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: Okay, this is the longest chapter yet. I just couldn't find a good stopping point. It becomes a crossover with the original NCIS here as Callen and Callie go on a little trip. I hope I've gotten the characterizations right. Figure this takes place at least a month after the bomb went off at NCIS, so people are back at work though renovations are still being done. Been a while since I saw those episodes so I hope I didn't get anything wrong.
"Agent G. Callen. I told you I know who you care about."
He'd know that voice anywhere though he never expected to hear it again. Marcel Janvier. Ignoring the glances his team was sending him, he glared furiously at the technical operator and analyst in the room. "How the hell did Janvier get away from the Iranians and why didn't we hear about it?!"
Eric visibly flinched back from the rage in the team leader's voice. "He, uh, he didn't."
"What?!"
"The email was sent over a month ago," Eric started.
Nell took over the explanation. "It looks like it was supposed to take place at the same time as his plan to sell out to the Iranians, to split your attention. But it took Connors this long to verify and get into a position to make his move."
Callen let the words sink in, forcing his anger down. It simmered beneath the surface as he questioned them. "But how the hell did Janvier know about Erin? And the connection to Connors? That was years ago."
"We don't know yet Mr. Callen," Hetty answered. "But then, how did he know any of what he did? About Agent Renko, Agent Hunter or our operative in Iran? He was very good at finding out things he should not know. And he had a personal stake in taking you out."
"It's obvious that Janvier found a way into your files from the ATF," Granger spoke up. "There is no telling what else might have been compromised. As of this moment your status is no longer operational until we have a chance to find out what other surprises might be waiting to pop up."
Callen shook his head. They had it all wrong. "It's not my status that we have to check. Janvier wanted me dead, but he wanted me to suffer before he killed me himself. He said it himself, he knows who I care about." He turned to glance at the rest of his team. "He'd have gone after all of you."
"You have a point Mr. Callen. Unfortunately, we don't know how Janvier received his information to begin with, so we don't know who might be compromised. We have to assume that everyone here is. So as of this moment, this team is on stand down until further notice."
"What? But Hetty-" They all made to protest but she held up her hand.
"This comes directly from Director Vance and SecNav. Until we have had a chance to check for leaks, this team is not field operational. Consider yourselves on leave until further notice. But be careful and keep your eyes open."
Callen was standing stock still as it sunk in. Because one man had a vendetta against him, his team's lives were at risk. And Erin, Erin was dead, his daughter without a mother because his bullet hadn't done it's job. He should have killed that bastard when he had the chance. Rage filled him at the thought, blocking out everything else. Turning, he stalked out of Ops. He had to get out of there, he was so angry. He wanted to hit someone or something. But before he could do more than walk out of the door, he found himself grabbed and pushed against the wall. "Let me go Sam," he said, voice deceptively calm but inside he was raging.
"Not happening G. You need to calm down before you do something you'll regret."
Callen glared at him. "And you need to stay out of it." He tried to pull away but Sam held him firm.
"Do I gotta knock some sense into your stubborn ass? You forget about that little girl down there? What do you think it's gonna do to her to see you in this state?"
It was like a bucket of ice water had been tossed on him. "Callie," he said softly, the fight going out of him as he slumped in his partner's grasp. "Oh God, she didn't see-?"
"Kensi and Deeks are keeping her occupied," Nate spoke up from where he had been standing a few feet away.
"This is all my fault," Callen said, raising a hand up to rub his face as Sam finally released him. "Erin's dead and the whole team might be compromised, all because one bastard that I should have killed wanted to get back at me."
"Erin's death was not your fault. Connors killed her and Janvier was the one who told him where to find her."
"Because of me! Because he wanted to hurt me! And Callie, she could have died too." He slumped against the wall. "I bring death and pain to everyone around me," he said quietly. It seemed that everyone he had ever cared about ended up dying. Starting with his mother and most recently Erin.
"That's not your fault G. You're not the one causing it. And you have people who care about you, that you haven't lost. My family adores you, the team depends on you. And that little girl down there thinks the world of you." Sam could see where his partner was headed and wanted to end those thoughts before they took root.
"And because of one man's vendetta against me they're all in danger. What the hell am I supposed to do?" What about Callie? Had he just put her in even more danger by taking custody of her?
"Protect them the best that you can Mr. Callen," Hetty spoke up as she joined them. "You are part of a team. You have to trust one another to be handle the situation."
