AN: Wow, the response to this story has been amazing. Thank you so much for all the love and kind words. I was worried about writing it at first because of how parched my shipper soul was feeling after 1x20, but it's nice to know that you are digging Boss Kate. Chapter 4 is inspired by Lauv and Julia Michaels's song "There's No Way" because it definitely embodies Kacy. It doesn't matter how much time has passed with these two or what happened before. There's no way that it's not going there.
Chapter 4 - There's No Way by Lauv and Julia Michaels
After gathering their teams, and forcing Kai to go home instead of trying to tag along for the briefing, Kate and Jane entered the war room. Carlos and Ernie were already focused on sifting through the intel the DIA provided as Kate locked down the room. Maya and Lucy glanced at each other before glancing back at Carlos and Ernie.
"I've never seen Carlos with other nerds in their natural habitat. What is happening," asked Maya.
"I think they're computing things," guessed Lucy and Maya slowly nodded.
"Sure, yeah, let's go with that," agreed Maya. Kate walked over to Carlos, who was still whispering and pointing at Ernie's screen. Maya stifled her laugh as Kate crossed her arms and tried to wait, but was growing impatient by the second. Lucy was intrigued by the power dynamics of Kate's team. She had seen Whistler at work and knew she led operations in the past, but never to that extent. Kate cleared her throat and Carlos immediately stopped talking as he looked up at her. She arched an eyebrow at him and he smiled sheepishly.
"Right, sorry, boss," he chuckled. She patted his back with an amused smile and Carlos handed her a file.
"What are we looking at," asked Kate as she handed the file to Jane.
"Ernie and I have been swapping notes since we landed and something hinky is going on," said Carlos.
"Hinky," asked Jane and Kate sighed.
"Yeah, we know, Carlos. The Marine is too clean, even for a military man," said Kate.
"True, but not that. Look at the footage we found from the attack on Tennant's team," said Carlos as Ernie put it up on the screen.
"We looked everywhere for cameras, where did you find this," asked Jane.
"Zeinab came through," said Carlos and Kate nodded her understanding.
"Now that the DIA has given us access and permission, we have a bit more wiggle room to work and one of her connections finally felt comfortable giving her more intel," explained Kate.
"What connection is that," asked Jesse.
"No idea and it's better for all of us that way. Everything that we find out from this point on is confidential. It is a matter of national security and life or death. I know you know that, but I cannot stress this enough. This stays in this room," warned Kate. Jesse was surprised when Lucy immediately nodded.
"Of course, we understand," said Lucy and Jane gave her usual nod. Lucy nudged Jesse and Maya smiled expectantly at him.
"This is the part where you assure us you aren't going to get us interrogated for espionage or leaking sensitive intel," informed Maya and Jesse nodded.
"I get it. I promise. This stays here," agreed Jesse. Kate sighed in relief.
"Carlos, Ernie, what did you find," added Kate. Ernie played the grainy footage and they all winced when Kai went down holding his leg. In the footage, Jesse was immediately by his side calling for backup. Kate tilted her head as she focused in on the trajectory of the shot.
"Kate," called Jane and Kate knew by Jane's expression before she even looked at the other file. She opened it and skimmed it as her jaw clenched in anger.
"Boss," asked Maya as she approached her and Kate took in a deep breath. She held the file out to her.
"Maya, I need you to do a deep dive into Harrison Tate. His childhood, his life, his friends and family, I need you well acquainted with this one, even more than usual."
"Got it," assured Maya as she pulled out her laptop and sat down with the file.
"Carlos, get me a secure line with Zeinab. You and Ernie should brief the others. Jane, you need to come with me," instructed Kate and Jane nodded.
"Lucy, Jesse, help Maya sift through those files and look for Tate's whereabouts," instructed Jane before hurrying out of the room with Kate. Jesse frowned in confusion as everyone got to work and he walked over to Maya and Lucy.
"What's going on? Who is Harrison Tate," asked Jesse.
"He's former Delta Force, specialization, sniper," read Lucy as she showed him the file Maya handed her. She glanced back at where Jane and Kate were heading down the stairs. She could see it on both of their faces. They were worried before, but now they knew that Kate's concerns about their suspect were confirmed. There was a sniper on the loose.
It took them a couple of hours to talk to Zeinab, sift through the intel from the DIA, and start to devise a plan. Kate was not enthused, but Lucy's suggestion and following their only lead seemed to be the best option. Jane could sense the tension growing in the room. The teams had similarities, but executed and worked in different ways. With such high stakes on the line, both wanted to lean into their usual course of action and it was causing issues.
