Callen pulled his phone out and called Hetty.
"You better have a good reason to call me in the middle of the night Mr. Callen," Hetty spoke as she answered.
"Sorry to call you Hetty, but we've got a problem. Marisa has gone lone wolf on us. My guess is she's going after them."
"That's a problem indeed. I'll call everyone and we'll meet you at the office."
Before Callen left for the office he went to the security office. He flashed his badge and asked to see the security tapes. He saw Marisa getting into a cab. He wrote down the license plate and went to the office.
"Eric, Marisa got into a cab with the license plate 8 – Robert – Victor – Frank – 4 – 2 – 1, find out where that cab went," Callen told Eric over the phone.
"On it."
….
Marisa grabbed her own car and got the information she needed from her phone before she turned it off and removed the battery. She needed to do this alone, she didn't want to be found. She pulled up to the first house. She walked around the house to the backdoor. She peeked through the window to see who was inside. She knew it weren't the guys that killed her parents but they were part of the same group. She walked back to the front. She knocked on the door. A little later one of the man opened the door. There was no one in front of the door. He looked down and saw something lying on the ground. Before he realized what it was it exploded, blinding the man. Marisa kicked in the backdoor.
"Federal agent!" Marisa yelled as she stepped in, gun ready.
She quickly had to dodge some bullets. She returned fire, shooting two of them. She felt a bullet grace her arm but she didn't care. She shot the others too, killing most of them. Only one was still alive. Marisa walked up to him and cleared him of his gun.
"Where's Luis?!" The man kept quiet so Marisa put her gun to his head. "Where's Luis? Tell me or you're gonna end up like your buddies over there. I'm gonna count to 3. On 3 I'll pull this trigger. 1, 2, 3."
Marisa wanted to pull the trigger.
"Alright, alright, I'll tell you."
"I'm listening."
"He's in East LA," the man said and he gave Marisa the address. Marisa grabbed some of the guns and got back into her car and drove to the address.
….
Callen pulled up to the office at the same time as Sam.
"Marisa gone lone wolf again?" Sam asked.
"Yep she did."
"She's a lot like you."
"I never go lone wolf on you."
"You're kidding me right. You always go lone wolf when you have the chance," Sam replied as they walked into OPS and Callen shot him a look.
"What have you got Eric?"
"The cab dropped her off at her home address. From there she grabbed her own car. I was tracking it but I lost it. Got kaleidoscope looking for it," Eric informed them.
"What about her phone?"
"She turned it off."
"So we can't find her."
"Not for now, but I'll keep looking."
"Wait a sec," Nell interjected. "I may have something."
"What do you have Nell?" Callen wanted to know.
"At one of known addresses of them the police just reported a shootout," Nell spoke as she put the message up on the screen.
"She's fast," Deeks stated.
"Fast and dangerous," Kensi added.
"Like I said, she's a lot look you," Sam told Callen and Callen gave him a look, but he knew it was true.
"We'll go check it out. Eric, Nell, keep trying to look for her."
20 minutes later the agents were at the address. LAPD was already there.
"NCIS," Callen said as he showed his badge.
"NCIS? Why is NCIS involved in this?"
"The guys who were killed here are part of a group we're tracking."
"Ah okay. Well it's pretty much a war zone in there. Like a gang shootout."
Callen had to grimace a bit as he thought that Marisa did this.
"Agent Callen," one of the LAPD officers called.
"That's me," Callen said as he turned around.
"Found this inside. It says it for you," the officer said as he handed the piece of paper to Callen.
"It's an address," Callen stated as he read what was on the paper.
"Could be the address where Marisa is going next," Sam stated.
"Kensi, Deeks, stay here, see what you can find. Sam and I will go check out this address."
20 minutes later Sam pulled up to the address.
….
Marisa arrived at the address. His car was in the driveway. Marisa checked her gun and loaded the guns she had taken from the previous house. She bandaged her wound on her arm before she got out of the car. She hesitated for a moment; in there were the people who killed her mother and her adoptive parents. Was she okay to do this? She didn't have a choice, those people killed the people that she loved. She had to do this, she couldn't risk them coming after her or Callen.
Marisa climbed in the tree next to the house. She walked via a branch to the balcony. Once she was on the balcony she opened the door. No one was in the bedroom. She opened the door and peeked out to see if the hallway was clear. Quietly she walked through the hallway towards the stairs. She got down low and peeked through the railing to see who was downstairs. She counted 6.
