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.
English is my second language, if you find any mistakes in my story please send them back to me for correction.
I also would be very glad to get your reviews.
Chapter 2 - First Aid
Tired Joann closed the door. The team had sat together with Hetty for a long time and planned the necessary steps. Eric and Nell would have the bulk of the work. They had to run their searches extremely cautious. All others would get in touch with their informants in the coming days.
Now Joann was standing in the kitchen and stared blankly at her stove. Actually, she liked to cook. Joann loved to eat dinner together with G, to let the day pass through once again, to make plans for the next day or the weekend. This was their time together. Since G was away, she barely cooked. Joann does not bear to sit alone at the table. In addition, she was usually too tired to cook. Even now, she decided against it. After looking into the nearly empty refrigerator, she completely gave up the thought about food. Instead, she pulled a bottle of wine from the shelf, literally sneaked into the living room and made herself comfortable on the couch.
…
Sam ran. Steadily step followed step. His body acted automatically, while his mind went over again what Hetty had told them today. This woman had lots of connections and juice, but much of them had apparently sidelined. Or thought it would be wiser to distance themselves from Hetty. Whoever was behind it, it was someone very powerful.
…
Startled, Joann drove up on the couch, her wine glass fell to the ground and broke. Not before the doorbell rang downright storm, she knew what had awakened her. Joann was long enough a pro to be immediately alert and careful. Her weapon in the hand, she went to the door and threw a glance through the window.
…
Violently Kensi threw her keys on the dresser. She was angry with Hetty. The whole time she and her colleagues had worried about Callen and Deeks, while Hetty had at least known that both were alive. Why did Hetty say no word? Why did Hetty not ask the three of them for help? Why did Hetty always stress the excellent performance of her team, if she did not make use of it? Now, after three weeks, she finally involved her team. Hopefully, she did not wait too long.
Tired, Kensi fell on her couch, turned on the TV and grabbed her brought in dinner: hamburgers, French fries and a milkshake. She missed Deeks so much that she was downright scary. Sometimes Kensi had the feeling that Deeks that would show up any minute behind her, a stupid saying on his lips, a cheeky grin on his face. At headquarters, she always headed for the bullpen and expected to see Sam and Callen, who were sitting there, bantering each other. It was only three weeks, but for Kensi it could have been three years. She sighed loudly and then focused on the show.
…
When she realized who was standing outside the door, Joann secured her gun and put it away.
"Pops! What has happened? Is everybody good?" Joann was worried. It was too late for a spontaneous visit from her father.
Scott clasped his daughter firm into his arms. He immediately registered the gun in her back. "Jason and his family are doing well, Little One, don't worry. I'm here because of you."
Joann was both relieved and worried. "Come in, Pops."
Concerned Scott noticed Joann's state. Just because he knew her so well, he realized that she walked a little insecure and talked slightly slurred. Then Scott spotted the broken wine glass on the floor and the empty bottle on the table. Another look at Joann's face increased his concern.
Joann sat back down on the couch. "Well, Pops, what's going on? Why are you here?"
"Because I'm worried about you, Little One. Since G was withdrawn so suddenly, we have seen you only once and you don't call us anymore. So I decided to come here. That seems to have been the right decision." Scott shook his head. "Joann, you look bad. What's going on?"
"I'm good, Pops. I'm just tired, because we endlessly do overtime. But I think that it will be better soon. Hetty got us support."
"Little One, I know you all your life. Therefore, I know that you are hiding something to me. Also, I'm not blind. You are half-drunk. Probably you don't eat right for quite a while. And I think that you are sleeping poorly or not at all. Now tell me again that you are good and thereby look straight into my eyes."
…
Exhausted Kensi lay in her bed, but could not fall asleep. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind lead her to believe in gruesome pictures: Deeks, lying in his blood on the floor, shot; Deeks as drowned body, very swollen up, nibbled by fish; Deeks with distorted face, tortured to death.
Kensi shook her head at herself. Deeks had worked successfully for many years as a cop and could take care of himself. Still, she could not shake off these thoughts. They were so persistent that they persecuted her even in her dreams.
