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This story is a continuation of It's All Relative and Times They Are A Changing but if you haven't read them it's okay as this story is a stand alone.

A big THANK YOU to AuggieDeeksNico for her amazing editing skills and don't forget to read her story MMA

Disclaimer: I do not own anything associated with NCIS Los Angeles. I only own my original characters.

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It Takes A Village To Raise A Child.

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Chapter 6 – One Year Anniversary – Sam & Michelle – Holding On To The Past.

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He was in the same chair as Michelle had left him. Although now he appeared to be asleep, head down, arms across his chest; legs stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles. She had seen Callen sleep like this many times over the years and it still amazed her that he actually got any rest.

"Callen, Callen." Michelle called his name as she approached that side of the bed. She had learnt a long time ago not to touch him when he was sleeping. She watched as he slowly came awake.

"Hey." Callen greeted her as he gingerly stood, then stretching, causing various joints to pop and snap.

He reached for the coffee she held in her stretched out hand. "Thanks." Taking a long draw from the cup.

"Slept all night." He moved past her and towards the other side of the bed, so she could sit closer to Sam and slowly lowered himself into the chair.

"You or him?" Michelle questioned with a gentle smile.

"Him." Nodding to a still sleeping Sam.

"That's good; he needs all the rest he can get. Thank you for staying with him."

"You're welcome. I didn't want him to be alone on the outside chance he did wake up."

Michelle sat down in the chair Callen had vacated and spoke to him over the sleeping form of her husband. "I couldn't find anyone to watch Christina and I didn't want to bring her here at least not yet."

"Understood." He and Michelle could work as a well-oiled team when it came to dealing with Sam when needed.

"I guess you'll want to get home now."

Callen gave her a confused look. "No, I can stay for a while longer." He settled back into the chair like he was here from the long haul.

"I'm sure Sophie would disagree. It's not just you anymore Callen. You have her and two little ones to think about now." She watched as realization came over him.

"Your right of course, it's just this is all new to me." He felt embarrassed. Looking down at the coffee in his hand, he wondered if he would always put his job and Sam ahead of Sophie and his new son and daughter.

"Callen," She said his name watching as he slowly met her gaze. "You will be a good father to those children, look at how you are with Chrissy."

The self-doubt evident in his eyes and voice, "I have some work ahead of me."

"Yes, you do my friend but you and Sophie have a family now and you're a team. Lead with Love and it'll all work out." Michelle offered her best advice.

Michelle watched as Callen slowly nodded his head. For a man who could confidently lead others into battle, he was struggling. Good, he needed the challenge that Sophie and the children would bring him. Of course she and Sam would be there to help when he started to stray off course.

"Before you go, any updates on what happened on base? The details were a little sketchy still when I left last night." Not sure she really wanted to know.

Callen cleared his voice. The account of the incident was hard to imagine let alone speak out loud.

"The crew gathered in the base mess after disembarking from the transport that had brought them from Virginia. Apparently Sam wasn't going to join them for a farewell meal but was convinced otherwise. It started out fine but then a fight broke out and Sam stepped in to help stop it. Whatever happened or was said sent him into a flashback. He became violent." Callen's voice broke and he paused before he continued.

"He started throwing chairs, tables and physically pushing men around. Then as quick as it started he stopped, collapsed on the floor. MPs stepped in and luckily one had experience with dealing with PTSD and had him sent to the hospital instead of the brig."

"That sound so unlike him. He's always been the one to try negotiating and staying away from unnecessary violence." Her voice shook as she looked to Callen for reassurance. "That's what PTSD does to you isn't it? A noise, a smell or anything could have set him off."

"Michelle, he would never hurt you or Chrissy." Callen reassured her. He wasn't quite sure what was going on with Sam but that was one thing he was sure of.

"I know." Michelle confined in Callen, her emotions on her sleeve, "but he's changed so much in the last year. Before he left he was withdrawn and moody. Sure he put on a face but deep down it was there. I thought going away from it all would help but it appears to have worsened."

Sam shifted in the bed between them, although he didn't wake. They sat in silence for a few minutes, absorbing the events of last night.

Michelle spoke first. "Have you heard how Deeks is doing?" Although she owed her and Sam's lives to the man, in the past year she made no effort to contact him after the case was closed. Another regret in her life.

"He's doing well, very well in fact. He's up in Canada with Kensi as part of an ongoing case we're working on. He and Kensi are trying for a baby too." He was interrupted as Sam's doctor entered the room.

"Mrs. Hanna I assume? I'm Dr. Webster." Not much taller than Hetty, he shook Michelle's hand. He acknowledged Callen with a nodded. "Agent Callen. Would you mind stepping out while I exam Mr. Hanna."

Michelle and Callen exited the room and walked towards the elevator.

"I should be going; Noah has a doctor's appointment this morning." They stopped and he pressed the elevator button.

"Thank you for staying Callen. I do appreciate all your help. "She gave him a quick hug and walked away.

Callen watched her walk away. Stepping into the elevator, he felt he was left leaving a part of his old life behind.