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 7 - The Trap Snaps Shut

The next days nothing unusual happened. Joann shook off her pursuers again to excite no suspicion. Renko gave her the usual coverage. None of them went over to headquarters. Hetty had placed them in a vacant office building that was hiding a few surprises behind some innocuous-looking doors and walls. Everybody was anxious to give no indication of this new hideout.

…

Joann nervously ran up and down. She missed the gym in general, and the sand bag in particular. Maybe she could get rid of her nervousness this way.

"Enough! Sit down or go out, but stop this run to and fro! This makes me mad!" Sam lost his patience and snapped at Joann loudly.

"Oh yeah? What do you think makes me all mad? You kept on and on, when this stupid package arrived! If you had let the matter rest, we all could normally go on working!"

No one was used to such a fit of rage by Joann and so everyone starred at her amazed.

"My past is my business, but you could not let it rest! For your sake I was locked up at headquarters, for your sake I had to move out at G, for your sake we are sitting here now! Damn it!"

Trembling with anger Joann turned and left. Absolutely aghast colleagues and a deeply grieved Sam remained back.

Callen got up to follow Joann.

"No, G, that is a matter between Jo and me. I clarify this."

Callen sat back and watched his friend.

…

Sam found Joann on the roof.

"We both need to talk. Talk. Not argue."

Joann stared blankly at Sam. He stared back, waited. Joann finally turned around, stepped to the railing and looked over the city.

"From up here, everything looks so peaceful. No weapons, no drugs, no crime...no past. Everything's kind of easy. But then you go out there and nothing is easy anymore."

Slowly, Sam went to her, placed himself beside her.

"Why kept you on and on, Sam? I had managed the situation alone."

"If only because you should not manage it alone. My gut feeling told me that won't turn out well. And I knew it was important for you to talk about it. But the most important reason is that we are friends, Jo. Aren't we?"

For a while there was no reaction from Joann, then she nodded.

"Yes, Sam, we are." She lowered her head, was silent again.

Sam gave her a glance and immediately saw the vibrations of her shoulders. Gently, he put his arm around her.

"I'm sorry, Sam, nothing of that is your fault. I never should have said this because everything is my fault."

"Maybe a little bit because you haven't told us earlier about New York. But the real culprit is Davenport. And we will get him, don't worry."

Joann swallowed hard a few times, and then nodded. "Please forgive my outburst." Her voice was suddenly very determined. "Something like this will never happen again."

Sam turned to Joann slowly and looked at her seriously. "I know, apologies accepted."

"Are we clear?" Joann proffered her hand at Sam and he took it.

"Of course."

Then he remembered another bit. "Why are you so nervous today?"

"The dispute. This afternoon G and I will stage it. Then it won't be long until R.J. strikes."

Sam nodded. "You will make it." Then he had to grin. "Just imagine, he is me and you snap at him just as you did to me."

Joann grinned back. "Good idea."

"Come on, let's go, all the others will ask themselves where we stay."

"No, they will make bets, with how many black eyes we will come back."

Sam smiled on their way back.

…

Just before the door Sam stopped Joann. "Jo, there's something else I wanted to tell you for quite a while."

"Okay?"

"Do not make the same mistake like G, do not exclude us. A loner per team is enough. We are partners and friends. That means that we are there for you and help you, whatever happens." Sam looked at Joann seriously. "I was hopeful that G would become more open because of you, that he trusts more in us. I was not expecting it to you that you would take him as an example. And to make that clear, is not about backing, so that we care about each other in action and rely on each other. It goes beyond these things, as to the past, problems and worries. Think about it."

…

"It is enough to me, I have no desire to discuss this further!"

A coffee cup flew through the door and smashed on the driveway.

"You are absolutely crazy, Jo! For your sake we have come into this mess!"

"Bite me!"

"Calm down! Then we will talk about this in a few days again."

"Go to hell!"

Slamming the door closed and G drove off with screeching tires.

"Wow, that was really Oscar-worthy!" Sam grinned to himself as he only heard a growl in his ear.

"You have been observed, Davenport will know soon know about it." That was Renko.

"Okay, everyone, we are on red alert now, we keep our eyes glued to Joann. Eric, Nell, this is especially for you."

"Got it, Sam."

But nothing happened during the following days. Joann's observers backed off and Davenport just left his hotel room only to go to the pool.

…

Joann was restless again. So that she did not explode again and maybe would do something stupid, Sam compelled her to run. Every morning before starting work, the two met for jogging. That calmed Joann down only a little, but gave her the opportunity to get rid of some of her frustration.

…

"Jo, that is the quiet before the storm."

"I know, G, but I still don't like it."

"I think he will strike at the weekend, Friday, afternoon or evening." Thoughtful Kensi looked at their Laptop.

"How do you get that?" Joann looked at her friend.

"More time." Deeks said at Kensi's place.

"What?" Four questioning faces turned to the two.

