Hello my darlings. I would like to thank prue (Guest), Lic. Lu, French fan (Guest), PirateGinge and elsje1967 for the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since I posted this story. The response has been amazing, I couldn't quite believe it when I woke up to over 30 emails telling me how many people had followed, favoured and reviews the first chapter. So thank you all.

Anyway here is the next chapter, I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS: LA.

Hetty had been sleeping when the shrill sound of her phone woke her. She couldn't help but mutter "bugger" as she reached for it, squinting slightly to see the caller ID. When she saw it was detective Deeks, her eyebrows rose. Why was he calling her at 4.15 in the morning? Well only one way to find out.

"Mr Deeks, what can I do for you?" She asked in a confident awake voice, even if she felt anything but.

"Hetty hey, um, sorry for calling so early. Its just…" Deeks started to say but trailed off, not sure how to explain to Hetty he had just become a father to a four year old girl. He was still trying to process this development himself, he had no idea how to put it into words.

"Yes, Mr Deeks?" Hetty said when he didn't say anything else. She needed to know what he needed help with, so she could give it to him.

"I'm at the hospital." Deeks replied though not elaborating on the why.

"Are you hurt, unwell?" Hetty asked moving to climb out of her bed. She was Mr Deeks' next of kin after all, though surely of it was dire it would have been the hospital calling, not the man himself.

"No. Nothing like that." Deeks quickly answered, not wanting to upset the woman on the other end. He realised by her words how his own had sounded.

"Then what is it like?" Hetty asked exasperation leaking into her tone now. Surely Mr Deeks had a good reason to wake her at this time of the morning. She wanted to hear it, and the sooner the better in her mind.

"I've just found out I've got a kid. Alayna, she's four, and her mom has just died. I didn't even know she existed and now I'm her father. I just… well I could use some help." Deeks finally explained, the words rushing out of his mouth without thought. His tone of confusion and helplessness was one that told Hetty he believed that she could make everything right. She would rise to that challenge. Because that was what she did for her team.

"Say no more, Mr Deeks. Help will arrive presently, I promise."

With that Hetty hung up her phone and pulled herself out of bed. She would have to arrange for all the paperwork to be completed so that Mr Deeks could take his daughter home. Oh she knew that the CPS would be there and doing it, but it couldn't harm for her to help it along a bit now could it? But that wouldn't be enough. Mr Deeks would need help with the girl herself, and there was only one she could think of that would be able to do that. Therefore once dressed she turned to her clock to see it was now 4.30 in the morning. She doubted he would be asleep, that was one good thing about having an agent who had insomnia. Therefore she felt no guilt about dialling his number as she made her way to her front door.

Callen was sitting reading when his phone rang. Seeing it was Hetty he didn't hesitate to answer the call. The only reason he could think she would be calling was that she had a mission for him, and he was more than willing to comply. Therefore a smile already forming on his face at the idea of going undercover he spoke.

"Hetty, what can I do for you this lovely morning?"

"Mr Callen. I need you to go the paediatrics wing of the hospital. Mr Deeks requires your assistance." Hetty replied in no uncertain terms. She didn't doubt Callen would go to help his team mate, though she was sending him there for more than just Mr Deeks. It had not taken her more than a few minutes to think about the next steps they would have to deal with. As such she had realised that the best way to help her detective's daughter was to find someone who would understand what it was she was going through. And as Mr Callen had also lost his mother so early in his life, and then lived with strangers, he was the best one for the job in her mind. And it would be better if he was there for her from the outset.

"In paediatrics? Seriously? Why me?" Callen asked confused, though he was already standing and grabbing his keys. If Deeks was in hospital, then something was wrong. Deeks was a part of his team, his family, he would help him any way he could.

"I believe you have a… unique perspective which could well be invaluable to him. I will join you there later." Hetty replied before hanging up and climbing into her car. She had a judge to wake.

"Okay." Callen mumbled replacing his phone in his pocket and unknowing mimicking Hetty as he too got behind the wheel. But whereas she was heading towards those whose signatures she needed to release Alayna into Deeks' care, Callen made his way towards the hospital.

Deeks was sitting by the bedside of his daughter. The doctors had been in and confirmed that she was essentially fine, though they would be keeping her in for a couple of days for observation. They had also informed him that they had given her something to help her sleep, so she wouldn't be waking any time soon. But he couldn't tear himself away from the child in front of him. He had gently moved her hair so he could see her face. She had elfin features in his mind, with a sharp jaw and pale skin. She looked at lot like her mother, apart from the hair. No that he was sure was purely him. The CPS lady was still in the room, after all until they completed the paperwork and determined his home was suitable for a kid, she was still a ward of the state. But he didn't mind that. She had sat back leaving him to his own mind as he stared down at the girl he was going to guide, to love, to be a father to for the rest of her life.

