Illusionist

Disclaimer: NCISLA characters belong to Shane Brennan. All original characters and this story are mine.

Chapter 14

Los Angeles

Eric rubbed his eyes from tiredness, he struggled to keep them awake after days of searching for the mercenaries looking for Nathan Read. Nate arrived five hours earlier for moral support. Hetty called him, knowing the Technical Operator would be struggling on his own, and with the knowledge about Nell's father. She hoped the Operational Psychologist could not only provide the company, but an ear to talk his feelings over the situation with regards to Nell's uncle and father being Russian spies.

"You should take a break, Eric. I can keep watch for a while. Go for a sleep downstairs. I'll wake you if anything needs your attention. I also have the D.C. team to help me." Nate watched the blue-eyed blond yawn as he exited the room, his flip flops echoing behind him. Maybe one day we'll get you wearing jeans and boots. Nate smiled over the younger man's dress sense. He knew it annoyed Hetty over his style of fashion, however she put up with it, due to his talents in his field. There weren't many who could claim to breaking the internet.

Washington D.C.

Abby, McGee and Bishop rotated in turn to search for William Jones, aka Mikhail Verden. He vanished from his Cincinnati home after his brother, Barnaby Jones, left for Los Angeles. It was most likely that it was Nell's father who'd killed Gibbs' friend, Jerry Singer. With Barnaby in custody and all of the names he had provided either arrested or killed by FBI and NCIS agents, they were hopeful Nell's father was working on his own.

"Found you!" Ellie Bishop's voice woke her colleagues from their much needed sleep. Her excitement of their suspect's appearance on camera echoed through the sliding door to Abby's office.

Abby and McGee ran in and stood bleary-eyed beside Ellie. "Where is he?"

Ellie looked closer at the camera. She knitted her brows close together with concern. "Helena. How did he know where to find them?"

"Perhaps Jerry told him where Gibbs flew his plane to before he killed him," McGee surmised.

"We've got to get in contact with Gibbs." Abby picked up the phone and dialled his burn phone.

"Gibbs, we've found him. He's in Helena. You've got to get them all out of there," Abby speedily told him.

"Slow down, Abs." Gibbs' fear for the Read family was evident in his blue eyes. Sam knew his team had found their remaining suspect. "Thanks, Abs." He disconnected the call and looked to Nathan Read. "We have company. The last suspect has been caught on camera in town. It's only a matter of time before he finds you on this ranch. We need to move you and your family out of here now."

"I'm not going anywhere," Nathan stated firmly resisting hiding from the threat. He was tired of it all. He wanted this over.

"Too many people's lives have been disrupted to keep you safe, Nathan—-especially your son's. Take them up to the cabin on horseback. It will be hard for you to be found up there with only the family knowing of it's location." Gibbs looked to Amanda and her husband, Geoff. "I need you to get all the children together. Gavin and Alyssa will need to get out of here in a 4wd, seeing neither of them and their young children can ride up there. It's imperative to get everyone away from here ASAP. Only the agents are to remain here." He looked straight into Nathan's eyes. "That's an order." Gibbs was not allowing anyone to argue. "Now." Time was of the essence.

Sam looked over to Michelle who was already gathering their kids and the Vance children, alongside Amanda's children and the twin boys. The older children could ride their horses up to the cabin easily enough, but the younger ones would have to go in the 4wd with Alyssa and Gavin. They would have to drive slow, with as little bumps as possible for Alyssa and Gavin. Amanda and Geoff helped Michelle take the older ones to the stable. Within fifteen minutes they were heading north into the mountains. Sam watched Alyssa holding Maddy firmly in her arms. The stress clearly evident in her eyes. Sam walked over to soothe her. "Is there a back way north to another town, where you can hide out until it's safe?" He doubted the 4wd would be able to make it to the cabin. It's access was fairly remote and only accessible by horseback.

"There is up to Lincoln," Alyssa admitted.

"Good. Take your family up there until you hear from me and only me. If for some reason I cannot call you, you wait until Michelle contacts you."

Alyssa nodded.

"Don't let Gavin do anything he shouldn't. I'm sending Granger with you to help protect you." Although Owen Granger was still recovering from his gun shot in the shoulder, he could still aim straight with his left hand. It was part of their training to ensure they could defend themselves, even after losing the use of the hand they usually fired with.

