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 7 - Finally Back
The next morning everyone was early in the headquarters. Eric had sent the text message to all mobile phones. Now they waited eagerly for detailed news.
"All of you know the good news already. The team led by Mr. Hanna has reached Mr. Callen yesterday. He's hurt, but could be attended on site by the medic. It was pretty tight, but they have reached the meeting place in time and have been picked up. The less good news is that we have to wait a bit for the return of Mr. Hanna, Mr. Wingate and Mr. Callen." Hetty paused dramatically. "They were flown out to one of our ships, that participates of a maneuver in the vicinity. Shortly after their arrival there, as part of the maneuver, any contact to the outside was stopped. The gentlemen will not return until the end of the maneuver."
"Deeks will stay another twenty-four hours in the hospital. He is doing well so far, but the doctors want to take no risks." Kensi sighed theatrically. "He even goes so well that he's already flirting with all the nurses. He constantly tries to persuade them to give him a sponge bath."
Everyone laughed. That was really typical Deeks.
"This means that we now only have to find the causer for all our problems."
The laughter died down, everyone looked at Hetty.
"How far are you with your computer search?" Joann turned to Nell and Eric.
"Um, yeah, well..." Eric had grown a little confused. "We may have been sent on the wrong track."
"And that means?"
"Possibly the office of the SECNAV has nothing to do with the matter, Renko." Nell released Eric.
"Possibly?"
"We follow some traces." Nell hold Renko's gaze.
"Well, and which traces can we follow?" Joann got to the heart of it.
Nell and Eric were talking quietly to each other, then Eric nodded.
"We have found the workplace from which the orders for Ray and Callen were triggered."
"And?" Joann became impatient.
Nell took the explanation. "It is the workplace of a typist. She has definitely not the authority to such commands and no access to the appropriate programs. We are not yet sure if anyone else might have obtained access from there, or whether this is just a red herring again."
"What about security footage?"
"We have a lot of material, Joann. Too much to look through it among our other duties." Eric looked expectantly at his colleagues.
"Guys, you have heard it. Let's look at surveillance footage."
Joann's colleagues rolled their eyes, but then went to work.
…
"The doctor has found the reason why you could not get rid of your persecutors."
Sam and Ray kept company with Callen at the board hospital. The ex-Seal held out a small, clear plastic box to his partner, in which there was a cylindrical object, approximately half an inch long and about 1/10 inch thick.
"Is that a transmitter?" Callen looked slightly incredulous at the small object. "Where did the doctor found it?"
"In your shoulder, G. The ricochet shot has damaged it. Therefore they couldn't follow you anymore."
"I don't understand. How did the transmitter come into my shoulder?"
"It's no big deal, Callen, which can be done with a disposable syringe. Usually pets get a chip this way." Ray grinned at his colleague.
"Pets?" Callen gave Ray a penetrating look. "I'm pretty sure I could remember if I had been chipped."
"You have been in use for the CIA, so anything is possible." Sam put the box on Callen's bedside. "Had there been any medical tests or procedures in advance of the operation?"
"No, nothing. In addition, I was just told upon arrival in the operational area, that this would be a CIA mission." Callen became thoughtful.
"What, G?"
"There was just one strange thing. I slept on the plane an unusually long time."
Ray laughed. "Sure, that's strange. Who can sleep well on these uncomfortable seats."
But Sam shook his head. "What is 'long', G?"
"About two hours, Sam."
The two men looked thoughtfully at each other, while Ray looked a little confused between the two back and forth.
"Have you eaten or drunken anything before you fall asleep?" Sam wanted to get to the bottom of the matter.
"A cup of coffee and a banana."
"Here you are."
Now it was but a bit too much for Ray. "Can you let me in on it?"
"By now you should know, Ray, that G never slept so long in one piece. Unless he is sick, in anesthesia or someone put him to sleep."
