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 11 - All's well that ends well?

Dirty and exhausted Joann shuffled behind Callen into the house. It was late at night and they came back from their assignment at the ranch only now. While Callen had divided teams, who systematically searched the entire area for hidden enemies, she and her colleagues had 'herded' the horde of computer technicians. Constantly one had run out of the barn because he needed something of the equipment, which they had not taken into it. Multiple admonishments did not help anything at all yet. With relief Joann had taken note of the message that the site was safe. Now she could see the erratic behavior of the technicians with aplomb.

Callen walked purposefully into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. He threw a longing look to the beer, but instead grabbed a bottle of water. Callen could not remember his last meal, and therefore an alcoholic beverage was not a good choice.

"Jo?" Asking Callen held a bottle of water to his girlfriend.

She shook her head. "No, thank you. I am in a tea mood." With tired movements Joann started to brew some. "How do you feel, G?"

The question startled Callen. "Fairly done. Just like you. Jo, why do you ask?"

"I didn't mean that, G." Joann fully focused on the preparation of tea and did not look at Callen. "I see that you rest your arm and are limping slightly. If you think you are unobserved, your face is contorted in pain and sometimes you held your side." Finally Joann looked up and squarely into her friend's eyes. "Because of your injuries Hetty had only released you for indoor service. Nevertheless, you have been with us at the ranch and, as always, you have campaigned yourself to the hit."

Adamant, Callen held her gaze. "Nothing could have stopped me to sortie with you. Hetty knew that. So she had put me in charge." Then his eyes became soft. "You are an acute observer. The assignment didn't do well neither my shoulder nor my rips." A certain sadness appeared on his face. "I'm not twenty anymore. The life that I've led and still lead leaves traces."

These words made Joann smile weakly. "At our age injuries don't heal no longer so fast and after an operation like this, it takes longer until you're fit again. At a young age you put that away easily." Then she laughed softly. "I bet Ray is sleeping a few hours and then gets up all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed."

Callen chimed in the chuckles. Then he clasped his arms around Joann. She clung to him, careful not to hurt him. Closely embraced they stood in the kitchen, dwelled on their thoughts, happy to have each other.

The silence between Deeks and Kensi was more massive than the Great Wall of China. They had fought together, covered each other thereby and paying attention together to their colleagues. Their collaboration was often wordless and absolutely well attuned. But now that all was over and they were on their way home, the lack of words was not the sign of a good team. The silence was uncomfortable, dark emotions aroused. Neither Kensi nor Deeks were yet in a position to break this silence.

Kensi stopped at Deeks' apartment block. He hesitated a moment, looking for a reason to do or say anything. But Deeks could think of nothing, and so he finally got out.

"See you tomorrow." Deeks' voice was flat.

Kensi looked straight ahead at the road. "Sure."

The car door slammed and Kensi stepped on the gas. Only after a while Kensi noticed that she clutched the steering wheel. She looked at her hands, whose knuckles were white as snow. Then Kensi's hands started shaking. A soft gasp escaped her, she felt moisture on her cheek. Kensi steered the car to the curb and tried to compose herself. Instead, her tears ran more violent and Kensi could not loose her hands from the wheel, they were too tensed up. It took a while before Kensi could drive on.

Deeks looked after Kensi, before he went with dragging steps to his apartment. He was used to Kensi teasing him, to argue with him, and every now and then - or even more often - dropping a little malice. That was part of their partnership. Also their relationship was turbulent, but so far they had always managed to end up talking to each other and solve the problems. Deeks was aware that Kensi was hiding behind her boyish way. No one should see her soft, vulnerable side. And although they were a couple for a while now, Kensi still was hiding from him every now and then. Okay, he was not any better. Only that he was hiding behind silly sayings and a casual manner. When he revealed Kensi that he wanted to live with her, he had opened up completely. So much the more Kensi's reaction hurt him. Was their relationship already at an end? Exhausted, Deeks fell down on his couch. But before he could think more about his relationship with Kensi, he fell asleep.