Alyssa nodded. "Gavin and Nathan have trained me, Sam. I may be pregnant, but I can still shoot."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that, Alyssa." Gavin stood at the top of the stairs looking at his partner. He watched him talking with his wife and he knew danger was lurking. He didn't want to be sent away, he wanted to stay and fight, but Gibbs had been firm on his order. He also knew Alyssa would only worry more about him. He was also under direct instructions from the doctor to rest. But now his urge to protect his family overwhelmed him.

"Come on, G. Get in the car with your family. They need you." Sam had seen the hesitation in his partner's eyes and he knew what he was thinking. He'd hope by saying that they needed him, it might help persuade him that it was his job, not the fact that he was being sent away like the rest of them. He helped him down the steps and walked with him over to the car, watching him climb into the second row with Maddy. The twins sat in their seats in the rear, thinking they were going on a family trip with Mr Granger. Alyssa started the ignition and headed the back way out of the property, heading north to Lincoln.

Suzanne had to drag Nathan to their horses to follow the others up to the cabin. "Nathan Read, you are not needed here. Your family needs you safe. Let the agents do their job and let's go."

Nathan conceded, Gibbs had already ordered him out of there. All hired hands had been told to go home or, for those who lived on the ranch, to head up to the cabin. It was too dangerous to let them stay.

The ranch became a ghost town, with only seven federal agents, including Hetty and Vance, left at the houses. It wouldn't take long for Nell's father to ask around town for Nathan Read, no matter what spelling and birth date he had. The name would lead him to Black Mountain Ranch soon enough.

"We need to make it look like we're working here, people. Don't let him think we're agents." He looked to Hetty and Vance and saw how they agreed with his plan. But it was important for Nell to remain out of sight. She was to stay inside Gavin and Alyssa's house, upstairs on lookout. When she saw her father arrive, only then would she show herself and hopefully talk him into surrendering.

Lincoln

Alyssa pulled up outside a motel in Lincoln and walked into reception to book two rooms. She was unsure how long they would need to be in town, she asked if they could pay for one night and see about the following night in the morning. The lady in reception was kind and accepted the uncertainty of the length of their stay without any prying questions. She returned to the car and drove it outside rooms nine and ten. The men took the bags that had been packed in a hurry into the rooms, as the boys ran inside, jumping on all the beds to check them out. Alyssa brought Maddy inside the cool room from the sun's heat as it beat down on them outside. She dropped the keys onto the table and collapsed into a chair. Gavin appeared to be distracted by the boys which she appreciated. They were excited, but they needed to calm down, she and Gavin needed to rest. Gavin may be out of hospital, but he was still struggling to keep awake for long. She had peered into the rear vision mirror on the journey to Lincoln and noticed he'd fallen asleep again. She knew this situation frustrated her husband. He'd spent most of his life preparing for this day, only to be unable to protect due to the head wound he'd suffered earlier in the week. She watched him turn the television onto a children's channel and left them be. The boys only ever watched t.v. when it was the middle of winter when it was too cold to go outside. The rest of the year, the boys preferred being outside. It was strange to see them inside on such a beautiful summer's day. But the situation they found themselves in was far from normal.

Alyssa laid down on the bed and drifted off to sleep. Maddy's cry caught her attention, bringing her back to reality. She furrowed her brow when she noticed Gavin was missing from the room. She picked Maddy up off the floor, wiping her tears. She peered into the bathroom but it was empty. She knocked on the adjoining room's door to see if he was with Owen. When Owen opened the door he shook his head as he squinted. The bright sunshine outside was in clear contrast to the darkened motel room, where he had spent the past hour sleeping. Panic arose in Alyssa's body of where Gavin had disappeared to. As she turned, she noticed their 4wd was missing. Damn you, Gavin. She picked up her cell and dialled his number.

"Hi, you've reached Gavin, leave a message and I'll get back to you soon." Tears welled up in Alyssa's eyes as her emotions took over. Owen brought her to a chair for her to sit down on.

"He's gone." She should have known he'd go back. She berated herself in believing he'd listen to everyone this time and stay away.