Now the penny dropped with Ray. "You were not sick and not under anesthesia, so someone has put you to sleep. Probably with something in the coffee. While you were passed out, they had given you the chip."
"The boy is so jolly clever. Perhaps he has learned something from us." Callen grinned at Sam and the two of them laughed.
"It's great that you are already doing so well." Ray tried to look offended, but he had not much success. "Okay, and what do we do with this knowledge?"
"For now, nothing at all. We wait. In addition, Eric will look at the transmitter when we get back. Maybe the small item reveals something that is useful."
…
"I think my eyes are square." Tired Joann rubbed them while she left the headquarters.
Renko looked over at her. "No, not yet. But on the other hand they are quite red."
"Your don't look any better."
Renko's laughter was missing the usual dash. "This will definitely get worse before it gets better. There is still a lot of footage that we have to look at."
"There has to be a way to speed up the whole."
"Not while we have no idea whom we are looking for." Renko sighed. "Really, the chance of yet more hours of surveillance footage makes me want to return to work undercover. For example, as a hobo or junkie."
Joann had to grin despite her fatigue. "I'm in. But only after I've eaten something." Appropriate with this comment Joann's stomach growled loudly. "Oops!" Delicate blush appeared on her cheeks.
This time, Renko laughed heartily. "Are you eager for company?"
"Great!" Joann smiled warmly at her colleague. "What do you think of Chinese? I could order something and we eat at our place." For a moment Joann lost her smile, but then she pulled herself together. "Right now, probably at my place."
"Sounds good, I'm in." Kindly Renko looked at Joann. "And it's still your and Callen's place."
…
While Sam and Ray ate at the mess, there was thoughtful silence between them. The furrows on Ray's forehead did not disappear and Sam looked completely blank into the space.
"You're too young to have such deep wrinkles on your forehead." Sam pushed his tray to the side and looked invitingly at Ray.
Ray took up time with his answer. "Something is wrong with the whole story. It all fits together not as..." Ray shook his head. "It just doesn't fit. I cannot explain it in detail." Once again Ray furrowed his brow. "We have suspected someone of the office of the SECNAV behind our problems. Everything seemed to indicate on this. But I think we're wrong." Ray looked directly at Sam. "There are just too many different agencies in on our problems: FBI, CIA, L.A.P.D. and our own, the NCIS. I can't imagine that someone from the office of the SECNAV has so many different ties."
"We know someone who has such ties." Sam answered Ray's direct view. "Hetty."
The young agent nodded. "Exactly. We know only fragments of Hetty's past, but she definitely has ties with all agencies involved in this case and probably a few more. Hetty would be someone that I think is capable of giving us this amount of problems. So we are looking for someone whose history has a certain resemblance to Hetty. If the office of the SECNAV would employ such a person, Hetty knew that for sure. But I had the impression that she still doesn't know who is behind the whole. Or am I wrong?"
"No. And I think that is especially…frightening." Even though with some hesitation, Sam had chosen the word quite advisedly. "Hetty had always everything under control. She has kept away a lot of trouble from us, and often helped to resolve a case with her ties. And suddenly everything is gone?" Sam shook his head. "Absolutely not. I think you're right. The perpetrator is someone from Hetty's past, who has a similar…" Suddenly Sam grinned mischievously. "Someone who has led a similar eventful life."
Ray also had to smile. "Nicely said, Sam." Then he became serious again. "As soon as we can get in touch, we have to warn the others. They waste too much time looking in the wrong direction."
Sam nodded. "Yeah. But now we are talking with G. He knows more about Hetty's past than either of us. That is still not enough, but maybe G has an idea whom we are looking for."
…
"We should approach our search in a different way."
"And what does that mean, Jo?" Kensi was slightly confused. Yesterday Joann had sounded quite different.
"Mike and I had an interesting conversation last night."
Joann smiled at Renko. The company had done her good. Because work as talking point at dinner had been taboo, both had taken their mind off things. For that the conversation afterwards had been more productive. Joann now turned to Hetty.
