Oh gosh. Double digits. Exciting. I hope you like it. :) Part 2 of 5

Chapter 10: Turning Tables

"What do you mean I don't need to know? She was my sister!"

"This is exactly why I can't tell you details of an on-going inves-"

"Don't give me that crap Detective! I work for a federal agency I know all about the need-to-know about on-going investigations. She is my family… you won't tell me anything!"

Madeline sat in the dark of her home drinking cheap whiskey when her phone rang.

Asst. Director Owen Granger

Madeline hit ignore and stared down at the table. Aria's file sat open on the table next to the liquor. She felt angry and sad and without thinking she threw her glass across the room shattering it against the wall across from her. Madeline stared at the mess she made and then quickly took a mouthful of whiskey straight from the bottle. She sat there for a while when she heard a knock on the door.

"Go away!" She shouted and continued to drink.

The door opened and a voice filled the hall. "I thought we had a date. You'll never guess who I ran into at the airport… Maddie? Are you okay? Since when do you own sweatpants."

"I said go away Deeks."

"Oh Madeline… I think you've had enough… talk to us." Nell said grabbing the bottle from her hand.

"Is this what you do in your free time? Stare at your sister's case file and drink?" Kensi said picking up the file off the table and looking at it.

"No… and why is that any of your business? I told you to leave." Madeline hissed grabbing the file from Kensi's hand.

"Actually you asked us to come back to LA and we find you in your home drinking cheap scotch-" Nell started her voice riddled with concern.

"Whiskey"

"Doesn't matter. I thought you wanted to get Callen freed. Yesterday you were fine. Now you're drunk, alone, in the dark? Obviously this has to do with your sister, so start talking." Deeks finished staring at Madeline expectantly.

"They found her, on a beach… in San Diego. They won't tell me anything." Madeline mumbled as her phone rang again.

Asst. Director Owen Granger

"Leave me alone Granger!" she shouted at the phone pulling back to throw it when Deeks reached out to stop her.

"You might want to return his calls. He's pissed with you. Some stunt you pulled last night at San Diego PD?" Kensi said pulling the phone away from her "Assistant Director Granger. Madeline is too drunk to come to the phone but when she has sobered up, I'll get her to call you." Kensi hung up the phone and looked at Madeline. "What did you do last night in San Diego?"

"Nothing. I got caught." Madeline grumbled crossing her arms and slouching down. She glared at Deeks and Kensi and then stood up. "Here's a suggestion. Go home… get some rest and tomorrow morning you guys work on a plan to get Callen cleared. By the way Sam's in Egypt. Get him to help you. I have more important things to deal with. Now get out of my house!"

"Go. It will be fine. I'm staying. We'll meet at Ops tomorrow morning. I'm staying Madeline." Nell said ushering Kensi and Deeks out the door. "You know… you're a mean drunk. And you might not have gotten caught if you let me do the hacking." She said turning to Madeline and handing her a file. "I flagged your sister's name. If it came up anywhere, I knew right away… and I thought you might have trouble getting this."

"San Diego's case file. Nell…"

"It's no problem. How is Eric dealing with the new suit policy? And seriously… what's up with the sweatpants?"

"He hates it and I'm comfortable." She replied staring at the file. Nell grabbed it away from her.

"Go to bed. Sober up. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow. And Sam's already on a plane back. He'll be in LA in the morning. I kind of thought this was a job for the whole team."

Madeline stared at the doll-like firecracker in front of her. She was filled with respect and admiration for the girl who seemed so innocent but was stronger than most people she knew. Nell was a true friend like Madeline had never known and she was overcome with gratitude. She hugged Nell and then looked at her awkwardly. "Thanks. You're amazing Nell. Goodnight." She then stumbled to her room flopping onto her bed and immediately into a drunken sleep.