Chapter 3

A Bar in Pacific Beach and an Overwatch truck across the street about a block away

Wednesday, 9:57 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time)

Callen and Sam are sitting on the far ends of a red velvet couch against a wall facing a long bar opposite them. The entrance is to their left on a short wall and the back of the rectangular room is on their right. The bar is full of sailors in civvies. Random pop, country, and hip hop music is playing. Callen and Sam each have a dark brown beer bottle in front of them on a table.

Sam: "Deeks, just park already. Kensi and Nell should be here any minute now."

Deeks: "I know, I know. I went around the block like four times, but I can't find any parking for this huge monster. I guess this'll have to do."

Sam puts the beer bottle to his mouth and takes a fake swig.

Callen: "As long you're close enough to have eyes and ears on the bar, Sam and I can handle the rest."

Kensi and Nell enter and head toward the bar.

Kensi: "Hey, not so fast there. I think Nell and I can handle our share of the rest."

Nell: "Darn right."

Deeks whistles and catcalls.

Deeks: "Lookin' good, Posh and Ginger Spice."

Nell: "Why thank you, Scary Spice."

Deeks: "Ouch."

Sam snickers as Kensi and Nell order their own beers at the bar.

Deeks: "Are you gonna let her talk to me like that, Kens?"

Kensi: "Let her? I'm just mad she beat me to it."

Sam: "You did kinda ask for it."

Deeks: "Oh. Gee thanks, Sporty Spice."

Kensi and Nell take their drinks and go greet Callen and Sam, sitting between them on the couch.

Callen: "Yeah, so this is fun and all, but whadda'ya say we focus?"

Deeks: "Aww, come on Baby Spice."

Callen: "That sounds more like Hetty."

Deeks: "Point taken. But if I'm going to be stuck here in this food truck all night while you kids have all the fun, you could cut me some slack."

Sam: "If Deeks is done whining, can we pay attention to anything that might stand out to anyone?"

Deeks: "Well, the DJ seems to have a multiple personality disorder, but from my limited vantage point, no not really."

Eric: "Yeah. There's just stuff you'd typically find in a dive bar; some sloppy drunks, an assault or two in the making, vandalism. Nothing to suggest kidnapper."

Callen: "Keep your eyes peeled. Assuming we're in the right place, we still don't know who these guys are, so they may not show up on our radar."

Kensi and Callen lift their beer bottles and act like they're taking sips.

Nell looks to the back of the room.

Nell: "Ooh. Is that a jukebox?"

Sam: "I didn't see a jukebox."

Kensi: "Where?"

Nell: "Over there on the back wall by the bar."

Sam: "Where? I still don't see it."

Callen: "I think what we have here is a generational problem."

Sam: "Wow, really?"

Kensi: "Aaah. I see what you mean. Sam is looking for something out of the fifties..."

Callen: "And Nell is using the term jukebox very loosely."

Nell: "Fine, whatever you want to call it, I think it's time to hear something GOOD."

Kensi: "Sounds like a plan."

Kensi stands up from the couch and moves past Sam.

Kensi: "I'll go see if they have any of the songs we talked about in the car while you practice your sipping without drinking."

Kensi laughs while Nell's eyes narrow in feigned anger.

Nell: "Hey…"

Kensi struts away toward the jukebox and Nell begrudgingly practices just that.

Callen says to no one in particular: "Please tell me no Spice Girls."

Nell: "Come on. Give us a little credit for reading the room. This definitely isn't a girl power crowd. Anyway, Deeks might be a Spicy fan, but for that genre, I'd probably go with something more along the lines of No Doubt."

A waitress comes to the table and asks whether she can bring them another beer. They look at each other.

Callen: "I think we're good for now, thanks."

The waitress leaves and each of them pick up their respective bottles from the table in front of the couch and take another fake drink before putting them back down. There's a pregnant pause.

Nell pulls her phone out of her purse and sings.

Nell: "But first, let me take a selfie."

