CALLING THE BLUFF

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JAG OFFICES

AJ was standing in the bullpen watching his staff.  His mind was no longer on work.  It was on Zoya and Dorothy Nelson.  Both gave him cause to worry, for very different reasons.  They were both up to something, he just wasn't sure what. 

"Excuse me Sir. Zoya is on the line." Tiner said.

"Thank you," AJ said and went to his office.

AJ'S OFFICE

"Good morning, Uncle AJ." Zoya said with a sing song tone.

"How are you?" AJ asked. "Where are you?"

"Good," Zoya replied. "We're on our way over now, do you have time?"

"Who is we're?" AJ asked.

"Me and Webb," Zoya said. "Can you see us?"

"I'll be waiting," AJ said.

"Good because we're pulling in now," Zoya laughed.

"Sir, Zoya and Clayton Webb are here to see you." Tiner advised.

"Send them in," AJ said.

"Hiya," Zoya said giving AJ a hug.

"Good morning AJ," Webb said.

"What's going on?" AJ asked cutting to the chase.

Zoya and Webb looked at each other and sat down. They had discussed what had to be done on the ride over, things had changed.  AJ had a scowl on his face that Zoya had only seen once before, when she told him she was going to work for the CIA.  Through the years she had learned that AJ did not like to be the last to know.  By the look on his face she wasn't sure which would upset him more, the fact that she had slept with Webb or that someone was trying to kill her. AJ looked back and forth between Webb and Zoya.  His mind began to race as he tried to figure out why they were there.

"Is someone going to say something?" AJ asked.

"About a month ago, someone tried to kill me." Zoya stated.

"We thought it was related to something else, however it appears that Zoya is the specific target." Webb added.

"Related to what?" AJ asked.

"It's classified," Zoya said and got a very dirty look from AJ.

"AJ her apartment was set up and while they were repairing they found a bomb." Webb said.

"Do you have any idea who is doing this?" AJ asked.

"We don't," Zoya said. "However, we have a plan."

"Zoya's going to set herself up," Webb said.

"Are you crazy?" AJ bellowed.

"Uncle AJ if they don't have a target, how are we going to draw them out?" Zoya asked.

"Investigating works," AJ replied. "Tell me what you know,"

"It's like nothing we've ever seen before. We've gone over all my ops and nothing stands out, the last cover I had was not blown, and that's all we have." Zoya said.

"That's not much," AJ remarked.

"They can't seem to trace anything," Webb stated.

"They?" AJ asked.

"We've been kept out of it." Zoya explained. "This has been assigned to someone else."

"They aren't doing a very good job," AJ smirked.

"That's why we're here AJ," Webb smiled.

"Talk to me," AJ said.

"I'm moving back into my apartment tonight." Zoya said.

"You're putting yourself in the line of fire," AJ said.

"I know I am doing that on purpose." Zoya said. "I want them to come after me."

"You are crazy!" AJ yelled.

"Don't go there AJ, I've tried to reason with her." Webb said.

"You should have tried harder." AJ bellowed and stood up.

"What did you want me to do? Lock her in my closet?" Webb yelled and also stood up.

"Maybe you should both stop yelling." Zoya said jumping up. "What is wrong with you two? I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.  Uncle AJ I don't need you yelling at my partner like he is my protector and Clay if you ever raise your voice to AJ again, being transferred to Suriname will be a picnic compared to what I will do to you."

Both men stood their stunned as they watched Zoya storm out of the office.  She had a temper, as all people do, but she rarely let it get out of control and she never raised her voice.  Even when she was dressing someone down or interrogating them, she was calm and rational at all times.  She never even raised her voice to Catherine Gale, which was a surprise.

"Well that was good," Webb said with sarcasm.

"She's going to do this her own way." AJ sighed. "I guess the most we can do is help her."

BULLPEN

Zoya was storming through the bullpen, not looking where she was going, when she slammed into Gunny.

"Whoa there Zoya," Gunny said. "Where's the fire?"

"In Uncle AJ's office," Zoya snapped.

"Take it easy," Gunny said, "How about a cup of coffee?"

"Thanks," Zoya calmed and followed Gunny to the coffee room.

"How do you take it?" Gunny asked.

"Straight is fine with me," Zoya said.

"What's going on?" Gunny asked. "You look like you are about to kill someone." Gunny said.

"Someones," Zoya corrected. "Webb and AJ seem to think that I need protection. I can't make them see that I can take care of myself."

"Two things," Gunny said. "Why do you need protection? And everyone needs back up."

"Victor, you're a good egg." Zoya smiled.

"It's part of the marine training," Gunny joked.

"Hey Gunny have you seen… oh here you are." Tiner said. "Zoya, the Admiral is looking for you."

"I'll be right there," Zoya sighed. "Thanks for listening Victor."

"You really didn't say much, and Zoya, take it easy on them." Gunny smiled.

AJ'S OFFICE
 Zoya walked into AJ's office and saw Harm and Mac sitting with Webb.

"Are we all calm now?" Zoya asked.

"Yes we are all calm." AJ replied.

"We've asked you here because we need your help." Webb stated.

"What are you doing?" Zoya interrupted.

"Taking the lead," Webb said. "Don't interrupt."

"Who put you in charge?" Zoya snapped.

"You did, when you decided to stop thinking rationally," AJ said.

"What's going on?" Harm asked.

"About a month ago, someone tried to kill Zoya." AJ said.

"Are you okay?" Mac asked.

"I'm fine. I've been staying with Webb and a security guard." Zoya stated. "Actually at first we thought we were both targets. We were wrong."

