N.A.: Again and always, thank you for reading and reviewing! I'm in Spain for a week without access to my original document which I'm trying to recover via Dropbox. All that just to ask you patience if I'm not able to post everyday. Sorry in advance and thank you!

Chapter 26

Weather was just perfect; sunny with a light breeze that prevented it from being too hot. In other circumstances Callen would have jumped to the swimming pool. That day he was all business even if he was still sore for the antibiotic in his ear. Sat at the table near the pool eating a not very healthy lunch Arkady listened to G's idea.

"What? Do you need what? You're a very madman my friend."- said Arkady at Callen's request.

"C'mon Arkady. At the end you're keeping the money and I'll pay you for your men. You know where to find the weapons and it would be piece of cake to make them to swallow the bait."

"It's risky and I don't know what you're pretending with all this nonsense. Do you realize that you my friend, a federal agent, are asking to me, an honest citizen, a model for the society, to steal weapons from my brother in law and to sell them to a terrorist?"

"I know it sounds bad when said aloud, but this may be the only opportunity I have to follow the lead. Besides think that you're doing a real favor to your brother in law dispatching the weapons."

"And you my beautiful daughter, do you agree with him?"- he asked more to include Anna into the conversation than to in fact listening to her version, knowing that she would be in.

"C'mon dad, it will be fun."

If Callen was surprised at Anna's answer, Arkady nearly chocked with the fries he was eating and he knew I wouldn't be able to deny anything to the couple.

"Fine, whatever, you two are going to cause me a heart attack and you'll have a guilty conscience forever and ever."

That same afternoon the small network was implanted. Five neighborhoods and two of Arcady's men in each. The game begun and the results started to show nearly straight away. Patrolling the streets, listening every conversation, controlling the suspects and intercepting the deals before quickly sneaking into safety. Eight little operations of the Molina's cartel were aborted by the Russians. Arkadi's men shaped in the armed conflicts in Europe and Asia were even grateful for the action, but the enormity of the task was too much for ten men. They needed people able to be everywhere without being seen, loyal and trustful.

"Think about it Anna! There is already an army in place, we only need to recruit them for our cause!"- exclaimed Callen.

"This is even crazier than using the Russians."

"I can't believe I'm the optimistic of the partnership"-he smiled.

"I'm not being pessimistic, just realistic. How are you going to pretend that a bunch of homeless cooperate with you?"

"Do you know how many veterans, former marines are living in the streets? I'm sure that they will be willing to gain some money opening his ears. And even if they can't help us, we can help them. The line that divides us is very thin. I'm going to need get some serious cash."

Callen said that with such simplicity and generosity that Anna was taken aback.

"What?"- asked Callen amused trying to read her expression.

"It's just that I love you."

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It was Deeks and Kensi turn to distract the kids while Eric, Nell and Sam where in one of the rooms fixing the cables and the commands of a 3D simulator.

"Thank you guys; Aiden was asking for this since, I don't know, forever!"- said Sam.

"It's not a big deal Sam. Just two more cables… and ready"- Eric's voice came from under the table.

"Yes, it is. You being here supporting us, spoiling the kids… it means a world to me."

"I was Callen who sent us"- said Eric regretting his words the same moment he said them. He couldn't reveal his secret mission, even if sometimes he forgot he was in a mission.

"Do you know anything about him?" – asked Sam knowing how easy was to read Eric's reactions.

"Not really. He didn't keep in touch. Last time we talked he told me that he had lot of work to do, but that he'd try to join us."

"Obviously he has more important things to do"- said Sam bitterly.

"Don't blame him, Sam, probably Hetty needed him in Los Angeles"- commented Nell, who could imagine in what Callen was working.

"Speaking of devil, do you know something about her?"

"No, but we're here big guy"- said Nell hugging Sam.

Out in the beach not in the mood for more bruises on the surf board Aiden and Kensi were eating a monstrous ice cream decorated with colored umbrellas and sparklers.

"I think that you're the second girl I know that doesn't want to share dessert."- Aiden said.

"Really? And who is the other one?"- asked Kensi amused.

"My sister."

Both laughed.

"She's a great girl, Aiden. Now you have to take care of her, but, believe me in some years she will be your best friend and it would be her who takes care of you."

Meanwhile in the water:

"Wow Kamran you're a natural!"- exclaimed Deeks when the girl stood up on the board at the first try.

"Hi, hi, hi. I haven't forgotten my lessons, that's all."

"You took surf classes?"

"Not really. Uncle Callen taught me when I was little."

"I didn't know he surfs!"- said Deeks surprised.

"Have you ever asked him?"- answered the girl paddling with her hands.

Deeks was taken aback for the simplicity of Kamran's logic and noted mentally some questions for Callen.

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That night Anna drove G to Little Ethiopia. He had passed the previous hours glued to the street cameras in ops studying the people living in the street; then a man in crutches caught his attention. For his way of moving he recognized a soldier, and he seemed sober.

"Please Callen, let me go with you! You're not well yet and this can be dangerous."

"I'm ok, and I need to do this."

"Then I'm going with you."

"If you were ugly and old I'll let you come, but do you really think that a young beautiful blonde could infiltrate in the homeless community without attiring attention?"

She sighed worried sick. This plan was nonsense, inviable from the beginning; the possibilities of success were insignificant compared to the infinite risks Callen could take.

"Do you have your antibiotics?"

"Yes, you already asked."

"Phone, extra battery…?"

Callen interrupted her.

"I've all I need. I promise once I've done I'll send you my position and I let you buy me breakfast."

"Take care, please."

"Always."

It took no long to G to find the man he was looking for. Sat on the steps of a closed shop smoking slowly a cheap cig he seemed to be letting the life pass. He had the darkest skin Callen had never seen that made the white of his soft brown eyes stood out and his left leg was missing from the knee down.

"Do you mind if I sit down for a while, Captain?"

The man looked at G curious.

"This was a free county last time I've checked. And it's Sargent. How did you know?"

"I'm still have one of those." - Said Callen signaling his duffle bag. –"Carlson"-introduced himself extending his hand.

"Everybody calls me Sargent Ben. And I'm under the impression you want something."

"You're absolutely right Sargent Ben, Uncle Sam wants you."

Ignoring good sense, pain and tiredness, G passed the following two days living in the streets, talking to veterans, listening sad stories, buying meals, giving money, sleeping out in the open, showing support and asking for help.

Sam and the guys were coming back soon and he was running out of time. Besides, no news from Hetty only could mean bad news.