A loud beeping sounded throughout the OPS Center, causing Nell and Eric to stop what they were doing and look toward the large screen.

"Whoa…"

"Is that who I think it is?" Nell asked.

"Um…yea," Eric breathed, quickly rushing to allow their visitor entrance to the building.

"I better warn Hetty," Nell said, picking up the phone.

Eric was already out the door while Nell tried to get Hetty on the phone. Unfortunately, no answer from the Operation Manager's office came.

"Shoot!" Nell ran out of the OPS Center as well, leaving the rest of the staff wondering what had the technical analyst so concerned.

Eric stood at full attention as Gibbs strode into their headquarters.

"Agent Gibbs…it's good to see you again," he said, sticking out a hand.

Gibbs stopped, allowing a small smile for the young man, and shook Eric's hand firmly. "You too, Beale."

"Um…we didn't know you were coming," Eric stuttered, hurrying to catch up with Gibbs who was now moving towards the bullpen.

"Didn't tell anyone."

"Ah…right. Ok…sooooo…what are you…?"

Gibbs turned quickly, causing Eric to stop short before running in to him. "Classified."

Eric froze under Gibbs' harsh stare. "Right…sure."

"Where's Henrietta?"

"Umm, Nell was calling her. Probably in her office," Eric explained, pointing towards the other end of the building.

But before they could reach Hetty's office, Nell hurried out to meet them.

"Agent Gibbs….how nice of you to drop by. Is there something we can help you with?"

"Where is Henrietta?" Gibbs asked, scanning the office Eric indicated as Hetty's and seeing no sign of the small woman.

"Well…uh…I'm not sure. I looked in the gym and just checked the garage. Her car is here but that doesn't always mean…"

"You don't know where she is?" Gibbs asked pointedly.

"Oh of course we do…" Eric began with Nell continuing, "Sure, she just moves around this place…"

"Hey!"

Gibbs' loud voice stopped both Eric and Nell's clamoring. "Did you call her cell?"

"Uh no…good idea!" Nell said, hurrying in to Hetty's office and grabbing the desk phone.

Gibbs stood with his arms crossed, waiting, while Eric shuffled from side to side. When there was no answer from Hetty's cell, Nell cursed under her breath.

"No answer?" Gibbs asked.

Nell shook her head and set the phone back in the cradle.

"Armory?"

Eric perked up. "Uh…this way, sir."

Eric quickly led Gibbs down the hall, Nell trailing behind. Turning in to the armory, they heard shots coming from the shooting range.

Gibbs held up a hand, stopping both Nell and Eric.

"Back to what you were doing," he commanded, moving forward to look through the window.

Eric made to speak but Nell quickly pulled him back, not wanting to get in the middle of whatever large event seemed to be occurring.

As soon as Gibbs heard the pair was gone, he opened the door to the shooting range. He couldn't help but smile seeing the target's head shredded as Henrietta Lange emptied her magazine. Once finished, she set the gun down slowly.

"Leroy," she called, looking over her shoulder briefly to the agent before turning back to reloading her gun. "I see you found us without incident."

"Yep," he answered, stepping forward to stand beside her. "Vance got in touch with you?"

"Mm…" came her soft reply as she finished loading the gun. Turning, she replaced her goggles with her glasses. "Though he didn't give any indication as to why you were joining us."

"Classified."

"So he said," Hetty answered, her eyebrows raising in challenge. "But if you're taking two of my best, then you had better give me something more than that."

"You tell Vance that?" Gibbs asked, smirking.

"You doubt me?"

Gibbs' face finally broke out into a full smile. He shook his head as he chuckled. "Never."

"You best keep it that way," she reminded him.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, stepping back to allow her to pass as they exited the shooting range.

He waited while she put away her gun, then followed her to the office.

"So, how long will you require Mr. Beale and Miss Jones' assistance?" Hetty asked, taking a seat behind her desk.

"Hopefully not long."

Hetty looked at the man across from her over the rim of her glasses. "That's not an answer, Leroy."

"Afraid it's all I have. Until we find what we need, I need them."

"And why are you not using your own team?"

"They're being utilized for protective detail and research in the DC area."

"Aha," Hetty responded with a nod. "So, you're using my people and yet, you still refuse to give me the details on the case."

"The less people who know, the better."

Hetty's eyes narrowed, and Gibbs instantly knew he had crossed a line. He was using her people and would give them information on the case but wouldn't give it to her- their boss and Operations Manager. But- it was essential to keep all details of this case as close to the vest as possible, at least until the men they were after were in custody and all the pieces of the puzzle had been found.