"What do you want us to do?" Mac asked.

"I'm glad you asked." Webb said and explained the events of a month ago.  "The team assigned to investigate this, has been very ineffective."

"Why am I not surprised?" Harm said under his breath.

"Rabb," AJ warned.

"Zoya plans on moving back into her place tonight," Webb stated.

"I would like you to stop talking about me as though I wasn't here." Zoya snapped.

"Sorry," Webb said.

His apology made everyone stare. Never had they heard Clayton Webb utter that word before, plus there was a calmness about him they had never seen.  Being sent to Suriname must have had some effect on him, or maybe it was being partnered with Zoya that did it.  They weren't sure, but this new Webb was interesting.

"Accepted, you might as well continue. I have no idea what you two have cooked up." Zoya said.

"Could you guys go to Zoya's place, it would be a big help.  Check out the security and let them know she is moving back in tonight." Webb said.

"Why can't you do it?" Harm asked.

"If this is company related, anyone who knows Zoya will know Webb." AJ explained. "You two can go in and anyone watching the place would be none the wiser."

"Sounds easy enough," Mac stated.

"Do you think that this is not company related?" Mac asked.

"There are only a few people outside this room who I have personal contact with." Zoya stopped and sighed.  "God that's pathetic. I can't imagine any of them wanting me dead."

"You can't be too careful," AJ said. "Get me a list I will have Gunny run a check."

"I'll make the list up tonight." Zoya said. "Webb and I are going to Langley for the rest of today." "We haven't been in for the last month.  We want to make sure anyone watching believes it's back to business as usual."

"Any questions?" AJ asked.

"I think we got it," Harm said.

"Thanks for your help." Zoya said and started to walk out. "Webb, move it."

They watched Webb and Zoya walk out of the office. They were concerned for Zoya but amazed at what they had just witnessed.  Zoya had Webb's number and he had no problem with that at all.

"She is something else." Mac said. "That is not the same woman who plays practical jokes and set up that mystery weekend."

"You've never seen her when she's working, have you?" AJ smiled.

"She is so focused," Mac said.

"She's a spook," Harm laughed.

"Alright, you two go to Zoya's apartment and let the foreman know she is returning.  Please make sure there is adequate security." AJ said. "I don't want anything to happen to her."

"Aye, Aye Sir," They replied in unison and left the office.

ZOYA'S APARTMENT

Mac and Harm stopped off at their apartments and changed into civilian clothes before they went to Zoya's.

"Good afternoon, we are from the building department." Harm said standing in the door. "We need to inspect the changes that have been made."

"We really didn't change much. We made repairs." The foreman said.

"May we come in?" Mac asked.

"I'm sorry, we didn't expect the inspectors to come until we finished." The foreman said.

Harm walked into the kitchen and turned the vent on to high.

"Have you ensured there are no listening devices here?" Harm asked.

"Excuse me?" The foreman said.

"We were sent by Nassar and Webb," Mac explained. "I am Lt. Colonel MacKenzie and this is Commander Rabb."

"Andrew Sigrete, it's nice to meet you." Andrew said.

"Zoya is coming back here tonight," Harm said. "Is this place ready?"

"Tonight," Andrew replied. "We've got the HVAC back in working order and no one has been in here without authorization."

"What about security?" Mac asked "Will she be safe?"

"I've installed a security system with central station monitoring direct to headquarters." Andrew said. "As long as she activates it, no one will get in."

"Have all the interior walls been checked?" Harm asked.

"As you can see, we tore down every wall and then rebuilt them." Andrew said. "It's not pretty but everything is clean."

"I take it you mean clean as in nothing that will kill her," Mac said. "Of course she may have a heart attack when she sees all this."

"If we had an extra few days, I would have had the men paint and put everything back." Andrew smiled. "It's not our job, but Agent Nassar is a good person, we would have done it anyway."

"I'm sure she'll appreciate the sentiment," Harm replied.

"Do you know where Nassar is now?" Andrew asked.

"She's at work, why?" Mac asked.

"I need to see her and explain the alarm system to her." Andrew said. "We should be out of here within the hour. I'll make sure I catch up with her."

"Sounds good," Harm said and they left.

They were walking back to Harm's car, discussing the current situation when they heard a voice.

"Yoohoo," Mrs. Nelson called out from her car. "I thought that was you."

"Dear God, shoot me now." Mac groaned.

"How are you?" Mrs. Nelson asked driving over to them.

"We're fine," Harm smiled. "What brings you to Alexandria?"

"I was on my way back from a meeting," Mrs. Nelson smiled. "What are you two doing? Looking for a bigger place?"

"We were visiting a friend," Mac said.

"It's never too soon to look for something together," Mrs. Nelson said.

"We aren't moving in together," Harm stated.

"Not yet," Mrs. Nelson laughed and pulled away.

"That woman is insane," Mac said. "It wouldn't surprise me if she had our apartments staked out."

"Considering I stayed over last night, it would make her job easier." Harm smiled.

"I wonder if the SecNav knows what she's up to." Mac mused.

"As long as the Admiral doesn't, we're safe," Harm said. "Come on let's grab a bite to eat and then let's go home."

"Fine," Mac said with a sigh.

On the way to the restaurant, Mac called Webb and advised him that Zoya's apartment was safe.  In the background she could hear Zoya shooting questions then finally taking the phone from Webb and speaking to Mac herself.  After the call was completed, Mac and Harm went to a local restaurant for a relaxing dinner.