DISCLAIMER: As we have discussed many times in the past... NO, I do not own any of the characters who do, in fact, belong to NCIS LA and LEVERAGE. I am sad by this realization but I shall be strong and move forward.

AUTHORS NOTE: Okay, we are once again at the end of a story... which is actually just another step toward the big picture. I hope you have enjoyed it thus far. I haven't gotten very many reviews, which saddens me... I really do enjoy hearing from those of you who take the time to review. Thank you for the many readers, however. I treasure you all. Okay, I will meet you at the end of the chapter. Please take a moment and share your respectful and constructive reviews. Thank you!

"Mind if I join you?" a soft voice came from behind.

"Not my place" was the reply.

"It is beautiful up here," she offered.

"It is… Eliot is an interesting individual." Callen returned.

Sofie chuckled, "yes, he is."

They stared out into the darkness.

"He's a good man… I worry about him when he disappears for days at a time. I think he believes himself to be invincible… that he can do anything and he doesn't need anyone's help doing it." Sofie spoke softly, hoping Callen would listen for the message behind it.

Callen didn't say anything at first, so she continued, "We know so little about him… his past… even his present. I don't think he knows how important he is to us. We just don't want him to get hurt while he is out there."

He couldn't help the sense of déjà vu that came over him. The same thing had been stated in regards to him and the team, forever ago now. He couldn't see that being the case now but for Eliot it was so obvious.

"He knows." Callen replied, "Men like Eliot don't do well being smothered with emotions from everyone around him. Where he's been and the things he does… you don't need to know that. He doesn't want you to. The reason is simple enough, he's just trying to keep you safe because… well, because you're family. You don't risk your family's safety."

Sofie smiled as she reached out and put her hand over his and gave it the slightest squeeze, "precisely."

Callen shot her a quick glance, catching her knowing smile as she turned and walked away, leaving him to ponder on other things.

"Hey G. Callen!" he didn't even need to look. He could almost hear the smile that graced the pretty blondes face.

"Parker, is it?" he asked, unable to hold back the grin that beckoned at the sound of her childlike exuberance.

"Yup! Eliot's yelling at Nate. I don't like them yelling, so I came up here. You don't mind, do you?" she asked, coming to lean against the railing next to him.

"Would it matter if I did?" he asked with a half smirk.

With no thought needed she answered, "Nope… Eliot pretends to get mad at me for butting in but he doesn't really mean it."

Callen's brow raised in wonder, "You sure about that?"

"Positive… because he knows I care about him and he watches out for me. There are a lot of not so nice people out there, G. Callen and Eliot is one of the good guys." She explained simply.

Callen thought a moment then turned to face the girl, "From what I've read… you aren't one to trust easily… yet you trust these people, why?

Parker grew serious and for a moment he thought she might leave.

"I didn't… trust… It just never worked out for me. Most of them just wanted something from me. Then I met them… Nate, Sofie, Hardison and Eliot. At first it was only to get a job done. But then we just kept coming back. Nate saw what we could do and how to use it to help others. He pretends to be tough but he cares about us… he needs us. Sofie is sweet and nice. That's why she is so good at what she does. Hardison is my best friend… Then there's Eliot… He keeps us all safe. They were the first ones who liked me for me. Eliot watches out for me. He makes me feel safe… and I love when he cooks for me." Parker looked out at the night sky. "Don't you have anyone like that?"

It was Callen's turn to grow somber. "I used to think so, but not anymore."

"I'm sorry… It's good to have family. We could be your family." Parker stated innocently.

Callen glanced at her and almost became lost in her openness. "You are something Parker. A breath of fresh air. I can see why Eliot is so protective. I appreciate your offer but I tried the whole friends and family deal. I'm just not cut out for that life." He too returned his gaze out toward the night sky and the city lights.

Parker moved closer a little at a time until she stood directly next to him then quietly and without hesitation she put her arm around his shoulders and gave the softest of pats. "You just haven't found the right family… or maybe you need to give them another chance."

"She's right" a voice came from behind.

Parkers arm felt the man next to her tense and instinctively hugged a little tighter.

"We didn't exactly connect the first time we met. Oh we got the job done but it was only a job. It took time.

Parker chuckled followed by a snort before receiving a look from both men, "What?" she asked simply. Callen just shook his head in wonder.

"When we first met, they were all loners. No families and in their line of work, No real friends. Trust was nonexistent. I get the feeling you understand that better than most," Nate stated.

"Trust is just a word… nothing more," came the response.

"A bit cynical, not to mention frightening in your line of work, isn't it?" he asked.

Callen simply shrugged his shoulders.

"You trust Eliot though, right?" Parker asked.

Callen thought for a moment. "I believe in his ability to do a job, yes."

"Isn't that the same thing?" she asked with her head cocked to the side.

