The challenge to infiltrate the targets was every bit as complex as Callen or Deeks expected. The extensive use of cameras in and around the Federal building and the social services head office was the first problem, particularly as almost every person at the range was known to the law in some capacity or another. That was the primary reason why children had been used and would be again, as NCIS and other law enforcement agencies had previously found out to their cost. Ariel explained that volunteers for round two had been found by the militia group and came from the homeless population of San Francisco. Thomason had vetted them, discarding some and approving others. They would be driven down to LA but would not touch the ranch at all, thereby disassociating themselves from the group and the first attack.

Thomason's computer skills meant he could hack social services systems and create fictional appointments and fake histories. The team discussed options of how to infiltrate the building. The only idea from the leaders had been for a child to accompany a woman to a routine appointment that followed a fictional one from months earlier. This ensured neither the woman or child would be challenged by staff upon check in. The woman would then persuade another parent or member of staff to keep an eye on her 'son' whilst she went for a nervous cigarette just before her appointment. She would leave an oversized handbag beneath her chair and shortly after, the child would start whining for his mother, moving away from the chair and bag. Once the woman returned, the child would set off the fire alarm as the mother would reach in to her bag and activate a pepper spray grenade, throwing it through the reception counter. The hope was the fire alarm would cause suitable confusion to mask the grenade and allow her and the child an opportunity to escape. The plan was met with a general nod of agreement from the team although a few tilted their heads to one side, indicating that some had reservations. Callen and Deeks risked a shared glance. The plan was awful.

'That seems pretty risky to the woman and child.' Callen spoke up. He held the gaze of all three leaders. 'And how does that show how the welfare system has failed millions?'

'Two sacrificial lambs,' DuValle replied with a smile, conveniently ignoring Callen's second point. 'Of course we could always make it a father and son if you're volunteering, Rob.'

'What were the other options? What plans did you consider before you landed on this one?'

'That's it.'

'Really? I hope you're going to tell me there's more detail to this than you've just outlined.'

'That is it,' DuValle repeated, slowly sounding out each word.

'What about the cameras? What about other appointments or clinics they hold? Emergency situations with vulnerable kids? How many staff? One hundred? What about building security? Patterns of staff, guards, appointments, sessions, weekend working? What times is the place the busiest and least busy?'

'Cameras cover the exterior including the basement staff car park.' Lyneham added. 'Internally they cover reception and each landing area by the elevators. Closed circuit cameras are in the interior of all rooms and offices. Exception is the toilet areas. Security officers are in first floor reception with an office. Two guards watch the camera feeds, another two on the door. No guards on the floors but they patrol twice an hour. Staff have to go through scanners in reception and need key cards to swipe their way in to the lifts and the doors to the offices of every floor.'

'So you have done some surveillance.' Callen said with a smirk, resulting in a sneer from DuValle. 'So you're doing nothing about the guards?'

'What's your idea, smart-ass?' DuValle asked.

'Take at least one of the guards out of play. Intercept one on the way to work and replace him with one of us. Then we spike the other guard's drink to make him sick and intercept the call for a replacement. Now you have two fake guards on site. Hack the camera feed and take it down. Replace with one from the previous day or week. Minimise the involvement of kids by choosing a time where it's mainly the social workers and managers planning their day or whatever. It's a regional office so create a fake appointment for an out of town social worker or two. Use one of us with fake identities to gain access without any questions. You now have three or four on the premises, free to plant whatever bombs or smoke grenades for remote detonation and with no one sacrificed. We escape in the confusion afterwards.'

Callen made sure to maintain eye contact with everyone in the room as he spoke and he could see he held everyone's attention. The approving nods confirmed he had the backing of the team and he caught a glance between Ariel and Lyneham.

Ariel turned to DuValle. 'I guess that's why you never valued in the military. Unable to see the bigger picture and create opportunities where none are obvious. Thank God you can see talent in others because you're sure lacking it yourself.'

The initial murmurs of approval and agreement ceased with Ariel's words and the silence was palpable. The room temperature dropped by several degrees and no one seemed to breathe. DuValle curled his hands in to a tight fist and the vein in his neck pulsed visibly as he began to speak.

'There are many highly skilled people in this room who could kill and leave no trace, yet you're impressed with talk about how to infiltrate a social services office to set off smoke bombs without detection. You are the ones who are blind to the possibilities.'