He let her words sink in. He could trust his team, he already did, every day. So there was a new threat against them, there was always some threat or another but they always had each others backs. But Callie. Could he really put her at risk? But how could he let her go now? She would be devastated. He couldn't put her through that, not after she'd just lost her mother. So he'd have to do what Hetty said, protect her the best that he could. He turned to meet her gaze and nodded his understanding before taking a step toward the stairs.
"Callen," Nate called, continuing when he turned to look at him. "You're strong, you'll get through this. Just don't take everything on yourself. It isn't all your fault, and you don't have to go it alone."
"I'll try," he said before pausing. "Nate, what did you get from Callie?"
"It's what I thought, she's afraid of losing you, especially since the relationship is so new and she's not quite sure where she stands with you. I'd expect her nervousness to begin to fade soon and then she'll start trying to push the boundaries. You'll have your work cut out for you then. You'll need to set limits and be firm about them while reassuring her that it doesn't mean that you care any less."
"Thanks Nate." He stepped up to the rail and looked down at the bullpen, watching as Callie joked with Kensi and Deeks. She glanced up, spotting him. He waved at her and she smiled. He turned as Hetty joined him. "Something else?"
She nodded. "SecNav and Director Vance want to be briefed on the current situation, in person."
He didn't like where this was going. "Thought that was Granger's job."
"He is going but they want to hear from you. After all, you were the one who spent the most time with Janvier, the one he was obsessed with. They believe that you have a unique view on this situation."
"No." He looked back down at the girl. "I'm not leaving her."
"I didn't think you would. I wouldn't dream of trying to separate you two at the moment." Hetty handed him two tickets. "Go to Washington, attend the briefing, and then spend time with your daughter. Act like two tourists on vacation. If I'm not mistaken you have a friend out there that you might want to catch up with."
"Gibbs." He'd been planning to call him but this way he could tell him in person. "Thanks Hetty."
"Of course Mr. Callen. And rest assured, Mr. Beale and Ms. Jones are currently scouring all resources, looking for any activity that indicates another leak. If it's there they will find it and then we will neutralize the threat." Her face had a determined cast to it.
He nodded. "Then I had better go and collect my daughter. We have some packing to do before our flight." He headed down the stairs.
Callie looked up as he approached. She frowned. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing for you to worry about. Just some unexpected news. Come on, we've got to go home and pack."
"Why?" she asked nervously.
"I have to go to Washington for a meeting."
Her eyes widened. "Y-you're leaving?"
He draped an arm across her shoulders. "Hey, I said we had to pack. The meeting shouldn't take too long and then we can explore the city. You did say you usually traveled during the summer. Have you ever been to D.C. before?" They exited the building.
"Thoughts Mr. Getz?" Hetty asked from where she remained at the top of the stairs.
"They're both grieving though Callen isn't conscious of it yet. But they're helping each other through it."
"And about the current situation?"
"I admit, I was worried about Callen's reaction, especially after he blamed himself. He has a tendency to try to handle everything on his own. But she's good for him. Now he has to think of her well-being as well. Did you see how he instantly calmed at the mention of Callie seeing him upset? He's not going to do anything that will put her at risk or hurt her. So do I believe he's going to do something rash? The answer is no, not while he has her to think about." He turned to face Hetty. "But you already knew that, it's part of the reason you arranged for Callie to go with him."
Hetty neither confirmed or denied his words. "Thank you Mr. Getz."
Nate shook his head but recognized the dismissal and headed down to join the others.
"Did you get the answers you were looking for?" Owen Granger asked as he joined her.
"Just confirmation of what I already knew." She turned to look at him. "Don't you have a plane to catch?"
He regarded her for a moment before shaking his head. "Despite how you like to make yourself seem, you don't know everything. I knew you were worried about Callen's reaction, it's why you had him sign the custody papers before the briefing. You were afraid he would try to push Callie away when he heard the news, something that would be harder if the paperwork was already in place."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "And you weren't?"
"No, not after all of the efforts he's made with her over the last few days. That would devastate her and the last thing he'll do is cause her more pain. Don't be so surprised, I was wrong about him once, I don't make the same mistakes twice." He checked his watch. "Now I have a plane to catch. Do try to keep the situation under control here."
"Cheeky bastard," Hetty muttered as he turned and walked away.
One plane flight and a night in a hotel room later found Callen and his daughter on the way to the Navy Yard. Callen had picked up some brochures on the way through the airport and Callie was looking through them during the cab ride. "We could check out the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Oh, but then there's also the Smithsonian." She bit her lip as she tried to decide which she wanted to see more.
Callen shook his head at her enthusiasm. "Take it easy, we have plenty of time. We'll visit anything you want to before we head home."
