We all know that no fanfiction writer owns any characters.
I am very gratefull to be able to 'use' G. Callen and some of his team members in this story.
It happened before, when Keelson had managed to compromise his identity. But with Keelson dead and the large warehouse blown up, all information should be lost as well.
He remembered that Keelson had threatened to sell the information to anyone interested, but for a price. With his past, there would be people willing to pay because of revenge or because of pay back.
However, this all was nearly two years ago and nothing had happened ever since.
Until two days ago, when someone had managed to get into his work e-mail.
Even Eric had not been able to trace where this hack came from.
The series of e-mails sent to his account sometimes were only texts, like a row of cases he had been working on during his time with the DEA. Some others contained embedded vids with sometimes sickening, horrible scenes of places he had visited under a CIA cover.
But what shocked them most, was a mail with names of his team members and another one with a list of addresses where he had lived and video footage of his current address.
Protocol had to be followed, and until the person behind all this was found, Callen knew he had to cut all contacts with his team and with NCIS. It would have to be the other way around as well.
Texting 'Beauregard + being Merlin' to Hetty and getting rid of his phone.
No time for good byes. Just time to grab a bag with some spare clothes, a wallet filled with cash money only, a fake driver's license and a passport of an alias from a locker at LAX and catch the ferry to Catalina. Become a ghost on the island.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
'Rooms available'
Only a small note on the window of a nice house on Wrigley Road, Avalon. He might try it, he appreciated it above hotels. Besides that, private house owners mostly preferred cash money.
He rang the bell, but nobody came to the door. He knocked on the window, no reaction.
Just as he was about to leave, there was a female voice behind him.
"Nobody home?"
He looked around, saw a woman, early thirties he guessed. She looked good in black runners clothes, even being sweaty after a run.
"Apparently not", he responded.
"You might want to leave a message", she said.
"That won't be necessary", Callen reacted. He was sure he would find another place.
"So sorry", the woman said. "So, you're just leaving?".
Then, she passed him, took a key from a small pocket on her runner tights and opened the door.
"Still sure about leaving, Sir?" she said as she turned towards him, with a smile and a twinkle in her grey eyes.
"Well. I'm looking for a room and—ehrm. You have rooms available than?" Callen asked. He felt a bit uncomfortable with the easy and open smile of the woman.
"There is a room vacant indeed", she said. "Want to take a look?"
He didn't hesitate. He needed a place to stay at least for the next few days. "Sure, show me around".
Callen liked the place immediately. Only the kitchen was facing the street. The other rooms had great views towards the beach and ocean. There was a living room downstairs, with next to it a bedroom and bathroom. Definitely hers. The doors from the living room and the bedroom both lead to a large deck, overlooking beach & ocean. In the living room, there was a stairs leading to another large bedroom with an annexed large bathroom and kitchenette. This bedroom had a balcony, also with ocean views.
"There's a separate stairs and door outside, so you can come and go any time you like. Besides that, you can use the garage, which is a small gym actually".
"Great place. Great views. You must love to live here", he said.
"Sure. You know what? There's beer in the fridge. Have one. Look around, think about it. I need a shower first and will join you later".
Callen had often distrusted people and was not used to this easy way of stepping into somebody else's house and home. In his life and with his job, he had met many people and seen many houses. Feeling welcome like now, however, was less usual.
He smiled at her. "Great proposal". He put his bag down, took a beer and sat down on the deck. Meanwhile, he noticed that security measures were up to date, with webcams next to the doors.
He sighed.
It felt far from holidays, and yet he could easily relax in here. If only he knew if and how his team would cope without him and if only he could find out what happened…
o)o)o)o)o)
Katherine Franks quickly had her shower. She was glad there seemed to be somebody to rent a room. It would be less suspicious that way. She would be the innocent landlady, a perfect cover.
She was curious about her guest. He seemed tough, but also quite worried about something and she should find out soon what it was about.
Thanks for reading.
