A/N: To all my readers and those who are following this story, thank you for you're patience. Now that the olympics are over, I can now concentrate on other things like my fics. So here's the long awaited next chapter.

Chapter 10

Rachel McGee exited the jet way at Baltimore-Washington International Airport and made her way to the exit and baggage claim. Her niece who is a student at USC had driven down to San Diego to pick her up and take her to the airport dropping her off at LAX about two and a half hours before the flight left there last night. Meghan had arrived early knowing that they would have to fight rush hour traffic up I-5. They had stopped at a restaurant along the way Meghan insisting that she eat something since she hadn't had much since breakfast that morning. She was thankful for her brother's daughter being there. She wasn't sure if she could have driven to the airport herself after receiving the call from Penny.

It was a good thing she arrived at LAX early, airport security had been beefed up and they were checking everything going through creating increased wait times. After clearing security, she made her way to the gate and took a seat lost in her own thoughts and memories of her only son. Yesterday had been one very rough day for her. She had finished breakfast and was filling the kitchen sink with soapy water to wash them when Beth a fellow navy wife and friend called saying that her husband Stephen who just so happened to be the base commander had taken off out the front door after receiving a phone call saying that there had been an explosion at the Navy Yard in Washington D.C. Word had spread through Naval Stations San Diego and Coronado, Camp Pendelton and surrounding areas like wildfire. All bases in California were put on lockdown and security was heightened especially at the entrances. That had been the other reason why Meghan had left early from USC early security had searched her car when she had arrived to pick her up.

As yesterday morning had gone on, she had tried calling Tim only to have the call go straight to voicemail. Penny and Sarah had had also encountered the same thing when they tried calling him so they had all decided to wait hoping he'd call. But the call from Penny around noon had shattered any hope that Tim was alive. Sarah would have been the one to call her but she was in shock from the call from Leon Vance NCIS's Director. The rest of the day had been a blur as she called her family and packed for the trip to Washington D.C. or as close as she could get considering both Reagan National and Dulles were closed to air traffic. Everyone had heard rumors that Baltimore might be closed to air traffic as well during the day but everyone had been thankful that it hadn't happened.

While waiting for her plane to board in Los Angeles, she kept to herself. She'd noticed the group of NCIS agents turning up at the gate and settling in a far corner and just ignored them. She suspected that they'd been called to DC and so were heading that way. She did recognize Agent Cortez from the San Diego office. It was rare that anyone had to deal with NCIS in San Diego but everyone knew who they were. She kept her distance from them the whole time.

When she landed in Chicago and made her way to the connecting flight her suspicions about the group of four agents were confirmed and noticed that they were joined by two more agents as they waited to board. Before leaving San Diego rumors were rampant on base as to how bad the situation was at the Navy Yard that it was anybody's guess. But seeing that agents were being sent to DC told her that it was bad. She noticed that a TV in the gate area was tuned to ZNN but ignored it. All she could think about was Tim and how he died.

Exiting the secure area, she scanned the crowd searching for Penny she didn't see her and she thought she might be waiting in baggage claim. So she headed that way making her way through the crowds until she heard "Rachel." Turning toward the caller she spotted her mother-in-law and headed toward her the two women embraced as the tears began flowing again.

-NCISLA-

Everyone was left speechless at the sight in front of them. Nell and Kensi were practically glued to Sam still not believing what was in front of them. It was worse than they had heard. After arriving at the Navy Yard and clearing through security, the group of arriving agents made their way to the area and were hit with a shock. The blackened outside walls and the collapsed section left Kensi reeling, the once proud building she remembered seeing the last time she was here looked like something out of a bad movie or nightmare however you wanted to put it. Cortez was with another group of agents she knew but arriving agents all had basically the same reaction.

It seemed like an eternity until the shock wore off. Nell couldn't say anything. Sam could feel her shaking through his arm which was wrapped around her shoulder to support her. Kensi had a hardened look on her face like she was ready to kill someone; she wouldn't cry, not now, not until they could put Harper Dearing behind bars. As for Sam he was seething again.

They were broken out of their thoughts when they heard, "Sam."

Turning they saw Nate heading towards them. "Nate," Nell nearly cried out breaking from Sam and rushing over to him. He wrapped his arms around the petite red head.

"Hey Nell," he spoke to her quietly knowing that she was shaken up by what she'd just seen. "It's okay." Kensi also came over to greet him and he gave her a hug as well knowing that she probably needed one right now. Then Sam came over and the too clasped each other's hands. "Hi Sam, did you guys just get here?"

"Yeah, it's worse than I thought," replied Sam indicating the carnage behind him. "When did you get in?"

"Last night, I was at the Federal Building in New York yesterday when Hetty called."

"Figures, we can't keep up with you, you know that."

"Yeah I know. Been up there for a few days and nobody expected this," indicating the area.

"You can say that again," chimed in Kensi, "and yes I'm fine."