With a loud sigh Kensi turned on her bedside lamp and sat up in bed. Frowning, she starred ahead. This did not go on. She needed her sleep. Tired out she was a risk to herself and her colleagues. Finally, Kensi decided that it was time for a conversation with Nate. After she had made that decision, she started a new attempt to sleep.
…
Joann closed her eyes. She felt totally exhausted and not just because of all the work. After a slight sigh Joann opened her eyes and looked directly at Scott.
"You're right, I'm pretty bad. I miss G and Deeks and I'm crazed with worries about them. In addition, I miss my partner. I can also work with Kensi and Sam, but Ray and I were a well-attuned team. Again my world collapses. I'm trying to deal with it, but it's hard for me." Joann swallowed. "When I came back in the empty house earlier, I only wanted one thing: relax. So I opened a bottle of wine. Okay, I did not realize that I've drunk it all. But it worked, I fell asleep."
Slowly Scott shook his head. "Little One, I understand you, really. But that's not the right way. Why don't you come to me until G is back? Then you needn't have to worry about anything and get the necessary rest, if you have leisure time."
"Pops, I'm a grown woman, I can't move in with my father again!"
"Jo, you wouldn't say that sober. If you would be sick now, bedridden, would you have a problem when I would bring you to me, as long as you're alone? So that I can nurse you back to health?"
The thinking was hard for Joann. Fatigue, exhaustion, and the alcohol seemed to have packed her brain into impenetrable wool. But before Joann was able to take a decision, Scott got up.
"Little One, you come with me right now. I leave you here alone by no means with all of your thoughts and your worries. You will sleep in the guest room and tomorrow, when you're sober and well rested, we discuss this without ruffle and excitement. Are you able to pack up a few things, or should I do that?"
Joann frowned, but then gave in. "In the closet is my emergency bag, everything is in there, what I need. But what about my car? I will need it tomorrow."
"I'll drive you here before work, no problem."
…
As Kensi came to headquarters, Nate was already sitting on the couch and reading a comic. She smiled. The scene was familiar, even if Kensi had not seen it for a long time.
"Good morning, Nate."
The tall man smiled at her over the booklet.
"Hello, Kensi!" Nate looked at his colleague more closely. "When did you slept well the last time?"
She sighed. "About that I have to talk to you urgently. Do you have time?"
"Of course, Kensi." Nate got up. "Let's go to my office."
…
As Joann walked into the kitchen, a big breakfast was waiting for her. Scott stood at the stove, frying eggs. Shaking her head, Joann took a cup of coffee.
"Pops, what are you doing? I never eat such an enormous breakfast!"
"That may be true, but currently you don't eat properly. I take care for a good basis, so that you have enough energy for your busy day." Scott smiled at his daughter. "And I will bring you to your car only when you have pitched in!"
Joann rolled her eyes, but then sat down at the table and started eating. After Scott had finished the eggs, he sat down beside her.
"Okay, Little One, now tell me what's going on. It's not the first time that G is undercover. Why do you this time have problems in it?"
Joann hesitated with her answer. During a brief telephone call she only had told her father that G and Deeks would be undercover for a while and that Ray had been sent to training. He did not know what had really happened and Joann was not sure what she could tell him. Finally, she made a decision.
"Because it's different this time. Three weeks ago I haven't told you everything." She briefly described Scott, what was really going on.
…
"Morning, Hetty." Sam stepped up to the desk of his boss.
"Good morning, Mr. Hanna." Expectantly, Hetty looked at her agent.
"I have thought our plans over. They are good, but I don't think we have enough time for them." Sam sat down and looked at Hetty with a frown. "This is not an attack against our team, but against you personally. First, the staff of your best team is pulled out, then you get disconnected from your contacts. What's next? Substituting your funds? Will other employees be pulled out? What is happening to our people who are away? How safe are they, wherever they are? Whatever they plan, they won't take up time for their next step." Sam leaned forward and looked seriously in Hetty's eyes. "We must act more quickly and we need help. Renko and Nate are not enough."
Attentively Hetty had listened to the remarks of Sam. He told her nothing, whereof she had not thought herself.
