AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, I hope you are still reading. My last chapter garnered little response... disappointing, to say the least. You really have no idea how much those reviews mean to a writer. That is how we decide whether or not we should even bother putting pen to paper. It's how we know what styles work for us as writer and what styles don't... and yes, there is a wee part of us that loves hearing that you are truly enjoying the story... that you hear the voices of the characters as if it were an episode. That is what I strive for. Thank you to those who took the time. I know that are strong views on liking or disliking Jess. That's awesome actually... you will see at some point. Anyway, here is the next chapter. There are only two left in this series. I am waiting to see how this one goes over before I continue this particular leg of the "series"... If no one's reading there seems no sense. Have an awesome day and let me know what you think. I'm going to go grab some breakfast and more coffee while you do that.
"I'll be fine…" Callen grinned, "What could happen?"
"A few things come to mind and none of them good." Jess replied.
"That was last time. Have a little faith." Callen gave her a kiss and a wink then worked his way out of the building.
Jess watched as we moved through the crowd. So graceful in his movements. No one would ever truly know just how dangerous he could be. He was intelligent, handsome, and smooth. She chuckled at the memory of a time when they were living on the streets as kids trying to find a way to make a little money for food. They "found" themselves some easy merchandise and then turned around and sold it. He was so good at it that he sold a bald man a comb. Oh, she had more than enough faith in G Callen… it was those he found himself going up again that she didn't so much trust. With a sigh she turned back to the matters at hand.
Following the directions, Eric sent to their phones, Callen and Deeks found themselves 40 minutes in the middle of nowhere.
"Have they left yet?" Callen asked.
"We are about 30 minutes behind you." Jess answered.
"Not good," Deeks muttered.
"Mr. Callen…" Hetty prompted. "What have you found? Can you send pictures?"
"Once we get in. This isn't just a simple door lock, Hetty. It's going to take me a minute." Callen explained.
"I have faith in your abilities, Mr. Callen" Hetty replied, "However, time is ticking. Your team is on their way, as is the Triad and any number of other criminals."
"I appreciate your faith… no pressure." Callen answered sarcastically as he continued working on the locks.
"I thought you said the Triad struck a deal." Deeks said.
"Well apparently there is much there to make deals on. I have back-up in play but you need to buy them time." Hetty answered.
"Would you all just PLEASE get OUT of my HEAD for a second," Callen growled, working on bypassing the security system.
Finally, getting through and getting access, Callen and Deeks made their way into the warehouse.
Letting out a low whistle as he took in what they were seeing, "That may be the who's who of the criminal elite, but THIS is the what's what of military hardware." Callen stated, "Hetty, this place is full. We're talking weapons, equipment, military vehicles… including a book with launch codes and instructions… If this got into the wrong hands. This is no little arms deal."
"Callen we're on our way but we are out manned and out gunned… ETA is roughly 20 minutes." Jess offered.
"Back up is, at best, 25 minutes out." Eric added.
"Stall, Mr. Callen."
"Stall!" Callen growled.
Coms fell quiet as Callen walked through the warehouse looking for something, anything… a simple gunfight wasn't going to be enough. Then he found it.
"Help me get this thing out there." Callen ordered Deeks.
"Callen." Jess stated more than asked. She knew that voice and she didn't like the odds of it going well.
"May I ask what the plan is," Hetty's voice came over the com.
"Okay, So I HAVE a plan." Callen stated.
"Thank goodness, Mr. Callen. Would you be so kind as to share this plan with the rest of us?" Hetty replied sarcastically.
"It involves fire… maybe some small explosions…" he offered.
"No! Absolutely not!" Jess called out, surprising everyone into silence.
"What?! Just trust me." Callen responded.
"Trust you… the last time you said that, we nearly died," came her response as Sam shot Kensi a quick look.
"Yeah, but we DIDN'T die, did we." Callen threw back.
"That's NOT the point, Callen." Jess argued.
Callen rolled his eyes.
"What IS the point," he asked in exasperation, giving a heavy sigh as the rest of them waited.
Jess knew the entire team was listening as she debated his scheme. She knew Callen was good. He was very good but he had a part of himself that simply bypassed his own safety and put the job first… but never that of his team. He'd die for them, for her. That's what bothered her.
"You do realize, I don't NEED your approval here, right?" Callen quipped.
"The HELL you say… okay, okay… fine. Play your little game. However, I'm warning you, think it through this time. You'd better see yourself alive at the end of this. You hear me G Callen?"
"I like this one, G" Sam chuckled.
Ignoring his partner, "You worry too much."
"Really? Might I remind you of the time you blew fire into the face of that Russian bar tender using vodka and a torch?" Sam offered again, this time eliciting a response.
"Seriously, Sam? Not helping. Time is ticking…" Callen replied none too friendly.
"I have good reason to worry. You're planning to set off a bomb or some such nonsense, these are very rational thoughts we're having here." Jess replied.
"Yes, I am going to blow things up. As you said, we are out manned and out gunned. This will even the odds up a bit. It's not like I'm aiming DIRECTLY at their cars… we're just RE-DIRECTING them, slightly… so, let us blow some stuff already, then we can call it a day." Callen grinned at Deeks who seemed slightly less excited.
"You can be so infuriating sometimes, you know that, right? Fine, do it and be done."
"That's my girl," Callen replied. He knew she would ultimately go along with him because she was just as daring as he was when it came right down to it... he missed working with her... he just didn't like taking chances with her safety.
The chemistry between the two was unmistakable.
"Alright people, head in the game. Be reasonable, Mr. Callen, we NEED evidence." Hetty ordered even as her heart rejoiced for her boy.
Jess's presence had brought back something that had remained missing since Callen's return. The true light hearted banter on and off the field. She was good for him and they all saw it.
"What's the plan, boss" Deeks asked.
"You are going to feed these as I take aim and then we are going to make things go boom." Callen chuckled.
Callen, isn't a grenade launcher a bit much?" Deeks squeaked.
"A GRENADE LAUNCHER!" came multiple screams over their ear pieces making Callen wince.
"Relax, I said I wasn't aiming at anyONE in particular. Come on Deeks, you telling me you aren't even slightly interested in trying this thing out for yourself?" Callen looked back over his shoulder.
Deeks couldn't hide the grin that crossed his face.
"Now THAT's what I'm talking about," Callen borrowed one of Deeks' catch phrases, "Alright then, let's blow some stuff up."
"Oh, boy" Kensi breathed, bracing herself for what lie ahead. If it was one thing that she had come to realize and that was while Sam played the voice of reason in their brotherhood Callen was the instigator, middle child that Deeks was more than ready to follow as the typical younger brother. Despite everything, she loved them all. "Behave yourself, boys"
Before they knew what was happening, the surrounding night was lit up like a fourth of July gone wrong.
Occasionally, they'd hear Callen chuckle or an "Oh Man, check this out!" from Deeks before something new lit the path around them as the cars ahead of them spread in all directions. Some turned tail, running head long into their back up while some sped up, heading straight for the fire.
"Sam, where are you…" Callen called out, "I don't want to hit you."
"Well, THAT's comforting." Sam grunted, flashing the lights of their car as they made way to break from the pack they were following.
"Triad is in the front with Fan Lei" Sam warned.
"Uh, guys! Damian Romanov is in the second car… It's Iosif's younger brother!" Eric called out, "I caught him through Kensi's button cam as she came out the back. Facial rec just came back. Be careful."
Coms fell silent and for a moment the light show stopped.