'We don't kill people,' Ariel said. 'We continue our campaign without minimal backlash and stepping up with each attack. Murder is not part of our plans and you know that.'

'People disappear...'

'Like who? And how would that demonstrate that vets and ordinary families need policy changes? All it does is show that we're a danger to society and should be shot on sight, or locked up. I will not have cops busting down our doors and shooting us in our beds - do you understand?'

Ariel spoke firmly and to her credit had not lost her temper or even raised her voice. DuValle did not answer. Instead he gazed at the faces around the table, mentally assessing their skill sets and their capacity for violence. He lingered on Callen and held his stare.

'I've spent the past week observing everyone here.' He still remained focused on Callen. 'And I have some questions that need answering. I want to know why Rob here likes going for a little walk on his own every night, sometimes with his brother but mostly on his own. I've seen you talking to yourself. Are you a whack job?'

Callen smirked and shook his head slightly. 'Not as much as you are, Anton.'

'I don't like you Rob.'

'Feelings mutual Anton. But you invited me, vetted me and here I am, ready and more than capable to help you guys move to the next level.'

'There's just something about you...I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe you've just settled in too well for such a loner, cosying up to Josh to share your "I've never had a mommy or daddy" issues. I've had Thomason repeatedly analyse your records and it stacks up, all apart from some juvie records that are sealed up.'

'That's your problem? That I'm one of millions who grew up in care? That I found a sense of belonging in the military? Or that this country has repeatedly screwed me over and I finally wanna do something about it? That's not something that's reserved for people like you. I can plan operations along with the best here, but I didn't hear anyone else speaking up and suggesting an alternative. Maybe you should be quizzing them? Ask Raider why he was going to go along with the plan? Stone's also got tactical expertise and I saw the look on his face when you revealed your plan. You can send me in as one of the guards or an out of state social worker. Or put me in over watch as I'm a crack shot too, not that I've seen any weapons training here. I can teach the kids how to escape and evade, to lie convincingly so nothing can be traced back to you if they're arrested. I can train the next generation to look at scenarios strategically and from an operational stand point. I've had enough of this country failing me and all of us here can make a difference. We can make our voices heard and get rid of abuse in the welfare system, make sure vets have the medical and psychological support we need to adjust to civilian life. This is the perfect platform to make people listen and make change happen and I want to be a part of it.'

Anton raised his hands in front of him and slow clapped Callen's speech. He honestly did not know what it was that had made him suddenly dislike and mistrust the man he had met only a few weeks earlier and personally invited here. He thought back over their past conversations; there had not been many. He recalled their first meeting and the gut instinct he had that Rob had an edge about him, that he was extremely capable and a man who would enhance his team. He then had a sudden flash of the look of repulse on Rob's face when they first shook hands. It was as though he had seen through his veneer and caught sight of his soul. He fast-forwarded to their car journey to the ranch, remembering how the conversation had started to die when he began speaking about his desires for women. He didn't know how, but he was one hundred percent sure that Rob knew he was a murderer and a rapist and he wondered if they had ever crossed paths, maybe in the Middle East. Or maybe he really knew Lyneham from childhood and this was a ploy by both men to run him out of the group. The more DuValle thought about it, the more he realised that he was right; Rob Gladstone had been manoeuvered in to a position of authority at the ranch by Josh so they could usurp his place within the hierarchy.

'You're part of this team Rob, part of this family.' Lyneham stepped forward, interrupting and validating DuValle's thoughts. 'You have a very valid point. Everyone here brings different skills, and many of you are better operationally than we are.' Lyneham swept his hand in the direction of Ariel, DuValle and himself. 'We need to take a break, get some air and then start acting like a team. We'll sit around this table and work together on how tighten up Rob's plan to infiltrate the social services building and how best to breach the Federal building."

The atmosphere eased immediately and the team seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Chairs were pushed back from the table and it was almost a race to see who reached the door first. DuValle took his time, allowing everyone to exit before him. He paused at the doorway and looked back at Ariel and Callen, who had remained seated at the table. Callen slowly raised his eyes and held DuValle's gaze. He knew he had seriously pissed off DuValle, undermining his authority and making him look incredibly stupid. There was no mistaking that he was a dangerous and unhinged individual and Callen was convinced the comments about disappearances and killing were a direct threat towards him. He would have to watch his back now he'd made an enemy out of DuValle, and he hoped DuValle believed that he was equally as dangerous.

