At five in the morning, Kate was woken up by her alarm. She went for a run by the ocean and by six thirty she was back home and in the shower. She had some time to prepare something to eat and she even packed some lunch. She chose black dress and short black jacket over it. She did her makeup and put her hair in a tight ponytail. She chose black heels that went with the dress and picked up her bag and envelope she had to return to work. In front of the house was parked new black BMW x8 that was a present from her mother. She pressed the button to open the gate and drove out from the yard. Drive to the Pearl Harbor was shorter than she expected, or maybe she was just nervous so any time was too soon for her. She put her ID around her neck and showed it at the front gate. She found her office and unlocked it. It had nice view to the park near the DIA building and it looked very comfortable. She took the papers to HR and told them that she would need a minute for the papers for the spouse. She just the look, but the woman didn't make any comments. When she got back to her office, Richards was there waiting for her.

''Good morning Whistler.''

''Good morning. How are you today?''

''Excited to see what is ahead of us.''

Whistler smiled. She loved to work with people who had enthusiasm.

''Director Philips wants to see you in his office.''

''Now?''

''Yes, now…''

Whistler took her notebook and pen and looked at Richards.

''I am ready. Take me to see him.''

They walked into the elevator and went to the fourth floor. Many DIA deputies and their assistants are placed there. Whistler looked around thinking if she would one day have office on this floor. Kate entered his office alone and he offered her a seat. She took it and he took a seat behind his desk.

''How are you this morning?''

''I am very well, thank you.''

''And what do you think of Richards?''

''I don't know her yet Sir. We didn't have any case together so I could assess her work and ethnics.''

''She is good kid. She just needs strong leadership and someone to help her gain more self-confidence. You will see. She is someone who will get far if she has good mentor.''

''I will be happy to help her.''

He got a bit serious.

''I called you for a reason.''

''I know. It's not in job description of DIA directors to chat with their officers. It was clear that you wanted to see me for something that was work related.''

''You are right…. But I need to warn you it will not be easy.''

''We are DIA officers, it's never easy.''

''I want to point you as a permanent liaison with a NCIS team.''

''That sounds like there is a catch.''

''There are few of them…''

''I'm listening…''

He gave her a file and she opened it. It was a file on Jane Tennant. She was SAC of the team. She was in early forties, divorced with two children. She became SAC seven years ago, when she left CIA. Her husband recently remarried and they were expecting and according to the report, Tennant was single and focused on her kids and team. Her closest friend was former CIA Meggie Shaw, who was her handler and mentor during the time she was in CIA. Now, Meggie was retired as an agent and worked as a guest lecturer. Kate made mental note that she was a CIA operative in the past and that with her she needed to be more careful and with a very specific approach. She did work with former operatives and she learned her lesson when it comes to sharing intel with them and how they try to bypass the red tape she was always hot with.

''CIA? Interesting.''

''She was essential in many very important CIA missions and now she is very efficient SAC and her team is a bit different from the others, but they have high rate in solving cases.''

''Different? In what way?''

''They are very close. They spend a lot of time together out of work. Some said they believe that they are each other's family. It looks as Tennant believes that team that is close and knows things about each other is more efficient than the team that is all work and no play. For now, her approach is being efficient. And with that I am not saying that the other teams are bad. I am just saying that SAC has their own way of running things in their team.''

''So, what is the issues with them? You said they are good and efficient? Why do they need a DIA Officer all the time with them?''

''They cut corners with the red tape.''

''Oh…''

''Yes, that is the ''small'' problem with them. In the past, they found a way to cross the DIA officers to give them a bit more than we wanted them to know. It put some intelligence at risk.''

Kate listened to him and still looking at Tennant's file.

''I think I can deal with a team like that.''

''These are members of the team. Check the files and then tell me if you are willing to take the job.''

Kate opened the next folder and it was folder of Jessie Boone. He was experienced special agent and he and Tennant worked together for years. He was her second in command and she had a lot of trust in him. In his photograph he looked very handsome and she was sure he used his charm to get information from female officers. Boone has previously worked as a homicide detective before his installment at NCIS Pearl Harbor, making him an expert interrogator and a veteran police officer. He was in late thirties, married with two kids.

Next was Kai Holman. He was junior agent at PH, from Hawaii, former Navy officer and he was new to the team. He was single, living with his father, mother was dead for five years and father owns a restaurant that serves local food and mostly clients are locals. Restaurant has been in the family for generations. He was with the team for couple of weeks and from the notes in the file, it was clear that he was a rule breaker just as the SAC was.

Ernie Malik was in his late forties. He was Cyber Intelligence officer working with the team. He was MIT graduate and white hacker who worked for the government for some time now. He was divorced, not in contact with his ex wife, parents are both dead, loves to surf and cook local food. Tends to do deep searches and play within the borders of the red tape. That was important note for Kate.

