Chapter 12———— Friends are temporary, Family is forever

A/n for the purpose of this chapter JJ is in her 40's but still looks much younger.

"You really think this is a good idea Regan?"

"Do I think this is a good idea? No. But do I want to do this? Yes. I know the risks involved in this game. I've done this before. I know how not to get caught, I also know I won't come home if I get caught. In so many ways Alvin was my best friend and in so many others my brother. There are three reasons I want to do this and feel free to tell Barnes these: #1 my country. Woods will never stop until somebody stops him. More lives are likely to be ended. #2 Voight Dawson and my sister. They deserve justice in all this. #3 my family. This is just wrong, you'll just have to understand as will the rest of them."

"I know if you had your heart set on doing something I couldn't stop you. I just wanted to make sure your heart is really in it. When it's not is when people don't come home. I'll be with you all the way. "

"I know JJ I know. Just had to do that. I'm going to get ready and unimpound a nice car. Just promise me something?"

"Anything you know that."

"I don't know how long I'll be under or what I'll have to do to do this. Emily and I barley came home the last time. Just pull me out if I get in too deep. You'll know if I do."

"I promise. Now do it or I might just stop you."

"Impossible. I'm going to go get ready. I'm going to ask you for one more favor. I can't wear my wedding ring or my engagement ring tonight, it'll complicate things too much, will you give them to Emily to hold on to them for me? I have every plan on coming back."

"I'd be honored to. You really trust me enough not to lose it?"

"I do. I put them on a chain for you. I'm ready what do you think?"

"Wow you look nothing like yourself. I definitely wouldn't want to be the ones that cross you. You look great. And by great I mean holy shit if I wasn't straight and married I'd be going after you."

"Well that kinda is the point. You coming with me? Well at least to unpack the apartment. I don't know how long this will take."

"Yea sure. You have a ride?"

"Yeah. She's been sitting in impound since last time I used her. You'll love her. This alone is why I like undercover stinks. I get to drive old flashy cars for the duration. That and drive as fast as I like."

"Oh then I can't wait to see it."

"JJ its a her!"

"Sorry."

"Come on. I think they're all distracted. Let's sneak out before anyone notices and try's to stop me."

"Not the first time."

"Oh your bad ass."

"You know it."

Adams POV

I was standing in the break room getting coffee when I saw Pria and another agent try to sneak by me. I had no idea what she was doing or why she didn't want to tell me. I found a lead and raced after her.

Regan. Regan. I called after her, but she chose to ignore me. Priscilla Abigail Regan. That got her attention.

"Do I know you?"

"Very funny Regan drop the act."

"No I think you must have me confused with someone else."

With that she turned on her heel and left. But there was a suttle head motion toward the ally was there. She knew that I would know her well enough to notice. I step into the ally and light a waterette. To the passerby it appears I'm on my smoke break. I hear my friend say something about forgetting something and needing to find it, and to pull the car around. She stepped into the ally.

Alright out with it. I said.

Adam! Keep your voice down damit. You'll get me caught.

Caught? come on I'm your friend what's going on?

Alright how much do you know about AL's involment with the FBI.

Assume I know nothing.

Alright. So 5 years ago Al helped to take down Marco Carlos the head of Carlos, I guess you can say, crime family they have their hands in every illegal act imaginable. One of the reasons that Al's bust was so successful was that he and his crew had an inside source.

You.

Yes me. Now Garcia found a connection between Denny Woods and Marco Carlos. Carlos is being protected by Woods to assumingely do the dirty work, while stopping well known American enemies. There's no way even if I go around Woods that we'd be able to bring justice for Al even if we could prove it. The best bet is to put me back under and get him to confess to me what he's done and charge him federally. I need absolute discretion on this. I am going to have to do this alone I'm sorry.

What about my relationship with Woods? It was so easy to tell him what I did. What if you, Kate was my introduction to that world? Heard Jen call you that.

That might actually work. That way I have two people I trust under with me. Your going to have to give up being you though. Can you do that?

For you and Al? Anything.

Go inside. Leave your CI phone on. I'll call when I'm back in. It may take a while but hey. I've got to go. Jen's waiting for me.

And with that she turned on her heel and walked away. I felt a part of me leaving with her. I knew the age gap between us pretty much gurnenteed we'd never work out sexually but that doesn't mean I don't still care about her. We might have been in college when we met, but I still felt a connection. I could lie my way through this too knowing I can be there to protect her. After I got back to my desk, time seems to slow down. I hoped other leads would pop up to keep my mind occupied until she called. After a while which turned out to be two hours my phone started to ring and I pinched on it.

Yeah?

Hey handsome. How are ya doing? I'm back in town and want to see you.

Oh no you didn't catch me at a bad time. What can I do for you?

I had to cover for her. No one could find anything out quite yet.

I'm at my apartment right now with my friend Jen. I'm back in. Robbery's going down tonight. I want you there for your cut.

Can it wait I'm on meal break?

No? Ok fine. Meet me at Melody's, it's a small place over on the corner of five and k street on the east side of the city.

I know the place. They have good hot dogs and fries and milkshakes and did I mention hot dogs? Anyway I'll be there in 10.

You did mention hot dogs. Twice. I'll be there in about 15. Go ahead and order food for yourself and a coffee for me. I don't want any arguments from you ok? I know for fact you probably haven't had a decent meal since last time you came to me so I'll buy it for you.

