's best for him. So does Nate, and Nate can be a tough customer."

Sam paused and looked at Callen without a hint of a twinkle in his eye, "If Nate doesn't say I'm field ready on my evaluation tomorrow, his sorry ass is gonna be in traction for the rest of the year."

"You sound ready to me, Sam," Callen said as he turned to leave. "How about I treat my partner to dinner tonight?"

"Where?"

"Anywhere you want to go."

Sam thought for a moment. "Anywhere? Okay, partner."

"Catch up with you later," Callen said as he gave Sam a nod and left. Sam paused in thought and then turned back to finish cleaning his weapon. If Nate didn't clear him for field duty tomorrow, he and Nate were going to have words.