They all broke out into a light chuckle at that.

"Hey where are the others?" Nate asked noting that Callen, Eric, and Deeks weren't there.

"Deeks is liaising with LEO's out west, Eric's at OPS, he was disappointed that Vance didn't request him but he was needed back there and Callen …" Kensi had to pause, how was she going to explain that their team leader was in the LA lock-up.

"He's in jail for murder, Nate," Sam took up the conversation considering that Kensi was still upset over what happened yesterday morning.

"Yeah, he is," Kensi replied. "Thanks Sam." Obviously relieved not to be the one to tell the psychologist.

"This isn't a joke right?" Nate asked looking at the three of them. The three shook their heads and the looks on their faces told him everything. Callen what the hell did you do? He was asking himself. Letting out the air he was holding after seeing their reaction he finally spoke, "Hetty didn't say anything to me about it yesterday. She sounded upset but I didn't press the issue"

"She was in shock like the rest of us." Sam was explaining.

That was a rarity for everyone, for Hetty to be stunned by what Callen had done. "What did he do?"

Before anyone could answer they heard a female voice calling out, "Kensi!"

Turning Kensi spotted EJ Barrett heading their way.

"EJ, hi," she spoke when she joined the group.

"Did you just get here?" she asked scanning the group.

"Yeah, flew in overnight."

"I got in early this morning,"

The others were watching the exchange as it went o for a minute before Kensi finally made the introductions. "EJ these are members of my team, the big guy is Sam Hanna, next to him is Nate Getz, and Nell Jones." The three nodded as Kensi continued. "Sam, Nate, Nell, this is EJ Barrett."

"Nice to meet you, I wish it was under better circumstances," Nell spoke up.

"Yeah same here," chimed in Sam.

"Come on I'll show you I'll show you all where they're setting up shop." EJ said as she led the way towards another area of the Yard. As they walked, Sam was explaining to Nate what had transpired with Callen. EJ was listening to the converstation in the background and had to ask. "Kensi who's Callen?"

"Our team leader," she spoke quietly listening to what Sam was saying to Nate as well. "He would be here except he's in jail for murder."

"What." She said in q quiet voice.

"Yeah long story, but Sam's filling Nate in behind us."

So EJ listen to the tale and thought this week couldn't have gotten any worse. NCIS had lost two agents in Los Angeles just within the past few days due to a lunatic out there named Marcel Janvier and apparently Callen snapped as a result. Oh great. She was wondering if anyone around here would be able to keep their sanity after this. Of course she could add this guy to the list of crazies like the Port to Port killer her and her team along with Gibbs and his had to deal with not too long ago here in D.C. That case had cost her team dearly in the end.

They entered a building where it was sheer chaos as furniture and people were everywhere. EJ led them to an area that had some semblance of order and ran into Lovitz. "EJ, spread the word Vance has moved the meeting with everyone to Friday instead of tomorrow."

"Why," came a chorus of voices including their group.

"We still got agents coming in from overseas and boats and they won't be here until tomorrow. There's one agent I know that won't make it in time."

"Anyone we know," asked Agent Carson.

"Yeah, Keating,"

"I was wondering where Vance transferred him too," spoke up Balboa.

"He and his team are on a carrier in the pacific right now assisting with a resupply," came Cortez.

"Jeez Cortez, San Diego sounds good right about now," quipped Balboa and chuckles broke out from a few others.

"So that's where he went," replied Carson. "Okay we can all fill him in when he gets here whenever that is."

The group from LA was making a mental note to find out who Keating was later.

"Okay enough, now can someone point me out the group from Los Angeles please I heard there here," Lovitz was saying to the entire room.

"Over here," he heard EJ Barrett call out.

Making his way through the area and greeting people along the way, he finally caught up with them. "Agents, Blye, Getz, Hanna, and Jones?"

"That's us," spoke up Sam.

"Director Vance wants to speak with all of you later this afternoon. He would have met with you all when you arrived but he's at the Pentagon at the moment."

"Sure no problem, did he say why?"

Shaking his said, "No,"

"Guess we'll find out later then," Kensi said eyeing the rest of them. "Thank you Lovitz."

"Not a problem." Then he left them.

At that moment, Cynthia and another woman were busy putting up sheets of paper on a large bulletin board along one wall. They all read the headings and Kensi, Nell and EJ went over to check it out with a few others. While they were doing that Stan Burley came up to Sam and Nate and were talking with them.

"Hey, where's Callen," he asked the two men.

"In jail," replied Nate.

"It's a long story," replied Sam.

"Great my one chance to see him in years and he's in jail." Stan was not amused by that particular piece of news. Of course everyone would know by the end of the week.

Meanwhile Kensi was scanning the list of those killed while EJ and Nell were looking over the injured list. Kensi was hoping she didn't come across anyone she knew. As she scanned the names she felt relief that was until she got to the last page.

