One morning, in sunny L.A. The masses were walking on the sidewalks, driving on their streets, and unsuspecting to the danger that would soon occur. There was a suspicious black van in the alley towards the Wilshire Federal building, and after a minute a bald man with a scrawny beard came out in a janitor's uniform where he dropped a cell phone. The bald man gets back into the van, and soon after it speeds off, leaving behind a smoke of dust and tire tracks. Minutes later, windows burst out in the building and a fire followed it just as smoke filled the sky up. People all around were screaming in fear and panic.
The NCIS team is just coming in for the day and they are all at their desks having morning jokes before Deeks comes in with his daughter, Dani. The group curiously looked and listened to the father and daughter bickering.
"For the last time Dani, no it's not happening. Not now, not ever" Deeks told his daughter.
"But why dad?" Dani whined.
"Well for starters, I'm your dad and I said no, so you're supposed to listen to me. Second, you're too young,".
"I am not too young," Dani responded. She was furious at her father for refusing her this one thing.
"Yeah but you are sweetheart. 16 is still young"
"Alright what are you two going on about?" Callen asked, not wanting to hear more arguing.
"My dad said I can't help with a case and I really want to. Explain to him that I can do this!" Dani pleaded.
"Sorry D, but I agree with your dad. The cases we work are way too dangerous for a kid like you"
"Uncle Sam, wouldn't you let your daughter work a case with you?" Dani then turned to Sam. She needed to make them understand that she wasn't a little kid anymore, and she can handle this.
"Oh no. I make sure she always stays away from stuff like this" Sam stepped out of the fight. Last thing he needed on his hand was to be pulled into family matters.
"It's not like I wanna do the action stuff you do. Maybe I can help with interviews or interrogations, that kind of stuff," Dani said.
"The answer is still no, Dani," Deeks said.
"But dad," Dani whined again
"No buts Dani. I said no and that's final"
"Fine". Dani said in defeat, a tinge of anger in her voice.
Deeks saw how glum his daughter looked but he refused to put her in harm's way. He showed her some sympathy. "Listen Dani, I don't want to see you hurt or in danger because of me, alright. This job is dangerous enough and if you get involved... I don't know what I would do if I lost you too" Deeks confided.
Before Dani could say anything, Eric was at the top of the steps and did his signature whistle getting the team's attention. "We got a case".
The team then went up the stairs and Dani tried to follow but Deeks stopped her,"Oh no you go back to my desk and wait"
"Fine," Dani then went back to her father's desk while the team went up to the Ops center.
"That was a bit harsh, Deeks". Callen later told Deeks.
"I didn't mean to sound like that, but she has to understand. She can't get involved with cases like this. They are way too dangerous and I don't want her in the crossfire if things go south. If anything were to ever happen to her, I don't know if I can pull myself out of bed in the morning," Deeks said.
"You do what you have to do to protect her". Kensi added in.
"Deeks take it from a guy like me who has a daughter, you'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. What you did is totally justified" Sam supported Deeks.
"I do everything to protect her, it's just she has a thing for sneaking out and trying to help, it didn't work out so well the last time". Deeks said.
"What happened last time?" Kensi asked.
"Perhaps another time, Mr Beale" Hetty said, ending the conversation and turning their attention to the case.
"Ok so earlier this morning there was an explosion at the Wilshire Federal Building, there is still an unknown number of injuries and deaths. FBI still trying to determine everything". Eric stated first.
"Anything from the security cams?" Callen asked.
"I'm still trying to access it"
"There was a black van there and from what I could see, the van has tinted windows, no plates, and someone got in the back of it then shortly after that the bomb was set off," Nell continued.
Deek's ears turned their attention to the door, from Eric that was currently speaking. He put his finger to his lips in a "be quiet" manner to get everyone's attention. Deek heard something on the other side of the door. In a surprise attack mode, they pulled the door open abruptly, and everyone noticed Dani tumbling in making everyone aware of her presence.
"Um, hi,". Dani said nervously.
"Dani, what have I told you about eavesdropping". Deeks scolded his daughter.
"Not to do it"
"Dani we really don't have time for this so for once could you go back to your dad's desk? We have a case and we can't be bothered," Callen said.
"But I want to help". Dani pleaded.
"You can help by staying out of it. Alright Deeks and Kensi you go talk to the people at the building while me and Sam try to track the van". Callen said.