"Well, we have to do something. How did DIA even let it get this far," asked Jesse. Kate was quiet as she paced back and forth trying to play out different scenarios in her head. Jane shook her head in disbelief.
"They thought sending in Everett to investigate would be enough. His job was to find Tate and make sure he was not a threat. Off the map doesn't always mean rogue and they needed to know for sure. Everett was a Marine that was knowledgeable about similar cases. He was checking every known extremist group in the region, every lead to see if Tate had been radicalized. He must've gotten too close. That's what got him killed," explained Jane. Carlos raised his hand.
"Not to be morbid or anything, but if this guy is as dangerous as we think, why didn't he kill Kai," questioned Carlos. Jane, Lucy, and Jesse all glared at him and Ernie nudged him.
"Sorry, but it's a valid question. He's a trained sniper and he shot Kai in the leg? Why," asked Carlos and Kate nodded her understanding.
"Yeah, Maya, why," asked Kate and Maya sighed as she sifted through Tate's files.
"A moral code," she suggested, but Kate shook her head.
"He killed a Marine, is morality really the issue," asked Kate. Maya walked over to stand by her as Carlos placed Tate's picture up on the screen.
"Wait, Carlos, go back to the picture of him as a teenager…that one," she said as she pointed at the screen. She grabbed the file and flipped through the pages.
"Maybe he tried to be the best of the best. He joined, he served, he belonged, but it wasn't enough. He went into private security, but it was too self-serving. Wait…maybe he's a true believer," said Maya and Lucy frowned in confusion.
"I'm sorry, can you explain that to those in the class who aren't from the BAU," asked Lucy.
"A true believer thinks they understand the world. No one else does. Tate tried to conform. He tried to find people like him, but it doesn't matter. If no one is like him, he'll have to show them why they should be," said Maya.
"And how does the Kuni Gang connect to that theory," asked Jesse.
"Because they have the means and resources," said Ernie as he put another grainy image up on the screen.
"Where did you get this one," asked Jane.
"All courtesy of Zeinab, the Kuni Gang has moved up in the organized crime business. Look at these freights. They're hard to see, but look at the dimensions," said Ernie.
"Those are explosives," said Kate and Maya pointed at the screen.
"That could be his big event," added Maya.
"Wait, you think he's planning a terrorist attack and the Kuni Gang is supplying him with the arsenal to do it," asked Jane.
"I think there are too many connections to those particular dots, yes," said Maya.
"Either way, we have to stop him from gaining access to those types of weapons," said Kate and Lucy nodded in agreement.
"Which is why my plan would work, it all comes down to the Kuni's and we know where they will be tonight. That nightclub is our best bet to see what type of activity they are up to and it's our only real lead right now. Everett was found in their territory for a reason," reminded Lucy and Maya smirked.
"The plan is fine, the execution, I have questions about," said Maya.
"It makes sense for me to go undercover. I wasn't out there with Jesse or Kai, so that shouldn't be the reason I'm sidelined," argued Lucy.
"No one wants to sideline you. We want to be logical. Tate shot a member of your team, he knows Jesse and Kai are law enforcement, and it wouldn't take much for him to find out who else is on the team. In order for this to work, we can't risk being blown,' defended Maya.
"I wouldn't let that happen," said Lucy.
"You wouldn't intentionally let that happen. Two things can be true at the same time," said Maya. Jane glanced over at Kate and sighed.
"I know you don't like the plan, but it has to be tonight. If Maya is correct, and the intel seems to favor her theory, we don't know when or where he could even plan an attack. We have to cut off that supply chain to buy time. Ernie, who's the mark," asked Jane as Kate continued to pace.
"Quintin Mapa, he's been a suspected arms dealer with the Kuni Gang for years, but nothing ever sticks. He runs a very exclusive nightclub in downtown," informed Ernie and Carlos turned to face Kate.
"It should be Maya. It could work, boss. Just like Boston, she just needs to get close enough to Mapa to let Ernie and I connect her device with his phone remotely. We gain access to the data on Mapa's phone and track him, he leads us to the weapons and maybe even Tate. Maya's got this," assured Carlos and Maya smiled appreciatively at him.
"But she wasn't going in alone in Boston, Zeinab was with her," reminded Kate.
"Which is why I should go too," suggested Lucy and Maya rolled her eyes.
"I'll be fine," assured Maya, but Kate shook her head.
"No, Lucy's right," said Kate. Carlos and Maya looked at her in shock as Lucy smiled.
"She is," questioned Maya and Kate gave her a look.
"It's not about hovering, but it might not be a bad idea to have backup. If this is anything like Boston, we need to cover all our bases," reminded Kate. Maya stepped closer to her and Kate sighed, knowing exactly what she would say.
