AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is it! The last chapter. It's been a LONG time coming. I want to thank you all for being about THE BEST fanfiction readers out there. I have appreciated all the notes of encouragement and the open conversations chatting about the story… where the characters were headed and what you thought should happen. I hope you were able to see where I tucked some of your ideas in here and there… some I had already written in and you were just right on the money with your thoughts. Thank you… I hope you enjoy this final chapter and epilogue. I hope you got the answers you were hoping for. I pray I was able to connect all the dots. Just remember. My stories are an ongoing saga. Most can be read as stand alone (minus these past four)… but they are all still connected… leaving the opportunity open to revisit events that have happened previously… build on them. Wow… (takes deep breath)… okay. Enjoy!

"What about Alex and Jake?" Callen asked defensively.

"Have you thought anymore about spending some time with them?"

"Hetty, if there is one thing that Garrison got right, it's that I am no good for them. I will never be able to out run my past. It's not fair to put them in harm's way because of it. Besides, if Alex ever found out what I have been doing for the past five years she would never want me anywhere near her son. Quite frankly, I'm a little surprised Sam hasn't put more limitations on my time with his kids, considering how much danger I have brought into his life." Callen replied.

"I happen to disagree with your entire argument. You encouraged Alex and her son to look into training for self-defense and they have done that… quite extensively over the past little while and they are doing very well. It could be argued that they are safer with you IN their lives than out of them… as long as you are near them, you are able to protect them. Sam is able to protect his family and he has enemies as well. We all do. We watch out for one another. If someone dares to challenge the safety of one, they receive the wrath of all. Strength in numbers, Mr. Callen." Hetty admonished as again she took his hand in her own.

Callen stared at her for a moment before commenting, "You've been in contact with them? You've been keeping track of them?" he asked in surprise.

"Well, of course I have. Did you think I wouldn't? Despite everything you may think, Mr. Callen, I have always had your best interests at heart. You are the nearest thing I will every have to a son. What matters to you, matters to me." Hetty admitted softly.

Callen could almost swear that he noted a slight blush on her cheeks as he looked into her eyes, "I know that… now…" he replied quietly in return. Callen knew that there were still secrets to be uncovered. He couldn't understand her reasoning for continuing to keep things from him but he was certain of one thing and that was Hetty honestly meant no harm in it. That said, he would not stop until he had all the answers… and he prayed he would not be disappointed in what he found in regards to Hetty's roll in any of it…

"You have been put through so much in your life… more than anyone should ever have to face… but you are stronger because of it. You rise like the phoenix from its ashes every time your enemy believes you defeated. You must NOT allow this to defeat you… You must not let Iosif Romanoff and Victor Pavlenko to have the legacy of bringing down and destroying the legend that is Agent G Callen, Lone Wolf, known only as Ghost to his enemies… Rise, Mr. Callen… RISE!" she flourished her hand, fisted, dramatically into the air for emphasis.

Callen gave the first sincere smile she had yet to see in many days, "A bit dramatic, even for you Hetty."

She chuckled, enjoying the momentary step back in time to their more carefree visits. She shrugged with a grin… "Yes, well, when surrounded by such great authors, you can't help but be inspired!" She noted the many shelves laden with books… most of them first editions and some autographed… some written in several languages….

"I guess."

Hetty could see he was in pain and was beginning to tire. She patted his knee as she spoke once more, "You need your rest, Mr. Callen. Marcus will have my hide for keeping you up so late."

"About Marcus and this sleeping business…" Callen hinted at the obvious aid in his earlier nap.

"Best not to borrow trouble, eh, Mr. Callen?" she began to tidy the tray in preparation to return it to the kitchen on her way to her own room when Callen stopped her.

"Stay…" he started, his voice uncertain as he turned to look at her.

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Callen?" she asked, equally taken by surprise.

"I was just wondering if…" he struggled to get the words out… fighting his own emotions, "would you stay for just a while and maybe read one of your books?"

