Washington, DC

"Sitrep!"

McGee and Bishop stood to attention as Gibbs came around the corner, coffee in hand and a look of frustration on his face.

"Boss, we thought you were interrogating…"McGee began, only to be interrupted by Gibbs turning quickly, his eyes creasing in anger.

"Sitrep, McGee," Gibbs stated slowly, his tone one of warning.

"Right," McGree croaked, quickly turning on the television screen.

Pictures quickly popped up as the team stepped in closer to view them.

"Our team in Russia hasn't had any luck finding Vanin or Petrov. But they did just send us an update on Maxim Renkov's former lawyer, Andrew Clayborne," Bishop relayed, pointing to the picture of an older gentleman on the screen.

"He was originally from England and moved to Russia in 1970. Garnered Renkov as a client in 1972 and turns out, Renkov was his only client until after the raid in 1984."

"Probably got paid a fortune to keep Renkov's organization out of trouble," Gibbs commented.

"There's just one problem," Bishop continued, pushing the forward button to reveal another set of photos.

This group of pictures revealed a destroyed office; files and papers thrown across the floor; chairs overturned; equipment and windows smashed to pieces.

"Our NCIS team in Russia obtained the address to Clayborne's office. This is how they found it."

"Any idea what the intruders were searching for?" Gibbs asked.

"From the looks of it, a laptop and some files were taken. Desktop computer was left smashed. Forensics is going to try and get any files related to Renkov off the hard drive," Bishop explained.

"Any leads on Clayborne's whereabouts?"

Bishop sighed. "Unfortunately, yes."

Once more, she clicked the forward button on the remote, revealing a final set of photos. Gibbs cursed under his breath, McGee sighing in defeat as the mangled body of Andrew Clayborne thrown in a dumpster filled the screen.

"The team found Clayborne's body in the dumpster behind his office building. Autopsy report isn't in yet but the medical examiner in Russia believes he's been dead at least two weeks," Bishop relayed quietly.

Gibbs finished the last of his coffee and threw the cup away, quickly moving behind his desk to grab his badge and gun.

"Two of you get some sleep. Let me know when there are any updates from forensics or the Russia team."

"Actually Gibbs, I'm on protective detail tonight for Ekaterina," Bishop said, looking to McGee slightly confused. "McGee takes over in the morning."

"Changes of plans. I'm going there now. You two come back here in the morning to work the case."

"What about Sharpe?" McGee asked. "He'll need to be…"

"Director's handling him," Gibbs growled.

Gibbs swiftly moved past both agents to the elevator, leaving them confused as to what exactly had caused their boss to change plans so suddenly….and what information former Agent Sharpe had given up.

Los Angeles, CA

NCIS: OPS

The phone rang on Henrietta Lange's desk. And when she saw the caller and looked at the time, she instantly knew something was wrong.

"Leon….working late tonight?"

The Director of NCIS smirked. "Late on this coast but not on yours, Hetty."

"Mmm…what can I do for you?"

"Afraid I'm going to need your team's help."

"My team's help? Well, they are your team, Director. Every case we're given is under your ultimate direction."

Leon chuckled. "Don't go all humble on me, Henrietta. We both know you run all the operations in LA. And I appreciate that I don't have to micromanage them. But there's a case we've caught here in DC that I'm going to need some extra hands on."

Hetty sat up straight, picking up her pen and pulling her notepad forward. "Of course. What can we do?"

"Nothing…yet. Just wanted to give you the heads up. More than likely we will need technical support to find some targets in Russia. I'm afraid Gibbs' team is being utilized for other areas right now and they're being pulled in all directions."

"I see," Hetty answered, writing down a few notes. "And do you need my people in DC?"

"Not sure. I'll keep you up to date. But I appreciate any cooperation you can give us."

"You always have it when you need it, Leon," Hetty answered honestly. "Can you give me any idea as to what this case is about?"

"Afraid I can't do that right now, Henrietta. We'll need to have that conversation over a much more secure line."

"That big of a case?" she inquired.

"Yea…we'll talk soon. Thank you, Henrietta."

"Of course, Leon. Good night."

"Night."

Hetty looked at the phone before hanging it up. She knew that the Director of NCIS had a secure phone line, as did she. So for Leon Vance to say that conversation of this case needed to be on a more secure line…that was concerning on multiple levels.

"Hetty, you coming?"

She looked up to see Nell and Eric standing at the edge of her office.

"Is it that time already?" she asked, pushing aside the concern now swirling through her mind.

"It is!" Nell agreed, walking up the two steps and putting her hands on her hips. "And you promised you wouldn't say no if there wasn't a case."

"No case tonight so you have to come," Eric agreed coming to stand by Nell. "The rest of the team is meeting us there."

Hetty chuckled and stood, closing her laptop and locking her desk. "Well, then I guess I have no choice."

"You don't. Especially since Deeks already put money on you beating Callen at pool."

Nell's eyes widened while Hetty's creased as she put one hand on her hip. Eric's mouth opened, realizing he'd just let the cat out of the bag.

"I…uh…I wasn't supposed to tell you that. Um…maybe don't say…it's not like…it was just a friendly wager….um, we should go!" Eric said, quickly turning and making his way out of the mission.

Nell pressed her lips together to hide her laughter while Hetty shook her head and took her purse off its hook.

"You don't have to play pool, you know. This is just a chance for you to see Deeks and Kensi's bar," Nell explained as she and Hetty slowly followed Eric's exit.

"Oh, I know that. But it would be such a shame to let Mr. Callen think he's the best at the game of pool. Sometimes the best need to be bested," Hetty responded with a knowing grin.

Nell's laughter filled the mission as the two petite women made their way out the door and in to the streets of Los Angeles.