All characters and all rights at 'NCIS: Los Angeles' belong to CBS and Shane Brennan Productions. The following story does not serve any commercial purposes, but was written only for the pleasure of fans. An injury of Copyright is not intended. All further persons belong to the authoress.

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Chapter 1 - Kidnapped

"They have kidnapped her and we have done nothing about it!" Deeks looked accusingly at his colleagues. "Now we are discussing here, and still do nothing!"

"Because we can't do anything without a plan! She was kidnapped by a drug cartel, not by a few small-town gangsters. Do you think I'm not worried about Kensi? I want her back as soon as possible, alive and healthy. This is not without good planning. Pull yourself together, Deeks." Sam glared at him.

The whole team was in an uproar. A few days ago they got a case of murder and kidnapping. On the basis of a statement of a witness Kensi drove again to the scene in order to look at everything again. When she was finished and wanted to go back, her car would not start. Despite her wide knowledge of cars she could not find the error. Total annoyed she finally called Deeks to pick her up. As he turned the corner, he just could see, that a furious fighting Kensi was steered into a van by four pretty big guys. Deeks raised the alarm and took up the chase. To his horror, he lost sight of the car, as the traffic was too dense. Eric and Nell could follow the car for a while longer with the help of the traffic cameras, but then it drove into an area without surveillance. After a few hours of anxious trepidation an email was received. The drug cartel told them, that Kensi nothing would happen when the NCIS would stop the investigation. Now they were discussing with which plan they could free Kensi.

"We should bring in the DEA and the drug squad. In addition, we have to inform the border patrol." Ray looked intently at all. He tried to remain calm, although he was very worried about Kensi. But if he wanted the others not to see the beginner in him anymore, he had to behave accordingly.

"Certainly they are already in Mexico with her. There they don't need to be afraid of the authorities." Sam frowned. To get Kensi out of Mexico would be a problem by itself. But to get her out of a drug cartel headquarters was more than a problem it was almost a miracle.

"Then we also will bring in the Mexican authorities, Sam." Callen gave the impression of being totally quiet. But inwardly he was extremely agitated. He had to believe that Kensi was well, but he knew the actions of the cartels. Adamant he ignored those thoughts.

"Therefore I will attend, Mr. Wingate, Mr. Callen, also to the contact with the DEA and CBP. Mr. Deeks, please get in contact with the drugs squad. We need all information about the cartel and each contact which is on site." Hetty had listened the back and forth for a while. Now it was time to act.

Deeks clearly had difficulty keeping quiet. But because it was about Kensi, he did his best. "Done, Hetty."

The only one who had been kept completely out of everything was Joann. Expressionless, she had listened to Deeks' report and Nell's analysis and viewed Eric's surveillance videos. Then she listened as expressionless all remarks. Since the report of Kensi's kidnapping she seemed petrified. But her thoughts raced, did not take a break for a second.

"All this takes too long. We don't have the time. We must immediately leave for Mexico."

"Excuse me?" Hetty looked piercingly at Joann.

"The email is just a delaying tactic. Kensi has learned or found something, as she was at the scene. Something that can bring the cartel into trouble. That's why it wants to prevent us from further investigations. That can be best done if we care about Kensi and are distracted with her rescue. For this reason, they brought Kensi to Mexico. To get her out there is extremely time-consuming and connected with a lot of trouble. So we don't have time to investigate the current case. They only need Kensi until they have covered their tracks. Therefore, we have no time and must immediately leave for Mexico."

Stunned everyone starred at Joann. Her colleagues had noticed her silence but they had laid the blame on the shock caused by Kensi's kidnapping. Now they realized that she all the time had reflected about everything and had found an explanation. Before anyone could say something about it, Joann kept on talking.

"Marty and I go to Mexico. We masquerade as a couple that wants to spend a few nice days there. Locally we can discreetly investigate and find out where Kensi is. In the meantime you can arrange that we get support. As soon as Marty and I have a plan, we will inform you. Eric, we need some toys from you, especially something to keep in touch with you without attracting attention. We also need a local contact that can provide us with weapons. Hetty, we need the appropriate papers and cash by you. Oh, and a low profile, all-terrain vehicle. The sooner we can start, the better."

Silence followed Joann's explanations. Hetty finally cleared her throat.