"And what do you have in mind, Mr. Hanna? Whom should we ask for help? Everyone we ask, could be in danger. Or we will endanger Mr. Callen and Mr. Deeks."
"I know, but I don't think we have another choice. We also could put them in danger if we wait too long. Hetty, I'm pretty sure the two of them want to return quickly. And my gut feeling tells me that they are in trouble or soon will be in some."
Hetty looked thoughtfully at Sam. He was the one in her team, who was always worried most. But she also knew how important the gut feeling of an agent was. She often had relied on it herself.
"Whom do you think, Mr. Hanna? Whom should we ask for help?"
"Detective Bernhardt and Special Agent Gibbs. In addition, Eric and Nell have connections with someone who has access to satellites and proprietary information. Maybe he or her can also help us. Maybe the others have a few ideas, too."
"I'll think about it, Mr. Hanna."
…
Intently Scott had listened to Joann's explanations. Now he could understand his daughter much better.
"Okay, Little One, and what next?"
"I don't know, Pops." Joann glanced at her clock. "I think for now off to work. There I should talk again with my colleagues. Yesterday, the ideas and plans sounded good, but today... " Joann shook her head. "I have such an uneasy feeling as if we had to hurry. And I'll talk to Nate. Now and then he has helped me to manage my worries and thoughts."
Scott nodded seriously. "That sounds like a good plan." Then he got up. "Come on, I'll take you to your car."
…
As on the previous day, Hetty threw everyone out the ops who was not part of the team. Then she passed Sam's objections to everyone present.
"I have come to the same conclusion, Hetty. We must be very careful, but we have no time to waste. Whoever takes action against you and us, has planned everything well. He is always a few steps ahead of us. We have to catch him up."
Kensi nodded. "Sam and Jo are right. Our ideas, which we have had yesterday, are good, but we have to effectuate them faster." Kensi swallowed. "We all know what happened when Deeks had his last mission for the L.A.P.D.."
Sam turned to Eric and Nell. "When we have brought back Kensi from Mexico, someone has given you the necessary access to the satellites and the OSP-computer. Who was that and can this someone help you again? For example, to find out where G is or who has initiated the training for Ray?"
The two of them looked at each other. There was a wordless exchange, at its end Eric took the floor. "I'll ask my source...but I won't say who it is. Not without the okay of my source."
Hetty nodded understandingly. "All right, Mr. Beale, go on. What about Detective Bernhardt?"
"I'll talk to him. He was with us in Mexico and he also has helped us with the serial killers. I think he will help us as best he can." Kensi had hit it off with Matt Bernhardt from the beginning. He would not allow her to ask him twice. "I also want to ask someone else for help. Detective Marcus Peterson."
"The policeman, whom Fisher had stolen the query?" Sam was baffled, as Kensi nodded. "Why?"
Kensi hesitated before answering. "The man has a lot of experience and no one would put him off easily. In forty years of police service he has built up a number of contacts. He also likes Deeks. I think we can trust him."
Curiously everyone looked at Kensi, but she gave no further explanation. Finally, Hetty spoke up.
"That sounds like a good suggestion. But before you contact him, Miss Blye, Miss Jones and Mr. Beale should screen Detective Peterson. If the result confirms your assessment, I agree."
"Then I'll talk to Gibbs. Eric, can you arrange a video conference?"
But Hetty stopped Sam immediately.
"This is not a good idea, Mr. Hanna. A videoconference is very official and may have witnesses. A secured call is a better alternative."
"The best alternative is a private conversation."
"Miss MacKenzie, we have just discussed that." Hetty looked piercingly at Joann. Didn't the agent listen?
"I didn't mean that, Hetty. A flight to Washington, D.C., takes about six hours, then the conversation with Agent Gibbs at an inconspicuous place and another six hours back. Eric can book flights and Sam travels on both flights under an alias." A quick chuckle appeared on Joann's face before she became serious again. "Wrong papers shouldn't be a problem for us."
"Why such an effort, Jo? I can explain everything to Gibbs during a secured phone call."