"By definition, I guess. People put too much emotion behind words." Callen replied.

"But he's your friend…" Parker stated.

"We work together on occasion. We don't send each other Christmas cards if that's what you're asking." Callen explained.

Parker just looked at him quizzically as if trying to figure him out. Nate caught her attention and with a nod toward the door he signaled for her retreat and breathed a sigh of relief when she quietly walked away.

Putting his hands into his pants pockets, Nate walked to the other side of Callen. "She's a genius in her own right… brilliant at what she does. Still, she is innocent in so many ways. If anyone needed a family, it was Parker."

"Glad she's found one. She reminds me of someone I know… they need protecting. That kind of innocence is special and rare."

"So you have people you care about in your life." Nate stated more than asked.

"Of course."

"Those people must care about you then." He surmised for the sake of the conversation.

"Must they? It's not been my experience. A lot of pretending maybe, I'll give you that." Callen responded.

"We're all human. We make mistakes. I had only one thing in mind when we all met… revenge and self-destruction." Nate offered.

Callen cleared his throat, "I'm sorry about your son."

"So you have done your homework. Well, thank you. These people helped me move forward, believe it or not. They gave me a purpose."

"That's good, you've done a lot of good together. I'm not here to cause you trouble, Nate. We are actually more alike than you realize. You just have more patience than I do." Callen smirked.

"Yes, Eliot told me what he could about working with you. Don't worry, he kept it simple and I understand your need for privacy. You come across as a pretty formidable individual." Nate said. He watched Callen struggle with the compliment.

"If there's a job to do, I get it done. If needed, I gather those best suited to help me accomplish it. They know what to do, how to do it and they follow the chain of command… or they wouldn't be there… plain and simple." Callen stated flatly.

"Makes sense. Still… don't you miss having people around you that know you as a person and not just an agent?" Nate asked.

Callen scoffed, "Too dangerous for all concerned."

"I get you've had a dangerous job and you want to protect the people you care about… but who protects you? Who is it you turn to at the end of a long day and just relax over drinks with?"

"Me… I protect me" Callen stated softly, "As for the rest, I don't relax."

"This team of yours really did a number on you, didn't they?" Nate asked sadly.

"No more than any other partner I've had that sold me out."

"Yeah, but Eliot said you'd been with them for a long time. Any chance it was all a misunderstanding?" Nate questioned.

"What is it you want to say exactly, Nate?" Callen's frustration began to surface.

"Look, I don't pretend to know your past or understand what drives you. I don't know you… but a little friendly advice from a stranger? Everyone needs family or a support system of some kind. Ours here is a bit unconventional but it works." Nate offered, "You can't go through your whole life alone."

Sofie had seen Parker return from the roof and noticed the look of sadness in her eyes and knew exactly who it was that put it there. Eliot's friend was truly struggling with something they would probably never know firsthand of but could use a little support in figuring it out. She walked out onto the roof and heard the conversation between Nate and the man in question. She listened a moment before she alerted them to her presence by backing Nate up, "Nate's right. It's far too lonely. We weren't made to be alone. This group here that we call a family… it's a work in progress. We get on each other's nerves frequently. Eliot gets frustrated all the time but hasn't left us yet. I think because he cares and despite our short comings, he knows we care too. Parker is the equal to a whirlwind most days but that's just who she is and when she's not, there isn't one of us who isn't willing to get that back." Sofie said as she joined Nate.

"So, what, I'm just supposed to forget what they did and give them the opportunity to do it again?" Callen asked incredulously.

"Maybe they'll surprise you. Maybe they've learned from their mistakes. I guess it comes down to whether they are worth a second chance. If you care about them enough to protect them with your life… don't they deserve the opportunity to return the favor? It's a bit hypocritical otherwise, don't you think? You deserve to have a family that cares for you, about you. Who wants what's best for you and is willing to ensure you get it." Nate suggested.

Callen turned towards the couple, "Why are you telling me all this? What difference is it to you?" Callen asked.

'There it was again,' Sofie thought, 'that look. The look of a child wanting what you offer but afraid of being hurt again.'

"Because you are Eliot's friend and he cares about you… and we care about him." Sofie answered gently.

Nate offered his hand, "Just think about it. That many years on the same team? I find it hard to believe they aren't worrying about you. They made mistakes. Big ones by the sounds of it… yet you didn't stop caring about them. Perhaps giving them a chance at redemption isn't such a horrible idea."

Callen accepted the offered hand with a nod but said nothing more.

He wasn't sure just how much time had passed since the chaotic bunch Eliot called a team had left him in peace. They were an odd bunch, no doubt. Still, with all that, they made a good team. He knew of the work they did. They were a talented group. They certainly managed to work their way into his thought process and now he found himself more conflicted than ever as to what he should do. He ran a hand down his face as he blew out a heavy sigh. It was then he heard the approach of his host for the night. "That's quite a team you have there, Spencer," he said without looking.

