The Director and Sam locked eyes via the monitor screen, and Vance gave Sam a nod, indicating that he may leave.

Sam left the Ops Center swiftly, concerned. That's when he spotted Callen heading for the door. "Hey!" He jogged to the entryway, grabbing Callen's shoulder and turning him around.

"You mind tellin' me what that was all about, G.? Where you goin'?"

"It's nothing," Callen responded, not wanting to discuss his motives.

"Yeah, well, I'm gettin' really sick of your nothings, G., because your nothings always turn into somethings!"

"Look, it's nothing for you to be concerned about, alright? I just... I need to take care of something."

"There it is. Something. What's goin' on, man?"

Callen sighed, his expression more serious than before Sam found him.

"Look," he paused, glancing around to make sure they were alone, "the guys in the photos..."

"I'm listenin'," Sam commented, annoyed.

"We had a beef with them on an undercover op in Russia. Thankfully, I was level-headed enough to talk them into becoming our allies."

"Who's we?"

Callen gave Sam a look.

"You and Arkady," Sam stated more than asked.

Callen continued, "Arkady tried to take them out on multiple occasions. Obviously, he failed ten years ago."

"Does this look like his work?"

"Could be. Arkady's unpredictable. Nothing would surprise me."

"What was the beef about? Why'd Arkady want them dead?" Sam was far too curious now.

"Russian mobsters, or so he thought. The boss put hits on them, stating that if they didn't do as ordered, their bodies would be just as cold as the ones of the people they murdered. They were sent to take us out." He shook his head. "They wanted out of the mob, but didn't have much of a choice. Arkady didn't believe them."

"But you did?"

"They were taken as prisoners, held hostage for over two years. I can't say I wouldn't have played their game to survive, too. We still don't know exactly what they had that the Russians wanted. They would never discuss that. Apparently, it was something good enough to put a hit out on them. They were legal Russian citizens, but were from the States. Florida, I think. They'd only moved there a year earlier, after completing a SEAL mission. Navy awarded them an honorable discharge. To this day, I'm still unsure what for. They were all on the same team." Callen paused for a moment, then added, "They're part of the reason we made it out alive."

At that moment, Sam realized just how serious this was. He'd get the rest of the details from Callen later.

"After you got out of Russia, Arkady still held a grudge?"

"Big time. They shot him. Twice in the arm. Luckily, I dodged bullets a lot better back then."

Sam flashed a small smirk and slight nod of understanding as he gathered his thoughts. "So, what's your next move?"

Callen looked up at him, his brow cocked slightly, "I'm going to pay an old friend a visit."

Back in the Ops Center, The Director was now offline, and Kensi, Deeks, Eric, and Nell were discussing the information they'd just received.

"Okay, so, what do we know?" Kensi started.

"Well," Deeks commented first, "we've got a bunch of dead guys who look like they've all been offed by the same dude, including the one that LAPD came across this morning."

Kensi smiled a little. "What about their ages?"

"LAPD's vic is confirmed to be thirty-one. The rest all appear to be in their late thirties, early forties. However," Eric continued, "they're all the same ethnicity as the first victim."

"The other four are also unidentified at the moment," Nell added.

"Five Caucasian males. Similar in age. All murdered with the same M.O.," Kensi thought aloud. "One Navy SEAL. The other four?"

"Russian mobsters," Sam added as he snuck back in the room.

Everyone turned towards the voice.

"Russian mobsters?" Deeks questioned.

"Also former SEALS," Sam nodded.

"How can they be Russian mobsters and U.S. Navy SEALS?" Kensi asked, completely confused.

"They were SEALS before relocating to Russia," Sam answered.

"You knew them?" Deeks asked curiously.

Sam shook his head. "G."

"Callen knew them?" Kensi questioned.

"Yeah," Sam nodded. "Apparently, so did his friend, Arkady."

"You think Arkady's behind this?" Kensi's curiosity peaked.

Sam cocked his head. "G. seems to think so."

"What else do you know?" Deeks jabbed, wanting more details.

Sam shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "Not a whole lot. G. will have to fill you in on the rest." He didn't want to divulge too much information, not knowing just how much his partner wanted him to share.

"Where is Callen anyway?" Kensi asked.

"Visiting Arkady," Sam chuckled, imagining the conversation they'd be having upon Callen's return.

"Is that a good idea?" Deeks pondered, only knowing minute, but pertinent details regarding Callen's past with the man.

"Are any of G.'s ideas ever good?" Sam joked.

"Fair enough," Deeks nodded, letting it drop.

"I'm going to swing by Arkady's place, make sure G.'s good," Sam added.

"Has anyone briefed Hetty?" Eric asked curiously as Sam was exiting the Ops Center.

"She's in an important meeting in D.C. This can wait 'til she gets back," Sam responded, leaving it at that.

Kensi looked between Deeks, Eric, and Nell and shrugged her shoulders. "Guess we better start digging up dirt on Mr. Chastain."