A/N: Hello everyone – just a small update today because I'm really having a hard time writing anything. My muse has run away and I'm trying to force myself to write but there is just too much good TV on right now – including the new Hannibal show. Everyone should watch it!
Anyway, hope you like this chapter. It's a bunch of playfulness with all the right results.
Enjoy!
Chapter 16: Les Grand Follies
Kono sat comfortably at Sheldon's desk with her laptop and the surveillance equipment that was on loan for herself and Sheldon. Sheldon stood silently before one of his white board pondering yet another one of the many secrets of the universe as he waited for his instructions, and Kono typed away – seeming to talk to herself – as she, Eric and Nell made sure that all of the equipment was functioning properly.
Kono was dressed in as skirt suit combo that was very much out of her regular style, with her hair pinned and braided up on her head, and she was sporting a pair of glasses that were more aesthetic - because of the camera that was in them - than they were functional. Sheldon was completely Sheldon in his flash t-shirt and corduroy pants - his usual work attire that screamed geek rather than genius.
"All right, I think everything is set on this end of the operation," Kono said seemingly to no one in particular.
"Yes Miss. Lange, I hear you loud and clear," Sheldon responded as his eyes remained fixed on his white board, "but I'm still unclear as to what you want me to do."
"You are going to explain your research to Danny, Callen and myself," Kono explained as she stood, "while causing the distraction that we need to flush out Moira."
"I doubt very much that any of you will grasp the concepts of my research," Sheldon said with a sigh. "Besides I don't see how it is at all conducive to the case. My work is theoretical. You are interested in the nuclear side of the physics world. Why would you be interested in me? And furthermore, why not just arrest Moira? If I've learned anything from the tedium of procedural dramas, it's that cops can do whatever they want to apprehend a suspect."
"Contrary to popular belief, TV has it all wrong," Kono stated, "except, perhaps, in McGarrett's case."
"I can hear you Kono!" Steve stated invisibly.
"I knew you could," Kono responded, "but Sheldon, for all involved it would be better if we can get Moira away from the general population of the university and take her quietly to ensure that no one gets hurt."
"That does seem like the optimal scenario," Sheldon said with a nod as he turned away from the board. "So my role in all this is just to talk physics for the sake of a cover story?"
"Not exactly, think of it more as acting. Callen and Danny are pretending to be very rick men who are going to spend their money on the University. You want that money and we can assume that Moira will want it as well - to further her research. It is your job to convince Callen and Danny that you deserve the money more, all the while helping us get Moira to Kensi, Deeks and Chin in the experimental physics lab, or out to the curb where Steve and Sam are waiting. You are not going to leave the safety of the university."
"Why should I be motived to fight with Moira for the money? Callen and Danny are my friends therefore they should give the money to me by default."
"There is no money to be had." Kono stated. "It's all a lie and Callen and Danny are acting like they don't even know you."
"All the same my research is far more important than anyone else's."
"Prove it, Sheldon! Make me believe that your research is the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe." Kono stated and steered him out of the office.
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"This isn't going to work. Sheldon just doesn't understand the concept of acting," Raj whispered into Eric's ear as Hetty's back was turned.
"It has to work Raj," Eric stated and caught Hetty's attention.
"What seemed to be the problem Mr. Beals?"
"Raj is concerned about Sheldon's understanding of his role in the operation." Raj nodded as Eric replied.
"I trust that, under the right amount of pressure, Sheldon will be just fine." Hetty said with a smile and motioned for Raj to follow her.
Raj did as he was told - unable to protest. He was lead away from the operations centre and down to Hetty's office where she poured him two fingers of her finest scotch and handed him the glass.
"Come, Raj, I'd like to have a conversation with you." Hetty stated and watched as the Doctor before her sipped at the amber liquid in the glass.
"Will you be able to participate fully, or shall I ask you yes or no questions?" Hetty asked.
For a moment Raj stared fearfully at Hetty without saying a word. He opened his mouth to speak and promptly closed it again - lowering his eyes to the glass and avoiding eye contact with the very intimidating tiny woman before him.
"Give it a moment," Hetty said kindly, "and keep in mind I've been dealing with very troubled cases, like you, all throughout my career."
Raj raised an eyebrow questioningly but remained speechless.
