"So what did you learn?" Hetty asked when Kensi and I entered Ops.
"One of my contacts within the C.I.A. told us that the suspect has been detained by them for other crimes he has been linked too, but she did tell us that he was working with the Chinese. She gave us the location of the cell, but there is a member currently unaccounted for." I said.
"Where is the exchange supposed to take place?" Sam asked.
"At the gala that Vasir will be hosting in two months." Kensi said
"Most likely to unveil all the projects that they have finished." I said.
"I'll send a team to take down the cell, but we still have to worry about that rogue member." Hetty said.
"Well, we should probably go check out the site where the gala will be held. Do any reconnaissance." Callen said.
"Mr. Deeks." Hetty said.
"Yeah Hetty." I said.
"I want you to escort Miss Jones to the venue that Vasir will be using for the gala in two months." Hetty said.
"You got it." I said.
"I got the location." Nell said.
"After you, madam." I said with a foreign accent.
"Why, thank you." Nell said, in an accent that matched mine.
The team waited until Nell and I left before Callen asked. "Did Nell and Deeks speak with a Scottish accent?"
"I found Mr. Deeks in Scotland. Miss Jones was an agent of mine in London. When Miss Jones finished her duties in England, I brought her to Scotland." Hetty said.
"Was Deeks born in Scotland?" Sam asked.
"Yes, he was. He's also fluent in over ten different languages and dialects. Dialects that aren't currently being used." Hetty said.
The team couldn't say anything about my impressive array of languages on my resume, but Sam blew off my accomplishments.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Vasir headquarters-
Nell and I were amazed by the depths of Vasir's pockets. Their headquarters was large enough to have all its departments in one location. There were five departments in all. They even had enough money to have a ballroom built on the grounds. Nell and I were shown to the ballroom, and on the way there our guide talked up the big event in two months. It seems that we were sent in undercover. Then again, who would want federal agents snooping around their premises after they discovered a massive breach in their systems? I know I wouldn't. I thought.
"This is the ballroom, where we will be the unveiling all of the projects." she said.
"How do we get an invite?" I asked, probing for information.
"It's not open to the public. Only top military officials, contractors, and those in the department of defense are invited." she said.
Our guide had checked her phone to see that she had a message. "Do you have any further questions?" she asked.
"No." Nell said.
"One of our security personnel will escort you out. If you will excuse me, I have a meeting that I have to get to." she said.
At that moment, a security guard arrived to escort us out of the building. I made small talk with Nell about where to stop for lunch, but Nell kept chatter to a minimum. I knew something was up, just not sure to what extent. When we exited the building, I stopped talking until we got to the car. Upon entering, both Nell and I activated out earpieces, and then I started the car.
"Eric." Nell said.
"Yeah, Nell." Eric said.
"I'm uploading data that we collected from Vasir, and it's quite a bit." Nell said.
"How much of it is digital?" Eric asked.
"Most of it is either technical schematics, or video footage." Nell said. Nell reached up and pulled the glasses off of my face. "I'm uploading the video footage now."
"I was wondering why you had me wear glasses." I said.
"You're the most unpredictable person on the team." Nell said, she pulled the laptop out from under her seat and booted it up.
"I'm not sure if that's an insult or a compliment." I said.
"I just finished watching the video footage. Trust me, it's a compliment. All I have to do is make a work around." Eric said.
"It should be ready at any moment." Nell said.
"And were in. Now all we have to do is line up the blue print with Deeks line of sight, and we might be able to make something of your encounter. Hurry back, will you? There is a lot of data to sift through." Eric said.
"Sure thing ba—Err, Eric." Nell said.
Nell and I turned off our earpiece, and then I laid into Nell. "Now you know how I feel." I said, teasing Nell.
"Shut up." she said, ignoring the jab.
"It's okay. You're in love with you coworker. I was married to my coworker in a past life." I said, still teasing.
