A/N: Another chapter for you which progresses this story. I hope you enjoy it and I would love to hear your comments. I look forward to hearing what you have to say and I appreciate everyone who is still supporting this story. A big thank you to you all.

Chapter 10

"Bugger" muttered Hetty as she drove past a car parked a block away from Alex's house. She mentally kicked herself for missing it when she arrived and prepared herself for the storm that undoubtedly would be coming.

Back at the Mission, Hetty walked over to her office and, taking her purse from her shoulder, stood on the small step stool and hung it on the peg. Stepping down she straightened her jacket and sat at her desk. Hetty did not have to wait long before she heard the Mission door crash open and watched as an angry figure headed her way, ignoring all comments from the bullpen.

"What were you doing at Alex's house?" he said, his voice full of menace, barely controlling his anger.

"Good morning Mr Callen" Hetty said sweetly. "What makes you think I was there?" she added trying to dodge the question but knowing it would only infuriate her boy.

"I saw you" he replied.

"Please sit down Mr Callen" said Hetty. At first Callen did not move but under the intense glare of his superior, he did so. Hetty noticed a muscle in his jaw twitch, a tell-tale sign that he was struggling to control his anger. "Yes you are correct I was there but I did not see your car until I drove past it when I left" Hetty said.

"You're losing your touch" he commented with a hint of a smile. Hetty smiled back but did not say anything. "Well?" he added.

"Well, what?" said Hetty.

"I'm waiting for an explanation as to why you were there in the first place" demanded Callen.

"I was not aware that I had to explain my actions to my employees" stated Hetty sharply.

"You do if I'm the reason you were there" said Callen coldly.

"Not everything is about you Mr Callen" replied Hetty curtly.

Callen fixed her with an icy stare. Hetty was always amazed how his deep blue eyes could twinkle with amusement and warmth one minute but turn pale and cold in an instant. She knew she was playing with fire but she never reacted well to threats. "Don't play games with me Hetty. I know you too well" he said. "Besides I've learnt from the best" he added with a smirk.

Hetty smiled. "Indeed you have" she agreed. She sighed. "Your assumption is correct. I did go to see Miss Reynolds because of you."

"Why? What gives you the right to interfere in my life?" he asked.

"It is my job Mr Callen" said Hetty and held her eyes steady under Callen's glare. She sighed and continued. "As your manager I'm responsible for the safety of you and the team. Is that not so?" she asked. Callen nodded reluctantly. "So when your private life encroaches detrimentally on your professional one…." replied Hetty.

"But it isn't, not anymore" snapped Callen eager to defend himself.

"I beg to differ, as do your colleagues" answered Hetty. "They're worried about you as am I" she added in a softer tone.

"You don't have to be, neither do they. I'm fine" said Callen. He was never used to anyone showing concern for his welfare and he still had difficulty dealing with it.

Hetty raised her eyebrows and peered over the top of her glasses at her lead agent. "Mr Callen, whilst I will admit that your performance has been more focussed of late which in turn has meant you have not sustained any serious injuries, you are anything but fine" Hetty stated. "All you have done is bury whatever you're feeling so you are no longer distracted. It's not healthy, for you or for the team."

Callen shrugged and looked down at his lap, mumbling something which Hetty did not catch. Callen finally looked up at her and asked "What did you say to her?"

Hetty looked at him and pondered just how much she would tell him. He deserved the truth but she did not want to inflict any further hurt upon him. Just then a piercing whistle filled the office as Eric announced his presence from the stairs and Hetty breathed a sigh of relief. Her disclosure would have to wait. "It appears you are wanted Mr Callen" said Hetty effectively ending the conversation.

Callen glanced over at Eric and saw the team following the technical wizard up the stairs to OPS. Sam looked his way and Callen could see the concern on his face. Getting to his feet, Callen said "This isn't over Hetty. I'll find out what was said." Without waiting for an answer, Callen walked away and Hetty watched him jog up the stairs to join his team. She sat back and relaxed slightly but sighed. I have no doubt that you will try my boy but I'm afraid I've just made you angry and that was not my intention.

As Callen entered the OPS room, he glanced around at the team assembled waiting for his arrival. "What we got, Eric?"

"A school bus had been stopped and boarded by armed men" Eric replied.

"And why is this of interest to NCIS? Was it a Naval school bus?" asked Callen.

There was a pregnant pause with Eric looking uneasily at Nell. "No one was hurt but they were asking for Jake Reynolds" Nell provided.

Callen looked shocked and the rest of the team looked confused. Callen's phone rang and recognising the caller ID, Callen declined the call but it rang again almost immediately. It was the same caller. "What do you want Arkady? I'm kinda busy right now" snapped Callen as he answered.

