Interagency Cooperation
/Chapter 9/
A/N: How far are agents willing to go to complete an Op...when does the mission outweigh the cost... more team bonding/interactions...
Previously-
"It comes down to this...we need to keep the Feds attention elsewhere while the buy goes down; and we need to tie up all our loose ends so they can't pick up out trail..." Cooper explained.
"Yeah, tell me something I don't already know..." Sam grumbled.
"The oldest game in the book, but none-the-less still very effective—'Bait & Switch', gentlemen; 'bait and switch'" Cooper explained smugly. "We get the feds off our tail and take care of our loose ends at the same time."
Eyeing Cooper with open skepticism, Sam said, "I'm listening."
...
"The Feds think they are going to track their agent and weapons to a buy...we will simply redirect their focus."
"How you plannin' on doing that," Sam asked.
"We'll go in one direction...the tracking device will go in another...by the time the Feds catch up to the device we'll be long gone," Cooper explained.
"Good plan...but who's gonna be dumb enough to be the decoy," Sam argued.
"Not us...there's a convenience store out the road, it gets early morning traffic towards town...we simply drop the tracker and let some office drone lead the Feds on a merry little chase," Cooper said, "Almost poetic in its simplicity."
"Doesn't explain why you shot this guy," Sam said as he looked down at Colby.
"The Fed is in no condition to try anything and an injured man keeps the commander from trying any eleventh hour heroics," Cooper stated.
"Well he needs to stay alive long enough for that to happen," Sam countered, "Deeks, need to get the bleeding under control and the wound packed, get me some towels and whatever passes as a first aid kit in this place."
Deeks looked towards Cooper who nodded his consent.
While Deeks went in search of the requested items; Sam hoisted the injured man up, throwing Colby's good arm over his shoulder, and then wrapping his arm around Colby's waist.
Knowing they had to continue the charade to ensure Sam and Deeks covers stayed in-tact, David demanded, "What the hell is going on out there...I helped you get what you wanted...I demand that you let us go..."
"Not really in a position to be making demands there commander," Deeks said as he walked in the room behind Sam and laid out the requested items on the dresser.
All he wanted to do was rush to his partners side, but doing so would only arouse suspicion so he continued with the charade, "So, what, no honor among thieves...doesn't exactly garner your men's trust when you shoot them."
"Turns out he ain't one of mine...he's one of yours, commander," Sam growled out, "He's a Fed."
"A Fed...you shot an agent?" the commander said in surprise, relieved for the excuse to move towards the man on the bed, "He dies, there won't be any place you can hide..."
"Have to find us first, commander..." Sam retorted.
"Listen, just let us go...let me get this man some help...we won't come after you..." the commander begged.
"If only that were true commander..." a voice from the hall way said.
They all turned to see Cooper standing in the doorway, "Once they discover you missing, discover the theft; once the Feds loose eyes on their boy here..." Cooper just shook his head, "...so I'm sorry to say you will be our guests for a little while longer."
"But then...you'll let us go, right," Kensi asked timidly.
Cooper gave an amused snort and again nodded, "Sure, sweet cheeks, when we know we're in the clear, you'll be free to go."
The man in the doorway, indicated with a wave of his head that Sam and Deeks were to accompany him back into the front room, "I'm sure the commander can see to the Fed for now."
Deeks immediately moved off to follow Cooper while Sam stayed next to the bed, looking down at Colby, then to David, "Do what you can commander..."
...
"David report," Don demanded, when he saw the door close behind Sam.
"It's a high, through and through shoulder wound...he's lost a lot of blood, but it's almost under control...infection is gonna set in soon though," David reported as he rolled Colby slightly to see the exit wound, "We can't wait twelve hours to get him out of here..."
"I'm fine," Colby said breathily.
"You and I have very different definitions of the concept, there partner," David snapped back, applying more pressure to the top of the wound, causing Colby to wince in pain.
"Had worse... I'll live," Colby shot back, voice tight trying to ride out the pain he continued, "Look, we're to close...a few more hours and this case will be tied up...don't pull us out now..."
"Colby, if the bleeding doesn't kill you the infection could..." David pleaded, "Don..."
In the van, Don ran his hands through his hair as he stared at his injured agent on the screen...so much at stake...
They could easily take Cooper down with what they had- the theft at the college and the death of the security guard, and the break in at the base; maybe even the computer tech's murder...but it was the pathogens that they needed eyes on. Cooper hadn't informed Deeks or Frank of the whereabouts of the pathogens...and he was pretty sure, being CIA that interrogation wouldn't get them far. Having three vials of weapons grade pathogens unsecured in his city was not an acceptable outcome of this mission...if they were accidently found by some unsuspecting person, the results could be disastrous.
"Cooper...he won't break will he?" Don finally asked.
"CIA, advanced counter interrogation techniques...he knows he won't get a deal, even if he gives up the location...the death of his team is enough to get him the death penalty for treason," Callen supplied.
"Agent Epps...it's your man in there..." Hetty said.
"I can do it Don...I can make it a few more hours...please..." Colby pleaded.
"Damn it Granger...you don't have anything to prove alright," David hissed out angrily.
Hoping the other agent could somehow give him an answer, Don asked, "Sam, you and Granger...you have the same training...I'm asking you as a soldier and as an agent—can we let the mission stand."
They waited several beats, hoping Sam could answer, "Yeah, yeah get me another beer. If you don't ease up after a few hours, you won't be in any shape for the meet..."
Don turned towards Callen for confirmation of Sam's answer, "A few hours are fine, but if it gets worse...we shouldn't wait."
Letting out another heavy breath, Don said, "Okay, a compromise...you get the bleeding under control and keep his temp below 101 and it's a go...Colb, you get any worse and I don't care...we're coming in...and We take Cooper down with what we've got...pray he's willing to give up the pathogens if we can get the death penalty off the table."
Several beats later, Hetty said, "Agreed."
Colby breathed a sigh of relief, while David just scowled, shaking his head and grumbling angrily, "damn super soldier, thinks a gunshot wound is nothing..."
Colby just smiled weakly at his partner, then looked to Kensi; who had moved to crouch next to him, "Let's see about keeping your end of the bargain Granger."
NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...NUMB3RS...NCIS LA...
A/N: one more chapter and it's done...give me a couple of days and I should have it posted. Thanx for reading !