Don't own anything.
"Now I know why people say, if you want to test your relationship, go to Ikea." Callen said as he placed the last box in the truck.
"Are you sure you and Uncle Sam aren't married? You fight like an old married couple." Emma giggled as she got into the truck.
"You're lucky your cute, young lady." Sam said through the window. "You got this or do you need my help to assemble the stuff too?" Sam asked Callen.
"I think we can handle it, right Emma?" Callen smiled.
"I'll keep my phone close if we need your help, Uncle Sam." Emma said as she kissed his cheek.
"Okay, keep the power tools away from him." Sam said to Emma before he left to go home.
"You want to grab something to eat before we head home?" Callen said as they drove away.
"Sure. I'll run in while you wait in the truck." Emma said as she pulled out her phone, looked up where they wanted to eat, and ordered their food.
When they got to Callen's house, Emma carried the food in and then headed back outside to help Callen carry the boxes into the house. With the help of Emma's list and colour stickers, they knew which boxes went in what room. They were going to start with Callen's room, then move onto the living and dining room and get Emma's room ready last. They unpacked the truck before they heated their food and sat eating on the floor. Emma saw a box on the mantel and looked at Callen, who shook his head yes. Opening the box, she saw pictures, a toy soldier and a roll of film.
"Who is this?" Emma asked as she turned the picture around to show Callen.
"That's my mom and that's Amy, my sister."
"They're pretty. You look like your mom." Emma said while looking at the picture. "What's with the toy soldier?"
"A guy gave it to me the day my mom got killed. It's depressing I know, but for the longest time it was all I had left of my family."
"It's not depressing, it's part of your family's history."
"For the longest time, the team was my only family. But now I have you and maybe one day I'll meet my dad, your grandfather."
"That would be nice to meet him, if you find him. And maybe he'll be able to tell you your full name."
"Let's hope he remembers, if he's still alive."
"I have a feeling he's still out there, waiting for you to find him."
"Now how's the optimist? Deeks is rubbing off on you." Callen laughed.
"Maybe…" Emma said as she picked up the food wrappers. Walking back into the living room, she saw Callen put the box back where it belonged. "Okay, old man. Let's get this show on the road." Emma said as she got the drill from the toolbox Sam lent them.
Getting all the stuff set up and in its place, took them the whole weekend but they were having fun doing it together. Joelle stopped by on Sunday to have dinner with them on Callen's new dining room table and she was impressed they got everything sorted. Emma decided it would be better to stay the night and then Callen could just drop her off at school on his way to work. Julia was out of town with a friend so it worked out perfectly and Kensi told her she fed Rosie and Violet when she went to check on the house. Since they got the rest of the house put together first, Emma's mattress was still on the floor but she didn't mind. She was happy that Callen was finally settling down and finding his place in the world.
Hetty was sitting on Emma's bed in Callen's house. The room was decorated in blues, purples and whites with lots of butterflies and vintage frames. Emma had a place for everything, and Hetty smiled seeing all the pictures around the room. She's grown so much in the last year and Hetty couldn't be prouder of the woman she's turned into. Getting up she walked towards Callen's room where she found him busy on a laptop.
"Emma doesn't like people messing with her stuff. Don't make me tell her." Callen said with his back towards her.
"And what do you think she'll say if I tell her, her father has gone rogue and is shutting out his teams while he puts himself in danger?"
"I'm taking some more vacation time." Callen said as he got up.
"I can't approve that." Hetty answered him back.
"Then consider it sick leave." Callen said as he walked passed her.
"This conversation isn't over." Hetty said but Callen was already out of the house.
Hetty was hoping that Callen knew what he was doing because this time, the team wasn't the only one who would get hurt if this didn't work out.
"Emma-Grace, you are a godsend. If I don't get my grades up, my dad's sending me to military school." Nico said as he packed his books away.
"You'll be fine, if you keep up the good work we've been doing." Emma said as she stacked the books they used on the end of the desk. "That A is as good as yours." Emma heard her phone vibrate.
"If I get that A, I'm taking you to get a burger." Nico said with a wink. "Before I forget, my dad sends you this." He said as he handed her the envelope.