"Piece of cake," Marisa quietly said to herself.
Marisa checked both of the guns she had. Both fully loaded. She walked down the stairs quietly, careful not to be noticed. She got down and stood against the wall between the hallway and the living room. She walked to the kitchen and she set off the smoke alarm.
"Pedro, ve a ver lo que está pasando[Pedro, go see what's going on]," Luis spoke.
Perdro walked into the kitchen. Marisa was waiting for him. Just as Pedro had turned the alarm off Marisa jumped him from behind and put a choke hold on him. Once he was out cold she put him on the floor.
"Pedro, Que pasa? Pedro?!" There was no answer so Luis sent another in. A little later the man walked out with his hands up. "Javi, que pasa?"
"House call," Marisa spoke as she showed herself.
"Marisa Gonzalez. Nice to see you."
"I would say the same but I wouldn't mean it," Marisa replied as she held her gun at him. His guards wanted grab their guns.
"Está bien," Luis said and the men left their weapons in their holsters.
"You've got a lot of nerve showing up here Marisa."
"You killed my parents."
"Just a little misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?! You tracked me down through my adoptive parents and you killed them!" Marisa spoke in anger.
"We needed to find you. We couldn't risk you coming after us."
"Well now you got me and only one of us is gonna walk away from this and that won't be you."
Luis had to laugh at that statement. "Look around you Marisa, you're outnumbered."
"You didn't think I came unprepared did you?"
"So where is your backup then? I don't see anyone."
"Who said I have backup?"
Marisa pulled out something from her pocket and threw it in the direction of Luis and she quickly dove away. Luis and the others dove away too. It was a small grenade that exploded. After it exploded Marisa moved back into the room and started shooting. She was shooting with 2 guns, 1 in each hand. She was too busy shooting that she hadn't noticed that she had been hit.
….
Sam pulled up to the house and they heard a lot of gunfire. They quickly pulled out their guns and moved towards the house. They moved in through the front door. Callen immediately saw Marisa and he saw that she was hurt. He tried to go to her but bullets were flying everywhere. He and Sam quickly duck behind the couch. Despite that she was injured Marisa still fired bullets. Marisa saw Luis trying to make a run for it. She went after him. Callen saw Marisa going after him.
"Sam, cover me, I'm going after Marisa," Callen spoke.
Sam covered him and Callen made a run for it.
Marisa ran after Luis. Luis ran into a dead alley way.
"It's over Luis!" Marisa yelled as she stopped and aimed her gun at him.
Luis sighed but didn't turn around. Marisa kept his gun at him.
"You're gonna pay for what you did! You killed my mom, my adoptive mom and my adoptive dad. I'm not gonna let you hurt anyone anymore. It's over. Give yourself up or you'll have a body full of bullet holes."
Marisa tried to keep her stance but the bullet hole in her abdomen made it hard for her to stand still and up. In a flash Luis turned around and shot at Marisa, hitting her in her abdomen as well. Marisa fell onto the floor but not before she managed to get a couple of shots off at Luis.
Callen saw what happened and he ran even faster. Luis was hurt but he was still standing. Callen saw him aiming his gun at Marisa who was lying on the floor.
"Hey," Callen shouted, startling Luis.
Before Luis could do anything Callen fired his gun at him. He hit him in the chest, causing Luis to fall backwards. He wasn't dead yet. Marisa saw him lying on the floor and he looked at her. Marisa grabbed her gun and shot him in the face. Marisa sighed as she saw the life draining out of Luis. Callen cleared him off his gun and made sure that he was dead. After checking he quickly went to Marisa.
"Eric, we need an ambulance. Marisa has been shot."
"On it's way."
"Come on Marisa stay with me," Callen pleaded as he held his bleeding daughter. He used his hands to stop the bleeding.
"Dad," Marisa's faint voice spoke. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay Marisa. You're gonna be okay. Just stay with me."
Just before the ambulance arrived Marisa passed out.
"Marisa! Stay with me!"
Callen stepped aside so the paramedics could do their job. In the meantime Sam had joined them too.
"How is she G?"
"She's been shot twice in her abdomen," Callen spoke sadly and worried.
"What about Luis?"
"Dead," Callen replied, this time with a bit more anger in his voice.
"She's gonna be fine G. She's got your strength."
"She better be, otherwise I'm gonna revive him and kill him again."
The paramedics loaded Marisa into the ambulance.
