Note: Given how this is one of the most legendary Hetty centric episodes, it felt only right to put my best foot forward with this one. And I'm quite glad of it!

Hetty, Lange, The Fearless Leader/ Mama Bear of the NCIS team in LA, California, thought the day after finding out the whole 'called to Washington' was a massive bunch of BS was just going to be another awfully dull day of being lectured on her past by bitchy politicians who never really understood why she did the things she did in the past, but, after an interesting visit from an old friend, Admiral Kilbride, The day turned around quite quickly.

She had confronted that filthy Congressman Thomas before the 'daily flogging' (as she put it) to make it perfectly clear to him that the choices she made and makes, and sending her agents into the field every day, were to PROTECT people, but since he was a stuffy politician, he didn't get it.

During the meeting, Hetty got a text from Granger saying that her old enemy, Mattias Dragar, was back and roaming around LA. 'Oh dear, I hope my team finds him quickly.' She thought.

Then Congressman Thomas said the one thing that convinced her to finally leave: He said that her team is not her family.

'Like hell it ain't!' She angrily thought as she marched away. 'Who does that bitch think he is?!'

Her attorney tried to stop her, the exits were blocked by guards, but because all her years of being an incredibly spy had trained her to get out of many situations, she got on the elevator, pulled the fire alarm to prevent a lockdown, and jumped out of a window into a dumpster.

'I do love the flare of a dramatic exit!' She thought afterwards. 'Even if it is very messy.'

She then hitched a ride to Camp Pendelton on a military chopper (and blended extraordinarly well with the soldiers!). Even proceeded to tell Admiral Kilbride to call Congressman Thomas an 'ass'. ('Because he IS one!' She proudly thought.)

During the flight, she called Nell, who was at home very shaken up by the previous day's events. She gave her a motherly pep talk, and told her to be ready when she landed.

When she landed, she took a limo to work. And she confronted Mattia. It was quite the satisfying take down, and in the end, she 'accidently' (it was totally on purpose) shot him in the leg.

The threat was gone, and she was finally home.

'It's good to be home', she said to Callen.

After everyone went home, she and Granger went to her office.

'So, let me get this straight. After I texted you about Mattias, you walked out of the meeting, pulled the fire alarm and jumped out of a window?! Are, are you really THAT crazy?!' he asked.

'Ha! Although, the congressman's outrageous comment about how this team isn't my family is what really drove me to leave. And, havn't you known me long enough to know just how crazy I am, Owen?' She responded, with a mischievous grin.

He chuckled. 'Yes, I know how crazy you are. And I shouldn't be surprised. This team will do literally anything to protect you, and you'll do the same for them. In fact, guess what Callen did today-'

'Can, can we discuss this tomorrow? Today has been quite exciting, and I just want to have a drink with my partner and friend right now.' She responded.

'I couldn't agree more.'

They drank, talked, and said good night.

As she went to bed, she thought on how the day had gone, how good it felt to finally be back in her own bed, and knew that the hunt for an even bigger enemy had only just began. But that was tomorrow's worry.

Now, it was time to rest.