"Thank you and I'm in for that burger." Emma said as she added the envelope to her books and placed them in her bag. "And it looks like I can pack up for the day. Tyler just cancelled on me."
"He's going down soon and he has himself to blame. Have a good afternoon off and I'll see you on Friday." Nico said as he walked away.
Emma finished packing her bag and picked up the books to add to the cart for them to put away. Waving to Ms. Keller, Emma walked out of the library and headed to the bus stop. She's been tutoring kids after class and people's been paying good money for it too. She's been booked for weeks and the waiting list was long. She made a rule… if you cancel two lessons in a row for no good reason, you're done and someone else takes your spot. Hetty and Julia have been supportive of the tutoring, which hasn't interfered with her NCIS job or schoolwork. She's ahead in classes, so helping other kids achieve their goals, was something she was happy to do. Getting off the bus and walked towards OPS. She was so lost in thought, that she didn't even notice she was walking past Scott and the NSIC parking lot.
"Hi, little Callen." Scott greeted her. "Didn't think we'll be seeing you today?"
"Hi, Scotty." Emma smiled. "Last kids cancelled, so here I am."
"Watch your six, missy." Scott said as he walked away.
"Stay safe, Scotty." Emma smiled as she walked away.
As soon as she walked in, she heard Sam and Hetty yelling at each other about letting Callen get away. But Granger had enough and tried to get them to back off each other.
"Hanna, go get some air." He said to Sam, "and you go drink some tea or something." He said as he turned towards Hetty.
"I don't need air." Sam said as he turned to his desk.
"I don't need no damn tea." Hetty said.
Eric and Nell were about to go back upstairs but Granger called them back down.
"We need to work together to get Callen back."
"If this team worked together, Mr. Callen wouldn't have gotten away." Hetty said to Sam.
"Did I let him get away?" Everyone just looked up to him. "Eric, pull the tracker that I put on his back." Sam said to Eric.
Emma's heard enough and she made her presence known. "Where's Callen and what's happening?"
"Emma-Grace, didn't think we were seeing you today?" Granger said towards the teenager.
"Last kid cancelled. Where's Callen?" Emma asked again.
"Callen's in a bit of a pickle." Hetty said.
"Okay, I don't like pickles." Deeks and Kensi snickered, "Still not answering my question."
"Callen is on a mission to help find Arkady Kolcheck." Sam answered.
"The Russian arms dealer?" Emma asked shocked, "The Arkady Kolcheck whose daughter you guys went to get back in Russia?"
"I'm not even going to ask how you know so much." Granger said looking at Emma.
"She read the reports because it's her job, Owen." Hetty answered. "That's the one."
"Okay, above my pay grade. I'm going to go to my corner and let you guys deal with that." Emma said as she pointed to the screen where Eric brought up the tracker information.
It didn't take the team long to find Callen and save the day like they usually do. Emma was still busy when she saw a scruffy-looking Callen walking toward her. Holding up a finger, telling him she was not in the mood for his excuses.
"You made a promise. A promise that I took seriously."
"Emma-Grace…" Callen started but stopped when he saw her face.
"You promised me that you would not put yourself in danger if it didn't involve this job. I know your job is dangerous but you going out on your own, without the team, that's what I can't handle." Emma said as she stood up and walked to the front of her desk.
"Emma, Arkady put his life on the line to ensure we get out of Russia safely. I need him back safe. I owe him that much." Callen started.
"And he's the one who has more information on your dad." Emma said and Callen could she wasn't playing.
"Em…"
"No, did you think what would happen if you died trying to get those answers? Did you think what would happen to me? I know you want answers and I hope you find them but I can't understand why you think you need to do this alone." Emma said with tears in her eyes.
"Emma-Grace, I know the team will help me. I just needed to do this alone."
"No, you needed to tell them so you guys can do this as a team. I came here today and saw Hetty and Sam yelling at each other. Is that what you wanted?" Emma asked.
"Emma, I'm sorry. From now on, no more missions on my own." Callen said as he slowly walked towards her.
"I'll believe that, when I see it." Emma said as she grabbed her bag.
