Don't own anything.
"How's Emma doing in Virginia?" Sam said as they walked into OPS.
"She's enjoying it but not sure if she wants to end up there. I think it's just overwhelming since this is her first trip outside of California." Callen said as he dropped his bag by his desk and walked over to get some coffee.
"All right! This is it, this is the perfect kid. I found him." Deeks said in his over-excited voice.
"He is pretty cute." Kensi said as she looked over his shoulder at the picture of a boy who looked just like Deeks.
"Sam, you see that?"
"What's that, your first mug shot, Deeks." Sam said as he sat down and took his laptop out of his bag.
"Oh, you mean because he got style by pillow hair and he's smirking?" Deeks said as he looked closer at the picture on the laptop. "That does kind of look like me." Deeks looks a bit confused.
"Deeks has signed up for a mentoring program." Kensi said with pride in her voice.
"Ah, that's commendable." Callen said as he looked at the picture, then up to Deeks.
"Please." Sam said, shaking his head.
"Yeah, I get to spend every weekend with him." Deeks said.
"Yeah, you could use the supervision." Sam said to Deeks with a smile.
"Listen to his likes: surfing, fish tacos and wait for it... the Three Stooges. And his dislikes are rules and socks. And now I'm going to be a role model. I'm, like, start you know, shaping his life." Deeks said.
"You're gonna shape his life?" Sam said.
"Yeah." Deeks said.
"So he'll be stuck in perpetual adolescence." Sam replied.
"No, I think Deeks has a few things to teach this kid." Callen said as he looked at his laptop.
"Thank you." Deeks said towards Callen.
"Really? Such as?" Sam asked Callen.
"Such as expanding his cultural horizons." Kensi said.
"Oh, yeah, what kids wouldn't want to play Grand Theft Auto V and paused reruns of Baywatch?" Sam said.
Everybody laughed after he said that.
"You know what?" Deeks said, "you make fun all you want, but I'm stoked. And in all reality, this is like, uh, you know, it's like a precursor to being a father."
"What?" Sam asked.
"Well, there's a start." Callen said before he looked down again. Kensi just shook her head in disbelief and started walking toward her desk.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down, guys. It's nice that you're trying to help. But it's one thing talking about parenting, but actual parenting is different." Sam started to explain.
"Kamran having some cellphone problems again?" Callen asked Sam.
"You will never know how hard it is to raise a child from baby to adult. Emma-Grace was past the baby, toddler and pre-teen years when you got her. And have you really thought about this?"
"What makes you think I've ruled out that possibility of having more kids?" Callen asked. Kensi just turned to him with a look of shock. Sam's eyes went wild and Deeks was like the child in the back of the classroom trying to catch up with what the cool kids were talking about.
"Seriously? You want another one?" Kensi finally said.
"What?" Callen said. "I'm still young enough. Joelle and I have got things back on track. You never know and maybe Emma would like to have a sibling."
Sam just giggled, "Little lower-case G's running around?" Sam laughed. "Look, I know you have Emma but before you start with raising a young child, start slow."
"Uh-huh. How so?" Callen asked.
"Get a plant. If that lives, get a pet. One without a central nervous system, like a jellyfish."
"A jellyfish?"
"A jellyfish." Kensi smiled.
"You know you could always ask Emma if you could borrow Rosie and Violet to practice on." Deeks said with a giggle.
"Yeah, that wouldn't work. She loves those fish, and I'll be dead if I kill them." Callen said.
Just then Eric blows a whistle to get their attention. "Guys, we have a case. Let's go."
After Nell and Eric informed them about the case, they split up and went to work. As Sam and Callen were walking to talk to the homeless man who might have seen the getaway car, they continued their talk about having kids.
"Lots of people are in love with the idea of having kids, but most have no idea what they're getting into."
"Did you and Michelle?" Callen asked Sam.
"I mean, we thought we did. Read books, we took classes…"
"Did it help?"
"Hell no."
Callen just laughed. "I know what you mean. Even though I got Emma-Grace when she was older, I still worry that I'm doing the right things with her."
"You know I was messing with you this morning about getting her when she could take care of herself, right?"