But Joann shook her head. "I know it's exhausting and you will be missed here for that day, but I think it's better. If Agent Gibbs wants to help us, you could discuss everything necessary with him. If you have any lack of information, you can get them by Nell and Eric via phone." Joann tried to find the right words. "I just don't think that a call makes clear how big our problems are. Or that G is in real trouble."
"Joann might be right. Agent Gibbs knows Callen for a long time. He is certainly not wrong to assume that Callen can take care of himself. We have no evidence that Callen is in trouble, but Sam and Joann believe that. That's enough for us, but also for Agent Gibbs? A personal conversation may convince him." Nate looked around, finally he caught Hetty's eye. "As long as we don't know who is gunning for us, we need every support we can get. By any means that we can use."
Hetty held his gaze. "Well, then Mr. Hanna will fly. Arrange everything that is necessary for this."
Nate cleared his throat. "I think it is better if Joann flies."
Stunned silence spread.
"I don't even know Agent Gibbs, Nate, in contrast to Sam. And there is something else, Nate. G told me that Gibbs has a lot of rules. One of them is that colleagues may not have a relationship with each other. Accordingly, I would rather be a red rag for him."
Nate grinned. "Maybe. But it's a fact that our team is extremely successful, although we are violating this particular rule." Then Nate became serious again. "It's up to you to strike a chord in Agent Gibbs. I am convinced that you can do it."
Helplessly Joann watched over to Sam. To bring in Agent Gibbs was his idea, so Sam should talk to him.
"Nate is right, Jo. You can perform this task better. You'll fly."
"Sam, you must be kidding!"
"No further discussion, Miss MacKenzie. Mr. Beale, arrange the necessary flights, I will look after the papers. Miss Jones, please make sure that Miss MacKenzie can have a secure talk with Agent Gibbs."
"Hetty, what about Ray?" To bring Callen and Deeks to safety was important, but Joann wanted to have back her partner.
"He should definitely be informed. Mr. Hanna, you take that over."
Joann shook her head. That was a topsy-turvy world. Sam took care of her partner and she of his.
"Mr. Renko, you will continue as discussed yesterday. Activate all your contacts. We desperately need information about Mr. Deeks."
Mike nodded. Every time he stepped in with this team, his stirring life became still a little more exciting.
…
Inconspicuously Kensi scrutinized her environment. Then she spotted the wanted persons. Slowly Kensi strolled to the two men. Only when one of them made a discreet gesture Kensi headed directly for the table.
"Everything's safe, Matt. Eric has an eye on us. Thank you, Detective Peterson, for coming."
"You sounded so mysterious, Agent Blye, that my curiosity has won. What can I do for you?"
"We believe that Deeks is in trouble." Concise Kensi described the current situation without giving away too many secrets. "I realize that I bring you in precarious situation, and of course you, too, Matt. But without help, we won't find Deeks. And we can only ask people for help whom we trust." Openly Kensi looked at the two men waiting for their response.
…
With Nell's help Sam had sent an encrypted message to Ray. Now he was waiting for Ray to get in touch with him from a secure phone. While Sam was trying to do some paperwork, he always looked to his cell phone. Finally it rang. The display showed him an 'unknown caller'.
"Hello?"
"Sam? This is Ray. What has happened? Is Jo doing well? Or has something happened to Deeks or Callen?"
"Calm down, Ray. Joann is good. Because of Deeks and Callen, we are not sure, but the meager information we have say, that both shall live." Then Sam updated his colleague.
"Well, and how I can help you from here?" As always, Ray was full of thirst for action.
Sam gave full scope to his smile, but tried to keep it out of his voice. "Not at all. I'm calling you to tell you that you have to be extremely careful. None of us is close to you to give you backing. Whatever you do, let no one may know that we both had contact. If there is news, Nell will send you again an encrypted message."
"Jo and I have phoned once a week, since I'm here. We should maintain that or I'll attract attention."
"All right, I'll tell her about it."
Ray hesitated, he was not sure whether he should tell Sam about his suspicions.
"Ray, there's still something." Sam waited.
"I'm not sure, Sam, but I think I'm kept under surveillance. My belongings were searched and it could be that my phone is bugged. In addition, someone seems to have been at my laptop."
"Do you have evidence for it, Ray?"
