A/N: Sorry for the delay. Life was busy lately. And whenever I had time to write I couldn't, writer's block I guess. I hope to have the chapters up now every week. My shows are on hiatus now so that gives me more time. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Callen got in his car and drove to Zoë's house. He pulled up to her house and sat there in his car for a while. He just stared off into the distance, millions of thoughts going through his head. After a few minutes he got out of his car and walked up to the door. He knocked on the door and waited for Zoë to open.

"Callen hi," Zoë spoke surprised when she had opened the door. "What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in for a sec?"

Zoë could see that something was bothering him. Something was bothering him and he came to her to talk about it.

"Yeah sure come in, have a seat."

"Thanks."

Callen walked inside and sat down on the couch, Zoë sat down next to Callen on the couch and just looked at him. Something was clearly going through his mind.

"What's up Callen?" Zoë asked, trying to get the conversation started.

"Hetty is back at the office."

"Oh, how is she?"

"She's good I guess. We had a talk."

"About what happened in Romania?" Callen nodded but didn't say anything more. "Did she tell you why she went to Romania?"

"Yeah…."

Zoë could see that this was hard for Callen. Whatever Hetty had told him really had hit him hard. Zoë placed a comforting hand on Callen's knee. "It's okay Callen. You can talk to me about it if you want. I'm assuming that's why you came here."

"Yeah I guess so. I don't know. It's a lot to process what Hetty told me."

"What did she tell you?"

Callen took a deep breath. Zoë gave a reassuring squeeze to his knee to let him know that she was here for him. She just sat there waiting for Callen to start talking, not pressuring him anymore, letting him tell it when he was ready for it. But she was determined to get him to open up, that's why he came here anyways.

After a few minutes of silence Callen started talking.

"Hetty knew my mom."

"Hetty knew your mom?" Zoë replied astonished. "Is that why she went to Romania?"

"Yeah it was." Callen took another deep breath before speaking again. "She knew my mom from back in her days with the CIA. She was my mother's handler."

"Your mother worked for the CIA?"

"Yeah and so did my grandfather. That's when this whole family feud thing started. My grandfather went after one of them and that's when they swore their revenge. He was killed and my grandma fled to America with my mom. When my mom went to work for the CIA she went to Romania. For a while things went fine but they she vanished. Hetty and the agency had lost track of her. Years later she reappeared and contacted Hetty to get her out of Romania as soon as possible with me and my sister. Hetty arranged for the extraction but they ordered her to abort the mission at the last minute. They agreed to meet at the beach…" Callen spoke and Zoë could see the tears starting to form in his eyes.

"So that memory you have of you and your mother on the beach, that was when you were supposed to get picked up by the CIA?"

"Yeah I guess so."

"Did Hetty tell you why they aborted the mission?"

"No she didn't."

"Hetty knew all this and she never told you?! Why?"

"She said she was trying to protect me. I guess cus she failed protecting my mother she wanted to protect me."

"I can't believe Hetty knew all this and never told you. How are you doing after all this?"

Callen rubbed his hands over his face and took a deep breath. "I'm not sure. It's a lot. I can't believe she kept this from me for so long. She knew I was looking for answers and she had some of them all along. I can't believe she didn't tell me."

"Like you said, she was trying to protect you. She probably figured it she would tell you, you would go lone wolf to try to get the Comescus."

"Probably."

"I can understand why Hetty didn't tell you but I can also imagine how it must feel for you. She had some of the answers you were looking for and she never told you."

"Yeah, that's what's bothering me the most. She could've just told me."

"But by not doing so she might've saved your life, cus who knows what would've happened if you went after the Comescus on your own. She lost your mother to them she wasn't about to lose you too."

"Perhaps."

"I know it's a lot for you to take in. But look at it this way. You have the answers now. You're safe from the Comescus. Okay so Hetty kept it from you, but in doing so she probably saved your life."

"I just don't know if I can trust Hetty again."

"I get that you feel betrayed by her at the moment. But look at it from her point of view. She worked together with your mother but failed in protecting her. In her way it was keeping a promise to her to protect her son. But she finally told you. You have some big answers concerning your past now and you remember your mother again."

"I didn't think of it that way."

"I know it hurts that she kept this from you but Hetty was just trying to protect you, that's gotta count for something right."

"I guess you're right."

