Interagency Cooperation
/ Chapter 5 /
The commander shook hands with the agents, "Everything is set up...there are two crates in warehouse six and I have read in four of my men who are going to round out the guard rotation with you around the warehouse.
"We really appreciate the help commander," Callen said, shaking he man's hand.
"Anything we can do to catch a terrorist..." the commander replied, "so what can I do?"
"We're mostly just going to borrow your office and driver today...we just need you to keep a low profile for the next forty-eight hours," Callen explained.
The commander nodded, "I'll be working out of the administrative annex B if you need anything," the commander said, before grabbing his briefcase and departing the office.
Looking around the office, Don asked, "So, we're set?"
"Eric, you got eyes..." Callen said into his earwig.
"Loud and clear...the cameras on Kensi and Agent Sinclair's lapels are a go; I just need everyone to do a sound check," Eric replied.
With that finished, David went to sit behind the commander's desk while Kensi moved to the outer office to the secretary's desk.
"They most likely won't make a move until you leave the base, but in case they've got eyes anywhere we got to make this convincing," Callen said, "Don and I will be just outside the base, we'll have eyes on you as soon as you leave."
Both Kensi and David gave a nod, and Callen and Don left the building.
...NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...
Don and Callen set up their 'stake out' about a block from the exit their two agents would use to leave the base...it was agreed that the 'kidnapping' would most likely occur en route or shortly after the 'commander' reached his destination.
They sat in silence for a long while, lost in their own thoughts, neither man inclined towards small talk.
"So, this detective Deeks, you work with him long," Don finally asked as a way of breaking the strained silence.
"Yeah he's been with the team for about two and a half years," Callen answered.
"And yet, he's not an agent," Don pressed.
Callen turned to look at Don guardedly, not sure he was likely the direction this conversation was going, "No, he's a detective...works mostly deep cover for the LAPD...why?"
"Just curious how a LAPD cop gets mixed up with a government agency..." Don asked with a shrug.
"If you're trying to ask if I think Deeks is up to the job, then the answer is yes...he's a good cop...a good undercover; he's one of us in everything but name," Callen said pointedly.
"Hey, it's obvious you trust the guy...but I don't know him; the only thing I do know is that he does not have our level of training...I've got two agents in there..."
"And I've got Sam and Kensi in there..." Callen interrupted, "Deeks can handle it...remember, he was working this case before the FBI or NCIS ever heard about it. Believe me; he would not be working with NCIS if Hetty didn't think he was capable."
"Yeah, speaking of your Miss Hetty...is she always so...well...does she always just take charge like that...we aren't her agents...yet she just doled out the assignments..."
Now Callen couldn't help but chuckle at Don's obvious discomfort with the diminutive operations manager, "She is the operations manager...so, yeah, she's all about doling out the assignments as she sees fit...and have no doubt that she was probably already on the phone with your boss; knowing our Hetty, they're probably on a first name basis."
Don just gave a deep sigh, causing Callen to say with all seriousness, "Hetty has been in this business a very, very long time...she would never put an agent's...any agent's life in any more danger than is absolutely necessary."
Don just nodded and went back to staring out his window, and wanting to ease the mood, Callen asked casually, "So how did David and Colby come up with 'Mexico' as their distress word; and how would they ever us that in a sentence?"
Don just chuckled and told the story of the distress word's origin and how David had managed to slip it in to a conversation when Colby was being held hostage by Ian.
Callen just raised an eyebrow at the story, before suddenly straightening in his seat, "Here they come."
The base gates opened and the commander's car pulled out into the street, heading in the direction of the safe house.
...NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...
Back at Ops, Colby, Sam and Eric had worked out the best route through the base where Eric could keep the closest tabs on the agents; and now the two agents were currently going through the weapons room with Hetty.
Hetty handed each man a weapon, "The commander has sent over the files of four men who are going to be rounding out the guard rotation around the building...use caution; they and us will be using live fire."
"Understood...I just wish we could have been in the 'abduction' of the commander..." Colby said worriedly, not having to put voice to his fears about the danger David and Kensi were in; they didn't need reminded of what happened to the last individual that was abducted for information by the Benefactors.
"Remember, Terry Cooper is an extremely careful and paranoid man...he keeps everything close to the vest until he absolutely has to share his Intel. Agent Callen and your boss will keep them in sight at all times and Mr. Deeks will be on scene with Miss Blye and Mr. Sinclair...if it looks like it will get out of hand...they will handle it." Hetty said, adding with some trepidation, "I am actually somewhat surprised that Cooper agreed to even attempting this break in at all without a thorough background check on the two of you."
"He doesn't have the time...he stands to lose out on millions if this deal falls through...he's desperate," Sam surmised.
