Dear Readers - First, thank you all so much for the reviews for "Pieced Together" it was so much fun to do and your support made it even better. It seems our newlyweds have decided they were not quite done yet so here we are. This story will follow the team starting with Season 4 on but, we won't be going in order and not every episode. This is where YOU come in. Let me know what episodes you would like to see in this AU world. You can let me know either through review or PM. And away we go!
To: redacted Effective today, NCIS's Office of Special Projects is reopening in Los Angeles at [location redacted]. [Name redacted] has agreed to return from her leave of absence to resume all duties as Operations Manager. As per [name redacted's] request, her team will be rebuilt as she sees fit. Agents C, H and B have all agreed to return to the Los Angeles OSP in their former positions. Lieutenant [name redacted] has also agreed to resume his duties as NCIS's Liaison Officer with for the Los Angeles Police Department. Agents C, H, B and Lt. D are available for undercover assignments after April 15th. Their reporting in the chain of command remains unchanged. Lt. D will still report to the Los Angeles Police Department. His promotion makes it unlikely he would be recalled for any long-term assignments with the Los Angeles Police Department. Intelligence Officer [name redacted] will move from the Navy Yard to OSP in Los Angeles. She will retain all duties performed while working at the Navy Yard. Technical Analyst [name redacted] will also move from the Navy Yard to OSP. He will no longer retain his cyber-crime duties as technical support for OSP's ongoing operations will take priority. Finally, on June 3rd, Dr. [name redacted] will return to OSP in a limited role. There are continued concerns for his safety due to his time in [location redacted]. In conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Offices, Dr. [name redacted] will do threat assessments from his secure location. As needed and with the assistance of the Marshals Service, Dr. [name redacted] will attend strategy meetings, interrogations and work with the active agents, providing psychological insight. Dr. [name redacted's] return to our agency is a tribute to the hard work and selfless efforts of members of the OSP team. Despite their time away from the physical office in Los Angeles, members of OSP, especially Agent B and Lt. D, worked tirelessly to bring Dr. [name redacted] home. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed and are a reflection of the excellence of [name redacted's] team. With the Office of Special Projects back on-line and [name redacted's] team united, I anticipate a return to the past successes this office provided our agency and the country.***
Fm: Leon Vance, Director, NCIS
Re: Office of Special Projects
April 1, 2013
Chapter 1
April 8, 2013
Office of Special Projects
Los Angeles, California
Hetty walked into the mission. This was her favorite time of day. Sunlight was just beginning its path across the common area. A few folks were wandering about turning on machines. The cleaning crew was finishing up their work from overnight dusting, sweeping, bringing the building back to life. Today was the first day the old building would be filled to normal capacity. About bloody time, she thought.
So many changes. So many emotions. Her team will finally be in one place together, with Nate eventually joining them. She will need to keep a close eye on him. Normally he would be the one she called after one of the others came back from an extended assignment. But who comes in for him? Hetty will call Director Vance. Maybe he can send Dr. Rachel Cranston? She did good work with Jethro's team in D.C.
She will also need to talk to Leon about Granger. The last thing she needs is the Assistant Director hanging around, micromanaging her. Hetty would like to get her team back and settled before the scrutiny begins. The operations manager knew Leon would be watching the dynamic of the team especially now that Deeks and Kensi's marriage was public knowledge. This was new territory. Leon promised the couple personally not to separate them given how long they were together without anyone's knowledge. She was very proud of the younger partners. Hetty was looking forward to getting to know this version of them.
Hetty was brought out of her thoughts by Nell. "Good morning Hetty."
"Good morning Miss Jones. You're here early." Hetty waved Nell towards her desk,"Come, let's have a cup of tea before the day begins." Nell smiled and followed her boss. "I want to commend you on your work not only in D.C. but for your loyalty to your friends. Mr. Deeks shared with me your contribution and support during their time away. I am very proud of you, Nell."
Nell beamed. She was afraid Hetty might have been upset with being kept out of the loop. "I'm sorry to have lied to you, Hetty. I was just so happy to find out they were alive. And for a time, I didn't know where you were. Deeks was the one who found you. His computer skills have improved a lot. I think the worst time was when Kensi was hurt in the Iraq explosion. He called me from Germany. Broke my heart to hear how sad he sounded. I almost got on a plane and went to him. I offered. But he was afraid it would blow their cover. I made him call me every couple of days just so I could check on both of them and do what I could to support him. I am just so happy we are all back together."
"As am I, Miss Jones. Thank you for taking such good care of Mr. Deeks; you are a good friend." They both reacted to the sound of bags being dropped onto desks in the bullpen. It was a happy, comforting sound. They were back. Hetty, followed by Nell, walked over the bullpen. Eric had come down from OPS. Once she had their attention, Hetty welcomed them back.
"I can't tell you how happy I am to see you all here. It was quite the year. Mr. Hanna, I hope Michelle and the children are settling in following the move back to the west coast?" Sam smiled and nodded. "Mr. Callen, welcome home. And finally to Mr. & Mrs. Deeks. We should be upset with you for hiding your marriage, but we understand. You should know that you two are going to be monitored as this is a first, married partners, but I know Director Vance has given his assurance to keep you together. I agree, you have shown your professionalism in the field under trying circumstances. And Lieutenant Deeks, congratulations on your promotion. Now as you all can imagine, there is much paperwork to do following your adventures. So let's get to it, shall we."
Hetty was about to leave the area when she turned towards Kensi, "Mrs. Deeks, how shall we address you?"
Kensi first looked at at the slim band on her left hand and then her husband and smiled. "Hetty, I am so proud to be Mrs. Martin Deeks, but we talked about it and Deeks and I feel that for security reasons, I will continue to go by Kensi Blye in the field. My family and friends know who I am. No one else needs to know, if that's okay with you?" Her eyes never left Deeks the whole time she spoke. Kensi wanted to make sure her husband knew, without a doubt, that Kensi Deeks was who she is. Deeks looked back in awe at the woman who was his world. He was proud to be her partner at work and at home.
"We think it's best this way, Hetty," Deeks wanted to make sure everyone knew it was a joint decision. The rest of the team nodded in support. Hetty was very proud of the couple. They would handle this and thrive. It was nice to come to work wearing their wedding bands. They also decided that Nell would hold their rings in a box up in OPS if they have to go undercover directly from work.
"Okay you lot, get to work!" With that the team went about their duties. Hetty went back to her office. They were moving forward together.
-TBC
Next chapter will be the party that Deeks promised Nell she could throw to celebrate Deeks and Kensi's marriage. There better be cake!
*** - excerpt from "Scattered" by Tess DiCorsi - used with permission