As Hetty walked into the room, she saw the teenager lying with her back to the door. It was crazy to think this girl went through so much, yet here she is. There were so many agencies waiting in line to talk to her and she's going to make damn sure they don't rip her apart.

"Good morning, Emma-Grace. I'm Ms. Lange, nurse Maisy called me. How are you feeling?" Hetty asked as she took a seat.

Emma-Grace turned slowly to look at the old lady sitting in the same chair her father sat in a few minutes before. Her father… never did she even think she'll meet either of her parents. And now they were in the same city at the same time.

"If you don't mind Ms. Lange, I'm feeling tired. Can you come back later?" Emma whispered.

"Well, that is understandable. You just found out your home is gone, the person you saw as a mother is dead and you have a father. All in one day… talk about a lot of information at once." Hetty said. "But Emma, if you give me a few minutes I can explain as much as possible and then you can rest."

"What if I don't like what you have to say?" Emma said.

"Well, then my dear we'll just have to take it day by day until you trust us."

"Who is this 'us' you keep talking about" Emma said a bit confused.

"Well, you see me and my team we're a family. And you are now part of that family and we always take care of each other."

"And what if I don't want to be part of your family?" Emma said looking down.

"That is a problem but we'll still be on your side and ensure you are taken care of."

"I don't think you want me part of your family." Emma said while she wiped a tear away.

"You my dear are going to find out that this family doesn't judge and we're a bunch of misfits anyway. To tell you the truth, you will fit perfectly with this family." Hetty said with a smile.

Emma-Grace looked up and for the first time she smiled. This little lady was giving her a chance to change, which is what she had wanted for so long. Someone to tell her that she is worth saving and that she isn't just a slut but someone who deserves to be loved. A few minutes passed before she asked the question she's been dying to ask.

"Do you know who my mom is?" Emma asked.

"From what I've learned about her, she worked for the CIA and met Callen when he was undercover. She got pregnant and hid it well for a bit but then had to run when you were born. You were only a few weeks old when she knew that that wasn't the life she wanted you to have so she decided to take you to the same church her mother took her to when she didn't want her. That's where Olga found you and I think that is where she found a way out."

"What do you mean?"

"Olga worked for a family called Comescu. Did Olga ever mention 'Russian Dolls'?"

Emma just shook her head no.

"They send girls over from Russia and Olga was their handler here in the US. They come over, get an education then get introduced to people with something to lose and we're not talking about their money. What we can't figure out is what happens to the girls after they come to the US."

"They go to the docks." Emma whispered.

"The docks?" Callen asked as he walked into the room with lunch.

"I don't know anything about this 'Russian Doll' thing but every two years, four girls come over to the US to work as nannies. They live with us at the house and come and go to work but once a week Olga would call them in and have a 'meeting'. That's what she called it. They would close the door so I couldn't hear or she'll make sure I have… I have uhm." Emma started but she paused.

"She made sure you had a 'friend' over or went out for dinner with a 'friend'?" Hetty said.

Emma shook her head yes. "They would go to these parties once a week and some of the girls would come back but the others, I only saw them when they came to get their stuff. They would always be happy and say they had found their American dream. I would always be so jealous of them, they get to leave and I had to stay behind to be sold off to her rich friends."

"Emma, do you want to stop for a bit?" Callen asked.

"She never cared if I came home with a black eye or bruise all over my body. She would just run me a bath, wash my hair, and keep saying, 'it's okay, it will get better, but it never got better. It just got worse and then one day I walked in on her and JJ fighting about all the bruises on my body. He told her that he paid her enough money for me and that I shouldn't have to be with anyone else. He said I belonged to him and if he sees one more bruise on my body, he'll take me and she'll never see another penny out of him." Emma sobbed.

"JJ is Joan-Jacques Phillips?" Hetty asked.

"He started coming around when I was about 8. Normally he just wanted me to lay next to him in bed but the older I got the more it became less just lying there and more touching. When I was 12 … he… raped me for the first time. When he was done, I went to take a shower and just scrubbed so hard but the feeling of him didn't go away."

"Emma…" Hetty started but Emma just went on.

"After that, he would invite friends over and they would pay him to do whatever they wanted to me and he just sat there, watching these men do god knows what to me. He just sat there and did nothing." Emma swatted a tear away angry. "No matter how many times I scrubbed, I could still feel them on my skin. After a while I just became numb… every time they started to touch me, I would zone out. Pretend that I'm somewhere else, where nobody can hurt me, touch me or do whatever they want with me. A place where people actually see me as human and not just some doll they can play with. Sometimes while in class I would pretend that when I was done with school, I could move anywhere I wanted. Away from Olga, JJ, and everyone that hurt me."

Callen got on the bed and moved her over. He wishes he could make everything better but no words can ever take back what she's been through. He just held her till he could feel her relax a bit and she cried herself out.

"I promise you that nothing and I mean nothing will ever hurt you again. You will be safe with us because you are now part of our family. We'll be there while you work through everything and heal up. I know it's going to take time for you to trust us and it will come in time so for now… let's get you fed and then you can take a nap."

