Apologies for the mega-delay! I started this chapter, then had computer problems. And while it was being fixed I got into a new fandom and pairing which has been capturing all my attention. Hopefully, we'll be back to normal now. This turned out super angsty and angry. But we always see the estranged parents turn good, so I wanted to show that sometimes, they just aren't.

XOXOXOX

In the harsh light of interrogation, the facial similarities between Grayson Mitchell-Eddison and his eldest son were thrown into sharp contrast with the deep lines on his face. Brody observed this, and the sharp lines of his suit which probably cost more than Chris' apartment, and the Italian leather shoes which had been polished until they shone. But what was most striking of all was how small the man suddenly looked. He looked afraid.

Brody took her seat opposite Grayson next to Pride. She remained silent throughout the interrogation; her job to observe. This was merely to establish Grayson's story; later, when they had evidence, that was when Pride would let her use her interrogation skills on the man.

"Can I see Christopher?" Grayson asked, as they stood to leave.

"No," Pride replied.

"What gives you the right to stop my boy-"

"I have every right," Pride spat, with a viciousness that sent Brody's eyebrows skywards. She never heard him use that tone, not even when Laurel or Morena were threatened. "I didn't see you rushing to help out 'your boy' when his brother was falling to pieces, or when his momma didn't have enough money to put food on the table and pay the rent. Hell, you've never even met your granddaughter. You might share DNA, but that don't make Christopher your boy."

XOXOXOX

Percy sent a nervous glance in Lasalle's direction. Admiral Chase had insisted on coming back to NCIS with them, although Pride had drawn the line at the Admiral being in observation while his friend was interrogated. Which had left him in the squad room with Lasalle and Percy, pacing so furiously Percy feared he'd wear right through the rug. Lasalle however, didn't catch her glance; his gaze was burning a hole in his computer screen, although Percy had a sneaking suspicion there was nothing on it, or if there was, he wasn't reading it.

Hoping the Admiral wouldn't pounce on her for information, Percy crossed the room, perching on the corner of Lasalle's desk.

"Hey," she murmured. "You okay country mouse?"

Despite everything, Lasalle's mouth quirked up into a small – albeit sad – smile at the sound of the nickname.

"I'll live," he replied. "Thanks city mouse."

She threw his a wink, turning to return to her desk.

"Jake!" Admiral Chase's voice echoed, catching both agent's attention.

The Admiral paused in his pacing to hug a man who'd just entered the squad room. When he pulled back, they were able to get a better look at the newcomer. Percy's eyes widened.

"Wow..."

If Grayson Mitchell-Eddison resembled Cade Lasalle, this man was nearly Chris Lasalle's double. Apart from a few facial features which both men must have inherited from their mothers, they could easily pass for the same man. This Jake was perhaps a little taller, a little skinnier, and a little older, but there really wasn't much in it.

Suddenly he caught sight of Lasalle. Jake's face darkened.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"My job," Lasalle retorted.

"You two boys know each other?" Admiral Chase frowned.

"We've met, that's all," Lasalle replied before his half-brother could open his mouth.

Luckily, Brody and Pride returned to the squad room before anything further could be said, especially something dangerous.

"Agent Pride, is this mess sorted out?" the Admiral asked.

"No Admiral, it is not," Pride replied. "Mr Mitchell-Eddison can't account for his whereabouts at the time of death. He claims he was outside, alone. No witnesses."

"This is insane!"

"Settle down son," the Admiral soothed. "Agent Pride, Jake Mitchell-Eddison. Grayson's son."

"My father didn't kill anyone," Jake continued angrily. "I mean, who is she anyway?"

"She has a name," Lasalle snapped, springing to his feet. "Kate Reece. Forty five years old with two kids who are waiting for their momma to come home, only she ain't coming home anymore. Show her some respect."

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Jake spat.

"Screw you," Lasalle hissed.

He kicked his chair out of the way, storming into the kitchen, leaving them in a stunned silence. Brody and Pride exchanged a worried glance, before she followed him.

She found him leaning against the counter, hanging his head. Walking up to him, Brody placed a hand between his shoulder blades.

"This one's a little too close to home, huh?" she asked. Lasalle nodded. "We'll fix it," she promised, rubbing his back gently.

On impulse he turned, pulling her into a hug. It took Brody by surprise, however she understood he needed the comfort. He buried his face into her neck.

"We'll fix it," she repeated.

She wove her fingers through his hair, and they stood there, wrapped up together. They could hear the voices from the office, but neither cared enough to listen to what was being said. Eventually the voices died, and footsteps approached the kitchen, Pride appearing seconds later. If he was shocked to find two of his agents wrapped up in each other, he was sensitive enough not to show it, instead heading straight for the coffee pot. Chris lifted his face from Brody's neck, but made no move to release her. For her part, Brody showed no inclination to move either.

"Managed to convince the Admiral to head home for the night," Pride said eventually. "Got him to take young Jake with him. Percy's showing them out."

"What now?" Brody asked, her fingers playing with Chris' hair.