"I know but it's also true. I'm playing catch up with her and that scares me. I don't want her to feel she wasn't enough for me when I have another child."
"I know that feeling. We had Aiden and waited with Kam but we still worried he would feel left out. But he surprised us and took on the role of big brother. Like I said, take it slow. Start with more furniture for the house, have Emma stay with you some weekends and see how you guys do with that. Then you can think about more kids." Sam said as they got closer to the man they were looking for.
"That sounds like a plan I can follow." Callen said.
Emma loved her time at BAU. It was different and she liked that she could practically use what she learned in books. She was still learning to use technology to help you with everyday practice but for her, following your gut was the way she liked best. Meeting all the people in the same field as she was something she got used to within the first week there. She promised Julia and Kensi that she'd try not to be so closed off with new people. And it just happened that she was happy to finally find her group of people, outside of the centre and OPS, that she could talk to and hear their opinion about what she's learned. She still had a couple of days left and then Callen said he'd meet her and then they could make a road trip back to LA. She already had a list of things and places she wanted to see and do. Many of the people in the program offered advice and the places that were a must-see, so making a list was the best way she could keep up. Emma realized that the more she learned at the FBI, the more she reflected on her past and understood why Olga and Daniil did what they did. How sick the whole thing was and that she was really just a pawn in a game they created for themselves. Being around people who work with serial killers and serial sex offenders every day, she realized how lucky she was that she escaped that life. Going through all files and videos she had to study in the program, she had to remind herself to breathe and focus because she was the voice for the victims. It also made her feel guilty because she had people around her who helped her get the right help and others were left to fend for themselves. Emma promised to help as many people as possible, even if it was just to check in and see how they were holding up. She wasn't ready to talk about her past with people she didn't know well enough, but with her family, she spoke freely about it. They knew she had nightmares and Julia saw them the most but they were also slowly fading away.
"Hey, Emma. Are you done with these files?" Brian asked as he stood by her desk.
"I am, thank you. I just need to finish typing my notes, then we can close this box too."
"That's awesome. Two days early!" Brian said with a high five. "We make a great team."
"That we do, partner." Emma said with a laugh.
"Maybe we can get the FBI to take as both, make it like a package deal."
"Not sure you want to wait for me to be old enough before you start working for the FBI."
"Two more years, my dear. Then you can join them too."
"You're going to make a great agent."
Brian reminded her of Zach; she knew he was one of the people she would keep in touch with when she left. Brian told her about his boyfriend back in Alabama and how he couldn't wait to see him again. This was the longest they've been apart from each other, so it was a big step for their relationship. After she finished with the file, Brian helped her pack everything away and they headed to grab dinner. Some of the other group members were already in the mess hall when they walked in.
"Hey Emma, how many times did you read your report over this time?" Alex asked with a laugh.
"The same number of girls you've hooked up with on this trip. So that will be like what… one." Emma said as she rolled her eyes and dropped her backpack at the table.
"Meow meow…" Ella said as she laughed with the group.
"Emma-Grace, you are a different breed of woman. You know how to crush a man's soul." Mia said.
"What can I say? Some Casanova's needs to come back to earth now and again." Emma said as she walked towards the food area.
"I like her." Alex said to his buddy next to him.
"She's too young for you, ass hat." Brian said as he got up.
When Emma sat down, the group started talking about what they would get up to before they started their last year at school.
"Emma, what are you up to when you leave here?" Mia asked as she finished her drink.
"My dad's meeting me here and then we're doing a road trip back to LA." Emma said as she finished her dinner.
"What do your parents do for a living?" Brian asked her.
"My dad works for a security company and my mom passed away shortly after my birth." Emma said with a sad smile.
"I'm sorry to hear that. Luckily you have your dad." Mia said as some of the group excused themselves to get ready to hit the nightclubs again.
"I'm a lucky girl. My dad has a wonderful work family and they're our family." Emma said when she thought about the team.
"Family doesn't always need to be blood." Brian said and Emma could see how sad he became.
Emma knew that Brian's family disapproved of his relationship with a man and Emma couldn't imagine not having the support of her family, for who she chose to love.