"I know you trust her, but I don't know her. Do I really need to explain why that's an issue," asked Maya and Jane noticed how Carlos smiled sympathetically at his team member. Lucy noticed how Kate gave Maya's hand a comforting squeeze.
"Which is why I'm going in too, three is better than one. Lucy and I will be there just in case something goes wrong," assured Kate. Maya nodded in agreement, but Lucy and Jesse snickered.
"You, Whistler, undercover in a Kuni nightclub," questioned Jesse and Maya crossed her arms.
"Problem," asked Maya and Lucy giggled.
"I think what he's trying to say is that Whistler in a nightclub will probably stick out," explained Lucy and it was Maya and Carlos's turn to snicker. Kate did her best to hide her smile.
"She didn't last time," assured Maya and Carlos chuckled.
"Or the time before that, but that might've been because Crowder had a thing for blondes," he reminded as he gave Kate a cheeky smile and she playfully glared at him.
"Apparently, it stemmed from his deeply rooted abandonment issues from his mother," added Maya.
"Wait, your team took down Crowder in Manhattan," asked Jesse and Kate gave a proud nod as she looked at her team.
"It was a group effort," she assured.
"Four-inch stilettos usually are," mumbled Maya. Lucy's jaw dropped and Carlos coughed to try to hide his laugh as Kate gave Maya a look.
"Be ready to go in an hour," instructed Kate and Maya nodded as she tried not to laugh.
"Of course, boss," she assured as Kate headed for the door with Jane smiling mischievously at her.
"Stilettos?"
"Not a word," grumbled Kate and Jane shook with mirth as they headed out of the war room.
After being briefed one more time about the plan, Maya, Lucy, and Kate went to get dressed for the mission. Kate knocked on the door to the room Maya was getting ready in and poked her head in.
"Got a minute," asked Kate and Maya sighed in relief as she pointed to the back of her unzipped dress.
"Perfect timing, zip me up, please." Kate smiled sympathetically at her in the mirror as she zipped up her dress.
"I just wanted to apologize for putting you in that position earlier. I was thinking about the mission, not your past, and I should have. You have my word that you can trust Lucy."
"I don't know Lucy. What I know is that she distracts you. I know that she and Boone underestimate you and that there's history. That's all I know and it doesn't really comfort me when we're about to go on a mission that could get one of us killed on sight."
"You're big on knowing something personal about people, something you can connect with them over, then how about I give you something real this time?" Maya eyed her curiously.
"No jelly bean anecdotes?"
"No jelly beans. Lucy and I met when I was first in town for a meeting. It was before I decided to move here. We didn't reveal who we were to each other. Quite frankly, it was supposed to be a one night stand to blow off some steam. We spent a weekend together and I thought that would be it. After that, I left and went back to D.C."
"More than one night for a one night stand, that's some hookup." Kate smiled as she remembered her first night with Lucy.
"It was, yeah. It was fun and passionate. It wasn't about thinking, you know? It was just feeling and I needed that. Then, six months later, I relocated here, showed up to work, and there she was."
"Wait, so you two legit didn't know? You met when you were here on business and accidentally hooked up with your coworker? I was wondering how my Type A vault of a boss let loose long enough to sleep with a colleague."
"We kept gravitating toward each other. It was a lot of push and pull and some of it was fun, almost foreplay, but it wasn't an ideal situation. Technically, we weren't breaking any rules, but there were questions. You know the DIA. Strict, by the rules, all protocols, and I broke one too many along the way to help the team."
"You mean to help her."
"Both…but yes. To complicate things more, before I left for Hawai'i, I had been dating someone. It was out of convenience in a lot of ways. We were both all business and our personal lives always came second. We would never be priorities to each other. That was the appeal, so when I got the job here, I just left. She'd been out of the country on and off for work. We argued more than we did anything else. It just made sense to me, but I never told Lucy and that was a deal breaker. After that, we just couldn't find our way back to each other."
"I'm sorry, Kate."
"It's okay and I'm not telling you for sympathy. I'm telling you so you know you can trust her."
"Are you sure it isn't those Lucy-colored glasses you've been wearing since we landed?" Kate scoffed.
"Trust me, I know her flaws. She's emotional, she sees the world in black and white in ways that make her quick to judge and slow to forgive, but she believes in trust and honor and you want her out there with you in the field. She saved my life. You're my responsibility whether you can take care of yourself or not and I need her out there with us on this one, okay?" Maya slowly nodded.
"Okay," agreed Maya.