Callen walked quickly along the corridors. The nurse had given him the room number that Deeks was in, though when he got to the door he was confused about why he was sitting by the bedside of a young girl. Who was she, and what did she have to do with Deeks? But when he entered the room he found his path blocked by a woman who gave him a formidable glare.

"And who might you be?" She asked crossing her arms as she demanded he answer her. And Callen decided it would be best to humour her, until he knew what was going on here at any rate.

"Special Agent G Callen, NCIS. You?"

"Mandy Dell, CPS." The lady replied, making Callen nod. That made sense. CPS was bound to be there as there was somehow a child involved. Before he could ask her for any information on the girl in the bed another voice joined their conversation.

Deeks had been staring at his daughter, completely unaware that someone had entered the room until he heard his voice. What? Why was he here?

"Callen? What are you doing here?" He asked turning towards his team leader with confusion written plainly across his face. He hadn't called anyone from the team, he hadn't thought they would be able to help. So he was extremely surprised to see Callen there now.

"Hetty called me. Who's the kid?" Callen asked making his way into the room as the lady, Mandy, moved so he could do so. It seemed Deeks knowing him gave him permission to enter in her mind. That was good intel to have.

Deeks wasn't sure how to answer that question, but he knew he couldn't lie. This was going to affect his work after all. I mean he was now a single dad. That was a hell of a lot more responsibility than being Monty's owner that was sure. So taking a deep breath he answered Callen's question.

"Alayna. She's… she's my daughter."

"Your daughter Deeks? Didn't feel like sharing this with us before now?" Callen asked his eyebrow's raising at the words. He had no idea Deeks had a kid, and he was pretty sure no one else did either. Why hadn't he told them? Didn't he trust them to keep her safe? Didn't he know they would do anything to protect his family?

"I didn't know until an hour ago. Her mom never told me." Deeks replied and at his words realisation dawn on Callen. This wasn't just his daughter he had been keeping secret, this was one he had never known existed. But now he did, and he was suddenly flung into the role of father to a growing child. That had to be the craziest thing Callen had ever heard. Of course it also raised a lot of questions in his mind. Like why did the kid's mom tell him now, and where the hell was she?

"So where is she? Her mom?" He asked deciding to go for the practical rather than anything more personal.

"She died. They were in an RTC." Deeks responded in a monotone voice his eyes turning back to the sleeping child, the one he hoped couldn't hear this conversation while she slept.

"Damn." Callen muttered under his breath as his eyes also turned once more to the child sleeping quietly in the bed. He knew what it was like to be where she was now. Without her mom. And if Deeks hadn't known about her, she not doubt didn't know him either. He was stranger to her. She would be grieving all she had known, and be thrown into a life that was completely different with a stranger. He knew all too well how that felt like, though at least she wasn't going into care. She was going to be with her dad. She would have stability from that. Hopefully that would be enough to help her.

Both of the men's eyes were pulled from the sleeping figure by Mandy speaking once more. Now that someone was with the detective, she decide it was time to move things forwards. They needed to get the process started after all, so he could take his daughter home when the time came.

"Detective Deeks, we need to discuss the process for you gaining guardianship of you daughter." She said simply, opening up the folder she had with her concerning the child in the bed.

"Right. So what's first?" Deeks asked completely focused on the woman in front of him. He would jump through any hoops they wanted him to, as long as he got his daughter at the end of it.

"We need to make sure your property is suitable for raising a child, then-" Mandy started to explain only to be interrupted by the other man. The special agent.

"It's not." Callen stated firmly. There was no way Deeks could raise a kid in his current apartment. There just wasn't space, and he knew the CPS would agree with him on that one.

"What do you mean by that?" Deeks asked rounding on the man next to him with a glare. Who was he to say his home wasn't suitable for his daughter?

"You live in a one bed apartment, Deeks." Callen explained in a placating tone. He could see the fire in the younger man's eyes at idea that he was suggesting he wasn't suitable of raising his daughter. But Callen didn't think that. No far from it, he thought Deeks would make a great dad. He just couldn't do it in his present apartment.

"How do you know that?" Deeks asked confusion replacing the anger at Callen's words. He had never invited the older agent round his place, so how did he know he lived in a one bed apartment?

"It's my job." Callen responded with a smirk, enjoying the confusion on Deeks face. Did he really think he didn't keep tabs on his team? What sort of team leader would he be if he didn't do that, huh?

"If that is the case, then Alayna will have to go into foster care until you can arrange a suitable home for the both of you." Mandy interrupted closing the file. It seemed she was going to have to find a foster home for the child after all, she had so hoped she wouldn't need to do that. When Detective Deeks had shown he was willing to take Alayna in she had been so happy for the child. But now… well only time would tell what would happen next.

