Disclaimer: The characters of N.C.I.S. Los Angeles are property of CBS
A/N: Sorry for the delay. I wasn't sure how to start the chapter, let alone what to write.
Echo squad was en route to where Janus had planned to ambush Deeks and Sasha.
"So, what has it been, three years?" Echo one asked.
"Four." Echo leader said.
"I always wanted to work with Agent Deeks again. I never imagined in a million years we would be slated to rescue him." Echo two said.
"So what's the plan?" Echo four asked.
"Save the day." Echo scout said.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Three weeks earlier: Los Angeles-
"Where do you want the bomb to be deployed, Mr. Koza?" Grissom asked.
"At this location." Koza said, and then uploaded the coordinates.
"I will acquire the necessary documents and get it moved." Grissom said.
"Thank you." Koza said, and then exited the warehouse.
After Koza exited the warehouse, Grissom picked up a phone and made a call.
"Hello." The voice on the other end said.
"Quentin Prior, it's time to finish the deal." Grissom said
"Name it." Callen said.
"I need shipping documents, so I can ship the product." Grissom said.
"When and where?" Callen asked.
"Port of Los Angeles, pier twenty-nine; the final meeting will be in two weeks." Grissom said.
"Consider it done." Callen said, and then hung up the phone.
"Start loading the materials." Grissom said. "You heard Mr. Koza, he wants the materials loaded and shipped in two weeks."
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Callen sent a text to Noa requesting a meet with her and her team at the boat shed. Noa texted back that it would be an hour before they got there. Callen texted to get there as soon as possible. After sending that last text, Callen pocketed his phone and left to head to the boat shed. Sam and Kensi happened to be passing the bull pen.
"What do you have G." Sam asked
"Tag along and find out." Callen said.
Sam and Kensi fell in step behind Callen, following him.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Callen, Sam, and Kensi were standing around the boat shed waiting for their A.T.F. siblings to arrive, but only Noa showed, and she was distracted.
"Where are Johnson and Moore?" Sam asked.
"There were called back." Noa said.
"Called back, because?" Sam asked.
"I wasn't given the details." Noa said.
Sam had picked up on a vibe that Noa wasn't telling the truth, but he let it play through.
"Well in two weeks Grissom wants papers to ship the materials overseas." Callen said.
"Figures." Kensi said.
"Do you know the location of the final meet?" Noa asked.
"Port of Los Angeles, Pier twenty-nine." Sam said.
"I'll see if I can procure supplies from my end, but I probably won't get a whole lot." Noa said.
"With our tactical team plus L.A.P.D. we should be fine." Kensi said.
"You will have to be there as to not arouse suspicion." Sam said.
"Alright." Noa said.
"We're going to head back." Sam said to Callen.
"I'll catch up with you later." Callen said to Sam, while looking at Noa.
Noa looked between the partners, and then caught the look in Callen's eye.
Noa knew that Callen was going to ask the real reason of her solo visit.
Sam caught onto Callen's play and then excused himself, while taking Kensi with him. Kensi missed whatever the partners were discussing, but went along with it. After the door shut Callen asked.
"You're going against orders aren't you?" Callen asked.
"Yes, and I have a feeling this will be my last case with the department." Noa said.
"Why?" Callen asked
"Johnson and Moore are old school, by the books types. Why else do you think you were dealing with me instead of Johnson or Moore the whole time?" Noa asked.
"They never go undercover if they have to." Callen said. "What if the role requires a man?"
"I have a bodyguard to back me up if it comes to that." Noa said.
"Talk about being chauvinistic." Callen said.
"Not really." Noa said.
"Oh no; you do all the hard work, while he sits back and takes all the credit." Callen said.
"I guess it might be high time to move on." Noa said bitterly.
"I think we could work something out." Callen said.
Noa cocked her head to the side and shot Callen a questioning glance. Callen just nodded towards the door, and the couple headed for the door with their arms around each other.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Hetty was wandering around the monastery when she saw an open door. Hetty checked to see if the coast was clear, and then entered the room. Hetty could tell from the layout of the room that it was a command center of sorts. Hetty took in the surroundings that way she could update the team in Los Angeles. What stuck out to here was the letters D and S.
"Mr. Deeks and Mr. Pellegrino." Hetty whispered.
Then she saw a marker on a map on the wall that x's through the D and S. Next thing Hetty felt was something cold and metallic being pushed into the back of her head.
"We only need one of you." Hetty's assailant said.
