"Hey G, did you find Michelle?"

"Yeah we did," Callen answered, his voice full of emotion and tears in his eyes.

"What's wrong? Where you too late?"

"Yeah we were too late. Michelle is dead."

"Oh no!" Zoya gasped. "How's Sam?"

"Heartbroken. He's still in there with Michelle's body."

"I'm so sorry. The kids are asleep. Want me to wake them?"

"I don't know. I think it would be better if they heard it from Sam."

"Yeah probably. Pffff it's gonna be hard for them to hear. I remember how hard it was to tell Maya that her parents had died."

"Yeah, it's not gonna be easy news."

"Have you found Tahir as well?"

"No not yet. So I still want you all to remain there until we do."

"Alright. We're safe here G."

"I know. Right now I just wanna hold you in my arms and kiss you."

"Yeah I know what you mean, me too."

"I've gotta take care of some stuff here, I will talk to you later."

"Alright, take care of Sam."

"I will."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Zoya hung up the phone and couldn't help the tears from falling. They were too late to find Michelle, Michelle was dead. How were they gonna tell Aiden and Kam that their mom was dead. Zoya was shocked out of her thoughts when the door opened.

"Was that my dad you were just talking too?" Aiden asked.

"No, I was talking to G."

"They found my mom didn't they," Aiden concluded as he looked at Zoya's watery eyes. "She's dead isn't she?"

"I'm sorry Aiden."

Aiden sat down on the bed and couldn't stop the tears from falling. "Can I talk to my dad?"

"I'll check."

Zoya grabbed her phone and sent Callen a text: 'Hey G, Aiden overheard our conversation. He knows. He's asking to talk to Sam.'

'Sam just walked out, I'll ask him to call,' Callen texted back.

'Thanks.'

"Your dad will call in a minute."

A little later Aiden's phone rang, it was Sam. Zoya went to wake up Kam.

"Is there any news dad?" Kam asked.

Sam had to tell his kids their mom just died. This was not an easy message. "We were too late."

Kamran started crying. Aiden wrapped his arm around her. "Mom is dead?"

"Yeah she is."

"Did you catch the guy who took her?" Aiden asked.

"No not yet. So I'm gonna need you two to stay there with Aunt Zoya until I do."

"You're not coming here?"

"No, I need to catch the guy who did this first. You're safe there. I will let you know when you can come home."

"Be careful dad."

"I will."

Sam hung up the phone. Zoya looked at Aiden and Kam. It was hard seeing them like that. They had just lost their mom. Zoya looked at her phone after she received a text.

'Take care of them,' Callen texted.

'I will, you just take care of Sam.'

'I will.'

..

The sun was already starting to come up when the coroner loaded Michelle's body into the van. Callen knew that Sam had said that he needed to find Tahir first before he went to see his kids. But right now he knew that Sam wouldn't be okay to work this case and that he needed to be with his kids.

"I got a flight to take you to Kamran and Aiden," Callen said.

"Already spoke to 'em," Sam replied as he started to walk back to his car. "They know I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Sam, their mother just died."

Sam turned around and faced his partner. "Me going there is not gonna bring her back. Right now I have to find Tahir and whoever it is that did this." Sam got in his car.

Callen looked back at Kensi and Deeks before getting in the car as well.

"You know we're not gonna be allowed to work on this case in any official capacity."

"Who's gonna stop me?"

"Go to your kids. They need you now more than anything. We got this. I will call you the minute we have a lead," Callen tried one last time.

"You should get out."

"I don't think so."

"You don't want to be a part of this."

"We are partners… through good and bad."

"I'm gonna hurt people G."

"Well, I guess it's time for a career change for both of us." Callen knew that Sam wouldn't stop before he caught these people. He had Zoya and the kids to think about but there was no way he would let his partner do this alone.

"Last chance. No turning back once we're in this."

"We're already in this."

Callen put his seatbelt on and the two left.

..

By the end of the afternoon they had found Tahir and recovered Michelle's body after Tahir took it from the coroner.

"Hey G," Zoya answered the phone.

"Hey honey."

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah we got him. He's dead."

