Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS: Los Angeles or the characters. I'm just borrowing them. I make no money from this.
Author's Note: Little bit of a time jump here. Didn't really want to create Erin's whole backstory here since I already killed her off, and this story is supposed to be about Callen's relationship with his newly discovered daughter. I figure you can use your own imaginations if you want, maybe someday I'll do a prequel story of how Callen met her and fell in love, maybe not.
Also, there was a reason I set this when I did, after the episode "Endgame" and that reason becomes clear in this chapter and the next. I hope it is believable.
Callen stood with his arm wrapped around a trembling Callie, his face solemn as he watched the casket being lowered into the ground. Granger stood on Callie's other side, and the rest of the team, including Eric and Nell, were arrayed behind them, silently offering support. As the first shovelful of dirt was tossed onto the casket, the teenager turned and buried her face against his chest. His arms automatically wrapped around her, drawing her close as he allowed her to draw whatever comfort she could from his presence.
He was vaguely aware of the other attendees stopping by to offer their condolences but his main focus remained on the devastated girl in his arms. Eventually, the only ones who remained were them and the team. Or so he thought.
"Callen," a familiar voice said.
He looked up in surprise. "Nate." What was he doing here? His eyes fell on Hetty and he knew this was her doing.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
"You came all of this way just to say that?" he asked, his voice skeptical.
"I think you know the answer to that. But it can wait, you have more important things to tend to right now," Nate nodded to the teenager who clung to the agent with no real awareness of her surroundings.
Callen nodded and started to lead Callie away. He paused as Hetty stepped up beside him. "Hetty?"
"I know you are on leave but there has been a new development that you need to be aware of. It can wait for the moment but providing you are up to it, I need the two of you to come to Headquarters on Monday."
Callen raised an eyebrow, wondering what it could be about but found that he couldn't be bothered with work at the moment. "Both of us?"
She raised an eyebrow at him. "I assume that you aren't quite ready to leave your daughter by herself, and the rest of the team is also needed at this briefing."
He frowned, hadn't she given all of them time off? "Just what is going on? Is whatever this is about the reason you brought Nate in?"
She shook her head. "It's nothing that can't wait until Monday, Mr. Callen. Go home and take care of your daughter."
He thought about pushing it but decided she was right. Callie was more important at the moment. If it was something that had needed immediate attention, she would have gotten another team to handle it. "I'll see you on Monday then." He led his still dazed daughter to the car.
Arriving back at the house, he brought Callie inside, leading her to her room. He glanced at her worriedly as she merely stood there. "Why don't you lie down for now? It's been a hard day."
She stared blankly at him. "Callie?" He sighed at the lost expression on her face and pulled her back into his arms. "It's going to be okay, I've got you." Her arms tightened around him and he gave silent thanks that she was responding at least that much. "Come on, you'll feel more comfortable out of that dress." Not to mention Hetty was the one who had provided it, but he could really care less about wrinkling it and incurring her wrath at the moment.
Callen released her and opened one of her drawers, pulling out an oversized t-shirt and some loose cotton pants. He held them out but she only stared at them uncomprehendingly and he realized he was going to have to do this himself. Placing the clothes on the bed he stepped behind her and lowered the zipper, hoping she would snap out of it enough to do the rest herself.
But Callie continued to just stand there. And so, feeling slightly uncomfortable, Callen slid the dress off of her shoulders before helping her step out of it and her shoes. He sighed, relieved, when she lifted her arms to allow him to pull the shirt over her head. At least she was responding that much. He then helped her step into the pants before sitting her on the bed. He gazed worriedly at her, suddenly thankful Nate was back. If she was still like this tomorrow he was going to have to seek help.
With yet another sigh, he picked up the dress and shook it out before hanging it up in the closet. However his actions took him out of Callie's line out of sight and she reacted for the first time since the funeral.
"No! Daddy! Come back!" Her eyes darted around the room frantically as sobs shook her body.
Callen was instantly at her side. "I'm right here Callie. Shh, it's okay."
'Y-you left," she sobbed accusingly.
"No I didn't. I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere."
"D-don't leave me t-too," she begged.
"Not going anywhere," he promised her again. He leaned back and pulled off his suit jacket and tie before kicking off his shoes and climbing onto the bed beside her. "I'm right here, I've got you." Pulling her into his arms he laid down with her clinging to his chest, his arms soothingly rubbing up and down her back. After a few minutes her sobs quieted as she slipped into an uneasy sleep.
