All characters and all rights at 'NCIS: Los Angeles' belong to CBS and Shane Brennan Productions. The following story does not serve any commercial purposes, but was written only for the pleasure of fans. An injury of Copyright is not intended. All further persons belong to the authoress.

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Chapter 8 - Goodbye

Sam had to stay in the hospital for observation. Even though the doctors assured Callen that Sam would soon be well, he insisted on staying overnight in hospital.

Sam watched his partner, when he tried to make himself comfortable on two chairs. "You needn't stay with me, G. I'm good."

Callen grinned at his friend. "You needn't have to quote constantly our team motto. Also I'm in practice with sleeping on chairs."

Sam smiled. "Joann has made that to the team motto, I remember."

Callen returned the smile. "Yeah, my Little One, sometimes she is really up to scratch."

Sam became serious. "Once again Joann has done a good job, G. That was certainly not easy for her this time."

"I don't know, Sam." Callen was thoughtful. "I had feared that too, but I think our concerns were unfounded. Jo hasn't behaved correctly with Davenport, but except in self-defense, she never would have killed him. She had absolutely no sympathy for these women." Then he smiled to himself. "Jo has a lot of principles. That's due to Scott." His smile became a broad grin. "Navy Seals are really a strange troop."

Sam kept a straight face and only stared penetrating at G.

Callen's grin became a chuckle. "You should sleep, Sam."

"Well got out of the affair, buddy."

…

A few days later the unit was sitting relaxed in the bullpen. They had completed their case and all reports were written. Sam was back and only his bruises were reminiscent of what had happened. The team was already working on new cases. But today it had been a good day. Nobody had shot at them, nobody had wanted to beat them, and the people had been surprisingly helpful and informative. They teased each other with a lot of cheeky sayings.

"How about a beer, guys? I'll pay for the first round." Deeks got up and reached for his pocket.

"I'm down." Kensi also rose.

"I can't wait." Ray jumped up with a smile.

Sam grinned. "I won't miss it when Deeks buys a round."

Callen laughed. "Why not. We have earned us an after-work beer. Jo?"

"I got the message, I'm driving. Where are we going?"

However, before a discussion could arise over the destination, Hetty called attention through a little cough. Everyone turned around to her, still with a smile on his or her faces. These disappeared very quickly when they noticed Hetty's serious face.

"I'm sorry, but I have to finish your party before it has started." Hetty went up to Ray and handed him an envelope. "Mr. Wingate, you were approved upgrade training courses. Tomorrow is your flight to Virginia. All other information can be found in here."

Totally confused, Ray took the envelope. "Hetty, I haven't requested any courses. What's the point of that?"

"Unfortunately I cannot answer that question, Mr. Wingate. I was served the documents with appropriate marching orders for you. Tomorrow you are expected at Quantico."

Ray sat down and glanced at the documents. "Thereby I'm at least six months away! This can only be a mistake!" He was completely flabbergasted.

But Hetty shook her head. "Unfortunately, it is not, Mr. Wingate. I have checked that, it is quite correct." Then she directed towards everyone. "I'm afraid there is more to come, ladies and gentlemen." Hetty's face boded ill. "Mr. Deeks, your captain has called this afternoon. Until further notice you will return to the L.A.P.D.. One has an operation for which apparently only you are qualified. You should report to your captain tomorrow morning."

"And my work here, Hetty? We still have some open cases in which I am involved and we have to follow up on them."

"I know that, Mr. Deeks, and I informed your captain accordingly. He insisted that he needed you for this specific operation."

Deeks sat down abruptly and looked with wide eyes to his friends. "Marty Deeks, the one-time-only, or what?" Then he swallowed hard. "Can I change that?"

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Deeks." Hetty looked directly at him. "But I assure you that we won't accept an other liaison officer from the L.A.P.D.. There is only one suitable man for this position."

His sad eyes spoke volumes. "Thank you, Hetty."

"Can't you really do anything, Hetty? Deeks and Ray? How are we supposed to work effectively, if our team become severed?" Kensi was stunned. She also had a bad feeling. Deeks had been nearly killed during his last undercover operation for the L.A.P.D..

"Believe me, Miss Blye, I am working on it." Hetty sighed deeply. "Unfortunately, these were not all bad news. Mr. Callen, you are expected in Washington. Your plane leaves in two hours. Outside, a driver is already waiting for you, who will take you to the airport."

Callen's face was completely expressionless. "Washington?"

Hetty nodded. "The order came from on high."

In disbelief Joann had listened to Hetty's remarks. She even did not try to suppress her upcoming anger. "This is a targeted measure against our team! Someone wants to piss on our parade! You cannot allow that, Hetty!"

