And here is our next chapter. I hope that you like it. I'm not trying to drag things out. I just want to shore everything up.
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After helping Deeks up, both of them walked downstairs to Hetty's desk. Hetty was sitting at her desk working when the pair walked up.
"I'm surprised to see the two of you so soon. You've only had a little over two hours of sleep, Miss Blye."
"Hetty, we have a problem." Kensi began. "Captain Bates just called me. Someone broke into Deeks apartment early this morning. Whoever did it found some of Deeks LAPD uniforms, so they know he's a cop."
Hetty didn't say anything, she simply picked up her phone and began dialing. She didn't even give Bates time to respond before she began speaking. "Captain Bates, Agent Blye informed me that Mr. Deeks apartment was broken into. Have you told anyone you've spoken to Agent Blye?"
"No, I have not. I just hung up the phone. I was just happy about the…
Hetty interrupted him before he could finish the sentence. "I regret to inform you that DETECTIVE Deeks has succumb to wounds he received during a shootout near his apartment."
Kensi and Blye gave one another questioning looks.
"Detective Deeks?" It took Bates a moment to realize what Hetty was trying to convey. "He was the one involved in the shootout near his place the other night?"
"Yes. I'm afraid that DETECTIVE Deeks was shot twice in the chest. DETECTIVE Deeks was rushed to the hospital, but there was nothing that could be done. Any inquiries handled by the LAPD should state as such."
"I understand Miss Lange. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Yes. Please keep a look out for anyone asking questions about a Shelby Reece. You can contact me at this number."
Hetty immediately hung up the phone and picked it back up. "Miss Jones? Please summon everyone to the OPS center."
Hetty finally looked up from the desk at the two Agents in front of her. "You two, come with me."
Bates hung up the phone. It had taken him a minute to catch on, especially after the deadly ninja woman had said he was fine, but if Hetty wanted Deeks to be considered dead, then he would be.
"Marty, whatever you have gotten into I certainly hope you are careful." He reached over and picked up the phone. He needed to get the ball rolling on the idea that Deeks had been killed in a gun battle two day ago.
After Callen was elected to wake Sam and bring him upstairs, everyone was finally in OPS, including Granger.
"Things have changed." Hetty said. "Last night Agent Deeks's apartment was broken into. Whoever did it knows that Deeks is an LAPD detective."
That caused somber expressions and questioning looks to pass between all the individuals gathered.
"No one is going to go to Mr. Deeks's apartment. It is most certainly under surveillance. Anyone who shows up will be considered a police officer. I've spoken with Captain Bates, LAPD is going to confirm that Detective Deeks died in the gun battle that occurred two nights ago. He is also going to keep an eye out for anyone asking questions about Shelby Reece."
Sam sighed. "So it's fifty-fifty whether or not we've been made."
Granger answered. "Yes, but Miss Jones has definitely been identified as LAPD. If they believe that killing everyone at a handover just to get to her may be acceptable."
"We still need to make contact." Callen insisted. "Maybe we can get a feel for where they stand. At the very least we help present ourselves as not being cops."
Granger and Hetty exchanged a look before Hetty answered. "Yes, but regardless of what they say or do, the object of this operation is to secure Miss Jones safety. Now that she has been made as a police officer, the only way to insure her safety now is to have her die in their presence and have them report back that she is dead."
Granger turned to Deeks. "It goes without saying that you don't leave this building until this is over."
"Great, so now I'm homeless, stuff-less, and freedom-less." Deeks moaned.
"You could have been lifeless, Deeks." Kensi pointed out.
"Touché."
"Look on the bright side, Mr. Deeks." Hetty cut in. "As an NCIS agent who lost his home due to an official NCIS operation, NCIS gives monetary assistance with purchasing a new home, as well as replacing your stuff."
Noticing the feral smile on Deeks face Granger added. "You are limited to two surfboards Deeks. Two, and they have to be off the self. No custom, one off boards."
Deeks just smiled. "Sweet!"
Kensi couldn't help but laugh.
