Our Frozen Lake, Gibbs, Not Yours

by briwd

A continuation of Your Rule 12, Gibbs, Not Ours: After Mishnev kidnaps Diane Fornell, Director Vance decides to send the Los Angeles special operations team to Washington to assist in her rescue and in Mishnev's capture. Gibbs's objections to the involvement of Kensi and Deeks (who are in violation of his Rule 12) will face in light of the challenges facing both teams. COMPLETE.

2. Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

OSP

DIANE FORNELL, FORMER WIFE OF LEROY JETHRO GIBBS, KIDNAPPED; SUSPECT IS SERGEI MISHNEV. CHECK YOUR EMAIL

NELL

The Lync message on Hetty's laptop came after Granger filled her in on what he knew about the situation: Gibbs's team had been recalled to investigate a series of crimes that resembled murders in their past cases. At the same time, Gibbs' second wife*, Diane Fornell, and his third wife, Rebecca Chase, arrived at a crime scene to discuss a personal matter with Gibbs. Shortly afterwards, Diane Fornell was kidnapped by a Russian mercenary whom Gibbs had encountered in September.

For the moment, the agenda was to gather intelligence on the situation, beginning with contacting Vance in Washington.

The director was ahead of them.

"Hetty...Assistant Director Granger," said a breathless Eric Beale, having sprinted down the stairs from the Operations Center. "Director Vance is on line. Says it's urgent he speak with you both."

Ops Center

"Leon," said Hetty to the image of Vance on the big screen. "What do you know." At Vance's behest, only she and Granger were in Ops, which was currently on lockdown.

"Diane Gibbs Sterling Fornell was kidnapped," Vance replied. "A video was emailed to us. She's apparently alive, and unharmed. Unconscious in the video. Mishnev never showed his face but identified himself. Then he said the word 'Check' before the video ended. Hetty, check your email-"

"I've already received the dossier from Miss Jones, Leon," she replied. "I'm reading it now."

"Gibbs got a phone call he thought was from Diane telling her to meet her in Norfolk," Vance said.

"That is where one of Agent Gibbs' own agents died, nearly ten years ago," Hetty said. "Caitlin Todd."

"Gibbs was told to go to a building, across the street from the rooftop where Agent Todd was murdered," Vance continued. "When he got there, he found a mannequin, dressed to resemble Diane, standing there waiting on him. Then he heard a gunshot; the back of the mannequin's head exploded, and fake blood splattered on Gibbs. He got another phone call - Mishnev identified himself and dared Gibbs to come after him - by the time Gibbs got to the street, Mishnev was speeding away in an SUV."

"What about his team's involvement in SecDef's operation?" asked Granger.

"I pulled Gibbs and his team off Secretary Glassberg's case earlier," Vance said. "Agent Balboa had picked up their caseload, until we determined the murders resembled a number of cases Gibbs had investigated. The team was investigating a murder at a cafe, the victim's body rearranged similarly to that of former Director Shepard."

"Top secret," Granger said; to the public and most of the agency, Shepard died in a house fire. Very few knew about how she actually died.

"Granger. Hetty. I understand the importance of the Spyral op. I know you want to have all hands on deck on your end. But circumstances are leading me to believe we need some of your people here," Vance said.

"And it has nothing to do with my original reasons for sending Ms. Blye and Mr. Deeks to Washington," Hetty said.

"I was willing to let that slide, Hetty," Vance said. "Gibbs was out of line. Secretary Glassberg was the reason I didn't have a 'heart to heart' with Gibbs."

"Sir, do you want Blye and Deeks and Callen taking Gibbs' team's place on Glassberg's op?" Granger asked.

"SecDef sent me a message right before I contacted you," Vance said. "He gave his condolences, and his regrets on not being able to work with Gibbs, then indicated he would go with his 'plan B' for personnel."

"The operation, Leon, if I may be blunt, was a complete sham," Hetty said.

"And SecDef washed his hands of it after Diane was kidnapped," Vance continued. "Gibbs and his people are resolute, but it's shaken them up. So far they can't find ANY trace of her whereabouts; the last time she was seen by anyone was when she left Gibbs' house a couple of days ago. Diane was family. To them. To me. She has a daughter and is in a relationship with someone you both know: FBI agent Tobias Fornell. Gibbs and his people want justice but they can't do this alone."

"They have a damn good track record, sir," Granger said. "Even if Mishnev is another Haswari, what leads you to believe they need help. And who do you have in mind?"

"My gut," Vance said, "and observation. I'm bringing Nate Getz to Washington for a second opinion. And I don't want regular agents with them when the time comes to track down Mishnev."

"You want Mr. Callen, Ms. Blye and Mr. Deeks with them," Hetty said.

"And Agent Hanna," Vance said. "My plan is until Mishnev is caught, Assistant Director Granger will over see the Red and Blue teams operating out of Los Angeles. Blye and Deeks will stay here in D.C.; upon the completion of the Spyral op Callen and Hanna will travel to D.C., as will Beale, Jones and you, Henrietta...I need someone who can boss Gibbs around."

"Besides yourself," Hetty said; Vance smiled on screen. They both realized no one truly 'bosses around' Leroy Jethro Gibbs. "Leon, you and I both know Jethro will not take kindly to our involvement-"

"I'm not giving them just any agents, and not even Agent Pride's team in New Orleans," Vance asserted. "I want some of my best people there, to watch out for my other best team which may be at its most vulnerable. Owen, you'll get CyberCrimes assistance to fill in for Miss Jones and Mr. Beale-"

"Sir," Granger said. "With all due respect. Callen is an integral part of the Spyral op-"

"Which is why I'm sending Callen back to you," Vance said, "until Spyral ends. Then he goes east. First order is to find Diane Fornell. Then catch Mishnev. After that, we go back to normal operations."