"The office of the SECNAV is a red herring. We are looking for someone who has ties to the FBI, the CIA, the L.A.P.D. and the office of the SECNAV. Such ties are built only in a..." Joann hesitated, smiled and then spoke again. "...in a very long and unusual career. I personally think that there is someone with CIA past that got us into this damn trouble." Joann shrugged. "Frankly, I wonder why it took me so long to see that. After all, 'CIA' is written in bolt all over this story. If you think in peace about it, it almost leaps to the eye."
At first surprised, then thoughtful everyone had listened to Joann. She now turned to Eric and Nell.
"I want to know from you how we can solve the whole by computer technology. It is certainly not easy to hack the office of the SECNAV."
"Difficult but not impossible." Eric shrugged his shoulders. "There are other possibilities. You've also already done that."
Kensi smiled. She knew exactly what Eric meant. "It's a good thing that Darcy had looked for another job..."
"Okay, and how do we find out about that?"
"This should really be done on the spot..." Eric hesitated. "I can try to find out something from here, but the possibilities are limited."
Joann looked at Hetty. "Maybe we should turn to Director Vance. Some support from Washington wouldn't be bad."
Hetty nodded. "Agreed, I see about that. Mr. Beale, Miss Jones, try to find out something from here anyway." Then she turned to the others present. "And you take care of your normal work. We don't want to get any trouble because of unfinished or improperly executed work."
…
Kensi drove Deeks home. Apart from a large number of bruises all over his body, he had came through his involuntary boat ride well.
"When are you allowed to work again?"
"I rather should take a couple days off, so that the bruises can heal. But I want to come back to headquarters tomorrow. Maybe I can make myself useful."
Deeks did not looked at Kensi while speaking these for him unusually restrained words.
"Oh yeah? What is Hetty going to say about that?"
"She will be glad to see me again." Now Deeks had rediscovered his usual cheeky and charming nature. "I bet that Hetty has sadly missed me." Grinning broadly, he looked at his friend. "Admit, you've missed me, too."
"Why should I? No one, who annoys me constantly with stupid sayings. No one, who ever complains about anything. No one, who ever argues with me about the car keys." Kensi stared stubbornly forward on the road. "Nate is much more enjoyable as a partner."
Deeks was stunned. Following the first relief that he was well again, Kensi was grumpy and distant to him.
Rather abruptly Kensi slowed down before Deeks' apartment building.
"Do you come up yet?" Deeks rarely felt uneasy, but Kensi managed it time and again that he felt that way.
"Sure. I don't think you can get everything up in your apartment alone."
"I only have the duffle bag with the things that you have brought me to the hospital."
"I went shopping, so that you have something in the fridge."
"Oh." Now Deeks was so stunned that he even ran out of stupid sayings.
"That has been Joann's idea."
…
Deeks watched Kensi as she cleared away the groceries. Their relationship has always been turbulent. All the more disturbing was that Kensi now stayed adamantly silent. Deeks made a decision.
"Okay, Kensi, tell me. Otherwise you choke on what you don't want to say."
Kensi's eyes sparkled as she turned to Deeks.
"What were you thinking? Ages ago, Hetty gave you the opportunity to become an NCIS agent. But no, you absolutely had to stay a cop. Thereby the L.A.P.D. let you run against a wall, each time when it matters! What do you think what we are doing as a federal agents? Twiddle our thumbs and bored watch the criminals? You really should know better. Who covers your back? We, the federal agents. Who gets you out of shit? We, the NCIS agents." More and more Kensi talked herself into a rage. "You're not even a good liaison officer, because your fellow cops aren't able to stand you. We from the NCIS get more information and support than you, because you blew it with everyone. We all know that you can be a real nuisance, but, to quote Sam, you're good for the team. Except that it seems that you don't want to play on this team. What's so bad about us? We come through for us and solve extremely successful crimes. Isn't that good enough for you to prevent terrorist attacks, solve kidnappings and provide for the security of our country? What do you want, for fuck's sake?"