"It must be hard for you." Emma said to Brian while they were walking back to the rooms they'd been staying in.
"Sometimes it is but other times I'm glad I have Travis and his family."
"You make your own little family and that's all that matters." Emma said as she bumped his shoulder.
"He's an amazing guy and so is his mom. She's the one who took me in and she's been there through everything. I know he would like to meet you. Maybe one day we can come to visit you in LA. I know it's on his bucket list but we'll have to do that when I'm done with school and we need to save up for that." Brian said with a smile as they walked into her room.
"That would be great. I can show you around and show you all my favourite spots. Do you want some tea?" Emma asked, holding up a mug for him.
"That would be great, thanks. So enough about my love life… I want to know about yours." Brian said with a smile.
"No-existing. With my foster family, I wasn't allowed to date and I don't think I'm ready for that yet." Emma said as poured the water into the mugs.
"I didn't know you were in foster care?" Brian said as he took the offered mug of tea.
"Yeah, almost 16 years. I didn't meet my dad till last year." Emma said as she got onto the bed with him.
"That's a long time without a parent."
"It is but we found each other and now we're just taking it day by day. Callen grow up in foster care so we have something in common."
"I never thought of not having my parents around. I know they loved me but when I came out, everything changed. And now, I can't imagen my life without Travis' mom." Brian said sadly.
"Look at me." Emma said as she put her mug on the side table. "You are loved. You have a family who is helping you reach your dreams. The way you can pay them back, is to do anything you can to show them that you love them back and that you are there for them when they need you." Emma said as she took his hands in hers.
"You know, for a 16-year-old you are brilliant." Brian said as she wiped a tear away.
"You can thank my dad and our family for that. And you know, I'll have to make sure you hear that every day till you understand that you have people around you, who loves you."
"You should come to Alabama one day to meet them." Brian said as he placed his empty mug on the desk. "Thanks for the tea. I need to check in with Travis before I head to bed. Sleep tight and see you tomorrow morning." Brian got up and hugged Emma.
"Say hi to them from me." Emma said as she walked him to the door.
As soon as she closed the door, she went to wash her face and brush her teeth. She was about to start braiding her hair, when Callen called. After catching up with all that had happened at home and work, Emma said good night and that she'll see him in a couple of days. Callen could hear how happy she was and that was all that mattered to him.
Brian waited for Emma by her door like he did every morning so they could walk to breakfast together.
"Good morning, sunshine." Brian smiled as she came out of her room.
"Good morning, yourself." Emma smiled back. "So, I talked to Callen and he wants to take us out for an early dinner after we're done here."
"That sounds good to me. I will never say no to free dinner."
As they walked into the mess hall, they saw some of the others in their group. Some wore sunglasses and some looked like they hadn't slept in days.
"Crazy night?" Emma asked with a giggle.
"Shh… not so loud." Alex whispered.
Emma and Brian went to join Mia and Yvette at the food station. They just laughed at the bunch at the table who didn't look like they would make it through the day. After breakfast, they went to the classroom to finish the program.
"You guys are the future of the BAU and when you leave here today, carry the high standards you've shown us here with you wherever you go. Make us proud and if you're lucky to join us in the future, keep up the good work." Agent Miller said to the group.
"Finally! Now I can sleep till tomorrow." Alex said, lifting his head off the desk.
"I told you not to do that last shot, man. But you went for it." Nick said with a slap on Alex's back.
"Emma-Grace, can I have a word with you?" Agent Miller said as he walked up to her.
Emma turned to Brian and told him she'd catch up with him in a bit. "Is everything okay?" Emma asked the older agent.
"I just wanted to report back to you on how you did with the program."
"Okay, that sounds bad."
"Not at all. I was wondering what your plans are after you graduate. I know it's a long way away, but I just want to get a general idea of where your heads are."
"I don't know yet. I know NCIS is on the list first and then if I didn't get into FLETC, I would like to try out for the BAU unit."
"That sounds like you already know what you want to do. I would like you to think about what I will say to you next."
"Okay, hit me with it."