Kate took the last folder and noticed how Philips was looking at her. She knew something was fishy, since none of the team members, with exception of Tennant presented much of a challenge, at least on the paper. She opened the folder and saw the name. She looked at Philips and went back to reading about the next member of the team.

Lucy Tara, junior agent on the NCIS Pearl Harbor team. Joined the team close to two years ago. She was valuable in the field, spoke three languages and had degree in social studies, with sociology major and minor in Arabic. She is married to the government employee whose name was not disclosed due to security measures.

''Oh…''

''Will you be able to work with the team?''

''I am professional…''

''I know, but this is not your regular DIA liaison and NCIS team relationship.''

''I will do my job, regardless of who is in the team.''

''Good… I am glad to know. Make sure that you have all the documents ready by the end of the week. Especially now. DIA officer Whistler, this team is your responsibility. They fuck up, that means you fucked up…''

''For everything they do?''

''No, just related to the intelligence we provide or they manipulate out of you.''

''Do I take Richards with me or she stays here when I am at NCIS?''

''She goes where you go, at least in next three months. After that, you will write a review of her.''

''I can do that. So, is there a case for me related to the NCIS band of misfits?''

''I'm glad you asked.''

He handed her a new folder.

''Navy officer Cho was found dead this morning in his apartment. His wife Cleo was out of town for three days with their kids. Their school had some parent kids bonding trip and his wife went alone with the kids since he was on duty. When they came home, she found him dead in their bedroom. He was shot from the close range; we still don't have results from the ballistics.''

''Let me guess… He was working on some top-secret project?''

''Something like that.''

''Do I have clearance to know what was he working on?''

''Just you. NCIS and your shadow stay in the dark.''

She opened the folder and saw what he was working on before his death. Officer Cho was in charge of preparing missiles for testing. He was making orders what they needed and putting the missiles away to the places they were supposed to be stored. That meant two things. One, he knew what sort of weapons Navy had and two, he could be approached with the offer to maybe trade some of the missiles. Things do tend to get misplaced in the weapons warehouses. Kate kept reading and then she just looked and Philips.

''He was working with some new nuclear weapons?''

''Yes, we still haven't tested them.''

''And how many people knows about them?''

''Very few.''

''So, if he was killed because someone wanted them…?''

''What are you implying Whistler?''

''There is either a leak or someone who is on the inside is responsible for his death.''

''You are talking about highly ranked officials.''

''I know and that is why I will keep this quiet and see where the investigation leads Tennant and her team.''

''And don't forget…''

''I know, protect the intelligence.''

He gave her redacted file and she left the office with that file and files of the team.

''Good luck Whistler. Team should be arriving soon and it's time for you to make your presence known and show them who is really in charge of this.''

''So, this is DIA case now?''

''No, it's their case, but you have the lead.''

''Thank you sir.''

Kate came back to her office and told Richardson that they have a case and that they will soon go to see Tennant's team. Richardson looked a bit nervous.

''What is wrong?''

''They are not easy to work with… Sometimes I feel like they use mind tricks to get things out of you.''

That made Kate give her a small smile.

''Don't worry… It feels like that when you start doing this job. It takes time to get to know the team and see how they operate and how far they would go to get anything out of you. It will take a moment but after you reach that point, they will really need to work hard to trick you. All of us had our stumbles when we were starting.''

''Even you?''

''Yes, even me… It was hard for me to recover from it, I was reprimanded for it but I got out of it smarter and more cautious.''

Kate gave her the folder to get familiar with the case and she went to her desk to prepare handouts for the team where they could find her cell number, email and number of her office as well as number in her office. She also made them confidentiality contracts. That was something that DIA Officers didn't do in Hawaii branch, but she loved to have it, because it made officers and in this case agents accountable. And she wanted to keep people she works with accountable and aware of their responsibilities. Hellen looked at the draft of the contract and then at Kate.

''You will really give them this?''

''Yes, I will. This way they know what are the consequences of trying to bypass the red tape. We have to protect the intel and we do what we can to make sure no one leeks anything and that nothing interferes with the investigation.''

''Should I do it when I have my solo cases?''

''That is up to the bosses. Personally, I love to have them for my own protection and as a reminder for the other side what they promised. This document doesn't leave much space for them to play around with intel and gives us justification to shut them down.''

Helen nodded and continued reading the file. Kate printed the documents, signed them and put them in the folder belonging to each member of the team. She put one more paper to Lucy's folder and she was ready to go. An hour later they were on the way to NCIS headquarters.

''How do you want to do this Richards?''

''How about you enter first and then I come after you if I notice that they are misbehaving? OR we enter together and I brief them? What would you like us to do?''

''I think I would be more comfortable with you doing the briefing. I can watch you and learn what to do and how to deal with the team.''