"Living together with you."
…
Sam looked expectantly at his partner. He and Ray had just reported Callen on their deliberations.
Callen nodded. "You could be right. You realize, however, that Hetty's past is a big mystery for me, too?"
"Certainly, G. But because you have once worked for the CIA, you are our best source to find our opponent. Currently our only source."
Callen's face was expressionless. His time at the CIA was not a subject he talked about. Finally, he shook his head.
"I don't think I know more about Hetty's past than you. And nothing of what I know can help us at this. All this looks like a typical CIA operation. However, I don't think the CIA has actually caused this. It's not just that Hetty has many secrets, she also knows a lot secrets of others. The CIA knows that. They would never do anything that might get Hetty to make appropriate secrets public."
"Then it has to be someone who once was at the CIA and still has appropriate ties."
"It is more likely, Sam. An ex-CIA agent knows how to organize such an operation. Someone like that certainly has appropriate contacts in order to put it into action. We will have to wait until we can talk to Hetty. Here and now we can't do anything."
"Now we are finally on the right track and condemned to inaction!" Ray looked pretty grumpy.
This made Sam and Callen laugh.
…
Again days passed, in which the team kept up appearance and attended their normal business. The main work was with Nell and Eric. The others kept them free of ties as far as possible.
…
Joann laid motionless in her bed. She continued to breathe quietly, while she listened into the darkness. Something had awakened her. But what? The bedroom was empty. There! Someone was in the house. The noise was very quiet and seemed to be coming from the kitchen. As quietly as possible Joann got out of bed and took her gun from the nightstand drawer. Then she sneaked towards the kitchen. A faint light illuminates the darkness. The fridge was open. The weapon at the ready Joann approached the kitchen.
"Hands up, one step back and turn around really slow. No hasty move or I'll shoot."
The intruder froze before he followed Joann's instructions.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to scare you or to wake you up."
Joann widened her eyes. Hastily, she secured her gun, put it on the kitchen counter and threw herself into Callen's arms.
"G! You're back! At last!"
Callen was trying to suppress a painful wince as Joann embraced him firmly. But she noticed it yet. Immediately Joann released Callen and pressed the light switch.
"What's up? Are you hurt?"
Callen smiled reassuringly. "I was hurt a little bit, but I'm doing well again now."
Doubtfully Joann eyed her friend. In his face she could see traces of scratches and minor cuts, but they were healing already. His posture was slightly cramped and he held his left arm pressed unnatural to the body.
"What happened, G?"
Callen sighed, he knew this tone of voice. Joann would keep on and on until she had her answer.
"During my flight through the mountains, I have been involved in a fight. There has been a major explosion that hurled me against a wall. I also was struck in the shoulder by a ricochet shot. Jo, you needn't have to worry. I have been well provided on the ship and the doctor said that I'd be all right soon. You can ask Sam and Ray, they will confirm this to you."
Relieved Joann smiled and snuggled up to Callen, this time more cautious. Happily, he returned her embrace.
"The whole time during my flight I could only think about that I wanted to see your smile again."
Callen clasped Joann firmly in his arms. He never wanted to let her go again. It took a while until he realized that Joann was not moving. She had leaned her head on his uninjured shoulder and made no sound.
"Jo?"
A slight tremor in her shoulders was the reply. Joann cried. The tension of recent weeks made its way. Callen kissed her gently on the head and slightly increased his embrace.
"I love you."
Barely audible Callen whispered these words. He buried his face in Joann's hair and closed his eyes. He was thankful that she trusted him enough to show her innermost feelings. She had not always to be strong. And he neither.
…
The next morning the team was complete for the first time in a few weeks. The welcome was very warm. Without many words Joann clasped Ray and Sam in her arms and hugged them dearly.