"Miss Jones." Hetty said turning to Nell. "I'm afraid that you will have to stay at the Mission as well, until we have a better idea what is going on."
"Eric." Granger walked over behind the analyst. "Two things. Pull camera footage from Deeks break in and the crowd around when the police responded. Let's see if we recognize anyone. Second, see if anyone is searching the LAPD system for information on Deeks or Shelby Reece."
"Will do." Eric began typing away at his keyboard.
"Alright. Let's go make the call." Sam said heading out of OPS. Callen, Hetty, and Granger followed him.
Callen dialed the number and waited for the answer.
"Yes?"
"The job is done. We have your sister." Callen answered.
"You have Shelby Reece. Has she said anything?"
"Just the standard. No. Put me down. Where are you taking me? We sedated her and now she is resting quite soundly. Interrogating her wasn't part of the plan. Just grab her and turn her over. Now, about payment?"
"Yes, your finder's fee." The voice was silent for a moment. "South Docks. Pier 9. Ship's name Archangel. 9 PM. You bring Shelby Reece we bring $250,000"
"South Docks, Pier 9, Archangel, 9PM. Got it." Callen repeated, then the line went dead.
"They are here in LA, on ship. They are moving something." Sam said looking around at the other people gathered at Hetty's desk.
Hetty picked up the phone. "Mr. Beale, I have another to do to add to your list. Please find out everything you can about a ship called the Archangel. It is docked at the port in LA, south docks, pier 9. It's where the exchange is to be made."
"They were very curious about what she said when she was taken. They were fishing about what we knew about Shelby Reece." Granger added.
"They are definitely suspicious. It concerns me that that they didn't ask you to execute her outright. They aren't sure what you are. They want to bring you in to see whose side you are on." Hetty told the group.
"We don't take Nell." Callen stated flatly.
"Mr. Callen…."
"No Hetty. We aren't talking about this. They think she is a cop. They will shoot her as soon as they see her. We show her to them they open fire on her and us. I will not take her to the meet."
"Mr. Callen…"
"I said no, Hetty." G leaned in on the desk. "We hit the group at 8:30 with every tactical team we can beg, borrow, or steal. Nell doesn't leave the Mission until that boat is sunk in the harbor."
"AGENT CALLEN!" Hetty finally raised her voice. "We have to allow Miss Jones to be seen at the meet." Hetty raised her hand to stall further argument. "The only way to keep Miss Jones safe is to do for her what we have done for Mr. Deeks. Death's Head have to believe that she is dead. They have to see her die. To that end we are going to have to have Shelby Reece die in full view of the individuals aboard that ship. We are then going to have to allow at least a few to 'escape' to return to the cartel and tell them that Shelby Reece is dead."
The fact that Callen saw the logic of Hetty's argument didn't stop him from raging against it. Rather than say something else to make the disagreement worse, he simply walked away.
Sam went to follow but Granger grabbed his shoulder.
"Give him minute. He's never going to like this plan, but he will realize that it is the only way to protect her in the long run.
Sam looked Granger in the eye. "I hate the long run. I despise the big picture."
Granger grunted. "You have no idea." With that Granger walked away, leaving Sam and Hetty standing at her desk.
"Mr. Hanna." Hetty said as she sat back down in her chair. "Will you give me a moment?" Sam nodded his head and walked off toward the armory. Hetty picked up her cup of tea and realized it was empty. She put the cup and saucer back on the desk. She wasn't looking forward to giving Nell the bad news.
Kensi watched Nell walk out of OPS when everyone else did. She followed Nell down the stairs, through the gym and into the ladies locker room. When she opened the door she saw Nell sitting on one of the benches. She had the distinct feeling that Nell was waiting for her.
"I can do this Kensi. Why does everyone suddenly think I'm a moron? I have the highest IQ here. I've passed all the field test. I have field experience. Why am I getting the kid gloves? Even Hetty is talking about me showing up in full body armor. I want to be treated like they treat you. I'm not a damn kid."
