Previously on Taylor Callen...
"Excuse me, is a Mister Taylor Lockhart here?" she asked, glancing down at her clipboard quickly.
"Yeah, who's asking?" Sam replied while Callen placed a protective hand on Taylor's shoulder.
"Child Protective Services."
"CPS?" Callen asked nervously.
"Yes, Mr. Callen. Now if you would hand Mr. Lockhart over to me I believe it is time for us to go." Callen felt something inside him stir. Something wasn't right about this.
"How do you know my name?" Callen asked her, she flinched noticeably.
"I-I," She stuttered, "I- How I know your name isn't important Mr. Callen. I was debriefed on the situation before I came here. Now please give Mr. Lockhart to me before I have to-"
"Have to what? What are you in such a rush for Miss...?" Callen trailed off.
"Miss Roster." She supplied impatiently. "And I'm in a rush because I was supposed to pick up Mr. Lockhart yesterday."
"Is that so?" Callen locked eyes with her, Sam glanced warily between the two. Hetty walked back into the bull pen area just then and felt the tension in the air.
"What is going on Mr. Callen?"
"CPS," Callen answered simply.
"Ah, I see. Can we see some identification please?" Hetty addressed the woman. 'Ms. Roster' looked taken back. Callen leaned down and whispered in Taylor's ear.
"Taylor can you go sit on the couch for me please." Callen ruffled his hair as he walked away to the couch and sat down. Callen turned back to the woman as she began speaking in an appalled voice.
"Identification? Why I've never had to be asked for-" Callen cut her off.
"Well, you're being asked now. Please show us your identification." Sam's eyes narrowed as he saw Hetty and Callen move in on this woman. Callen pulled out his phone and crossed his arms in a defensive manner.
"I'm so sorry. I really believe I've made a mistake here." The woman held up her hands in surrender, her eyes wide with panic.
"Really now?" Callen challenged.
"Yes, I'm sorry. I must go." The woman quickly put her clipboard in her bag and scurried out of the building.
"Are you just letting her go?" Sam asked Callen.
"For now. As long as she doesn't come back, she's not a threat."
"We must stay on our toes gentleman. I feel Mr. McCormick and Malvir still have a few tricks up their sleeves." Hetty walked away for the second time that morning and Callen stared after her.
"She's right, G. It's only been a day and that happened." Sam gestured to the door where the mysterious 'social worker' just exited.
"I know, that's why I got her picture." Callen held up his phone and grinned mischievously. "I'm not going to take any chances-"
"Brother?" Taylor's voice called from the couch. Sam and Callen turned towards him.
"Yeah?" Callen's voice softened.
"Umm..." Taylor trailed off as his stomach growled loudly again. Callen and Sam smiled at him as he blushed.
"I know you're hungry kid," Callen walked over and Taylor stood up. "How about you go with Sam and I'll meet you two outside?" Callen put a hand on his shoulder and Taylor nodded. He smiled and then walked over to Sam who put an arm around his shoulders.
"Have you ever had blueberry pancakes Taylor?" Callen heard Sam ask him as they strolled out of the building. Callen shook his head, smiling. His face grew serious, however, as he remembered why he sent them outside first. He glanced up at Hetty who was sitting at her desk, staring at him knowingly. He sighed and made his way over.
"Mr. Callen," Hetty greeted him.
"Hetty," Callen replied. Callen started playing with one of the various trinkets on Hetty's desk when a hand halted him.
"What is bothering you Mr. Callen?" Callen met Hetty's eyes evenly and sighed.
"I want to adopt Taylor," Callen stated.
"I would expect nothing less," Hetty said happily.
"You would?" Callen asked, surprised.
"Of course!" She smiled at him with that distinctive twinkle in her eye. Callen smiled back and stared at the floor before meeting her eyes again.
"You already knew that I wanted to adopt him."
"Yes, Mr. Callen. The moment I saw you lay eyes on him when he walked through those doors, I knew you wouldn't let him out of your sight. But you and I both know that's not the issue here is it?" She studied him over the top of her glasses. Callen squirmed slightly under her gaze.
"I want to testify," Callen mumbled quickly.
"What was that?" Hetty put a hand to her ear.
"I said," Callen raised his voice before bringing it back down to normal, "I want to testify at McCormick's trial."
"Ah, that's a very noble decision Mr. Callen. All of that can be arranged in due time but I believe you have a very important breakfast that involves pancakes?" Hetty asked him in amusement.
"Right, thanks Hetty." Callen turned to leave when he turned back again with his mouth open, ready to speak. Hetty raised an eyebrow. "You already knew I would testify, didn't you?" They shared a brief, humor filled silence when Hetty finally spoke.
"Go, Mr. Callen. Go!" She shooed him out of the building and he jogged out happily. She watched after him and whispered something to absolutely no one. "I would expect nothing less, Mr. Callen."
There you go! That's chapter 12! Wow, umm. Sorry for not posting anything in like forever? Been suuuper busy and in a couple of days I'm going on a trip so I don't know how much I can keep posting by then. Hopefully I will be able to write another chapter soon.