"Thank you." Joann dared not to say anymore, she did not want to be overwhelmed by her emotions.
"It's okay." Sam smiled lovingly at Joann.
"That was pure selfishness." Ray winked at Joann. "I don't like to imagine what you had done to us if we would have come back without Callen."
Joann laughed embarrassedly. "I'm not so bad at all."
"Well, it depends." Sam tried to look serious, but could not hide the twinkle in his eye.
Deeks, who was back on duty for several days, unusually took a backseat. He had no reason to complain, because his welcome also had been very warm. However, since his opening Kensi talked to him only the bare minimum. She had stared at him, and then was gone without a word.
Of course, the colleagues had noticed their behavior, but no one confronted them with it. Joann felt certain that Kensi would talk to her when she was ready. She also expected each day that Deeks would do something stupid. On the one way or another Joann would already be told what had happened between her two friends.
A shrill whistle made the group look up, everyone was surprised, because both Eric and Nell sat with them in the bullpen. A look up to the balustrade made them start up to their feet quickly, because there was Hetty.
As many times before in recent weeks, she had cleared the ops. With a slight smile Hetty looked at her employees.
"It's nice to have you all here, more or less unharmed." Now the smile vanished from Hetty's face. "Unfortunately we have not solved the original problem. We still need to figure out who is our opponent." Again Hetty looked at one by one. "I have already spoken with each of you and for different reasons and in different ways, we all have come to the same conclusion: our enemy is, or was, at the CIA. I've asked Director Vance for help and he has charged Gibbs and his team." Hetty glanced at her watch. "In a few moments, we have a video conference with Washington. I hope that we then will know more. Mr. Beale?"
"Everything is prepared, Hetty. As soon as they are..."
"Hello, Hetty!" A mischievously grinning face appeared on the big screen.
"Miss Sciuto, nice to see you." A smile underlined Hetty's words. She really liked the little crazy forensic scientist. "Do you have something for us?"
"But of course, Hetty. As you have already guessed, the computer of the typist is a red herring. However, your perpetrator was not quite as smart as he thought." Abby's mischievous grin became a bit more mischievous. "He has committed two errors. I was able to find a part of a fingerprint on the inside of the case. And McGee was able to trace back the program."
Now the smile disappeared from Abby's face. Before she could speak further, however, McGee appeared beside her on the monitor.
"The program was really well disguised, it took me a while to find it." Then McGee delivered a stack of technical terms.
"A really good approach." Eric was excited and nodded to McGee. "Where were you guided by the program?"
"That's the problem." Abby and McGee exchanged a quick glance. "Direct to our main server. He has really good disguised his access. Without your search, we wouldn't even have suspected that someone has gained unauthorized access. He has gained access in a way that it doesn't touch any sensitive area. Otherwise, the access would have been noticed much earlier. We're still working through the surveillance footage to determine the time of event."
"And who has it been?" Hetty has expressionless followed the remarks of the two Washington-NCIS staff.
The whole team was eagerly awaiting the answer.
"We don't know. At least not exactly." Abby looked slightly tense.
"We have run the partial print through the system. There was a possible identification, but the access was denied to us." McGee stepped in again. "The file was sealed by the CIA. Gibbs has tried to find out something with the help of his contacts in the CIA, but he got no answer. I'm sending you our results just now. You may have better luck, Hetty."
The little woman looked over at Eric, who nodded slightly. "Your data has arrived, Agent McGee. Thank you and your colleagues for the support. We will keep you up to date."
"You're welcome, Hetty." Abby smiled again. "When you come back to Washington next time, we both go to the club, of which I have told you in our last conversation."
"Absolutely, Miss Sciuto. I'm looking forward to it." Hetty smiled back and then made a brief sign to Eric. The connection was terminated.