Alright. I know arguing with you will just not end well so I give in. I'll see you in a few.

Ya.

I hang up the phone and drop it back into the desk drawer I retrieved it from when it rang. I stood up from my desk, and grabbed my jacket and zipped up. I took my badge off and threw it in the drawer next to the phone. I pushed my chair in towards the desk, and walk towards the Sargent's office. I knocked on the door and got an enter from the other side.

"Hey Sarge headed out to meet a CI for lunch. Also you have 40 bucks I could borrow? I swear I'll pay you back this time."

"That's fine Adam. And you should know that I'm happy to help my detectives out if you need money. Can I ask you for what exactly."

"Sure. Ok so you know how CIs aren't exactly the best of people most of the time? Well this one was young and stupid. She managed to get hurt by the head of the Columbian cartel. Turns out she's got pregnant with the head of the cartels child. I was still on the streets when I met her for the first time. I normally like to sneak her money when I see her. She's been clean for almost the entire time I've known her. And the entire time she's been trying to get not only for herself but for her child too."

"How olds the kid?"

"Should be in her 20s by now. And before you ask why she doesn't just run now that her kid's not a minor anymore it's the concept of looking over her shoulder and her daughter's back that has her so frightened."

"Here. Take her 200 and take your time, we don't have anything to go on."

"Thanks Sarge. And of course hopefully what she has is as good as she says two of our own are hurting today."

"Two?"

"Oh you didn't know. No one told you? Shit!"

"Told me what?!"

"Alvin's dead. Didn't even make it off the table after being stabbed 21 times, Pria told me. I'm sorry."

"Als dead? Impossible. I put my best guys on him. I I I "

"You need anyone Sarge?"

"Can you send Dawson in here?

"I'd love to. Anything else?"

"Just get this guy."

"Always sarge.

Dawson you're needed in sarges office."

"You told him didn't you?"

"I had to."

At this point I managed to sneak away to go meet up with my friend. Upon arrival I see her and another person sitting in our booth near the back.

"It's good to see you Katie. Present from me."

"Oh Adam lunch is more than enough. But thank you. I don't know if you remember her but this is Jenifer or as she prefers Jen. Jen this is our way out Adam."

"Nice to meet you Jen. Wow you've really grown up. How old are you now?"

"29" she said on the spot.

"Wow you've really grown up. It's hard to believe I've known your mother for nearly 40 years."

"Yeah. It is. Now you should know. I've heard about the man behind ALs death. I've got an invite to a party tonight celebrating that. I'm hoping to talk business with this guy. He's got the three Gs as well as the Ds. I'm hoping this isn't the only hit he's got. The heat from this one is still too hot. I'm hoping that he'll give these ones to me. We can bring him down that way."

"Whatever you think will work. Is Woods going to be at that party?"

"How'd you know?"

"I have an invite too."

"That's perfect."

"Well I'll see you tonight then."

"Always."

I then paid for our meals. As we went to leave I hugged her so I could slip the $200 Voight had given me in her back pocket on her jeans. She would know it was there. I then head back to work for a few hours. I tell my team the bare minimum information. With that we call the federal holding facility to let them know they have multiple people incoming. We then helped Pria's team collar all the people we had caught so far. We then took them to the holding facility to await trial. By the time we got back to the precinct, it was time for me to get ready for the party. I went home and changed into my suit that I hardly ever wore. I grabbed my wired tie and put it on too. Then I walked into the kitchen to grab dinner for myself. As the microwave buzzed, my wife Ashly came out of our daughter's bedroom. She said that she thought she had heard a little mouse in the kitchen, and a very handsome one at that. I thanked her. Said one of my friends had died in the mess of today and we were celebrating his life with the rest of the team today. I grabbed my phone and keys after I finished my dinner and left. I got out of the house just in time for Woods to pull up in his sports car ready to go. I slip into the passenger side and he starts talking about the plans for the night. I told him that the plans were fine, but I had a CI that would be at the party and I would want to sneak off and see her. Especially if it involved money. I'm entitled 50% of her shares after all. I looked over and saw a smirk appear on his face. Then we both started laughing. Upon arrival, we toss the keys to the valet and entered the room together. For the first few hours Woods introduced me to many of his friends. After a while I saw Katie and Jenifer (JJ and Pria) sitting at the bar with someone I didn't know. And saw money and what I presumed were phone numbers change hands. Then a slow song began to play. I knew that this was my chance to talk to her.

"Mind if I borrow your mother for a dance Jen?"

"Nah go ahead. I'll stay here. Mom never got any of the math behind what I do anyway."

I saw Katie flash a look at her daughter before grabbing my hand to head to the floor. We start slowly rocking to the beat. To those around us, we were dancing. To us we could share information. She started telling me that she had a basic plan for ending Woods. Over the next month, she would help with some of the chores and I would keep the cops away. After that, the remaining hits would be sold, if they could trust her. Then she would alert the bureau of what has happened and, together, we would make the arrests. After the song ended she returned to her seat, and Woods came over and told me time to go. I left with him and he dropped me off at home. He gave me my share of money from the night and bid me goodnight. I entered the house and went straight to my evidence box. I knew my family wouldn't touch it. I looked up at the mirror at the man I had become. One more month. I can do it. For Al. For Reagan. For my Intelligence family. For those I love.