"Don't remind me." Eliot grumbled, offering Callen a beer as he settled into the lawn chair next to him.

"I meant it as a compliment." Callen chuckled, "You've done well."

"Yeah, most days, I guess. It's not easy." Eliot sighed.

"What's not easy? Trusting them to have your back, or the fact that they do?"

"Both. In all reality, this thing we have here should not work." Eliot answered.

"Yet it does… and I believe the word you are looking for in regards to 'this thing' is family." Called smirked.

"I don't know…" Eliot argued.

"I do. Be thankful. Embrace it. It doesn't come around often. You deserve this. They are good people and they care about you. It's obvious that you care about them."

"Guess they grow on you after a while," Eliot agreed.

"I guess" Callen mumbled softly, taking a sip of his beer.

"You deserve this too… more than most." Eliot offered.

"I don't know about that. There was a time when I thought maybe… but I think that ship has long since sailed." Callen surmised.

"Or maybe that ship is still in the harbor. Look, no matter what side of the law they sit, they are still human and they make mistakes..." Eliot reasoned.

Callen didn't let him finish before he began, "I don't know if I can. I am supposed to be their team lead. How can I do that when they don't trust me? When they think so little of my abilities… of me? How can I be an effective leader when I don't trust them to have my back? We won't begin to discuss Hetty Lange!"

Eliot felt his pain. He knew what it was like to be abandoned. To have people you trust let you down. Changing the subject, if only a little, "You know, I spoke to Ziva…"

"You did? Why?" Callen asked, his whole demeanor on edge.

"Because she asked me to on the off chance you actually showed up here. I know how you are and I know what you are thinking… Nobody is coming to drag you back, but you do have people who care what happens to you. I think you need to reconsider your job at OSP. No one says you have to pretend nothing happened. They need to earn the right to call you friend." When he was met with a frustrated sigh he continued, "You cared enough to see them all safe. Doesn't that at least allow for the opportunity to let them try to gain back your trust? Regardless, you need to walk away from Blackguard… especially the Renegades. You and I both know how that job rips at your soul. Plus, I'm not sure just how much I trust the bunch running it."

With that they fell into a comfortable silence they both truly preferred.

What little Callen slept that night was interrupted by dreams of the past… missions, team building exercises, holidays, office banter. His heart pulled on the memories of the good times and while he could never say he ever really settled in completely, he had felt a sense of contentment that he had seldom felt elsewhere. He missed the days when he thought they believed in him… when he actually believed they cared. But the anger welled up, prepared for battle. All the partners who set him up, threw him under the bus, stabbed him in the back. The women he allowed himself to care for only to find it all an act on their part. This team Hetty insisted on… this team she encouraged him to trust only to find they trusted him even less… how did he… how could he return to that? Where do you even begin to rebuild what had been broken? His 'lone wolf tendencies' had come to the forefront over the past few years and it would prove to be a difficult task to closet it away and work in such an uncertain terrain. Then there was Hetty, Arkady, Garrison… so many lies. Too many things to answer for. So many dots needing connected before he could even begin to confront them. How could he ever begin to trust ANY of them?

He tossed and turned as the two sides fought for dominance. His choices were few, really. He could keep going, alone, looking for what, he didn't know. Or he could turn back… back to the people he once called family… to a place he once called home… to people and a place that regardless of what had happened… he missed.

Finally giving up on sleep, he climbed out of bed in search of a cup of coffee and some fresh air.

Eliot Spencer looked at his clock. It was 4:15 a.m. He, like Callen, was always aware… never fully letting his guard down. He heard the soft latch of the front door. He wasn't alarmed. He knew of Callen's tendencies. What surprised him was the simple note he found by the coffee pot:

"Rook, Thanks. I'll be in touch but for now… I'm going home. Ghost."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well? Did you enjoy? Let me know... Remember, this is the continuation of the story, "On the Other Side of Fear Lies Freedom" which was a crossover of both NCIS/NCIS LA... going on from here is the Christmas story which is late in delivery, my apologies. I am finishing it up today and will be posting it accordingly. But wait! There's MORE... that's right if you enjoyed these two and are looking forward to the newest one... there will be one final story yet to come. It will not post, however, until it is completely written... faster updates when you are only editing vs. writing as you go. So let me know your thoughts when you are done. What are your thoughts on where Callen is headed? What is it they all really want and how do you think they will achieve those goals... any ideas on what you think Callen found in those files? I am very curious to see if our thoughts match up. If you offer me something that works better than where I see it headed... I will gladly consider it and give a shout out to you for your part. Thank you so much for your support. You have really boosted my confidence in writing. God Bless and have a great day!