"You wanna come with us sir?" One of the paramedics asked Callen and Callen looked at Sam.
"Go G, I've got it covered here."
"Thanks Sam."
Callen quickly got into the ambulance and they drove to the hospital. Callen hoped Marisa would be alright, he couldn't lose her. At least the bastard who did this to her and to her family was dead. Once they were at the hospital Marisa was taken into surgery. Callen sat down in one of the chairs in the waiting room and buried his face in his hands.
"How is she?" Callen heard Hetty's voice and Callen looked up.
"She's been shot twice in the abdomen, she's in surgery now. Don't know how she is. She lost some blood."
"Well at least you caught the man responsible for this all."
"Yes we did. I can believe she went after him by herself."
"What can I say? She's definitely your daughter."
"Yeah she is. She can be pretty stubborn sometimes."
"I'm sure she's gonna be alright Mr. Callen. She's strong, just like you."
"I hope so."
"Did she leave anyone alive?"
"Nope, they are all dead. Sam's taking care of the scene."
"Good. I'm sure Ms. Mathews will be alright. Mr. and Mrs. Mathews have been transferred to Dr. Schwartz's morgue."
"Thank you Hetty."
"Hang in there Mr. Callen," Hetty said as she put a comforting hand on Callen's shoulder.
"Thanks Hetty."
Hetty went back to the office and Callen waited for Marisa to come out of surgery. About an hour and a half later Marisa was out of surgery.
"How is she doctor?" Callen asked when he saw her doctor.
"She lost a lot of blood. One of the bullets perforated her stomach but we were able to repair the damage. She's in ICU now. The injuries she already had only made it worse. She's gonna have to rest for a few weeks now."
"Thank you doctor, I'll make sure she does. Can I see her?"
"Of course, this way." The doctor led Callen to Marisa's room. "She's still unconscious but she should wake up soon."
Callen walked into the room and saw her lying unconscious on the bed. Some IV's where attached to here and he heard the beeping of a heart monitor. She looked pale lying in the hospital bed.
"You can stay here with her. I'll be back later to check on her."
"Thank you doctor."
Callen sat down on the chair next to her bed and he grabbed her hand.
"Why did you have to go after him by yourself, why couldn't you let us handle this? I know you wanted to get him, but you should've trusted us to get him. It was pretty stupid of you to go after him by yourself. You could've been hurt more seriously. I don't wanna lose you too."
Callen bowed his head down and he could feel his eyes tearing up.
"You're not gonna lose me, dad," Marisa's faint voice sounded across the room and Callen looked up.
"Hey, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"I've been better. I'm sorry for going after them. With everything that happened I needed to catch them."
"I know, but you were too weak to go out on your own. You should've trusted us."
"I know, but I was just so mad at him. But I left you a note so you know where I was."
"Yes you did, that was a smart move. But what if we hadn't gotten there on time, I could have lost you."
"I know dad, I'm sorry. I'll try not to do it the next time."
"Well let's hope there won't be a next time."
"Let's."
"You just rest up, I'm gonna go give Sam a call."
Marisa nodded and closed her eyes again. Callen let go of her hand and stepped outside to update Sam. A little later Callen came back into the room.
"What about my mom and dad?"
"They are at Rose's morgue. Rose would clean them up."
Marisa nodded and she felt the tears falling down her face. Callen sat down next to her on the bed and pulled her in for a hug.
"It's okay Marisa, it's gonna be alright. You let is out."
Marisa sobbed even harder and the tears were now flowing heavily down her face. It was like everything that happened lately was coming out now. Callen stroked her back, trying to calm her down.
"I can't believe that they are gone."
"I know it's hard, but it's gonna get better, I promise. I'm gonna be there whenever you need me. You're not alone in this."
"I'm glad they didn't get you too."
"And I'm glad they didn't get you. I don't know what I would do without you."
"Thanks for everything dad."
"You're welcome sweetie."
"I love you dad."
"I love you too. It's gonna be alright. We're gonna get past this."
Callen held Marisa as she sobbed until she had fallen asleep. He felt so bad for her. At least she was still alive. He would do anything to help her get through the loss of her parents. At least the people who killed them and her mother were dead now. As Callen sat there with Marisa in his arms he tried to remember her mother. It was a long time ago and they were only together shortly. But he remembered what she looked like, the sound of her laugh, the way her hair smelled. He saw a lot of her in Marisa. He thought if he hadn't had to leave then she maybe would be alive and he could've been there to watch his little girl grow up.