She smiled at him for a moment, then it faded. "How long is your meeting going to be?" She was worried that he was going to be stuck in it all day, worried that it might end up taking the whole trip. She remembered that happening a lot with Uncle Owen, he'd come to visit only to spend the entire time on the phone or having to cut the visit short.
"Hey, even if the meeting takes longer than it should, I'll just change our flight. Don't forget, after this meeting I'm on vacation, and I'll be spending all of it with you."
She smiled again.
"Okay, we're here. This is as far as I go," the driver said, indicating the security barrier.
Callen frowned, he should have anticipated the heightened security after the bombing. "Thanks," he paid the driver and exited. Callie joined him as he showed his badge and identification to the security guard.
The guard nodded then turned to Callie. "I.D.?"
Callen fought the urge to roll his eyes. "She's a kid," he pointed out. "And she's with me."
The guard looked sheepish. "I have to ask," he defended. "I'm also going to have to check her bag." He pointed at the backpack.
Callie met her father's eyes and this time he did roll them before gesturing for to hand it over. The guard quickly went through and handed it back. "Sorry about that but orders are orders. Have a nice day."
"You too," Callen told him before leading Callie into the Navy Yard. "It's going to be a bit of a walk. They've been restricting access since the bombing."
She nodded. "I saw that on the news. Was it really as bad as it looked?"
"A lot of people were injured, some killed."
She glanced at him. "People you know?"
"Everyone I know here got out alright."
She nodded. "Is- is it going to be a problem? Me being here?"
He stopped, turning to look at her. "No! And if they don't like it then they don't need to hear my report. Besides, like I said, I have some friends here who will be more than happy to show you around, alright? I bet you'll really like Abby." He grinned at her.
A few minutes later they reached the NCIS building. They stopped to stare at the damage still present. Callen shook his head at the destruction. "Come on," he said, leading her inside where they were stopped at another checkpoint.
Callen's badge cleared him but the guards insisted on checking Callie over. "She's not on the list," one said, checking said list.
Callen's patience was wearing thin. "She's with me," he said through gritted teeth.
"She still has to be cleared."
He sighed, waiting while they got someone on the phone to approve this. He glanced around and spotted a familiar face. "Agent McGee," he greeted.
Timothy McGee looked up in surprise. "Agent Callen." He came over and shook the other agent's hand. "What brings you to Washington?"
"Debriefing. That is if we can ever get upstairs."
McGee frowned. "What's the problem?"
"Apparently you have to be on a list to gain access to the building."
"Your badge should have cleared you," McGee's frown increased. He blinked as he noticed the young girl standing behind the other agent for the first time. "Er, hello."
"Hi," she replied.
"It's okay, I've worked with Agent McGee in the past. This is Callie, my daughter."
"Nice to meet you Callie." He turned to the security guards. "I'll clear her presence." He trusted the other man and the resemblance was obvious. Besides, what harm was a kid going to cause?
"If you say so Agent McGee. She still has to go through the metal detector though."
Callie rolled her eyes as the other guard took her bag to search it. Like something was missed at the gate. She stepped through the scanner, blinking in surprise as it went off.
"Empty your pockets."
She did, there was nothing in them. He gestured her through again and it went off again.
He started to run a hand scanner up her body. "Any jewelry?" he asked as it beeped. Her hand automatically flew to the locket around her neck. "You're going to have to remove it." Her eyes widened and she took a step back, her eyes searching for her father's, pleading with him.
"Is that really necessary?" Callen asked, seeing her obvious upset. Still he knew the answer. He stepped up to her. "Here, I'll hold it for you. As soon as you get through the scan I'll give it right back. Alright?"
She bit her lip before hesitantly handing it over, immediately missing it's presence.
"Um, we have to check it-" The guard shut up at Callen's murderous glare.
"It's a small locket, what do you think she managed to hide in it?"
The guards exchanged a look, deciding not to push things with the clearly pissed off agent. Instead they gestured Callie through the detector, releasing twin sighs of relief when it remained silent.
Callen replaced the locket around his daughter's neck and retrieved her bag, accepting their passes from the security guard. "Thanks again McGee," he said to the other agent as he joined him by the elevator.
"No problem," he replied, glancing at the obviously upset girl. He raised his eyes to the other agent.
"She just lost her mother," Callen told him quietly.
McGee nodded in understanding. The locket must have been a gift, he realized. It also explained why the other agent had brought her with him. He noticed her staring at him.
Seeing him spot her gaze, Callie blushed slightly. "So what do you do Agent McGee?" she asked curiously.
