Chapter Eleven

The next morning a car was sent to pick them up and bring them in. As Tony, Ziva, and Madeline walked in, their carry-on bags that they brought with them were taken to a back room to be stored until they returned. Hetty ushered Madeline, Ziva, Tony, Kensi, and Nell to a back room where they waited for the medical examiner to come in. As they sat there waiting, they looked to one another and then to the clock knowing that they would soon be on a plane headed to Mexico.

"Well, you've gotten me out of bed early and here I am." Ducky smiled as he walked into the room with a young nurse who was carrying his medical bag.

"Ducky?" Madeline couldn't believe he was here.

"Hello my dear," Ducky smiled at her.

"Ducky, what are you doing here?" Ziva asked.

"We have our own medical examiner." Kensi pointed out as the woman walked in.

"Well, I was given direct instructions to get the results so to ensure I have them I am assisting in conducting them and then taking them back with me." Setting his coat aside, he dug through his back and pulled out his pen to record his observations.

"Dr. Mallard," Their medical examiner smiled at him as she beckoned Nell over to see her.

"Well come on Tony," Ducky patted the table. "Don't be shy."

"I hate needles." Madeline cringed.

"I do not like doctors." Ziva added. "I mean regular doctors…not you Ducky."

"No offense taken my dear," He smiled as he tied the band around Tony's arm, ready to take blood. "I'll make this all as painless as possible."

An hour later they were all taken upstairs to speak with Hetty before they had to disperse. Callen was not there, but in the house under his new identity. Sam was sitting next to Eric reviewing a few maps and making sure that the technical aspects were all taken care of. As they gathered around the table, Hetty saw Ducky to the car waiting for him before ascending the stairs to her team.

"Good morning." Hetty made her usual entrance.

"Morning Hetty." They greeted her.

"I wanted to speak with you all before you get changed and leave for your destinations." She clasped her hands together in front of her as she addressed them. "Although we've been preparing for this for only a short time there is no way to be fully prepared. On that note, Eric will give you each an ear piece and a tracking device. If at any point they search you get rid of the ear piece as quickly as possible. You are going there under the assumption you will be doing modeling or something to that affect. They expect you to be naïve, scattered, and almost submissive. If they give you anything to drink do not drink it. If they give you a pill spit it out and just mimic the symptoms of the drugs."

"We'll be careful Hetty." Kensi tried to comfort her.

"The tracking devices are going to be placed inside a cap on your back tooth. Should it come loose do not swallow it, because it will be destroyed and we won't be able to track you. Also, I'm giving you a camera that uploads all pictures taken not only to here but to Abby's lab." Eric put the black Sony cyber shot on the table in front of them.

"Make sure you guys take pictures of the outside area and anywhere you go along with pictures of yourselves so we know if you're alright and what you are wearing in case we lose contact." Abby appeared on screen to add the note to Eric's run down.

"You all know the word to say if you find yourself in extreme danger?" Vance asked.

"Yes." They acknowledged.

"I don't want any of you playing hero. You get the job done and get back here." Gibbs demanded.

"What about the other buyer? How do you intend to get all four, or five, of us back?" Madeline asked.

"We'll find him. Once one transaction goes through we can come in and shut down the sites and get everyone out that is being held there." Sam answered her.

"I'll make sure they all come back boss." DiNozzo directed his comment to Gibbs in particular.

"I know you will." Gibbs answered.

"We've got to get going, airport security is going to be a pain." Tony looked at his watch. They had a seven hour flight ahead of them with one lay over.

"Where are they meeting Detective Deeks?" Vance asked.

"Agent Blye is driving Madeline, Nell, and Ziva to the airport where they will meet Detective Deeks at the boarding gate." Hetty replied as she looked at her watch. "He should be there now waiting for them. I suspect he has a tail so we are trying to make it look as casual as possible."

"I'm going to go now so I don't look like I'm following you." Tony ducked out and headed to the cab waiting to take him to the airport. He was dressed in a pair of khaki pants and a button up short sleeve shirt that had a Hawaiian print on it. Pushing his sunglasses up, he watched as they pulled away from the office and headed towards LAX.