Sam quietly went into his daughter's room and watched her sleeping. A mixture of peace and uneasiness came over him. Peace, because he was at home with them and all were well. Uneasiness, because he had to go back without knowing when and if he would come back. With a soft sigh, he entered the bedroom. His wife slept, too. Quietly, he lay down beside her. But something that he had done, awakened his wife. She turned to him and snuggled sleepily at him.

"You all right?"

"Yeah, the mission was a success."

"Okay."

Sam wrapped his arms around her while his wife went back to sleep. Despite his exhaustion, he lay awake for a long time.

Joann was not entirely wrong with her assumption. On his way home, Ray took a portion of fast food. Once there, he took a shower, lay down and fell asleep immediately. However, he was not granted a peaceful night's sleep. Soaked in sweat, he woke up from a nightmare. Instead to defuse the bombs, he had fired them and killed his friends and colleagues. It took a long time until his heartbeat calmed down and Ray was able to fall asleep again.

Not really recovered, Joann stood with a cup of coffee in her hand in the bullpen. Together with her colleagues, she was listening Nell's report on the first analysis of Mason's data.

"We thought all the time that Mason acted more or less alone. That van Pietso supported him only financial to receive information in return. That's not true. Apparently there's some kind of consortium of various criminals. They have financed the ranch with the server room."

"Flynn Mason has always collected information, especially the ones with which he could blackmail other." Hetty took over from Nell. "These information were the basis. The members of the 'consortium' also gathered information and contributed them. Mason has brought together all the information and analyzed them. So he has learned about investigation on his partners, of planned raids or which politicians, business leaders, military officers were susceptible to blackmail and thus were useful for the consortium members."

"So no evil mastermind that wants to conquer the world."

"Right, Mr. Deeks." Hetty chuckled. "This is also the explanation, why so many different authorities and agencies seemed to be involved in this matter."

"And I was hoping that I would have a few more super powers at the end of this case." With sad puppy eyes Deeks looked at the group.

"I didn't know that the continuous draining of stupid sayings is a super power." With blank expression Sam commented Deeks' complaint.

"Or the ability of constantly looking like a shaggy head." Callen's face was also expressionless.

And already a conversation full of sassy sayings was ongoing. Hetty followed it with a slight smile. She was relieved that her people had not lost their sense of humor about the recent events.

Concerned, Joann had watched her friend, who was unusually silent. Kensi had deep dark circles under her eyes, looked more exhausted than after the end of the operation and appeared a little shaky.

"What's the matter with you?"

"I'm good."

Joann believed to hear despite, exhaustion, anxiety and a trace of despair from those few words. Slightly, she shook her head, grabbed Kensi's arm and trailed her behind herself. In a quiet, unobserved corner, Joann gave a talking to her colleague.

"Don't give me that crap, Kensi. Even a dead man looks better than you. What's going on? And I won't hear excuses or lies."

The sharp tone, she was talked to, yanked Kensi from her emotional mess.

"Jo, I don't know what to do...Deeks, he has..." Kensi closed her eyes for a moment, pulled herself together. "Deeks told me that he wants to live with me." Pure desperation was in her voice.

Joann stared at her friend and was not sure whether she had properly understood what she had heard. "You sleep poorly, are hissing and barking to Marty and constantly are arguing with him, because he wants to live with you?"

Kensi nodded wordlessly. Troublesome, Joann stifled the laughter that rose in her. Instead of being happy about the fact that her friend was growing up, Kensi had a simple panic attack.

"What did you respond to that?"

"Nothing at all. I just left."

Joann was looking for every bit of self-control that was hidden somewhere in her, so she did not grab her friend and shake wildly.

"And since then, you have probably said no word to Marty."