Hetty nodded her understanding. Before Hetty turned and headed for the door she saw that the marker was on the outskirts of Ulm, Germany. With her prize in hand Hetty exited the room, and never returned.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Hetty made her way back to Conor and the computer. Before she got to the room Hetty check guard routes, and saw the last guard didn't come more than two hundred feet of the room. Not even close enough to see into the room.
"Not exactly sure if that's a good, or a bad thing." Hetty said.
Hetty shook her head, and then entered the room. Hetty told Conor to send a warning message that there is a trap set for Deeks and Sasha at a depot near Ulm, Germany.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Saigon, Vietnam-
"So, where to next?" Deeks asked.
"Our next stop is in Pakistan. A small depot Granger set up for me to restock. There are a few villas we can hit while we're there, and then from there we head to a depot near Ulm, Germany." Sasha said.
"Germany." Deeks said. "I always wanted to go to Germany."
"Who has villas in Pakistan?" Quintus asked.
"When you're a terrorist financier Quintus you can build villas where ever you like." Deeks said
N.C.I.S. L.A.
"Gibbs, a word." Sam said
"What do you have Sam?" Gibbs asked.
"Noa Vega is withholding information about A.T.F. involvement in the case. In all honesty I think she went against orders and continuing with the mission." Sam said.
"Risking her employment at the bureau." Gibbs said.
"That's my guess." Sam said.
"I'll talk to the director about it." Gibbs said, and then walked off to do whatever Gibbs does.
Sam watched Gibbs walk away with a surprised look on his face, and mouth hanging open.
"What's so surprising that it left you standing there with mouth open?" Kensi asked as she approached Sam.
"Color me shocked, but I think we're about to get a new agent." Sam said.
"WHAT?! Who?!" Kensi asked
"Noa Vega." Sam said, finally acknowledging Kensi presence.
"Okay that explains the who; now how do you know that?" Kensi asked.
"Noa seemed off when she met us at the boat shed, not only that she showed up by herself. If I had to guess Noa went against a direct order and continued with the case." Sam said.
"Finally another female agent to get all dressed up to seduce a target besides me." Kensi said sarcastically.
"It looks like this dysfunctional family keeps growing." Sam said.
"We may dysfunctional, but we are still functional." Kensi said punching Sam in his arm.
"Ow! Maybe when Deeks, Hetty and Conor return home." Sam said.
Kensi smiled sadly. Sam saw that far off look in her eyes, and knew what was coming next; he's seen it a dozen or more times with Michelle. Sam pulled Kensi into himself and let her cry the tears that were coming. Kensi shed tears in silence which surprised Sam, but he guessed Kensi had come to terms with their current predicament.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Washington, D.C.-
Leon's phone started to ring as he was coming back from being briefed by Dinozzo and McGee, so he was rushing to get to the phone.
"Vance." Leon said answering.
"It's Gibbs. One of the agents here suggested that we pick up a new agent that might be getting fired soon." Gibbs said.
"Name and agency currently affiliated they're with?" Vance asked.
"Noa Vega; A.T.F." Gibbs said.
"I'll look into." Vance said, and then hung up the phone.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Two weeks later-
Eric saw an email from the computer in Greece. Upon decoding he realized that Deeks and Sasha are going to be walking into a trap. Eric picked up a phone and called Gibbs.
"What's wrong Beale?" Gibbs answered.
"Just saw an email that was sent to me a few weeks back. Can we get in contact with Deeks and Sasha? I don't care if it's by phone, or an email." Eric said.
"Not usually, why?" Gibbs asked.
"Because the supply depot near Ulm, Germany is a trap set by Koza." Eric said.
"Pass the info on to Echo Squad, and I'll reiterate to Callen and his team not to fail." Gibbs said, and then hung up the phone.
Eric re-encrypted the message and forwarded it on to Echo Squad.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Gibbs was in the armory. He was checking his service weapon making sure it was operational. Then Gibbs looked at the new badge and Sig Saur he would hand over to the new agent. Gibbs pocketed the badge and put the Sig in a case, and then made his way to the garage. As Gibbs was exiting the mission he called Callen for an update.
"Hello." Callen answered.
"How long until the meeting?" Gibbs asked.
"I'm sorry, but you have the wrong." Callen said, and then hung the phone up.
Gibbs took the hint that he had better hurry. Gibbs turned in the direction of the port and burned rubber.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Port of Los Angeles, pier twenty-nine: ten minutes earlier-
Callen showed up first, followed by Noa. Then five minutes before the scheduled meet time Grissom and his gang showed. As Grissom and his muscle were exiting the car Callen got a call from Gibbs. Callen told Gibbs that he had the wrong number, and then hung up the phone. As Grissom was approaching Callen noticed that two of Grissom's goons were fiddling around with his and Noa's cars.
