Set between 'End Game' and 'Recruit'- also follows on from my story Checkmate. Not really sure where those stories fall in the calendar year, but for the purposes of poetic licence it was the late Autumn time. I liked the idea that Callen told Kensi he had been undercover in a tanning salon when she commented on his tan, maybe he wasn't lying….

Includes brief scenes with the NCIS team- I don't watch the show I have only ever seen Legend 1 and 2, so forgive me any inconsistencies.

The Lonely Track

By Shaz 1

None of the recognised characters belong to me; they are all the property of Shane Brennan, CBS and the wonderful- gorgeous actors that portray them!

The Lonely Track

Special Agent G Callen breathed in the crisp Washington air as he stepped out of the terminal, the cold hitting the LA native instantly. He shivered lightly as he pulled his jacket tightly around him, and headed to the nearby taxi rank. It had been a while since he had visited the city, and despite having no knowledge why he had been summoned – he was looking forward to meeting some old friends again. He quickly embarked a taxi and headed away from the Navy yard, years of paranoia refusing to allow him to go straight there. His zig zag route across the city made his journey take two hours, but he arrived safely and without any unwanted followers. Flashing his ID he wandered into the building, noting all of the changes since his last visit- he wandered to the doors- his bag slung over his shoulder. Within minutes he was in the elevator and on the way to the director's office. He grinned in greeting at the secretary before taking a seat as directed. A few seconds later the director himself was greeting him and leading him into his office.

"How are you Agent Callen?" he asked with a small grin- he had been concerned to say the least with the recent events at the Los Angeles OSP post- and he was well aware of how much the seasoned agent had been put through.

"I'm good sir" Callen replied his posture the picture of relaxation as his mind processed the possible reasons behind him being summoned to the director's office.

"That's good to know" Vance responded, sitting back in his own chair as he appraised the agent. "I'm sorry to interrupt your vacation time, but I have a job for you" Leon told the younger man seriously.

"No problem sir, what's the job?" Callen asked, his interest now peaked.

"An undercover op, right here in Washington. Gibbs will brief you in full" he informed him. Callen nodded, before getting to his feet- keen to find out about his latest mission. "Thank you for your understanding- Gibbs is in his office" Vance stated. Callen nodded one more time before heading down the familiar halls to see his long term friend.

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

"Callen!" Gibbs greeted, pleased to see his old friend. He had heard about the recent events involving the undercover agent being held by the Iranians and he had felt his gut twist in anxiety for his friend being placed in such danger. He still had vivid memories of seeing the younger man close to death in hospital less than three years ago.

"Jethro" Callen greeted stepping into the office and shaking the other man's hand with a grin. "How have you been?" he asked sitting down in front of the desk.

"Better than you by all accounts" Gibbs responded with a sigh. "When will you get over this death wish of yours?" he asked in frustration. Callen chuckled at the age old comment from his friend.

"I do what needs to be done" he simply replied, knowing it would carry no weight with the other agent, but defending himself regardless.

"That's what worries me" the older man responded with a sigh. "What have you been told about the job?" he asked seriously.

"Nothing whatsoever- only that you will brief me" Callen stated, his curiosity piqued.

"There is a new spa that has just opened- very exclusive, very expensive and also very suspicious" Gibbs told him, handing him a folder as he spoke. "There is a lot of whispering that it is linked to a disgraced FSB officer- raising money here to send back for his campaign in Moscow. The man in question is this gent here, Arjan Yushenkov, linked to various terror groups although nothing to arrest him for" Gibbs explained.

"So what do you want from me?" Callen asked, confused where he came into it all.

"The plan is that you are to bring back to life your old alias" Gibbs stated with a grin. Callen took a moment to register the words.

"Ah man not Sergei?!" he asked in horror. "Jethro you cannot do this to me" he groaned. Gibbs couldn't help the chuckle that the reaction brought from him.

"Sorry G- but it is perfect" Gibbs responded, unable to hide the grin that he couldn't remove from his face. Callen shook his head in disgust, Sergei was not one of his favourite aliases, yet he knew he had little choice. "Sergei is already established, and his resume was sent to club serenity last week- you have an interview the day after tomorrow, hopefully that should give plenty of time for the bruising to go down" Gibbs explained.

"Fine, but you owe me that beer for this one" the younger agent stated with a small smile.

"Your apartment has been arranged for you, get yourself settled and I'll pick you up at seven for a steak and some beers- good enough?" Gibbs suggested with a quirked eyebrow.

"Good enough- where's the apartment?" he asked softly, accepting the keys he was handed.

"Georgetown" Gibbs responded with a wink.

"Oh swanky" Callen teased, grabbing his kit bag and heading out of the office, waving over his shoulder as he went.

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

Callen grinned to himself as he let himself into his home for the next few weeks, if he was honest with himself; this was probably exactly what he needed- a chance to get away from LA, clear his head with a nice simple evidence gathering undercover gig. Exactly how he liked it, a quick hit no attachments and then back to work at OSP with none of the team any the wiser. He took out his cell and typed out a quick text to his partner, Sam had been worried about him since his run in with the Iranians- he knew that his partner seemed to think he had some sort of death wish, but he couldn't help the way that he was built and it was too late for him to change even if he wanted to. Smiling to himself he pressed send on the simple, vague text, then made his way to the shower. Ten minutes later when he had stepped out of the shower and changed into fresh clothes he was unsurprised to see that his best friend had already replied to his message.

Anything to worry about?

Callen shook his head at his friend's instant question, before typing out another reply.

Nothing, going to hang out here for a bit- enjoy your family time.

He knew that his friend would be suspicious about his sudden call to Washington and the fact that he didn't return to LA immediately would only concern the big man even more, but he knew that if the former seal realised he was working he would be on the next flight over to back him up and Callen couldn't risk his friend missing out on his precious time with his family. He walked over to the fridge glad to see that it was stocked up with beer, screwing the lid over he had barely taken a sip before his phone beeped again.

Don't make me fly over there G- be careful

He chuckled at the message- knowing that his elusiveness would be driving his friend crazy, but unwilling to share to put the other man out of his misery. He glanced at his watch and realised he would just have time to unpack before Gibbs would get there. Usually he would happily leave his belongings in his kit bag- but undercovers were successful based on the smallest of details and this place had to look like his permanent home.

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

"So where are we going?" Callen asked as he stepped into the car beside his long term friend.

"Charlie Palmer's" Gibbs responded with a wince, he knew that he was going to spend a small fortune, but hey he rarely saw his friend and looking at the state of him he had earned the treat.

"Nice, I could just go for a New York Strip" Callen responded with a smile. "So how long has this job been on the cards?" he asked as they drove.

"Since just before you killed Janvier. That nearly put a spanner in the works G" Gibbs stated, hiding his concern with a joke as the two men usually did.

"Shame I didn't really kill him" Callen muttered, the buried anger bubbling to the surface.

"Ah from what I hear the punishment he will get will be much worse" Gibbs stated, his concern rising again at the tone of his friend's voice. "You sure you're okay G?" he asked softly.

"Of course- why wouldn't I be?" Callen asked. "You sound just like Sam" he stated.

"Your partner is a sensible man" Gibbs commented "and he deserves a medal for putting up with you" he chuckled. Callen tried his best to look aggrieved by the comment, but couldn't help the grin that covered his still bruised face.

End Chapter One

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