"It's in his blood, Alyssa. He's too much like his mother. Clara was always the protector." Owen's words did nothing to appease Alyssa, although she knew that was what Gavin was like.

She typed a message to Sam in hope he'd see it before it was too late. "Gavin's left us. Not sure when he left, just woke up. He's taken the car."

Sam looked at his cell, surprised to see a message on there. He scrunched up his lips annoyed with his partner. I'm gonna kick that skinny arse of yours, G. Alyssa needs you, damn it. He quickly sent her one back. "All okay here at the moment, don't worry. Not seen Gavin yet, but will keep a look out."

Alyssa couldn't help the tears that fell down her face. "He's not even suppose to drive." He was such a stubborn man.

"This is Gavin we're talking about here. He's always been stubborn, Alyssa. I know he's different when he's home with you, but it's that stubbornness and willingness to protect his family, that drives him to leave you safe back here, while he's off to L.A. playing the hero." Owen wondered why he found himself defending Gavin, when he wanted to knock some sense into the younger man.

The sound of a car pulling up outside caught their attention. Alyssa sighed with relief when she saw Gavin return with food. But her emotions got the better of her. "Where the hell have you been, Gav? Disappearing without a word at a time like this?"

Gavin looked between Alyssa and Granger, unsure on how to deal with a very emotional wife. He didn't want to cause a scene, but with him not being able to talk it made it difficult to defend himself. He held up the brown paper bags of groceries he'd bought from the local supermarket, in hope the gesture of food would appease her.

Tears fell freely down her face, over the relief that he hadn't gone back to the ranch to defend the family, and for feeling so stupid she hadn't trusted him.

Gavin placed the bag back down onto the seat of the car and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her on the crown of her head to soothe her. He continued to hold her until he felt her calm down. He worried over her emotional state and the effects on their babies. Sam had been right, he realised. He and the doctor had stressed to him the importance to put Alyssa and their babies first. If she reacted like this just from him driving up the road for food, what would she have been like if he had driven back to the ranch to face the last threat of his father's? He wished he could soothe her with words of comfort, but he was banned from trying, although he knew nothing would come out. He hoped him being there for her, helped.

Gavin set the food on the counter and started preparing food for Maddy and the boys. The boys had complained about being hungry which is why he had gone out for food. He hadn't wanted to bother Alyssa, knowing how much she needed the rest. What he hadn't counted on was her waking up and worrying over him. He hoped he would have been back before she woke up.

He picked up the plates, catching the boys attention by directing the food under their noses. Ethan and Cooper followed their dad up to the table and sat down. "Yum! Spaghetti on toast." Both boys smiled at their dad before diving in. It was a simple meal, but with a small fridge in their motel room, he didn't have much choice on what he could buy.

"Spagi," Maddy cried. Gavin smiled at his daughter. He walked back over to the kitchenette and grabbed a bowl for her. Alyssa picked her up and placed her on her lap. Feeding her was going to be more of a challenge without a high chair.

"Go easy, Maddy. Let Daddy help you." Alyssa told her, as she held onto the almost one year old. She hoped this threat would be over soon, so they could prepare for Maddy's first birthday, in two weeks time. This time she knew Gavin would be home for it. There were many important family celebrations that had happened over the years in which Gavin had missed or almost missed. She never knew if he would be there in time.

Gavin lifted the spoon up to their daughter's mouth. He opened his mouth to instruct her to follow, but she wanted to do it herself. He shrugged as he saw the determination in her face to feed herself. He smiled at Alyssa, before searching for a wash cloth, ready to clean her up. Both boys managed to gulp their food down in record time, evidence of how hungry they were. "We're still hungry."

Gavin looked into the bag and found some Goodland apples. He cut them up into eighths and divided them between the boys and Maddy. He smiled as he watched them crunch away on the white fleshed apple, such a contrast to it's partial red exterior. He had such fond memories over the years in eating them as they ripened on the tree between his and Amanda's house. It was more protected there from the elements, and had survived over the years. A McIntosh stood beside it and it's fruit would begin to ripen next month. The boys loved the fruit and now they were old enough to climb the apple trees, he had seen them helping themselves to some recently. He continued to smile, knowing their kids would never have to worry about any threats or losing both parents. After his team, Gibbs and Vance have eliminated this last threat, they could move on to the next phase of their lives in peace. He had been looking forward to this moment for a long time, although he was starting to have mixed feelings about it. He loved his team like a family and he felt bad on what was going to happen once it was safe for his family. He'd had conversations with Gibbs over the years about this day, and his old friend had told him to grab it.