"Okay, look. Eric is a little to eccentric compared Jake. The first day I started working with Eric, I couldn't stop myself. I was completing his sentences, finishing his thoughts. You couldn't begin to understand how badly I want to corner Eric and start making out with him." she said.
"For the record, I already stated that I was married to Kensi in a past life. And even her name was Kenzie, too!" I said.
"A fair point." Nell said, and then went back to the laptop.
It was a long trip back to OPS because we caught lunch traffic. When we got back to OPS, everybody was up in Ops waiting for us. "What do we have?" I asked.
Nell walked over to her station and finished the upload.
"Geez, Deeks. What were you on when you entered Vasir? I've never seen you that fidgety." Sam said.
"His "fidgetiness" mapped out a lot of the ground floor. We can over lay the map that Deeks made with the map of the building that Nell got." Eric said.
Sam rolled his eyes, and I just lowered my head at Sam's ignorance. Eric and Nell worked for five minutes to build a three dimensional model of Vasir's headquarters. Eric and Nell began the briefing, but I was wondering how the four of us would get into the event. And then a funny question crossed my mind. "A quick question." I interrupted.
"Yeah." Eric said.
"Did we figure out if the ghost code will transmit the programs off site when it finishes, or does the agent have to return to get the information?" I asked.
"You have to been on site to pick up the information." Nell said.
"Do we have a photo of the missing agent?" Kensi asked.
"Working on it." Hetty said.
"Our only option is to infiltrate the gala and catch the trade as its happening." Callen said.
"As of right now." Hetty said.
Eric and Nell went over the details of what we have learn so for, but I had a funny thought. What exactly is Vasir doing for entertainment? They could do a lot of things, but I'm going to have Nell look into it after this meeting is done. Which to my great surprise is now. "Sam and I will run down this new lead, Kensi and Deeks you be ready to move." Callen said.
"You got it." Kensi said.
Everybody exited the room except for Nell and I. "Yeah." Nell said
"Can you look into the entertainment that Vasir will be offering for the gala?" I asked.
Nell wasn't exactly sure where I was going with this, but went along anyways. It didn't take long for Nell to find what we were looking for, and it wasn't what we were expecting.
"Are they for real?" she asked.
"You saw their headquarters. They can do whatever they want for entertainment. No matter how odd it seems." I said.
"You want me to put you on the list?" she asked.
I whisper something in Nell's ear. Nell looked up at me with a shocked look on her face. "What?" I said.
"You got it." Nell said, with a smile that I haven't seen in ages.
I exited the room, and head down to the bull pen. As I was descending the stairs I saw that the only Kensi was present, and she was packing her bag. "Where's Callen and Sam?" I asked.
"It's five o'clock, and we have no leads. Hetty is cutting us loose." Kensi said, and then left.
"Bye." I said, absentmindedly. I thought about what the entertainment for the gala is, and thought about how was going to set my plan in motion. I remembered that studio downtown, and then resolved to head there tomorrow. I heard chatter that L.A.P.D. was having issues serving warrants, and I fear that this is the moment that Hetty warned me about. I put it out of my mind though, and then pack up my gear.
I get home, I drop my gear in the recliner, and take Monty out. We're outside for twenty minutes, and then we're back inside. I stopped by this Chinese restaurant on the way home from work that some people back at the precinct were raving about. The place is called Yuma Yum. The name sounds ridiculous, but after my first bite I realized why this place had rave reviews. It's a place you would go to if you were drunk. I kept eating the food knowing full well it was bad for my health. To be honest though, I really don't care. The food tastes amazing. I think I might have to take Kensi here some time. I finish eating, clean up the kitchen, and then go take a shower. I crawl into bed, and fall asleep in record time.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Next Week-
The weekend came and went, although it was good to see Kip again. Kip saved his money up from all the games he has been in playing and bought a mansion. Kip's house is loaded, but he has only bought things he really needed. I told Kip that I was proud of everything he has achieved since graduating college. Kip got choked up, and gave me a hug. Most of his guest were his team mates, but we hit it off none the less. At the end of the night, Kip gave me a bottle of tequila that I accepted gracefully. I don't care for tequila, but I know the group will go for it. I'll break it out at the Christmas party in a few months.