"Only circumstantial evidence. My things didn't lie in the closet, as I had put them away. When I use my phone, I have recently such a strange background noise. And with my laptop, a file was opened, which I didn't use."
"Okay, I'll talk to Eric about it. Until you hear from us again, just be careful."
"Got it, Sam."
…
"Agent Gibbs?" Joann was a little nervous. G had told her only a bit about this man. She knew that the two knew each other for a long time. They had worked together on several missions abroad, and probably saved the lives of each other. The man across from her scrutinized her cold, almost a bit dismissive. That achieved the opposite effect on Joann. It made her more determined.
"Yes. What can I do for you, Agent MacKenzie?"
"For me, nothing at all, Agent Gibbs. But for G." Spontaneously Joann had decided to come directly to the point. "G told me about your rules. So I know that my relationship with him is a no-go for you. Frankly, your rules are the same to me, sir. But G isn't the same to me. And that's why I'm here."
Calm and professional Joann described the current situation. During her report, Gibbs maintained his expressionless face. Finally she came to an end.
"And that's why I'm here, Agent Gibbs. I beg you to help me figure out where G is."
"And if you know where he is, then what? Finally he is on an official operation."
"When G is not in trouble, contrary to my conviction, I'll do nothing. Then he should bring his operation to an end in peace. But my gut feeling tells me that this operation serves only to take G off the streets." Joann looked directly and openly at Gibbs. "Sir, I'm not a lovey-dovey dumb Dora, who misses her boyfriend. I am a qualified agent who has been working successfully for many years, sir, and worries about her colleague. My feelings for G never obstructed me in my work. Or him in his. Because you know him, that should also be clear to you, sir."
"Don't call me 'sir', Agent MacKenzie, I work for my money." Sharply Gibbs scrutinized the woman who faced him intrepidly. She had proven a lot of courage to contact him directly and to make no secret of her attitude. Maybe he disagreed with Callen dating his co-worker. But Gibbs had to admit that Callen had made a wise choice with the woman at his side. He wouldn't tell her though.
"I see what I can do for Callen, Agent MacKenzie. How can I reach you?"
Joann gave him a cell phone. "My number is saved and our computer technician has secured the phone." After Gibbs had pocketed the phone, again Joann looked at him directly. "Thank you, Agent Gibbs. Not for me, but for G."
Gibbs nodded slightly. "You will hear from me."
…
Matt had not to think for long. "Of course I'll help you, Kensi. What exactly should I do?"
But Kensi gave him no answer, and instead looked at Detective Peterson. "I know that we, that I ask a lot from you. Especially because you are so close to retirement. But I'm hopeful that your long work experience has given you some knowledge and contacts, which can help us. Detective, I would not ask if I were not sure that Deeks is in danger." Then she waited.
"I'll help you, Agent Blye, but I impose a condition." Waiting Detective Peterson looked at Kensi.
After a brief hesitation, Kensi nodded. "What condition?"
Now Peterson smiled slightly. "That you call me Marcus with immediate effect, Agent Blye, and no longer Detective Peterson."
A warm smile appeared on Kensi's face. "Only if you call me Kensi!"
…
With relieve Joann looked at Renko who was waiting for her outside the airport. Wearily, she got into the car. Before she could say a word, she first had to yawn hearty.
"I'm sorry, Mike. Hi, thanks, that you pick me up."
"No problem, Joann. Couldn't you sleep on the plane?"
"I was too nervous, Mike."
"Since when do you have fear of flying?" Renko was amazed. Previously Joann never had any problems with boarding an airplane.
"I have no fear of flying!" Outraged Joann watched over Renko. "I usually sleep like a baby while flying." Now she sighed. "I only have asked myself all the time if one of the passengers could be attached to me. I probably had a little twinge of paranoia."
Renko grinned. Joann and paranoia were two words he had never brought together. "Well, how about if you're taking a nap now. We have to go through the evening rush hour, so we will need a while until we are at headquarters."
"Good idea!" Joann made herself comfortable in the passenger seat, again yawned loudly and was asleep already.