…..
A week later Marisa was discharged from the hospital, she still had to recover at home for 4 weeks. During her recovery she stayed at Callen's house. Callen had gotten some furniture after he had found out about her and she had her own room at Callen's house. Today was the funeral. Callen had made arrangement for the funeral together with Marisa while Marisa was in the hospital.
"You ready Marisa?" Callen asked as he walked into Marisa's room. Marisa was staring out of the window so Callen walked up to her. "Marisa we have to go, it's time."
"I don't wanna go. I don't know if I can handle it," Marisa spoke sadly.
"It's gonna be alright, I'll be there if you need me."
Marisa turned around and lay her head down on Callen's shoulder and sobbed. Callen put his arms around her.
"I don't wanna say goodbye to them, I wish they were still here."
"I know, I know. This is always hard, burying people that you love. But you're not alone. You've still got me and the rest of the team. We are all here for you if you need us."
Marisa got back up and wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Thanks dad."
"Come one let's go."
Callen, Marisa and the rest of the team sat on the front row in the chapel. There were some friends of her parents and some aunts and uncles of Marisa, but she hardly knew them.
Both coffins were brought in, everybody stood up. They servants brought the coffins in. In front of the coffins was the minister. Marisa cried as the coffins were brought in. Callen put a comforting arm around her. On the other side of Marisa sat Kensi, she did the same. The minister bowed as the coffins were put in their place. As the minister stepped upon the stage everyone sat down.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord," the minister spoke. "We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of Richard and Julie Mathews, two wonderful people. They were always friendly to everyone and everyone loved them. Their generous heart was shown as they took in a child that was given up for adoption. They raised and loved her like she was her own." At that Marisa sobbed even harder. "It is tragic that people such as this have been taken from us too soon. They will always be with us and will always be in our heart." The minister lit the mourning candle on the stage.
Marisa and Callen stepped up. The minister gave them each a burning candle stick. The minister read 6 poems, after each poem Callen or Marisa lit the candles that were standing around the coffins. After that Callen sat back down and Marisa stood behind the microphone.
Marisa took a deep breath before she spoke.
"Mom, dad, I'm so sorry that this had to happen to you. You were so sweet, you didn't deserve this. I was only a few months old when you took me in. I will be forever grateful for that. Even now that I found my birth father," Marisa spoke and she looked at Callen. "You will always be my parents, the people that raised me. I will always love you and you will always be in my heart. I will never ever forget you. Thank you for everything that you've done for me," Marisa was crying as she said that.
She walked back to her seat and sat down. Callen pulled her in for a hug and gave her a soft kiss on her head.
"You did good. I'm sure they loved it."
"Julie and Richard will always be us. They have gone up to the heaven now and they will always look down at us. The feelings that we have for them will always be with us and we will never forget them. As life is a day, so our mother and father have passed into night. Nothing is final, and we who remain behind know that one day, we will once again be reunited with them. O' blessed spirits, we bid you farewell, for you await a new destiny."
The minister walked to the candles and blew them out one by one. Marisa had her head on Callen's shoulder and she sobbed harder with every candle that was blown out. Once all the candles were blown out the servants came and took the coffins. The flowers that were laid by the coffins were handed off to different people. Callen and Marisa each carried a bouquet that they had picked out. The coffins where carried outside and they walked around the church to the cemetery. They walked towards they graves. They had graves next to each other. The servants placed the coffins above the grave. Callen, Marisa and the rest of the team stood beside the graves while the others paid their respects and some of them put flowers by the grave. Callen and Marisa were the last ones the pay respect. Marisa got down on her knees.
"Bye mom and dad, I will always love you."
Callen got down next to her. "Thank you for everything that you've done for Marisa. I've only known you for a short while, but you are very wonderful people. Marisa was lucky to have parents like you. I promise that I will take good care off her and that I will help her get through this."
Together they stood up and they walked back to the others. They went to a small hall where they had some coffee and sandwiches. Everyone came to offer their condolences to Marisa. By the time she was home she was worn out.
"I'm just gonna lay in bed for a while," Marisa spoke.
"That's fine. Let me know if you need something."
"I will." Marisa walked up to Callen and gave him a hug. "Thank you for being there for me."
"You're welcome."
Marisa walked to her bedroom and lay down on the bed. She looked at the night stand, where a pic of her and her parents stood.
Callen was in the kitchen when he heard a loud noise.