Kensi's wordless nod confirmed Joann's guess. A deep sigh escaped Joann. After all the team had been through in recent months, a relationship and partnership was just before the break. Anger, incomprehension and frustration would not help anyone.

"Kensi, have you at least thought about it? Is that an option for you? Or are you not yet ready?" Kensi still looked at Joann in silence. "Do you still want to have a relationship with Marty?" The only response was that Kensi looked down. "Do you still love him, Kensi?"

The silence weighed heavily. Kensi continued to hold her gaze lowered and Joann waited. After what felt like eternity Kensi looked up again. Her answer was a whisper.

"Yeah."

Relieved, Joann relaxed somewhat. Here she had a basis on which she could build. Her voice was very gentle.

"You should say that to Marty, Kensi. I don't believe, he even knows that. Or believes in it."

"I don't know how." Kensi still whispered.

Joann again could not suppress a sigh. She still felt the urge to shake her friend vigorously.

"What's the problem, Kensi? You love Marty and he loves you. Otherwise, he would not ask you to move in together. What is frightening you so much?"

Instead of giving her an answer, Kensi only threw a desperate look at Joann. Suddenly Joann got the point.

"You're afraid that he might suddenly disappear. Just as your fiancé a few years ago. And that you would not cope with it." Joann asked no question.

Kensi nodded slowly. "Yeah." Her voice still was a whisper.

Joann sighed deep for the third time. Kensi and she had a lot of confidence in each other and talked about very personal things. Joann felt sore that Kensi did not come to her this time. But this feeling was secondary. Primarily, it was a matter of helping Kensi now. And Deeks. Joann gently put her hand on Kensi's arm and got her to sit down. She breathed deeply a few times and looked at her friend seriously.

"Kensi, I can't decide for you. I also don't know if you're ready to take this step or not. Only you can know that. But you should talk to Marty. Immediately. Otherwise you will lose him. And, Kensi, Marty is not your fiancé. Please do not forget that."

Kensi stared into space, then she nodded slowly. "I know, but I have no idea what to say."

The agent looked helpless, an unusual sight. But Joann could understand her, after all she had already been in a similar situation.

"The truth. What you feel. What scares you. You owe that Marty and your relationship."

This time it was Kensi, who sighed deeply.

Unexpected quickly that day was over, although it mainly consisted of the completion of boring paperwork. But after the grueling weeks, everyone was relieved that this day had been calm and peaceful. All packed up their belongings. The usual good mood of the team left a bit to be desired. Among other things Deeks' silly sayings were missing. He had downright snatched up his things and hastily left the headquarters. Stunned, the colleagues looked after him while Kensi looked over to Joann, very dismayed. She nodded encouragingly to her friend. Kensi walked to her car and drove directly to Deeks' apartment, but he was not at home. Pondering the agent went back to her car. Then a smile crossed her face. She had an idea where she could find her boyfriend.

"What are you thinking about?" Callen looked over at his girlfriend. She drove usual safely, but made the impression to be far away with her thoughts.

"Kensi and Marty."

Callen sighed. He had already assumed something like that. "So you know what's going on with the two of them."

After some hesitation, Joann filled her boyfriend in. "I also know what you want to say now: I can do nothing; that the two of them have to arrange it among themselves. I understand that and I keep my nose out of it - mostly. That doesn't prevent me from being worried."

"What does your gut say?"

Stunned, Joann looked briefly at Callen, then focused back on the road. "That Kensi is quite willing to move in together with Marty. But her fear of making a wrong decision is so big that she literally is blocked of it. As soon as Kensi can overcome her inner numbness, she will recognize this by herself."

Callen chuckled. Joann had just described her own situation, when he had asked her to move in together with him.

Joann was slightly irritated by Callen's behavior. She had expected a lecture about staying out of the relationship with her friends and colleagues. Instead there was the question of her gut feeling and then a chuckle. Joann furrowed her brow thoughtfully.

"Oh. All right."

