The Replacement
Chapter 10:
"Mr Callen"
The senior agent rubbed his eyes as he lifted his heavy head to look up at the operations manager who stood before his desk.
"Anything in the files?" she asked gently and Callen shook his head that was thumping in pain,
"Nothing" he replied dejectedly pushing away the paper in front of him and Hetty nodded. The morning light was just beginning to filter in through the windows and Callen stood before heading towards the coffee machine his joints aching. Hetty shook her head slightly when her lead agent offered her a coffee and observed his tense shoulders as he leant over the bench. Her gaze moved to the left and she sighed silently as she took in the sight of her psychologist asleep on the couch the files he'd been looking over scattered on the floor.
Her other agent was in the back, where Callen had often slept when she'd told him that she didn't want to find him on the couch in the bullpen. Sam, Callen, Nate, Nell and Eric had been taking it in turns to sleep although she knew that all five of them had sneaked files back with them to go over. She also knew that it was only Callen who hadn't slept a wink during the night while Sam had at least gotten some sleep no matter how restless it was. Nate had lasted most of the night too and Callen hadn't bothered to wake the man once he lost the battle against his heavy eyelids. Instead the agent had removed the half full coffee cup that was lodged between Nate's stomach and the couch. Eric and Nell had been ordered to sleep and after a day of staring at bright screens and running software their brains and eyes rejoiced in a moment of darkness, not allowing them long before they fell asleep – exhausted.
"Forensics just reported that they haven't found anything conclusive yet but are still running tests" Hetty said and Callen nodded knowing that he hadn't really been expecting anything there. With no signs of struggle, nothing out of place, no blood, although for that he was more than grateful, no footprints, no forced entry. It was highly unlikely they were going to get any evidence that would be useful.
"What about Henry Reynolds?" Hetty and Callen both swiveled around as Sam jogged down the stairs. Callen raised an eyebrow vaguely remembering the case that Kensi, Renko, Sam and he had worked almost two years ago.
"He was released from jail two months ago and has had a string of charges since. No job, no number but Eric got an address for us" Callen nodded before taking the file from Sam and scanning over it while Nate who had stirred from behind them staggered up. Both senior agents and Hetty turned sharply when Nate spat the coffee he hadn't realised was cold out into the sink before he reached for a new cup.
"Make it two Nate" Sam said and the psychologist just nodded. Once the ex-seal had his cardboard cup in his hand the three headed for the door off to deliver a not so kind wakeup call to a one Henry Reynolds. After scanning through the file Callen could clearly remember the case that had been closed after Kensi had put a bullet through Reynolds' older brothers' head. Henry had been there and while he was in on the whole illegal operation that had everything to do with a lot of illegal drugs and dealings the team knew that he had been coerced into the family business with no alternative. Callen could remember seeing the devastation across the young man's face before Renko has slapped the handcuffs around his wrists and pawed him off to the FBI who had been targeting the groups for months on end with no luck.
"Scott" Callen was pulled out of his thoughts by Nate's voice and turned towards the man slightly behind him. He couldn't help but scowl however as he realised that Nate had called out to the new agent on the team.
"We're heading to check out a suspect from one of the cases Kensi was involved in a couple years ago" Nate called and Scott changed course heading towards them his bag on his shoulder and a large, bright red cup in his hand. He nodded his thanks to Nate who offered him a smile. The psychologist threw a pointed glance towards Callen and Sam before getting into the car in the back next to Fields.
"He even had time to stop for Starbucks" Sam growled before handing Callen the keys knowing that he couldn't care less about the speeds that Callen chose to drive at.
Henry Reynolds quickly became a thing of the past as his alibi checked out several times however Fields was adamant about taking the man in for the large amount of plants that they had found growing in his back garden.
"Fields we don't have time for this, we have bigger problems" Callen said agitatedly and the agent looked up before nodding,
"Yeah" he acknowledged,
"I know but this is our job just let me get LAPD on the way" he said before turning away and pulling out his phone. Callen's jaw clenched and Sam who stood next to his partner wondered how there wasn't two holes in the back of Field's head,
"Fields you can do that on the way back to ops. We have to go so get out to the car" Callen said and Sam only took a second to notice the chance in Callen's voice. It was one that they rarely heard, one that was of order and command instead of the suggestions and ideas he usually voiced with the team. The one that worked well anyway.