"I would not call if it was not of importance Callen" said Arkady in a thick Russian accent. "Your father has escaped."

"What? When? Why am I just hearing this?" asked Callen.

"I have only just heard" said Arkady. "It is an earlier time in Europe and my contacts waited to tell me. They know I don't get up too early."

"What else did your contacts say?" replied Callen ignoring Arkady's comment.

"Nothing. Why you ask?" replied Arkady clearly confused.

"Because some armed men have just stopped a school bus and are looking for my nephew Jake." Callen heard a soft gasp from Arkady.

"I'm sorry Callen I do not know."

"Well get back to them and find out! Let me know as soon as you've got something." Callen disconnected without giving Arkady a chance to respond.

"Garrison's escaped!" said Callen as he turned and looked at the expectant faces of his team.

"That's good news, right?" said Deeks. "Ouch! What was that for?" he muttered as Kensi's elbow connected with his side and she fixed him with a stern glare.

"Depends" said Callen.

"Whoever wants Garrison back are after Jake to try and get him out of hiding" stated Sam.

Nell interrupted. "There's been a report of a hijack of another school bus. Same scenario as the first. There must be a couple of teams working the schools."

"They don't know where he lives, what school he goes to or what he looks like" said Callen with a little hope in his voice. "That gives us an advantage I hope. Eric, Nell, bring up any footage from the traffic cams and run facial rec on these men.

"Already doing it" said Eric. "Nothing of use yet."

"Good, keep at it. Deeks, contact LAPD and tell them what's happening. If they can arrest any of them without putting the kids in danger, that would be a help. Then you and Kensi get to Alex and bring her to the boatshed" ordered Callen.

"What will you do?" asked Kensi, clearly concerned about her friend and mentor.

"I'm going to Alex's school undercover to keep an eye on him" announced Callen.

"Wouldn't it be better to bring him to boatshed to be with his mother?" asked Kensi.

"Perhaps. If we do, then we'd have to make sure no-one knows about it otherwise, it'll only push whoever's after him underground and the threat will still be there. We've got to catch them and find out who's behind it" explained Callen.

"Alex won't like it" said Sam. "Are you sure you want to do it this way?"

"Jake won't be in danger. They won't risk harming him, not if they want to lure out Garrison" said Callen. "Look, I understand if you don't want to get involved as it's not under the NCIS purview but I'd appreciate your help." A chorus of confirmation that the team were on board echoed around the OPS centre. Callen nodded in thanks and turned on his heels to leave the room.

Callen hurried downstairs to Hetty's office and without preamble he asked "Did you know about this?"

"I am aware of many things. To what in particular are you referring Mr Callen?" answered Hetty.

"My father's escaped and they're after Jake to flush him out" he stated.

Hetty looked surprised. "Mr Callen, please start at the beginning. What has happened and who are 'they'?" said Hetty calmly.

Callen dropped into the seat that he had vacated minutes before and caught his breath. "We got a call to say that a school bus was stopped by armed men and they were asking for Jake."

"And we were notified because it involves a NCIS family member" said Hetty.

"Yes. I then got a call from Arkady who informed me that Garrison had escaped. Nell then got word that another school bus had been stopped. I surmised that they don't know what school Jake attends or what he looks like. I'm going undercover at the school to keep him safe. Deeks and Kensi are going to get Alex and bring her to the boatshed" Callen explained.

"She'll not like you using her son as bait. Do you really want to do it this way in view of the situation you are already in?" asked Hetty.

"I've no choice. We don't know where they'll strike next and if they get to him before we do, we won't know where they've taken him" said Callen running his hand over his short hair. Hetty could see the worry etched on his face and knew that once again her boy was blaming himself for something that was not his fault. "This way at least I'll be with him and maybe we can take them down before they get too close. Will you go to the boatshed and speak to Alex?"

"Will you have back up?" asked Hetty.

"Sam will be with me in the school and as soon as Alex is safe, Kensi and Deeks will join us" replied Callen.

Hetty nodded. "Of course I'll stay with her and explain what is happening. Whilst I understand your need to protect Jake, you cannot endanger the lives of the staff and pupils at the school." Hetty paused before continuing. "I also want you to be aware that this may be the catalyst that finally severs the link between you and Alex."

A pained look momentarily crossed Callen's face as he said "Don't you think I know that? I've got no choice Hetty. We're in this predicament because Garrison and I came into their lives and I've got to do all I can to keep them safe. Perhaps when this is all over, I will have to stay away from them for their own safety. However I made a promise and I intend to keep it."

As Callen turned and rushed out of the building he did not hear Hetty say "I pray you do. Please be safe my boy."