"I'm going to put a recommendation in for you to do this program again next year but I want you on the level we normally assess first-year agents on. If you decide to join the BAU, you can join as a Level 1 agent. If you choose to join NCIS, you have some extra training and then you don't have to do this program again with NCIS. How does that sound?"
"That sounds amazing. That would mean a lot to me no matter where I end up."
"You'll make a great agent and from what I hear, it's in your blood." Agent Miller smiled at her.
Emma just looked at him, confused.
"We did a background check, your name came up in relation to Agent G. Callen. I'm assuming he's your father."
"He is and of course you did a background check."
"I also found a report with other agencies about the 'Russian Doll' organization. I read through the reports and your involvement with them." Agent Miller saw Emma starting to panic, "Don't worry, I wouldn't tell anyone and you were cleared by all the agencies involved with the case. So you have nothing to be afraid of, nobody can hold it against you because if it weren't for you, they would have never been caught."
"I just did want I had to, to survive. That's why I want to do this job: to be a voice for those who can speak for themselves."
"And that's what makes a great agent. Just remember that this job can eat you alive. It would help if you found a balance and a way to switch your mind off when you're not working on a case. With us or NCIS."
"That's what everyone keeps on telling me. Thanks for reminding me."
"You're welcome and think about what I said. We would love to have you back next year and maybe after you're done with school. If you join NCIS, we'll probably run into each other when cases overlap." Agent Miller said with his hand stretched out for her to shake.
"Thank you, Agent Miller." Emma said as she shook his hand.
"Go. I know Callen will be here soon. Tell him I say hi and that the next round, is on him."
Emma grabbed her bag and made her way out of the classroom. She got much more out of this program than she thought. She knew she had a lot more thinking to do but now she knew that she could be an agent and strong enough to make a difference in other people's lives and be their voice. It didn't take her long to reach the building with all the rooms and as she got closer, she saw Brian talking to Callen.
"There you are." Brian said with a smile.
"Sorry." Emma said as she hugged Callen.
"Everything okay?" Callen asked.
"Agent Miller wanted to talk to me about my performance in the program." Emma said as they walked up to her room.
"Let me guess, they don't want you to come back." Brian laughed.
"Actually, I've been invited back next year." Emma said as she packed her toiletry bag and added it to her bag before closing it.
"That's great, Em." Brian said with a hug.
"And it looks like you might see me when I come back and you're doing your training." Emma said as she handed her bag to Callen.
"It sounds like you two have the future all mapped out." Callen said as he followed them to the car.
"I'm still working on mine but you're looking at the future Agent Brian Gauntlette." Emma said as she bumped Brian's arm.
"Well future Agent Gauntlette, it's nice to meet you." Callen said with a smile before he opened Emma's door for her.
The three headed to the restaurant and they had a wonderful time. Callen could see Emma made a new friend and he'll ensure she kept in touch with Brian. Callen liked Brian and he could see he had already stepped into as the big brother for Emma, so he knew she'd be okay. It amazed him how fast she opened up to Brian but he could see why. They had the same personalities and worked well together; they were friends but respected each other too.
"Okay, Em. We head out and get Brian dropped off at the airport." Callen said to the two of them, who were giggling about something.
"I lost track of time." Emma said as she got up and put her jacket on.
"Thanks again for dinner Mr. Callen. And for dropping me off at the airport."
"You're welcome. Thanks for taking care of this nut while she was here. I was a bit nervous sending her away alone." Callen said as they turned onto the highway.
"No problem. But she can hold her own. Poor Alex found that out the hard way." Brian laughed.
"Hey, he deserved it. He's too big for his shoes." Emma laughed.
"I told Kensi it was a bad idea to train you." Callen laughed while shaking his head.
As they turned into the airport, Callen saw Brian getting nervous. But it was a happy nervous and he knew that look. As they stopped, Emma got out to help him grab his bags and put them on the cart.
"Thanks for the ride, Mr. Callen." Brian said as he shook Callen's hand.
"Safe travels and we'll see you when you visit."
"Can't wait." Brian said as he walked toward Emma. "Drive safe and remember to take lots of pictures and send them to me. Enjoy the road trip, and you must visit us in Alabama."
"I'll keep you updated and can't wait to come to a visit." Emma said as she hugged him.
