Catch my breath by Kelly Clarkson. Melissa walks away from an argument with Granger over the way he treats Eric. The team find out that Melissa is Granger's goddaughter. Melissa's point of view.

Song link: watch?v=LS0zMzjAB9A&list=RDLS0zMzjAB9A

Eric and Nell have just briefed me and the team on a new case. We have just finished when Granger walks in. We've already sorted out what's going to happen. Me, G and Sam are going to the crime scene while Kensi and Deeks break the news to the family while Eric and Nell look into the victim. Eric and Nell are both still stood by the big screen. The team are all around the table except Hetty who is sat in one of the chairs.

'Still not in big boy pants then Beale?' Granger remarks as he steps into Ops. I shake my head.

'No sir.' Eric looks down. Hetty and G are surprisingly quiet.

'Owen leave him alone.' I intervene putting myself between Owen and the intelligence analyst. Nell steps away to join Sam and G.

'You what?' Owen looks at me.

'I said leave Eric alone.' I explain folding my arms.

'Or what?' He asks.

'Apologise Granger!' I snap. 'You have no right to pick on Eric and you god damn know it so stop trying to be a macho man and apologise for Christ's sake.'

'Apologise!' He shouts at me. I know I shouldn't shout but I'm angry. Granger is undermining Eric again. Eric looks down. This has quickly escalated…

'No why should I?' I retort and the team all stand up a little straighter. G has a smirk on his face that I know Granger would love to wipe off. Deeks and Kensi look down as I scan the room. Hetty sits back in her chair amused.

'Agent Createn.'

'I will not apologise Assistant Director Granger until you apologise for being a complete arrogant, egotistical pig! Why don't you put that up your pipe and smoke it?! Sir.' I point at him and then glance at my partners, G smiles and Sam nods, Deeks seems impressed.

'Melissa Louise Createn.' He stares me down trying to save face. I can tell he thinks I'm stubborn, probably that sometimes I can be too much like my mother. That's what Hetty tells me anyway, I wish she would tell me more about her, I don't remember much... Stubborn and hard to reason with Hetty says she was…

'Oh no don't you dare look at me like that and how dare you use my full name. You command respect but you don't give it and you wonder why everyone here thinks you're a complete and utter ass.' I shake my head and take a step back and Hetty and the team try not to snigger. He can be so infuriating…I look at the man in front of me. I remember him being there for my first steps with Grandad, my christening (I was 4 at the time), my graduation… The perks he gets for being my godfather. It's not the same man…

'We need to talk away from your team.'

'Well what if I don't wish to speak alone with you.' I answer stubbornly gritting my teeth.

'Leave now all of you!' Granger orders the team. Eric and Nell both move to the doors. Kensi and Deeks join them. Sam and Callen stay where they were at the table with Hetty not moving either. I move to join my partners at the table.

'Now! I need to speak with Melissa… as her Godfather.' He surprises me with the last bit. G and Sam look surprised. I hadn't told them. They know Hetty is my godmother though. I can hear Deeks as he steps outside.

'She's his goddaughter? Wow didn't see that one coming.'

'Shut up Deeks.' Kensi replies punching him in the arm. It happens a lot! I look back at my partners who have not moved.

'You gonna be ok Mels?' Sam asks me and I give a quick nod as I join them at the table.

I don't wanna be left behind

Distance was a friend of mine

Catching breath in a web of lies

I've spent most of my life

Riding waves, playing acrobat

Shadowboxing the other half

Learning how to react

I've spent most of my time

Catching my breath, letting it go,

Turning my cheek for the sake of the show

Callen puts his hand on my shoulder then leaves with Sam close behind him. I know none of them have positive feelings towards Owen. Hetty nods towards me.

'2 Minutes.' She remarks giving Granger a dirty look.

'Got it!' I nod back as Granger sinks into Hetty's now vacant chair.

'Why do you undermine me?'

'Because sometimes you need to be undermined. I'm only doing what you do to Eric. It shouldn't matter what he wears to work… He is a damn fine intelligence analyst and he gets us results. He looks out for this team from here. I'm done turning the other cheek because you need to be told! I'm not afraid of you reporting me or worse.' I answer truthfully considering my words but speaking them with conviction.

Now that you know, this is my life,

I won't be told what's supposed to be right

Catch my breath, no one can hold me back,

I ain't got time for that

Catch my breath, won't let them get me down,

It's all so simple now

Addicted to the love I found

Heavy heart, now a weightless cloud

Granger looks away surprised at my answer as I lean back against the Ops table. I try to read his expression but it's cold. So I continue:

'I will always respect you as my boss but that does not mean I will stand by as you undermine my colleague. Eric and the team are all my friends. If you can't handle that then find another team to bother. Here I am just another agent, I am not your goddaughter…'

Making time for the ones that count

I'll spend the rest of my time

Laughing hard with the windows down

Leaving footprints all over town

Keeping faith, karma comes around

I will spend the rest of my life

Catching my breath, letting it go,

Turning my cheek for the sake of the show

Now that you know, this is my life,

I won't be told what's supposed to be right

Catch my breath, no one can hold me back,

I ain't got time for that

Catch my breath, won't let them get me down,

It's all so simple now

You helped me see

The beauty in everything

Catching my breath, letting it go,

Turning my cheek for the sake of the show

Now that you know, this is my life,

I won't be told what's supposed to be right

Catching my breath, letting it go,

Turning my cheek for the sake of the show

Now that you know, this is my life,

I won't be told what's supposed to be right

Granger sighs before he stands up.

'Duly noted Agent Createn.'

'Good Assistant Director Granger. If you will excuse me my team has a case to solve.' I turn to leave and the doors hiss open to reveal Hetty and Callen standing by the balcony. They've just heard every word I can tell…

Catch my breath

Catch my breath, no one can hold me back,

I ain't got time for that

Catch my breath, won't let them get me down,

It's all so simple now

It's all so simple now

Catching my breath, letting it go,

Turning my cheek for the sake of the show

Now that you know, this is my life,

I won't be told what's supposed to be right

(Catch my breath)

Catch my breath, no one can hold me back,

I ain't got time for that

(Catch my breath)

Catch my breath (catch my breath), won't let them get me down,

It's all so simple now