"Life is too short, Gav. Your kids will be grown soon enough and you'll wonder why you didn't retire when you had the chance to. Don't you think you deserve all of this?" Gibbs' words had sunk deep into his heart. He'd pondered on his words ever since. Yes I do deserve this. He'd waited for it, for so long.

Helena

William Jones looked at the map spread out on the passenger seat. It had been easier than he'd thought. For over forty years, his brother had tried to find Nathan Rede, the man who had alluded their own people, and aided people to escape East Germany and Russia. Barnaby had been furious over Nathan becoming a KGB Major, and he was determined to ensure the American never succeeded in his operation. What he hadn't expected was for Clara Callen's alias to bump into Nathan Rede's alias, while undercover in Romania and then Russia. His brother had become obsessed in destroying the American's life. But it all went wrong when the Romanian crime family, the Comescus, killed Clara. The only woman his brother had ever loved. It pained him when Clara's son came to work at Langley. However, he left the boy be when he realised he had no memory of his family or even know his name. It amazed him that after all this time, Barnaby had failed in finding Nathan Rede to kill him, once and for all. He should have left it to me to find him. This could have been solved a long time ago.

He was always cleaning up after his older brother, even as children. It had been easy for William. He'd set the trap with the Director of NCIS, through the SecNav and he wasn't disappointed. Sarah Porter was weak as far as William Jones was concerned. A weak link, afraid of any bad reports over her people. All he had to do was send intel her way about two of her people. Names he'd been given from Barnaby, who had been close to Nathan Rede and Clara Callen. What intrigued him more though, was the fact that he'd heard G. Callen, Nathan and Clara's son also worked for NCIS. Barnaby had revealed that information seven years earlier after the boy had left the CIA. Not that G. Callen was a boy, now that he was in his forties. But to him and Barnaby, he'd always be Nathan and Clara's boy.

William smiled as he placed his sunglasses over his eyes and started the engine. Black Mountain Ranch was twenty minutes north east of the city. The sun shone brightly high in the sky, as midday approached. The sun warmed his skin, as he turn onto highway 15, then left onto the 279. The roads were deserted of other motorists, which suited William fine. Lush green farmland with rocky mountains in the background took William's breath away over it's beauty. It was the perfect place to hide. He mulled over what he was going to do when he arrived at the ranch. He could pretend he was interested in a horse trail ride, in hope of meeting Nathan Rede in person. Plan B would require more force. Being alone on this mission meant he'd prefer to do this quietly. He wasn't sure how many people he'd find out at the ranch. If he could resolve this one on one, he'd be most satisfied. Wait until Barnaby hears what I've done. His smile broadened as he turned up a long driveway.

Black Mountain Ranch

Sam looked at his watch. It had been half an hour since Alyssa had frantically texted him, but there was still no sign of his partner. He heard a car pull up the drive, but stop lower down. He turned his head slightly, expecting it to be his partner, but an unfamiliar car sat with it's engine running. His cell vibrated. He quickly looked at it and sighed with relief. "Gavin had gone to the grocers. Sorry to have panicked."

"Glad he's safe.." Sam switched his cell off, as his senses heightened. He looked over to Gibbs and Vance as they pottered around the engine of an old truck in one of the barns. They nodded back, aware of the car that had stopped in the driveway. He turned to the stables, Deeks and Kensi also nodded, before looking towards Hetty, kneeling down in the garden. All were in position, waiting, for what felt like a lifetime. But it had in fact been two hours since Abby's call. Nell must have been on edge stuck inside, when he knew she loved being outdoors. He'd seen it in her eyes when she patted the horse earlier. She was comfortable here, as if it was where she belonged, rather than being cooped up inside some building in Los Angeles.