…
A group of tired worriers sat around the desks. Joann was not the only one who had not slept in the last twenty-four hours. The headquarters was more or less deserted. Apart of the team, there were only the usual small night cast and a few colleagues, who took care of their paperwork.
"Well, where are we?" Sam looked around.
"Matt and Marcus will ask around their contacts. Matt would also be willing to grant us access to L.A.P.D. data to which we couldn't get access before. We should take that as the last resort, because he will loose his job when doing so."
Joann looked puzzled at her friend. "Who is Marcus?"
"Detective Marcus Peterson." Kensi grinned when she saw the quizzical looks of her colleagues, but said nothing.
"Joann?" Inviting Sam nodded at her.
"Agent Gibbs was very reluctant, but wants to see what he can do for G. I gave him the secured cell, now we have to wait."
"Okay. And with you?" Sam turned to Nell and Eric.
Eric hesitated slightly before answering. "I got in touch with my source. It will assist us in accordance with its capabilities."
Gently Sam raised an eyebrow, but Eric did not want to say any more. Sam left it at that.
"We are just trying to figure out who has arranged the commands for Callen and Ray. Someone has tried to blur the electronic traces. But we have found a couple and follow them. Unfortunately, it takes its time because we have to be carefully. Finally, we don't want to be caught."
"At the same time, we also take the inverse direction. Who has enough power to issue the appropriate commands and to cover his tracks? Which one of them has had a brush with Hetty at some point? Of whom did Hetty get on the wrong side?" Cautiously Eric looked around, but Hetty was not visible. "Hetty goes very easy with information. Moreover, a large part of her past is top secret. This doesn't make it easier for us, but we don't give up."
"Okay. I've reached Ray. There are a lot of circumstantial evidence that he is being monitored. Ray suspects that his phone is tapped and that someone has hacked his laptop. That's why he needs your support. Get in touch with him inconspicuously." Sam looked at the two computer technicians, who nodded briefly. "Joann, you shall call him as usual, so no one becomes suspicious."
"Will do, Sam." Joann smothered her yawn only tedious. The job often caused lack of sleep, but the last few weeks had been more than tiresome. A glance around told her that her colleagues did not feel different.
"Nate?"
"I'm still working on a profile. I also try to get Hetty to give us more information."
"Renko?"
"I have activated my contacts. But it will probably take a few days until I'll get information."
"Well, all right, so everything's going. Now we have to exercise patience." Sam looked at his colleagues. "We have hard times to go. Nobody should notice that we investigate secretly. So we have to do also our normal work. That means, eat and sleep whenever you have your chance. Until we find G and Deeks, we are working around the clock. Did everyone understand me?"
"Yes, sir!"
Just a slight twitching around Sam's corner of mouth betrayed that he was amused. "Then out you go. See you tomorrow morning."
…
"Sam?" Joann had waited until everyone was gone before she turned to him. Her colleague looked up. "There's something that you should know. Scott is in the know." Sam's astonishment was almost tangible. "I know, Sam, no reproaches." In a nutshell Joann described the events.
Sam nodded slowly. "Okay, I understand. But Jo..." He did not know what to do next. Joann was very particular about the obligation of secrecy. Apart from her occasional fits of rage, she had her temper in good control. And Joann drank only moderately, so she was usually the one who drove when the team went out. "Should I now worry about you, too?"
"No, Sam. I will accept the offer of my father and live with him for the time being. Then I have to worry about nothing, I will be looked after and can concentrate on my work. And I will drink no more, until our team is complete again." Joann looked straight in Sam's eye. "Promise."
Sam could not suppress a sigh of relief. "All right. Fortunately, it is Scott. I know we can trust him. But Jo, if you have worries and problems then come to us. To me. The situation is difficult for us three. If we don't stick together and don't care for each other..." Sam shook his head.
Joann got up and walked over to Sam. "I know, Sam. I was so eager to behave well, that I forgot to take care for myself. Or for you." Then she gave Sam a kiss on the cheek. "We get them back. G will again lead our team, Deeks will jar on our nerves and Ray will learn the things he needs to get himself one day to lead a team. We are the best and we'll show everybody."
Baffled Sam looked after Joann. Again and again she managed to surprise him.