Nell leans in and puts her arm around Sam.

Sam: "Aw, hell no."

Nell quietly explains.

Nell: "Come on big man. How else do we surreptitiously take photos of the patrons?"

Sam: "Fair enough."

Nell holds up her phone, but instead of the front facing camera, she takes a photo of the crowd. Then she does the same with Callen and takes one solo before Kensi returns and takes a seat.

Kensi: "Mission accomplished. What'd I miss?"

Nell takes one last 'selfie' with Kensi after she takes a seat.

Nell: "I'm gonna show Petty Officer Bulletproof all the fun he's missing."

Nell sends the photos to Eric.

Eric: "Thanks, but I'm hoping that there's no need for your fun photos."

Callen: "Copy that."

Deeks: "So Kens, did'ja find some nice New Kids on the Block to play on the un-jukebox?"

Kensi: "Ha! No way. I hit the jackpot. I found a song for me, one for Nell, and even one for Hetty."

Nell: "Nice!"

Nell and Kensi high five, but miss, giggle drunkenly, and connect on the second try. Soon, they're all distracted by a group of 5 sailors standing near the bar boisterously egging on a 6th, chanting "Chug, chug, chug…" as he downs a pitcher of beer and burps.

Sam: "This place reminds me of this bar in Panama City, but more tame."

Nell: "Oh, boy! Story time with Sam."

Sam: "Nah. Just remembering a simpler time. You know, misspent youth and all."

Callen: "I'd pay good money to have seen Ensign Hana and his boys tearing it up."

Sam: "I can neither confirm nor deny…"

Suddenly, the chugger interrupts, staggering toward them and bumping their table, nearly spilling the beers. Callen and Nell grab at the teetering bottles while Kensi stands and puts a hand on the drunk sailor's arm to steady him.

Kensi: "Hey, easy there, buddy! You okay?"

Chugger: "Mmm. Mmhm."

Chugger's buddy catches up with him as Chugger gets a dull recognition of his situation.

Chugger: "Huh? Wha?"

Chugger pulls his arm away from Kensi and pushes her back on the couch.

Chugger: "Get off me!"

Chugger begins to stumble backward until his buddy steadies him while Sam and Callen stand up.

Sam: "I suggest you gentlemen move it along."

Chugger: "Nf. Or what?"

Callen: "Take it easy, man."

Chugger shoves Callen.

Kensi and Nell join Sam and Callen by standing up while Chugger's buddy tries to shepherd Chugger away.

Chugger's buddy: "Come on, Tack. You're not the only one who needs to take a leak."

Chugger: "Mmmf, but these chumps are dis-esp-ecting me."

Chugger's buddy: "Hey, you're a Petty, now. You gotta act like it. Water off a duck's back, remember."

Chugger searches for a moment of lucid thinking, then concedes.

Chugger: "Fine! They're jus lucky I'm gotta be the bigger man now."

As Chugger and his buddy start to leave, Sam mouths "Thank you," to Chugger's buddy who nods in return.

The team sits down again and takes "drinks" from their beers.

Nell's ears perk up and she starts nodding her head to the music as she notices the song 'Raise Your Glass" by Pink is playing.

Nell: "Nice!"

Kensi: "I told you, I got you."

Nell: "I have an idea."

Nell jumps up excitedly, pretends to nearly lose her balance, and puts her hand out to Kensi.

Nell: "Let's dance!"

Nell leads Kensi in front of the table. They briefly sing and dance before Nell pretends to drunkenly lose her balance again, but this time knocks the table with her leg, and tips the bottles over on the table.

Sam: "Hey!"

Callen: "Whoa!"

Nell: "Oh, no! I spilled everyone's beers."

Kensi starts to reach for the drinks, but Nell picks the bottles by the neck first.

Nell: "Sit down. I'll fix it."

Kensi raises her hands to let Nell take that lead and moves to sit down on the couch. Nell goes to the bar with the bottles, strutting and singing to the music.