So beautiful, William mused. Nell would love it here. Thinking about his daughter made him stop the car. He furrowed his brow as he thought over the apple of his eye. He'd given her anything she had wished, growing up. She was bright and had the most beautiful large hazel eyes like her mother. Nell had been easy to please, all she had asked for was a laptop and horse riding lessons. Anything else didn't appear to interest her. He saw some cattle grazing in the field and wondered what life would have been like, if he and his wife had brought a ranch, in a place like this instead of settling in the city. Quieter. Slower. Nell would have never left for Los Angeles. He missed his daughter, who always appeared to be too busy working, than visit these days. He wanted her married with children of her own, before he became too old to enjoy them. He shook the thoughts clear from the forefront of his mind. He needed to focus on the job at hand. He pressed down on the accelerator and continued the drive through the larch trees, towards three large wooden houses, painted white.

Sam watched the car continue up to Gavin and Alyssa's house, before it came to a complete stop. Hetty continued her movement of weeding, although the garden was well tended by it's real owners. All agents knew, whether they looked like they did or not, of the visitor to the ranch. They had been told to leave it to Nell, that she would test the waters, and hope she might be able to persuade the threat to surrender peaceably. But that didn't stop Sam from worrying about Nell. He knew she could hold her own, but they were there to back her up just the same. Like he had promised Eric, who he knew would be having kittens if he knew the plan.

The houses, William noted stood out from the green pastures that surrounded them, although shaded by Ponderosa and Douglas Fir trees. Stables, barns and work cottages stood towards the rear of the cluster of houses and well tended gardens. His smile returned as he saw some people working out at the stables and barn. Two men were working on an old truck in a barn, a woman and man cleaning the stables, whilst a rather large well built man busied himself fixing a fence near the houses. He looked for more life, other than the five workers, he couldn't see any signs of life. Then he noticed a small figure, a woman or child, he supposed; knelt down in a garden by one of the houses, hidden underneath a large straw hat that looked too big for her. He stepped out of the car and as he turned to close the door, he heard footsteps on the front porch behind him. He turned and was surprised to see his own daughter leaning against the post.

"Nell?" He took his sunglasses off his eyes to take another look. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." She remained in a relaxed pose, although her government issued SIG sat snug in the waistband of her jeans. Her heart pounded heavily, as she fought hard to hide her emotions. She had gone over all the variables of how this will play out, knowing it all depended on her, on how she handled her father.

"I was just thinking of you when I saw the pastures and stables. That you would love it here." William took two steps closer to her, distracted by her being there.

"I do love it here, Dad." How she managed to keep her voice steady and relaxed, she was unsure of. Maybe all that training with Hetty and Callen had paid off. Callen. Her team leader and friend. The man who she admired and respected. What a far cry he was from the man she had admired and loved all of her life. Her father. Any ounce of respect for the man before her vanished, the moment Agent Gibbs told her who he really was. A Russian spy. The last threat of the Read family. People who had done their dues for this country, far more than what she could say for her father. She furrowed her brow while thinking about her father. She could lead herself to believe he was forced to do it for his country, but they all knew this was a personal vendetta against Nathan and his family.

Sam furrowed his brow, confused. The man appeared to know Nell. What the hell is going on here? He continued to listen in, while he looked like he was busy repairing the fence. Dad? Sam's whole body tensed, when Nell called the man dad. What was Gibbs thinking when he came up with this plan? He looked to Hetty, who appeared non the wiser, but he knew she could hear every word. That was the reason for his and Hetty's positions. They were Nell's first point of back up. Deeks and Kensi her second, Gibbs and Vance her third.

"Where's Mom?" Nell continued to distract her father for as long as she could, in hope he'd come closer to her and not towards the others. She needed to disarm him on her terms. The last thing she wanted was one of the others harming him, although she knew that if he didn't surrender, the likelihood was high.

William Jones took another few steps, but stopped, wavering, as his mind scrambled over why his daughter stood on the porch of the house, where his target was supposed to be living. "Your mother is back home, busy taking care of your grandpa. She misses you, sweetheart. We all do. Why don't you come home very often? You tell us you're busy with work, yet you're here out in the middle of Montana?"

