Chapter Note: This was written as spec for "Come Back."

A knock on his door was not something G Callen was expecting this Saturday morning. He had spent the morning doing a little cleaning, which is all that was really required in his home: dust a few lamps and you're pretty much done.

To his surprise, he found Sam Hanna and his daughter Kamran standing outside. The littlest Hanna sported a beaming smile and held a soccer ball in her left arm. Her father, meanwhile, wore a slight smirk.

"Hi, Uncle G!" exclaimed Kam, reaching in for a hug.

"Morning, G," Sam said with a nod.

As G returned the hug to Kam, he looked up at her father and asked, "What brings you two here?"

"Kam has decided she's interested in soccer. Michelle is having some friends over and wanted the backyard clear. We decided we'd come over to Uncle G's and practice. Plus, if we decide indoors is better, we can just come back in. It's not like we'll break anything here." Sam ended the explanation on a wink.

As Kam was still in their presence, G held his smile - though it was proving somewhat of a struggle. "And was your phone not working? Because mine is, and could easily have received a call if you wanted to, you know, ask to come over."

"Ask?" Sam let out a small laugh. "You told me I never had to ask. All those times you crashed at my place. 'I'm going to get a place, Sam. I'm definitely going to get a place, Sam. When I get a place, Sam, you can come over anytime. I promise. No need to call. Mi casa will be su casa, Sam.' Sound familiar?"

G definitely had no reply for this. He simply extended his arm to indicate they were welcome to come in. G closed the door and the Hannas began to make their way to the back.

Kamran briefly paused and pointed to their right. "Oh, look, Dad! Table and chairs!"

G looked at Sam with a furrowed brow. "Most people aren't usually excited by tables and chairs."

"Oh, it's a game we play. I have to see if I notice anything new or different when we come over!" explained Kamran, excitedly.

G looked over at Sam, who bore a sheepish smile.

"I probably wasn't supposed to know about that game, was I?"

Sam remained silent and just guided his daughter further to the back.

G sighed and shook his head. Suddenly, he heard a second surprise knock on the door. He turned and stared at the door for a few confusion-filled moments. A repeated knock reminded him he should actually answer it.

This time, Kensi and Nell were on the other side. Kensi's huge smile suggested she was about to ask for a favor. The six-pack of beer she was extending his way confirmed it.

"Good morning, Callen. How are you? I wanted to drop off this gift and ask for a tiny favor."

"By taking this beer, it does not mean I agree to the favor." G was acting like he was going to stand his ground, but he knew he'd cave.

"Of course not." Kensi nodded in both agreement and understanding. "I was trying to downsize before moving in with Deeks, and there are just some things that mean too much to me, but we have no room for. I was hoping you'd let me store some stuff here - either until I find a storage facility I feel comfortable with or can let some of these things go."

G knew Kensi well enough to know that all of her items were permanently storage-bound. If she couldn't get rid of it right now, she probably never would. He couldn't deny that he had plenty of space he never used. However, he liked it that way. He was weighing the decision back and forth when his phone rang.

"Why don't you guys come in while I get that? Sam and Kam are already here."

Kensi and Nell stepped in, and G shut the door behind them. He went over and picked up his phone only to spot "MD" on the Caller ID. He had wondered why Deeks wasn't here, and he figured he was about to get his answer.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Callen. It's Deeks. Listen, just a heads up: Kensi is coming over. She's going to ask you to store some of her stuff. It's a lot - we're talking the anti-Mother-Hubbard. I'm pretty sure I saw her moving some of the discard items back into the storage boxes. I'd be with her, but I only feel like an enabler. Just, don't be afraid to say 'No.' Stay strong. I believe in you."

"Wait, what?" The last bit threw G off. Actually, all of this was throwing him off.

"Oh, sorry, Callen. I'm with some of my surfer buddies, and a couple of them are in affirmation mode. Just -"

"That case is actually already under investigation," G told him, looking over at Kensi. If this were work, he might be a little less considerate of avoiding a potential spat by outting Deeks. However, he was in his own home and would prefer it drama-free.