"I can't work with him" Callen stated angrily before stalking back into the house. Nate and Sam shared a look before following Callen only hoping that their new agent got the message.
By the time they reached ops again the building was buzzing with life as most of the employees had arrived for their day of work. Sam suppressed a yawn as he headed up the stairs towards Eric's office with the three other men. They could all feel the tension and he could see it in every crease on Callen's face. Callen who was still silently stewing and Sam knew that his anger and frustration was a combination of the dead end and lack of information they had about Kensi's whereabouts along with the man who now walked up the stairs in front of him with Nate.
He wondered how Kensi was doing and felt his chest tighten. Was she okay? Was she hurt? His fist reflexively clenched at the thought of someone hurting her. They were all protective over her and he was no exception. They rarely showed it however – at least they tried not to because it meant avoiding the lecture from a furious Kensi Blye or a punch to the gut quite literally. She was certainly not a damsel in any kind of distress and when she took the punches and the scrapes and bruises on the job it was different because that was the job and they expected it.
But this was different. This was a whole different kettle of fish and all Sam wanted was to know where she was and get his hands on whoever had taken her there. They had better not have hurt her. His mind flashed as the unwelcome thoughts and images flooded his minds of a hurt Kensi, an injured, beaten Kensi. He pushed them away forcefully not willing to let himself go there. She would be fine. It was Kensi.
"Deeks?" Callen's voice pulled him out of his thoughts and he looked to see Detective Marty Deeks extend a hand out to shake Callen's who did so. Sam nodded towards him as Eric introduced Deeks' to Scott Fields.
"What are you doing here Deeks?" Callen asked wasting no time. Had they got a lead? Was their finally information for them. Something, anything that would lead them to Kensi.
"Have you found anything" Deeks asked and Sam shook his head when the blonde looked towards him. They had known Deeks for a while, since he had been appointed as liason between LAPD and NCIS their paths had crossed on multiple occasions. When he had worked with them although it had only been several times he and Kensi had worked together. Callen had first placed them together after Kensi had been complaining about how annoying the detective was and Callen had smirked a moment later when said man had walked into the ops centre throwing her a grin. The scathing glare that he had received when he had sent the pair off made him particularly wary of his junior agent for the rest of the day.
"Mr Deeks alerted us of a current case LAPD have been handling that may or may not have significance to Kensi's disappearance" Hetty explained as she entered the room however the agents swiveled towards the screen when four images appeared on the screen courtesy of Nell.
"It might be nothing but I thought you should know" Deeks explained,
"This case has been ongoing for over four months now. These four women have all been kidnapped all from bars and clubs all matching the same profile as Kensi, age, appearance. They're all single, attractive, young women. All the bars are in the same area. " Deeks explained,
"Okay but Kens went home from the club and then went missing" unfazed Deeks nodded before continuing,
"So did these women. They were seen leaving the clubs, we've got them all on surveillance video's and then we have missing person reports. No one spoke to these women between when they left the club and when they were taken"
"The only difference between these cases and Kensi's after going over the forensic reports is that these cases collected a lot of evidence. There was signs of struggle and forced entry" Nell added from where she sat,
"So if this was the case, they got Kensi just as she got home, no it doesn't make sense Kens would have fought them we would have seen evidence of a struggle" Sam said,
"Unless they used drugs, sedatives, chloroform" Eric suggested and Sam nodded.
"You said she wasn't feeling well Callen maybe she wasn't as aware as she normally would be" Nate supplied,
"Why wasn't she feeling well?" Deeks asked,
"It was only us getting her drinks" Callen countered knowing where Deeks was going with his question,
"What about the bar tender?" the detective asked again and Callen considered his thoughts.
"Sam and I will head to the bar and Deeks can you go over the case with Nate, Eric and Nell…and Fields get them up to speed" Deeks nodded,
"Guys I'll send you over the surveillance footage" Callen said turning towards Eric and Nell who nodded.