Kensi sort of froze. She wasn't sure what she was expecting to hear when she walked through the door, but this certainly wasn't it. She should have seen it coming though. Before Deeks got tortured and the mess in Afghanistan she would have reacted exactly the same way. After all that though, she had learned to appreciate a little over compensation and concern from those around her.
Kensi took a deep breath, organizing her thoughts. She didn't just want to rehash what she had said earlier. That's when a thought occurred to her.
"Nell, this morning, when we said there was a guy coming around the house and I told you to stay in the bathroom, what were you thinking and feeling?"
Nell looked back up at Kensi. "I felt the adrenaline rush. Then my fight or flight response took over. I was worried about Callen and Sam. I mean, I know they can take care of themselves, and I've listened to him over comms, but it's different knowing that they were in that situation to protect me. It's kind of a strange feeling having people risk their lives for you." Nell stood up and began pacing the locker room. "I know this isn't my fault. This is all some sort of strange accident, but I don't want any of you getting hurt because of me. I would feel awful."
That was the entrance Kensi was looking for. "How do you think any of us would feel if you got hurt because of this accident? Nell," Kensi sat down on the bench Nell was pacing in front of. "Deeks already got shot because of all of this. I wasn't there and Sam and G got there in the nick of time. I'm just glad that Deeks luck has held out. We can't depend on luck anymore. There have been too many close calls. For our own selfish reasons we are doing anything we can to make sure you are safe. At this point in time, we are all more than willing to deal with your anger and hurt feelings if it means we don't fail again. If it means we don't fail you."
Nell sat down next to Kensi with a huff. "You know Kensi, you certainly know how to take the wind out of a girls sails when she's working herself up into a good mad."
Kensi looked over at Nell. "Blame Deeks, I do. He's had years of practice defusing me. I guess I've learned a thing or two.
Nell looked up at Kensi. "I won't tell Deeks you said that."
Deeks was watching footage around his apartment from the moment it was broken into until LAPD arrived. He had to admit, it hurt almost as much as being shot. Just watching people pull your life apart. He knew it was ridiculous. He had been shot several times and tortured by a Russian. He still didn't like watching it.
"Eric, is there a way to see who's across the street from my place? If they are going to be watching to see who shows up, then that's most likely where they would be."
"Give me just a second." Eric started typing away at his keyboard. "This is a camera from the shop on the same side of the street as yours looking down the block toward your place. It should give us the best vantage point. If you see anything of interest I can try and find a better, closer camera."
Eric forwarded through the footage. All you could see of the people entering and then leaving Deeks place were 'black clad ninjas' as he and Eric had taken to referring to them.
"Eric, back up the footage to just right after the break-in. Now fast forward again. Watch the middle table out in front of the little coffee bar on this end of the street.
Eric watched the footage scroll. "Wow, they sat at a closed café for four hours, in the middle of the night."
"Yeah, no reason not to relax when you are doing a stake out." Deeks walked closer to the screen. "Can you find another angle or camera to use? See if we can figure out who this is."
"Yes. In fact, this place has a camera inside and outside, so give me just a minute."
Deeks turned to Eric. "How do you know that?"
Eric sort of stuttered. "We used it that time you got shot. You know before this time you got shot."
"Right."
"Wow." Eric said as the pictures of both men appeared on the screen. The shop wasn't open yet so the outside camera had the best picture. "There they are. Do they look like members of the Death's Head to you?"
"Is it good enough for facial recognition?" Deeks asked.
"Gonna be iffy, but I'll try."
"Let me know what you find." With that Deeks walked out of OPS.
Callen was already through his fourth magazine before Sam entered the range. He never said anything, just stood there, leaned against the wall behind him.
Callen put to more magazines of bullets down range before setting the Sig down on the table and pulling off his ear protection.
"I know Sam."
Sam didn't say a word.
"I know that we have to make this public. If we don't make it convincing that Nell's legend is dead, then we risk this happening all over again. I know that."
G turned around and finally looked at Sam. "It doesn't mean I have to like it or even agree with it, but I will do it."
Sam didn't say anything. He just nodded at Callen, turned, and left the range.