"Good. How's Sam?"

"As good as can be expected. I'm taking him to the morgue in a minute to see Michelle. You guys can come home."

"Alright. We'll be there in about six hours."

"Alright, drive safely."

"I will." Callen hung up the phone.

"Zoya is driving back with the kids. They'll be here soon," Callen told his partner.

Sam just nodded.

They arrived at the morgue and Callen just watched as Sam went to Michelle. He felt so sorry for Sam, he knew how he felt. If that had been Zoya lying there Callen would be lost.

"My life will never be the same without her," Sam stated.

"I know," Callen replied, not wanting to think about if this had been Zoya. "Me and Zoya are here for you. We all are. We always will be." Callen watched as Sam placed Michelle's wedding ring back on her finger. "You know, if there's anything I can do."

"Just go home and spend time with Zoya. Cherish her, you never know when it'll be the last time you see her. And take care of Hetty and the team until I get back. Spend some time with my kids."

"I will. If you ever need anything, even if it's just dinner or something let me know. Our home is always open for you, Aiden and Kam."

..

"Alright kids, pack up your things we are going home," Zoya announced.

"We can see my dad again?" Kam asked.

"Yes, everything is over now so it's safe for us to go back home."

Aiden and Kam packed up their stuff as Esme went to pack their stuff.

"Aunt Zoya, what happened? Why are Aiden and Kam sad?"

"Something happened at Uncle Grisha's work and Sam's wife and Aiden and Kam's mom Michelle died."

"Just like mommy and daddy did?"

"Yeah just like mommy and daddy did."

"Will Aiden and Kam have to go life with their aunt and uncle now too?"

"No they don't have to sweetie. They still have their dad. But now everything is over so we can go back home."

By time the evening had fallen Zoya, Esme, Maya, Kamran and Aiden were back in LA. Zoya dropped Kamran and Aiden off at Sam's place. Once Sam saw his kids he pulled them into a tight hug.

"I'm so glad you're alright dad," Kamran said.

"We'll be alright, the three of us."

Zoya walked up to Sam. "Hey Sam, I'm so sorry."

Zoya hugged Sam. "Thank you for being there for my kids."

"Of course. If you ever need anything we're just a phone call away."

"I know, thanks."

Zoya and Callen got in the car and drove home. Once home Esme went home and Callen lifted a sleeping Maya out of her car seat and brought her upstairs to bed. Once he was back downstairs he pulled Zoya to him and held her tight.

"I can't imagine what Sam must be going through right now," Zoya spoke.

"Yeah. Sometimes today I could feel his pain, if it had been you instead of Michelle I don't know what I would've done."

"I'm still here G. I'm okay."

Callen just held her in his arms and gave her a soft kiss on her head. "I love you."

"I love you too."

They stood there for a while just feeling the comfort of being in each other's arms. Callen didn't want to let her go, he wanted to hold her in his arms so he knew she was safe.

It was just after 11pm when they went upstairs. It had been a long couple of days for everyone. As Callen was getting changed for bed Zoya noticed the bruise on his back.

"What happened there G?" Zoya questioned.

"Oh just got shot but the vest took the hit."

"You got shot?!"

"Yes, first I got shot and then almost blown up. But I'm okay. I'm fine. Tahir wanted to kill Sam so he wore a suicide vest. Sam and I managed to get out of there before it detonated. I'm good I promise."

"You sure?"

Callen walked over to her and gave her a soft kiss. "Yes I'm sure. I'm fine. Okay."

"Okay."

Callen gave her one more kiss before they crawled into bed. Zoya lay down on her pregnancy pillow, facing Callen.

"Could you perhaps sleep without your pregnancy pillow tonight? I wanna hold you in my arms."

"Yeah." Zoya removed her pregnancy pillow from in between them and crawled up to Callen. Her stomach was resting against his and she had her leg curled around his leg. Callen held her tight in his arms.

"Comfortable?"

"As comfortable as I can be at seven months pregnant." Callen gave her a soft kiss on her head. "I'm glad you're alright. I was worried about you. I knew you wouldn't let Sam go after him alone."