At her words Callen looked down at the kid in the bed and he knew deep in his heart that was not what she needed. She needed to be with her dad, to be with Deeks. To have him there for her to help her through the changes that were about to happen. She needed something solid in the chaos she was about to experience. Therefore in a rash move and without even truly thinking it through, he spoke.

"No need. They already have one." when both Deeks and Mandy turned to him, the former with a look of confusion while the latter was obviously waiting for him to elaborate, he continued. "I have a three bed house with a back yard in a good area. They will be moving in with me."

At his words Deeks mouth dropped open. Because did Callen really just say… no way. He did not just decide he and his daughter would be moving in with him. No. He can't have. Not even Callen was that crazy? Right?

"Very well. We will need to assess your house to make sure it is suitable, but other than that I see no complications. If you could give me the address, I will get it registered in Alayna's file." Mandy replied seeing the look on the detectives face and realising that the two men needed time to talk. She could give them that, but from her position it was the perfect solution. If this man was willing to take in Detective Deeks and his daughter, then they would not have any problems. She would have to do checks on him of course, but considering he was a federal agent she did not expect any barriers there either. Therefore she quietly exited the room to start the process.

"Callen, we can't move in with you." Deeks said as soon as they were alone, still not pulling his eyes from the man in front of him. Staring at him as if he had grown another head or something.

"Why not? Sure I don't have any furniture, but we can work something out. And it's not like I'm there much anyway. It gives you both a roof over your head without any worry about money or anything else. It'll give you a chance to get to know each other." Callen shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal offering Deeks and his daughter somewhere to live. And it really wasn't in his mind, it was a practical solution which would benefit them. He had the space, and they needed the rooms. Problem solving at its best, Sam would be proud of him for his logical thinking he was sure.

"Why are you doing this?" Deeks asked still not sure how to take the idea of moving in with Callen. Or more the fact that he had suggested it. He hadn't quite got his mind to thinking about what it would actually be like to live with his team leader, he was stuck on the idea that Callen had offered, or more correctly, decided that he would.

At that Hetty's words rang in Callen's head. A unique perspective, well he had that alright. She and known this was going to happen. Damn, she really was far too crafty sometimes. But rather than say any of that he tried to explain why he had done what he had to the man in front of him.

"Because I've been where she is, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. She's gonna need you Deeks. Your complete attention." Callen responded with a sincerity that Deeks rarely saw in the man. But it did trigger in his mind all he knew about Callen's past, about how he had grown up in care and had never known his family. It made him turn once more to his daughter and see her position in a different light. In the light of how similar it was to the man standing next to him. The only difference was that Alayna would have her father at her side. She would have him. At that thought he nodded before turning back to Callen.

"I know, but… are sure? I mean this is a big thing." He asked wanting to make sure he really did mean his words. That he wouldn't go back on them when the time came.

"It's just a house, Deeks." Callen answered with a shrug. Oh he knew it was more than that, he knew that he would also be helping Deeks find his way with the girl, but he was more than happy to share his unique perspective with the new father.

"Thank you." Deeks breathed. The idea of having somewhere he could take Alayna when she got out of hospital, and knowing he wouldn't be alone, it made a great weight lift of his shoulders. Of course then he remembered something else Callen had said and couldn't help but smile cheekily at the man as he continued. "And about the furniture, I own mine, so that's not a problem."

"Well it seems we have all we need then. Give me your keys." Callen replied smiling back at him, glad to see a small sliver of the Deeks he knew coming through in the man who had just had such a massive responsibility placed upon him.

"What? Why?" Deeks asked confused once more. Why did Callen want his keys at 5 in the morning?

"Because I don't think the CPS will be happy with an empty house. They'll have someone round for an inspection within the next couple of days. So you stay with your daughter, and I'll move your furniture. But I'm not moving any of your personal crap. You can do that when she is out of hospital. Is that clear?" Callen responded smirking to himself at the thought he could go through all of Deeks stuff and he would never know about it. Not that he would, honest.

"Crystal. Umm, there's also Alayna's stuff. It's at her mom's apartment, which I'll have to clear out at some point. But if you could get some of that, hopefully it won't be so strange, you know, living somewhere else." Deeks replied pulling out his keys and the address Mandy had given him earlier. He wanted to make sure that Callen's home was as comfortable as they could make it before his daughter moved in.

"Don't worry Deeks. I'll make sure I get everything she will need." And silently to himself Callen corrected that to everything the girl owned. She would need the normality after all. With that decided he took the keys the younger man held out to him and moved out of the room pulling his phone from his pocket. Hetty was the one who had gotten him involved in this, so it was only fair she helped him find the van and muscle he would need to complete the move in a day. Yep, that was perfect justice in his mind. And it didn't once cross his mind that in doing this he would become as fixture in the girls life, that he would have a role second only to that of her father. No all he thought about right then was that he was helping a little girl so she didn't have to go through all the hell he had his whole childhood. He was helping her find her family and get to know her dad.