Emma woke up and stared at the ceiling, listening to the traffic outside. She was home! Even though she's been back in the US for more than four months now, it was only today that she realized she was actually home. She was going to see her little sister, and she was going to take her to parks, see her grow up, and experience the world. No matter where she gets placed, she will do anything to make sure Mae knows her big sister will do anything for her. Callen was going to ring her neck, and boy, did she deserve it, but she was okay with him yelling at her, and she was going to take it like a big girl.
"The ceiling isn't going to change the more you look at it," Brian said from the doorway.
"I know that, but I think I see a wet spot on your ceiling," Emma said with a smile.
"We know there's one. Waiting for the landlord to send someone out to fix it," Andrew said as he made his coffee.
"And that, boys, is why I will never rent a place. I would rather stay with Callen than wait for someone to come and fix something for me." Emma said as she stood up from the couch.
"Wait a minute… didn't you fix everything when you lived with Callen?" Andrew asked from the kitchen.
"If I have to ask you to do something more than twice, I will take it upon myself and do it."
"Nice to know Zach will never wear the pants in this relationship," Brian said with a smile.
"Luckily, he's not that insecure in this relationship," Andrew said, smiling behind his mug. However, he could see Emma looking away when Brian mentioned Zach's name. "Hey, Zach is doing…"
"Please don't," Emma said as she left the room.
"I didn't mean to mention Zach," Brian said as he looked at Andrew's mom.
"I know, sweety, but let her cry it out. I have a feeling she hasn't allowed herself to cry herself out since she's been back."
It took Emma a while to return to the living room, and she could see that Brian felt guilty, so she hugged him.
"I'm sorry," Brian said as she pulled away.
"Don't be; I'm sorry I made a scene," Emma said with a sad smile.
"You need to get it all out, babe. It's not good for you to keep everything in, and I know I'm not a therapist, but still, you can talk to us." Andrew said with a small smile.
"I know, but I need to work through my thoughts before I can say what I need to say out loud," Emma said as she took the mug from Andrew's mom.
"Healing takes time, but you have a whole village behind you, sweety."
"And I thank you all for it. I have so many things running through my head, and it's hard to figure out where what goes." Emma said before taking a sip of her tea.
"You don't have to explain yourself. Just know we are here, and you can cry in front of us; no need to go hide in the bathroom." Andrew said as he got up.
"I know that… I just really needed to pee before your husband got in there. You and I both know he takes forever in there." Emma said as Brian hit her with a towel.
"I know what you mean." Andrew smiled before kissing Brian on the head. "Speaking of getting ready, you have 20 minutes before we head out, Em." Andrew said with a smile.
"Ah, yes, I need to meet the boss and see where they're banishing me to," Emma said as she grabbed her clothes for the day.
"Hope they leave you in DC so you freezer your ass off and have to work cases with me," Brian said as he picked up his bag. Emma just flipped him off before heading to their bedroom to get dressed.
Los Angeles
"Dada!" Maeve yelled as she ran into the boat shed, followed by Kensi, Deeks and Sam.
"Mae!" Callen yelled before the little girl jumped on the couch.
"I made you this," Mae said as she handed him a piece of paper.
"Let me see," Callen said as he looked at the picture and had to smile. It was a picture he'd seen many times over the last three months. He, Mae, and Emma are all smiling in a garden. "This is beautiful. I think we'll add it to the present we have waiting for her. What do you think?" he said with a smile.
"When Amma coming?" Mae asked as Deeks handed Callen a beer and Mae her juice.
"Hopefully soon, baby," Kensi said with a sad smile.
"Nana says Zach come home soon," Mae said as a matter of fact.
"That's true, and then you guys will learn how to surf," Deeks said with a smile.
"I no like water," Mae said as she moved to sit closer to Callen.
"And that is okay. You can sit with Emma and watch the boys surf." Callen said as he hugged her closer.
"Hey, G, are you ready to go?" Sam said as he got up.
"Would you two mind looking after this one for an hour or so?" Callen said as he hugged Mae.
"Sure," Kensi said with a mouth full of tacos.
"I'll be back in time for bedtime, okay, ducky," Callen said as he kissed her head.
"Okay, dada," Mae said as Deeks helped her with her taco. "Love you."
"Love you too," Callen said as he walked out.
"So, Mae, what's the first thing you want to do with Emma when she comes home?" Kensi asked the little girl.
"Go get ice cream and park," Mae said with a smile.
"Oh, she would love that," Deeks said back.
DC
"By the look of your hand, we can do one more craft, and then I think we'll be done with that part." Dr. Cunningham said towards Emma.