''Ok, let's do this.''

They walked into the building and it was clear that both DIA Officers were nervous, but for different reasons. Before they entered the bullpen, Whistler got a phone call she had to answer and sent Hellen to join the team. She entered the bullpen and Jessie was first to see her.

''Good afternoon DIA Officer Richardson. What can we do for you?''

''We came to brief you for the Cho case and to see what you've found out.''

Lucy got up from her desk and came to them.

''We? I see only you.''

''Yes, the other officer had to answer a call. She will be in a minute.''

''Who did them send with you? Please don't tell me it's Collins? She is pain in the ass..''

''No, this is a new Officer. She just came to Hawaii…''

Tennant joined them after she saw that a DIA officer was in her bullpen.

''Let me guess… We owe your presence to the Cho case?''

''Yes. I am shadowing an officer in charge of your team.''

''And who would that be?''

Kai joined them from the kitchen as soon as he noticed that something was going on. Hellen was very nervous.

''You don't know her SAC Tennant. She just arrived to Hawaii.''

That surprised them all.

''Just arrived? And already is handling such a high profile case?''

Tenant's CIA brain was overtaking now. She would have to check on this new DIA Officer and see what she is all about.

''Well, she is an experienced officer…''

Lucy was a bit suspicious.

''And where was she before?''

''I… I think it's better if she introduced herself. You should maybe call Officer Malik too…''

''Ernie?''

''Yes, she thinks should meet the entire team at the same time.''

Tennant called him and as it was predicted, Ernie was not happy to be in the bullpen. She loved his layer and didn't like to leave it unless he has to.

''Why am I here? What is going on?''

Tennant gave him a look to calm down.

''We are about to meet a new DIA officer who will be working with us on the Cho case.''

''New? Someone from the big floor?''

They all looked at Hellen.

''No, regular floor, but nice office.''

That got a few weak smiles from the NCIS team.

Kate was done with the phone call. It was someone from DC trying to get her to come back. They offered her leading position and she did everything in her power to tell them that she is not interested. They insisted in sending her the offer and she had to accept at least seeing what they were offering. She took a deep breath, straightened her dress fixed her jacked and turned her engagement ring so the rock would be pointed to the inside of her palm. She didn't need anyone looking at the rock when shew as speaking. She knew that ring gained a lot of attention and she was internally cursing herself for not leaving it at home, but she was creature of habit when it came to that ring. She didn't take it off often and when she did, it was usually for a very short period of time. None of them saw Whistler enter. Ernie tried again to get something from Hellen about the new officer.

'''What can you tell us? Who is that DIA Officer?''

''That would be me.''

Team turned to face the door and Lucy went pail. Out of all Gin joints…Shit! Shit! Trust Katherine Elizabeth Whistler to show up and blow up her life. Today she finally understood that phrase blast from the past. She was living that blast.

She was in shock to see her after so long. And unfortunately for her, she still had the same reaction every time Kate enters the room. Her palms were sweaty and she couldn't stop checking the new DIA officer out. She looked stunning. The tied back hair, the makeup, tight dress that emphasized her long slim legs, high heels and the way she stood by the door… She was in trouble.

Clicking of the heals could be heard in an unusually quiet bullpen. Entire time, but Lucy, wanted to know who this person was. Kai and Jessie were taken back for a moment by how good looking she was, Ernie and Tennant were curious and Lucy wanted to crawl out of her skin.

''Good afternoon everyone… I am DIA Officer Whistler… I am here to be permanent liaison between my agency and your team. I've been informed that in the past there were some issues with your team and the way you acted toward officers and your constant disregard toward the fact that some things are classified and not to be tempered with.''

She looked at Ernie.

''Officer Malik, it is my duty to warn you that playing around the red tape is not going to cut it anymore. If any of you tries to act against my orders, I will file the complaint and I don't care if you are SAC or junior agent. I will file it against the entire team if I have to and then you would be suspended until the disciplinary hearing. It is unnecessary to warn you what could be the consequences of negative outcomes. I don't discriminate when it comes to breaking the rules.''

She noticed that the people in the bullpen didn't look very happy with what they were hearing.

''When it comes to us working together. I can promise you that I will give you everything I can and even go beyond that and try to get something more out of the redacted parts of the documents. I am very easy to work with when we all follow the rules. I will not step on your toes unless you give me reasons to. I will give my best to provide everything I can and if something classified comes up, I will try to get at least something that could point your investigation to the right direction or resolve some dilemmas you have.''

She turned to face Tennant.

''Since I am assigned to your team, I was informed that you would provide me with an office. Officer Richardson will be with me for three months so we would be sharing an office. Also, I am warning you not to try to hack my computer, tap my phone or do anything of that sort. I WILL KNOW!''