"Nate has said that Davenport wants to be undisturbed with Joann to demonstrate her his power, his superiority. If he ambushes her at the weekend, he has plenty of time for that.", Kensi explained her theory.

Deeks went on. "Joann would be missing first on Monday morning when she doesn't meet with Sam or doesn't come to work. Two days should be long enough for its rotten power games and fantasies."

Joann nodded slowly. "I think you're right. He cannot wait much longer, I could even reconcile with G again. He will strike sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning."

"Okay, we prepare ourselves for it. Nevertheless, everyone remains cautious. If we're wrong, he can act any time."

Callen looked at his colleagues very seriously, they only nodded in reply.

…

"Such a bloody hell! Just now that damn car conks out! Damn! Damn! Damn it!"

Angrily Joann kicked her car and then in a fury slammed the hood with a loud bang. She was the last to leave the temporary quarters, all others were gone and now her car would not start. At headquarters she simply had been able to take a replacement car, but here there was no rolling stock. Or colleagues who could give her a ride. She took a few deep breaths, then Joann activated her earwig.

"Hey, folks, is still one of you close? My car is on strike, I need someone to give me a ride."

"Sure, no problem." With relieve Joann heard Renko's voice." "I'll be right at yours!"

"Thanks, Mike."

…

Tired and annoyed Joann rose in front of her temporary home.

"All right, Joann?" Renko gave her a worried look. Joann nodded.

"Yes, sure. The day was a strenuous, then the mishap with my car and Davenport still holds himself back."

According to the surveillance team he had not left his hotel room and the cameras in the house had shown nothing unusual.

"I'm just exhausted and because Davenport has not clump down yet, it means a sleepless night for me. Finally, today is Friday."

"We take good care of you."

"I know Mike. It's just...Oh, never mind! There is nothing that cannot be made right with a strong coffee and a big ice cream."

Renko smiled at her. "Okay, so long."

Joann waved to him and then went into the house. She sighed, dropped her bag and walked toward the kitchen.

"Ice cream, I definitely want a huge bowl of ice cream."

She opened the freezer. This saved her, because in the stainless steel door suddenly reflected a silhouette.

With the handle of his weapon Davenport only hit the door of the freezer, behind which Joann had gone quick as a flash to cover.

"Damn bitch!"

Joann did not think further, came out of her cover and rushed at him. This was not what Davenport has expected and he had to withdraw for now. The gun slid away.

"Not this time, you miserable bastard!"

She let rain a hail of punches and kicks on her attacker, drove him from the kitchen into the living room. But Davenport caught himself and quickly countered. Joann had to absorb a few blows, but she was not put off by it. With a hard kick to his stomach, she sent him to the ground. Unfortunately, this brought Davenport back into the vicinity of his weapon. Joann jumped behind the couch and pulled her Sig-Sauer. His shots were sharp over her head. She crawled to the side and shot back from there. This time it was Davenport, who got under shelter. Joann immediately went on the attack, pursued him. His shots missed her only by millimeters.

Triumph appeared on Davenport's face as he managed to kick Joann her gun out of her hand. But instead of giving up or diving behind the gun, she returned the favor with a few hard blows. One struck his nose, which broke with a sharp noise. The effluent blood and the pain made him angry. And dangerous. With a kick Davenport transported Joann against the wall. For a moment it took her breath away and gave him the opportunity to move in on her. But the hard training with Sam and Kensi and her absolute determination, this time not to become Davenport's victim, made Joann to resist violently, despite the pain and the unfavorable situation. She came away from the wall and somehow managed to ram her elbow into his solar plexus. Davenport collapsed, so Joann dealt out hard blows to his head.

…

"Nell, take a look at this, here is something wrong." Eric pointed to the monitor showing the surveillance images from Joann's house.

"There! This is a loop, Eric!"

"We need the originals!"

"At it." Nell typed in no time on her keyboard.

"This is Davenport!"

"That isn't possible, Eric, he's still at the hotel. Only a few minutes ago the team over there had confirmed an unchanged state."

"Mr. Beale, please inform the surveillance team at Miss MacKenzie's house. They should intervene immediately. Miss Jones, I want an immediate review by the team at the hotel."

"I'm on it, Hetty."

She nodded to Eric. Nell spoke into her headset and waited.

"Hetty, the room is empty. He seems to have left it by the adjacent rooms."

…

The time in prison had made Davenport tough. He put away the attacks of Joann, as if they were nothing. With a kick, he swept her off her feet and then ran toward his weapon. A view confirmed Joann that she was too distant from her own gun to reach it in time. Therefore, she ran toward Davenport.

…

"To all! Davenport is in the house!"

Renko had the first layer and was nearest. The rest of the team was on the way home or have already arrived there. With screeching tires, wild maneuvers and speed everyone made on their way to Joann.

…

With a dive Joann landed on Davenport's back and threw him around, away from his gun. She tried to put him out of action, but he was able to free himself and Joann hurled across the room. With a broad grin Davenport grabbed his gun and turned around.