I arrive to work on Monday to see that everybody is in a hurry. I entered the bull pen after dodging a few interns. "What's the rush?" I ask Kensi.
"There's a big shake up happening, but I'm not sure when it's going to happen." Kensi said.
"The people in Washington think we aren't acting accordingly." Sam said, entering the bull pen.
"Hetty even said that the rope that she had for us, was going to be used a noose for her." Callen said.
"Bureaucrats." I said, turning to look at Hetty. She was currently on the phone, probably talking to someone in Washington.
"Guys, we found something." Eric said from the balcony.
"What did you find?" Callen said.
"You should come take a look at this." Eric said.
I dropped my gear, and fell in line behind Kensi as the four of us climbed the stairs up to Ops. When we entered Ops, we saw a woman on the screen. And if I had to guess it was the last member of our Chinese cell, but something about her features is off.
"So this is our missing member of the Chinese cell?" Sam asked.
"Yes, but there has been a development." Nell said.
"Oh, what's that?" Callen asked.
"She isn't Chinese." Nell said.
"What? That's a women?" Kensi asked.
"That's a woman, and she is Korean." I said.
"Yes, she is." Nell said.
"How did you know she was Korean?" Sam asked.
"I've spent a long time working with the Koreans." I said.
"So are you telling me that the North Koreans were working with the Chinese to steal our technology?" Callen said.
"No. The North had setup the whole thing to make it look like the Chinese were going to steal our technology." I said.
"Exactly." Eric said. "We traced everything back to the North Korea. It was even their ghost code that was uploaded into the system."
"Well this case keeps getting stranger by the day." Callen said.
"That it does, Mr. Callen." Hetty said entering Ops. "What's the play?'
"We still have to get invites so we can keep tabs on the exchange." Callen said.
"I'll make a few phone calls, and see if I can't get you two into the building." Hetty said.
"Two?" Sam asked.
"Miss Jones is currently backstopping Mr. Deeks and Miss Blye cover for working the event." Hetty said.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Deeks." Sam said.
"Don't you think you should have ran it by me first?" Callen asked.
"Why? What I have planned will give Kensi and me a reason to be out in the open and looking for the agent. You two will be in the crowd looking from there." I said.
"That's smart. Good thinking Deeks." Sam said.
I nod my head, but I could tell that Callen didn't like that I went over his head. I don't give two craps what he thinks, though. I thought. "It seems that everything is in order. I'll inform the director of what we have laid out for the operation." Hetty said, and then left Ops.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Two months later: Vasir headquarters-
Sam and Callen were in the crowd looking for the agent when the heard. "So this is what Hetty meant by floating one." Kensi said.
"That she did." I said.
"Deeks." Sam said, turning to look at me.
"Yes." I said.
"Have you been holding out on us?" Sam asked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"He's lying. Deeks has definitely been holding out on us." Kensi said.
"I mean… It's okay to admit that you've been taking dancing lessons." Callen said.
"I'm not the one who got out of dancing lessons." I said, reminding the senior agents of the bullet they dodged two months ago. "If anybody needs dancing lessons, it's you two."
"Shut up Deeks." Sam said, rolling his eye.
Kensi and I had been on the dance floor for about two hours. Sam watched us on and off during that two hour period, and all he saw was a look of pure joy from Kensi, and a look of concentration from me.
"You all right Deeks. You seemed to be pouring all your concentration into not stepping on Kensi feet." Callen asked.
"Sort of, but I'm trying to keep an eye out for the missing agent." I said.
"Sam. Callen. We have movement in the back by the refreshments. Could be our agent." Eric said.
