"You have to go away for a few days?" Zoë replied a bit sad.
"Yes I do. I'm so sorry about this."
"Can't someone else go?"
"No, unfortunately not. Sam and I have to go."
"Sam's coming with you?"
"Yes he is," Callen replied hoping his wife could find some comfort in that. "We have to go to Russia for a few days to get Arkady and a CIA operative out of prison."
"You're gonna break them out of a Russian prison?!" Zoë replied shocked.
"Yes, the how and what we haven't figured out exactly. But I promise I'll be careful."
"This could be dangerous G."
"I know. But I'm sure we will think of something that is safe for us. I'm sorry honey but I have to go. Plane leaves shortly."
"Alright. Just be careful and come back in one piece."
"I promise. And if you need anything you can always call Michelle. She's more than happy to help you."
"Thank you but I'm sure I'll be fine. I've got my dad and sister too."
"Alright. Just know you can always call Michelle too. I really gotta go now. I love you and I will try to call you when we're in Russia."
"I love you too."
"Take it easy okay."
"I will try."
"Bye honey."
"Bye G."
Callen hung up the phone and hurried himself to go to the airport.
Zoë couldn't believe that Callen had to go away right now. It was only a couple of weeks until her due date. She hoped she wouldn't go into labor when Callen was away. Hopefully it was just a few days like Callen said. She waddled up the stairs hoping to get some sleep. She was worried about Callen but also dead tired so she hoped she would get some sleep. She managed to fall asleep after about a half an hour or so. The next morning she woke up and felt the little girl moving around in her stomach.
"Ik weet het kleine meid. Ik mis papa ook. Hopelijk is papa zo weer thuis,[I know little girl. I miss daddy too. Hopefully daddy will be home soon,]" Zoë spoke to her stomach.
….
They arrived in Moscow and went to Hetty's apartment to get ready for the mission. They had brainstormed on the plane to see what was the best way to get them out of the prison. They had managed to kidnap one of the guards working at the prison.
"Here's the deal Vladi," Callen started. "You tell us what we need to know, you walk away, no one ever knows you were here. But if you don't help us, we're gonna make it look like you did and leak that information."
"I'm not afraid of Americans," Vladi replied with a thick accent.
"You don't have to be afraid of us," Sam replied. "What do you think your government will do if they even suspect you've been spying for America?"
"Once upon a time, you would've been sent to the gulag. But today, mm not so lucky," Callen added.
"Where's Arkady Kolcheck?" Sam asked.
"I don't even know who that is."
"I told you this wouldn't work. Let's throw him to the wolves," Sam said to his partner.
"Last chance," Callen offered as a peace bargaining. Vladi responded by spitting onto the floor. "Wow nice." Callen pulled his phone out and made a call. "We're getting nowhere. Put the classified e-mails online and make sure someone from GRU sees them."
Vladi looked a bit scared as Callen said that.
"Nice knowing you, comrade," Sam said to him.
"What else do you want to know?" Vladi gave in.
"Hold on," Callen spoke into the phone.
"Where's Arkady Kolcheck?" Sam asked again.
"He's being held at Nazarovo Prison, where I work. But you know that."
"Now… where exactly?" Callen asked.
"Cell block twenty-four."
"What about Balinski?" Sam asked.
"Who?"
"This man," Callen said as he showed Vladi a picture.
"Oh, I don't know. I've only been there a couple months. I don't know everybody."
"Just in case you're thinking about telling anyone about this conversation," Sam started and showed Vladi some pictures. "Every single one of these family members.. will find themselves…on the payroll for American's foreign spy service."
"You understand?" Callen spoke in Russian.
"Da."
"Da."
Once they were back in the apartment Callen called Zoë. It was at the end of the morning in LA.
"Hey honey," Zoë answered the phone.
"Hey baby," Callen replied. "How are you doing?"
"I'm good, worried but good. How are things over there?"
"We have a plan and I'm looking into a back-up plan. It all should go down tomorrow and then hopefully I'll be home soon."
"Just be careful okay."
"I will honey. How's our little girl doing?"
"She's doing fine, missing daddy, just like mommy."
"I miss my girls too. I'll be home before you know it."
"I can't wait, I miss you."
"I miss you too. I will talk to you later. I love you."
"I love you too. Be careful tomorrow."
"I will. Bye honey."
"Bye honey."
Callen hung up the phone and went back to work out the last details of the plan. Callen managed to contact Pavel. He maybe could help them turn things into their favor.