"No of course not, he's my partner. But I'm glad everything turned out okay and we got him. It was a big relieve for me knowing you were in a safe place so that I didn't have to worry about him getting to you too."

Zoya lifted her head up and gave Callen a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Don't die on me okay. I need you here, our babies need you."

"Don't worry, I don't have any plans about dying soon. And I'll be careful out in the field."

"Good."

Zoya gave Callen one more kiss before she snuggled against him. "Goodnight G."

"Goodnight Zoya."

Zoya fell asleep almost immediately. Callen lay awake for a while. He felt so bad for Sam.

…

Michelle's funeral was a few days later. It was a beautiful service. Sam had picked out a bouquet of flowers and so had Aiden and Kam. There also was a bouquet of the team, Michelle's family and Zoya and Callen. After the service they went to a Sam's house and just enjoyed each other's company before everyone went home just before 6pm.

"Take care Sam," Zoya spoke as she gave Sam a hug. "I've put some boxes of food in the fridge so all you need to do is warm them up."

"Thank you."

"If there's anything you need, just give us a call okay."

"I will."

…

Zoya was now thirty weeks pregnant. They had another appointment with the doctor. It was before work so Callen managed to go with her. Esme was already at the house looking after Maya. Callen and Zoya sat in the waiting room waiting to be called in.

"Good morning, how are you doing?" Dr. Kidd asked.

"I'm good. Just easily tired and sore feet and back and I've had enough."

"Yeah I can imagine. Most pregnant women feel that way towards the end. Why don't you lay down and lift up your shirt. Then we can take a look at these babies."

Zoya lay down on the bed and lifted her shirt. The doctor got the ultrasound ready and placed it on Zoya's stomach. They immediately saw the babies on the screen and their heartbeats were heard around the room.

"Everything looks really good. They are growing nice and big. Since it are triplets they will be a bit smaller than normal babies but that's completely fine. Are you still working three days a week?"

"Yes I am. Just two more weeks and then I'll go on maternity leave."

"Alright that's fine. Since you're now past thirty weeks we'll do check-ups weekly, just to make sure everything is still going fine towards the end. But everything looks fine right now so there's nothing to worry about."

"Alright, thank you doctor."

They got another picture and DVD of the ultrasound and made a new appointment before leaving. Callen dropped Zoya off at home before going to the office. Zoya was glad that everything was still going fine. She was also glad that Esme was still coming by the house on her days off and she would also come by once Zoya had gone on maternity leave. Zoya really didn't have the energy to do much around the house. She was easily tired and her back and feet hurt when she stood too long. Callen tried to be home on time after work but sometimes work did keep him later. But luckily Esme didn't mind staying a bit longer. The nursery was completely finished and they had enough baby items for the first few weeks. They had enough diapers and they had also bought some baby clothes as well. Since they knew they would have at least one of each they had bought some baby boy and baby girl clothes.

When Zoya got home Esme had just returned from bringing Maya to school.

"How was the appointment? Everything still okay?" Esme asked.

"Yeah, everything is going fine. All three babies are doing very well."

"That's good to hear. Just two more weeks until your maternity leave right?"

"Yes, just two more weeks. And then I hope the babies will be here soon, cus I've had enough."

"Yeah I can imagine."

"Thank you for helping around the house."

"It's absolutely no problem. When Maya is at school I have enough time."

"Thanks."

Zoya just relaxed on the couch the day. When it was almost 5pm she grabbed her phone and called Callen.

"Hey honey," Callen answered the phone.

"Hey G, are you on your way home already? If not could you go by the store to pick up a few things."

"I was about to walk out. What do you need at the store?"

"Could you pick up some watermelon, some pickles, a Doritos with some dip?"

"Sure, the usual Doritos and dip?"

"Yes please."

"Alright, I'll just go by the store and then I'll be home soon."

"Alright, thanks."

About forty-five minutes later Callen was home and put the groceries away in the kitchen.

"Hey honey," Callen greeted Zoya and gave her a kiss.

"Hey honey."

"And hey there my little babies." Callen gave Zoya's stomach a kiss too. "How was your day?"

