Author's Note- I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in, like, a week, but I have school and stuff and I've a ton of homework, so I'll probably update this every weekend, instead of everyday. Hope you enjoy this chapter :)

Chapter 21

Callen.

AJ's family are all exactly like her. Not in looks, but in personality. Smart, kind, stubborn as hell. Lucy and Danny look exactly like AJ and their mother, but Mara, Adam and Ryan look nothing like them, except for the pale complexion.

I can see AJ slowly falling apart. This case is killing her. It's been two days since Michael Sanders killed Rachael Matthews, and we still haven't got any leads.

"Callen?" Eric's picture comes up on the TV screen.

"Yeah, Eric?" I reply.

"Hetty wants everyone in Ops. We found another body."

"Same MO?" I ask.

"Yeah."

"We'll be right there."

I'm in the boatshed with the Connors family, Sam and Nate. AJ is sitting with her head in her hands. She hasn't left the boatshed for the past two days.

"AJ. You can stay here. G, Nate and I can handle this." Sam says. Over the past few days, Sam has taken a real shine to AJ, protecting her like he would a sister. He hasn't been home in the past few days either, knowing that if he left, something could happen to AJ or anyone in her family.

"No." She snaps. "These people were killed because of me. I need to see this."

If her tone of voice is anything to go by, she's not going to take no for an answer.

"Okay. We've heightened security on your family. 4 agents, plus Lucy, Danny and Adam make seven. They should be safe." I say.

AJ turns to look at her sister and brothers. "Lucy. If you try to sneak out of here, so help me God, I'll kill you myself."

Lucy rolls her eyes at her older sister. "I won't."

"Carmel Rodgers. 38. Found dead outside her bridal boutique in Beverly Hills this morning. Shot in the chest, just above the heart. Coroner estimates TOD at around 5am this morning. Her husband says that she went in early that morning to put together a wedding dress for a client." Nell begins.

Everyone looks to AJ. "You know her?" Deeks asks.

"Yeah, um, she's my neighbour." She replies.

"That means he knows where you live." Kensi concludes.

"Most likely." AJ says meekly.

"I'll get CSU over to your place, process it, see if he's been in there. Kensi, Deeks, go talk to AJ's other neighbours, see if they've seen anything suspicious in the past few days." I order. Kensi and Deeks head out the door. "Sam and I will go to the M.E's office, see the body. AJ, you and Nate go back to the boatshed."

"No way, Callen. I'm not gonna sit twiddling my thumbs when a guy is out there trying to kill me. Nate and I will go to the M.E's. You and Sam go check on my family." She says stubbornly. Her facial expression says 'Don't argue with me', so I just nod.

"I hope we get this guys soon, Sam." I say as my partner and I walk out to the car. "It's killing her. She's not thinking straight."

"I know, G. I want him, too. I'm not gonna let this guy hurt her, or her family, or any of us for that matter. She's family, and we protect family."

Sam was right. AJ Connors is part of our crazy, dysfunctional family. She's the new girl. The little sister. The smart one. The beautiful one. And I am not gonna let some psychopathic moron hurt her for something she couldn't control.

He's not gonna hurt her again.

I know it's short, but my inspiration has been lacking these days. Nevertheless, please leave reviews and suggestions on where you think this story should go, cos I haven't fully decided yet. :)