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Chapter 15
"Did we just witness a kidnapping?"
Deeks' words rang in the air for a moment while the team digested what they had just seen.
Finally Callen cleared his throat and stepped closer to the screen. "Okay, Eric I want you to check the video feeds around the area – see if we can get a view of where the man took Grannis. Got an ID on our mystery kidnapper yet?"
"On it – and not yet." Eric snapped back to work with ease, fingers dancing over the keyboard.
Hetty spoke her orders next. "Kensi, Deeks you will escort Nell – "
G's attention snapped up and before really considering the consequences Callen was interrupting his small but ferocious boss. "No, me and Sam will go with Nell."
As soon as the words left G's mouth ops fell eerily quiet – even Eric had paused his work to see the fall out of what just happened. Hetty and the others stared – openly shocked at G's interruption – at their lead agent.
Hetty was the first to recover, her narrowed eyes looking G up and down carefully. "Mr. Callen, it is out of character for you to request a babysitting job over the chance to follow kidnappers." Her eyes narrowed further into a glare as she added, "It is also out of character for you to talk over me."
Sam watched his partner pale slightly and decided to intervene worried that if it truly was stress that triggered Callen's 'episodes' this situation would lead them into disaster.
"Hetty," Sam drew the attention of the room to himself quickly. "I know they act like children most of the time," Sam smiled back at the glares he received from the two younger agents. "But G and I can't always take the exciting assignments – it would stunt Deeks' growth."
"Just mine?" Deeks snarled playfully, then he grinned at his own partner.
Kensi crossed her thin arms over her chest making a tsking sound at her partner. "Of course just you."
Nell frowned lightly at the conversation and turned to Eric who was still working diligently with one ear on the conversation around him – although he had been momentarily distracted by the interaction between Callen and Hetty. "Why do I feel like I'm being passed around like a kid between divorced parents?" The redheaded analyst looked a bit hurt though her words were light with banter.
Eric grinned in response, not taking his eyes off the screen as he responded verbally. "At least you get to go on a field trip."
"Alright Mr. Hanna, Mr. Callen you two will accompany Miss Jones to the apartment to allow her a closer look at our hackers computer while Mr. Deeks and Miss Blye follow after the kidnapper and Miss Grannis." Rearranging her glasses the older woman stood toe to toe with Callen for a moment her face showing her unhappiness with what had transpired. "We will have a privet chat later, you and I." She promised darkly before dismissing the group to their tasks and leaving ops.
Nell huffed a bit as she slipped out of the room to gather what she'd needed.
Callen sighed and Sam bit the inside of his cheek. "Well, that could have gone better."
"Dude, you are so dead." Deeks slapped Callen on the back playfully.
Eric glanced up from his computer finally, turning his chair to face the four agents. "Deeks, Kensi I located the guys van. I'll send the information to your phones so you can track him."
"We're on it," Deeks cheered and lead the way out of the room with Kensi following after slowly, pausing to turn back to the boys.
"Are you two okay?" She wanted to know, voice serious and filled with open concern. She had worked with the two long enough to know that they were acting way out of character.
The two partners shared a look before Sam stepped forward and answered. "We're just having an off day. Don't worry about it, just stay safe out there. Make sure Deeks behaves."
Sam's words – even his attempt at playful banter – had clearly done nothing to ease the younger agents mind, but Kensi nodded slowly before following after Deeks who was already in the bullpen downstairs.
Nell reappeared, still not seeming like her normal cheerful self as she let the boys lead her down to Sam's dark vehicle.
An unusual silence fell over the trio as they drove to the Joanna Grannis's apartment. Eric was keeping them all updated with any new information that came up through their cell phones. Apparently Deeks and Kensi were already moving in to subdue the van that held the two suspects.
Sam glanced at his partner as they drove across the city to the girl's apartment. With Nell sitting quietly in the back seat they couldn't really discuss the problem openly. Clearing his throat Sam captured his pale partner's attention. "You thirsty at all?" Sam asked smoothly – in the rearview mirror he saw Nell's confused eyes perk up with the start of conversation.
