A/N: I apologize in advance for the unusually short chapter - but this was a necessary filler, because starting next chapter, things get a little hectic. And then they get a lot hectic, so a breather before is somewhat necessary (even if you don't think it is).

I would like to thank my eight reviewers. That's right, eight. I swear I'm on cloud nine - or eight? Anyway, many, many thanks to Rebel Magnus, StargateFreak33, terken, .B, justdreaming-83, redmangan23, Nina.4444, and TwilightPony21. I appreciate your reviews more than I can say. Truly, I do.


Chapter Nine: Departure

"We need a plan," Hetty declared.

They were all back in the ops room again, but there was a tangible difference in the air. Kensi had returned – the old team was back together again, and everyone felt more positive because of it.

"I'm supposed to meet with Ochbar tonight," said Kensi. "It's a checkpoint; if I don't show he'll assume I've been arrested or killed, and he'll disappear."

"What about his grand plan?" Deeks asked.

"Ochbar's cautious," Kensi replied. "If there's a chance Al Juhaida's been compromised he'll postpone all plans until he feels it's safe to move again. That's why it took so long to establish my cover."

"Then there's no question about it," Hetty decided. "You must be present for that meeting."

"Hetty," Kensi began. "I'll have to go back undercover. This op is nowhere near complete."

Hetty nodded. "I know, Miss Blye. Fortunately for us, however, it is getting there."

"What time do you have to meet Ochbar?" Callen asked.

"Eight," answered Kensi. "I'll try to find out more about his plan and pass the information on to you."

"And we'll keep a lookout for terrorist activity and missile SIM cards," Callen added. He looked at Kensi; there was something unreadable in his eyes, but she understood his expression well enough. "Kenz…"

"You know I can't, G," she said ruefully. "I have to maintain my cover – that means no contact with NCIS." He nodded, and she sighed. "I'll try to keep in touch, though."

"Then it's settled," Hetty said, satisfied. "Miss Blye, you will meet with Ochbar tonight, and you will resume your cover – with one crucial difference. You will not be alone this time."

Kensi smiled. "I know I won't, Hetty." She checked her watch and groaned. "Shoot, I gotta go. I hope I have enough time to get ready."

"Perhaps I can help with that, Miss Blye," Hetty offered. "We do have an extensive wardrobe downstairs, after all."

Kensi stared at her. "Are you serious?" Hetty gave her a look.

"Well, you can't meet Ochbar in jeans and a shirt."

NCIS: LA

Hetty looked through the numerous articles of clothing hanging neatly in the closet, discarding several before she found something suitable.

"Ah! Here it is." She carried the black pants and red blouse to where Kensi was waiting. "Try this on, Miss Blye."

Kensi carried the clothes into the dressing room and changed into them. "Well?" she asked, twirling around to let Callen, Sam, Deeks, and Rose see. "How do I look?"

"Wow," Deeks said appreciatively.

"You look good, Kensi," Sam complimented. Kensi smiled.

Callen's sharp eyes noticed a small silver circle with a hole in the center hanging from a black string around Kensi's neck. "What's that?" he asked.

Kensi looked puzzled for a moment, until she looked down and saw the circle. "Oh." She quickly tucked it into her blouse. "It's just a data disc."

"On what?" Callen inquired.

"Me," Kensi admitted. "When I joined NCIS, my file was redacted and my records were altered. This disc is the only true record of the real me. Everything I am – my history, my files – is on this thing."

"Hmm." Sam was pretty sure Callen had never gone deep enough undercover to require one of those.

"The only time this disc will ever leave me is if I've been compromised," Kensi continued. "Otherwise it stays on me." She and Callen shared a glance, and everyone knew that if the disc were ever to leave Kensi's person, it would mean very bad news.

"Miss Blye, you had better be on your way," Hetty advised. "It's a quarter to eight. Leave the clothes at the usual spot when you're done with them."

Kensi nodded and walked out of OSP, giving her team a farewell glance. Then she was gone.

"So what do we do now?" Rose asked.

"Now," Hetty responded, "we do our jobs. Until Miss Blye calls on us, we don't know anything about her mission."


A/N: Again, I'm sorry for the short chapter. But I have several long chapters later to make up for it, and one of them's coming tomorrow, so please don't kill me.

By the way, this story has officially reached the halfway point.