My team leave and I am left alone at my desk. It is something I have become accustomed to these days… I am no longer a spring chicken with a flair for life and a line of men waiting to make plans with me. I watch as Callen and Sam follow Melissa out of the building. Melissa is flustered and I make a note to ask her about the reason why tomorrow.

The young Melissa reminds me of my younger self in many ways. Her reluctance to believe that anyone is simply caring for her is uncanny to my same belief. She see's attention as pity much like I used to and sometimes still do. Yes Melissa is a reminder of the person I used to be. I simply hope that she does not follow the same dark paths that I have already travelled in my time. I have learned along the way that no matter how hard you try you always end up where you're meant to be and not always where you want to be…

I have watched that girl grow up from a distance. Her mother was a fine CSI and her father is an excellent NCIS agent who I have had the privilege of working with. I see a lot of her mother in her but I also see some skills that she must have inherited from her father. There are some traits she shares with her mother like the stare she gives when she is distracted and her laugh. How I remember Karen's laugh!

She is all grown up and independent. Much like Mr Callen in her beliefs, afraid to let anyone in other than a chosen few and never letting her guard down. They are positive influences on each other however and I look forward to seeing what will become with their partnership. Karen would be proud I realise.

They grow up so fast…..