Sam: "I can't tell if that was sloppy or slick."

Deeks: "Well, it looks like she figured out a way to draw attention, look drunk, AND make an excuse to get fresh drinks."

Kensi: "That's ma gurl"! I'm so proud."

Kensi sniffs and pretends to wipe away a tear.

Nell returns with four fresh beers and a few bar towels. She offers up the drinks.

Nell: "Can someone take mine too while I clean up?"

Sam takes two beers from Nell while Callen and Kensi each take theirs. Nell finishes wiping up nearly four beers worth of liquid when the waitress approaches.

Waitress: "Do you need anything?"

Nell: "Oooh! Yeah. Can you take these?"

The waitress puts her tray up and Nell puts the wet towels on them. The waitress rolls her eyes and starts to turn away.

Nell: "Wait."

Nell turns to Kensi.

Nell: "Hey, hand me my purse?"

Kensi gives Nell her purse. Nell pulls out a $5 bill and hands it to the waitress.

Nell: "Thanks for your help."

The confused waitress shakes her head as she turns and walks away. An equally confused Nell turns to her team.

Callen: "Pro tip. You were doing fine up until you were nice and gave her money."

Nell: "Right, right. Out of character... Anyway, I'm gonna go wash my hands."

Kensi: "Want company?

Nell: "Nah, I should be okay."

Sam: "Stay sharp."

Nell: "Yessir."

Nell bops away as the song changes to I Got a Feeling from the Black Eyed Peas. Kensi stands up to dance while keeping an eye on her and the restrooms.

Deeks: "I think our little girl's growing up."

Callen: "Maybe, but I'd rather not find out if you're right."

Callen, Sam, and Kensi "drink" out of their new bottles.

Sam: "Well, as much fun as this is, it's looking like a waste of our time."

Callen: "I don't know. I think, for once, I don't mind wasting my time."

Deeks: "Easy for you to say from your nice comfy couch in a bar while I'm sitting here in this roach coach. We didn't even have time for dinner at Corvette Diner."

Sam: "We all hit traffic, okay? Move on."

Kensi: "Yeah, there's no way to avoid traffic when there's only one freeway option."

Nell returns and starts dancing with Kensi.

Nell: "Is this song yours?"

Kensi: "Oh yeah it is."

Nell: "Nice!"

Nell picks up her beer while Kensi is standing up with hers. They clink the necks of the bottles together and take 'sips' of their drinks.

Kensi and Nell: "Mazel Tov!"

They begin dancing semi-provocatively. Kensi alternately attracts and deflects attention from aspiring suitors.

Soon, Lady Gaga's Poker Face starts to play as Kensi and Nell keep dancing while looking more and more drunk.

Callen looks to the ceiling.

Callen: "Hetty."

Kensi and Nell laugh while Sam smirks. After the song finishes, Kensi goes to Sam's side of the couch and taps his leg with hers.

Kensi: "Scooch over."

Sam moves and Kensi sits. Meanwhile, Nell goes to the other side of the couch, steps over Callen's feet, and flops down on the couch between Sam and Callen.

Kensi: "Well, I think we've put on enough of a show."

About halfway through a DJ Khaled song, everyone's had a "drink" from their bottles and run out of topics of conversation.

Sam: "Well, I think we should think about wrapping it up. Nothin's happening here tonight."

Nell teasingly leans into Sam's arm and gives it a bump.

Nell: "But it's still early!"

Callen: "Hey, do we know if there was action anywhere tonight?"

Eric: "If you mean the guy striking out with the woman in the front corner booth, then that's the closest thing to action in your bar. If you mean was anyone abducted tonight, we haven't gotten any reports."

Callen: "Yeah, okay. I think we should call it."

Kensi: "But remember, the end of the night was when the real games began."

Sam: "True."

Kensi: "I think one of you boys should go get us a ride while I settle the bill and hit the head."

Nell nods.

