Oh my gosh. It's been waaay too long. I am so sorry! I've been really busy lately and sometimes won't get home until midnight. As always I hope you are enjoying Taylor Callen : )
Taylor walked back into the bull pen area after having a nice, hot shower. He had to admit it felt great having a shower with privacy and good quality bath products. He was surprised the woman named Hetty had a stylist at the office this late at night. The woman had cut his hair relatively short but it felt good. His warm, bare feet enjoyed the cool feel of the tile as he padded across the room to where he last saw Callen. He stopped in his tracks as he noticed Callen asleep in a sitting position. He stifled a laugh as he saw the kind man named Sam who had rescued him asleep at his desk as well.
"Those two are certainly more like brothers then they would like to admit," Hetty said behind him, towel in hand. Taylor jumped, not expecting the woman to be so close behind. "I'm sorry dear. I didn't mean to startle you." Taylor smiled at her, accepting her apology. "How about we get some food in you?" Taylor's eyebrows raised in excitement and he smiled with his teeth.
"Yes, please," he replied in quiet voice.
Taylor stayed silent as he ate a TV dinner that consisted of mac n' cheese, mashed potatoes, and peas along with a glass of milk. Hetty noticed he practically inhaled his food as if he hadn't eaten in days. She enjoyed her hot tea at her desk while Taylor enjoyed his meal in the seat across from her. He held the eating utensil with surprising accuracy. She had half expected him to have difficulties holding a fork or anything else. Her brow scrunched in concern at the possible scenarios this young man in front of her has had to experience.
"Miss Hetty, I'm finished. Thank you for the food." He placed the plate on her desk and got up, bowing to her. He ceased his action, realizing what he was doing.
"It's alright, dear. And you don't have to call me miss. Just Hetty." She smiled at him, her eyes twinkling with warmth. He nodded and stood awkwardly. Hetty swiveled in her chair in a lulling motion as she drank her tea. She glanced up and noticed Taylor still standing in front of her. She realized that the man was waiting for further instruction. She placed her tea and saucer on the table. "You can sleep next to Mr. Callen if you'd like or I can find you a nice cot to sleep on," she offered.
"Can I go to Callen?" Taylor asked timidly.
"Of course, I'm sure he'd like that very much," Hetty reassured him. He scampered off but hesitated once he reached Callen's side. Taylor laid down on the couch and rested his head on Callen's thigh. He felt Callen shift slightly in his sleep and Taylor stiffened. He relaxed once Callen put a comforting hand on his head, unconscious of doing such an action. Taylor slowly drifted off to sleep and before he finally dropped off he felt a gentle hand place a blanket over him.
Sam woke with a start, dreaming of Callen running after that van and shouting at the top of his lungs before he passed out. Sam wasn't surprised he was having nightmares of his partner in danger. He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face tiredly. He glanced at his watch and noticed that it was approximately six in the morning. He cursed and glanced around until he saw Hetty coming into bull pen area.
"Good morning Hetty," Sam greeted sleepily. Hetty held a finger to her lips and pointed behind him. His brain being slow, he glanced around in confusion until he saw them. An instant smile lit up his face as he took in the heartwarming picture. There his partner was, sleeping in a upright position with Taylor snuggled up next to him with his head in Callen's lap. The part that made him smile was that Callen had his hand on Taylor's head and was slumped to the side as if he was protecting him. "Well isn't that a sight," Sam sighed.
"It sure is and good morning to you Mr. Hanna. How did you sleep?" Hetty whispered. It was still too early and nobody else had gotten there yet.
"Alright for sleeping at a desk. I already know I'm going to have a couple of kinks in my neck." Sam rubbed his neck in a massaging manner as he twisted it back and forth. It popped a few times and he stretched.
"I would have woken you but then you would have attempted to drive home." Hetty smiled knowingly.
"You're probably right. I was supposed to wake Callen when you guys were done," Sam admitted guiltily.
"That's alright Mr. Hanna. You both needed your sleep." Hetty walked away to her desk and Sam stared after her when he heard a noise behind him.
Callen gasped awake and took in his surroundings, panicking until he realized where he was. He felt a weight on his leg and looked down in surprise, lifting his left hand. When had Taylor...? The question trailed off in Callen's head. He placed his hand back on the boy's head, noticing his hair had been cut and cleaned.
"G?" Callen heard Sam's voice and he glanced up. "You alright man?"
"Yeah, I'm good." Callen smiled and ruffled the kid's hair. Sam took notice and began asking something.
"G, how come-?" Taylor stirred and woke.
"Brother?" Taylor mumbled, rubbing his eye sleepily.
"Yeah, kid?" Callen answered.
"Morning." Callen chuckled softly. Taylor was definitely not a morning person.
"Morning. Are you hungry?" Taylor's face grew pink when his stomach grumbled. Callen laughed more loudly and moved to get up, Taylor moving as well in response. "Come on, let's go get some food. You want to go for some pancakes Sam?" Callen asked his partner.
"Yeah, man. I'm starving." Sam patted his stomach. The three were about to leave when a woman in very formal attired entered NCIS. She had a pencil skirt on, a black button-up shirt, heels, and her hair was placed into a neat bun. She carried herself towards them and surveyed the three boys under her black rimmed glasses.
"Excuse me, is a Mister Taylor Lockhart here?" she asked, glancing down at her clipboard quickly.
"Yeah, who's asking?" Sam replied while Callen placed a protective hand on Taylor's shoulder.
"Child Protective Services."
Hopefully I will be quicker with my chapters this time. Sorry about that! Again. Please review and tell me what you think! : )