"She's already there, isn't she?" Deeks's question was more rhetorical than anything else.

"Affirmative. I don't foresee any impending complications with the case at this point, if that helps."

"Oh, okay. Just checking. Look, I have to go. Take care!"

"Of course." G ended the conversation in a serious tone to keep up the act.

He then briefly turned away from his company and sighed. He put the cell phone down and headed back over to Kensi and Nell.

"So, Nell's helping you move? Where's Deeks?"

"He didn't tell you where he was on the phone just now?" asked Kensi with a grin.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Uh-huh," replied Kensi, who seemed more amused than anything else. "Nell is my partner in crime today. She had a free morning and was happy to help."

Nell nodded. "Yep. I tried to get Eric to come, but he had super secret plans. He insisted he couldn't tell me what he was doing. No complaints, though, about the lovely breakfast we had this morning to build up our energy."

Kensi smiled. "Exactly. We're like ladies who lunch except...broads who breakfast."

"Alright, broad, how much stuff are we talking about here?"

"I am glad you asked. Come on. I'll show you the boxes."

G followed Kensi out the house to fully assess the "situation." Deeks's anti-Mother-Hubbard assessment was correct.

"Kensi, half these boxes are bigger than Nell!"

Kensi laughed. "Look, Callen, you only have to keep what you want. This stuff just means a lot to me, and I wanted to make sure it would be safe."

"Everything means a lot to you, Kensi. That's your problem."

Kensi made a slight scowl. "A little sentiment wouldn't hurt you, Callen. All the more reason to store some of this stuff. Maybe the sentimentality will rub off on you. We don't always get a lot of good memories, and remembering them is a little easier when you have something tangible - even those tiny, nice moments that made you smile, if nothing else."

G went to reply, but chose not to.

"And don't think that beer is the only gift you'll be getting." Kensi's beaming smile had returned.

"Oh? What else will I get?"

"Well, how does a couch sound? Or even a full living room set?"

"A couch?!"

"Yes! Come on, you need a couch. I have an extra couch - and some other pieces. Think about a day like today when you could use one. You only have four chairs, Callen."

G sighed. "Kensi, today is an anomaly. A real anomaly. I don't need a couch. Or anything else. You're better off selling it."

"Just think about it. It's a great couch, Callen. And..." Kensi was starting to laugh a little and had to fight to keep the chuckle in. "It won't clash with your decor." She was no longer holding the laugh in, when they both heard a surprising voice behind them.

"Oh, hey, guys!" They turned to see Eric walking up, holding a soccer ball. "Kensi, er, I didn't think...you'd be here. Does that mean Nell is here, too?"

"Yes, Eric, it does." Kensi confirmed.

"Eric, what are you doing here?"

"Ah, well, Callen, Sam asked me to come by and help him with...something. He didn't really want me to tell anyone outside of you."

Kensi looked offended. "Wait, why?"

Eric looked uncomfortable and responded with nothing. G ended the awkward silence. "I'm guessing you're here to help with soccer? And, if Sam didn't want you to tell anyone, he's not exactly proud of his own soccer skills - or lack thereof."

Eric looked slightly more uncomfortable, "Um, noooo. No. I just happened to mention that I knew some good soccer drills. I was never big on the game, but it really helps with choreography - something I learned in high school. I offered to help."

Kensi grinned. "I thought you said he asked you to come and help?"

G joined in. "And why would your offer need to be a secret?"

Eric stood for a moment before nodding to both of them and heading inside sans answers.

G and Kensi watched Eric go inside. Kensi commented, "I guess I should probably call Deeks to come over."

"Yeah," G noted. "May as well have the whole gang over. Hell, ask him to pick up Granger. Hetty's probably already here hiding somewhere."

Kensi looked at him with a sly smile. "I meant to get that couch over here."

G shot her a look before letting out a little laugh and shaking his head.