"On it." Sam said.
"Callen stay where you are. Sam you check it out." I said.
"Why?" Callen asked.
"Just trust me." I said.
"If you say so." Sam said, and then went to check the table.
There was an announcement being made at that moment. The host said that Kensi and I would be performing a solo dance, and asked if the other couples would clear the dance floor.
"Who's leading?" Kensi asked.
"Wait for it." I said.
I positioned myself in front of Kensi just as the musicians got ready for their next set. When they started to play again it was as if a spell had been cast on the Kensi and the audience. Kensi and I performed a very sensual Tango, and the audience just watched us perform. Even Sam and Callen were stunned at first.
"Mr. Callen. Mr. Hanna. The Korean spy." Hetty said.
"Ma'am." Sam and Callen said.
Just before Callen started to move again, I saw the people who were talking, or of them was walking towards Callen. While the spy was walking along the back wall. "Sam the spy is walking along the back wall. Callen the person who had downloaded the projects is walking towards you." Nell said.
Sam and Callen moved in to take down their targets, arrested them, and escorted them out quietly. As they were walking away they heard Kensi say. "So that's why you had us dancing. As a distraction."
"In many ways." I said.
"Shut up." Kensi said.
"At least you had fun." I said.
"Yes. Yes, I did." Kensi said.
A few minutes later we heard Hetty ask. "Everything good?"
"We're clear." Sam said
"Time to wrap everything up, Mr. Deeks." Hetty said.
I saw Kensi begin pout. Man! Her lower lip sticks out exactly like Kenzie's. I thought. Before I could say anything, the M.C. took the mic and said that the last dance was quickly approaching. "Just remember to return the suit, dress, and shoes to wardrobe after you finish." Hetty said.
I saw Kensi get so excited like a kid who got their favorite toy for Christmas, and I made sure Kensi enjoyed the last dance.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
OPS-
It was three days after the Vasir op, and Kensi had just gone home for the day, but Hetty had called me up to Ops. I saw Sam, Callen, Nell and Eric were all present. And I had a bad feeling about this meeting.
"So what's the plan?" I asked.
"I'm sure you heard the rumors about the mole inside L.A.P.D.?" Hetty asked.
"I heard about all the fail attempts to arrest Clarence Fisk." I said.
"Fisk has acquired twenty bricks of RDX." Callen said.
"That's military grade explosives." I said.
"Yes. He has a meet tomorrow with a group of Aryans who are looking to purchase the explosives." Sam said.
"So where do I factor into this?" I asked.
"You're still an employee of the L.A.P.D., per se." Sam said.
And then I realized what was about to happen. The day that Hetty warned me about had come. "You want me to infiltrate the L.A.P.D. and flush out the mole from there. But Kensi knows I'm employee of N.C.I.S." I said.
"Let me handle that." Hetty said.
"Okay." You got it.
"It's our best shot at getting the RDX back before the Aryans can get their hands on it." Callen said.
I sigh, and resigned myself to my fate. "For the record, keeping Kensi in the dark on this is a dick move. One I would never do to her." I said
"Acknowledged." Hetty said.
"So how is this going to play out?" I asked.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
A random park-
Someone was jogging on a dirt trail overlooking a sports stadium parking lot. A black man in a jogging suit was approached by an Aryan wearing a black tank top, a camouflage vest, black fingerless gloves, and black pants. The Aryan had a gun in his right hand.
"I left my wallet in the car. I can get it for you just… Just don't hurt me." the black man said.
"Aren't you Clarence Fisk?" the skinhead asked.
One of Clarence Fisk's guys came up behind the Aryan, and slammed a gun between his shoulder blades, knocking him to the ground. "Ugh. Agh." the Aryan grunted out.
Clarence kicked the gun away, and another one of his men picked it up. Clarence knelt down beside the Aryan and spoke very candid with him. "Listen close, Adolf. I got rules. Bring a gun to a business meeting, I'll walk away." Clarence stood up and wiped the dirt off his knees, and continue. "Say my name in public again, and I'll kill you."