"We need to go change and get ready." Madeline pointed out, worrying about the time.

"Alright, I will be getting updates from DiNozzo and Hetty. You keep your earpieces in all the time and your tracking chips in. Do you understand?" Vance received a yes from the group. "Good luck Agents." The feed was cut and Hetty sighed as she turned to them.

"Come, we must get you dressed and ready." Hetty handed Madeline the camera as they headed downstairs.

Walking downstairs, the girls went into the stalls to change into their outfits. Madeline wore a short jean skirt, cowboy boots, and a blue off the shoulder knit sweater. Kensi was in a pair of black shorts with a silver t-shirt and a pair of gladiator sandals. Being the most conservative, Nell had on a pair of capris with a white t-shirt while Ziva wore a dark blue sun dress. Although it was cooler out in Los Angeles it would be warmer where they were going.

"I feel so naked." Madeline tried to tug the skirt down to cover more of herself.

"You are young dear, you can pull it off…now if I wore it…" Hetty shook her head before finishing the sentence. "Your bags are on the desk. In your bags are new cell phones, wallets with identification and credit cards and cash, your passports, and little things every woman needs like gum, hair brush…"

Taking their handbags, they went through the backroom and out to the garage. Piling into a green bug, Kensi ended up driving. Hetty and Eric watched as they pulled out of the garage and down the street before heading back up to the telecom room. "Eric pull the videos up now." Hetty ordered as they got upstairs. "I want eyes and ears on them starting now. They have clearance at airport security arranged right?"

"Yes, everything is set." He turned on the video and sound.

"God I don't know what I feel stranger in…this mini skirt or the car." Madeline joked.

"I'm not looking forward to being on a plane for seven hours." Nell sighed. "It's like waiting for a jury to come back with a sentence."

Once they got to the airport, they parked in the parking garage only a few spots down from Deeks' car. Madeline unloaded their carry-on bags from the trunk as they all filed out of the car. Grabbing their luggage, they walked into the airport and got their boarding passes and tickets. As they breezed through security they stopped for a drink and a snack before going to the gate. Sitting in the back corner was Tony, looking over his book. Instead of heading to sit with him they sat down with Deeks who was welcoming them. Before Kensi sat down she scanned the room looking for Deeks' tail. She could tell by Tony's look that it was the man sitting a row behind them not facing them. All she could see was the back of his head and that he was wearing a tan jacket.

"I'm so glad us girls could get away from all the hustle and bustle." Kensi said in a sweet voice.

"I know right. We are going to party." Madeline winked at Kensi.

"I'm going to the ladies room…you know I don't go alone." Ziva stood up and made eye contact with Madeline before smiling.

"I'll come I could use a quick break." Madeline stood up and walked with Ziva down the hallway and into the bathroom. Making sure the stalls were clear, Ziva gave a description of the tail waiting to hear that Eric pulled up an image of him. After making sure he had an image of him, she sighed and leaned back against the sink.

"I still have that sick feeling in my stomach." Ziva mentioned to Madeline as she put a hand to her stomach.

"Worried about the mission?" She asked.

"No, it's not nerves. I've been through worse." She leaned over the sink. "It's different."

"Well, let's get you more water and some crackers. See how you feel when we land." Putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, she gave her a smile before guiding her back out to the main hallway and to the gate as the boarding began. During the first flight they fell asleep, but on the second plane they were wide awake. They made sure to not make any eye contact with Tony. Their conversation was kept brief and the girls stuck to flipping through magazines.

Once they landed Deeks had a car come to pick them up. The driver was a Mexican man who spoke little English. They were dropped off in front of a building that looked like rental apartments. Deeks had set it up so they had a two bed room apartment to stay in for the night. Going upstairs, they put their bags in the rooms before coming back out to the living room.

"How long until we get to go out and party?" Kensi changed her watch.

"One hour, but don't get too drunk because tonight I'm going to make you ladies the future of modeling." Deeks got into his character. "So Rachel, why is it that you're still single?"

"Come on Emma, I'll fix your hair." Madeline led her to the bathroom that was shared between the two bedrooms.

"Thank you." Nell gave Madeline a semi smile as she finished her hair. "You look perfect Emma." Madeline knew the apartment was probably bugged.