"Which makes him all the more dangerous," Hetty said.
"We got this Hetty..." Sam said.
Hetty just gave the agents a thin smile and nod, "finalize your plans with Eric and wait for Mr. Deeks call."
...NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...
Despite expecting the attack, David and Kensi were still somewhat startled by the sudden impact of the truck when it plowed into them at an intersection.
David peered out the window as two men jumped out of a van that suddenly appeared and whispered, "Its show time..."
The door was yanked open and a gun appeared in their line of sight, "Out now or I put a bullet in you..."
Though the attackers wore masks Kensi easily recognized her partner's voice; and despite the seriousness of the situation she couldn't help a brief moment of relief at seeing that he was alright; knowing that they now had eyes on him and had his back.
"What's going on...what's the meaning of this...?" David demanded.
"Just get out of the car now..." the other man demanded, reaching in to grab David's arm and haul him out of the car.
"Come on babe, you too; out a' the car," Deeks demanded, as he reached into the car and grabbed Kensi's arm; giving her a wink.
Giving her 'would be' kidnapper a smirk she scooted as far as she could into the seat and yelled, "Don't touch me..."
"Will you hurry up and grab the bitch and let's go," Cooper demanded from his place outside the car, a gun to David's head.
"I got it..." Deeks shot back, climbing into the car after his 'victim', "Come on sweetheart time to go..."
When Deeks yanked his 'victim' towards him, she fell against him with a scream, whispering in his ear, "Eric has eyes on us."
He gave her a subtle nod and pulled her from the car.
"Leave her alone..." David yelled.
"Shut up commander...let's go; we're going for a ride." Cooper said, pushing David towards the van.
David and Kensi were forcefully pushed into the back of the van; Deeks climbing in after them, while Cooper went to the passenger door, Frank had abandoned the truck and was waiting at the wheel.
As the van drove off, Callen and Don exchanged tight looks before Callen put the SUV into gear and pulled out to follow their 'kidnapped' agents.
"Eric," the tone of that single word conveyed a multitude of questions to the tech.
"Went off without a hitch...Kensi managed to give Deeks a heads up and their lapel pins and earwigs are up and running."
Pulling a computer from the backseat and powering it up, Don said, "Alright Eric, we're up...patch us in."
The agent's eyes were glued to the screen as they also went about putting in their earwigs. Popping up on the computer screen was a view of the back of the van...Deeks was sitting on his haunches, a gun draped casually across his lap.
"What is this all about?" David demanded again, looking from one man to another...clearly identifying the detective and the two gang members.
Deeks just smirked.
Her voice full of fear, Kensi looked towards Deeks, "Why are you doing this...please, please, don't hurt us..."
It was Cooper who answered, turning from his seat, "There's no need for anyone to get hurt, sweetheart; just need to have a little chat with the commander here..."
"I have nothing to say to you." David shot back.
Cooper just looked at David then let his eyes come to rest on Kensi, he leered, "We'll see about that."
Playing their parts, the 'commander' moved over to his civilian 'secretary' and put his arm around her to offer comfort, "Don't worry, I won't let them hurt you."
Now it was Deeks turn to smirk "isn't that sweet."
Kensi shot her partner a scathing look that had nothing to do with acting.
Despite the seriousness of the op, Callen couldn't help a small chuckle at seeing Kensi's look, "we better finish this op soon before Kensi decides to kill Deeks...instead of the bad guys."
"They always act like that?"
"Oh, yeah..." Callen replied.
They followed the van until they got to near the outskirt of town, pulling off at a gas station, when Eric informed them, "according to the GPS signal from Deeks earlier call, it's the same safe house he's been holed up in for the last four days...there's no cover."
The two agents watched grimly as the van carrying three of their agents disappeared down the road.
Their eyes now fastened on the computer monitor.
...NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...
The 'commander' and his 'secretary' were pulled roughly from the van and hustled into the old farmhouse and pushed roughly onto the couch.
"What is it you want," David demanded again.
"We need you to get us into one of the secured storage buildings..." Cooper replied conversationally.
"You what...I will most certainly not help you break onto my base..." David shot back angrily.
"Well, getting on base really isn't the big concern, commander...got that covered; but your help in that regard would go a long way to keeping you and the lady alive..." Cooper threatened mildly.
"Leave her out of this..." David demanded.
"That is entirely up to you commander," Cooper replied.
"If you don't need my help to get in what is it you do need?" David demanded suspiciously.
"The building I need is protected...I need you to get us in..." Cooper supplied.
"Never..." David shot back defiantly.
In less time than it takes to blink, Cooper rounded on the 'commander'; the first blow splitting his lip, the second cutting a long gash along his cheek bone, "I don't have time for games commander...and I don't have time to play nice...but, I need you alive and in one piece...so different forms of persuasion will have to be utilized..."