"But what about me?" Dani asked.
"You're staying here". Deeks said.
"Alright" The teen gave a pout.
Kensi walked out then Deeks followed her but stopped and backtracked before kissing his daughter's head. "Never forget, I love you"
The teen gave her father a small smile. "I love you too dad"
He then followed his partner out, then Callen and Sam headed out to find the van. Dani was disappointed she always got shut out when her dad had a case she wanted for once to help but she always got told no.
"It's not fair". Dani muttered.
"Dani, your father just wants to keep you safe, he can't do that if you wander off or sneak out. Just know that he is doing what is right for you". Hetty said.
"Thanks grandma Hetty," Dani smiled softly at the shorter woman.
Hetty then left Ops. Dani then followed her but stayed at her dad's desk. Dani got bored while sitting at the desk so she looked around to make sure no one was looking and when no one was, she snuck out of the building. It was a while before the team came back and Deeks saw that his daughter was gone so he went up to Ops.
"Where's Dani?" Deeks asked.
Eric turned around and saw an almost panicked Deeks."She went down after Hetty talked to her"
"Can you track her phone for me?"
"Yeah, give me a second". Eric said. The young tech then began to track Dani's phone and got the results. "She's near the bomb site"
"Thanks, Eric"
"No problem"
Deeks then went downstairs getting his jacket and keys heading out.
"Hey where are you going, man?" Sam asked.
"To get Dani. She seems to be getting herself into unnecessary trouble" Deeks said.
"Is she ok?" Callen asked.
"I hope so". He then left to get his daughter hoping she'll be alright and safe.
Dani was looking around for any clues or evidence but didn't find anything till she found something, a cell phone so she picked it up and put it in an evidence bag she carried then kept looking around.
Deeks looked around for his daughter and couldn't find her so he called Eric and he was able to find her so he went up behind her gently tapping her shoulder causing her to jump.
"Hi dad. What's up?". Dani asked, giving a nervous smile.
"Don't hi me, Danielle Riley. What in the hell is wrong with you, going off by yourself and going off to where a bomb went off this morning?!" Deeks said sternly.
"I just wanted to help dad!"
He softened his expression lightly. "Dani how many times have I told you, you're too young for this. This is way too dangerous for you, all you need to be focused on is being a kid and going to school. Don't grow up too fast sweetheart".
"I did find something though".
She reached in her bag and pulled out the evidence bag handing it to him. "It's a cell phone and I found it here, so my guess is this is where the van was and someone dropped this phone then the bomb went off".
"Nice job Dani. But look, I want you to stay out of this. This case is way too dangerous and we don't know what we're dealing with just yet"
"Alright dad"
"Dani look, I love you sweetheart, I do. If anything were to ever happen to you I don't know what I do"
Deeks then took his daughter and went back to NCIS so Eric could find out what was on the cell phone, when they got their Granger was there which made Deeks sigh.
"Ah Detective Deeks, can I have a quick moment to talk to you". Granger said.
"Sure, Dani stay here". Deeks said walking out behind Granger, turning around to point a finger at her, almost accusatory. Dani stayed at her dad's desk while he went to talk with Granger.
"Deeks, if your daughter can't stay away from this case i will have no choice but to take you off this case". Granger said.
"You can't do that". Deeks said.
"I can and I will. See to it that she stays away from the case". Granger said. Deeks then walked away going back to the team.
"Everything ok Deeks?" Kensi asked.
"Yeah yeah". Deeks absentmindedly. He then pulled the cell phone from the bag.
"What's that?" Callen asked.
"It's a phone, Dani found it near the bombing" Deeks answered the team leader.
"My guess would be is someone dropped it once they detonated the bomb they could have dropped it" Dani chimed in.
"That's real good work D". Callen said.
"Thanks Uncle Callen" Dani smiled, feeling proud.
"But you have to stay away from this case, Dani we don't know how this is gonna turn out so you have to stay out"
"I'm just trying to help". Dani muttered.
"We know you wanna help sweetie but this job is very dangerous and we make a lot of enemies and they will do anything to get us". Deeks said.
"But hey you did find us some evidence. That counts". Sam tried to comfort her.
"And if you ever leave here without me or one of us ever again you, young lady are grounded". Deeks said.
"Yes, dad". Dani pouted
Eric then came from Ops. "We got something off the phone"