Ernie and Tennant exchanged looks. It was clear that Tennant wanted to know more about the woman who walked into her bullpen.

''You can use the conference room before we find you and office. Is that fine with you?''

''Yes, it is. Since it is such a short notice, conference room will do it.''

She turned to Hellen and instructed her to bring their laptops and DIA cyber analyst to set them up. She was not really comfortable with Ernie doing any work with their computers.

''Oh, and I would like to have one on one moment with each member of the team. I will not need a lot of time with any of you. After we are done, we can start working on the case.''

She walked into the conference room and took a seat. She arranged folders on the table and took her phone to check for messages or emails. Entire team stood in front of the conference room and watched her type something. Jessie looked at Tennant.

''I have a feeling that this one will be handful.''

''I agree. She is the real deal. She has the discipline of the old school DIA officers, Intel is above all.''

Ernie was looking at her and then at his team.

''So, what do we do with Elsa?''

Lucy turned to him and made a face.

''Elsa?''

''Yes, like the one from Frozen. She reminds me of her.''

''Because she is blond?''

''No, because she is frozen.''

That made everyone laugh. All, except Lucy found it funny. Unlike her team, she knew what was going on behind the exterior of DIA Whistler.

Kate got up from the desk and told them that they can come in. First to enter was Tennant. She took a seat across from Whistler and just looked at her, like she was studying the other woman. Kate pretended that she is not intimidated by the other woman.

''SAC Tennant… This is for you.''

Tenant looked at the contract and the wording and smirked.

''So, you came here from DC… Only DC trained officers do this. I am part of NCIS for almost ten years. I worked with many DIA Officers and you are the first one that came with these contracts. My guess is that each member of the team will get one to sign.''

Whistler smiled and nodded.

''I find it easier to have contracts. Written word has more meaning than spoken. People tend to forget what they promised, this is the way for me and you to remember what we promised and commitment we made.''

Tennant looked at this woman not sure how she felt about her. She was very aware that she meant business and that they would be budding heads very soon about something, but she also respected what she was trying to do. Contracts provided both her as DIA and them as NCIS chance to point at something that was not according to contract. She also knew that both sides would try to bend the wording a bit, but she would be ok with it if Whistler stuck to what was put in the contract.

Whistler pushed the contract toward Jane and she took it. She started reading and from time to time Whistler could see smirk on her face or look over the papers she was reading. After she was done she took the pen and signed it.

''Very well. I am surprised by the contract you wrote. You gave us more than any other agent.''

''I am part of your team now. And if we want to be efficient and make things happen, we have to give each other space and information to work with. And I really mean that. I am telling you this since you are SAC. I will do my best to be helpful, but I will also be the first one to scold the team if you are playing in the dangerous water.''

''I can live with that.''

''Good.''

They got up and shook hands.

''Welcome to the team Whistler.''

''Thank you Tennant.''

Jessie, Kai and Ernie were done with her pretty fast. Since they saw Tennant having satisfied facial expression after she left the office, they agreed to behave and not give hell to the new member of their team. They signed their contracts and she noticed that Ernie and Jessie still looked at her with a bit of reservation and lack of thrust. After they left the office, it was time for one last conversation, that both sides were terrified of. Lucy took her time entering the room and when she did Kate looked at her.

''Junior agent Tara, please leave the door open. Closed door was required only with your SAC, other members of the team don't need the closed door. The level of clearance is not the same for you and for Tennant.''

Lucy found that sharp all business talk very sad and sexy at the same time. Kate gave her the contract and when no one was watching, she slipped her another thing to sign. Lucy took a moment to look at the papers. She was terrified it would be divorce papers or something like that. When she saw those were papers for the DIA spouses to sign she looked at Kate. She got up from her chair and went to close the door. Kate gave her signal with her eyes that she shouldn't do that and she went back to her place. Kate slipped her a peace of paper she didn't get to read because Ernie came into the room.

''We have something on the Cho.''

''Thank you officer Malik.''

He looked at Lucy and then at Whistler.''

''Please call me Ernie. Using my last name is a bit weird for me.''

''I'll remember that.''

He left the room and Lucy took her pen and signed the confidentiality contracts.

''I get it when we were in DC, but why now?''

Kate put her left hand on the desk and pulled the papers back to her. Lucy saw the rings and was surprised they were still on her hand.

''You still…?''

Before she could ask what she wanted, Hellen came with their laptops and tech guy.

''Richardson, take care of that and I am going with the team to Ernie's layer.''

She just nodded and they started putting the office together for Whistler. Whistler hurried to Ernie's and Lucy intentionally stayed behind. She got the paper out of her pocket and started reading.

We have to talk. Now you know why I was trying to reach you. I am staying at the house. My cell number is the same. We have new system in the house.

Gate code

7396

Alarm code

2501

K