Chapter 10
AUTHORS NOTES:
Thank you to everyone who has sent such wonderful reviews. As always I own nothing except my original characters. Again this story is AU. If things are not perfect with the show I'm sorry.
Hetty called in a favor and got a satellite with heat sensing capabilities to center on the building. After seeing that there was only one heat sense coming from the building a plan was put together. Deeks and Tony would go in dressed like homeless men and scout the outside of the building. Kensi had her sniper rifle and was sent to the building next door to set up a snipers nest and wait. A.J. slipped away with Ziva to the Amory to get herself ready.
"So Callen seems like a nice man." Said Ziva, as she watched A.J. slip a white bullet proof vest over her tee shirt. A.J. then pulled on a blue button down shirt to cover the vest. She pulled up her jeans on her right leg and strapped on an ankle holster then slipped in a 22.
"Yes he is." A.J. smiled at her friend. "Not what I expected to find here but I always big on letting fate lead me."
"Abby is going to want pictures." Said Ziva.
"Abby is going to want to plan the wedding." Both women laughed at this knowing how much Abby liked Callen. After her trip to L.A. she told everyone in D.C. that G Callen was now one of her favorite people.
In the other room Gibbs, Callen, Hetty and Granger were making their own plans.
"I don't like this one bit." Said Granger pacing in front of the others.
"None of us do Owen but this is her battle to fight." Said Hetty.
"He's going to expect us to be with her." Said Callen. "He's not going to stop unless we're all dead or he is."
Just then A.J. and Ziva walked back in. Hetty handed her a heavier NCIS vest to wear. Granger and Callen were already wearing theirs.
"Guys a voice mail just came into A.J. account." Yelled Eric from the top of the steps. "He wants to know what's taking her so long."
"You heard the man let's get this party started." A.J. didn't wait for the others but headed out the door towards the parking lot. Sam had an SUV waiting there to drive them.
"You good?" he asked as she climbed into the car.
"I will be when this is over."
The others got into the car and Sam took off. Deeks called to tell them there was one camera over the main door to the warehouse. The building was one long open building with windows ringing top under the room. Kensi had her spot picked out but it was too dark inside for her to see anything.
Sam stopped the car with a view of the building. A.J. got out and stopped at the hood of the SUV. She felt Callen stand behind her and his arms wrap around her. He whispered and I love you into her ear and she took a moment to lean back into him. Her fingers lifted to the spot on her chest where his heart rested. Granger stood in front of her.
"You can do this; just don't let him get under your skin." Granger stepped away. "We will be right here. What's the safe word?" asked Granger.
"Acum."
"And that would be?" replied Granger.
"Now in Romanian." Said Callen with a smirk.
A.J. stopped in front of the door and looked up at the camera. She knew he was watching. A.J. sensed movement to her right and without turning her head she knew Deeks was there in the shadows.
Taking a deep breath A.J. opened the door and walked it. The building was huge and dark. As soon as the door closed she was in total darkness. A.J. didn't move. "I know you're in here Mike, show yourself." A.J. blinked as the bright lights above her started to flash on. A row of lights ran the length of the building. The sound of clapping could be heard bouncing off the walls.
"Well look what we have here… a ghost." Mike Ross stepped out into the light. "Where are daddy and the boyfriend?
"What do you want Mike?"
"What I want is you and those two to pay for what you have done?" yelled Ross.
"Ok I get why you hate me and Granger but why Callen?"
"Because he took what I wanted. First the position in NCIS then you." The last word drawn out to almost a growl. "I still have friends in Washington, and your little friend Abby can't keep her mouth shut."
Ross started to walk towards A.J. a sick smile on his face. "Now I just have to decide if I want them to watch you die or you to watch them die." Ross stopped a few feet from A.J. He raised his gun to point it at her head. "What? Not afraid of me?"
"No not really."
"Granger I know you can hear me, if you want your little girl to live you better show yourself."
The door opened and Granger walked in Callen following. Both had their guns drawn and pointed at the men. Before anyone could act Ross shot over A.J.'s shoulder at Callen. The shot went wide and when A.J. glanced back to see if it hit Callen Ross moved. He grabbed her spinning her so her back was to his front.
"Sloppy, very sloppy to let your feeling get the best of you." Growled Ross.