…

Renko heard the shots, as he got off the car. Without hesitation, he kicked the front door.

"Eric, I am in."

"I can see you. They are in the living room."

Cautiously Renko approached the room. It was completely devastated: bullet holes in furniture and walls, fallen shelves and destroyed, shattered glass windows, cabinet and lamps.

Joann and Davenport were in the midst of this chaos. He knelt on the floor, Joann behind him. His right arm was bleeding and useless at his side while Joann turned his left on his back. She held a knife to his throat.

Slowly, the agent entered the room.

"Joann, it's over. You can let go of him, I have him.", Mike said quietly to her. "MacKenzie, let him go. I will arrest him. Everything is on tape." Renko sounded more relaxed than he was.

But Joann did not seem to perceive him.

…

"Did you really think you could surprise me again? This arrogance is right for you, you pig. But I will show you what I do with bigheaded assholes. I give them a little slits on the throat and see how they bleed to death slowly. Very slowly, because I know exactly where I need to cut. I will enjoy watching you. But maybe I just castrate you, slice by slice. I think it would be even more fun..."

Renko could see the panic appearing in Davenport's eyes, while Joanne's eyes were ice cold. This view of his colleague gave him a shiver run down his back.

"You are a cowardly wimp who assaults only to helpless and defeated. But this time you are way out of bounds, you stupid dud. This time you've chosen someone who frazzles you out. I'll show you what are fear, helplessness and pain. Yes, especially pain."

Saying this Joann bumped Davenport's injured arm and pushed through his cross a little more. He yelled.

At that moment the others came in, Kensi and Deeks by the front door, Callen and Sam over the terrace. Callen knew immediately what was going on. He motioned to the other, to hold back. Then he walked slowly toward her.

"Joann, let him go. Renko will cuff him. It's over. You won."

Callen's voice was calm, factual, no trace of his feelings towards Joann. She ignored him like Renko before.

Sam interfered. "Agent MacKenzie, immediately back of the prisoner and put down the knife." As Joann still not responded, Sam barked at her. "This was not a request, Agent MacKenzie, but a command. Now!"

For the first time Joann looked up from Davenport.

"A filthy jerk like him has no right to a fair trial. How fair has he been to the women he had beaten and raped? I do not allow that this scum gets free again. He will never again terrorize a woman. Never again. You all are right, it's over!"

With an even swing Joann moved the knife on Davenport's throat. He screamed, the others groaned in horror.

"Joann, immediately down with the knife!"

Deadly seriousness resonated in Sam's voice. This time she dropped the knife.

"Look at this courageous thug who has just wet his pants."

One by one she looked at them all, then turned toward one of the hidden surveillance cameras.

"I'm not like this garbage, I do not kill defenseless. But with what he has done, he deserves to feel fear itself. That's all I wanted."

Then Joann ditched her colleagues and left the living room.

Everyone turned to Davenport. The wet stain on his pants was not to be overlooked, as well as the hair-thin cut on his throat, from which oozed out only a few drops of blood. Joann had hardly hurt the top layer of skin.

"Renko, arrest him and bring him away. Kensi, Deeks, make sure that the LAPD keeps the gawkers at bay. If they ask, we take the case because an employee of NCIS was attacked at home. Sam, we both have a word with Joann. Oh, and Eric find out where Ray is. He should have been here a long time ago."

…

"What was that about?" G was incredibly angry, controlling himself with difficulty.

"I have taught an asshole a lesson."

"We could have shot you! You threatened a defenseless!"

"Who a few minutes before hit and kicked me. Oh yes, he has also shot at me, which I had almost forgotten."

Joann and G flashed at each other.

Sam looked at his partner, who was about to explode. Therefore, he intervened.

"Why didn't you drop the knife, as we have told you?"

"Because I was not finished with him, Sam." Joann ignored Callen. "I was not going to kill him, not in this way. Previously, in the fight, in order to survive, it wouldn't have made any difference to me because it would have meant him or me. You should really know me well enough to know that."

"I have not trained you to torture someone, Joann."

"I did not torture him! I just wanted him to be scared!"

"Do you realize that this incident may cause that he is not convicted?"

Joann became pale. "No. He may not get out scot-free, not after everything that happened, not after what we have done everything. Not again."

The two men looked at her, could almost see what was happening in Joann's head. Callen looked at her more closely.

"He hit you, Jo. That must be medicated."

"What?"

"You have a gunshot wound at the arm. You should let the paramedics examine it. Are you hurt anywhere else?"

"No idea, I think not."

"I will accompany you to the hospital."

"I'm good."

This sentence brought Sam to smile.

"Jo, don't argue with G. Let them examine you, then we can feel reassured."

Quietly, he went on to G. "I'll take care of everything here, bring her away quickly. I think Nate should talk to Joann."

"Yeah, good idea. Eric and Nell shall make ready the recordings of the surveillance cameras. I want to know how Davenport could come into the house unnoticed and why our people at the hotel didn't notice that he disappeared."

"All right."