Over the past six weeks we have been thoroughly entertained by nine stories that have led us around the world to Russia, Mexico, Morocco, the Middle East, Libya and around Los Angeles. But one thing was found in common; Sam having to rescue his partner, the infamous G Callen. We have been left on the edge of our seats, cried, gasped, cringed, squirmed and sighed with relief when Sam came to the rescue and brought Callen home safe, and comforted him as he healed from his injuries. The closeness of their brotherhood, which extends past their partnership is evident on the show and in all of these great stories. The variety and originality in many of these stories have been outstanding. Well done to a great success for this challenge.

It was great to see some new entrants, braving to post their first story on FanFiction or for their first time entering Callen’s Corner challenge. For those who have participated before, we saw them grow as writers and it has been a joy to read your hard work as well as the many reviews all of you readers left for the writers. The standard for this challenge was high. I would like to congratulate Keviana, CALLEN37, I Feel Possessed, Motsie of Atlantis, ilse23, knirbenrots, mckenna4, Keesha and Shaz1 for participating in the fourth challenge and for all of your hard work. Without it, this challenge would not have been the success it has been. Thank you all very much. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner, although we had many favourites.

CONGRATULATIONS to I Feel Possessed for your story ’Always in my Thoughts.’ Your story was very well written with great portrayal of the characters on the show, leaving us riveted on the edge of our seats as we waited for the drama to unfold. You brought in Callen’s lone wolf tendencies and the story became really intense with Callen being in serious trouble. Chapter five was brilliant with bringing his foster years into the mix, with a great ending and saving of Callen by Sam and Deeks in the final chapter. As many reviewers have commented, we would all really love a sequel to this story please. I will be contacting you soon regarding your prize.

Congratulations to skippy1967 for their most heartfelt reviews. Could skippy1967 please send me your email address so a prize can be sent to you. You can reach me by sending a PM to: BH72 on FanFiction.

Now for an extract of the winning entry:

Always In My Thoughts Chapter 1

“Turn away from us
days are darker and the winters come
can’t remove yourself from what you have done
on the rack where your reputation lies”

Recluse, Neil Finn [Dizzy Heights] 2014

“Do you two have a problem communicating?” Sam asked Callen as they strolled in to the bullpen shortly before 9.30am.

“What? You mean me and the little dummer boy over there?” Callen glanced at Deeks who was already seated at his desk, practicing drum rolls with two pencils.

“You talking about me?” Deeks asked, his face a picture of pure concentration as he attempted to drum faster and faster.

“I am,” Callen replied. “But I have no idea who or what Sam’s talking about. Personally, I think he’s the one with the communication problems.”

“No G,” Sam rolled his eyes in frustration. “You just choose to play ignorant or dumb or whatever the hell it is you do.”

“Ah, sounds like we’re all going to have a great morning,” Deeks commented as he abruptly stopped drumming and started using a single pencil to baton twirl through his fingers.

“I agree,” Callen nodded his head, placing his bag on his desk and easing into his chair. “Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed again, big guy?”

Sam froze half way to seating himself and stared at Callen. For the tenth time that morning he wondered what he had done that was so bad he deserved a partner like Callen.

“Are you actually going to sit down or are you demonstrating how strong your thigh muscles are?” Callen opened the lid of his laptop and suppressed the smile that threatened to break through. Sometimes Sam just asked for it, figuratively speaking of course.

Sam sat down, slamming his palm on the desk, causing Deeks’ pencil to spin to the floor. He stared at Callen before asking. “You do know I can kill someone using my legs? I can demonstrate on you now or later. It’s your choice G.”

Callen leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “Strangely enough Sam, I have no desire to go anywhere near your legs – or any other part of your anatomy.”

Deeks grabbed a rubber band and started pulling it through his fingers. “Y’know I’m so pleased to see that your ‘bromance’ hasn’t died.”

Sam turned to face Deeks. “I could always demonstrate on you as well…”

“Oooh no no no! I didn’t mean that, what I meant was that I miss not having a partner to banter with.” Deeks backtracked quickly, snapping the elastic band sharply on to his trigger finger.

Sam held his gaze on Deeks before slowly exhaling. He reached in to his jeans pocket and pulled out his cell. He unlocked the phone, tapped the message icon and turned the screen towards Callen.

“Joelle,” he said expectantly.

“Hmm,” Callen responded without looking up from his laptop. Recently this is all Sam wanted to talk about and while it was fun to wind Sam up, Callen really wanted his private life to stay that way.