"That's all very well, Miss MacKenzie, but this is not how it works. We have to liaise with other authorities, particularly with the Mexican. We can't risk a diplomatic incident or possibly unmask a covert operation through our intervention."

"Excuse my French, Hetty, but that's bullshit. You know that in all Mexican authorities spies of the cartels are working. As soon as they are informed that Marty and I investigate, also the cartel knows it and Kensi is dead, we probably, too. Or they refuse us permission to use on site and then Kensi is also dead." Joann glared at Hetty. "I'm not willing to take that risk. Are you, Hetty?"

The women peered each other. Finally Hetty nodded slowly, without lowering the gaze.

"I really appreciate your effort for your colleague, Miss MacKenzie. Therefore, I will leave the Mexican authorities out until further notice. But I will talk to ours. If there should run an undercover operation, we may be of service to each other." Then Hetty turned to Eric. "Mr. Beale, set up the necessary papers. Miss MacKenzie, Mr. Deeks, I expect you in one hour, and then I will have everything you need. Take the time to discuss the details with your colleagues." Hetty again threw one of her unfathomable gazes to Joann, and then she left the ops.

Before anyone could say anything, Joann spoke again.

"Marty, as soon as we have our papers, we go to pack. I'll pick you up then. Take typical tourist stuff with you. We have to be absolutely normal. Eric, we need earwigs for the two of us, a camera which can do much, but looks unremarkable, and an interception equipment, but it has to be well camouflaged."

"I'm in." Eric spoke a few words with Nell, and then he left the ops.

Deeks looked again at the map. Finally, he enlarged a detail, and then he nodded firmly.

"Joann, we should modify the plan somewhat. Here, these little spot, that's a surfer enclave, only a few kilometers away from the place where the cartel has its headquarters. If we disguise ourselves as surfers, we won't attract attention."

"Sounds good, Marty, but what do these places have in common? You also forget that I can't surf."

"The surfer enclave is not a place; it only consists of a cluster of simple cabins and a campground. Everything the surfers need they have to buy in the next city. The city, the cartel had set itself. And of course I have a solution for your non-existing surf skills." At this point, Deeks grinned at her in his typical way. "You're my girlfriend and an amateur photographer. On our little trip you want to do a lot of pictures of your boyfriend, the coolest surfer in the world."

Joann was not sure if she should laugh or be angry. Finally she gave in her trembling mouth corners and grinned as well.

"You want me to be your little, worshipping surfer groupie. Hide my intelligence. Sweep my brilliant skills as an agent under the table. And probably I also should walk around in a skimpy bikini the whole day. Is this what you have in your mind?"

Although everyone did worry about Kensi, for a moment they could see the funny side of the picture that Joann had drawn. It made them laugh. Then the team became serious again.

"Okay, guys, let's carry on. You won't go as tourists but as surfers to Mexico. For this you need a different cover story and other equipment. Nell, tell Eric about it. And now we will work out our plan." Callen brought his people back on track.

…

"I think that's it. Everything else depends on the information Deeks and Joann will learn in Mexico. Deeks, did the drug squad get in touch with you?"

"No, Callen, not yet."

"I had hoped they would give us a contact on site. Someone who can support you." Callen easily wrinkled his forehead.

"We get about it right, G, don't worry." Joann looked reassuringly to her boyfriend. "After all we have the contact of the DEA. We can go it alone."

"Certainly we can't wait for the drug squad to report to us. If they contact us we will pass any information they will give us to you." Callen glanced at his clock. "You have to go soon."

"I'll have a look if Eric is ready." Deeks nodded to Callen and left the ops.

Joann also turned to go. "I guess I'll see if Hetty has everything we need."

…

Sam found Joann being at loggerheads with the sandbag. He did not say a word, just waited on.

"I know you're there, Sam." Finally, Joann held the sand bag and turned to Sam. "We will get Kensi out of there and bring her back. Alive. At all costs." Her gaze was penetrating.

Sam nodded. "I know. That's why I'm worried. It's not about to free Kensi whatever the cost. Deeks' death or yours, that price is too high. Also Kensi wouldn't want that."

One moment Joann looked at him silently. Finally she came up to Sam and let him clasp her in his arms. Sam pressed her firmly.

"We all come back, Sam, I promise you. Moreover, you are there and pay attention to us."

Sam released Joann and smiled at her. "You bet!"

Joann smiled back and together they went to Hetty.

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