Deeks walked outside with the others, struggling to understand what had changed between Callen and DuValle. He was relieved Callen hadn't lost his temper or been ordered to leave but on a side note he was slightly concerned that he had been ignored, and that had nothing to do with his ego. At least it meant no one had a problem with him or his alias. The downside was that Callen would now be under close scrutiny and worse case, any false step could lead to him being killed. He kicked at a loose stone in the dry dirt, chipping it towards the wall where is bounced and rolled to a rest. Looking up he saw everyone chatting quietly in small groups. Raider was on his own, staring at Callen through the window. If Callen was aware, he showed no sign of it. Deeks caught Lyneham, DuValle and Ariel moving away from the ranch. They were walking with purpose and all speaking animatedly although none of the words reached him. It was clear they were talking about Callen and he wished he was close enough to eavesdrop. There was no way he could get close without arousing suspicion and that was the last thing he needed. He wondered how this would impact their communications with Ops. DuValle had clearly clocked that Callen wandered and spoke to himself in the evenings and to maintain the pattern he would have to continue with this, but the likelihood of actually making contact with the wonder twins to report in was now doubtful. The last thing they needed was to be overheard relaying critical information. Deeks allowed a small smile at the thought of Callen having to genuinely talk out loud to himself. He too would have to be careful. If he suddenly adopted the same behaviour it could be game over for them both.

The murmur of conversation dropped when the kitchen door opened and Callen emerged, quickly picking up again as his presence was quietly acknowledged and then largely ignored. He walked over to Deeks who clapped him lightly on the shoulder.

'You sure do have this gift with people,' Deeks said. 'You good?'

'Yeah, I'm good. And it wasn't me that started it.'

'Well that's a mature attitude. You're gonna have to watch your back with DuValle. You do know he was pretty much threatening to kill you.'

'Where've they gone?' Callen ignored Deeks' warning. He was well aware of the risks he now faced and he would deal with DuValle when the time came.

'Went off to the south, all talking and waving their arms. Probably about you.'

'Good.' Callen started walking in the opposite direction.

'Where are you going?' Deeks called.

'For a walk. Alone.'

Callen turned away from Deeks and continued walking. He was still in the game and he had to warn ops that although he was not compromised, he would no longer be sending them updates. He was going to have to destroy his earwig and button cameras just in case DuValle or anyone else decided to search him. There was nothing in their accommodation to cast doubt on their identity so in that respect at least, he felt safe. Callen passed the edge of the building and then the outskirts of their converted apartments. Out of the corner of his eye he caught movement from the bedroom window. The temptation was to pause and wait to see if his mind was playing tricks on him, or even to go in room and challenge whoever may be snooping. He decided against all courses of action as he was pretty convinced the end result would be a fight and his exclusion from the group and therefore the operation. Instead Callen pressed ahead without a sideways glance or even a clear destination. The main thoroughfare veered off to the west, leading towards the barns and outbuildings and Callen took a right on to a well travelled dirt track. Twenty metres ahead was the wooden fence where he and Deeks had conversed late in the evenings, voices low, imparting crucial information to the team back in ops. Callen slowed down as he approached the fence and then climbed and sat on top. He had not detected a tail but rather than take a risk, he began to talk randomly to himself, keeping the one-sided conversation short and sharp so it became more of a self-rebuke. In line with how he had previously communicated with ops he kept his voice low, sometimes bowing his head in his hands, reminiscent of the first time he activated his earwig and spoke with Nell and Eric. During the charade he quickly relayed a coded message, confirming the target buildings before deactivated his earwig and discretely removing it. There was no point placing it in his jeans pocket in case he was searched later and instead he jumped off the fence and continued walking to where a stream ran through the property. Callen scratched his chest through his shirt and removed his button-cam in the process. The water would kill the technology in both pieces of equipment and with a bit of luck they would be washed away, never to be seen again.

'He's dangerous and I want him gone.' Anton DuValle was quietly seething, hissing the words out and gesturing wildly with his arms.

The three strode away from the ranch until they stood equal distance from the main building and the barns, out of ear shot from anyone who might be inclined to snoop. Lyneham placed his hands on his hips and stared at DuValle.

'He's not dangerous and he stays. All he did was question how solid your plan was and then suggest an alternative. He clearly has a better understanding of how to run an operation than you do. In fact no-one else even opened their mouths about an alternative and everyone in that room is supposed to be an expert. Your three dumb militia men might as well not be here.'