"You too." Nell complimented her.

Nell had put on a black strapless dress that came a few inches above her knees. She had make up on and her hair flipped out and styled. Her heels made her almost as tall as Madeline, but when Madeline put on her tall black stilettos she once again overpowered Nell. Madeline kept on her mini skirt before putting on a green racer back tank top as Ziva walked in.

"Mar, what are you wearing?" Madeline asked Ziva.

"I was thinking my red outfit?" She walked over to her bag and pulled out a red mini dress. "I never had an occasion to wear it until now."

"I love it." Nell gawked.

"Where's Rachel? She needs to get ready." Madeline asked.

"She's still out with him." Ziva pointed to the living room.

"I guess just haven't found the right guy." Kensi answered as she took out Madeline's camera and took pictures from the balcony.

"No handsome co-worker?" He asked as he leaned against the rail.

"I wouldn't say handsome, but maybe good looking. He is a possibility, but he has trust issues." She patted him on the shoulder. "I have to go get dressed."

Walking back to the bedroom, she changed her top so it was a sheer white t-shirt that allowed people to see her black lace bra. She fixed her makeup and hair before sitting down on the bed. Ziva sat down next to her, they both hated waiting. Madeline heard silence on not only in the room but on the ear piece.

"Ladies!" Deeks clapped. "Let's go!"

"Show time." Madeline sighed as they grabbed their purses and headed out to the living room.

"You four look hot!" Deeks complimented them. "Let's take few pictures." He held his hand out for the camera and Madeline handed it to him. They understood that it was part of the process. Hetty would want pictures of them to know what they were wearing in case they went off grid while Gibbs would want pictures to make sure there was no bodily harm done to them. Posing with one another, they smiled and looked as if they were vacationing.

"Let's go." Kensi took Nell by the hand and linked arms with her. Ziva and Madeline walked behind them with Deeks in tow.

The bar, La Cantina, was diagonally across the street from where they were staying. Walking across the street, they pushed their way through the crowded room to get to the bar. Letting them sit at the bar, Madeline remained standing as she snapped pictures of the bar and the people in it before taking pictures of them at the bar.

"Found your tail." Eric said as he pulled the pictures up on the screen as they downloaded.

"Run him through recognization." Hetty ordered.

"So when do we get to meet this mystery man?" Nell giggled.

"Soon ladies," Deeks looked around spotting Tony first before his tail. "I'll be right back." He went to go meet his contact as he made his way through the room.

"You ladies are smokin' hot." Tony said and they all heard in their earpiece.

"Dream on Tony." Madeline stated as she grinned ear to ear.

Ordering drinks, Ziva made sure they were light cocktails. Each of them took their cocktails and sipped them as they sat at the bar. Again, they waited and waiting was never their strongest suit except for Ziva. She sat there calm and quiet with a smile on her face. However, she still kept a hand on her stomach and to Madeline that meant there was something wrong.

Looking over her shoulder, Kensi glanced at Deeks who gave her a nod. They were finally meeting the contact. This was their way in and they had to make an impression. Tapping her finger on the bar, she got the attention of the others. Now it was time to step up their game.

"Ladies, I'd like you to meet my friend Alexei." Deeks introduced the man who stood a few inches taller than them. He was paler with black hair. All the signs and mannerisms of an Eastern European were there.

"Hello," Madeline gave herself a southern accent. "My name is Jennifer and these are my friends Maria, Rachel, and Emma."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Jennifer. You are absolutely gorgeous." He kissed the top of her hand.

"You sure know how to make a girl blush; too bad you don't have any other friends with you. We could make this a party." Kensi inserted herself into the conversation.

"Sorry, Rachel can be a little…" Madeline started.

"Hey, I'm just saying what we are all thinking." Kensi deflected.

"I like an upfront woman who knows what she wants." Alexei smiled. "You ladies are actually in luck."

"Do we have an i.d. on him yet Eric?" Hetty asked as she walked back into the room.

"Are we?" Ziva swirled her small red straw around her martini. "And how is that?"

"Well, I have a few of my friends with me." He gestured to a door that they assumed led to a back room.