He started to explain about his place on the team and how he specialized in computers.
"Oh, like Eric," she nodded her understanding.
"Well, kind of. Though I am also a field agent." McGee blinked. He'd thought the OSP branch was highly secretive so how did she know?
Callen caught his look. "Long story."
McGee let it drop as they reached their floor.
Callen glanced around, spotting the obvious remodeling going on. Though at least all of the debris had been cleared away. With a grin he spotted his old friend sitting at a desk. "Wait here a minute," he told Callie. McGee paused to wait with her while the two agents had their reunion.
"Hey Jethro, been keeping yourself out of trouble," Callen called as he approached the older agent.
Gibbs' head came up and he grinned at the other man, rising to his feet. "Callen. What brings you here?" He clasped the other man's hand and drew him into a partial hug, slapping his back.
"Director Vance and SecNav wanted a debriefing in person."
Gibbs nodded. "I'd heard about that mess with the Iranians. Still finding trouble I see."
"What can I say? It must be my charming personality. I heard you got Dearing, congratulations."
Gibbs shrugged, studying the other man. "So what's been going on with you? You seem different."
Callen's grin grew wider. "There's someone I want you to meet." He turned and gestured toward the elevators.
Gibbs turned and spotted McGee. Then movement caught his eye and he shifted his gaze lower as a young girl started walking toward them. His eyes widened as he caught the resemblance between her and the younger agent. He took in the fading bruises on her face and the way she leaned into Callen's side as he draped his arm over her shoulder.
"This is an old friend of mine," Callen told her. "Leroy Jethro Gibbs meet Callen Evelyn O'Rourke, my daughter." A proud smile came over his face.
"It's nice to meet you Callen," Gibbs said as he looked down at the girl.
"Callie," she corrected, staring at him curiously.
"Callie," he repeated, a pang going through him at how close to 'Kelly' it sounded. He turned back to Callen. "So when did this happen?"
Callie snorted and the two men looked at her, causing her to blush. "I'm sorry but everyone keeps saying that. It's kind of obvious that it happened years ago. I mean, I wasn't born this size."
"Pretty close though," Callen teased her, receiving a glare in response.
Gibbs chuckled. "Well, it looks like she inherited more than just your looks."
"You didn't know her mother," Callen shot back. "More attitude than height, just like this one." He squeezed Callie's shoulders as she slumped. "It's a compliment Callie. Your mom was an amazing woman."
She gave him a weak smile.
Gibbs glanced between the two, sensing a story. However, he could tell it wasn't good and didn't want to bring it up in front of the girl. He picked up a file from his desk. "Callie, you think you can give this to McGee? Tell him I need him to verify the information and wait for his response."
Callie eyed him suspiciously before nodding.
Once she was gone Gibbs turned to his friend. "You want to explain?"
Callen sighed. "Rule #12? I broke it, 15 years ago. Ended the relationship after she got hurt and the suspect escaped. But Erin never told me she was pregnant. Last week he came back looking for revenge and Erin didn't make it."
Gibbs sighed. "My condolences. And congratulations." He stared at the girl. How would he have handled it if it turned out one of his exes had lied to him, even by omission, about the existence of a child? After losing Kelly, he doubted he'd take it as well as Callen appeared to be. Speaking of. "How are you handling it?"
"Oh, I'm terrified that I'm going to screw this up. But at the same time, I'm happier than I can ever remember being." He turned to face the older man, a serious expression on his face. "You know how hard I've searched for answers, trying to find out my name? The moment she called me Dad for the first time, it suddenly didn't matter. Someone could have shown up the very next moment to tell me everything I've ever wanted to know and it would have meant nothing compared to that one word."
Gibbs closed his eyes, swallowing as memories drifted through his mind. "Yeah," he said gruffly. "That's what it means to be a father."
"Shit! Gibbs I didn't mean to-"
He waved him off. "No, it's okay. Just, take good care of her. You don't know how lucky you are."
Callen shook his head. "Yes, I do. And I intend to." He looked up suddenly, spotting Director Vance at the top of the stairs. "And I think that's my cue." He glanced back at Callie.
Gibbs waved him off. "Go, I'll keep an eye on her. Bring her down to see Abby."
"Thanks." Callie returned with the file at that moment and he turned to her. "I've got to go see the director now, but Gibbs is right here if you need anything. I'll be back soon."
She sighed and nodded, watching as he disappeared up the stairs. After a moment she turned to face Gibbs. "So, I don't suppose there's anything I can do other than sit here and stare at nothing?" she asked him hopefully.