AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey there! Sorry, I'm a little behind on touching base with everyone who is leaving reviews. Thank you for such kind and interesting reviews.
For "CH" Thank you for the review. In regards to Callen living by a strict set of rules. You suggest otherwise. Early on in the series he mentions specific rules that Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs had taught him. Something he teaches anyone working with him. Callen, in my stories, has followed through with that line of thought. The rules being specific rules that will keep him safe and alive... not basic stuff. Basic life is simply staying alive. Hope that helps.
"Bandit8" Will we learn more about Callen's previous love? Not in this particular story. That is not to say it won't show up in another story in the future... It very well could. You will just have to stay tuned in.
Moving along with the story now. We are now getting in the thick of it. Hope you enjoy. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a review. I love hearing from you. You go ahead and read and review while I go and work on my next story. For me... the more reviews the more likely there will be future stories... no pressure mind you. HAHAHAHAHA
As the first mission with OSP, Jess eagerly joined the team during the final briefing and planning… after which they met once more in wardrobe to prepare.
Callen, Sam and Deeks came out first, dressed in dark suits. Sam was to go as the body guard to Alek and Elena Baranov. Deeks would be their driver.
After a moment of waiting on the girls, Callen took one more look in the mirror then impatiently cast a glance at his watch.
"Why are you so fidgety?" Sam asked, slightly annoyed.
"I'm not fidgety. We have a time frame to keep," he replied, raising his voice for the rest to hear who were still dressing.
"Patience, Mr. Callen, patience," Hetty called out from the dressing area.
"Patience…" Callen muttered irritably when his attention was pulled to the curtain of the dressing room. As his head came up, his eyes met with those of his partner for the duration of the mission.
"Vau, ty… ty" Speaking in Russian, Callen paused as he admired the young woman in front of him. (translation: Wow!, you… you)
When he failed to finish, she walked closer, offering up a new adjective with each step… also in Russian, "Beaitiful? Geniy? Bezmerno talantlivyy?" (translation: Beautiful? Genius? Immensely talented?)
"Opasno," he smirked, his eyes bright, making her smile. ( translation: Dangerous)
"That too… thanks for noticing. You're looking mighty… dangerous too."
Callen let out a little chuckle, "That's right… The only thing more frightening than the unknown… is me,"
"Truth", Deeks agreed, having only heard the last part, "The man is…"
"Is what, Deeks?" Callen challenged, "What scares you so much?"
Deeks knew Callen was baiting him but he chose to answer honestly, "You."
Callen had been checking his reflection in the mirror and shot a questioning glance in Deeks direction.
"Just sayin'. You asked, I answered. You can be a scary guy sometimes," Deeks replied with a shrug, "Let's just say, I'm glad you're on my side."
"Am I though?" Callen asked, deadly calm, brow raised.
"Wha…" Deeks stammered nervously.
"That's my man. The master of insert foot," Kensi walked up to join them, fastening her watch to her wrist as she walked.
"Thanks, dear, way to supp… Whoaaa! Now THAT'S what I'm talking about. Girl! If we weren't already married, I'd ask you again." Deeks turned, admiring his wife's beauty.
"It's a uniform, Marty," she rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I know. I love a girl in uniform," he replied.
"You're a dork… but you're my dork," she grinned, "Thanks, babe."
Callen cast a glance back at Jess, rolling his eyes as she returned a smile of her own.
"Are you love birds done?" Sam groused.
"Let's do this," Callen ordered, heading for the exit.
NCIS LA **** NCIS LA **** NCIS LA **** NCIS LA **** NCIS LA **** NCIS LA **** NCIS LA **** NCIS LA
Kensi quickly integrated herself into the staff as Deeks pulled up in front of the mansion.
Sam exited the car first and opened the door for Callen and then Jess.
"Stay alert, Deeks" Callen muttered through the coms as he presented his arm for Jess.
"I've placed all the camera's Eric; you can begin facial rec." Kensi offered.
"Already on it," Eric remarked.
"We have at least three other possible bidders," Hetty stated, "but Eric is still working. Keep your head on a swivel, Mr. Callen. We have no idea who else is there."
"No familiar faces to be concerned about this far?" Callen asked.
"Not so far," Nell replied.
"Let's hope it stays that way," Sam added.
"Mr. Baranov, do you have your invitation for tonight's auction?"
"Da," Callen answered, handing the man his card.
"Very good, sir," the man stated handing the invitation back.
"This place is a who's who of crime. Whatever they are selling must be HUGE," Eric noted.
"Sam" Callen started.
"Heading for the back."
"Take the door by the fireplace. I think the office is back that way. I've seen a lot of activity back there," Eric offered.
"Wait, Sam, I'm being sent back with drinks." Kensi stated, "I'll check things out as best as I can, while I'm back there."
"Be careful, Kens," Deeks warned.
"You have the button camera and if you can…" Hetty began.
"I will plant the bug," Kensi confirmed.
"Very good, Miss Blye," Hetty replied.
As Callen and Jess moved gracefully thru the space, admiring the art, dancing… Sam took the opportunity to check the rest of the building. "I forgot what a wonderful dancer you are," Jesse stated, following his lead.
"You make it easy" Callen replied.
"We have a problem," Kensi whispered over the com, "Fan Liu is here."
"Why is that a problem?" Jess asked.
"Because he is a major player in the Triad. He has a large backing if he brokers a deal before the auction, we don't stand a chance of stopping him." Hetty stated.
"That's not our only problem." Callen spoke up.
"Mr. Callen?" Hetty asked.
"Fan and I have had a run in already while working with Blackguard… He'll recognize me."
"Mr. Callen, pull out." Hetty ordered, "Pull back NOW".
"Hetty No! We can't afford to pull out. The stakes are too high." Callen argued.
"I've planted the bug. I'm out. The rest is up to you." Kensi told Eric as she moved back toward the kitchen.
"The fact remains, Callen, we need to get you out of here," Sam reiterated.
"They expect me to be at the auction," Callen stated the obvious as his mind began looking at all the angles.
"Okay, hear me out. Sam, you stay close to Jess. I'll leave on the excuse of another business deal gone bad and Jess will be my proxy," Callen offered.
"Callen, you sure?" Deeks asked, "Sounds dangerous."
Aware of Deeks concern and tamping down on his own, he answered, "Jess can handle herself and Sam will be there… and Kensi."
"Mr. Callen is correct. Very well, we will continue. Miss Coleman, you and Mr. Hanna will handle the auction. Miss Blye, stay close."
Callen and Jess moved swiftly through the crowded space.
"Move, Mr. Callen… the meeting is finishing up. It appears a deal has been struck."
"Then we need to shut them down." Deeks said.
"We don't yet know what they are selling, only that it's enough to do some serious damage to our national security. We don't know where it is even being held." Callen stated.
"Hold on, Callen. They are mentioning a warehouse. Hold… I'm sending coordinates. To your phones."
"Deeks and I will go check it out. Sam, keep them here." Callen ordered.
"Callen… be careful," Jess stated as he was preparing to leave."
"I'll be fine…" Callen grinned, "What could possibly go wrong?"