"I'm glad you came to talk to me."

"Me too, I feel a bit better now."

"My door is always open for you, home or office."

"Thanks Zoë, I really appreciate that."

"No problem."

"I should get going," Callen said and he stood up from the couch. "Thanks for hearing me out."

"Anytime Callen. If you feel like talking some more you can always call me."

"Thanks, but I think I'm good." Zoë walked Callen to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow at work."

"Yeah see you tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Zoë." Callen gave Zoë a little smile before walking to his car and driving home.

Zoë watched him leave. She felt bad for him that Hetty had kept this from him but she knew Callen long enough now to know he would've probably went to Romania the second Hetty told him this story. She just hoped he would be alright and he would forgive Hetty.

….

It had been a few weeks since Callen had found out the information about his mother. Callen had put the whole Hetty keeping answers from him behind him. He still talked to Zoë about it occasionally but he was glad he had some answers. Unfortunately Hetty knew nothing about his father so he would just have to wait for that.

"Do you have any plans for this weekend?" Zoë asked Callen as they were getting ready to leave for the weekend. They were the only two there.

"Nah not much, you?"

"Well, I've got two tickets for the Lakers this weekend if you want to go with me. My friend just called me and she had two tickets available for this weekend's match. I know we sorta talked about going a while back and I was wondering if you would like to go with me."

"Sure that sounds like fun. What time does it start?"

"Sunday at 4pm."

"Shall I come pick you up around two thirty then?"

"Sure that's fine."

"Great, looking forward to it."

"Me too."

..

Sunday Callen went to pick up Zoë around two thirty. He couldn't believe he was sorta going on a date with her. Okay it was more like friends but still. But in a way he liked going out with Zoë. He felt so at ease with her and he enjoyed talking with her, he could tell her anything. Callen drove to Zoë's place and knocked on her door.

"Hey Callen," Zoë greeted him.

"You ready?"

"Yeah let me just grab my purse."

Zoë grabbed her purse and the two of them left for the stadium.

"Who are they playing actually?" Callen asked.

"They are playing the Phoenix Suns."

"Ah okay."

Callen drove them to the stadium and parked the car. He and Zoë walked inside together and went to find their places. They were on the long side of the court, a few rows from the bottom.

"These are great places," Callen stated.

"Yeah my friend had them for some business thing or something but that was cancelled so she called if I wanted to have them."

"Thanks for asking me along."

"No problem."

They enjoyed the match. The Lakers were up from by twenty points at half time.

"I'm gonna go get us some drinks. Would you like some?"

"Yeah, could you bring me back a coke and some popcorn?"

"Sure thing."

Callen went to get some drinks and popcorn. They enjoyed the second half. The Lakers won easily. It was a great match to see. After the match they went to a diner nearby to grab some dinner.

"Thanks for asking me along, I really had a great time," Callen told Zoë.

"Me too."

They chatted while they enjoyed their burgers and fries before Callen dropped Zoë back off at her place.

"I'll see you tomorrow at work," Callen said once he had pulled up to Zoë's place.

"Yeah see you tomorrow, I really had a great time today. Thank you for driving me."

"Me too. No problem."

"See you."

"See you."

….

It was almost time for Christmas. Today was the last day of work before Christmas break.

"So any plans for Christmas break?" Callen asked Zoë as they were wrapping up for the day and ready to go on Christmas break after the Christmas work party.

"I'm gonna spend Christmas with my dad and sister and then after that I'm heading back to Holland to spend New Year's with my mom and brother."

"That sounds nice. But isn't it cold in Holland right now?"

"Yeah it is. That's one thing I do not miss but it's kinda nice too. Just watching the snow fall."

"I bet it is."

"How about you?"

"I'm gonna go spend Christmas at Sam's house not sure about New Year's Eve yet."

"Ah okay. Well enjoy it and I'll see you in the new year."

"Yeah you too. Happy holidays."

"Happy holidays."

Callen and Zoë walked out together before getting in their own cars.

…..

"Good morning Callen," Zoë spoke as she walked into the office after the Christmas break, only Callen was in the bullpen.

"Good morning Zoë, happy new year."

"Thank you, you too."

"How were your holidays?"

"They were great. Had a wonderful Christmas dinner with my dad and my sister and a great New Year's Eve with my mom and brother."

"Oh yeah, how was Holland?"