"Can I get a hug?" Callen asked with a smile.
"Not tonight, maybe tomorrow." Emma said as she passed him.
"Okay, no hug. Can I at the leased drive you home?" Callen asked as he followed her out.
"I was going to say no but it's late and I've seen enough weird people on the bus today." Emma smiled.
Callen picked up the file Hetty gave him and his bag and walked out with Emma. He knew he messed up but hopefully he can make it up to Emma and keep his promise. But also help Arkady too.
"Do you think Granger knows what my job description is?" Emma asked as they got in the car.
"I don't even know your job description and I see you almost daily." Callen said to her. "But I don't want to talk about NCIS right now."
"Okay, what do you want to talk about?" Emma asked.
"How's tutoring going?" Callen asked her.
"Good, I need to talk to Tyler and tell him I'm dropping him and helping someone else."
"He's the football player, right?" Emma shook her head yes, "I heard someone cancelled on you. Isn't this his third time?"
"It is and I can't keep on waiting for him to take this seriously. And I'm not falling for his tears this time. I have too many kids who want my help and he's just playing around."
"Isn't he the boy who asked you out too?"
"That will be the one but I'm not interested in him. He's a player and every girl on campus knows that."
"Boys will be boys. But I'm glad you're just focusing on school right now."
"You still have time to work on your 'if you hurt her, I will hurt you' speech old man." Emma laughed.
"Just give me a heads up before you bring a boy home, okay." Callen smiled as he parked the car in front of Julia's house.
"That's a long way from now. I don't think I'm ready to date yet and I'm too focused on school and work." Emma said as she placed her bag on her lap. "Thanks for the ride. I'll see you tomorrow." Emma said as she opened the car door.
"Night Emma-Grace. I'll see you tomorrow." Callen said with a smile.
"And please do something about that mop on your head." Emma giggled as she closed the car door.
When Tyler stopped Emma the next day, she was just finishing her notes and was ready to leave the class. Just like she thought, he was giving her puppy dog eyes asking her not to let him go and give him one more chance but Emma was done with him.
"You were on your third chance Tyler. I can't wait for you while you waste your parent's money and my time. I have a long list of kids waiting for an opening and now I can take one of them." Emma said as she walked out of the class.
"You know they'll kick me off the football team if I fail my classes." Tyler said as he grabbed her arm. "Do you want that?" He said in her face.
"You only have yourself to blame." Emma said as she ripped her arm out of his grip. "And don't you ever touch me again." Emma said as she walked away.
"You're not even worth it." Tyler said as he stomped away.
Emma made her way to the library and took her place at a table just behind reception. As she leaned over to get her books out, she saw her arm and the red finger marks. Oh, dear. The team will love this one but she's a big girl. She could handle an asshole like Tyler.
"Hi Emma-Grace, I'm Lacy." A young red-headed girl said as she sat down in front of Emma.
"Nice to meet you Lacy." Emma said with a smile.
"Thank you for helping me out. Claire said you're the best and I need the help." Lacy said as she took out her books.
"I'm glad I can help. Let's see what we have and then we'll take it from there." Emma said as she took Lacy's books and the girl showed her what they'd been doing in class.
The girls spent two hours going through everything they could for the day and Lacy left with a smile and more understanding. As Emma was packing up, she could see Tyler coming toward her again.
"Tyler, I told you I'm not taking you back and you need someone else to help you." Emma said as she walked out of the library.
"Please, Emma. I'm begging you. My dad will kill me if I get kicked off the football team. Just one more chance and if I don't show up again, you can kick me to the curb. Please."
"I'm sorry, Tyler but my answer is still no." Emma said as she tried to walk around him but he grabbed her again and before she knew it, he backhanded her across the face. Dropping her bag and falling backwards, Emma sat on the ground with her hand covering her face and stared at him.
"You bitch! You're just using people to get ahead. You're just a money-hungry whore." Tyler spat in her face before being dragged back by two teammates.
"Are you okay?" a girl asked as she bent down next to Emma.
"Yeah, I'm okay." Emma said as she tried to stand up but lost her balance and the girl grabbed her before she fell to the ground again.
