A/N - Thanks for all the support. I think I'm a little behind in responses but I will definitely get to them. Apologises for any errors. This chapter has been done in 5/10/15/20 minute bursts

Happy New Year everyone.

I hope you enjoy this little Callen/Tabby chapter.

Disclaimer in Chapter 1

Chapter 13

Thursday 9th February 2012

"Are you sure you're up for this?" Ally asked.

Callen smiled. "Of course. I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't. Tabby and I will be fine. Are you up for this though?" He studied her intently, watching her while she contemptated his question.

Ally glanced at Tabby who was at the piano with Hetty.

Callen knew she'd be a touch nervous. Since the kidnapping Ally hadn't let Tabby out of her sight with the exception of that night she had come to him. She was even home-schooling Tabby at the moment.

Two weeks now since she'd come to him – almost anyway.

Two weeks since he'd told her he loved her. Since she told him the same.

Ally and Tabby were comfortably settled into Hetty's home. Ally wasn't quite ready for find a place of their own yet and was happy with Hetty and her state-of-the-art plus security system.

Ally looked back at him. "I'm okay with it. I'm just a little…"

"Nervous," he completed for her. "You trust me right?" Callen asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yes G. Of course I do. You know that," Ally answered sincerely.

"Just making sure." Not so much as a reminder for him but for her. Callen continued. "Tabby and I will be fine. We'll have lots of fun. You and Hetty can go and relax and have bit of pampering." He cupped her face in his hands and one of his thumbs gently brushed under her eyes. "You need to relax. You're still not sleeping well."

Ally shook her head in agreement. "It's getting better. Nate's been helping with relaxation techniques and they do help, at least when I first go to sleep."

"Are the nightmares easing off?" Callen asked.

Ally nodded. "Yes, but my thoughts are another thing and when I wake up in the middle of the night they're a little hard to stop."

"So why aren't you calling me?" Callen asked. He'd stayed a few nights when she'd first moved in but he'd had to return to some of his other places to keep up appearances as well as working on some current missions.

Ally blushed.

"You're not a bother Ally. Let me help. Call me next time?"

Hetty had set up a number for her to be able to call him anytime – at least anytime when he wasn't on a critical part of a mission. The call would go through ops and be diverted to wherever he was, assuming he was available.

She nodded. "I will."

Callen pulled her in for a kiss. "You relax. Tabby and I will have a ball."

Ally smiled. "I'm sure you will." She looked over at Tabby. "She's very excited about her day out with you.

Callen chuckled. "Yeah. Definitely noticed that."

Tabby had been like a bunny on a sugar high since he'd arrived half an hour ago. Hetty had taken her to the piano with the hopes of keeping her still for a little whilst he chatted with Ally. It had worked – to some degree. Her legs were bopping like crazy as they dangled off the chair but she was managing to concentrate on the song Hetty was working on with her.

They moved over to the piano and Ally put her hand on Tabby's shoulder. Tabby stopped and looked up. Her eyes brightened.

"Is it time to go?" she asked eagerly.

Callen and Ally both smiled. "Yes Tabby," Ally said. "It's time to go."

"Yippee," Tabby squealed as she slid off the chair and came up next to Callen slipping her hand in his. "Where are we going?"

Callen squeezed her hand. "It's a surprise. Are you ready to go?"

"Yep," Tabby replied excitedly. She turned to Ally and slipped her hand out of Callen's. "Bye Mummy." She gave Ally a big hug.

"Bye Tabby."

"Bye Aunt Hetty," Tabby said with a quick hug before turning back to Callen and looking up at him. "Let's go."

Callen took her hand. He looked at Ally. "Relax. Enjoy. I'll keep her safe." He caught Hetty's look from the corner of his eyes which told him he'd better or he'd be answering to her. She didn't need to do that. He knew he was still on probation.

Ally kissed him on the cheek. "I have no doubt about that. Have fun."

Callen and Tabby walked out – Callen walked but Tabby skipped. He strapped her into the car, even though she said she could do it herself.

He took her to the aquarium then they headed to the beach for a swim before having hot dogs for lunch.

After lunch they went to the pier and went on some rides. He took her on the Ferris wheel and watched her rather than the scenery as she looked out in amazement at the view. She was such a delight to watch – such innocent fascination and enjoyment. It wasn't something he usually got to experience.

Before they left she went on a ride that was just for kids. He grinned at her a few times as she passed by and waved at him. Just as the ride was slowing down the attendant sent the parents and carers of the children on the ride around to the other side. The queue had gotten rather big and this would make it quicker for them to get the children off and new ones on.

Callen was halfway around to the other gate, amid a lot of parents, when he heard Tabby cry out his name. He also heard the distress and tears in her voice. It took him two seconds flat to push through the crowd and have her in his arms.