Nell knew this was going to be hard. She had inherited her brains from her father, she shouldn't have been surprised over his own questioning. As far as her parents were concerned, she was an editor to a Television Producer. She was pleased now about the lie in place. She could use it to her advantage in this current situation. "I'm out here working, funnily enough," her smile returned, melting her father's heart. "My boss wanted to do a documentary on ranch life in Montana, of all places. So here I am."

"Where is your boss?" William looked around at the people busy working.

"He's over by the old truck, helping the ranch owner." She pointed to Vance as her boss, which was in fact the truth.

William nodded pleased with the information his daughter had provided. This might be easier than I had anticipated. My daughter can introduce me to Nathan Rede herself and when I get a chance, I will end him. But he needed to be smart, not to arouse suspicion by Nell or her boss. "I would like very much to meet your boss, Nell. It's been four years and I've not met the man who keeps you away from us so much."

To the ignorant, the conversation sounded like any greeting between a father and daughter, although Nell hadn't made any steps towards her father to greet him with a hug, and William was hesitating on what to do. "I'm sure he'd like to meet you too, Dad." William turned to head in Vance and Gibbs' direction, thinking Gibbs was Nathan Rede. It was part of the plan, if Nell couldn't persuade him to stay by the house. But Nell refused to allow herself to fail in her goal of doing it on her own terms.

"They're busy at the moment. Why don't we wait here on the porch, while they finish what they're doing?" Nell stepped back towards the door. "I'll bring out some ice tea."

"That'll be good, thanks." He took her bait and climbed the steps up onto the porch, choosing the chair closest to him to sit in. I can wait. He looked out over the pastures and mountains in the background. It really is beautiful here.

Within a minute, Nell had returned with a pitcher of ice tea and two glasses. She placed them on the table between the chairs and poured. "You look tired, Dad. Is everything okay?" She sat down and sipped her ice tea, as if they were back in Cincinnati, waiting on her mom to join them at any moment.

"It's a warm day, but this will refresh me in no time, thanks, sweetheart." William savoured the beverage, as the liquid replenished his thirst.

"Why are you here, Dad?" Nell looked out over the cattle grazing on the lush green grass and knew Callen would be staying here forever once her father was arrested. It was a bittersweet moment for the young woman. Losing her dad and a good friend all at once. Yet she knew Callen deserved a quieter life, than the one he'd had growing up in Foster Care and on his own in L.A. Here he had a beautiful wife and children, with another two in five months time. They needed life to be secure, not a threat. They had hidden themselves out in this picturesque part of the country for a very long time, safe from Nathan and Clara's enemies. But now that had changed. Her father had found them. Anger rippled through her veins at what her father was there to do. To kill Callen's father.

"I was looking for somewhere to think and go horse riding. I think I've found the perfect place." He smiled, like he had done when she had pleased him as a child. But the smile unnerved her. "It brought me to you."

"Dad." Nell angled herself around to face him. "Why are you really here?" Her hand twitched on her lap, ready to go for her SIG at a moment's hint that he'd hurt her.

William gave her a nervous laugh. "I told you, sweetheart."

"Have you been following me?" Nell questioned him, as if she was still oblivious to his appearance at the ranch.

William shook his head. "No, meeting you was a coincidence."

"You're lying to me, Dad." Nell's patience began to waver. Her foot started to tap from nerves.

William watched his daughter and became wary of all of her questions. "I am not lying, Nell. Why are you questioning me? I am your father. Why would I lie to you?"

Nell sat back into the chair and shook her head. "I can't do this." Her words were heard by her back up. Gibbs, Hetty and Vance had given her the opportunity to take the lead, but they knew this was going to be tough on the young woman. It was her coded message to them that she couldn't arrest her father on her own. She needed help.

"Can't do what?" William furrowed his brow.

"I know," Nell told him. "I know who you really are."

Her words slammed into his heart, as if she was ripping it out of his chest with her hands. "What do you mean?" Fear that his daughter had somehow discovered his real identity grew within his gut.

"You know what I mean." She allowed her grief to show in her hazel eyes. "I know why you're here. Please, Dad, don't do it." Her eyes pleaded with her father, it was her last ditch before her back up took over.

William's hands tightened on the armrests of the chair. "I don't know what you're talking about, Nell?"

"No?" Nell shook her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I really thought you wouldn't lie to me. Doesn't being your daughter amount to anything?"