"What? They never move this fast." Eric commented. "Tony's not going to be able to get back there."

"Find a way back there DiNozzo." Gibbs ordered.

"Really?" Ziva pretended to look around. "Where?"

"They have a table in the back. Would you like to join us?" Alexei offered. "I think they'd really like to meet you lovely ladies."

"You're on vacation ladies, have a little fun." Deeks reminded them.

"Something is wrong." Hetty commented. "They never move this fast maybe the girls are being too upfront."

"Not if they are in desperate need of money." Eric looked over his shoulder at her.

"Alright, let's go…why not?" Kensi was taking the lead as the outgoing one.

"Right this way." Alexei took her hand and guided her and the others through the crowds and into the kitchen. Walking through the kitchen, they came to another door which he knocked on before opening.

"Ovo su proizvodi bili smo čeka?" This is the product we were waiting for? The one man asked as he sat at the back of the circle table. Alexei nodded as Madeline, Kensi, Nell, and Ziva entered the room while Deeks closed the door behind them.

"You sure this is a party?" Kensi asked looking at the four men sitting at the table. They each had a drink in front of them and cards in their hands.

"We were waiting for you ladies." The man who had spoke Serbian stood up and gestured for them to sit. He was the same height as Alexei but instead of a light complexion he had olive skin with dark hair and brown eyes. "My name is Nicholas and these are my associates Jeremy, Richard, and Alexander…and you've already met Alexei."

"Oni pogled malo stara." Alexander spoke to Nicholas as he looked over to Ziva.

"Translate McGee!" Gibbs ordered.

"He's saying they look a little old boss." McGee answered.

"You ladies are very beautiful. How old are you? You can't be more than twenty three." Jeremy commented. He and Richard were the exact opposites of their Serbian counterparts.

Unlike their associates, they spoke with an American accent. They both had a crew cut and the style of a Marine. Both were taller and broad in stature, but Richard had dirty blonde hair while Jeremy's was a light brown. Jeremy had piercing blue eyes while Richard had green. Madeline looked to Kensi and they both had the same thought; the Marines were more involved than they thought.

"I guess I would be the youngest." Nell blushed. "I'm only nineteen. I dropped out of college. They both are twenty one," She pointed to Madeline and Ziva. "My co-worker is twenty two." Gesturing to Kensi, they all smiled.

"Alexei," Nicholas pointed to the door for him to go and negotiate with Deeks for payment. "Your friend and Alexei have not introduced you ladies, that's very inappropriate."

"My name is Rachel," Kensi asserted herself, "This is Maria, Emma, and Jennifer."

"What brings you to Mexico?" Richard set his sights on Ziva. "Are you of Spanish descent?"

"We are here to have a good time. Our friend said he knew someone that could possibly help us out with something…but otherwise we are on vacation." She made eye contact before looking down as if she were trying to flirt with him. "No, I'm Indian and British actually, but I was born and raised in the United States."

"Absolutely stunning," He commented. "What do you say we lighten the mood and get everyone drinks and maybe we could take you ladies out for a night on the town?"

"Yeah?" Kensi smiled. "We'd like that."

"Are you here on business?" Madeline asked.

"Actually we are here for pleasure, but I think we might have found some business." Nicholas ordered drinks for them awhile.

"What business is that?" Madeline pried.

"We own a modeling company and work with companies who need faces to go with their products so to speak."

"Really?" Nell tried to sound shocked and intrigued. "I've always wanted to be in the magazines."

"Well, we might just be able to make that happen, but we'd need to do a photo shoot…and we couldn't do that until tomorrow. I wouldn't want to bog down your vacation with business." Nicholas sighed.

"No." Ziva shook her head.

"We would love to." Kensi added.

"We can mix a little business with pleasure…right ladies?" Madeline looked to each of them as she picked up her glass. "Cheers to a fantastic night and vacation."

As they each sipped their drinks the door opened and closed behind them. Deeks and Alexei snuck back into the room and Alexei nodded to Nicholas. Nicholas smiled at each of them before ordering another round of drinks. Ziva made eye contact with Madeline and there was something about the look in her eyes that made Madeline feel uneasy.