Chapter 2

16th January, 2004

Kensi walks through a busy street and lets out a yawn.

It's too early to be up, especially when one only goes to bed at 6 in the morning. However, some things need to be done and Callen can't wait forever for her updates.

She quickens her step realizing that it is ten minutes after the hour they agreed to meet and Callen will start worrying if she doesn't show up soon enough.

She stops in front of the big and old-looking church and lets out yet another yawn. These crazy hours are going to drive her crazy soon enough.

Kensi walks through the big door and walks in the direction of the confession's booth. She enters it and sits on the bench.

The voice that comes through the other side is so familiar that she allows herself to relax fully for the first time in over two weeks. "How are you?"

Kensi lets out a sigh. "I'm fine, Callen. How are things back home?"

They both know that home is not used in the literal sense of the word. Home for them is the place where they work with the people who have become a family over the years.

Callen knows that. Heck, he understands that better than anyone else she knows. "We are all fine and missing you like crazy. What do you have for me?"

Kensi yawns again but Callen doesn't comment because he knows she couldn't have slept more than one hour that night just so she could meet him at this hour. "I need you to find out who is Daniel Brown. He's the new guy on the team. He seems like someone who can be trusted but there's something about him that leaves me restless. I don't know why. I just have the feeling I can't trust him."

She hears a pen scribbling and knows that Callen is writing this down. "Describe him to me to see if the picture we have on the database checks."

Kensi doesn't need to make a big effort. She doesn't want to admit it but his face has been engraved in her memory ever since the first time she saw him. "He has blond hair and bright blue eyes. I don't know how to describe him any better than that. He seems to be a California guy, a surfer even."

Callen writes that down again. "Meet me here tomorrow at the same time and I'll bring all the information I can get my hands on about this guy. Until then, be careful."

Kensi allows a weak smile to take over her features, even though Callen can't see it. "I always am."

With that she walks out of the booth and leaves the church.

Callen waits a few more minutes before leaving.

They need to be careful because they all know that the wrong move can give her away and she'll end up dead in the blink of an eye.

No one wants to see that happen so every meeting is carefully planned and executed.

Callen arrives about two hours before she does and leaves at least twenty minutes after she does.

They are careful not to create a pattern so they switch those hours and minutes. Callen goes there sometimes without meeting her just so no one will notice that they always go there on the same days.

It's tiring but necessary.

X

Kensi wakes up with a knock on the door of her apartment.

She looks at the clock and sees that it's 4 in the afternoon. It's time to get up, one way or another, so the knock doesn't bother her as much as it would some other time.

Kensi gets up and puts some pants on because she doesn't sleep with nothing but a shirt and underwear on. She walks to the door and opens it.

Daniel Brown is standing there, a goofy smile on his face and a box of something on his hands.

Kensi frowns and he understands her reaction. "We have to be in the warehouse in two hours but since we are partners down I figured we better start getting to know each other. I asked one of the guys where you live and decided to bring you something for breakfast. I hope you like donuts because I'm absolutely crazy about them and I can assure you these are the best one in the state."

Kensi still doesn't trust him but his words seem honest so she opens the door wider and lets him in.

He walks to her kitchen and opens the box of donuts, handing her one with a napkin. She smiles and takes a bite.

He does the same with another donut and Kensi is suddenly invaded with a strange sense of security.

It's weird and she knows she shouldn't feel like this with a guy she doesn't fully trust. However, she feels safe with him. She can't figure out why but she does.

He's the one who breaks the silence. "Can I ask you something?"

Kensi shrugs. "If I say no won't you ask it anyway?"

Daniel laughs and nods. "I'm a curious person and you are a mystery."

Kensi takes another bite. "You met me last night. How can you say I'm a mystery if you don't even know me?"

"I'm very good when it comes to reading people and in the short period of time I got to spend with you I could tell many things about you. Now, can you answer a question or not?"

Kensi nods so he continues. "How did a girl like you end up doing something like this?"

She frowns, not sure if she should feel offended or flattered. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Daniel finishes chewing the bit of donut in his mouth before shrugging and answering her. "You are beautiful, young and smart. You could have done many different things with your life. Why this?"

Kensi smiles and tries to read him. "Well, it's the typical story. My life wasn't that great while growing up and it brought me to this. Besides, I'm an adrenaline junky."

Daniel laughs and throws his napkin away after finishing his donut. "Well, junky, go get ready. We have to leave if we want to get there on time."

Kensi nods and walks to her bedroom. There's something different about him but she can't figure out what it is.

X

17th January, 2004

Kensi walks inside the big church once again and walks to the same booth. It's still too early to be up but she needs this meeting with Callen and this is the only safe hour for them to meet.

Callen is already there, waiting for her, and he's the one who starts their talk. "Daniel Brown doesn't exist, Kensi."

She frowns but her gut already knew that something was off with this guy. "Then who is this new guy working with us?"

"I have no idea but he's not who he says he is. Try to dig anything you can but be careful. He can't be trusted."

Kensi leaves the church and walks home. She knew something was not right with this guy but she never suspected him to be lying this badly.

The moment she walks through the door of her apartment she almost lets out a scream. Daniel Brown is sitting on her couch with a smile on his face and she is sure he doesn't have the key to her apartment. This can't be good.