"Let's get you to the nurse." She said as one of the guys took her arm and wrapped it around his shoulders. The girl grabbed her bag and followed Emma and the guy.
As they walked through the door of the campus clinic, a nurse came out and showed them to a room where she told them to sit her down on a chair.
"Okay, let's have a look." The nurse said as she shined the little light in her eyes.
"I'm fine, really. I've had worse." Emma said with a sad smile.
"Is there anyone we can call to come and get you?" The nurse asked.
"Mind calling Ms. Julia? Her number should be on my file or it will be in my day planner." Emma said as the nurse took her blood pressure.
"Okay, I'll grab it and phone her for you." The nurse said before she handed Emma an icepack to put on her eye and cheek.
"Are you sure you're okay?" The girl asked again.
"I'm good. Thanks for helping me." Emma said towards the two people standing in the doorway.
"I'm sorry you had to see that side of Tyler." The guy said, "He thinks because his dad's on the board of directors, he can get away with anything."
"Well, hopefully this will finally get him kicked out of school." The girl said as she took the boy's hand.
"Sorry, I don't even know your names." Emma said.
"I'm Melissa and this is my boyfriend, Justin." The girl smiled, "And you're Emma-Grace Callen."
Emma just giggled to herself… Kensi's going to love this story. "That's me."
"Well, it was nice to meet you Emma-Grace. I hope you feel better soon. We have to go but we'll see you around." Justin said as he waved to Emma.
"See you around, Emma." Melissa said as she followed her boyfriend out.
"Okay, so Julia is on her way. Keep the ice on your face and I'll come and get you when she's here. If you need anything, just press this red button." The nurse said with a smile.
"Thank you." Emma tried to smile but her face started to hurt.
When Julia arrived at the campus clinic, she was like a mama bear ready to fight. She wasn't happy and Emma felt so bad for the poor police officers who came to take her statement. After telling them everything, one of them gave Emma his card and told her they would be in touch. Emma just thanked them and they left. Grabbing her bag, Emma followed Julia to the car. She was ready to take in a warm bubble bath and snuggle in her PJs on her bed. As soon as they got home, Julia told Emma to go and take her bath and she'll make her some tea. Walking into her bathroom, she started the bath and added her lavender bath bomb. As the water ran, she walked to her desk to feed Rosie and Violet. Pulling her hair in a messy bun, she walked into the bathroom and undressed. Sinking into the warm water, Emma finally let the tears fall. How stupid could she be? She should have seen the signs but she was so focused on helping other people, that she forgot to look at the classic signs of someone obsessed with her. Julia knocked on the door as Emma got out of the bath to give her the tea and as Emma sat down on the floor by her bed, Julia grabbed her hairbrush and started to brush her hair. Emma loved when Kensi or Julia played with her hair. It made her feel safe and loved. Olga used to use her time brushing Emma's hair to remind her of what she did wrong and remind her that if she didn't behave, she could join the other girls at the docks. But with Kensi and Julia, it was something she was happy to sit and just have them brush her hair. She liked her hair long but went to the salon every eight weeks to trim the ends and thin it out a bit.
"How are you feeling, honey." Julia asked her as she finished the last braid.
"I'm okay. I'm just angry at myself for not seeing the signs." Emma said as she looked down at her hands.
"You did nothing wrong. You were trying to help him and he took advantage of that. You heard what the police said, you are not the only girl he's ever done this to. He has a past and now he's going to pay for that. You did nothing wrong." Julia said as she pulled her into a hug.
"Thank you for coming to get me. I didn't want Callen to see me like that."
"Of course, I told you I'll be there whenever you need me. But I did call him and left him a message." Julia said as she helped Emma settle in bed. "Do you want anything to eat?"
"I'm not hungry. My face hurts but I'll be okay."
"Okay, I'll grab you something for the pain and you just relax." Julia said as she handed Emma the remote for the TV.
"Thank Ms. Julia." Emma said with a little smile.
It didn't take Julia long to get back to Emma with a glass of water and painkillers. Emma took them and Julia said to call her if she needed anything. Emma stayed awake for about 20 minutes before she fell asleep.