Nell: "Good idea. I could use a visit to the ladies' room myself."

Callen looks at Nell.

Callen: "Is that a good idea?"

Nell teases.

Nell: "I have NOTHING but good ideas."

Nell winks at Callen before cupping her hand around her mouth and whispering in his ear.

Nell: "That's why we're here. I'll be fine."

Callen chuckles and raises his hands in defeat.

Callen: "Fine. Suit yourself."

Kensi and Nell stand and half walk, half stagger to their destinations. Sam heads out the front door arranging their ride. Callen stays on the couch, surreptitiously keeping an eye on Kensi and Nell. Kensi goes to the bar and closes out the tab while Nell goes to the rear of the room where she waits for one of the two unisex restrooms to be vacant. As "Bring Me To Life" by Evanescence starts playing, Nell feigns boredom while standing in line behind a man who ignores her because he's fixated by his phone. She takes stock of the back door down the hall just beyond the second restroom door and what she presumes to be a storage closet behind a curtain opposite the restrooms.

After a few seconds, the closer of the two restroom doors opens and a man walks out. He passes the bathroom line and goes back to the bar without making eye contact. The man on the phone goes into the restroom and closes the door behind him. Soon, Kensi joins Nell in line.

Kensi: "Hey, there."

Nell: "Hey, back."

The far restroom door opens drawing Kensi and Nell's attention. A woman exits and walks by them back to the bar.

Nell goes into the far restroom and closes the door behind her. A few seconds later, the closer restroom door opens and the man walks by Kensi back to the bar while looking at his phone. Kensi goes in and closes the door behind her. Meanwhile, Callen is trying to keep an eye on anyone moving toward the restrooms. Suddenly, the chugger and his friends get up from their table near the back of the room. They motion like they're going to start moving toward the exit, but mingle amongst themselves next to their table first. Callen stands up, but can't see around the drunk crowd.

Callen: "Eric, Deeks. I lost sight of Kens and Nell. Do either of you have 'em?"

Deeks: "Not since they went into the bathrooms."

Eric: "All I have that Deeks doesn't is a traffic cam at an intersection half a block from the back alley."

Sam: "Why? Is there something wrong, G?"

Callen: "No, I'd just feel better if we had eyes on them."

Nell opens the door and takes a step into the hallway before her eyes can fully adjust to the darkness. Just before passing a man with a ponytail heading toward her now vacant restroom, a tall muscular man grabs her from behind and puts her into a low hug. The man with a ponytail puts a hand over her mouth and injects her neck with a syringe.

Nell: "Ooof! Noof!"

Nell tries to bite his hand and fight back, but can't quite get the right angles. She struggles briefly before getting too woosy to resist. Ponytail drops his hand from Nell's mouth and helps Muscles shift Nell from a hug to his side with one of her arms over his shoulder and around his neck. Muscles' arm goes around her waist and he's holding her up.

Nell: "Nuuuh…"

Callen: "Nell?"

Nell's purse drops to the floor as the three of them reach the back door. Her free arm briefly flails up toward her own head just before they make it outside. Kensi opens her restroom door and enters the hallway. It takes her a beat to realize what's going on. It's just long enough for the three to exit and have the door nearly shut behind them.

Kensi: "Stop!"

Eric: "What's going on?!"

Kensi pulls a gun out of her purse and follows out the back door as Callen ever more aggressively pushes his way through Chugger and his buddies who put up some half-hearted barriers to letting him pass just to let him know that they don't appreciate his aggressiveness. Kensi looks down the alley to find Muscles shoving Nell into the rear passenger side of a black SUV, getting in himself, and slamming the door behind him. Meanwhile, Ponytail gets in the front passenger side and shuts the door.

Despite a lack of decent cover, Kensi raises her gun and aims.

Kensi: "Stop!"

Before she can react, Ponytail raises his own handgun and shoots through his open window. As Kensi falls back and lands on the ground, the SUV peels out of the alley.