HALO part 5
Moscow, Russia:
Twelve hours later the Cessna began its descent onto the runway of Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow. Callen had been awake for about an hour; alternating between reading the newspaper and sneaking a glance at Jordan who was turned to her side, facing the window, sleeping. Leaning back in the chair; his mind raced back to the other night, when he'd told her that he loved her. It had surprised him that he'd actually said it out loud. It was the first time he'd said it to someone and really meant it. There'd been two women in his past that he'd cared about…Kristin; she'd been part of the job and only knew him by the name Jason Tedrow; but there were some feelings there. Then there was Tracy … a woman he actually believed he could love and the reason he came up with the no dating cops rule.
But the feelings he had for them wasn't the same as what he felt for Jordan. She was the one woman who he could be honest with and just be himself. Nearly losing her made him realize how much she meant to him. He was going to protect her and keep her safe no matter what.
Placing his hand on her shoulder he gently nudged her awake. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Kensi was coming out of her deep sleep also.
He returned his gaze to the window, watching as the ground came closer and feeling the light bump as the wheels touched down. The plane taxied the runway; stopping just outside the small hangar.
"Looks like we've got company," Tom's voice announced over the intercom. Callen, Jordan and Kensi watched through the window as a black, four door Range Rover with darkened windows and a white, Lada Largus pulled up and stopped a few feet from the plane. The driver side door of the sedan opened first and a man stepped out of the car. A woman stepped out of the other car. Both were dressed in a dark suit and long black trench coat.
Jordan turned her attention from the window to face Callen, "Think they could be trouble?"
"Don't know," Callen replied as his phone buzzed. Looking at the digital display he recognized the number and brought the phone to his ear, "Hetty?"
"Hello Mr. Callen. I trust you all made it to Moscow without incident."
"Just landed. Looks like we have a welcoming committee," he finished; his eyes trained on the two people outside who hadn't moved an inch since getting out of their cars.
"Excellent. They're right on schedule. They will be providing you with an automobile for the duration of your stay."
Callen's brows rose at the news. He should have known; Hetty thinks of everything.
Soon they were piled into the sedan sans Paul Sommers who went with the two agents whose names were Mark Banks and Rosanne Thrussell. Sommers would be housed in a hotel until needed.
Callen navigated the main roads with Tom riding shotgun. Jordan and Kensi occupied the back seat. It had been a number of years since he'd been to Russia, but it was just as he'd remembered- busy streets and fast drivers.
Following the directions that Hetty had given them; he pulled the Range Rover up to the gated courtyard. Leaning forward he spoke into the intercom. A few seconds later the gate opened and he drove through. Circling the cul de sac he pulled into the garage of the building. The apartment was on the second floor of a seven story block. It was a fifteen minute walk from the red square. There were two bedrooms; a living room with a pullout couch and a full sized open kitchen with a breakfast nook and fully stocked refrigerator.
Tom surveyed the place, "Changed a lot since the last time I was here."
Jordan gaped at him open mouthed, "You've been here before?"
"Yeah, years ago…on a case with Hetty in fact," Tom replied.
Callen's eyebrow quirked at that bit of information, "How long have you known Hetty?"
"Too long," Tom laughed, "She's a dear friend and I'd lay down my life for her but she still scares me."
Jordan chuckled, "So…what happened in Berlin in 1980?" she questioned from her sitting position on the couch.
Tom flushed a little beneath his dark coloring, "Nothing worth mentioning," he huffed, taking his bag and heading for the bedroom on the left.
"Oh, now I'm really curious," Jordan laughed as the others joined her.
Callen decided to take the pullout couch; while Jordan and Kensi opted to bunk together in the other room.
The room consisted of two single beds with a nightstand that rested against the wall between the two beds. A simple lamp and phone rested on the table. At the end of the beds was a dresser. Jordan dropped her bag by the bed that was near the window.
"Been a long time since I actually shared a room with someone…well another woman anyway," Kensi stated throwing her duffle on the bed.
"Same here," Jordan chuckled, "I think the last time I did was when I was seventeen and my sister's room had water damage and had to be fixed. We nearly drove each other crazy for two weeks," she laughed.
They unpacked their belongings in companionable silence for a few moments. Kensi sat on the edge of her bed, "So…you and Callen?"
Jordan moved and sat down on her own bed facing Kensi, "Uh…yes. How did you find out?"