One of Clarence guys picked the Aryan up by his arms. "Lead the way. " Clarence said.
Off in the bushes, Sam and Callen were watching the interaction. Callen was taking pictures, and Sam was watching through binoculars.
"Kensi, tell L.A.P.D. that Fisk and the Aryans have made contact. They need to hang back." Callen said.
"Got it." Kensi said.
"Got say, Fisk does have swagger." Sam said.
"Swagger?" Callen asked.
"Panache, chutzpah, flair. The undefinable it. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. Kind of style like that can't be taught, G. Game recognizes game." Sam said.
"Float after me, butterfly." Callen said as he was moving to get a better position of the meet.
"And haters gonna hate." Sam said, smiling as he followed Callen.
Down in the SRX, Kensi started to realize something was wrong. "Our position is completely wrong." Kensi said.
So it begins. I thought, but then I saw a beautiful woman come jogging by in tight clothing. "And yet, it's so right." I said.
"No, no. We should be on foot with Callen and Sam, not stuck back here. That's what L.A.P.D. is for. No offense." Kensi said. Kensi was going to correct herself, but I cut her off.
"Whatever." I said, still distracted by the jogger.
"Are you listening to me?" Kensi asked, as she grabbed the binoculars out of my hand.
"Ow. Sorry, Hashtag, I think I'm in love L-O-V-E. Huh?" I said with a grin, as I grabbed the binoculars back from Kensi.
"Hashtag, my pater's a loser." Kensi said.
"Hashtag, sounds like a personal problem." I shot back, with a big grin on my face.
Up in a field, Fisk and his men were approaching a picnic table where the Aryan's boss was waiting for him. Fisk sat down at the table, after having a mini staring contest with the boss's right hand.
"Show me the RDX." the head Aryan said.
"Show me how you'll pay for it." Fisk said.
The head Aryan waited a beat, and then pulled out a briefcase and opened it. Back at the SRX, the jogger was stopped by one of the Aryan's that was on guard duty.
"Okay, Aryan's guarding the meet, girls getting feisty. Not a good combination." Kensi said.
"If she's smart she's just gonna walk away." I said.
We watch as the jogger started to walk away. It looked like she was reaching for her phone, but the Aryan grabbed her and threw her to the ground.
"Callen, Sam, one of the Aryan lookouts just assaulted a civilian." I said.
"How bad?" Callen asked.
"Bad. With the potential of getting a lot worse." I said.
"All right, hold your position." Callen said.
"You've got to be kidding me." I said.
Next thing we saw was the Aryan slap the jogger. "Okay, it just got worse."
I stepped out of the SRX, and made my way over to the scuffle. I hope this plan of theirs works. I thought as I was walking over. I heard Kensi get out, but I didn't stop.
"Hey! L.A.P.D.!" I shout as I take off running. Why I shouted L.A.P.D. I have no idea, and I'm pretty certain Kensi is wondering the same thing.
"You want to die, hero?" the Aryan asked, and then started reaching into his shirt.
"Don't. Don't!" I shout, but instincts take over and I fire two rounds into the man's chest.
The man drops to the ground, dead. Up in the field, the Aryans and Fisk and his men clear out.
"Eric, op's been blown." Callen said.
As Kensi was checking on the jogger, I approached the dead Aryan checking for a weapon. And I was horrified by what I found.
"Are you okay? Are you okay?" I heard Kensi ask.
"I thought he was going to kill me." she said.
"It's okay, you're safe now. You're okay." Kensi said. Then she asked me. "Where's his gun?"
All I found was a cell phone. "Deeks, where's his gun?" Kensi asked again.
I could hear the people who were supposed to back up us start to fan out and setup a perimeter.
I hesitate a little bit longer before saying. "He didn't have one."