At OPS
Callen was talking and laughing with the team as Hetty hit Agent DiNozzo on the back of his head, when he felt his phone vibrate. Looking down, he saw he had two missed calls for Julia. Excusing himself, he walked to his desk to phone her back. After four rings, Julia answered. She was busy explaining everything to him when Sam walked into the bullpen.
"Thanks Julia. I'm just packing up and then I stop by to see her." Callen said before he said goodbye and started to pack his bag.
"Everything okay, G?" Sam asked as Kensi and Deeks walked towards their desks.
"Emma got attacked by that Tyler boy this afternoon." Callen said and the team could see he was in daddy mode.
"What?" Kensi and Deeks said together.
"Is she okay?" Sam asked.
"Julia said he hit her on the side of her face and she'll have a shiner but she seems okay." Callen said to them.
"Oh, my word. Why hasn't she put him on his ass already?" Deeks asked.
"Because we told her not to hit anyone unless her life's depending on it. If she touched him, he'll be the one in pain and not just a shiner." Kensi said as she picked up her bag.
"If she's anything like Kensi, I will agree that Emma will put him in the hospital, if she hits him back." Sam said as he packed his laptop away.
"I'm going to head over there to see her. I'll see guys tomorrow." Callen said as he walked out. All he could think about while driving was that he made her a promise to protect her and here she was, hurting again. He knew he couldn't tell her to stop her tutoring, she loved helping people and this wasn't her fault. She was being careful and he's grateful Emma did her tutoring at the library and not at this kid's house. He didn't even want to think about what would have happened if he had got her alone at his house. Callen put his car in park and started to walk towards the door. Julia opened the door before he could ring the doorbell and she pointed to the stairs.
"She's asleep but you can go in a see her." Julia said with a sad smile.
"Thanks Julia. For everything." Callen said as he hugged her.
"Go, see her. Then we'll talk."
Callen walked up the stairs and turned towards Emma's room. He saw her bedroom door open a bit and he walked in. Just like Julia said, Emma was fast asleep. Looking at her, he could see a bruise starting to form and he knew it would take a day or two for the shiner to show. He could see two sets of fingerprints on her arm and he was angry but not at her. Tracing the bruise, Callen bends down and kisses her on the cheek. Emma moved in her sleep and he could see a small smile on her face. Telling her he'll see her tomorrow and that he loved her, he got up and walked downstairs.
"She's still sleeping and hopefully she'll sleep through the night with the painkillers," Callen said as she sat down on the chair across from Julia.
"I'll leave a few more for her when I head up." Julia said as she held up the bottle of Scotch. Callen just nodded yes and Julia poured him a glass. "I have a meeting with the Deans tomorrow morning so we can see what's our options."
"What time is the meeting?" Callen asked as he took a sip.
"Meeting is at 10." Julia said, "We can meet in the parking lot and see them together.
"Sounds like a plan. I want her to stay home tomorrow but I know she will fight me on it." Callen said like he knew that's exactly what she would do.
"I feel the same way but you know her, she's going to go no matter what." Julia said with a smile.
"I sometimes feel like I just want to lock her up till she's 30 and then put her in a bubble when she wants to leave the house." Callen giggle.
"I know that feeling. With Kensi, I wanted her just to need me all the time but she was always a daddy's girl. Just like Emma-Grace."
"I wish I could take all her pain away but like she said, she needs to go through all of the pain because that will make her stronger."
"It's amazing how our kids figure out the world better than we did at that age." Julia smiled.
"Ever since Emma came into my life, I've found more gray hairs than what I've expected at this age. And she's the cause of each one of them but they're not from worrying. I know I don't have to worry about her but…"
"But you still do. Welcome to parenthood." Julia said as she raised her glass towards him.
"I'm going to head home. Thanks again, I don't know how we would survive without you." Callen said as he hugged her. "I'll meet you at 10 for the meeting."
"Have a good night and I'll see you at 10." Julia said as she walked him to the door.
As Callen drove away, he was glad that things with Joelle were over. He needed to focus all his energy on Emma-Grace and his job. They needed his attention the most and he would give them everything he had.