Now Callen laughed. "This has taken a long time, Jo."

She pulled a face. "After all, the penny dropped, G." Then Joann's face grew serious again. "Hopefully Kensi won't wait too long."

While the agents were driving home, Eric and Nell sat in front of their computers. Furthermore, computer technicians and computer forensics were at the ranch, because no one was sure what would happen when removing the hard drives. Therefore, the two had to be satisfied with the fragments that their colleagues copied from the media and then transferred on a secure line. The total amount of data was so large that it would take months to evaluate everything. Despite Hetty's protest Washington would take over that task. Director Vance was not reasonable with this subject. Until everything was organized for the 'move' to Washington, Eric and Nell took every data they could get. They were hoping for evidence of Mason's partners and his computer hacker in particular and useful information in general.

Eric yawned, rubbed his eyes and stretched himself a little bit. "How far are you with your filter?"

"Almost done." Nell was not less tired and therefore somewhat taciturn.

"I just wonder, Nell, if there is use in doing this. The data we got up to now are totally jumbled and rather useless for us."

"No idea, Eric. But after our colleagues have risked their lives to obtain these information, we owe it to them to care about the data."

Eric winced at this rebuke. "Sorry, Nell, you're right. I guess I'm just tired."

"If the filter is ready, we could take a coffee break." Nell looked at him with a conciliatory smile.

"A good idea." Eric smiled back.

Searching, Kensi looked at the sea. It took her only a moment to discover Deeks. No matter how many surfers were in the water, she always recognized Deeks. It was the way he sat on the board, paddled or rode the waves. The untrained eye spotted no differences to other surfers, but Kensi's expert eye did.

Only a few surfers were in the water, as the sun was already low on the horizon. Kensi looked for Deeks' stuff and sat down next to it in the sand. Then she waited. Her patience was put to an avid test, because Deeks took up time. Finally he came out of the water. His face was expressionless.

"What are you doing here?" Deeks was aloof, dismissive.

But if Kensi had decided on something, she got relentlessly through with it. "Waiting for you." A weak twinkle appeared in her eyes. "I want to talk to you."

"I don't think that there is anything to talk about between us. You've made that pretty clear." Deeks grabbed his duffel bag and his surfboard and wanted to go to his car.

For a moment Kensi got a twinge of panic, but vigorously she pulled herself together. "I know I wasn't nice to you, Marty. Or fair. But I beg you even so to listen to me. If you then still want to go, I have to accept it."

Deeks hesitated a moment, then he sat down beside her. "Okay, go ahead." Expectantly, he looked at her.

Kensi sighed inwardly. He would not make it easy for her. "I'm sorry that I just left in that night, Marty. At that time I hadn't been thinking about this subject before. Up to Mason's meddling I was of the opinion that our relationship was going well. For both of us. Suddenly you wanted to change something that in my mind didn't need a change. I didn't understand that and I couldn't handle it. And finally memories were brought back. How it feels to be left by someone you love. I was enraged that you turned upside down my 'ideal' world. I took my anger out on you, instead of finding out what really makes me angry. Meanwhile, I caught up on that. The fact is that I'm not angry, or just a little bit, but scared. A shared apartment makes me attackable, vulnerable. Something I don't want to be. But I'm also aware that this is the next step in a relationship. Only, I'm still not sure if I'm ready for it yet."

Kensi's openness surprised Deeks. He had expected that she would officially end their relationship. Now he was not sure how he should react. Therefore his answer was very hesitant.

"Why do you associate living together with abandonment? Usually it means the opposite. It is a stronger bond in a relationship."

Kensi swallowed hard, lowered her head. Her next words were so quiet that Deeks had difficulties to understand them.

"Because he's gone. Without a word, without an explanation. He just disappeared."

Deeks knew immediately about whom Kensi was talking. Inwardly, he slapped his hand to his forehead, because he had not thought about that by himself. That explained everything. But at the same time it also made him angry. Deeks kept his temper with difficulty.