{Either Grissom is onto us, or he doesn't like to leave witnesses lying around.} Callen thought.
When Grissom's two lone stragglers finally rejoined the group so the final meeting could begin, a tactical squad, led by Sam, was trying to get as close as then can without alerting suspicion. From her perch thirty meters away Kensi was in overwatch with her rifle, making sure that Grissom or his entourage didn't escape.
"Kill everybody, but disable Grissom if possible." Callen heard Sam over the wire to Kensi.
"Roger that." Kensi responded.
"Quentin Prior." Grissom said offering Callen his hand.
Callen reached out his hand and took Grissom's hand and shook it.
"Let's make this quick, I have a flight to caught and get out of town. I noticed some feds were tailing me three hours ago." Callen said.
"You were fol-"
"I lost them before I made the meet." Callen said cutting Grissom off.
Callen walked back to his car and grabbed a manila envelope from under one of the wiper blades. Callen returned to the group handing the envelope to Grissom. He opened the folder and saw the shipping documents. Grissom waved for one of his men; one brought a brief case over. They gave Grissom the case, as he gave them the envelope, and then the man returned to his position among the troops. Grissom handed the brief case to Callen and the nodded his head.
"Aren't you going to count it?" Grissom asked.
"A man of your stature wouldn't do something so stupid." Callen said.
"It was pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Prior." Grissom said, as he turned to walk back to his group.
"Just say the words, G." Sam said.
"The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Grissom." Callen said.
The crap hit the fan when the group heard Sam yell.
"Federal Agents!"
Callen and Noa didn't hesitate; they grabbed their guns from their holsters and ran for cover behind Callen's car. Grissom and his men traded fire with Sam and the tactical squad. Kensi started to pick Grissom's guys off one at a time. Another suv pulled up to buy Grissom some time. It wasn't until Callen saw Grissom reach into his pocket and pull something small out of his pocket that he remembered the guys standing by the cars before meeting began. Callen grabbed Noa's hand, fired a few shoots and then ran for the nearest shipping container.
"What are you doing? Are you trying to get us killed?" Noa yelled.
Just as Callen and Noa got to the shipping container Grissom pressed the button on the little object. As he was getting into his car Callen and Noa's cars exploded. After the smoked cleared all of Grissom's that were with him originally have been killed, while the replacement group of men were being detained, and his car was gone.
"Kensi, tell me you still got him?" Sam asked.
Next thing the group heard was a rifle discharging and then a car wreck to the south.
"Grissom is trying to get to a warehouse forty meters south of your position." Kensi said
"Bring it Kensi, and meet us at that warehouse." Callen said.
Just them Sam pulled up in an suv and waited for Callen and Noa to get in. After the couple was situated, Sam peeled out heading for Grissom's last known location.
"Hetty is going to be pissed." Callen stated flatly.
"Why?" Sam asked.
"I borrowed that red Impala for the meeting and I have no way to recoup the losses." Callen said.
"I don't think Hetty is going to mind." Sam said.
"Why?" Callen asked, with a puzzled look on her face.
"That red Impala used to be Deeks old ride he had before coming to work full time at N.C.I.S.; so I don't think she is going to mind." Sam said.
"That car might not be Hetty's Jag, but she held onto to it for a reason." Callen admitted with a laugh.
"Touché." Sam said.
As the conversation died the partners heard bullets whizzing through the windshield. Sam hit the brakes so he could duck out of the line of fire, and avoid getting into an accident. Callen heard another shot, but it was coming from the north, and the bullets that were coming into suv had stopped; next thing Callen heard was screaming. Both Sam and Callen looked at each to make sure they were all right.
"Noa." Callen said, looking in the back seat for his girlfriend.
"I'm good; although I might have ripped my dress getting in." Noa said.
"I wouldn't worry about that; we could probably talk Hetty in getting you a new one." Callen said, with a smirk.
Sam chuckled in response to Callen's comment.
After everybody was cleared they were drawn back to their current predicament when they heard the screaming again. Callen, Sam and Noa jumped out and went to check on Grissom. When the partner's approached Grissom they saw the man holding his right shoulder, which was covered in blood. Callen looked at Grissom and shook his head.
"We can do this the easy way, or the hard way." Callen said.
"Get lost." Grissom spat.
Callen and Sam looked at each other.
"Hard way." Noa said.
