Thanks to everyone who reviewed for the last chapter!

Chapter 14

Callen's head was still pulsating with sharp pain as they pulled away from Ava's little candle shop and headed back to NCIS headquarters. The pain was nothing compared to his last few episodes thanks to the tea he was currently sipping. Of course confronting Hetty with a stranger's brew was not going to be fun, but it was still better than the full force of a vision-hangover G'd get without the tea. Hopefully the ninja like women would think the thermos was filled with coffee – though knowing Hetty that outcome was not likely.

"We're on our way." Sam was saying into his phone, speaking with Hetty or Eric, G wasn't really sure. Once the other agent hung up he shot a glance G's way – concern obvious in his dark eyes. "So, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine Sam," G sighed, not surprised by the question. "I wish I had discovered Ava's tea a week ago." He managed a smile for his partner before eyeing the road before them. "So what's the case?"

"Hetty didn't go into detail, apparently their still figuring out what exactly happened. Eric and Nell will have a presentation ready for us when we're all assembled back at HQ." With his eyes on the road Sam fell silent for a moment before directing another question towards his partner. "So, how should we go about this?"

Although G knew exactly what his partner was talking about, Callen decided to play dumb for the moment – what could they do anyway? "Go about what?"

"Don't do that G, this isn't a game." Sam's eyes narrowed, his patients with his partner's current condition running dangerously thin.

A smirk played at the corner of G's lips as he glanced over at Sam. "Yeah, well if we were playing a game I'd be winning."

"How so?" Sam let the banter live, knowing that it helped in stressful times. Still the big man would like – just this one time – to get a simple answer out of his partner. Especially with Nell's life might be hanging in the balance.

Callen shrugged lightly, glancing out the passenger's side window casually. "Because I'm more awesome then you." It was lame, but the only other thing G could think to say would be 'because I have new psychic abilities that give me the upper hand when it comes to death' – but that would mean admitting that he was psychic, which was something G wasn't ready to do yet. Not even as a joke.

"Seriously, G, should we tell the others?" Sam pushed onward. They both knew what Ava had told them – it was a danger to G for too many people to learn of his new condition.

"No." Came the easy response. "I don't want to put this out there. Hell, Sam how would we even tell them? Well guys, we've got news. While in a coma I unlocked the psychic door in my mind and now am able to see how you all are going to die. Nell, you're next – sorry. Yeah, that would go over great." The sarcasm flew out of G's mouth unchecked, the cold statement ending with a pointed glare towards the driver's side of the car.

"Good point." Sam nodded with a deep wince etched in his dark face – if Sam hadn't seen Callen's eyes during a 'vision' he wasn't sure he'd believe it either. "Plus there's that whole 'slave trade' thing we probably don't want to deal with."

G nodded sharply in agreement. "The less people know about this, the better."

Sam nodded along, but then shook his head. "I don't see how you can keep this from them forever though. We work closely with them and if you suddenly go 'blank' in front of them they'll think something's wrong with you."

"Something is wrong with me, Sam." Callen pointed out with a snarl in the back of his voice. Although it sounded like it, G's anger wasn't directed towards Sam – more towards the situation in general – and the big agent knew it.

"Ava said there are symptoms that lead up to an…episode." Sam started carefully. "Maybe we should set up a code, if you feel like a visions coming on say something and I'll cover you."

"And what? I'll go pass out in a closet?" G's eyes narrowed at the thought.

Sam shrugged lightly, "It's better then you passing out in the middle of Ops."

"True." Callen sighed. "Okay, what should our super secret password be?"

"Password, G?"

"Code word, password, its all the same thing." Callen waved his partner off easily.

With a roll of his eyes Sam took a minute to consider before speaking again. "Ava? You could mention she's calling you." Sam suggested with a wince.

G stared at his partner in disgust. "She's a little young for me, and knowing Eric he'll remember doing a background check on her and get suspicious."

"True." Sam sighed. "Well, uh, how about you say you need to get a drink?"

"Which would be somewhat true anyway – I'm gunna need to get more of this tea." G held up the thermos in a 'cheers' motion. "And that would make sense since Hetty doesn't allow liquids in Ops. However, it won't work that well in the middle of a case."

"You'll be in the field with me, I'll watch your back."

G's stomach dropped. "Yeah? And whose going to have your back while I'm in the middle of an episode?"

Sam gave a side-glance to his partner before focusing on the road. "We'll figure this out, G. Besides, you went a few days without having a vision – it's not going to be an everyday problem."

"For now." G sighed taking a long sip of his tea as they arrived just outside of HQ.

Sam grunted, turning off the car and opening his door. "Let's just take it one day at a time."

Gathering around the monitor inside Ops the team took turns looking at the too pale Callen as Eric and Nell started their presentation. G was grateful when none of them asked him how he was – his temper already to it's breaking point with Sam's overbearing concern. If one more person asked him if he were fine Callen was pretty sure he was going to snap and start yelling at everyone – which would only prove that he was the opposite of being okay.

The mission Eric outlined for them was simple enough – Navy intelligence was being hacked by the target Joanne Grannis, who was impressively young for her career choice.

Beeping went off and Nell and Eric paused the presentation to pull up some sort of information. "We were able to find a pattern in her…" Eric started to explain with a bunch of technical babble that Callen – with his head still throbbing slightly – didn't want to follow. He got the basics. The Tech Duo had managed to find a way to track Grannis through the Internet.

They activated something that allowed them to see through the girl's laptop camera. The team all took to watching the hacker shuffle around the room, arrogantly dancing to some awkward form of music oblivious to her audience.

"Techno, I just don't get it." Sam shook his head.

"What? I love this song!" Kensi gasped in mock disgust at the older man's comment.

G had to agree with Sam. "Loud beats that repeat themselves over and over in order for kids to dance has no soul."

They all watched as Joanna Grannis suddenly headed towards the door, opening it to reveal a rather sketchy looking visitor. The music drowned out the conversation, but as the two became agitated the group of trained agents recognized an argument.

"Eric, run an ID on her visitor." Callen directed quietly and Eric obeyed silently.

Suddenly the girl was pulled from the room, the door slamming with some force behind them.

"Did we just witness a kidnapping?" Deeks asked suddenly, voice echoing the surprise that had filled the room.

Okay, that's it for now. Mostly because I'm having a bad day…I hope this chapter makes your day better though...

Reviews are loved ^^ As are my readers! Thanks guys!