"I'm not him."

Kensi winced given Deeks' hard voice. "I know that. But I can't help my feelings and thoughts."

"And where do we go from here?" The hardness had not disappeared.

"Dunno, Marty." Kensi raised her head and looked directly at Deeks. "I know that I love you and want to be with you. But beyond that?" Kensi shrugged.

Deeks' voice was a little softer. "I love you too, Kensi. That's why I asked you. It just has to do with a shared apartment, not a lifelong commitment."

"Longlife can be very short with us." Kensi was surprised at her own words. She had spoken intuitively, without thinking.

"Exactly." This time it was Deeks, who hesitated to speak further. But his gut told him that this was the key to Kensi. "When I realized that my cover was blown, I could only think of one thing: that I will never see you again, never again laughing or arguing with you, never kiss you again. And my second thought was that I would leave you just as abruptly as the other men in your life. Both thoughts have given me the courage and the strength, not to give up, but to fight." Deeks interrupted himself, for a few moments he was back in that situation. But he pulled himself together and went on. "Thanks to you and our colleagues and friends I came out alive of this mess. I didn't want to waste a minute that I could spend with you. For me the way to do that was move together with you. A common life."

This time, Kensi had to perk up her ears, so quietly came the last words. Slowly she realized the importance of Deeks' words.

"Kensi, I can't give you any guarantee that our relationship still will go on. With or without a shared apartment. No one is going to give you a guarantee. But it certainly will not work if we don't talk to each other." A faint smile appeared on his face. "I bet Joann has also said to you stuff like that."

Kensi also smiled now. "Her words were very similar to your own." Still smiling, she shook her head. "I'm probably not as mysterious as I thought."

Deeks' smile was replaced by a huge grin. "No man will ever understand women, no matter how long we try."

Kensi nudged him lightly in the side. He immediately put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her on the head.

"What's next, Marty?" Kensi leaned against him.

"No idea, Kens, but I think we should go ahead from where we are. Talking. With each other. About us and our feelings. Then we'll see." His embrace tightened. "I don't want to talk you into anything you're not willing to do. Even if it's hard for me, I'll wait until the moment is right for you."

"Thank you."

Kensi turned to Deeks and kissed him. Passionately he returned the kiss.

The next day, Joann noted with relief that between Deeks and Kensi all was well again. The colleagues acknowledged the reconciliation with a lot off pointed remarks. But the couple remained calm and countered with appropriate answers. Joann thoughtfully watched the back and forth.

"What makes you now brood again?" Callen had approached Joann from behind. "You should be glad that both have solved their problems."

"I am, really." Joann suddenly grinned. "And I think it won't take long that the two will be at loggerheads again."

"Excuse me?"

"Well, you don't think that the search for a joint home will take place without a fight?"

Callen laughed out loud, which earned him a lot of surprised looks. But he offered no explanation.

Callen's house was jam-packed with people. Quinlan had finally accepted Joann's invitation and now a barbecue took place. The two teams got on well; the discussions were temperamental and accompanied by much laughter.

"Can I help you, Agent MacKenzie?" Quinlan entered the kitchen and looked quizzically at Joann.

Smiling, she thrusted a large covered plate into his hand. "I think, at the grill one waits for the steaks." She glanced at the slightly smaller plate in her hands and chuckled. "And for the burgers."

"Yeah, the mob out there looks pretty hungry."

Joann laughed. "Oh yeah, as if they had eaten nothing for weeks."

Quinlan joined in her laughter. "Well, as you expressed your invitation to steak and beer, I wasn't aware that you were thinking of a barbecue in your backyard. With both teams. My people were glad about it and actually have slowed down with the food."

Joann looked at Quinlan slightly from the side and grinned. "All the while I had a hunch that our colleagues would get along well. Our teams talk the same language."

Quinlan took a look at the agents in the garden. "Your idea has come true, Agent MacKenzie."

