"How long we gotta sit here?" Deeks grumbled for what seemed the hundredth time as he slumped back into the seat and looked across at Kensi "Deeks!" Came Sam's voice over the earpiece interrupting Kensi's attempt to speak "If you complain one more time…" he was cut off by Deeks clearing his throat "I know I know, You'll toss me in the ravine… like you said a million times before and haven't" Deeks grinned and Sam growled looking across at Callen pleadingly.

Callen just shook his head continuing to suck on his tootsie pop – Sam regarded him "How many have you had G?" he asked and G paused as he mentally counted then shook his head "Lost count" he gestured to the pile of wrappers on the dashboard "A lot?" he offered and Sam rolled his eyes.

Kensi looked across at Deeks and shook her head "Stop moaning like a kid Deeks! I can always ask to swap with Sam…" a beat and she grinned at the look on Deek's face "I was kidding Deeks!" she exclaimed "I wouldn't put Sam through the torture of spending hours in the car with you…"

"I can hear you ya know…" Sam commented over the earpiece "Not that I'm complaining" he said and it was Deek's turn to pull a face as he shook his head and looked in the general direction of where the other agents would be.

"Looking at me like that won't go in your favour Deeks!" Sam retorted and Deeks just rolled his eyes "Your way over there" he replied

"Well I can be way over there in seconds" Sam retorted

"Mr. Hanna and Mr Deeks" Came Hetty's voice over the earpiece making everyone suddenly sit up "If you wish to have a sparring match I suggest you come back to ops and I will have Mr. Callen and Miss Blye work together on this operation"

"We're good!" Deeks and Sam replied and both Kensi and Callen smirked.

The four worn out agents had spent hours staking out a small car lot – watching one entrance was Sam and Callen in Callen's car whilst Kensi and Deeks were in Deeks' car.

Meanwhile back at ops Nell and Eric were watching the cameras which were already set up and the few additional cameras that the agents had been able to install.

Hetty was naturally keeping an eye on her agents as she stood watching the screen.

In the middle of the almost empty car lot were three cars – one of them a blue sedan which was their target. The sedan belonged to known and wanted arms dealer 'Kia Jordan' who had gone off NCIS' radar for the last three years after a midnight raid cleared out a warehouse that had been Kia's base.

Kia's 20+ strong group of loyal followers were all arrested or killed in the crossfire – Kia managed to escape and went into hiding.

Least til now – some agents undercover with another gang picked up some chatter that Kia was back but couldn't break cover to go check it out – and the gang they were in were also Kia's rivals.

So the agents had passed the information onto their handler who in turn passed on the information to Hetty.

Eric and Nell had spent a fair amount of time gathering Intel and confirming the reports, finally locating Kia they realized that the arms dealer was indeed back in LA but laying low. However he had also left a paper trail that led to the finding of a car the man had rented – clearly the man thought everyone had forgotten him.

So since the time they had located the car which was at 11am that morning til the time it was now – 4pm they had staked out the isolated car lot bang in the middle of LA.

"I got visual!" Eric suddenly said and everyone perked up "Talk Eric" Sam said urgently – it was clear the former SEAL wanted to get moving and now.

Callen sat up and held his tootsie pop between his teeth as he grabbed the binoculars resting underneath the pile of wrappers.

"He's coming at you from the south – on foot – he should be reaching you in a few seconds – blue jacket – red cap" Eric said quickly as his eyes tracked the cameras.

"I see him" Callen said as he held the binoculars to his eyes "Get ready"

"I've been ready since …" he cut off as Kensi elbowed him "OW?" he complained shooting her a look and Kensi shook her head looking back towards the windscreen as her hand rested on the door handle – her other hand resting on her sig. Taking his cue Deeks did the same, there were times when Deeks could be serious – and when it came to his job he was always dead serious.

On the other side of the car lot Sam and Callen lowered themselves out of sight as the man passed them – their hands rested on their sigs whilst their other hand rested on the door handles next to them.

As the man entered the car lot slowly and quietly the agents got out and approached the opening on each side and raised their guns – edging forward cautiously they kept their eyes on their target.

Unseen and unheard a man with a camera took photographs – but he didn't stay long as he slid back into his black car.

Kia walked with a brisk and open confidence that screamed ignorance – this guy clearly believed he was untouchable. He didn't even notice that he was being tailed or watched as he headed right for his car.

The Agents shared looks with each other as if signalling what to do as they moved closer and closer with each step but keeping enough distance that they wouldn't get seen.

Kia's hand barely touched the handle of his car when

BOOM – The car exploded sending everyone flying backwards as flames and debris licked the air.

Tyres squealed as the black car sped away