"Charming Place," Pavel spoke with an accent as he walked into their hideout. "We can talk here. Surveillance blind spot. They are becoming harder to find these days."
"You didn't have to come. We appreciate it," Callen spoke to him.
"What brings you back to Moscow?"
"We're here for Arkady."
"You risked so much to come here for that man?"
"Not me," Sam said. "I'm here for the other guy.
"A man named Balinski is being held with Arkady."
"In Nazarovo Prison?"
"Yeah."
"No way you break anyone out of that place."
"We know," Sam acknowledged. "That's why we need to get'em moved."
"Ah. And you think I can move prisoners?"
"We do," Callen said.
"Who exactly do you think I am? Who do you think I work for?"
"That's not our concern," Sam stated.
"It's probably best that we don't know," Callen added.
"Yeah, you're right."
"Can you help us?" Sam asked.
"Can I get prisoners moved? Maybe. The question is you should be asking is: do I want to?"
"No, it's not. The question is: what do you need from us?" Callen asked.
"I like that," Pavel chuckled. "I like you guys. Tell me, does everybody in Los Angeles talk like you?"
"How do we get this done?" Sam said.
"There is a… man of interest to us in Los Angeles. He's wanted by the police department, but they, mm. have yet to apprehend him."
"After we grab him, then what?" Callen wanted to know.
"Nothing. You do your job, you give him over to the police, they put him in jail, we let nature take its course."
"And when it's done?" Sam asked.
"Your people will be transferred from Nazarovo Prison."
"What's this man's name?" Callen wanted to know.
"Artem Fedor." The partners shared a look and Pavel turned to leave. "California has, uh, much nicer weather than Russia, huh? Maybe it's better you stay there from now on," Pavel warned them before he left.
Callen gave the name back to the team in LA before returning to the apartment. Now all they had to do was wait until Kensi and Deeks apprehended Fedor and then hear back from Pavel.
When it was time they went to the location where they could intercept the van. Luckily for them the van drove through rural roads so not many people around to see what they were doing. They waited until the van popped up in the distance and then blocked the road with a cow so they couldn't get through easily. When the van started driving again it ended up in the ditch they dug, giving them the opportunity to take out the guards. Sam put a small explosive device onto the backdoor so it would open as Callen went to the driver. Once they were neutralized they quickly undid Arkady's and Sharov's cuffs before getting the hell out of dodge. Callen sent a message from his sat phone to the office back in LA saying that they got Arkady and Sharov but couldn't fly out using their original plan. As fast as they could they moved to the countryside to where they had stashed the car.
"I'm gonna call Hetty. We need a contingency plan," Sam spoke once they reached the car and took a breather for a minute.
Callen looked over to Sharov. He still wasn't sure if they could trust him or not.
"How you doing?" Callen asked.
"It's amazing to finally put a face to your face," Sharov told Callen.
"Pretending to know me isn't gonna make us trust you any more than we already do."
"You know I'm with the Company."
"We vetted you. You checked out, but that doesn't mean you're real."
"Callen, my voice doesn't sound familiar to you?"
"Should it?"
"While you were stationed in Russia, working Moscow. I manned a few different safe houses over the years."
"Oh yeah?" Callen replied, not ready to share things of his past cases.
"You were in Sevastapol right?"
"I don't know. Was I? Why did I call in?" Callen tested him.
"Because she wasn't who she said she was."
"She?"
"Your asset. I don't remember her name. It was a long time ago. I'm sorry. But I do remember they turned their backs on you. Because you were alone, if you didn't find a safe haven that night, you'd die."
Callen remembered that op. "You directed me to that safe house?"
"Yeah… I take it because of my injury we can't have a safe extract?"
"No."
"I have an active code. All I need is a sat phone."
It was Callen's call to make if they could trust Sharov. But if he really was who he claims to be he could lead them to a safe house and possibly get them a way out. He knew he was taking a risk but it was the only chance they had. So they all got in the car and followed Sharov's route to a safe house. They followed the directions the man gave them over to walkie talkie, ditched the car and walked to the safe house. When they met Garrison something seemed familiar about him to Callen. Once inside the house they tended to Sharov's wounds and started coming up with a plan to extricate. A little later Garrison called Sam and Callen into the stables. They had a problem, the police found the van and was mobilizing a search party. Garrison could have the exfil team meeting them at sunup tomorrow. But that meant that they would have to hold up in this house for a while, not knowing if they would be found. They could also go right now but that meant traveling in the daylight. Not wanting to risk being found Callen made the call to move right now. They would take backroads and stay in the bush as much as they could. Hopefully they would be gone before they were found. But they couldn't use their car to go the exfil point so they had to go by horse. They road their horses for a while before Garrison stopped them on the place the exfil team would meet them.