"Agent Quinlan, after you and your people have more than once saved the butts of my friends and me, it's time to call me 'Joann'."

For a moment Quinlan held Joann's look completely expressionless, then he grinned. "Well, I probably do deserve this." He winked at Joann. "Just like steak and beer."

Joann laughed again. Quinlan lifted slightly his plate.

"Let's feed the mob, Joann."

Relaxed chatting, the two agents went into the garden. There, Callen took care of the grill, assisted by Sam. However, this support consisted mainly of critical remarks.

"If you stack up the coal that way, G, it takes far too long until the charcoal has the right temperature." Sam took a critical look at the bottle of lighter fluid. He shook his head. "You can't use this stuff. That's no good." Frowning, Sam looked at his partner. "You really have no idea G, how to grill properly. Good thing I'm here."

Callen's gaze was inscrutable as he pressed the charcoal bag in Sam's hand. "Have fun grilling. I'll see if Jo still needs help. Oh, and Sam..."

"Yes?"

"Our guests are hungry, you should hurry up!"

Deeks snorted. The two men from Quinlan's team, who had just talked to Deeks, looked in amazement at the detective, smiled and finally joined Deeks' laughter. Sam did not flinch.

"Grilling is an art and should not be exercised carelessly. Only if the interaction between all the elements is right, the meat will be perfect."

Deeks forgot his laughter and stared open-mouthed at Sam. The two men of the special unit threw uncertain glances between the ex-Seal and the detective.

"What...you...uh...I..." Sam had once again managed that Deeks was speechless. But not for long. "I did not realize that we have a five-star chef in our midst. Hey, guys, Sam will show us in a bit, how to cook the perfect steak. How will you call your own creation? 'Burnt surprise'? Or maybe 'Snappy Seal'? Mh, no, that does not fit...how about..."

"Never mind. The main thing is that it won't be long. I'm hungry." Kensi grinned cheerfully at Sam and Deeks.

"How could you say that, Kens? You can't call a steak 'Never mind'. It must be a name that's worth the occasion." With feigned incomprehension Deeks shook his head about his girlfriend. "And as Sam will cook it, the name should match his character."

Quinlan and his men watched with amusement the verbal exchange.

"If I didn't know, how extraordinarily successful you and your team are and what you folks did achieve, I now would be seriously worried about your mental sufficiency."

The smile on his face took the words any sharpness. Joann was laughing, but then became a little serious.

"This is our way to cope with the ugly sides of our job. It may not sound like that now, but we have a lot of respect for each other. In addition, there is a lot of trust that we have worked pretty hard for."

Quinlan scrutinized Joann. His expression did not reveal what he was thinking. The banter between Deeks and Sam went on, meanwhile, observed and commented upon by most hilarious guests.

"You're an interesting mix. An ex-Seal, an ex-CIA, an ex-FBI, a liaison officer, who cannot communicate and cooperate with one of the entities, an ex-Marine and a studied criminologist and forensics." Quinlan chuckled. "It is really astonishing that this combination is so successful."

With slightly raised eyebrow Joann had listened to this list. It was amazing what Stan Quinlan knew all about her team. She, however, had still no idea to what authority he and his men belonged, or what professional background the men had. Nevertheless, Joann refrained any questions on this issue, even if it was hard for her. She was certain to get no answers. Instead Joann just shrugged her shoulders.

"Hetty was thinking something with this combination. She probably sees things in us that nobody else can see. Maybe we don't see that in us ourselves." For a moment Joann was a little bit thoughtful, but soon she was smiling again. "Hey, you and your colleagues, you're here today to amuse yourselves. And when I look at that, someone should separate the two squabblers, otherwise we won't have anything to eat today."

Some of the guests have had the same idea. Before Joann could take the matter up, two of Quinlan's men stepped in. They thrusted beer in Sam's and Deeks' hands and charmed Sam off the grill. Moments later, the coal was burning.