"Kensi do you have a shot?" asked Hetty listing to what was going on over the coms.
"No there is a light in the way. I don't want to hit A.J. by accident."
"Ross let her go." Said Callen. "You want a piece of me then take it."
"Oh I'm going to do more than just take a piece. I'm going to take her." Ross started to run a hand down A.J.s arm. "I'm going to take what should have been mine all along."
"If you wanted her why the hell did you shoot her and leave her to die?" asked Callen taking a small step forward.
"I didn't have a choice; she didn't leave me a choice." Ross looked at Granger. "I thought she was dead until a few months ago. Then I found out you hid her. Changed her name, her hair." Ross lifted her hair and smelt it. "I have to admit I like the hair."
"Oh Please." Groaned Ziva at the way Ross was talking. "They need to just shoot him already." Gibbs looked at Ziva then put his attention back on the door.
"Now to decide which one of you to shoot first." Said Ross. He aimed his gun at Granger knowing they wouldn't shoot him as long as A.J. was in the way. He then moved the gun to point at Callen. He could feel A.J. shake a bit and knew he had his choice made for him. "Say good bye to lover boy."
"Callen." A.J. locked eyes with him. "Acum". A.J. then leaned her head forward and quickly brought it back connecting it to Ross's face. He howled in pain and A.J. let her legs go out from under her and dropped to the floor. Shots rang out around her. When it was quiet again A.J. looked up. Callen and Granger stood there guns still raised. A.j. looked behind her and saw Ross collapse to his knees. He looked at her then fell to his side and rolled to his back. A.J. stood and felt Callen at her side his arms around her.
"I'm ok." She whispered. They looked down at Ross and watched as he gasped for air. Behind them they heard the others gathering. From her left Granger held out his gun.
"I think you deserve the kill shot."
A.J. took the gun and looked down at the man on the floor. "No, he deserves to pay for all he's done." A.J turned slightly into Callen and felt him kiss the top of her head. Movement caught her attention and she turned to see Ross lifting the gun once more to aim at Callen. Without thinking A.J. brought the gun up and shot. Ross collapsed back onto the ground a bullet wound to the center of his forehead. "Or not." Said A.J. handing the gun back to Granger. She leaned into Callen and closed her eyes.
"It's over." Said Callen holding her close.
It was almost morning when the two teams gathered in Ops.
"Hetty what did Ross mean when he said I took his chance at NCIS?" asked Callen.
"When I was recruiting members for this team I had two CIA agents in mind. You and Mike Ross." Hetty took a deep breath. "Mr. Ross didn't meet the required mental requirements. He was a loose cannon, not a team player, I simply could not trust him."
"So this has been building for years."
"Yes Mr. Callen it has."
A.J. looked over at Gibb. "You are going to have to talk to Abby. She can't go around telling anyone about me. It's too dangerous. I know she means well but." A.J. left the comment drop.
"Don't worry we'll talk to her." Gibbs said pulling A.J. close for a hug.
A.J. looked over at Callen. "Can we go home now please?"
"I think that is a good idea. I don't want to see either of you till Monday."
A.J. walked into the beach house and dropped her bag on the couch. She didn't say a word to Callen just walked into the bedroom stripping her clothing off as she went. She started the shower and stepped inside. Only then did she let the tears fall. Not once sense the shooting had she cried. She had been strong pushing thru each day and each case always looking over her shoulder. Now it was over with. A.J. leaned into the cold tile wall and let the water wash her tears away. It was only a matter of time before she felt Callen slide his arms around her and pull her close.
She turned and buried her face in his chest and let the tears fall. Normally she wouldn't show any weakness like this, even to Callen. All the stress of the day had worn her down and she just didn't care anymore. Once her tears stopped Callen turned off the water and grabbed a towel. Drying her off first Callen then wrapped a towel around his own waist and led her to the bed. Sitting her down Callen dried her hair a bit then coaxed her to lay back and covered her with the blanket.
Callen dried himself off then climbed in besides her and pulled A.J. close. She was already asleep. The sun was just coming up when Callen finally closed his eyes and let sleep take him. Later on they would figure out where to go next but the shadow that had followed them both was gone.
Up Next lots of Densi, a new case and Nell in the field.