"We'll be leaving fast when that exfil team gets here, so let's get fresh dressings on Sharov," Sam spoke and turned to Garrison. "Thank you Garrison." Sam shook his hand.
"Be save Sam."
"Thank you for your help," Callen spoke to Garrison.
"You know who I am?" Garrison spoke to Callen.
"I think so. Maybe, yeah. I don't know," Callen wasn't sure what he was feeling right now. Was this really his dad?
"I know much about you. And you don't… don't know me. I don't believe in excuses, giving reasons for actions. The actions themselves are what matters."
"Well, sometimes."
"You can hate me."
"I don't hate you. But the reasons matter. To me, they matter."
"Then I will tell you." Just as Garrison said that the exfil team showed up. "Another time…. I will tell it to you all. Everything," Garrison promised. "Callen…. I know who you are and the things you've done. You are a good man."
"Sorry, sir, but we do need to leave right now," one the exfil team interrupted them.
Garrison stuck out his hand and Callen shook it. "Do svidaniya Grisha."
"Grisha?" Callen questioned.
"Grisha Aleksandrovich Nikolaev. Your mother wanted you to know from where you came."
Callen had just found out his first name and he had met his father! So much was going through his mind right now. He didn't want to leave but he had to right now. He had to go back home. Back home to where Zoë was waiting for him. He hoped he would meet his dad again in the future. At least now he knew his father was still alive and he knew his first name. Reluctantly he walked away and joined Sam and the others. Sam had observed what went down.
"G… you good?" Sam asked his partner.
"Yeah." Callen looked back at Garrison. "I'm good," Callen replied with a smile.
Callen and Sam quickly got in the car and they drove to a private air strip where a plane was waiting for them. It was in the beginning of the afternoon here in Moscow which meant it was three in the morning in LA. He wanted to call Zoë to let her know that they were on their way back but he didn't want to wake her up. So he opted to send her a text message, which hopefully wouldn't wake her up. Once everyone was loaded onto the plane, the plane took off towards LA.
"What happened back there G?" Sam questioned his partner, out of earshot of the others.
Callen took a few seconds to think what he would say to Sam. Callen took a sigh before speaking. "Garrison's my dad."
"Your dad? Really?" Sam replied astonished. "Did he tell you something?"
"No, not much. There really wasn't time."
"But at least you know your dad is alive, so I'm sure you'll meet him again."
"I hope so."
It was about twelve hours later when they landed in LA again. Once they got out of the plane they said their goodbyes and Callen and Sam quickly stopped by the office to update Hetty before going home.
It was just past 7pm when Zoë heard a familiar car pull up into the driveway. She peaked out of the window and saw it was her husband. He was home again! It was only a few days but she had missed him terribly and she was happy he was home again. As quick as she could, which wasn't really quick these days considering she was thirty-seven weeks pregnant, she got up from the couch and walked to the door. She opened the door just as Callen walked up to it.
"Hey handsome," Zoë greeted her husband with a smile.
"Hey beautiful," Callen replied with the same smile. He walked inside the house and closed the door before he wrapped his arms around his wife. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too. I'm glad you're home again."
Zoë pulled Callen closer and kissed him. She was beyond happy that Callen was back, and in one piece. She was also glad that she didn't go into labor when Callen was away.
"How are you doing?" Callen asked as he pulled out of the kiss.
"I'm good."
"And how's my little girl doing?" Callen asked as he rubbed her stomach.
"She's doing fine too. Glad that daddy's home again. She missed you too."
Callen bent down and gave Zoë's stomach a kiss. "I've missed you too little girl. Daddy is home again now." Callen stood back up and gave Zoë another kiss.
"Did the mission go alright?"
"Yes it did. A few minor bumps in the road but we managed to get them both out safely."
"That's good to hear."
"I'm just grab something to eat and I will join you on the couch okay."
"Okay."
Callen gave Zoë one more kiss before he disappeared into the kitchen. A little later he came out of the kitchen with a plate of food and sat down next to Zoë on the couch.
"Did you manage here without me for a few days?"
"Yes it was okay. Fay did some shopping for me and Michelle popped by too."