"Good, now let's sync phones just in case you need this one for backup," said Kate as she pulled the phone Carlos gave her from her clutch purse. Lucy looked down at the phone in her hand and stuffed it back into her pocket as she crept away from the door. She wanted to speak to Maya before the mission, to make sure they were on the same page and focused before going undercover, but then she heard Kate's voice. Everything after that was a blur of emotions as she listened to Kate explain her side of what went wrong between them. It took Lucy a moment to regain composure and she took in a deep breath.
Even before hearing Kate's retelling of what happened, the time and distance had given her some clarity on the unspoken words, the hurt and anger, the deep sense of betrayal that wasn't only about Cara. From the time Cara opened that door to the time Kate left Hawai'i, all Lucy thought about was how hurt she was and how vulnerable that made her, but when Kate was gone, without the constant reminder of the heartache, what remained was the absence of everything that also was good about them, the things she missed. Hearing Kate explain why she still trusted Lucy after everything they had been through was a reminder of what she already knew. Kate may have damaged their relationship, but Lucy's hurt and anger blinded her to what could have actually been salvaged.
The nightclub was loud and pulsing with music when Lucy entered it. She could barely hear herself think, let alone Jane in the discreet earpiece she was wearing. Jesse was outside as backup, ready to charge in the moment something went wrong. Between Kai getting shot and knowing a sniper was on the loose, he was on high alert. She heard her boss's soothing voice in her ear as she made her way through the bodies dancing rhythmically around her.
"Take a breath. You're just there to keep an eye on things and already did the hard part. You got in," reminded Jane.
"I can't find Kate or Maya. Are you sure it was a good idea to enter separately?"
"We don't know where Tate is and everyone will be synced up soon. Spreading out, making sure the area is clear, was a good call. Kate is surveying the area. You head to the bar. Maya is about to enter and make her way upstairs to VIP," instructed Jane. Lucy did as she was told and casually checked her surroundings for any sign of Tate. When she didn't find one, she headed to the bar and sat down on a stool. Suddenly, Ernie's voice was in her head as well.
"And we're all synced up now. Lucy, we hear you and Kate loud and clear, along with the rest of the team, except Maya. The guards scan and check everyone before giving access to VIP. An earpiece was too risky, but she's at your six," informed Ernie and Lucy glanced at the raven-haired woman through the mirror as she entered. She was wearing a cherry red dress and matching heels as she sauntered into the club. Lucy was suddenly aware of how attractive Maya was and her mind instantly wondered if Kate had noticed. She sighed and internally scolded herself for even going there. She was on a mission and needed to focus. She felt the hand on the small of her back and knew who it was before even hearing her voice. It sent goosebumps all over her body as Kate whispered into her ear.
"Maya's already heading up," she said before leaning against the bar with a charming smile. Lucy turned to face her and swallowed hard when she saw Kate statuesquely standing there in a deep blue dress. Her hair flowed down her back in waves and she looked like pure sex. Lucy tried to find the words and Kate smiled even more as she openly stared.
"Hi, I'm Ryan," said Kate. Lucy noticed her subtly glance over at the bartender, who she realized was eyeing them on the opposite end of the bar. Lucy gulped as she tried to remember her cover and not get too distracted by Kate's appearance.
"Um, hi, Ryan, I'm Eve." Kate leaned in closer and Lucy's eyes immediately locked with hers.
"Nice to meet you. Do you want to go dance? I love this song," asked Kate as she held her hand out to Lucy. The moment Lucy took it, Kate led her through the crowded nightclub and to the dance floor.
"Carlos, do you have eyes yet," asked Kate as she pulled Lucy into her arms and swayed to the music.
"We're tapped into the security system and camera feeds. Maya's mingling, making her way over to Mapa. He's heavily guarded," informed Carlos.
"Makes sense. Jane, I'm confirming your suspicions. Bartender searches for the women, looks like security keeps them upstairs in VIP," said Kate as she held Lucy close. Lucy noticed the way Kate's hands went to rest where they usually did when they used to hold each other like that, right on the curves of Lucy's hips. Kate was about to look upstairs again, but Lucy turned her in the opposite direction as they swayed to the music.
"What are you doing," asked Kate.
"Sometimes the height difference comes in handy. Several guards are looking around the crowd, they spot you looking too much, and you may be blown, but I can use you as protection," said Lucy as she wrapped her arms around Kate's neck. She peeked over Kate's shoulder and Kate gulped at the way their bodies were pressed against each other.
"See, teamwork. So, what suspicions," asked Lucy.
"Trafficking," said Jane into the earpiece and Kate's jaw clenched in anger.
"Do you see Maya," asked Kate.
"No," said Lucy.
"Carlos," asked Kate.
"She's close enough to Mapa to tap the phone. Should be complete in thirty seconds," answered Carlos. Kate was about to head toward the VIP section, but Lucy pulled her back to her.