'They're providing drones and have supplied all the fire power hidden in the barns, so they stay. And what is it with you and Rob? You two gotta thing going or something? I ain't never seen you so close to anyone and you've known him for what, like five minutes? He's clearly a control freak trying to push me out so he can run this place on his own, or maybe the two of you are plotting to get rid of me?'

'Don't be an idiot. It was your team that talent spotted him. You personally assessed him and invited him here. He passed Thomason's vetting which I know you scrutinised. You know what? You should go find some more like him. He's dynamic, not afraid to speak his mind and clearly has experience and vision, something which we sometimes lack.'

'Vision, my ass. And as for speaking his mind, he's rude and has no respect for authority.' DuValle turned away from Lyneham and rubbed his hands over his face. Whatever Lyneham came out with would make not change his mind. There was something about Rob which did not sit right with him.

'Well sometimes respect needs to be earned.' Ariel spoke up. 'You're just pissed his plan is so much better than yours.'

DuValle turned on his heels and took a few quick paces until he was inches away from Ariel's face.

'Yeah his plan was better, but you heard him. He was just itching for a fight. Y'know what though? That didn't piss me off half as much as you totally making me look like a fool in front of the team.'

Ariel stood her ground and smirked slightly. 'You don't need my help for that Anton.'

Lyneham saw DuValle clench his fist and managed to grab his arm before he could swing at Ariel. The two held each other's stare, neither willing to break the deadlock. Eventually DuValle shrugged his arm from Lyneham's grip and stormed off in silence. Ariel released a pent up breath and briefly closed her eyes, her hands shaking slightly as she brought them up to cover her mouth.

'You OK?' Lyneham asked.

Ariel nodded. She hated showing any signs of weakness and was amazed and grateful she had not shuddered or backed away from DuValle, even if the after effects had left her feeling a little nauseous.

'I'm fine.' She said. I'm not sure who he hates more, me or Rob.'

'He can't touch you, you know that.'

'He thinks Rob is trying to take his place.'

'You know that's rubbish,' Lyneham replied. 'But then maybe we can use that to our advantage. If Anton attacks Rob, I know who my money's on. I'd bet a hell of a lot that Rob fights even dirtier than Anton and that would be the ideal way to get rid him for good.'

Ariel smiled and she nodded her head as she began to imagine how she could orchestrate such a scenario.

'I agree. Our mission will become a whole lot easier, and safer, if Anton disappeared for good.'

'But he doesn't have to disappear,' Lyneham said, the wheels turning in his mind as he began to think of other options. 'He can be sent off to recruit more people or to scout out targets. Next month we'll have even more fire power and thousands of acres to train properly. We can involve everyone in the initial plans and simultaneously attack places like the Federal Courthouse in San Diego, the tax office in Richmond, Virginia. But we can't execute our plans with him around. He's a liability. Paranoid. And he's becoming unpredictable.'

Ariel stared at the direction Anton had headed. 'If Anton's angry and frustrated, there's a risk he will take that out on a women. He'll find someone no one'll miss and commit a crime that will never be reported or investigated. That'is the last thing I want on my conscience. Anton has to go. For good.'

'Son of a bitch!' Deeks muttered under his breath as he watched Callen walk away from him. The man was sometimes intolerable and he wondered how the hell Sam put up with him at times like this. There was certainly no way he could handle Callen and he made a mental note to catch up with Sam when this mission finished.

'Another falling out?' Raider said. He stood next to Deeks and wrapped his arm around Deeks' shoulder in a gesture of solidarity.

'He's a freakin' pain in the ass. He just walked off when I asked if he's ok. I think I might have to deck him next time I see him. Such an ass.'

Deeks turned his back on Callen, thinking he actually half meant the words he had just uttered to Raider. Callen had improved over recent years but it was apparent that he was still a loner at heart. He couldn't affect whatever Callen was thinking and certainly had no chance of successfully following and talking to him, not at the moment. All he could do was try and find out more about the structure at the top of this mess of a domestic terrorism group.

'So riddle me this,' Deeks started. 'Who is actually running this show? When we first got here I thought it was Josh, then DuValle. In there, Ariel seemed superior to DuValle until Josh ordered everyone to break for a while.'

'Good question.' Raider replied. 'I think it's a case of too many cooks. I've been trying to figure it out too.'