William grabbed her hand and held it tight in his. "Of course it does, Nell. You're my beautiful princess. But I cannot tell you what it is that you want me to say." He shook his head.

"Please, Daddy. I need to hear it from you." She bit on her lower lip as her emotions washed over her.

William stood up, not knowing what to do next. He looked around but he couldn't see anyone paying them any attention. "What do you want to hear from me, Nell? That I am not who you think I am?"

"That's a start." Nell stood also, needing to hold her ground with him. "What's your real name?" Gibbs had told her, but she needed to hear it from him.

"Don't do this, please." William's body began to shake. Anger emerged through him as he grabbed his daughter. "You need to stop all these questions."

Nell's eyes widened. In all of her thirty years of life, she had never seen her father that angry, nor had he gripped her so hard before. "Dad, you're scaring me."

William let her go, but as he turned, he face three guns pointing at him. Gibbs, Vance and Sam all stood in front of him at the bottom of the steps, ready to fire if he hurt Nell again.

"Federal agents." Gibbs' jaw tensed as he spoke. His heart went out to Nell, but the first thing he needed to do was to protect Nell and the Read family. "William Jones. You are under arrest for the murder of Jerry Singer. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be used against you in the court of law."

He raised his arms and knew he had failed. He turned to his daughter and saw disappointment in her eyes.

"Who told you?" William needed to know who it was, who had told his daughter about his real identity.

"I did," Gibbs admitted. "Thanks to your brother who gave us your real identities two days ago in Los Angeles. You can join your brother in jail, for the rest of your life."

"What? He's lying."

Kensi ran over and hugged Nell as Gibbs and Vance left the porch with her father in cuffs. Vance was on the phone to the FBI for their assistance in transporting their suspect to Los Angeles for questioning, before being sentenced. He fought his bonds, as his head was pushed down inside the car he had come in. But this time, he sat in the rear seat, while they waited for the FBI.

William couldn't believe the agents had used his daughter to lure him. They knew he was coming. Anger continued to pump through his body over the debacle. There is no way Barnaby talked. No way. He refused to see that his brother had talked. But not directly. The final two names his brother had given, he'd thought would keep the agents looking forever for. He hadn't anticipated on Ellie Bishop discovering the link or the old photos of himself and that of his brother, nor for Nell to be a federal agent herself and placing the pieces together. The dots had been connected and they had the last two enemies of Nathan Read.

"I can't believe he lied to me." Nell shook in Kensi's arms as she collapsed from the ordeal.

"Sit down, Nell." Kensi spoke softly with her friend, her heart going out to her with all that she had endured. Hetty joined them and poured more tea for her protégé.

"You did well, my dear." Hetty spoke words of encouragement to her. "What you faced was not easy. But you wanted to do it anyway."

"You knew it was going to be Nell's father?" Kensi asked Hetty and Nell, surprised by the revelation.

"The new analyst on Gibbs' team made the connection. We found out before he arrived that it was indeed William Jones," Hetty admitted. "Gibbs told Miss Jones and she asked to lead in hope for his surrender." She turned to the younger woman. "You are brave for doing it, my dear Nell." She leaned over and hugged her.

"Thanks, Hetty." Nell wiped her tears from her face. She looked over to the car where her father sat. Her father still had no idea she was a federal agent. She almost admitted it to him in hope he would surrender, but then he'd gotten angry and took her by surprise. "I've never seen him angry, ever."

Hetty pulled out an old lace handkerchief. "Here, use this." Nell took the handkerchief and looked at the artwork on it. Inscribed were some initials. E.T. Nell followed the embroidery with her hands and wondered whose handkerchief it had once been.

"It was given to me by Elizabeth Taylor, when I visited her house out at Palm Springs many years ago." She smiled at the memory. "Frank was being difficult to say the least and she had been kind to me at the time. The opportunity to return it to her never arose."

Nell and Kensi gave each other looks of shock over this news. Kensi and the guys had heard her speak of Frank Sinatra and George Hamilton from time to time, but this was more than any of them had heard the old spy admit to an affair with either leading man. Of course there were the old behind the stage photos that graced the borders of her office. Hetty was a mystery to them indeed.