EJ found all of Gibbs team including Abby there except McGee and thought that maybe he was alright but she hadn't seen him. Nell was thankful that the few names she did recognize were not badly injured as the injured list indicated the status of those who were hurt. She was making a mental note to track down the agents and analyst she knew in the office and get in touch with those in the hospital.

But Kensi had stopped dead in her tracks not believing what she was seeing. "No," bringing her hand to her mouth to keep herself from screaming. She had seen him the last time she was here two months ago and they even had lunch. Everyone had noticed Kensi's reaction and came over.

"Kensi, you okay," asked Nell.

"Kens, what is it," Sam asked.

Unable to speak all she could do was point to the name and everyone around her read it. EJ paled having the answer to why she hadn't seen Timothy McGee's name on the injured list. Nell recognized the name as well he was Eric's friend. So did Sam, Nate and Stan along with a few others as word spread in a whisper.

After what seemed like an eternity, Nell finally snapped out of it. "Who's going to tell Eric," she asked no one in particular.

"I don't believe it, I just saw him two months ago," Kensi spoke her voice shaking. She had lost Mike a few days ago and now Tim. She felt someone put a comforting hand on her shoulder and turned her head to see it was Nate. She was thankful for his support.

"He's on Gibbs Team, Man this is bad." Sam finally spoke.

"That's an understatement," Stan said. "I wonder if he knows.

"He knows," Carson came over to them. "In fact he's pissed off."

"Where is Gibbs anyway?"

"He's listed as serious in the hospital on that list over there." Nell spoke indicating the injured list.

"What about the others on his team?" Stan asked wondering about Abby, Tony and Ziva as well.

"Abby's in fair condition, DiNozzo's listed as serious and David in critical." As they all listened to EJ give a rundown on what she had read and gathered so far that morning.

"Thanks Barrett," Stan said relieved that the other's were still alive.

"Hey, what about Ducky and Jimmy," EJ asked Carson.

"Yesterday was Palmer's wedding day, they were all supposed to be in Florida but with this dammed Dearing case Gibbs, DiNozzo, David, McGee, and Abby stayed behind. Dr. Mallard went with Palmer on Monday afternoon." They all listened as Carson explained that Jimmy Palmer had arrived back in D.C. in the early morning hours and was already at work and Ducky had suffered a heart attack yesterday and was in the hospital down there.

"Jeez, what a way to crash the honeymoon, now I feel like popping Dearing," Sam spoke not amused by the whole thing.

"Is his wife still in Florida," EJ asked.

"Yeah, she's staying down there with Ducky."

"Nate was reading the lists and had to ask about the notation by McGee's name. "Hey what does that mean?"

"His name's not to be released to the press. That came down from the family," Cynthia was explaining. McGee's name wasn't the only one there were a few others as well.

"Wonder why," Nell asked herself.

"His father's a navy admiral," replied Stan.

Nell was surprised. She had heard of Admiral Thomas McGee but had no idea that his son was an NCIS agent. In fact she had never met him. She knew Timothy McGee by reputation only at NCIS. So it didn't click right away. She had met Sarah briefly back when they were teens when the McGee's were moving to a new base and the Jones family was moving on base in Florida. Nell sighed inwardly as she thought back she vaguely recalled Sarah mentioning an older brother in college. That's a navy brat's life for you she was telling herself.

"You're not kidding right," Sam asked.

"No, and every agent that's had to deal with him knows he doesn't like NCIS period."

"Ouch," the entire LA group said in unison.

"Yet his son is one of the most popular guys around here," said Kensi, still not believing that he's gone.

Christ, what a mess, Nell was telling herself. Talk about two sides of a coin.

"That's an understatement," Stan was saying.

Cortez came over to them, "Is it true, Tim McGee's dead."

They all nodded.

"You know that carrier that's having the resupply,"

"Yeah what about it," asked Stan.

"Admiral McGee's on it. Along with one Agent Afloat and the team of agents Vance sent from my office to assist with searching the supplies that were going aboard it."

That realization hit everyone like a bomb. "Lord help them," Stan spoke.

"Yeah," everyone else said.

After a few moments everyone finally snapped out of the latest round of news. "Hey Stan, you have any idea where we're supposed to set up shop in this place," asked Sam.

"Come on, I'll show you," he lead the way to another floor where cubicles were already set up and techs were busy connecting computers, phones, faxes, printers, and flat screen TV's. "They're still working on MTAC too so no video conference calls to home until that's ready."

"Thanks Stan," Nate spoke while everyone tried to get a feel for their temporary home and get settled.

"I'm going to call Hetty and let her know we're here and break the news," Sam said pulling out his cell phone.

"Sam it would be best if she told Eric and Callen about McGee," Nate was saying.

"Yeah you're right Nate, thanks."

Moving to a quiet area, he hit the speed dial number for Hetty's phone knowing she'd be at her desk by now anyway. The call was picked up after the first ring. "Hello."

"Hetty it's Sam …"

TBC ...

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