"What are our options," asked Lucy and Kate sighed.
"We've seen this before in Hell's Kitchen. They use nightclubs as a way to lure women in. Some end up in a ring somewhere, some probably back at Mapa's house for the night, but very few go home."
"A similar ring was busted in Maui a few months ago," added Jane.
"We can't just leave all of them up there because we have what we need," said Lucy.
"Of course not," said Kate.
"Then what are our options," asked Lucy again.
"Sending in a squad could get messy, cause hysteria and people to get trampled," said Kate.
"Those guards would have no problem opening fire on everyone in there too. I already called in backup and Jesse is waiting for them," added Jane.
"Boss, we have another problem. Maya isn't leaving. She has to know the phone has been tapped, but she won't even try to head out," said Carlos.
"That's probably because she knows what we know," said Kate. Lucy slowly nodded.
"What if we got them to clear out for us," suggested Lucy.
"How? They'd only leave if they have what they want," said Kate.
"Unless they thought it was a trap," explained Lucy.
"We can't blow our covers. We still have to get to Tate before he attacks again," reminded Kate.
"I need all of you to trust me. Ernie, are there any doors you can trip," asked Lucy.
"You mean like when we worked that museum case," asked Ernie as he caught on.
"Yep, exactly like that," said Lucy.
"Ernie and Carlos can trip it, but you'll still need to draw attention without blowing your cover," warned Jane.
"That part should be simple enough," said Lucy as she glanced up at Kate, who frowned in confusion.
"What are you talking about," whispered Kate.
"Boss, someone is approaching Maya with a drink. We need to move her out," informed Carlos and Lucy locked eyes with Kate.
"I need you to trust me right now."
"Lucy…"
"Kate, trust me," she said as she held her hand out to her. Kate slipped her hand into Lucy's and allowed her to lead her through the crowd.
"Ernie, there's a door, not heavily guarded, but it looks like it has some type of lock on it or a key pad. Do you see it? East corner," informed Lucy.
"Yep, it requires a card to swipe in," said Ernie.
"Will that one work," she asked as she and Kate headed toward the door.
"Ernie and I can unlock it remotely, but if it's open for more than ten seconds, it trips a silent alarm and will alert Mapa's security. How did you know that," asked Carlos.
"Theft case a few months back, it was a tricky one, long story. Agents are in position," said Jesse.
"Good, they'll get him out pretty quickly," said Lucy.
"Lucy," whispered Kate and Lucy smiled sheepishly as she turned to face her.
"You trust me, remember," asked Lucy and Kate slowly nodded.
"With my life," assured Kate.
"Good, then this should be painless." Before Kate could question her, Lucy pushed her against the door and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Kate was caught off guard by the move, but quickly recovered to kiss her back. Both heard the door unlatch behind them and Lucy smiled against Kate's lips as she pushed the door open. Kate quickly caught on and deepened the kiss as the door beeped. Lucy's hands ran through Kate's hair, pulling her closer and reveling in the way it felt familiar and yet exhilarating all over again to taste her. Kate's hands gripped her backside and Lucy moaned when Kate peppered kisses on her neck. She smiled and captured Kate's lips in another searing kiss as her thigh pressed in between the blonde's legs.
"Hey, what the hell are…oh," said a security guard as he approached with a smirk. Lucy and Kate pulled away, both panting heavily and Lucy giggled as she smiled innocently at the man.
"Sorry, what," she asked as she looked up at him through her big, doe eyes and he pointed at the slightly ajar door.
"You two gotta take it somewhere else. This is a secure area. I could get you into VIP if you like," he said as his eyes lingered on them. Lucy slipped her hand into Kate's and winked at him.
"No thanks, but sorry, we didn't know. The other guy didn't say anything," she said with a shrug.
"Whoa, what guy?"
"The one that went in there. Come on, baby, my buzz is wearing off and I need another drink," said Lucy as she pulled Kate away. They could hear the security guard calling for backup as he rushed through the door. Kate sighed in relief when they noticed several of the security guards heading out of the VIP area upstairs.
"Mapa is being rushed out and everyone's being kicked out of the VIP. Looks like they are heading out the back," informed Ernie.
"And Maya," asked Kate.
"Gold star," giggled Maya as she walked by them with a wink and headed for the exit. Kate sighed in relief and headed out the exit as well, noticing that Lucy seemed comfortable keeping a hold of her hand all the while.
AN: That last scene was inspired by one of my favorite shows from a while ago, Leverage. So, what did you think of Lucy and Kate undercover together? This was definitely a fun chapter to write for that very reason.