Deeks looked at Raider, puzzled by his last words. Raider was part of the chosen team so why was he still confused as to who was running this joint. Deeks suddenly decided it might be wise to revise his opinion of the man in front of him.

'How come you don't know? I thought you'd been here for a while and was part of the inner sanctum?'

'First got here a year ago and stayed about five weeks. Then I went to see if my family would take me back. When my ex said they'd move state if I ever tried to make contact again I got real angry. Figured this place would be my salvation and give me some direction in life and I was right. Doesn't mean I've actually figured out who's boss. It's between Ariel and Anton. I've spent so much time with Josh that it's easy to see that he defers to both of them. I think Ariel has something on Anton. Every once in a while he comes out with some piece of shit and Ariel slaps him back down to size. I just don't know how long her luck will last. Those words she said in there, in front of everyone? That's the worst I've heard her say in public. And I know he's not a man to be crossed, so you'd better have your brother's back. I think I'll get some of the men to watch out for Ariel and Lin. You saw how he looked at her? Anton's got a reputation - outside of this place - for getting rough with women, if you know what I mean. Especially ones that say no to him.'

'Jesus,' Deeks said. The fact that Anton's reputation was known within the community was deeply unsettling. There were numerous women and girls living here, and with the hot Californian sunshine, the short shorts and the cropped tops, Deeks wondered how DuValle had not been tempted before. Maybe it was down to whatever hold Ariel had over him. 'So where have they gone now? I thought we're supposed to be planning an attack?'

'Reckon they've gone to calm DuValle down and see if they think it's worth keeping Rob here and in on the plan.' Raider said. 'If not he's gotta go, and that means they will literally throw him out right this minute.'

'Maybe I should go find him...' Raiders' words had begun to unnerve Deeks. Until then he believed it was just a hiccup, not something that could seriously get Callen thrown out of the camp. It wasn't as though he'd actually done anything to jeopardise his cover or the mission. His words hadn't even been controversial.

'I'm pretty sure Rob can take care of himself.'

'Yeah, just like he's more than capable of getting himself in to trouble. He just can't always get himself out of it. Y'know sometimes I think he actually enjoys pissing people off.'

Deeks ruffled the front of his hair with his fingers, trying to take a moment to gather his thoughts and decide how he should proceed. He was just about to start moving in the direction Callen had taken when Lyneham returned from his secret conversations with Ariel and DuValle.

'Hey Josh,' Deeks called, walking briskly over to meet him. The only way to find out if Callen was compromised was simply to ask. 'Look man, I'm worried about Rob. He just wandered off on his own and I saw the look on Anton's face. What's going to happen to him?'

'Nothing's going to happen. His idea to infiltrate social services is sound and reminded me this is a team effort, not a dictatorship. Anton's not strategic and is just pissed that he's been found out in public. Rob wasn't the one to really undermine him, that was Ariel.'

'So what now?'

'Go find him and we get back to work. Anton won't be rejoining us. He's got another task that'll keep him out of mischief for a while.'

Deeks narrowed his eyes in a vain attempt to get Lyneham to reveal more than he had cryptically said but the look was lost as Lyneham walked past him and in to the kitchen. With a sigh, Deeks shook his head imperceptibly and headed off to find Callen. He felt Raider staring after him and for once resisted the urge to cheekily turn around and reassure him that he wasn't about to pound his so-called brother's face in for acting like a complete dick. Well, that might be how Billy wanted to react, Deeks just wanted to get inside Callen's head for once and understand why he felt the need to do everything alone. Oh, and maybe he would try to shake a little sense in to the man for deliberately riling up DuValle. He reached their fence within a minute, his anxiousness causing him to jog. He paused and looked around, scanning the distant and broken tree line for movement, repeating the action several times before he caught sight of Callen emerging on the horizon. Aware there was no one else around and not wanting to wait for Callen to reach him, Deeks impatiently broke in to a run, allowing the frustrations of the morning to seep in to his alias and feed his ever decreasing mood.

'You're a freaking idiot sometimes, you know that? What did you think you were doing, deliberately pissing DuValle off and showing him up in front of the crew? And why the hell did you go off alone? What is wrong with you? What've you been doing?'

Deeks stood in front of Callen, his chest rising and falling not because he was out of breath from running but because he realised he was genuinely annoyed at the senior agent's behaviour.

'Think about it Deeks.' Callen replied, stepping to his right in order to bypass his partner and continue back to the ranch. Deeks moved with Callen, blocking his way and raising his hands to push against Callen's chest. 'What?'