"Now we do our jobs," Pride replied, before turning to Chris and continuing, "Except you. You're too close to this Christopher. I don't need your half-brother suing us for assault. Go home, spend some time with your little girl. We'll get this straightened out."

Chris opened his mouth, ready to argue, but Brody cut him off by squeezing his wrist gently. He met her eyes for a moment, then lowered his head in acquiescence. Carefully he disentangled himself from Brody's arms and stepped towards the office, pausing in the doorway.

"Get justice for her," he said quietly. "Even if..."

Pride nodded.

"We will. Go home Christopher."

XOXOXOX

Lasalle may have been off the case, but that didn't stop Brody and Percy from sending him updates via text message. He knew when no one could back up his father's alibi. He knew when they found no fingerprints on the murder weapon. He knew when they found a voicemail message on the victim's phone from an abusive ex-boyfriend. He knew when they found him on the CCTV. He knew when they released his father. He knew when they arrested the ex-boyfriend. He knew when Sebastian matched the DNA found under the victim's finger nails to the ex-boyfriend. He knew when they arrested him.

The last one he received from all three of his fellow agents, Brody and Percy first, then Pride.

King

We got him. Come home.

Lasalle smiled at his phone. Then he called to Morena over the Lady Antebellum Christmas CD that he was going back to work, smiling as she blew him a kiss. His daughter remained oblivious to everything; she'd never met his father, she didn't need to know.

When he stepped into the office, Brody was the only one in the squad room. Immediately her face lit up.

"Welcome back," she grinned, stepping out from behind her desk to pull him into a hug.

"Thanks Brody," he murmured. "For everything."

"You're welcome," she replied.

"What are you doing for Christmas?" he asked.

"Nothing special," she shrugged.

"Wanna spend it with me and Morena again?"

Brody grinned.

"You're on," she replied.

XOXOXOX

Lasalle knew he couldn't escape forever. In fact, he was surprised he'd managed to go this long without his father seeking him out, but when he and Brody pulled up outside his apartment on Christmas Eve – because he'd argued it was crazy for her to go home alone when she could stay at his and join in the Christmas Eve celebrations too – he spotted a familiar town car parked along the block. He bit back a sigh.

"You go on in," he told Brody. "I'm gonna be a minute."

Brody's eyes flickered down the street, and she nodded understandingly.

"Sure. Don't be too long."

I'll rescue you if you need.

"I won't."

I know.

As he approached, the door of the town car opened and Grayson Mitchell-Eddison stepped out. Lasalle fought the urge to run away and lock the door behind him.

"Hello Christopher."

"What do you want?"

His father hesitated.

"You know I didn't kill that girl," he said.

"I know."

"I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"I know. Is that it?"

"Christopher..."

"You got something else to say, say it," Chris told him. "Otherwise, I got better things to do than stand out here chatting to you."

"I just want to be part of your life," Grayson said softly.

Chris snorted.

"You didn't want to be part of my life when I had a baby at twenty one," he retorted. "You didn't want to be part of my life when Cade disappeared. You didn't want to be part of my life when it was falling apart after Katrina. You just think you can send a plane ticket and that makes it all okay."

"I tried, Christopher."

"Not hard enough. You forget, I'm a dad. I know how hard it is. But even though it has been hard, I wouldn't have missed that ride for anything. But you... You gave up on me and Cade and Charlene and when we were babies. You never fought for us."

"That's not true."

"I've been fighting for Morena since the day she was born, and I'm gonna keep on fighting for her."

"I'm still your father Chris."

"Maybe it's time you starting acting like it. And I don't mean by taking us in cause mom was too sick to look after us. I mean standing by us even when it's tough, even when we don't live up to your expectations. That's being a dad: loving 'em through thick and thin. And you know what? There's two guys who've done that for me. And neither of them's you."

"Maybe this was a mistake," Grayson muttered.

Charles laughed bitterly.

"That's exactly what I'm talking about," he barked. "Things get uncomfortable or tough, and you wanna run away. Dads don't do that."

"I'm sorry Christopher."

"Whatever," Christ shook his head.

"Have a good Christmas," Grayson said before climbing back into his car.

"Yeah, merry Christmas dad," Chris replied.

He jogged across the road and into the apartment without looking back. He heard an engine start and a car drive away, but he did not turn around. Inside, he yanked off his leather jacket, throwing it onto a hook.

"You okay?"

Even though Brody's voice was soft, he still jumped.

"You sneaking up on me?" he teased.

"Always," she grinned. "You wanna talk?"

"No thanks."

"Okay. You wanna beer?"

Chris grinned. What a wonderful woman.

"You know Agent Brody, I think I love you," he declared, throwing an arm around her shoulders.

Then they moved to the living room, where they drank beer, ate pizza and listened to Morena talk and talk, and slowly Lasalle felt himself come back to life. When he paused and let his thoughts drift back to his father, a hand squeezed his elbow. He looked up and found Brody watching him knowingly. Silently she asked You okay? He nodded, taking her hand and linking their fingers. He squeezed her hand.

Perfect.