"That sounds good." Emma said as she started to move to sit up.

"While you two eat, I think I'm going talk to the doctor and see when you'll be released."

Callen and Emma sat in silence while they ate their lunch but when everything was packed away, Emma settled in to take a nap.

"Would you stay with me for a bit?" Emma asked while looking down.

"You don't even have to ask. I'll be on my couch." Callen said with a smile.

It didn't take Emma long to fall asleep but all Callen could do was stare at her. She looks like Galina or Grace as he knew her. Strawberry blond hair and a smile to die for but the rest was all him. Her eyes were a bit lighter than his but there was no mistaking who she belonged to.

"She asleep?" Hetty asked.

"Yes, I'm going to let her sleep for a bit. Don't want to overdo it and make things worse."

"That sounds like something her father would say."

"She's mine and she's now part of this family. She's your granddaughter if that is what you want to be."

"As I said years ago, you're like the son I never had." She said, "but there is now why she's calling me grandmother."

"We'll work something out." Callen said with a smile.

"I want to know what we're going to do with her when she's released for here."

"Kensi's mom is a foster parent and with Zach out of the house, she's been volunteering with kids from physical and sexually abused homes. She offered to take Emma if that was what she wanted. I know she's a ward of the state and in NCIS care but I think she'll be more comfortable with Julia while we get to know each other."

"It sounds like you put some thought into it."

"I have and I just want what is best for her. And besides who doesn't like Julia?"

"May I suggest something?"
"Of course."

"There's a place in Malibu that help young girls who've been in the same situation as Emma. They have a program that I think Emma would benefit from. And they can help us understand better how we can help her in the future. It's just for two weeks and we can go visit her when they allow it and then after the two weeks, she can move in with Ms. Feldman."

"Sounds like you put some thought into it?"

"I want what is best for her, just like I do with you and the team. She will still need to attend school and for now, the school will allow her to do that from home. Once she is ready to go back, we'll balance her day with school and work."

"Work?" Callen asked.

"Director Vance made her Ms. Jones's new assistant."

"I didn't know Nell needed an assistant." Callen said with a smirk.

"Well, we can always use the extra help in the office and she fits perfectly."

"Something tells me you know something I don't know."

"Emma-Grace is a perfectionist and might suffer from OCD."

"How do you know?"

"Because that little girl kept a diary for every day she lived in Olga's house. And she wrote down everything she could without getting caught."

"Where do you think she put those diaries? And who else knows about them?" Callen asked.

"I had Ms. Jones look through Emma's clothes on the day she was taken. Emma wore a necklace with St. Nicholas on it and on that same necklace was a small key. That key opens a locker in the library, a locker in the reserve section. A section Emma-Grace spends a lot of time in and guesses what… Daniil couldn't go to that part of the library because he's not a student. See Mr. Callen, Olga thought that sending Emma away or setting her up with her friends she could get away with everything, but Emma was one step ahead of Olga. See while Olga didn't talk, her friends and the girls did. Our Emma made mental notes and when she was in that section of the library, where she knows nobody can see, she wrote it down."

"I wonder where she gets it from?"

"I have an idea where she gets it from and if she's anything like her father, we at NCIS will have to make sure we keep an eye on her."

"I don't know how I feel about her joining NCIS. But that's all up to her and what she wants. But what are you going to do about her diaries?"

"NCIS will go through it and pass what we find to the respected agencies. It will save her from telling her story repeatedly. She might need to testify at court but I think we can handle that if that comes up."

"The next couple of months are going to be trying for her but she has her family with her. When did the doctor say she can get out of this place?"

"She going to keep her here for a few more days then she's ours." Hetty said as she saw Emma beginning to wake up. "I'll leave you two to talk. I have a few phone calls to make. Tell her I'll come and see her tomorrow."

"Will do and Hetty, thank you for everything." Callen said.

Hetty was out the door before Emma woke up but she saw Callen and smiled at him.

"Welcome back." Callen said with a smile.

"You stayed?"

"I told you I would."

"Thanks for being here with me."

"I'm not going anywhere. Can I get you something to drink or eat?"

"I'm good with just water for now. Did you take my glasses?"

"Here." Callen handed it to her. "Well, if you need anything just ask okay."

"Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Ask away. I'll answer them the best I can."

"What's your first name?"

"I don't know my first name but everyone calls me G."

"How can you not know your first name?"

"Well, when I was a young boy, my mom was killed while me and my sister played on a beach in Romania. We were brought back to the US and were left in foster care. They separated us from each other and we never saw each other. All I could remember about that day, was that my mom called me G so that's what people kept calling me."

"So, you were in foster care?"

"I was. I never stayed in one house long enough to feel like I was part of a family. That's why my NCIS family is so important to me. I'm still figuring out who I am but I was thinking we can figure out who we are together. What do you think of that?"

"I think that would be nice."

"Emma-Grace… you're named after your mother's undercover name."

"Really?"

"I knew her as Grace when we met."

"It's nice to know I have some tie to her."

"Well, you have her hair colour and my eyes… yours is just lighter. And you wear glasses."