"That's nice. I'm really sorry I had to go honey."
"I know and I know it's your job but I'm glad you're home again."
"I'm glad to be home again too and I promise I won't go away anymore in the next few weeks."
"That's good."
Zoë rested her head on Callen's shoulder, enjoying his company again. They had a quiet evening in front of the TV before going to bed.
Around 3am Zoë woke up and noticed Callen wasn't in bed anymore. After using the toilet she found him in the nursery, sitting in the rocking chair.
"Hey, here you are," Zoë spoke, startling Callen a bit.
"Hey, I didn't wake you did it?"
"No, you didn't. I had to go pee. What are you doing in here?"
"Just couldn't sleep."
"Something on your mind? " Zoë asked as she walked over to Callen.
"Nah not really," Callen lied.
"G, you should know by now that I can see through you lies. I'm your wife and a psychologist. What's on your mind?" Zoë asked again as she sat down on Callen's lap.
Callen wrapped his arms around Zoë and looked her in the eye. "I met my dad while we were in Russia."
"Your dad? So he's still alive."
"Yes he is. He was operating a safe house in the area where we stayed for a few hours."
"Wow, I can't believe he's still alive. I thought you said he died in Ruza?"
"Yeah that's what I thought too. But he ditched that name and started over somewhere else."
"Did he tell you something?"
"There wasn't much time to talk but he did tell me my name."
"What the G stands for?"
"Yeah, it's Grisha. Grisha Aleksandrosvich Nikolaev Callen."
"Hmm Grisha. That's Russian right?"
"Yes it is. According to my dad, my mother wanted me to know from where I came. Hopefully I will see my dad again and he can tell me more."
"I'm sure you will. I'm glad you met him and have a few pieces more of the puzzle."
"Yeah me too. Part of me wanted to stay there and find out more but I knew I had to go back home, back to you."
"I can understand that honey. But you know now that he's alive so I'm sure you will see him again and you can built a bond with him."
"I hope so."
Zoë gave Callen a soft kiss. "Thank you for telling me. Will you come back to bed with me?"
"Yeah, I'll be right there."
"Alright." Zoë gave Callen one more kiss before she went back to bed.
Callen sat there in the nursery for a few more minutes. He hoped he would see his dad again. He desperately wanted to stay there in Russia to hear more from his dad. But he had a life back home, a life that would make him a dad in a few weeks, and he wouldn't miss that for anything in the world. Perhaps his little girl could meet her grandpa in the future. Callen got up and went back to bed. Zoë lay snuggled up to her pregnancy pillow, already sound asleep again. Quietly Callen got in bed and wrapped his arms around Zoë.
…..
Callen woke up into a dark room. He immediately noticed that he wasn't in his own bed. He rubbed his face, he was feeling a bit groggy. He couldn't see anything in the room. He felt in his pants but he didn't have his phone or gun with him. He felt around him and felt a wall on the right side. To the left side was open space. He swung his legs out of bed and when he felt the floor he stood up. He felt alongside she wall, hoping to find a light switch or something. After a while he managed to find a light switch and he switched it on. His eyes had to adjust to the bright light for a few seconds but then he saw Zoë lying on another bed in the room.
"Zoë!" Callen yelled, hoping his thirty-nine weeks pregnant wife was okay.
Callen tried to wake her up and a few seconds later Zoë woke up.
"G?" Zoë spoke a bit confused. "What happened?"
"I don't know but I think we got kidnapped."
"Kidnapped by who?"
"I don't know. Are you okay? Is the baby okay?"
"Yeah I think so. Where are we?"
"I have no idea. I will have a look around. You just stay here and relax okay. I'll be right back."
Callen gave his wife a kiss before he looked around the room. It was a bit of an oval shaped room with on either side a bed. There were two doors in the room. Callen tried the first one but that led to a small bathroom. He went to try the other one. There were stairs behind these doors and he could see a bright blue sky. He walked up the stairs and noticed they were on a boat. He looked around but it appeared that they were somewhere in the middle of the ocean. He didn't see anything or anyone around him for miles. Callen walked a up a few more steps to reach the steering wheel. There were no keys, he tried to start the boat but it wasn't working. There also was a radio but it wasn't working. Callen looked around to see if there was anything they could use to get off the boat or to get word to someone.
"G!" Callen suddenly heard Zoë's panicked voice down from the room below.
He hurried himself back down to the room.
"Everything okay Zoë?" Callen asked worried.
"My water just broke."