Chapter 2

Mission near wardrobe and Ops

Wednesday, 10:47 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time)

Callen and Sam emerge from wardrobe for Hetty's inspection and Deeks' ridicule. They are both in stylish jeans and collared shirts. Callen is freshly shaven and sporting a short haircut. Deeks laughs and takes a photo of Callen with his phone.

Deeks: "For posterity. Who knew that he cleans up so nice?"

Hetty steps forward to pick lint off of shirts and smooth down collars. She also pulls out button cameras and attaches one to each of their shirts.

Hetty: "Yes, that will do. We will be monitoring your camera feeds as well as any security cameras we might be able to access. The three of you will drive down together in the overwatch van and scope out the bar. The ladies will arrive at the base together later."

Callen: "We'll head out then so we can grab a taxi from the base and wait for Kensi and Nell."

Callen, Sam, and Deeks start to leave as Deeks adds.

Deeks: "And I can get parked and help these amateurs pretend they know how to blend in at a dive bar."

Hetty: "Remember, gentlemen; don't get complacent."

They turn to go.

Callen: "Never."

After they leave, Hetty turns her attention back to wardrobe.

Hetty: "Ready ladies?"

A laughing Kensi and Nell walk toward Hetty from wardrobe. Kensi is wearing a tight low cut bright red dress with spaghetti straps and a high side slit. She has stilettos and lipstick to match and her brown wavy hair is down. Nell is in a short tiger print a-line halter slip dress. She has brown lace up high heeled boots and is sporting a strong cats eye. Her auburn hair is up in a loose bun.

Hetty: "Ladies, before you leave, a moment in the arsenal, please."

They follow Hetty while Eric is back in Ops typing at his workstation. He takes a quick breath before leaving Ops.

Eric appears on the collinaide and stops at the railing overlooking the office. When he doesn't see any of the team on the first floor, he starts downstairs before turning to make his way back to Ops, but after a few paces, stops short and turns back returning to the railing. He indecisively rubs the back of his neck looking back and forth between Ops and downstairs debating what to do. Soon, he hears Kensi and Nell even before they walk back into view in the direction of the tunnel.

Kensi: "I'm driving, right? Because in a pinch, Sam would never fit into your car."

Nell: "Yeah, sure. That works for me."

Kensi: "I'll need to gas up before we get on the freeway. I definitely wasn't planning on driving all the way to San Diego today."

They notice Eric watching them from above.

Kensi: "I'll meet you outside."

Nell: "Sounds good."

Nell turns to face Eric and looks upstairs.

Eric raises his eyebrows and mouths, "Wow."

Nell nervously tugs down the hem of her skirt and mouths back, "Thank you" and shoots him a half smile. He smiles back before she turns her back to him and struts a little bit toward the main exit. Eric's jaw drops when he sees how low the back of Nell's dress is. Just before reaching the front door she takes a quick look back over her shoulder at Eric to see his mouth agape. She gives him a little wave, turns back, keeps waking, and disappears out of sight.

As soon as the door closes behind Nell, Eric's eyes widen as he remembers why he left Ops. and murmurs to himself.

Eric: "Well, I guess we'll find out whether Google Maps or Waze figures out the best way around a Sig Alert on the 5."