"I am quite of your opinion, Miss MacKenzie. I've already started with the appropriate investigations and other measures." Slowly Hetty let her eyes wander from one team member to another. "You may rest assured that I have no intention accepting that. But despite everything, I also have to obey orders. Until I found out who", Hetty threw a grim look at Joann, "wants to piss on our parade, we need to comply with the commands. Unless, of course," again Hetty looked seriously at each of her employees, "you have in mind to quit."

Silently they all looked at each other. There was a brief, wordless exchange between the whole team, then all shook their heads.

"If we want to find out what's going on, we can only do that from within." Sam put the decision of everybody into words.

Hetty nodded. "Exactly, Mr. Hanna." Deadly serious Hetty scrutinized the three men who were torn from her unit so suddenly. "Take care of yourself, gentlemen." Slowly, with her head slightly bowed, Hetty went back into her office.

The colleagues looked after her. For the first time since they knew Hetty, this small woman looked exactly like this: small. This worried them more than anything else.

Callen called Nell and Eric downstairs and informed them about the news. The two were deeply shocked. For a few minutes it heated up and everybody gave vent to their anger and their concerns. Finally, they had no other choice than to face the facts. The farewell started.

Helplessly Ray stood at his desk stoop-shouldered. He did not know what hit him when Sam gave him a pep talk to take along, rather than a warning or reminder. Joann gave him a big hug.

"Whatever is the reason for that, Ray, make the best of it. You can never learn too much."

Callen shook his hand. "Don't forget, you have learned from the best. You're going to be a damn good agent, and then also be one of the best. Have absolutely no doubt about that."

He could only nod in reply. Also Kensi and Nell embraced Ray, Deeks patted him vigorously on the shoulder. Both muttered a few words of encouragement to each other. Eric shook his hand, not able to say a word. Ray abruptly grabbed his things, gave a nod to everyone and left.

Deeks was quite pale. Though he tried to hide his sorrows, but no one let that happen.

"If you're in trouble, then give us a call. Not the L.A.P.D., not on any terms." Sam looked at him seriously and continued to speak not before Deeks nodded. "Listen to me, at least this once."

Deeks had to clear his throat, before he could reply. "You bet, Sam. I know you are my backing." Softly, he spoke on, so softly that only Sam could understand him. "Keep an eye on Kensi and Jo. Okay?"

Sam nodded seriously. "Promise."

As Deeks turned to Joann, she still shook her head in disbelief. Speechless, with suspiciously bright eyes, she let him give her a hug. Deeks squeezed her so strong that he nearly broke Joann's ribs. "Don't screw thing up, Little One, while I'm gone. Ouch!"

"That was for the 'Little One'!" Joann pulled herself together, but only just.

A grin appeared on Deeks' face, but it was only a pale imitation of his usual cheeky and charming expression. Then he shook Callen's hand. Both spoke at once.

"Be careful."

The two men exchanged a knowing look.

They did not take professionalism into account, Kensi and Deeks left the headquarters arm in arm.

Callen and Sam looked at each other. However, before one could say or do something, Joann cleared her throat.

"Sam, would you give me a moment with G?"

He frowned slightly, but then nodded. "Sure." Sam went upstairs and took Nell and Eric with him.

Joann also waived her usual professionalism, clasped Callen in her arms and kissed him. "G, I love you. Whatever happens, I'm here, waiting for you. What Sam said to Marty, that applies to you too: If you need help, give us a call."

Callen did not want to let Joann go, but he had no choice. Slowly, he freed himself from her arms and looked straight in her eyes. "Don't worry, I won't forget that." He sighed. "I want you to promise me something: Don't do anything stupid." His look was very serious. "I know you're angry, but please trust Hetty. She will find out what's going on."

Joann looked at him as seriously, a single tear ran down her cheek. "I promise. You'll have no reason to worry about me. I'm going to behave perfectly." She kissed Callen once again and then hastily left the headquarters.

Sam had watched everything from above and now came down. He hesitated, but this was not the time to keep quiet about important things. "You know what's my biggest fear, G?"

Callen nodded, he had not forgotten. "To lose your partner."

"Yeah. Well, take damned care for yourself, wherever they will send you. I want to have my partner back as soon as Hetty had resolved the matter."

"I'll wait for that." Callen hesitated a moment before he spoke again. "Have an eye on Jo and Kensi. They will need someone."

Sam nodded. He had seen the anger that had boiled up into Joann, and the desperation in Kensi's eyes. "Don't worry, G, I care about them."

"If you need help, Sam, call Scott or Jason. You can rely on them."

Sam nodded again. "I know."

The two friends embraced briefly.

"Take good care, G."

"You too, buddy."

Sam looked after his friend in silence. Hard times would come up to them.

to be continued…