Chapter Ten
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Chapter Ten
Callen nursed the vodka as he sat opposite his old friend. His gut was telling me that the big Russian wouldn't betray him, yet his heart was stinging from a lifetime of betrayal and couldn't fully allow himself to relax.
"Explain" he stated softly to the other man. Arkady sighed to himself before chuckling lightly.
"Ah G, so untrusting" he stated with a grin.
"Usually with good reason" the agent replied his eyes flashing with fire as the Russian skirted around the issue at hand.
"I will not argue that one with you" Arkady agreed, his smile disappearing from his face- he was all too aware of how often his friend had been hurt and betrayed in the past and he had no desire to add to it. "I am working for an old employer on a freelance basis" he explained, his tone unusually serious as he spoke. "I was approached by an old handler of mine- contacts in the Ukraine have raised concerns that a group of well-known Russian nationals have laid their hands on a lot of fire power and are willing to sell to the highest bidder. The group in question were wanted for arms dealing throughout Eastern Europe, and despite being arrested always managed to get away with their crimes" Kolcheck explained, for once sounding frustrated by the lack of justice as he saw it. "They upset a high ranking officer within the KGB when they had a mini war with a rival firm and his son was caught in the cross fire. He tracked them to LA, knowing I live here he contacted me and asked for my help" he explained, downing his Vodka in one slug before refilling his glass. "Now the question remains, what is your involvement?" he asked the agent in front of him.
"Simple, the arms have been stolen from our military amongst others putting it slap bang in our jurisdiction" Callen replied, sipping his drink thoughtfully. "I started with this gig three months ago, initially on evenings and he odd weekend working my way up- the big break only came a week ago" he responded, vague in his information, but trusting his old friend enough to know the basic facts- if he had wanted to cause him harm he could have outed him at the restaurant.
"I assume your partner knows nothing of this?" the intuitive operative asked.
"No, it has been out of work's time" Callen responded.
"So where do we go from here? Best case for both of us would be for me to get the deal- the arms would not make it to any terrorist organisation and you would be able to let it run longer- better chance of convictions" Arkady reasoned.
"Or let Asad win the deal and kill two birds with one stone by following the weapons" Callen argued.
"That my boy is for you to decide. Just remember this is a dangerous game G- don't cross them" the KGB agent warned, a flash of concern crossing his face before once more being masked by a grin. "Would be terrible for Mr Hanna to have to break in a new partner"
"I will bear it in mind" Callen stated with a grin, before turning and leaving, feeling better than he had since he had started his current mission.
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Hetty flicked through the updated files, absorbing as much information as possible. She felt herself sliding into a quandary- the op was reaching a critical point; she could feel it to her bones. She couldn't help but feel that now was the time to bring the team up to speed with the mission that their team leader had so far managed by himself. She knew that none of the team could go under with him, but just to have the extra security of them being aware and not too far away if and when they were needed. She knew that the team leader would buck against her bringing the others up to speed, but that was mostly as he would always work alone if he had the choice despite the fact that he did recognise the team as the closest thing he had to a family. She looked up as the subject of her thoughts stepped back through the door, and approached her.
"Did you clarify the position?" she asked with a quirked eye brow.
"Yes, I will update my report this evening" Callen replied softly, rubbing his face as exhaustion crept up on him.
"You will do no such thing Mr Callen" Hetty stated emphatically. "You will go and have a good meal, preferably with your partner and then you will go and get some much needed rest- you can complete your report tomorrow and formulate a plan for the next stages of the mission" the ops manager informed him, her tone leaving no room whatsoever for argument. Callen sighed, knowing when he was well and truly beaten he nodded and got to his feet without further word.
"Fancy a bite?" he offered to his partner as he leant against his desk.
"You buying?" Sam asked with a grin, Callen nodded with an answering smile. Sam got to his feet and grabbed his jacket- taking in his partner's tired and pale appearance he followed his friend through the door. "You buy, I'll drive" the older man offered lightly, relieved when his friend didn't argue.
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The two partners went to a classic steak house well away from any of Callen's undercover contacts.
"So how's the flu G?" Sam asked softly once the two senior agents had ordered their meals.
"Better by the hour Sam" Callen replied with a grin, his partner was no fool- but Callen had spent a lifetime protecting secrets, even from his friends and family.
"At least your eye is looking better" the former seal commented, knowing that getting any information from his partner was unlikely.
"I always heal fast" Callen replied with a grin.
"Sure ya do G- supernatural huh?" Sam stated with a smile- knowing that as much as his partner would claim he was invincible- he was just as breakable as anyone else. Callen grinned in response. "You sure you're ok G?" Sam asked, turning seriously.
"I'm fine Sam- starving and tired, but I'm ok" the team leader responded, being partially honest with his friend. The two looked up as their food arrived, Callen felt his stomach churn at the smell of the steak, but somehow managed to eat half of his portion.
"You want a ride home?" the former seal asked his friend softly.
"Please" Callen confirmed, too tired to even think about getting in a cab. Settling the bill the two agents headed straight to the challenger and Sam set off towards Callen's house. "Thanks Sam" the smaller man stated, his head leant back and his eyes closed. Just as the partners stopped outside of his house, and the seasoned agent walked up the short path to his house his cell phone chirped in his pocket. Sighing as he registered it was his undercover phone, he answered it promptly.
"Da?" he greeted, maintaining his cover, not missing his partner's burning gaze as he spoke.
"Demetri? There has been a development, Ivor needs to see you immediately" Andrei stated, his tone serious. Callen sighed as he leant against the wall, suddenly exhausted beyond measure.
"Where do I need to be?" he asked with a sigh that he made no attempt to disguise.
"The house, quickly Demetri, he is not in a good mood" the Russian stated. "Do you need me to give you a ride?" he asked.
"No, I am not home- I will call a cab" Callen replied, his accent maintained throughout, he knew all too well that a tiny slip could cost a case or worse still a life.
"I will see you soon" Andrei finished the call. Callen slid the phone back into his pocket, and with a final wave to his partner headed into the house to get changed and call a cab. Fifteen minutes later, text sent to Hetty, he was in a taxi and on his way, via several changes, to his meeting- hoping that it wouldn't be his last.
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Sam drove home quickly, his mind distracted with thoughts of his partner. He hadn't missed the mysterious phone call that his friend had received, he just wished that he was in on whatever the case was. He arrived home in no time and was locking his car just as his phone rang. Showing Hetty as the caller he answered immediately.
"Hetty? Do we have a new case?" the former seal asked as he stepped through his front door.
"No Mr Hanna, it's an established case that I have decided to read you in on- meet me at Ops as soon as you can" she instructed before disconnecting, Sam relocked his door and headed back to his car having no doubt that the ops manager was currently calling the remaining members of the team to give them a similar message.
End Chapter Ten
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