"Well perhaps not exactly like you, Raj, but tortured, broken souls who become warriors for my cause. Now that's not to say that I plan to make you a warrior - I simply believe that your mind and your abilities are going to be very beneficial to me. Perhaps we can help each other out."
Raj nodded.
"No, I have seen many different cases in my time, from completely reclusive individuals and feral children, to cases of captivity and strong violent tendencies. Are you violent Raj?"
Raj shook his head vigorously
"Ah that is very good to know," Hetty said pleasantly. "I have dealt primarily, however, with orphaned children - but I know you are from a very well to do Indian family."
Raj nodded.
"And yet you are still selectively mute. That is very fascinating."
Raj shrugged and shook his head sadly.
"I suppose it would make general interactions difficult, but I don't believe that it's something you'll not - some day - be able to control." Hetty reasoned optimistically.
Raj smiled.
"Still no speech?" Hetty asked.
Raj shook his head and sighed.
"Well, that is all right. We'll work around that." Hetty said and smiled. "First I'd like for you to return to the ops centre and carry on with the van that you've been studying."
Raj nodded, placed the glass down on the desk and stood to leave.
Hetty refilled the glass. "Take it with you, but be warned, I don't usually allow beverages in ops."
Raj nodded and carefully took himself away to ops once again.
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Sheldon walked into Leonard's lab to find all of the primary members of the operation - minus Steve and Sam - looking busy and intrigues as Leonard went about explaining his experiments and his research.
"All right Sheldon, just as we discussed," Kono whispered.
"And make it loud." Steve stated in Sheldon's ear.
"You don't want to waste your money on this research," Sheldon almost yelled.
"Little less loud to start," Steve corrected.
"I'm Doctor Sheldon Cooper, and I can assure you that my theoretical work is leaps and bounds ahead of Doctor Hofstadter's experiments."
"Isn't it true that you two are colleagues?" Danny asked.
"I remember reading a duel authored paper, I believe," Callen added.
"How do you know that?" Sheldon asked.
"We know a lot, Sheldon, just play along," Sam coaxed.
"My research has excelled greatly since then," Sheldon stated.
"Ah, has it?" Barry Kripke asked sarcastically from the door as a crowd started to gather.
"This does not concern you, Kripke!" Sheldon stated.
"Hogging the money?" Kripke asked.
Sheldon waved him off and turned back to Callen and Danny. "If you would follow me, Gentlemen, I would be happy to explain my research someplace quieter."
"Whoa, wait, I'm not finished," Leonard stated angrily to play along.
"Oh no, you're done." Sheldon retorted.
"Do come to my wab," Barry stated, "the insanity is wess and my wesearch much more intewesting." he added and received snickers from the gathering crowd.
"No, thank you. We are rather intrigued by Doctor Cooper and Doctor Hofstadter." Callen stated with a smile.
"Because they are cwazy?" Barry asked.
"Sometimes crazy is a good thing," Danny stated. "In our line of business, we are looking for innovations."
"You make bathwoom pwoducts," Barry stated. "What could you possibwy want with a theowetical physicist?"
"We're branching out," Danny stated.
"Well have fun with Cwazy Doctor Coopah." Barry stated and walked away, but not without coaxing on Sheldon and Leonard with a few more well placed jabs.
The crowd outside lab - and inching into lab - grew as the intrigue of the general population of the physics department could hear the argument that was growing in pitch and volume.
"That worked out better than we expected," Howard whispered into Kensi's ear - much to Deeks' displeasure.
"Why?" Kensi asked as Sheldon and Leonard continued to argue - with Leonard doing his best to make Sheldon more and more angry, and to keep him focused.
"Because Moira is right there in the doorway," Howard stated and motioned slightly with his head.
From the other side of the lab Deeks caught the conversation and looked to where Wolowitz had motioned.
"I got this Fern," Deeks stated and moved toward the door.
"Gabby," Kensi corrected and watched her partner with intrigue.
"Well hello there," Deeks stated. "I'm Ted, I'm new."
Moira looked him up and down.
"No," She stated and moved through the crowd into the lab for a better look.
"Shot down!" Kensi laughed. "Better work on your pick-ups because the ladies aren't falling for them anymore!"
"She's closer to you now." Deeks stated ignoring all of Kensi's other comments.
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Danny looked to his right as the woman closed in on them.
"What's going on?" Moira whispered to the stranger.