"Olga never let me wear them when I was with clients. Only when I was in school and at home. Everything had to be perfect in her world and glasses didn't fit her mould."

"You are perfect in every way and if you like wearing them, you should."

"What's going to happen to me when I get out of here?"

"You are now in NCIS's care, meaning you get to stay with us. Hetty suggested what I think will be a good thing for you."

"Okay, what's that?"

"There's a place in Malibu that works with girls that have been through the same things you went through. It will only be for two weeks and I can come to visit you when they allow it. They will help you work through everything and then help us to help you move on. Ways we can help you get through this because to be honest, I don't know how to help you but I want to."

"And after the two weeks?"

"Well, you're going to love this. Kensi's mom is a foster mother and she offered for you to live with her while we get to know each other. I didn't know if you would want to live with me so it's up to you want you to want to do."

"If you trust her, I would like to stay with her and get to know you better. And then we can take it one day at a time before you have a weird teenager in your house."

"I think that's a perfect idea. See you're making dissections for yourself, which I like. Emma-Grace, you are not in Olga's world anymore. You are free to do what you want, whenever you want. But let us know where you are so we can ensure you're safe. The only rules you have to follow, are the rules Julia makes for her house."

"I think I need to know who these 'us' you and Hetty keep talking about are."

Just then Callen's phone started to ring.

"What's up big guy?"

"We're here. Is she for a quick visit?"

"Hold on a second." Callen said, "Emma, the 'us' wants to say hi. Up for visitors?"

"Okay, I'm not good with new people but sure why not."

"You know what room?"

"You mean this one?" Sam said as he walked in.

"And what would you have done if she said no?" Callen said as he hung up.

"We would have lied and said we're nurses." Deeks said.

"Let's not teach her to how to lie, please." Callen said.

"Whatever you say, dad." Sam said. "Hi, I'm Sam Hanna." Sam said as she shook Emma's hand.

"Kensi Blye." Kensi said next.

"Marty Deeks. Nice seeing you again without the blood around you."

"Nice, Deeks. You had to remind her about the day she got shot." Kensi said after hitting him in the arm.

"What? It was a joke."

"So, you're the optimist?" Emma said with a smile.

"He's something all right." Sam said.

"Hey, the lady just got shot. I wanted to make sure when she woke up in the middle of the night, she had something to drink or eat."

"Wouldn't it be cold and stale by then?" Kensi asked. "And coffee that late at night. Didn't think of that did you?"

"Thank you for that but I don't drink coffee. It makes me hyper and sleepy at the same time." Emma said.

"Do I want to know how that feels?" Callen said. Emma just shook her head no. "Where's Nell and Eric?"

"They said something about Xbox games or Zelda, I can't remember." Kensi said.

"Okay, well they can meet her later."

"Who's Nell and Eric?" Emma asked.

"We just call them the wonder twins." Deeks said.

"I have a feeling I need to meet a few more people in the future."

"Only a few but we can do that on your own time." Callen said.

The group stayed for a bit longer before nurse Maisy came in to tell them that Emma needed her beauty sleep, not that she needed it she said with a wink.

"Okay, I need to head home. Michelle and Kam's back from camping. I need to make sure my tent is still in one piece. I'll see you again soon, Emma-Grace."

"Sounds good. It was nice meeting you Mr. Hanna."

"Sam. You can call me Sam."

"Okay, Sam."

"I need to feed this monster before she gets hangry on me." Deeks said pointing to Kensi.

"Hey, not fair. I've been listening to your stomach growl for the past hour." Kensi said as she was putting on her jacket.

"Whatever floats your boat, Fern."

"Night Emma, G." Kensi said as she passed them.

"Night Pixie. I'll see you around." Deeks said as he walked out.

"Pixie?" Emma asked as she looked at Callen.

"Deeks has this habit of calling people different names that he finds funny." Callen explained.

"Are they always like this?"

"You mean crazy, loud and never a dull moment." Callen said as he sat down to take off his shoes. Emma just shook her head yes. "That's why we work so well together."

"You taking your shoes off, means you're going to sleep here again?" Emma asked.

"Is it okay if I sleep here again tonight?"

"It's okay with me. I just need to use the bathroom and see if I can find a toothbrush. I can smell my own breath."

"I think Nell packed a few things and put them in there for you. Do you need help getting in there?"

"I think I can manage but thank you."

Emma finally looked at herself in the mirror as she walked into the bathroom. She still had some bruising but that was fading away. She still wore the brace and the doctor said she needed to wear it as long as possible. Taking off the hospital gown, she looked at her torso. First touching the wound on her shoulder and then moved down towards the one on her hip and then finally to the one on her leg. Her ribs still hurt a bit when she moved wrong but she's had worse. Opening the drawer, she saw someone had placed a toiletry bag, a set of clothes and a set of PJs in there for her. On top of the pile, laid her necklace. She picked it up and looked at it and the tears started to fall. Sliding down the wall, she let out the tears she never dared fall because if they saw her, they would have thought her weak. But now she let them fall because she finally felt safe. She felt like she had a future and that she was finally human.