"Well I sort of suspected just recently…but really it was Deeks who thought there was something going on for a while."
Jordan's eyes widened in surprise, "Wow," she responded with a shake of her head.
"You know how Deeks is…so how long have you two been together?"
"Eight months."
"Eight months? Oh man now I have to pay up."
"Pay up? You…you two had a bet on me and Callen?" Jordan gasped not knowing whether to laugh or cringe. "Was anyone else on this bet?"
"Sam might have put a wager down. He thought you two got together three months ago. I said a month ago. Deeks had at least six months. Eric and Nell thought two months."
Jordan fell over on her side laughing.
"Yeah…yeah laugh it up I'm out thirty bucks." Kensi sniffed, a smile forming on her face, "Seriously though; I think you two are great together."
Jordan finally regained her composure and sat up on the bed, "Thanks. Now you know our secret…what about you and Deeks?"
"M…me and Deeks? There's nothing going on between me and him," Kensi stammered.
"Come on Kens; the box thing between you two? How jealous you were when he had to go undercover with that old girlfriend of his?" Jordan countered with a smirk.
"I wasn't jealous!…I… just felt that she was up to no good and as a concerned friend I didn't want to see him get into any trouble; that's all."
Jordan crossed her arms; eyeing her friend in amusement, "Uh huh."
"Believe whatever you want. I'm going to take a shower," Kensi responded before heading for the bathroom while Jordan stared after her chuckling.
Later that evening:
Callen was looking through his messages on his phone when the door to one of the bedrooms opened and Tom stepped out into the living room. He headed toward the table in the kitchen and set up his rocket kit.
Putting his phone down, Callen made his way to the table and sat down beside Tom.
Tom glanced up at him as he sat down in the chair, "Couldn't sleep either huh?"
Callen chuckled, "Yeah," he sat down quietly; watching as Tom worked on the rocket ship, observing the intense concentration on the older man's face as he attached a plastic fin to the side of the rocket. In a way Tom reminded him of Gibbs and how he is with his boat making. "How long have you been working on that?"
"About a month," Tom grinned; his focus still on his project.
"Ever set one of those off?"
"No, but I might with this one…Maybe for Jordan's birthday."
"She'd probably love that…So you two were partners back in Seattle."
Tom put down the rocket and sat back in his seat, "For eleven years," he replied; nodding his head. "Have to admit that when I first met her I didn't think she looked like an FBI agent much less a former cop. She was so young and innocent looking. But she really proved herself out there…one of the best agents I've seen…after me of course," he finished with a laugh.
"She'd make a great NCIS agent too if she decided to go that route," Callen stated with a feeling a pride at her accomplishments.
"I don't doubt it. She can do anything she sets her mind to. She's a wonderful person with a big heart. She's been put through a lot the past few years…I don't want to see her hurt again," Tom finished; his gaze on Callen's face.
Callen remained silent for a moment, "Why do I feel like there's a warning in that statement?"
Tom chuckled, "I'm sorry. I know you two are together and it's none of my business. I guess Jordan's like a second daughter to me and I get a little protective of her."
"That's something we have in common. I love her and will protect her and try to make her happy."
"Good to hear," Tom smiled giving Callen a light clap on the shoulder before rising out of his seat, "Goodnight, see you in the morning."
"Goodnight," Callen replied watching Tom's retreating form. After a moment Callen got up and walked back over to the couch. His phone suddenly started buzzing. Looking at the display; he saw that it was from OSP.
"Callen."
"Hi Callen, sorry to call so late; you know the time difference and all…" Eric Beale stammered as a greeting.
"It's ok Eric, what have you got?"
"We have some activity on Anton Polzin. He's in Russia on business; his consulting firm has a branch office in Moscow."
"Have the address?" Callen asked.
"Sending it right to your phone now."
"Thanks Eric."
"Anytime."
The next day was overcast with lightly falling snow. Jordan woke up before Kensi and ran into the bathroom for a quick shower. Afterwards she dressed in jeans, converse shoes and a knit, pullover sweater. Stepping out into the living room, she closed the door quietly behind her. Padding over to the kitchen, she made her way to the coffee pot on the counter and began making coffee. As the pot began to percolate; Jordan had the sudden feeling that she wasn't alone. Turning around, she saw Callen standing there watching her with a grin that made her heart flutter.
Walking over to him she placed her hand against the back of his head; capturing his lips in a smoldering kiss, "Good morning."