"Good. Just had a quiet day on the couch."

"Good."

"And yours? Anything exciting?"

"Nah not really. We caught a case but we managed to solve it pretty quickly."

"Good."

After dinner Esme went back home and Callen went to put Maya in bath. She could come down for a little while before going to bed.

"Goodnight Aunt Zoya," Maya spoke to Zoya when it was time for bed and gave her a kiss.

"Goodnight Maya."

Callen brought Maya upstairs and put her in bed. He read her a story.

"Goodnight Maya," Callen said and gave her a kiss.

"Can I ask you something Uncle Grisha?"

"Of course."

"The babies are almost here right?"

"Yes, they should be here in just a few weeks."

"Is that why Aunt Zoya is really tired lately?"

"Yes it is. Her body is working for the babies as well so that takes a lot of energy. That's why Esme is still coming around, even on Aunt Zoya's off days."

"Is Aunt Zoya too tired to take care of me?" Maya asked with a sad tone.

"Yes but that has nothing to do with you. Aunt Zoya loves you and she loves hanging out with you. But cus she's almost at the end of her pregnancy she just hasn't got that much energy left. But I'm sure she can still do a board game or something with you. Just a long as she can sit or lie down she's okay."

"Okay."

Callen tucked her in and gave her one more kiss. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Uncle Grisha." Callen walked out towards the door. "Don't forget the night light Uncle Grisha."

"Of course not." Callen turned the night light on the dresser on and shut the big light off before exiting the room and going downstairs. "Can I get you something Zoya?"

"Yeah please, could you get the watermelon and some orange juice?"

"Of course."

The water melon had already been cut at the store so Callen grabbed that, a fork and a glass of orange juice and a beer for himself before joining Zoya on the couch.

"You know Maya just asked me why you are so tired lately and she thought you didn't want to spend time with her anymore."

"She really asked that?"

"Yeah she did. But it told her that's it just cus you're almost at the end of the pregnancy and that you love her and would love to do maybe a boardgame or something with her where you can sit."

"Yeah of course I would love doing that. I had no idea she felt this way."

"Yeah me neither. I was about to tuck her and she asked me that."

"I'll talk to her tomorrow."

"Alright."

"Aauw," Zoya yelled and grabbed her stomach.

"You okay?" Callen asked concerned.

"Yeah baby b is just kicking my kidney." Zoya moved her hand to the other side of her stomach. "And now baby c is kicking my other kidney."

Callen gently knocked on her stomach. "Hey you in there," Callen spoke to her stomach. "Don't kick mommy, be nice to mommy."

Zoya couldn't help but smile as Callen talked her stomach. She was sure he would be a amazing daddy. She just hoped they would be able to handle newborn triplets.

….

Two weeks later it was Zoya's last day at work.

"We are all gonna miss you here," Hailey said. "And we made you a little something as a maternity leave gift."

"Aww you guys," Zoya spoke as Keira came in carrying a basket.

"We put some things in there for the new babies and also a few things to help you relax in this last few weeks," Keira told her.

"Thank you. I'm gonna miss you too. But I'm glad to be off from work and I hope these babies will be here soon."

"I'm sure Grisha will be taking very good care of you."

"Oh yes he is."

Hailey helped Zoya carrying the basket towards the car and put in the trunk.

"See you later partner," Hailey told her and gave her a hug.

"See you later. Keep everything and everyone in one piece okay."

"I will. And we'll hear when these little babies are there."

"Oh yes, once they are here I will definitely call you."

"Good. Take care."

"Thanks I will."

Zoya drove home. As she pulled into the driveway Callen just got out of his car.

"Hey honey, how was your last day?" Callen said once Zoya had exited her car and he gave her a kiss.

"It was good. They all made me a little maternity leave gift basket."

"That's nice. Where's it? I will carry it inside for you."

"It's in the trunk."

Callen opened the trunk and the two of them walked into the house.

"Hey guys, final day was it today right Zoya?" Esme asked.

"Yes it was. So now I'll be home for about sixteen weeks. And it'll just be a waiting game until these babies pop out."