Cooper turned to Kensi, putting a gun to her temple, "now, your girl Friday here...not so much."
...
Seeing Kensi flinch away from the gun raised the hackles on Callen and Don as they watched the drama unfold on the computer screen. The two lead agents exchanged angry looks.
"I know what you're thinking, Mr. Callen...but I am ordering you to keep your position," Hetty's voice sounded over their coms, "trust that Mr. Deeks has a plan..."
Don shot Callen a "really?" look, and although Callen himself would like nothing better than to scrub this op and rush in to save all the agents he knew Deeks would always do whatever it took to keep Kensi alive.
"He won't risk Kensi...he knows we have eyes on this...if he needs help he'll give us a signal," Callen said tightly, his eyes never leaving the screen.
...
"You hurt her, and you will definitely not get my help..." David ground out.
"He's right boss," Deeks spoke up suddenly, the gun to his partners head sending a cold rage through him, "you kill her and we got nothing to hold over his head...besides..." he turned to Kensi and David, a leer on his face, "there are worse things than a bullet to the brain..."
"Really..." Cooper questioned.
Deeks moved to stand over the two captives, his back to Cooper, and gave Kensi and David a pointed look, before pulling Kensi from her seated position next to the 'commander'.
Kensi screamed and fought against him while the commander reached up to grab Kensi's other arm, "what are you doing, leave her alone."
Deeks pulled Kensi away from the couch, and shoved the 'commander' away with his other hand, "sit tight commander...wait for it..."
"Deeks?" Cooper asked.
"Just give me a minute; I'm sure I can persuade the commander that it would be in everyone's best interest if he cooperated," Deeks explained, dragging a struggling Kensi with him towards a back room.
Cooper realized what Deeks was planning and gave an amused snort, before turning to the 'commander', "smart boy, wish I would a' thought of it...maybe later...if he saves any..."
David just stared at Cooper with a shocked and confused look on his face, he decided to play dumb for the moment...listening on his com to see what the detectives next move would be...he caught the subtle cue from the detective to "wait" for his next move.
...
In ops and in the van, agents waited for Deeks next move.
...
Kensi fought and struggled with Deeks until they made it to the back room, he gave her a shove into the room before saying in an overloud voice, "Come on bitch, andlet's have a little fun..."
Kensi scowled at her partner and gave a frightened yell before slamming the door and rounding on him, "Bitch..."
He backed away from her, hands up in defense, "Hey Fern have to make it convincing..."
She just shook her head while reaching into her pocket; she pulled out a com for Deeks.
"Hi guys," he said when the com was in place.
"You alright Mr. Deeks," Hetty inquired.
"Be a lot better when this is all over..." he replied, asking, "So, what's the plan?"
"First off the 'commander' is actually an FBI agent...Sinclair, we have the base rigged so he can get you through the retinal scanners...Sam and agent Sinclair's partner, Granger will be helping you break into the facility...Callen and agent Epps will be rounding out the guard detail around the building," Hetty said quickly.
"Everyone linked up," Deeks asked.
"Ears and eyes, Deeks..." Callen cut in, "what's your plan?"
"Time to put on a show and give the 'commander' incentive to help us..." Deeks said, asking, "Everybody ready?"
"What's going on in there...what's he doing to her..." David asked frantically, as way of signal.
Kensi stood by the closed door, smirking at Deeks as he mussed his clothes and hair, she screamed frantically, "Stop, please, stop...helps, please, commander Davis...please, stop...no..."
"Come on, you know you love it..." Deeks yelled, watching as Kensi messed up her clothes and hair also.
On cue, they heard David capitulate to the kidnappers demands, "Fine, I'll do it...anything, just...just, please...leave her alone."
Cooper just smirked at the 'commander', before nodding to Frank to get Deeks. "He can have his fun later, we're on a schedule."
Frank banged on the closed door, "Yo, Deeks, commander had a change of heart and Cooper says have your fun later, we got a schedule."
"Fine, I'm coming..." Deeks groused.
The door opened and Deeks had a hand wrapped around Kensi's arm, pushing her out in front of him, "guess we'll have to finish the party later."
Kensi made a show of falling into the commander's comforting arms, "It's alright, they won't hurt you again."
Looking up at Cooper with hate filled eyes, he said, "what do you want me to do?"
...
In Ops and in the van, agents let out a sigh of relief; Cooper bought the act...once they completed the 'break-in', Cooper would lead them to the pathogens and the terrorists...
...NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...
A/N: think I can finish this up in one more chapter...maybe two, depending on how complicated the meet up with the mercs/ the'break-in' chapter will be