No one said a word as the team walked back into NCIS headquarters. They all knew what had happened between Callen and Rickman and although no one blamed Callen for what he had done, the team worried about the usually stoic agent's loss of control.

"Agent Callen, might I have a word?" Hetty's voice rang through the bullpen. Emily watched as Callen made his way into Hetty's office. She guessed that the operations manager wasn't all too happy about the events of that afternoon.

"Mr. Callen." Hetty said from behind a file folder. Placing the papers down on her desk Callen was able to see just how angry she was. "I will not tolerate the unnecessary killing of a suspect. What were you thinking?"

"I don't know. He had pictures of…. And I just…."

"I know very well what pictures he had Agent Callen but I thought that you of all people would know that you couldn't just go shooting people. Even people like Rickman."

"It won't happen again."

"I know it won't. Because I have no choice but to put you on leave. "

"Hetty, I…"

"I don't want to hear it Mr. Callen. I will see you in three weeks."

With that, Callen stormed out of her office and made his way to his Mercedes. Emily, seeing him leave, followed him outside. She found him leaning against the Mercedes with his head down. Sensing her coming, Callen said "How did I let this happen? I've never been kicked off the job."

"Maybe you need this. Spend some time with Aiden, relax." Emily replied, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Hey, maybe you could even cook dinner tonight."

Callen smiled that brilliant smile that was seen far too little. "Sure. Stay safe." Callen got in the Mercedes and watched Emily walk back into Ops. Now what to do? It was too early to get Aiden from school so Callen found himself driving to the LA children's shelter.

He hadn't been here in years, Callen thought as he walked through the doors. "Can I help you?" The plump receptionist asked from behind the front desk.

"Some kids came in about a day ago. They were taken from their foster father, Rickman." Callen started. "I was wondering what their status was."

"I'm sorry sir, we don't release that information."

Callen flashed his badge and the receptionist immediately began to pull up information on her computer. "It looks like some of the children have already been placed with relatives that had previously applied for custody, one had actually been abducted late last year, we actually only have one of the children still with us. No family and no free spots in foster care."

"Which one?" Callen asked, glancing over the file.

"Amaya, I believe it is." She replied. "Six years old, originally from San Francisco, she was placed in social services when she was seized from her mother at three months."

Amaya, the little blonde girl that Callen had first seen at Rickman's house. "Thanks." Callen said before walking back outside and pulling out his cell phone.

"Callen? You okay?" Emily asked when she answered.

"I need you to meet me somewhere."

"Callen what is this about? Is there something wrong?"

"St. Andrews." And he disconnected.

About ten minutes later Emily pulled into the St. Andrews parking lot and walked over to the bench where Callen was sitting.

"What is this about?" She asked.

"I want to adopt Amaya." Callen said matter-of-factly.

"What? Callen no. We can't just go adopting every kid in foster care."

"I know what it's like to not have anyone, to go through every birthday wishing that someone cared, dreaming about finding that perfect family and finally having a real home. I never had a childhood but we can give one to Amaya. I need to do this Em. We can't change what she's been through but we can make sure that she never has to hurt again."

Emily didn't know what to say. What Callen was suggesting was crazy. They already had Aiden and she really didn't want any more kids but she saw that this was something that Callen wanted. No, this was something that Callen needed.

"Okay."

"Really?" Callen asked.

"Yeah. Why not?"

Emily went back inside with Callen and they sat down with one of the case workers. With Emily and Callen's background it took a matter of minutes for everything to be cleared.

"We have no reason to make this a long process." She said. "Amaya doesn't need to stay here while the paperwork goes through. We have full faith that you two will give her a great home. You are welcome to take her home tonight."

"Can we go tell her?" Callen asked. Emily couldn't help but smile at his obvious excitement.

"Of course."

I know it's a short chapter but I should be uploading more tonight. Let me know what you thought!