“Why is she texting me and not you?” Sam pressed.

“I don’t know,” Callen said, his focus remaining on the laptop screen. “Maybe she wants to talk to you about me. Isn’t that what you two normally do?”

“See what I mean Deeks?” Sam called for some moral support. “They have a problem communicating. It’s been what, a month? I’m surprised you don’t still need me to book your restaurants for you and then invite Joelle on your behalf.”

“Ok,” Callen gave up and closed his laptop. “You have my undivided attention.”

“That’ll be a first,” Sam muttered just loudly enough for Callen to hear. “Joelle wants to know if you’re a fan of Alexandre Dumas.”

“Ha,” Deeks laughed suddenly. “Do you think she’s into role play? We know Kensi loves a little bit of dressing up… Maybe she wants you to wear an iron mask.”

Sam broke into a smile as he considered Deeks’ words for a moment. “He could be right you know. But maybe you want her to wear the iron mask. It wasn’t that long ago G, you admitted you would pay a dominatrix to hurt you.”

Callen shot Sam a look that could have killed.

“What? No!” Deeks looked to Sam then back to Callen. “Where was I when this gem of information was leaked?”

“Thankfully, you weren’t around,” Callen answered. “Why would she want to know if I’m a fan of Alexandre Dumas?”

“Well it seems an anonymous package arrived at her door this morning, marked for her attention but with no return address.”

“And?”

“And nothing. Did you order her a book?”

“Why would I do that?” Callen was genuinely puzzled.

“How about as a gift?” Sam shook his head slightly. He had seen Callen go undercover and turn on so much charm and charisma he practically had women eating out of his hands. But when it came to real life; his own life…

“What was the book?” Callen’s attention was now fully on Sam and he smiled. He was sure there was some significance to Sam’s frustration and about the author that he was failing to grasp. However the journey to his enlightenment was so far quite amusing.

“A dog-eared paperback version of The Count of Monte Cristo,” Sam replied. “No expense spared, which sounds just like you.”

The smug grin which had been present on Callen’s face disappeared as he stared at Sam. “The Count of Monte Cristo? That was Joelle’s parcel?”

“Yeah…” Sam noticed the immediate change in Callen and could feel the tension emanating from him. “Why? What does that mean?”

Callen stood abruptly, pulled out his cell and walked to the outside door for privacy as he dialled Joelle’s number.

“G?” Sam called after him.

“What was that about?” Deeks asked Sam.

“I have no idea but he’d better fill me in the second he comes back…”

Several minutes later Callen returned to the bullpen. He hesitated slightly and Sam took advantage of Callen’s apparent unease and indecision.

“So what’s going on G?”

“Nothing’s going on Sam. But I need to duck out for thirty minutes, so I’ll catch up with you guys shortly.” Callen glanced at Deeks and Sam, quickly noting their confusion as he turned away.

Before Callen had walked more than three paces Sam caught him by the arm, halting his hasty retreat.

“Where are you going?” Sam demanded. Deeks had also risen from his chair and stood at Sam’s shoulder, presenting a united front against their team leader who was clearly on the verge of ditching them.

“I won’t be long,” Callen reasoned. “I’ll be back before Hetty even knows I’m gone.”

“Hetty knows everything, she’s like the Eye of Providence,” Deeks said. “The all-seeing eye of God.”

“Why does this involve Joelle? And what’s so special about the Count of Monte Cristo?” Sam persisted in his interrogation of Callen. He was not letting him out of his sight before finding out what was really going on.

“Indeed Mr Callen,” the authoritative voice of Henrietta Lange broke through Sam’s thoughts and he instinctively let go of Callen’s arm. “What is so special about The Count of Monte Cristo that means you have to return before I realise you ever disappeared?”

“Nothing Hetty, I just need to run an errand.”

“For your erm, lady-friend?” Hetty peered up at him through her thick-rimmed glasses.

Callen looked at Sam who just shook his head.

“You really think I’m gonna come to your rescue? Have you done something to put Joelle in danger?” Sam raised his voice as he jumped to his own conclusions. “If anything happens to her-”

To continue reading this story, please go to: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10198012/1/Always-In-My-Thoughts

Many thanks to Keviana, CALLEN37, I Feel Possessed, Motsie of Atlantis, ilse23, knirbenrots, mckenna4, Keesha and Shaz1 for all of their hard work.

Thanks to ChrisDaisy (my partner in crime on here) for her help in the judging process.