MOST IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE OF ALL TIME:
OKAY. I'M DONE WITH THE WORLD.
So, as much as I love NCIS: Los Angeles, I'm more of a die-hard fan of the original NCIS. And for those of you who haven't heard…Cote de Pablo's leaving. IM FLIPPING THE WORLD RIGHT NOW! I respect the actress's decision, because she can't stay against her will or anything like that. But OH MY GOD. RIGHT WHEN SHANE BRENNAN FINALLY DECIDED TO START THE TIVA. I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors even though I'm literally crying right now. I know that the fabulous writers will find a way to bring us closure, but I honestly don't see the show continuing without her. Maybe NCIS's reign as the number one drama on television will continue, maybe it won't. I honestly don't see it going in that direction. Uggh. So upset. Anybody else agree? Anyways, back to the fan fiction.
Just a shout out to my friend, Jess, who's reading this! I got the idea for this chapter while texting her :)
Disclaimer: It's kind of a "no shit, Sherlock" that I don't own NCIS: Los Angeles or any of its characters.
Eric Beale was watching the raid from Ops, the thermal imaging displayed on top, with cameras from Kensi, Callen, and Michelle split the bottom half of the screen into thirds. He pushed his thick glasses further up his nose anxiously as bullets started flying. Sure he worked for a government agency, but never would he be able to take Callen or Sam's job. Actually, he was quite happy with the partnership of his own with Nell.
When finally the 'dust settled' to say, and the cameras revealed Deeks in the chair, Eric forced himself to look away. Nell beside him put a placating hand to his shoulder and covered her mouth in shock. Unlike Eric, she could not tear her eyes from the screen.
A few minutes past, and Eric only listened to the audio. He could hear Callen talking Kensi down from shooting Sidarov. Looking over at Hetty for a reaction, she remained as she always was. Calculating eyes, a cool expression, but not even so much as a raised eyebrow to give away her thoughts. Granger, on the other hand, put his hands on his hips in judgment.
Eric was not a violent person, but he wouldn't have mind if Kensi went ahead and shot Sidarov for what he did to Deeks.
"Not good," Nell mumbled in his ear, drawing out her words. Even though she had whispering, Hetty glanced over to the pair.
"Yeah, no kidding," he whispered back, barely moving his lips. After a moment, Eric focused his attention back on Callen's camera. Sidarov was being handcuffed with a bullet hole in his calf.
"Mr. Callen, is all well?"
"Three injured."
"Mr. Beale, send for ambulances to their location," Hetty ordered calmly.
Eric jumped right on it, dialing the numbers feverishly and talking rapidly into the mouthpiece of the phone. After the brief conversation, he could see that Hetty and Granger had already left Ops, probably to have a heated conversation over her desk and some fine tea.
"Should we join Kensi and Callen at the hospital?" He asked Nell, searching her eyes.
She shook her head. "We're still needed here. Callen didn't say anything about finding the stolen nukes. And then there's the issue of Sidarov's Iranian friends showing up for the meet that's not going to happen."
"I guess you're right. So where do we start looking for the bombs?"
Nell bit her bottom lip like she always did when she was thinking. After a moment she answered maybe for the first time, "Nothing we can do until Callen and the guys question Sidarov."
"I'm sure we'll think of something. We always do. Team Ununoctium and Wolfram prevail above all," Eric went in for a fist bump, but Nell didn't return it. Face falling, he returned to staring at his blank computer screen. "You know they'll be okay, right?"
Tears welled up in her soft eyes, and she put a clenched fist in front of her wavering lips. "You didn't see Deeks."
It was Eric's turn to bring her into his shoulder, arm wrapped around her closely. He wasn't one for the touchy-feely stuff, but this was Nell. It was his partner-in-crime, second half to Team Ununoctium and Wolfram, and most importantly, a best friend. Well, that, and Eric had a geek-crush on her since they got over their bought of finishing each other's sentences when she first arrived. But in this situation, it didn't matter if the hug was awkward because they were at work or they were sitting down. Eric needed her too.
Henrietta Lange had quite the reputation.
From sparking fear into the hearts of even her superiors, her legendary past that was classified so heavily in red tape that not even SECNAV would have access, to even her taste for the finer things. It flared her style, from the clothes she wore to the tea she drank. Most of all, it showed in her choice of employees. Only the elite would work for her.
Unfortunately, some of the not-so-fine things still managed to creep into her life once and a while.
Owen Granger, for instance, was among the cheap things Hetty had to be associated with. Once an admirable man, he had turned into not even the scuff on her shoes would enjoy conversing with. From lying and deceiving her, to putting her team in mortal peril.
And so she openly showed her disdain over the brim of her steaming tea cup, boring her eyes into his with that gorgon stare. Hetty dared him to start the conversation. Indeed, he took the bait.
"Your people almost killed two suspects today, Henrietta."
She placed the expensive teacup down, letting the wafting herbal scent calm her down in only the slightest.
"And you're telling me that they didn't deserve it, Owen? It was irrational at best, but nonetheless warranted."
Granger shook his balding head and crossed one of his legs. "Your people are getting out of line. They think they can control and bend situations to fit their individual needs. Don't forget, the nuclear bombs are still out there, and now I have to report to Vance, who reports to SECNAV, who now has to tell the president that we still have no idea where the hell the bombs are!"
Passing agents began looking over at them now, but quickly averted their gaze after making eye contact with Hetty. She continued, "The lives of our agents should always come above the mission."
"They never have come above the mission, Henrietta!"
Hetty's stare could have made her steaming tea go cold. "Under my watch they are the highest priority. You should do well to remember that, Owen."
The Deputy Director stood abruptly, brushing dirt that wasn't there from his jacket. "The results gotten today won't come without consequence," he growled, and stalked off.
"Bugger," Hetty cursed and took another sip of her tea.
A petite, dark-haired woman emerged from the operating room an hour after Callen and Kensi had taken their seats. Both had noticed this immediately, for they had been waiting impatiently without any conversation for some time now. Rising with urgency they approached the doctor.
"Agents Blye and Callen?" She asked.
"Yeah, what are their conditions?"
She bit her lip, and got that awkward expression on her face when somebody was bearing bad news that did not affect them.
"What's wrong?" Kensi prompted.
"Agent Hanna should be fine with minor, non permanent damage to his heart…"
"And Detective Deeks?"
She paused before opening her mouth to speak, Kensi's heart pounding.
Author's Note:
I feel mean for leaving you with the cliffhanger, but I this is a mainly a tease to my friend Jess :) So blame her. :D