Callen continued to hold her, soothing her whenever her rest was disturbed by dreams. After a few hours, she woke and he was relieved to see some awareness return to her gaze. "Hey," he greeted. "Glad to see you awake. Let's get you something to eat." He started to slide out from under her only to have her hands tighten around his shirt.
Callie stared up at him with fear in her eyes. "Don't leave me," she begged.
He kissed her forehead. "Not going anywhere." He stood and helped her to her feet, draping his arm over her shoulders as he led her to the kitchen. He shook his head at the container of soup sitting on the counter. He never had made it to the grocery store but somehow food kept ending up at his house. He made a mental note to thank Hetty as he quickly reheated the soup before pouring it into two bowls, feeling Callie's eyes watching him the entire time.
"'m not hungry," she said as he placed one in front of her.
"I know but you have to try to eat something."
She sighed but lifted the spoon to her lips, managing a few bites before setting it down and pushing the bowl away.
Callen sighed but at least she'd eaten a little. "Feel any better?"
She shrugged. "'m tired," she mumbled.
He returned the uneaten soup to the container and helped her back to her room. The rest of the day continued much the same. He'd hold her and comfort her until she slept for an hour or two, then he'd try to get her to eat.
He was worried about her sudden dependence on him, how she wouldn't let him out of her sight. He'd gone to use the bathroom and she had become hysterical. He'd had to talk to her through the door to keep her from barging in, and once he had exited she had wrapped herself around him, refusing to let go. And when she had finally admitted needing to go herself, he had thought she was going to drag him inside as well. Thankfully, she had settled for leaving the door cracked so she could see him standing with his back to it as he talked to her. It was as if she was afraid he was going to disappear at any moment. He resolved to talk to Nate, he didn't think this was normal behavior.
The next day continued in much the same way, though Callen was pleased to note that Callie managed to eat more and sleep less than the previous day. She was still reluctant to let him out of her sight but was not becoming as hysterical as she had the previous day and no longer freaking out over him going to the bathroom.
Monday morning came and Callen gently woke Callie. "Hey," he greeted her as she blinked up at him.
She frowned in confusion at seeing him dressed. "What's going on?"
"I have to go into the office for a little bit, some paperwork I have to deal with for Hetty." He watched as her eyes got wide with fear. "So get dressed while I get the toast ready, ok?"
"I'm coming with you?" she asked in surprise.
"Unless you don't want to?"
"No, that's okay." She tossed the covers aside and made her way to her dresser as Callen exited the room.
It was a much relieved Callen who drove them to OSP that morning. Callie had managed to eat a full one and a half pieces of toast, and she was acting much less afraid than she had over the previous days. She still kept close but she hadn't freaked out when he'd left the room to retrieve his keys and wallet. That was progress. Maybe it had just been the combination of her grief and her hormones being out of balance do to her 'condition' that had caused her to react the way she had.
Entering the building, they found the rest of the team already there and returned their greetings. He watched as Callie approached Kensi and Deeks, laughing at their antics.
Sam joined him. "How's she doing?"
"Had a rough couple of days but I'm hoping the worst of it is over now. She seems to have been improving, accepting that Erin's really gone."
The larger man nodded. "And you?"
"Wishing there was something more I could do for her. Nate," he greeted as the psychologist joined them.
"Callen. You're already doing everything you can just by being there for her."
He sighed. "You think you can maybe talk to her? I was a little worried about her reactions this weekend, though she seems to have improved." He quickly explained about her near catatonia and then her hysterical fear.
"Sounds to me like she was worried about losing another parent, especially after just finding you. Perfectly normal, if a bit extreme. But I'll be happy to talk to her." He regarded the agent. "How are you doing?"
Callen shook his head. "I'm fine."
"It's a big change, discovering you have a daughter and gaining custody all at once. Not to mention losing someone you cared a great deal about, even if you hadn't seen them in so long." Nate watched him carefully.
"I'm dealing with it. But my main focus has to be on Callie. She needs me." His eyes turned to look at her, in time to see her glancing back at him. Checking to make sure he hadn't gone anywhere, he knew.
Nate nodded. "Okay, but if you want to talk-"
"I know where to find you." He held out a hand, motioning, and Callie walked over to them. "Callie, I want you to meet a friend of mine. This is Nate."
Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. "No fair," she mumbled before she could stop herself. A blush instantly covered her cheeks as she stared at the ground.
Nate raised an eyebrow at her reaction. "What's not fair?"
Her blush deepened. She glanced at her father and the amusement written on his face gave her the courage to add, "You hogged all of the tall genes, didn't you?"
A smile tugged at his lips. "A little self-conscious about your height?" At her glare he held up his hands. "There is nothing wrong with being short. Lots of short people end up doing great things. Just look at Hetty."
Movement behind the men caught Callie's eye. Putting on a confused look she asked, "So, you're saying I should try to be more like Hetty?"
Sam shook his head. "He better not be, there's only room in the world for one Hetty."
"And why is that Mr. Hanna?" Hetty's voice came from behind the large agent, causing him to freeze.
"Just saying that you're perfect the way you are and you know what they say about too much of a good thing," he hastily covered.
Hetty simply gave him a look before turning to his partner. "Mr. Callen, there is some paperwork I need to go over with you before the briefing. I'm sure Mr. Getz would be more than happy to occupy Callie for the moment."
Callen glanced at Nate who nodded. "I'll be right over there," he told Callie who was nervously biting her lip before she nodded. Then he turned and followed Hetty to her office.
Assistant Director Granger was waiting for them. "Here," he said, holding out a file.
Callen took it and looked inside. His head shot up, surprise written on his face. "This is-"
Hetty nodded. "The custody paperwork. I hope you don't mind but we took the liberty of arranging everything for you as you've had your hands full this past week. All that's needed is your signature and then it can be filed."
He shook his head. "I don't know what to say. Thank you doesn't seem to be enough."
"No need Mr. Callen. We understand." She held out a pen.
He took it, and glancing back at Callie where she was sitting and talking to Nate, quickly signed on all of the indicated spots.
"Hetty is right, Agent Callen. Just take care of her," Granger told him, accepting the file back from him.
"I will," he met the older man's eyes, sincerity shining through his eyes. "But this wasn't the only reason you had me come in. What's going on?"
Hetty and Granger exchanged a look. "Evidence has come to light about how Connors found Erin," Granger told him.
Callen glanced between the two of them. "It's not good." It wasn't a question. "She was betrayed?"
"Everything will be explained in a few minutes," Granger told him. "Right now you have to get Callie settled before we head up to Ops. This isn't something for her to hear."
Callen felt a surge of dread go through him. Whatever they had found, it was definitely going to be bad. He rejoined the others, heading to Callie's side. "Hey, how's it going?"
She smiled up at him, obviously relieved to see him. "He asks a lot of questions," she said, referring to Nate.
"Yeah, he does. You okay?"
She nodded.
"Good. Listen, I have to head upstairs with the others. It shouldn't take long. Will you be alright down here?" He watched as she bit her lip and nodded. "There's some candy in the bottom drawer of my desk if you get hungry. Just don't tell Kensi." He winked at her and she laughed. "I'll be back soon."
He glanced at the others and they nodded, heading up to Ops. With one last glance at the girl now sitting at his desk he followed. Entering the room he asked, "What do we have?"
Eric and Nell exchanged a look, clearly nervous about whatever they were going to reveal. "A laptop was recovered from the factory," Eric started. "An examination of it's contents revealed this email." He brought it up on the big screen.
"Thought you might be interested." Was the message.
"There was a file attached." Nell opened it, displaying surveillance photos of Erin, some including Callie. Obviously taken over a period of time. "Their address was also included in the attachment."
Callen clenched his jaw. "So someone betrayed Erin to Connors. Do we have a lead on who sent the email?"
Eric and Nell exchanged another look. "The sender's address was a dead end. But there was something else embedded in the email that told us who sent it. The person who sent it knew that we would eventually discover it, it was meant for us not Connors." Eric nervously pressed a few keys and an audio file began to play.
Callen felt as if he'd been punched in the stomach, his blood freezing in his veins as he heard the familiar hoarse, accented voice. "Agent G. Callen. I told you I know who you care about."
Author's Note 2: I'm being evil ending it there, I know. But it was such a perfect place to leave it, just like in an episode where they would cut to commercial after a big revelation. I'm going to try my best to have the next chapter up tonight so as not to leave you hanging. So who's figured out who the voice belongs to? Most of you, I bet.