"A battle of wits," Danny said with a smile.
"More like a battle of nitwits," Moira stated sarcastically, "but why are they battling - not that Doctor Cooper and Doctor Hofstadter are known for getting along all the time. They are roommates who fight like an old married couple, or perhaps more like a father with a spoiled child. I'll let you decide who is who in this relationship. Why are they arguing?" she asked again.
"They want my company's money or their research," Danny half chuckled, "and I plan to give it to them - well one of them - or whoever should convince me they should get it."
"And you've narrowed your decision to Doctor Cooper or Doctor Hofstadter?" she asked in disbelief.
"No, anyone who can convince me they are deserving - or entertaining," Danny answered and smiled. "I'm going to assume that you were not present for President Seibert's introduction over lunch."
"No, I wasn't," Moira admitted and bat her eyes at Danny. "Perhaps you'd like to accompany me to my lab, and you can tell me why you are interest in theoretical physics."
"I'm not really interested in theoretical physics. I'm here to watch smart people fight over my money. It's invigorating." Danny stated. "For two people who are so smart they are desperately trying to make fools of themselves."
"So it's not so much the research as it is a day of entertainment out of the office for you?" She asked.
"No, eventually when the arguing stops, it will be about the research of someone. What is it you do around here?" he asked.
"For now, nuclear physics."
"Ah, renewable energy applications or otherwise?" Danny asked intrigued.
"Well, neither at this moment. Currently I'm assisting in the transition of my mentor to his retirement. Then I'll be free to pursue my own interests." Moira explained.
"Interests involving CalTech?"
"No, my employment here is ending."
"And have you new employment?"
"Not currently, no."
"Would you like employment?" Danny asked with a sly sort of grin.
"Would you care to have coffee?" Moira asked just as slyly.
"Yes," Danny stated and with a slight tap he gained Callen's attention - not that he hadn't been listening in on the whole exchange.
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"Parcel is on the move!" Kensi stated as she and Kono ducked through the ever growing crowd in pursuit of Danny and Callen.
"Keep the rest of the crowd occupied." Steve stated.
"Rodger that," Howard answered and jumped into the argument to fuel on Sheldon and Leonard so that no one but themselves knew that Danny and Callen had left.
"Back us up Kono," Steve said as he and Sam waited patiently.
"Kensi and I are on it. Danny and Callen are in our sights. We're following."
"Don't spook the parcel!" Sam warned.
"You act like this is the first time we've done something like this." Kensi chirped.
"First time for the two of you," Sam corrected.
"Not the first time," Kono corrected, "but I can't give details into last nights exploits."
"No you cannot," Hetty's voice piped in. "Gentlemen, these ladies have you completely covered. Just keep moving until the parcel is safe and secure."
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Out in the hallway Danny introduced Callen as the three of them moved through the quiet halls - leaving the arguing noise of the physics department behind them.
"So tell me about your research," Callen said trying to keep Moira facing straight ahead.
"I'd rather speak more freely about it somewhere else. Perhaps I can convince you to taking coffee at a little Cafe across the street where no one can here us. I'm rather passionate about my research and as I'm being chased out of the university, I'd rather not give any insight into my ideas and risk losing them to the new guy."
"We're already out here." Sam stated into Callen's ear.
"Sounds very intriguing," Callen stated. "Lead the way." He added and motioned onward.
Moira smiled. "No real affiliation to CalTech?" she asked boldly.
"Who ever can make us the most money - biggest return on our investment," Danny stated.
Once outside Kensi and Kono closed the gap as Sam and Steve came walking up the same path Danny and Callen were traveling down with their suspect.
"Make your move Kensi,"Sam stated in what looked like an aside to Steve.
"What's going on?" Moira gasped as Kensi reached from behind and grabbed Moira's arm - as two weapons were aimed at her from the front, two from either side and one from Kono who was keeping up the rear.
"You're not really millionaires are you?" Moira growled.
"You're under arrest for the murders of Michael McGuire and Frank Delano." Danny stated in response.
"I didn't kill anyone!" Moira practically screamed as her hands were cuffed behind her back.
"She's all yours," Kensi stated and handed Moira to Sam.
"Meet at the boathouse?" Callen asked and touched his ear.
"Bring everyone," Eric confirmed and the connection died, and the six agents scattered.