Meanwhile the sun had set and the conversation became a little less lively. With a full belly, the men were more peaceful. Without being asked the special unit had helped cleaning up after dinner. Joann had wanted to prevent that because they were guests, but without success. Therefore, she now could have a completely relaxed look at the scene in the garden. Both teams were sitting and standing varied together.

"A nice sight." Callen approached Joann.

She smiled as she snuggled up to him. "Yeah, our party is a success."

"Had you expected something else?"

"Maybe. We are a pretty crazy bunch, which tends to stick with our kind. Well, and Stan's people are also quite clannish. Bringing together two such groups may produce some surprising results."

Callen chuckled. "Which didn't happen. But a surprising sight." He pointed at Nell.

Joann had to grin. The small analyst was among a group of members of the special unit. So she had not always to look up and stretch herself, the large, well-toned men leaned down constantly to Nell. Due to her small size, she seemed to arouse the protective instinct in the men. That was absolutely not necessary, as Nell was not only an experienced analyst, but also a trained agent. But she clearly had her fun at it.

The only one who did not have fun at this sight was Eric. He was tormented by jealousy, although he would never admit that. Joann thoughtfully watched his facial expressions. Callen in turn watched Joann, though he was not thoughtful, but rather resigned.

"You do it again, don't you?"

"What?"

"To interfere in the relationships of our colleagues."

With an innocent eye Joann looked at her boyfriend. "As if I had ever done that."

Callen moaned slightly. "What are you doing? To make us the first NCIS unit, which consists only of couples?"

"That would be a bit difficult because Sam is married and there's no woman left in this team for Ray. One might certainly think about Sam's wife starting to work with us and for Ray we hire a new female agent...I should talk to Hetty about that..."

This time Callen's groan was significantly heavier. "Honestly, Jo..."

Before he could talk on, Joann burst into laughter. "Don't worry, G, I'll keep my hands of Nell and Eric. The two of them live in a world to which I have no access. So they have to manage it for themselves."

Callen was obviously relieved. "A wise decision, Jo." A cheeky grin appeared on his face. "I didn't think you were capable of doing so!"

In response Joann poked him in the side, which resulted in a new moaning.

"Why are the women in this team so damn quick at the trigger? Without you, we men had significantly fewer bruises!"

Joann wanted to give Callen another poke, but this time he could avoid her blow in time. Grinning, she pursued him. As Callen stopped abruptly, Joann almost ran into him.

"G, what's up?"

"No idea."

Joann followed Callen's glance. Eric, who had been watching Nell like a hawk, now looked with a frown on his smart phone. His posture was very tense. Finally he looked up. After a brief hesitation, he let out his whistle with which he usually called his colleagues up into the ops. Immediately, everyone turned to him.

"Sorry to disturb the party. I just got a message from Hetty. Walter van Pietso has appeared. He is on Hawaii. You will fly tomorrow morning with a C130. Hetty has already organized everything. She also has informed the local task force. You will be supported by Five-O."

Suddenly, the good mood was gone, and the barbecue was finished. Joann wanted to apologize to Quinlan, but he put her off.

"I know who's van Pietso. To take him off the streets would be a huge blow against the international arms trade. I hope you catch him. But be careful, the guy's damn dangerous." A faint smile appeared on his serious face. "This time we're not around to save your ass."

Tensed, Callen and his colleagues entered the aircraft. Hetty had given them all the necessary information during the night. The discovery of van Pietso's on Hawaii was due to an ongoing search of one of Eric's programs. It had discovered the arms dealer on surveillance footage. van Pietso had been seen only briefly before he got into a car. There were no more shots up to now. The available information was tenuous at best. But after van Pietso had come in their way several times, meager clues were still better than none.

Tired of the barbecue and a too-short night's sleep, everyone asked themselves only one question:

'What's in store for us?'

to be continued…