Callen was looking a little dazed, "Wow and morning. Not that I'm complaining but…what brought that on?"
"You were looking so handsome just standing there I couldn't resist," she smirked; taking her hand down. "Want some coffee?" she asked, walking over to the cabinets to get the mugs.
"Sure," he replied as she filled a mug and handed it to him. She filled up her own and then put in the cream and sugar. Callen took his black with two sugars.
Callen took a sip, "Hmm…so this is where Hetty keeps the good stuff."
"I think you might be right," she chuckled; the coffee at OSP left a lot to be desired. Jordan then went to the fridge to take out the fixings for breakfast. Jordan assigned Callen to chop up the mushrooms, green pepper and onion while Jordan cracked the eggs; oiled and heated up the pan. They talked and teased each other while they got the breakfast together; Callen found that they moved together well in the kitchen; never getting in each other's way. When the vegetables were chopped; Callen put them into the pan and Jordan sautéed them until tender. Then she put the beaten eggs into the pan.
They were so caught up in their conversation that they didn't notice Kensi and Tom entering the kitchen.
"Morning guys," Kensi chimed in, walking over to the cabinet to grab a cup and pour herself some coffee.
"Whatever you're making over there smells delicious," Tom added getting his own coffee.
When everyone's plate was filled and they were all seated at the table; Callen repeated the information that Eric had given him last night.
"Interesting… so what's the plan?" Kensi asked; taking a bite of the eggs. "Wow, this is delicious."
"Thanks, my mom's recipe," Jordan smiled.
"I think we should pay Anton Polzin a visit," Callen answered around a bite of food. "You and Tom can question Polzin while Jordan and I keep watch in the in Range Rover. We might get a feel of what this guy does or doesn't know."
"Good idea," Tom stated taking a sip of coffee.
After breakfast they all fitted themselves with their earwigs. Then they piled into the Range Rover with Callen and Jordan in the front while Tom and Kensi sat in the back. Driving to the business district of Moscow, Callen parked the car a few blocks from the office building where Polzin worked. Tom was dressed in a suit and tie while Kensi was in a dark, dress suit and flats. Both exited the vehicle and headed for the building.
Tom and Kensi stepped into the main lobby and headed for the reception desk. Surprisingly, the elevator doors opened and Anton Polzin stepped out with a briefcase in hand along with a few other business people.
"Look what just fell in our laps," Tom whispered, as he and Kensi moved toward Polzin.
"Mr. Anton Polzin," Kensi announced flashing her badge, "We want to ask you a few questions please."
Polzin was a tall man, at least six foot two with a lean build dressed in a charcoal gray suit. He was in his mid-forties; sallow skin with sunken brown eyes that watched them warily. His dirty blond hair was short and touched with gray. He studied her badge, "A little out of your jurisdiction aren't you?" he coldly replied.
"Just want to ask a few questions. Have you been in contact with Kurtis Collingwood?" Tom asked, studying the man in front of him.
"No," Polzin replied; his tone matter of fact, "I haven't seen him since the trial and would like to keep it that way."
"He died a few days ago." Kensi stated, gauging the other man's reaction.
Polzin's face was blank, "Sorry to hear that. What does that have to do with me?"
"He along with four agents who were connected with the trial had been found dead," Tom chimed in.
Polzin's gaze switched from Tom to Kensi, "What does that have to do with me…you think I had something to do with this?" his expression incredulous.
"Or you're in danger too," Kensi replied.
Polzin gripped the handle of his briefcase, "I don't have time for this. Unless you have something to charge me with; I'm leaving." He threw out before heading out the door.
Jordan snapped pictures, with the telephoto lens camera, of Polzin coming out of the building and moving toward his car.
"That went well," Kensi sighed. Kensi and Tom watched as Polzin got into his car and put on his seatbelt. A second later a horrific explosion sounded as the car was blown to bits. Tom and Kensi wore the same shocked expressions as Jordan and Callen.
OSP:
Hetty Lange glanced up from her desk to see Owen Granger moving toward her. He had a thick file in his hand.
"Going by your expression Owen, I'm not going to like what you're about to tell me?"
Granger put the file on Hetty's desk, "I was able to find out about the mysterious Dylan."
Hetty's brow creased as she picked up the file and read the first page. After a moment she sat back against her chair, "Bugger!"
TBC.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, sorry I took so long to update. Please review, I love reviews.