'What do you mean, what?' Deeks could hardly believe the words Callen was uttering. 'We're meant to be partners, brothers, but you're acting like you did with me on our first day. I am not some junior agent, wet behind the ears so don't treat me like one.'

'Do I really have to spell it out?'

'Well any kind of talking would be good. Seems I don't share the same telepathic connection you have with Sam.'

Callen stared at Deeks, his eyes a steely blue and he shook his head. The hint of a smirk began to tug at the corner of his left lip and Deeks suddenly saw red, his right fist connecting with Callen's jaw, causing the older man to stumble sideways in an effort to keep his balance. He raised a hand to his face, pulling his fingers away to check if Deeks had drawn blood. Nothing.

'Do you want to hit me again? This time maybe Billy can work out his frustrations and get his revenge?' Callen asked, this time without a hint of a smile.

Deeks exhaled loudly. 'You're a compete asshole.'

'Who? Me or Rob?' Callen shrugged.

'You know what, I really can't tell the difference.'

Callen pointedly ignored Deeks' barbed accusation.

'I went off so I could ditch my earwig and button-cam. I don't think it would turn out too well for either of us if they searched me and found them. You need to get rid of yours too. I spoke briefly to Ops to warn them they're now deaf and blind.' Callen paused and narrowed his eyes in concern. 'You did realise that's why I went off?'

'What? No. Yes. Don't do that. Don't try and play your Jedi mind tricks with me. I'm struggling here.' Deeks paused for a moment, looking off to the horizon before turning back and meeting Callen's eyes. He broke in to a broad smile. 'Look, I'm not Sam and clearly we need to focus more on our bromance, my brother.'

Callen nodded and finally the tension seemed to be broken. The pair fell in step as they slowly headed back to the ranch.

'Look,' Callen said. 'DuValle doesn't trust me and neither does Ariel. They don't seem to have an opinion about you but the more they see us arguing and fighting, they might just think about using you - manipulating you against me.'

'But where would that get them?'

'DuValle sees me as a threat, especially with the friendship I have with Lyneham. And after everything earlier, they might try to get rid of me. Just make sure you stay alert.'

Deeks ignored Callen's last statement. It was a given that he'd remain alert even if Callen had his doubts.

'Raider's hinky.'

'Why?'

'Just a feeling. He acts like he's part of the chosen few but when I quizzed him earlier, he hasn't a clue about who's running this place. He did warn me about DuValle. I know I said he might have CIA connections from his Special Ops days, but I don't know. Maybe he's just a fraud. Trouble is, I don't know why. Just a feeling...'

'Great, so we just need to be suspicious and careful around Raider, DuValle and Ariel.'

'Don't forget Lyneham,' Deeks added. 'They could throw a curve ball when we least expect it. Expect the unexpected and be prepared.'

'I never was a boy scout and I'd bet on Kensi's life that you weren't either. Are we getting back in to character now we're in eye sight?'

Deeks nodded his head slowly and raised his voice for effect. 'You mean like me telling you you're a complete idiot who can't help but try to one-up everyone? That you have a natural way of pissing people off because you're social skills are non-extinct?'

'Wow.' Callen paused, allowing Deeks to walk a few steps ahead. 'At least I don't act like a crazy man, cracking jokes every five minutes in a desperate bid to get everyone to like me.'

'At least people actually like me.' Deeks called back, maintaining his pace and quite pleased not to actually be facing Callen during their carefully and rather interestingly worded 'banter'.

Callen upped his pace and stormed passed Deeks, glancing back as he did so. 'At least I have the brains to know when to shut up.'

'Yeah? Like you did in there? You, my lousy excuse for a brother, are the crazy one.'

Callen let the last remark slide as they reached the corner of the ranch. Everyone was still mingling outside and he nodded an acknowledgement as they saw him approach. He took a deep breath and opened the kitchen door. Unless DuValle appeared again, which was always a possibility, the next few hours should be full of strategic planning and creating undercover aliases. He would distance himself from the previous negativity and focus purely on the mission ahead. He rationalised that it was not too dissimilar from the many hundreds of operations he had planned and executed with NCIS, the CIA and the other alphabet agencies whose path he had crossed professionally over the years, not to mention the personal 'off-the-books' ops he had developed and executed single-handedly. Technically this was part of an ongoing NCIS operation, just with a different team. One he really did not know and definitely did not trust.