"Miss Jones, Mr. Beale, run over the data that we have received and pass all the information concerning the partial fingerprint and the sealed file to me. I will see to it." Then Hetty addressed herself to the other team members. "You proceed as always. Mr. Callen, you will, like Mr. Deeks, do office duty until further notice. I'll release you back on the streets only after the approval of our doctor."
The two men rolled their eyes, but bit back every comment. Protest would not have succeeded.
Back in the bullpen Callen, Sam and Ray were updated. After the exchange of news, Joann came back to their current case.
"Okay, then let's assign tasks. Marty and G, because you have to stay here, you take over the search because Nell and Eric are busy with other tasks. Sam and Mike, you talk to the witnesses. Kensi and Nate, you go to the crime scene. Ray and I talk to the employers." Nobody got up. "Come on, guys, go ahead! We have a lot of work on the table." Suspicious Joann looked at her colleagues. "Doesn't the distribution suit you?"
Sam's mouth corner was slightly twitching. "G is back. It's his job to distribute the work."
"Oh." Joann was speechless. After Sam and Ray's departure no one had questioned that she became the team leader. Because Callen was not yet fully operational and he and Sam had just heard about this case, Joann had remained in that role. She swallowed hard, but then nodded. "Sure. G?"
Blankly Callen looked at Joann. Finally, he could not longer refrain from grinning. "All right, Jo. This is your case, you are in charge."
Joann's eyes began to sparkle. Short anger flashed in them, but then she had herself back under control. "You've heard G. What are you waiting for?" Even though the anger was gone from her eyes, the sparkle was still there.
"I'm waiting for you at the car." Ray got up. The others followed him.
"Here." Joann threw the car keys to him. "I just need a minute." She waited until everyone had left and then looked invitingly at Deeks.
"I'll go get me some coffee..." Deeks looked at the two of them and slipped away quickly.
Callen looked expectantly at his girlfriend. "Is there a problem?"
"I don't know. Depends on you."
Callen sighed. "Jo, Sam and I had no intention to take away this case from you. We just wanted to put you on a little bit. You are in charge for it, since it has ended up on your desk. And, as always, you do it well." Callen became thoughtful. "Have you ever thought about having your own team? I know you're a good team leader."
Joann's expression became blank, also the sparkle disappeared from her eyes. "No. Ray is waiting. See you."
Shaking his head, Callen looked after his girlfriend. "Women!"
"You can say that again." Deeks has turned up again and grinned. "That was pretty nasty of you."
Callen returned the grinning. "We just couldn't resist, as Jo furnished us this fit occasion."
The men laughed.
…
Hetty hung up the phone. She had run over the data from Washington and then made a lot of phone calls. Now she grabbed her purse and left the office without being noticed.
…
"Look at this algorithm! Someone really knows exactly what he's doing!"
Eric's enthusiasm irritated Nell.
"You realize that we owe all our problems to the one? Deeks and Callen almost had died!"
"I know, but..." Eric interrupted himself when he saw Nell's facial expression. "Can you help me at this?"
Detailed Eric explained his problem and soon found himself in a temperamental discussion with Nell.
…
Expectantly, Hetty sat on a park bench. She seemed not to perceive her environment, which was not true. In fact, she realized every little bit: the passing cars, the playing children, the couple having a picnic, the inline skaters, the students with their laptops. She also saw the single man who slowly strolled about the way and finally sat down beside her.
"It's a long time, Hetty."
"Maybe not long enough, Isaac."
The man laughed softly. "Yes, maybe."
For a moment the two were sitting together in silence, hanging on their mind. Finally, Isaac cleared his throat.
"What can I do for you, Hetty?"
"One of our common old 'friends' causes a couple of problems." Hetty waited.
"Which 'friend'? And which problems?"
Very carefully Hetty described, what had happened in the past few weeks. "There are several, who come into question. That's why I need your help, Isaac."