"Can they do it in LA? Not that I don't trust you; I want to get home now." Emma said with a smirk.
"I emailed them in LA, but the waiting list is pretty long, and I want this done so you can relax and focus on getting yourself back on track." The doctor told Emma, "So I can do it this week, and you're going to stay overnight, one check-up a week later, and then I'm happy to send you home for the rest."
"That sounds good," Andrew said with a smile, but he could see that Emma was unhappy. "Hi Em, just one more week. I think Callen can wait one more week to bite your head off."
"It's not him I want to see," Emma said as she pulled her sleeve down.
"And this gives Mae an extra week to work on your present." Andrew smiled.
"Like I said, I can do it on Wednesday, and then you have the weekend to hang out with your friends here before we send you home." Dr. Cunningham said with a smile.
"Okay, let's get it done so I can go home," Emma said as she jumped from the table. "Thanks for everything, Dr."
"You can get all the information at the front desk, and I will see you on Wednesday." Dr. Cunningham said as he opened the door for them.
"All right, here's all the information for your surgery. And remember, no food after 10 p.m., " the receptionist said with a smile.
"I love hospital food," Emma said with a face.
"Ignore her. She's just so happy that she will have hospital food again. Thank you, and we'll see you on Wednesday morning," Andrew said with a smile.
As they drove, Emma kept her eye on the road. Andrew took her hand lightly, and she looked at him.
"I know this wasn't the news you wanted, but the doctor's right. Let's ensure your hand is sorted, and then you can focus on spending as much time as possible with Maeve and training to get the field ready."
"I know, but it sucks to be in the same country as my family and not being able to be with them."
"I understand, and I know they want you home. Callen's been blowing up my phone, but he'll have to wait a week longer. Mama will ensure you're fattened up before you go home."
"I don't even want to know what he's going do to me when I get home."
"He's going to yell, and then he's going to help you get the field ready. He's your dad and wants what is best for you." He finished as he put the car in park. "You ready to see where you'll set up house?"
"Ready as I can be," Emma said with a sad smile.
"I'm going to grab a coffee and wait for you, okay?" He said as he closed the car door.
Walking into the building, Emma could feel her heartbeat speeding up. This is it! This was the day she'd been waiting for. The day she finally finds out if she will stay in California or leave her family behind again. She waited for the elevator and ensured her visitor badge was on correctly before entering the steel box. Arriving at her floor and, as soon as the doors opened, she saw Vance waiting.
"Now, this is service," Emma said with a smile.
"I wanted to make sure you found your way here. Can't have you disappear on us again." Vance said.
"Last time I checked, you were the one who sent me away," Emma said as she entered his office.
"Okay, I'll take that one," Vance said as he went to sit behind his desk. "Okay, let's get you settled and get you home." He finished by handing her her phone, laptop, and watch. "Everything was put back, and you are now connected to all the people who've been making my life hell."
"And what about my job description?" Emma asked without looking up.
"As soon as you finish your suspension and therapy hours and the doctor clears you, you will work as a behaviour analyst based out of LA."
"I get to stay with the team?" Emma said with a look of shock.
"You get to work under Nell and based in LA, but you'll be travelling to bases, helping them with cases and being placed as an agent on board if needed," Vance said with a smile.
"Travel and get to stay in LA; where do I sign before you change your mind," Emma said with the biggest smile.
"Well, here's your badge… again. Once you're signed in LA, you will receive your weapon and be ready to go. But for now, focus on getting yourself ready. Listen to the doctors and make sure you're 100% before you hit the field."
"Thank you. I know you and Hetty pulled a few strings to get me placed in LA, so thank you so much." Emma said as she hugged him.
"You're welcome. It's where you belong, and I feel you'll be one tough agent, maybe one of the best we'll have. Don't tell Callen I said that." He said with a wink. "Now, suspension starts when you land in LA. Nate's office will call you to set up appointments. The VA knows you signed up with an outpatient program, and the doctor will keep us updated on everything."
"It's a lot of information, but I think it will be okay," Emma said, looking at her phone.
"I know, but you can do this." Vance said with a smile, "Now go. Enjoy your time with your friends, and I'll keep in touch, so don't lose your phone."
"Thank you again," Emma said as she left his office.
Emma felt like the whole world lifted off her shoulders as they drove home. She looked forward to getting the show on the road and couldn't wait to see Maeve. Yes, she missed the team and her friends, but she missed her little sister the most. And she wouldn't lie; she was looking forward to seeing Zach again. She just wanted to be in his arms again; she just wanted to wake up to him next to her and go on dates. She was thinking about the future for the first time since this mess happened, and she was getting excited.