Callen knelt down next to Grissom and then drove his thumb into Grissom's bullet wound. Just as Grissom screamed out in pain, Sam heard a vehicle pull up. He turned to see that it was Kensi pulling up, and rejoining the group.
"Argh!" Grissom screamed.
Callen left his finger in the wound for a bit, and then pulled it out. Grissom breathed heavy for a minute or two while he regained his composure; Grissom stared at Callen and then looked away. Just as Callen was about to dig his finger in again Grissom shouted.
"What do you want to know?!"
"Where is your base?" Callen asked.
"In this warehouse here." Grissom said pointing to the building closes to them.
Sam and Callen decided to wait for paramedics, so Sam waved for Kensi to take a look around. Callen pulled his handkerchief out and cleaned the blood off of his thumb.
"Come on Noa." Kensi said, and then entered the building gun drawn.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
From across the dock a man was watching Kensi and Noa entering the warehouse to secure the scene. The man walked back to his car, and pulled out his cell phone. The man dialed a preset phone number, and waited for the person on the other end of the line.
"Hello." A man's voice said answering the phone.
"Move to plan B." The man said.
"Yes, Mr. Koza." The man said, and then hung up the phone.
Janus got into his car, and then left the scene. Koza had a private jet standing by in San Diego.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Kensi and Noa were wandering around the warehouse for about twenty minutes before they heard sirens of the ambulance that had arrived to secure Grissom and take him to the hospital. It was about that time when Noa had found the manager's office. Kensi finally had some time to talk to Noa alone.
"So tell me Noa, what do you think of Callen?" Kensi asked.
"The man is a mystery to me. I know so little about him, but it intrigues me." Noa said without looking from the paper work she was looking at. "Kensi do me a favor would you."
"What?" Kensi asked.
"Don't give me the "sister" speech to me; the "break my brother's heart and I'll end you,"speech okay. I'm still trying to navigate this relationship too." Noa said.
"Fair enough." Kensi said sheepishly.
"Not only that, we're still trying to define what this relationship means us. So I know you mean well, but Callen's heart is safe with me." Noa said.
Kensi heard something off in Noa's voice.
"What's wrong?" Kensi asked.
"What did you say your last name was?" Noa asked.
"Deeks." Kensi said.
"Deeks." Noa said.
"Yes, Deeks. Kensi said.
Deeks, as in Martin Deeks "Deeks."" Noa said.
"Yes, I'm his wife." Kensi said.
There was silence for a time, and Kensi kind of had an inkling where this was going to go.
"What exactly is that brain of yours thinking about?" Kensi asked.
"Is it easy?" Noa asked looking up from her paper work and gave Kensi her full attention
"It was a crazy at first. Deeks was on leave for three months of our marriage because of a serial killer he was chasing for the previous month and a half. Then we were kidnapped by Janus Koza and experimented on for three years, which culminate in this current op that we are on." Kensi said.
"So you don't regret your current relationship with Deeks?" Noa asked.
"No; well, other than the fact that I've haven't seen him or our son in four months." Kensi said
"You have a child together too?" Noa said in awe of Kensi admission.
Kensi smiled, while nodding her head.
"Back to my relationship; how closed off is Callen?" Noa asked.
"That might be a question to ask Sam, but don't be afraid to speak your heart. Although I would suggest that you take your time, it's been a while since Callen has dated anybody; and his last relationship ended because he couldn't lie to the woman anymore." Kensi said.
"And because Callen couldn't tell her the truth about his profession either." Noa said.
"Let me guess you're afraid that this relationship could fail." Kensi said.
"Not so much." Noa said, and then a picture that she saw in her peripheral vision caught her attention.
"Callen is a little eccentric, but just be honest and it will work out just great." Kensi said.
When Kensi realized that Noa had checked out mentally she returned to the folders that were in front of her. It was a few minutes before Kensi heard Noa's voice again.
"Kensi come here." Noa said.
Kensi dropped what she was doing and walked over to what caught Noa's eye. When Kensi saw what it was she became very afraid for her husband.
"Baby." Kensi said struggling to keep her composure.
Kensi knew exactly what she was looking at and it made her sick to her stomach; or want to break down and cry. Kensi and Noa where looking at target photos of Deeks and Sasha taken at random locations from around the world. Kensi saw a city in Germany written a scrap sheet of paper and figured that's where Janus is going to kill Deeks and Sasha. Kensi grabbed all the evidence and took it with her as she exited the office; with Noa was hot on her heels trying to keep up.
As they exited the warehouse both women stopped dead in their tracks. Outside standing by a suv was Agent Johnson from the A.T.F., and Noa knew her time was up. It took all her strength not to make a scene, and make this harder for Johnson, but this wasn't any easier for her.