"I see." Thoughtfully Isaac looked before him. Finally he nodded slightly. "I'll call you, Hetty." Then he got up and slowly walked away.
…
"Well, did you miss that, Ray?" Joann grinned at her partner.
"What do you think? Hardheads who don't want to give any information? Blind witnesses? Talkative witnesses who have nothing to say?" Ray rolled his eyes, but then could suppress his grin no longer.
Joann laughed. "You forget the bureaucracy and paperwork."
"I'm really fed up with that." Deeks interfered annoyed. "For three solid hours I've tried to get someone to the phone who can give me information to an older file. One placed me on hold, I'm put through over and over and then placed on hold again. Finally I got someone on the phone, who could give me information and I get none. Because apparently I'm not entitled to receive this information!" Deeks was seriously pissed. Bad enough that he had been sentenced to be on office duty. But that he now also had to bother with the bureaucracy, finished him off. "What do those believe with whom they have to deal? I'm not just anybody, I'm working for the NCIS!"
Joann threw a questioning glance to Callen. But before he could tell her something, Deeks ranted on.
"So I decided to bring Hetty in. But no, Hetty is not there! Once again she left the headquarters without telling anybody!"
Again Joann looked at Callen, who only shook gently his head. "Okay, Marty, stop nagging. I take care of this directly." Joann made a prompting gesture. "Give me the documents. And you take a break. Immediately."
Still grumbling Deeks put the file on Joann's desk and disappeared. With difficulty Ray had refrained from laughing during this whole tirade. But before he could blurt out with it, Joann slowed him down.
"Follow him and see that he doesn't get up to nonsense." Ray looked at her with raised eyebrows. "Okay, no more nonsense than usual."
Now Ray laughed, however, and followed Deeks. Immediately Joann turned to Callen.
"Hetty?"
"I've no idea. Deeks is right, she was suddenly gone." Callen did not look happy. "I wasn't paying attention."
"G, when Hetty wants to go out alone, no one can prevent her from that. Neither you. Probably she will meet with one of her old contacts. So she doesn't want anyone of us there." Joann sighed. "I know, she shouldn't strike out without backing. But doesn't do that any of us every now and then? Although we know better?"
"Yeah, you're right. But I should have watched out better, Jo."
"It's easier to herd cats than to take care of Hetty!" Joann laughed, then grabbed Deeks' documents. "Can you tell me anything about this?"
…
As Deeks and Ray came back to the bullpen it was full. The remaining team members were back from their fieldwork. Joann was on the phone, her face had an unhealthy red color.
"You give me immediately your supervisor or I'll send a Marine squad over to you. They will take apart your place! And don't dare to put me on hold!" Joann listened a moment, then nodded, satisfied. "Special Agent MacKenzie from the NCIS. My staff has tried to get information from you all morning. You haven't been very helpful, now you suffer the consequences."
Eagerly everyone listened Joann's conversation. Little by little on every face appeared a smile. Joann's manner was inimitable. A certain similarity with Hetty was not to be overlooked. Actually she immediately got the necessary information and the assurance that the missing documents would promptly be sent to the NCIS by courier. At the end of the call Joann slammed the phone down.
"Bureaucrats!"
Peals of laughter were the answer.
…
Unnoticed, just as she had disappeared, Hetty came back into the office. She caught the rest of the phone call and smiled to herself. While Hetty was pouring herself a cup of tea, she still smiled about Joann's resolute manner. Thoughtful Hetty asked herself, whether it was time to give Joann MacKenzie an own team. The agent had often shown that she was able to lead a team. Meanwhile, with Ray she had a partner at her side, who supported her excellently. However, before Hetty could give more thought to this issue, her phone rang. She glanced at the display.
"Isaac. I did not expect to hear from you so soon."
The man sighed. "You have chosen an interesting opponent, Hetty, with interesting friends." When there was no response, Isaac sighed again. "Flynn Mason." Before Hetty could say something the phone call was ended.