"It's okay Tabby. I'm here," Callen assured her. Her head was nestled in the crook of his neck and she was sobbing. He rubbed her back and repeated his words.

"I couldn't see you. You weren't there," she sobbed.

"I'll always be here for you Tabby. I promise," he said.

A member of the Pier staff came up to them.

"Is your daughter all right?" she asked clearly concerned.

"She will be," Callen replied. He didn't bother correcting the daughter statement. In fact it simply felt right to have Tabby referred to as that.

The attendant, Katie according to her badge, smiled gently. "If you'd like somewhere quiet, there's a first aid room just over there," she pointed in the direction and Callen spotted where she was meaning. "You can take her in there for a little privacy if you'd like."

"Thank you. I think I will," Callen said. He moved quickly and gently, holding the quietly sobbing Tabby tight.

"Take as long as you need," Katie told them once they were in the little room. "I'll let you know if we need to use it for someone else."

Callen nodded and Katie left, closing the door behind her.

He gently seated Tabby on the bed and crouched down in front of her so he was eye level.

He cupped her chin and guided her eyes to his. "Tabby, what happened?"

She sobbed a little and he could see she was trying to settle down. He shifted his hand a little so he could stroke her cheek.

"You weren't there. I thought I was alone," she replied softly

Alone.

Callen groaned silently. He had no idea Tabby was having problems too. Ally hadn't mentioned it. Obviously after being locked in the garage she was having problems being alone.

"Has this happened often?" he asked.

Tabby shook her head. "No. I was so scared." The tears filled her eyes. Callen moved up onto the bed and shifted Tabby into his lap.

"They just moved the parents around to the other side. You weren't out of my sight for more a minute." Callen stroked her back.

"I'm sorry," Tabby said softly as her head settled on his shoulder.

"There's nothing to be sorry about Tabby. Being scared happens," Callen said softly.

"Do we have to tell Mummy?" she asked.

"Yes Tabby, we do. She needs to know."

"But she'll worry more." Tabby looked up. "I don't want her to worry."

Callen smiled gently. "Neither do I, but there are some things she's allowed to worry about. And you are right at the top of that list."

Tabby looked at him for a moment, deep in thought. "Okay," she agreed.

She snuggled her head back down on his shoulder. After a few moments she spoke again.

"G?"

"Yes Tabby?"

"The lady called me your daughter."

"She did."

"But I'm not."

Callen tilted her head up to look at him. "But I'd like you to be. I love you Tabby. Very much."

"You do?" She seemed a little stunned.

"Yes I do. I love you and your Mum."

"Does that mean you want to be my dad?" she asked tentatively.

Callen smiled. "If you want me to be."

The smile lit up her face. "I do!" She shifted quickly and threw her arms around his next."I love you too G!"

Callen's smile grew. One down, one to go.

Tabby kissed him on the cheek.

"Do you think Ally would say yes if I asked her to marry me?" Callen asked.

Tabby nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling – not with tears this time though.

"Do you think Hetty would say yes if I asked if I could?"

Tabby nodded again.

"So, Tabitha Paige. Is it okay by you if I ask Ally to marry me?" Callen tried to keep his expression serious as he asked permission but it was hard.

Tabby nodded. "Yes! That means we'll be a family right?"

"If she says yes, then yes, we will be a family. I take it you like that idea."

Tabby's head bobbed excitedly. "More than anything."

Callen was glad to see she was happier.

"How about some ice cream to celebrate?" he asked.

"With cream on top?"

"If you'd like," Callen replied.

Tabby slid off his lap onto the bed. Callen stood up and helped her down onto her feet. He crouched down once more. "Can you keep this a secret? I'd like to surprise Ally."

Tabby grinned. "Of course I can. Just don't take too long."

"Is this weekend too far away for you?" He had an idea he was working on. Just had to finalise a few things and then see if Ally was up for it. If not, he'd have to go with Plan B.

Tabby shook her head. "No, I can last."

"Good. Let's go get that ice-cream."

Callen held out his head to her. She slipped her little hand into his and looked up at him with a big smile. He bent down and dropped a kiss on the top of her head before leading them on an ice-cream hunt.

As much as he had hated seeing Tabby so upset, it had opened the door for him to let her know what she means to him, and he was really glad that he'd had that chance.

They enjoyed their ice-creams and then he took her home. On the doorstep, before they went inside Tabby tugged on his hand. He lowered himself down and she put her arms around his neck and whispered.

"I can't wait for you to be my daddy."

Callen's heart melted and he prayed, something he never did, wished and hoped that Ally said yes because there was no way he was going to be able to let this little girl out of his life. She was too firmly locked in his heart.