Hetty/Granger

…

Kensi stood in front of the bathroom mirror, applying her makeup, Deeks coming in behind her, his arms folded as he watched her getting ready.

"Will you quit staring at me like that, I can't concentrate." She said.

"How much concentration do you need to put that on?"

"That? This is what makes me look the way I do, you don't want to see me without it, trust me."

"You think I haven't?"

Kensi stopped what she was doing and turned around to face him, seeing the smile on his face.

"You mean you have?"

"Last week, after we celebrated Sam's birthday, you got a little drunk and we…."

"I did not get…carry on."

"When I got you in to bed, I took your make up off for you. You don't want to be falling asleep with that stuff on, it'll block your pores and…not good."

"Wait how do even know about…forget it. I just figured I'd done it before I got to bed."

"You were pretty drunk."

"And you weren't?"

"Not as much as you." He joked.

"Just…go and wait in the other room would you, I won't be long."

"Fine, hurry up though."

"Yeah okay…go."

Kensi rolled her eyes as Deeks left the room, while she finished getting ready."

…

Hetty was standing by the stove, stirring the chilli occasionally as she waited for it to come to the boil.

"You know what they say Henrietta…a watched pot never boils."

Hetty's eyes closed for a moment before she opened them to see Owen Granger standing beside her, a smile on his face as he passed her a glass of her best whiskey.

"I was just thinking."

"About?"

"Nothing specifically." She said as she looked up at him.

"You maybe a good liar Henrietta but not to me, I can see right through you."

"Can you now, why don't you make yourself useful and get the plates from the cupboard for me."

"Come and sit down for a moment."

"Owen, they'll be here soon."

"We have time, come and join me."

Hetty let out a long sigh before following Granger over to the table and sitting down, taking a drink of her whiskey as Granger watched her closely.

"Well spit it out then Owen, I'm aging as we speak."

"What are you so worried about?"

"I'm not worried about anything, now if you…"

"Henrietta, if you don't want to do this tonight then we don't have too. There's no rush, we've waited this long and we…"

"No…I think it's time."

"Are you worried they won't accept it?"

"I'm more concerned about how Mr Callen might react that any of the others."

"Things have improved, I'd like to think we get on a lot better than when I first arrived."

"He's protective of me, very protective."

"I had noticed, look…your team, especially Callen…they love you, which I know you hate to hear but it's true. Like it or not they care about you and all they ever want is to see you happy…with whoever you're with."

Hetty heard the concern in his voice, a warm smile appearing on her face when he reached over and took hold of her hand.

"I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm being like this."

"Scared?"

"Mmmm, concerned. I know I shouldn't and I shouldn't have anything to be embarrassed about."

"Embarrassed?"

"We're both so different, we argue about everything at work and I mean, look at us…little and large."

Granger began to laugh at her last few words, Hetty throwing him a curious look.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Is that what you're really worried about, what people will say when they see us together?"

"I'm thinking more what they'd wonder of you."

"Henrietta I…"

"I've seen some of the women you've been with over the years Owen, I'm hardly anything like them am I?"

Ranger moved his chair closer to her, forcing her to turn to face him properly, before he took both her hands in his."

"Henrietta, look at me."

She sighed before finally looking up to meet his eyes, only to see him smiling back at her.

"When have you ever known me to care about what other people think…about anything?"

"I know but Owen I…"

"I don't care how short you are, that's not why I'm with you."

Hetty looked away for a moment, before turning back to Granger who saw the vulnerability in Hetty that very few people got to see.

"You are strong, independent, loyal…you care so much for your team. They're your family and I know you'd die for them if you had too, but most of all, you're a take me as I am kind of woman and I've always loved that quality in you, even back in the days when we weren't exactly fond of each other."

"Despised is the word I think you're looking for Owen."

"No, I never despised you. You were a pain in the ass, don't get me wrong but…I never despised you."

"Well I hate to say it but…I did."

"Well I hope that's no longer the case."

"You wouldn't be sitting here holding my hand if it were."

"Tonight will be tough, but you'll get through it, and I'll be right here with you."

"Thank you Owen."

"You ready to finish setting up?"

"Yes."

"Good, come on then…I'll get those plates out."

Granger smiled, leaning across to quickly kiss Hetty before getting up to get the plates ready for their guests.

…

Sam drove up the long drive towards Hetty's house as Callen looked out of the window, frowning as the car came to a stop.

"You okay G?"

"Mmmm, what do you think this is all in aid of then?"

"What? The dinner?"

"Come on, in al the time we've worked with Hetty, how often has she invited us to her home…to any of them?"

"Maybe she just decided it was time…some people as they get older like to have their friends and family around them more and they…."

"Are you really trying to defend her here? Do you know why she invited us?"

"What do you think?"

"You'd tell me if you did though…right?"

"G…I've never lied to you."

Callen looked towards the door, seeing another familiar car parked in the opened garage.

"Looks like Granger's already here?"

"Mmmm, he must be the first."

"She let him park in her garage."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing."

Callen got out of the car, slamming the car door behind him as Sam got out to follow.

"What are you doing G?"

"Just checking."

Sam watched him curiously as Callen approached Granger's car, his hand going to the hood.

"Mmmm."

"What now?" Sam asked.

"Engine's cold."

"Yeah, so?"

"So it's not been used for a while."

"You're kidding right?"

"He's obviously not just arrived, been here a while."

"Maybe he came to help her set up."

"Granger cook…come on."

"G, you're reading in to things that aren't there."

"Am I? We'll see….we'll see."

Sam rolled his eyes as Callen walked past him, towards the door and knocking.

"You coming or what?" Callen asked.

"He's crazy….crazy." Sam muttered under his breath as he went to join him.

…

To Be Continued…