"I think you know why I'm here." Johnson said as he approached the women.
All Noa did was nod her understanding. Kensi looked past Johnson just in time to see Gibbs pull up to the scene.
{Okay, that's just weird} Kensi thought.
Kensi saw Johnson hold out his hand, and waited for Noa to move. Noa hesitated for a few minutes, and then pulled her gun and badge out of their respective places. Noa hesitated again, and then handed her credentials and gun to Johnson. And as quietly and quickly as he came, Johnson turned and left. Within seconds of Johnson's departure Noa turned and looked at Kensi; Kensi was the first to react. Kensi hugged Noa, and Noa hugged her back with tears streaming down her face. Back by the cars Callen was about to walk over and hug his girlfriend when he heard Gibbs clear his throat. Both Callen and Sam turned and looked at what Gibbs had.
"She is going to need these." Gibbs said handing Callen a black leather wallet, and a Sig Saur.
"Are you serious?" Callen asked.
"What do you think?" Gibbs asked.
Callen looked at the credentials and saw Noa's name and face on them. Callen looked at Sam with a questioning glance on his face.
"What?" Sam asked.
"I'm guessing this was your doing?" Callen asked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Sam said innocently, with a smirk on his face.
"Uh huh." Callen said, and then walked away to join his girlfriend and now newest member of the team.
As Callen approached the women he saw something in Kensi hand. Kensi shook her head, and then whispered something to Noa. Noa stopped crying long enough to turn and look at Callen. When Noa saw the anguish in Callen's face over her losing her job Noa started to cry again. When Kensi joined Sam and Gibbs Sam saw the folder in her hand.
"What's that?" Sam asked.
"I'll tell you when Noa and Callen rejoin us. You, Gibbs, have until they rejoin us to get a plane for us so we can leave." Kensi said.
"Leave; where are we going?" Sam asked.
"I'll tell you that too when they rejoin us." Kensi said, staring Gibbs down.
Gibbs just sat there and let Kensi stare him down. He's aware of the fact that Kensi knows the whole operation, and then some. Back over with Callen and Noa, she had finally finished crying. Next thing Noa saw was Callen holding a black wallet. Noa gave Callen a questioning glance and then grab the wallet. When Noa opened the wallet she froze. Noa was on the verge of tears again, but instead she flung herself at Callen and kissed him hard on the lips; which got Sam, Kensi, and Gibbs to turn away. After the couple part ways Callen handed Noa her Sig, and they rejoined the group.
"Thank you." Noa said wiping a tear from her eye.
"Now Kensi what's with that folder?" Callen asked.
"Save it. We have a flight to catch." Gibbs replied.
"Where are we going?" Callen asked.
"Some city in Germany." Kensi said.
"By way of Washington first." Gibbs said.
"What's in Germany?" Noa asked.
Kensi opened the folder and pulled out a photo, she place the photo on the hood of the suv and then closed the folder. The photo was of Deeks and Sasha.
"What was their mission?" Callen asked Gibbs.
"More importantly, what's Operation Inganno?" Kensi asked.
"Inganno?" Sam asked.
"Yes, Inganno." Kensi said.
"Who came up with the title?" Noa asked making her presence known.
"Deeks." Kensi said.
"You're kidding." Sam said.
"No she's not. Deeks came up with the operation about five months ago." Gibbs said.
"Inganno is Italian for deception." Sam said.
"Well I finally understand it all." Callen said. "So when do we leave?"
"Now." Gibbs said heading back to his car. "Back to ops and get changed. Sec. Nav. lent us her personal jet so we can get to D.C. where you will be formally brief."
The group piled into the vehicles, and headed back to ops. Two hours later the team was on the jet bound for Washington.
{And I will finally get closure for being kept in the dark for the past four months} Kensi thought.
Kensi wasn't happy about Deeks running off and getting himself in trouble, but something about this operation seemed too streamlined. It seemed to perfect to be just two guys going rogue. Then it hit Kensi; other than the inertia of the plane taking off.
{Deeks and Sasha had this operation legitimatized by Director Vance so they could take down Janus operations. And then when Deeks and Sasha were good and ready we would be called in to raid the location where Janus is holding Hetty and Conor.} Kensi thought.
And with Deeks plan laid bare in Kensi mind she fell asleep, and it was the best sleep she ever had these past four months.
T.B.C.
A/N: I thinking we're getting close to the end, sorry for it being a short one. One maybe two more chapters before the epilogue, but I have some interesting stories to tell after this one.