She now found herself struggling with her own emotions though inside her heart rejoiced, it was just one more memory of his time living with her as a boy that she cherished dearly… clearing her throat she set the tray back on the table as she replied, "Of course, did you have one in mind or should I choose?"

Callen merely shrugged, "Your choice, I trust you." Callen wasn't at all sure who was more taken by surprise at this choice of words, himself or Hetty… yet he found a strange comfort in the realization that he meant them.

'I trust you'… three words she thought she would never again hear from this man and it was nearly her undoing. Clearing her throat and swallowing against the lump in her throat she replied, "Let me just go find one…"

He smiled as he listened to her mumbling to herself or no doubt the authors of the books she loved so much… He lay back on the couch and closed his eyes remembering the days as a boy when she would sit and read to him from one of these very books… often times in other languages… challenging him to guess which language it was.

Hetty read to her boy even beyond where she knew he was asleep and then just as she had done many times before, she took the coverlet from the back of the couch and draped it across the man she looked on as her son… the boy who would always hold a special place in her heart had finally come home.

NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA

Epilogue:

Callen walked the water's edge just as he had done every morning for the past two months since the team, Gibbs and Marcus had finally found their way back to their own homes. Hetty had given him the keys to the beach house for as long as he wanted them and then she too returned to her own home… which, once again, changed frequently. He understood the need and knew that it would be little different for him once he was ready to move forward.

True to his nature, Callen withdrew into himself as he worked through what had happened over the past several years… trying to make sense of who he was now and where he was headed.

Gibbs would call in once a week and Callen made sure to take it, Kamran texted him frequently just to check that he was still in town.

Alexandra had tried numerous times to get a hold of him but as yet, Callen had refused the calls in the misguided belief that she was better off without him… but never was she far from his thoughts as he frequently checked on them from a distance.

Hetty had once again invited him to come for Sunday dinners just as they used to before he left. He had accepted a few times and conversations were kept to literature, current cases, and politics.

Try though she might, Hetty had, as yet, found no answers to Garrisons fascination with Parker… but she wasn't done looking… she would get the answers she wanted… needed… for Callen…

There were still things Callen needed answers to… The message from Owen seemed, somehow, incomplete. For now, he would place it in his tea box… and when the time was right, he would revisit it. For now though, Callen found himself just facing down the day he was to return to the OSP once more as one of her agents… To say he remained conflicted about the decision was putting it lightly. He still had qualms where the team was concerned in regards to whether they could truly accept him back after everything but in the end… he had nowhere else to go… and once he had regained his strength and some sense of clarity, he knew allowing Iosif and Victor to dictate the rest of his life was not an option… and so, he made the decision to stay… it wasn't going to be an easy ride but then, as Hetty liked to remind him… Nothing worth having ever came easy…

NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA === NCIS LA

Two days later, Callen stood in front of the building he had thought he would never again see. It still looked old and dilapidated on the outside… "only on the outside G, only on the outside", rang through his memory…

He stared at the door, his feet unwilling to make the move, fear of what his coming back could mean for all concerned when yet one more memory came to mind… Marie's voice carried the message just as clearly as the first day she said it so long ago now, 'Pe cealalta parte a fricii sta libertatea'. "On the other side of fear lies freedom", he murmured to himself, "I hope you are right, Marie." and with a sigh he opened the door and stepped inside.

The End… or is it? ?

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, here we are… WOW! What a journey, huh? These characters have a way of just absconding with the pen and creating their own story. This was supposed to be a story with just 3 or 4 chapters… That was four stories ago, now. I hope you enjoyed taking this ride with me. I'm sure you probably picked up the fact that no story is ever truly finished… especially Callen's.

Let me know what you think! I promised I would put the team back to straights… did I keep that promised sufficiently? What's still lurking in the past that shouldn't be uncovered? How will the team get on, now that Callen has returned to the fold? Will Eric remain as bold as he was during the rescue? Will the friendships be rebuilt? I would love to hear your thoughts.

I have another story to post soon. Just a wee one this time. A few ideas for future stories are never discouraged. Thanks for being such great readers and reviewers. It's been FANTASTIC!