Waving goodbye, Callen and Emma headed out of town and back home. Callen was going to drive for a few hours and then they'll stop for food. Then Emma will take over driving – she took her permit test the week before she headed to Virginia – so now she was learning to drive. It was a big step for her and she was nervous but she liked being able to drive Callen or Julia around since they always drove her. When Emma pulled over to trade places with Callen again, they still had an hour or so before arriving in LA. She was still getting use to LA traffic but for now, Callen was driving in crazy LA.
"So, me and Sam were talking the other day and I want your input about something." Callen said, a bit nervous.
"Okay, that's never good." Emma giggled. "But hit me with it, I'm all ears."
"We were talking about raising kids and I was wondering how you feel about maybe one day, having a sibling."
Emma was floored… She didn't expect that to come out of his mouth. "Uhm… I've never thought about that. Do you want to have more kids?"
"I don't know. I mean I've always been a lone wolf but having you around, I thought it would be nice to have one more kid maybe."
"I don't know how to be a big sister." Emma looked down at her hands.
"I think you'll make a great big sister." Callen smiled at her.
"I've never been around babies or young kids. I'm still getting used to being around Kamran but she's a bit older."
"We'll learn together but like I said, it's just something that came up. But Sam mentioned how hard it is and made me realize that I missed so much of your early years. And don't think I want a kid just to compensate for that. I want to give you something that I had but never really experienced and that's having a sibling."
"So, you want me surrounded by little G's?" Emma laughed. She was definitely hanging out with the team too much.
"Now you sound like Uncle Sam." Callen couldn't help by a laugh with her.
"Honestly, it will take me time to get used to sharing you with another baby Callen but maybe one sibling will be nice."
"Okay, we're getting somewhere. But there's something else I want us to talk about. I want to know how you'll feel about helping me make my house more homely. And maybe even help get a room ready for you."
"You want me to move in with you?" Emma asked.
"Not permanently. I know Julia will kill me if I take her 'baby' away from her but maybe you would like to stay over on weekends and then we can get used to being around each other."
"That sounds like something that would be perfect. You still get your alone time with Joelle and I get you on weekends. And I still get to be with Julia and have her mother me." Emma smiled.
"Then how about we start making a list of things I need for the house and we can go and pick stuff out together before school starts. And you do whatever you want with your room."
"Awesome. Maybe Julia can help me pick stuff out since she did my room at her house and I love my room there."
"Deal. Julia can help with the project." Callen said as he turned into Julia's driveway.
Callen helped Emma carry her bags into the house and Julia couldn't wait to see Emma. As soon as she walked through the door, Julia had her in a big bear hug and wouldn't let go.
"Hey mom, it's my turn." Kensi said as she walked closer.
"Okay, but you're never going away for that long again. This house is too quiet without all my babies in it."
"Luckily you have time to get use to me not being here. They asked me back next year." Emma said as she hugged Deeks.
"You're going back?" Sam asked as Kamran held onto Emma's middle.
"Agent Miller's writing me a recommendation to get into the program again but this time they'll assess me on the level of a first-year agent." Emma said and everyone could see she was proud of herself for doing so well but she wasn't bragging.
"That's amazing, Em." Nell said with a smile.
Julia made a feast and Emma was happy to be home with her family. She showed everyone all the pictures she took while in Virginia and on their road trip. She told them about all the other students and how she handled Alex and his big mouth. Kensi was impressed and Sam just rolled his eyes. Once everyone left, Emma helped Julia clean up the last few things before they headed to bed. When they passed Emma's room, Emma took something out of her bag and handed Julia the little gift bag.
"What's this?" Julia asked.
"It's just something small. I saw it in the window and thought of you." Emma said with a smile.
Julia took the box out of the bag and opened it. Inside was a little crystal butterfly on a flower.
"Emma, it's beautiful." Julia said as she hugged Emma.
"It reminded me that you helped me find my wings and I could never say thank you enough."
"I'm so glad you found your way. I'm so proud of you and you are being proud of yourself, is all the thanks I need." Julia said as she hugged her again. "I love you, little butterfly."
"Love you too, mama." Emma giggled.