---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kate tried not to make eye contact with Ari, but as he entered the center of the bullpen- she decided 'to hell with it- and put on a brave front. She noticed that Gibbs had his usual stern look, however she kept noticing in the corner of her eye some repetitive glances towards her.
It comforted her a little.
Kate and Tony were seated at their appropriate desks, whilst Gibbs went and positioned himself on the corner of Kate's, nearest his own desk.
Agent Russell, Ari and Morrow stood adjacent them, facing the LCD screen. Ari surveyed the room, noting the absence of faces in his direction. He stops on Kate for a few seconds. Kate senses Ari's eyes on her and feels the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Gibbs notices the interaction immediately and nudges himself to block Kate from Ari's view. Before anything else could eventuate Morrow begins the meeting.
"It's good to see you all here, lets finalize today's operation plan. Agent Russell…" Prompted Morrow.
Agent Russell picked up the LCD controller and the screen came to life.
"I have four teams setup, three tactical and one surveillance. The shipping container is scheduled to be released from quarantine at 0830. Mr Haswari will be in place by 0715, then at 0745, when the early morning staff arrive, they can play their parts without possibly becoming compromised."
They all nodded, looking at the LCD screen as it digitally performed the operation simultaneously.
"What exactly are you preparing to do when…Mr Haswari…and the container are received by the contact?"
Morrow indicates to Ari to head the question.
Ari nods and takes the control from Agent Russell. On the screen appears an FBI profile. He explains in his soave distinct accent,
"I have been fully briefed on the profile of the former messenger and I will be going under the name Ari Mosaad. The messengers job was purely to maintain the security and secrecy of the transfer. They are trained weaponries and will do what they must to protect the goods. Usually they are only in there a day or two at the most, changing at each port stop, however some unfortunate and therefore deadly…delays caused the mishap when it arrived here. I will meet the contact for an exchange before it leaves to be filled and manned with another messenger..."
Morrow stepped forward to behind Ari's left shoulder and in a low voice whispered something into his ear. Ari nodded and Morrow returned to his spot next to Agent Russell.
"Ah…yes. Also, once they have made contact, the three tactical teams will take control of the sting and take everybody into custody to also maintain my identity."
Gibbs subconsciously rubbed the bottom of his chin, looking from the screen to Air; then from Ari to Kate.
His stomach began to churn.
Gibbs secretly hoped the operation would be over quickly so that it could give him a reason to shoot Ari in the other shoulder! For whatever reason, sure the only thing stopping him now was Morrow and the oh-so-annoying-important part he had in the operation.
A rare smile emerged from Gibbs' lips, oblivious to everyone except for Kate. She looked for him time to time just to feel that little more secure.
"Alright people." Morrow began looking around the around the entire room, "…lets get the ball rolling before we lose anymore time." He instructed.
"Tony, assist Russell with the tactical teams. McGee, take an overview of the surveillance from M.T.A.C…" Gibbs paused, Kate noticed an looked at him expectedly for her duties…
However he continued reluctantly, "Kate with me to bug and set-up the sting in the shipping container." Gibbs let out a contented sigh, this was the first step in a very long day.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The drive over consisted of Kate in the front with Gibbs, and Ari in the back. From NCIS HQ, it was only a 15 minute drive, however as cliché as it sounds, it felt a lot longer to the three passengers.
Kate could tell that Gibbs was having a hard time dealing with the situation. However this wasonly in comparison to how he was last night; to everyone else he was how they would expect; focused, in-control and as-hard-as-nails, especially for this operation.
Ari was reading over the case plan, whilst Kate tried, and was successful, in remaining composed by looking out the window, and once every while glancing over to Gibbs. The only sound present was the rustling and flipping of papers in the back.
After 9.08 minutes, the silence was broken by Ari.
"You shouldn't feel uncomfortable around me…Fornell and Morrow have explained my situation…" He paused, looking from one agent to another for some sort of recognition but continued on none-the-less, "…it was unfortunate that-"
However Gibbs promptly interrupted him, "-what was unfortunate was that you are on our side or you'd be 6 feet under a long time ago!"
Distain quickly stole the air inside the car. However Ari wasn't finished yet.
"I'm sorry you feel that way," Ari replied, then turning to Kate, "I hope that you do not think of it that severely do you, Caitlin?"
Kate's heart skipped a beat; Gibbs sensed the hesitation and was about to interject when she took the lead,
"Someone who can injure, maim and kill, without the slightest hesitation has no right justifying it with the support from agency playersEspecially…" Kate turned around to face him for the final part, "…when as you say, are on the same side!"
Ari met her forceful glare and smiled, seemingly non-relentant to Kate's outburst.
"Are you glad to get that off your chest?"
Kate eyed him, shaking her head slightly and simply turned around. Thankfully, before anymore uncomfortable silences, their car entered through the gates of the docking yard.
0659: Docking Yard (Quarantine Bay)
Ari had changed from the usual "Agent Suit" - some more tacky than others!- into the appropriate clothes of a stowaway-illegal-goods-protector: old jeans and a t-shirt.
One tactical team was already setup outside the closest exit to the pick-up point, for the worst-case scenario. The two others were positioned in and around the quarantine area and at and along the path to the pick-up point. Tony was suited up in a bulletproof vest and was already on point.
Kate and Gibbs were busy inside the container, planting listening devices in the rim; the door hinge, under various stock boxes and…one body fitted one on Ari.
"Testing…1,2.3. You hear me McGee?" Tested Gibbs as he spoke into one of the black bugs.
M.T.A.C Surveillance Room
McGee stood standing across the large screen and spoke into the headset microphone,
"Loud and clear, Boss." Confirmed McGee.
Quarantine Check-in Yard
Gibbs' earpiece relayed the positive transmission. He adjusted the earpiece in his right ear and then looked over the spots of the 5 well-hidden bugs to make sure they were going to stay that way. Satisfied, he indicated to Kate they were ready to vacate and hook-up one last wire.
Tbc….
… I know it sucks to stop here… but directions anyone? I want to get it right and not rush through it! Help/suggestions plz?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Arrrgghh! OMG… im getting there and at this point I am dedicating my description of "the sting" to a lovely aussie drama; "Stingers". (Unfortunately cut because of stingy channel 9… damns them) Thanks for the feedback on "Jet Star Sux" and yers… I do now doubt Magda Subanskis (sp?) endorsement of the airline …sobs and she was on Farscape too! And a last bit…some clues for the "Ice Queen" reference: #1: A song title, #2: Episode title, #3 character nickname from a tv series (from which the quote was from in the last chapter!)
YAYS LW- u got the character nickname! Miss Parker.. my absolutely fav show/idol… constantly swapping 1st & 2nd with NCIS of course!
A/N: (PT 2) I just saw "caught on tape" (my lovely sister didn't forward my mail from Adelaide…for a MONTH… and I finally got the next 5! screams excitedly I watched them straight this afternoon, all five, grins…in "caught on tape" when Tony boasts to Kate that he can smell Gibbs from a mile away… and then he's directly behind him! LMAO! And the one-standout kibbs part… in "Blackwater" when Kate's getting ready for her date and Gibbs is leaving for the elevator and he says "You looked better before." Awwwss! review me:P xxx Claire