"Keep going over files as well" Callen instructed,
"This is the best lead we've got so far but if this has no connection to Kensi we're wasting our time so keep going through the files and eliminating possible suspects" they all nodded towards Callen turning to begin work while Callen and Sam headed back out the office and down the stairs heading for the bar they'd been sitting at only two nights before.
Another chapter for you guys…I really hope you liked it.!
Please let me know what you think so far!
Also ADVICE TIME peoples…do you think that the people who have Kensi should be trying to get revenge on NCIS and the case that they were involved with or do you think they should be people who know Kensi who have something against her personally. I have two ideas and I don't know which one I want more. SO PLEASE HELPPPPP! Let me know which one you'd prefer!
Thanks.
Also let me take a minute to thank you guys who have reviewed..seriously it's like Christmas every single time I realise I've gotten a review I love it and appreciate it soooo much!
p.s. I haven't done this for a few chapters so I'm going to catch up : )
AngelVanguard:
There's definitely a lot of Callen jaw clenching coming up haha. You'll have to wait to find out who the boss is I have two in mind but I can't decide yet : ) Thank you so much for saying it's like watching the scene on television that is just the greatest compliment. Made my day!
I'm glad that I surprised you with Fields going back to work and planting her things love to do that : ). I hope this was the right place to bring Deeks in. I had him there and then I took him back out and then it was more of a what the hell thing he's fun to write. : )
p.s. thank you for saying that this story is your favourite I love writing it!
Annabeth:
YOU never disappoint! Hehe I love getting your reviews : )
I am soo glad you're enjoying it. Indeed there may be a little Callen and Sam rescuing happening. I just can't damn resist haha.
I'm really glad you liked chapter 6 and thought it was fitting that it was just Kensi. I wasn't sure if it would kind of flop or not. I still haven't decided if I'm going to bring the DC peoples in…still thinking! We sha'll see : )
Thank you for your reviews!
p.s. I miss nate too : )
AshLiz
Thankyou! And hope you're still liking it!
Cairdiuil paiste
If the public demand it then the public get it!
No hehe I decided to bring him in anyway he's lots of fun to write and I love how he works with the team as well. Hope you're liking it and thanks for the review!
Camille:
Thank you for saying that and don't worry Hetty's moment will be here soon! Thanks!
Dqu:
I'm soooo happy that you like it! Sorry it's been a bit of a wait for an update! Thank you sooooo much for the review!
JJ
Thankyouuuuuu!...and thanks for the review very much!
Krazy Nixi
Hope you're still liking what's happening. Thanks so much for the review!
Little miss michelle
Hope you like it! Thanks!
Louise (redmangan23)
Thank you for the review! I tried to make a spot for Deeks : ) I decided I wanted to write him in. I do love him and he's fun to write. You read my mind about reasons for bringing in Deeks I hope it seemed reasonable and believable : ) Thanks for your support with all my stories it's so much appreciated!
Madil93
Hope you are still liking it..I'll try to update mighty soon : ) Thanks for your reviews!
Michele:
You're definitely on the right track. You're review for chapter 6 made me laugh (aka Callen's). And yes I haven't forgotten about Hetty just yet. Her part is coming soon.
Rebel Magnus:
Really glad you like it. Thanks for the review!
Review:
Thank you soooo much for reviewing. I'm really happy that you like the story. I couldn't wait for my exams to end either!. Soooo happy! And I'm keen to get back to writing a lottt! I've missed it! Thanks
Sears678
Glad you liked it! Hope you still are : ) Thanks for the review!
Terken:
So glad you are liking it! You were right to not like Fields : ) and Hetty's moment is on it's way promise.
Tibbee:
Thanks so much for taking the time to review. I really hope you like this one. I decided to bring Deeks in so we'll see how things go but I have a sneaking suspicion that he'll still be there when things quieten down anyway : )
Vampyre Nights
Haha. You don't have to worry about me uni was just leeching my life away like it does…although my sanity is questionable ..courtesy of uni itself : ) I'm really glad you liked chapter 8 and will try to get some more updates for you on those other stories.
Thank you for the goodluck with my exams too : )
Sorry there's so many people guys I haven't done this for the last couple of chapters so i really wanted to catch up. Thank you so so so much to everyone who has reviewed!