G swallowed and glanced at his partner with a nod. Something was on the rise – the trembling vibrations had started moments after they had pulled away from NCIS headquarters. "Yeah, little bit." Callen answered verbally when Sam looked a bit panicked.
Nell was watching them carefully – making things difficult.
"I think I'll be fine though." Callen worded the sentence carefully. "It's just – you know – a sign that I'll be needing to drink something soon." G was hoping Sam would pick up on what he was trying to say. The headache he was getting and the vibration in his mind was not due to another vision/episode, but the build up before what he saw came true. At least, G was pretty sure that was what was happening. G would be the first to admit he was no where near close to having this all figured out.
In the back seat Nell's eyes narrowed. "What are you guys talking about? If you want to get something to drink, do it. It's not that big of a deal." She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest defensively.
Sam and G shared a look and while Callen rolled his eyes Sam nodded patiently with a small smirk. "I think we're good, actually." He told the redhead in the backseat and G figured the ex SEAL had gotten the message.
When the three arrived at the complex Eric sent them the room number and the trio headed up the stairs. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary – though the building had seen better days. It was comprised of wood and brick and the floors and stairs creaked dangerously as the two men followed Nell to Grannis's room.
The door was still slightly ajar, making entrance into the room easy enough.
The vibration effect was getting stronger the closer they got to the apartment. A sudden wave of dizziness flooded G's vision and Callen had to catch himself on the door frame as the others entered the room.
"G?" Sam asked worriedly, but his partner just waved him off and pointed to Nell. 'Watch her' came the silent but pleading command.
Sam wanted to ask G how his vision went again. Thinking back to Ava's apartment Sam remembered G saying one minute Nell was in the middle of a room, and the next she was gone. Not much to go on.
G moved away from the door, closer to Nell as she moved over to play with the hackers' computer. His hearing was shot, the buzzing had gotten unbearably loud. "Sam, something's going to happen." He whispered, though when Nell looked up and over G realized she had heard what he'd said.
Sam's skin was crawling – the tension his partner was giving off was affecting him as well. It was an odd sensation, like a shared emotion. "G, what are you doing?" He asked, trying to stop himself from shuddering.
Nell could feel it too, the overwhelming sense of panic. Standing from the computer she walked towards the two – seeking safety from an unknown danger.
And that was when it happened, when the ground started to shake violently and a loud cracking noise echoed throughout the room. Nell's eyes grew wide as her two protectors called out her name…and then she was gone.
G acted before he really knew what he was doing, dashing forward and grabbing for Nell as she went through the floor of the poorly built apartment. The ground was still shaking violently, sending him and some more of the wooden floor pitching towards the level below. G had managed to snatch Nell's arm mid fall, a sickening pop sounded followed by a shrilling scream – Nell's shoulder had dislocated from the sudden stop.
"Sorry," Callen managed looking down into pain filled eyes. The room under them was filled with work out equipment, had she continued her rapid decent G knew that Nell's small body would have been broken on impact. "I'm sorry." He repeated, barely realizing that Sam had a hold of him and was the only thing keeping them both from falling the rest of the way through the floor.
"Hold on to her G, I've got you – I'm pulling you both up!" Sam called out to them.
The vibration in Callen's mind had stopped along with the vibration of the earthquake – Still G's head swam in dazed confusion. He had his mission – he wouldn't let Nell go.
"Nell, I need your other hand." He called down to the frightened redhead, "It'll lessen the pain." He promised weakly as Sam started to pull them both back. Nell cried out again at the jostling of her arm, tears streaming down her incredibly pale face.
Taking a deep breath Nell swung her other arm up so that Callen could catch it – whimpering when he took hold.
"That's good, that's good." G praised her quietly, holding onto her tightly as Sam worked to pull them both out of the hole. "We'll get you out of there and fixed up in no time."
Once Callen's body was mostly back on solid ground he and Sam lifted Nell's light form up to join them.
Panting together Nell whimpered in pain again and looked at Callen whose eyes were screwed shut. "You knew." She whispered accusingly awed way.
"Sam," G ignored her, not opening his eyes just yet. "Call Eric, get a paramedic team here."
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