"It was cold but it was great seeing my mom and brother again."

"Yeah I bet it was."

"How were your holidays?"

"Spend Christmas at Sam which was nice and New Year's Eve I just spend at home, nothing special. And back to work now. Criminals are off from Christmas."

"Yeah probably they will."

Soon everyone else came in as well before Eric whistled them up for a new case. Zoë, Nell and Eric were at home at night while Callen, Sam and Deeks were on a stakeout and backup for Kensi. As they were on the stakeout they suddenly got the agent needs assistance alert from Hetty. Zoë, Nell and Eric quickly went to the office to see what was going on. Hetty's signal was coming from the boatshed. After checking if it was safe the team went in with Callen going through the front door.

"Hetty? You okay?" Callen asked as he carefully walked inside.

"Peachy," Hetty answered without moving from her seat.

"Care to tell me what this is all about?"

"Ask him?"

Callen watched as an older man came from underneath the stairs.

"Special agent G Callen," the man spoke.

"Who are you?"

"The direct approach. You know, that's an interesting tactic unless, of course, you walk directly into a trap."

"Is that what this is?"

"Could be."

"I know you…" Callen spoke.

"Not nearly as well as I know you."

Suddenly Kensi, Deeks and Sam came out with their guns drawn.

"You know them, too?"

"That's great, you brought your entire team with you. Unfortunately, it makes it so much easier to blow you all up."

In a flash Callen took him down and put him on his back on the floor. Sam with his gun drawn was up in his face.

"You twitch. I shoot," Sam said.

"Is that a catch phrase?"

"Who are you?" Callen asked.

"Owen Granger. I'm your new assistant director."

"I told him this was a bad idea," Hetty spoke as she stood up from her chair. "But he's the boss." Hetty left and Granger got up from the floor.

"What the hell was all this about?" Callen asked kinda angrily.

"I wanted to see this team in action," Granger answered.

"You almost saw this team kill you," Sam said.

"That would've been awkward."

"We were in the middle of an operation that could now be blown!" Callen yelled.

"I was listening in. If anything, I probably saved Blye from having to fake more than her identity."

Kensi wanted to say something but Deeks beat her to it.

"I'm sure he means a headache."

"So, operations center briefing in twenty minutes. I'll answer all your question and concerns, " Granger said and turned to leave.

"It's almost four o'clock in the morning," Kensi remarked.

"I must still be on East Coast time. In that case, make it thirty. Give you a chance to grab some coffee. I'm gonna take a nonfat latte with an extra shot."

Granger left leaving a stunned team behind. They weren't sure what to think at the moment. They all didn't like him very much right now. Nevertheless they all went to the office for the briefing. The sun was starting to rise as they were finished with the briefing. They all went downstairs waiting for the op to start. Callen walked into Hetty's office but she didn't say a damn thing. Callen walked upstairs to talk to Zoë. Zoë's door was open so Callen knocked as he walked in.

"Hey Zoë, you got a sec?"

"Sure, what's up?"

Callen closed the door, walked in and sat down on one of the chairs across from Zoë.

"Did you know anything about this?"

"No, nothing. I'm just as surprised as you are."

"What do you know about Granger?"

"He's been with NCIS for a while now. He and Hetty know each other from the old days. From what I can tell he's a good agent but I've heard he's not always that nice to deal with."

"Yeah I kinda got that vibe already."

"But Director Vance speaks highly of him so I guess he's good. We'll just have to deal with him I guess. Have you talked to Hetty?"

"Yeah, she didn't say anything at all."

"I'm keep an eye and ear open around here, make sure he doesn't cause too much trouble."

"Thanks. You just keep an eye on Nell, she's not in the field every day."

"I will."

….

It was the end of January now. The team was getting ready to leave for the weekend. Callen was the last one left. Zoë came walking down the stairs.

"Goodnight Callen, have a good weekend."

"Thanks Zoë." Zoë turned to leave. "Oh Zoë, do you have plans for next weekend?"

"Uhm not really. Why?"

"Well I managed to score two tickets to the Super bowl next weekend. I promised I would take you to a real football match, so would you like to go with me?"

"Uhm, isn't the Super bowl in Indianapolis or something?"

"Yes it is. The Pats are playing, which is my favorite team. So I managed to get two tickets and I thought it would be perhaps nice to go together."