Chapter 12

Boston

Friday, April 19, 2013

8:00 p.m.

They had gotten the call everyone had been hoping for. Apparently the remaining bomber was holed up under a tarp on a boat parked in someone's backyard. The FBI was taking the lead on this one with their tactical force and SWAT. Nell and everyone else were the back-up on standby nearby in case they were needed. While they waited for Tactical to go in they were busy securing the area and advising residents to stay indoors. It took time considering no one had any idea what the guy had on him, leaving a lot of questions unanswered. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, they got word from the helicopter above that someone was in there. Nell and her fellow agents were getting itchy fingers and nervous trigger fingers waiting to see what would happen. Finally after nearly an hour it was over. They all heard it on their radios. "Suspect n custody. Scene secured." They allowed the ambulance in to pick up the perp and take him to the hospital with a police escort.

It seemed like ages to Nell before they were allowed to leave. The NCIS agents filed into their cars and as they were driving away from the area they saw people out on the sidewalks cheering and clapping. "Wow," was all Nell could say to the scene outside her car window. They were waiting until they got back to the office before they could celebrate themselves.

Upon arriving at the office, everyone let loose the tension they had been holding for lord only knows how long. There was cheering and clapping and plenty of high-fives to go around. Someone brought out the Champaign that had been hidden until now and cups were being filled as everyone toasted the completion to the case. Once the cheers died down, the head of their group called for everone's attention. "Now I know when I speak for everyone when I say a job well done. To the team from DC and our one agent from LA, thanks for sticking around, I know how much you all want to get back home now but you'll all have to wait just a little bit longer."

Everyone was listening as he spoke. "But with all cases, we still have to put up with the paperwork." That elicited more than a few chuckles from the gathered group. Before he could resume talking his phone rang. Glancing at it, he realized it was Vance calling. "Uh, sorry I gotta take this." Answering the phone, he spoke, "Yes sir, … okay, hold on a sec," putting the phone on speaker he continued. "Alright Director you are on speaker."

"I just want to congratulate you all on a job well done. I know this hasn't been an easy week for all of you but good work."

"Thank you Director Vance," came a chorus of voices from around the group.

"Now I know you all still have paperwork to complete before we turn this over to the US attorney's office but my office is busy arranging for transportation to get those of you from other offices back home this weekend. We'll have your travel arrangements for you tomorrow morning."

"I am so looking forward to sleeping in my own bed," Nell was whispering to Jenna.

"Same here, my husband will be happy to have me back home," she said with a smile.

"Thank you sir," spoke up Carson.

"A job well done and I won't keep you all waiting. So good night," Vance said ending the call.

With that everyone returned back to completing paperwork. Nell was never more happy to be doing this since it meant she would be going home to LA either tomorrow or Sunday So she really didn't mind the paperwork.

NCISLA

Los Angeles

No one had gone home. They were gathered in front of the large flat screen tv in the main area watching the coverage. "Wow, it's finally over," Kensi said to no one in particular.

"Yeah, I can't believe they finally caught the guy," said Sam with a smile on his face.

"So that means Nell will be coming home then. Wonder when that will be," Eric was asking.

"As soon as they finish the paperwork and travel arrangements are made," came Hetty's reply. "She should be back here on Monday at the earliest." That drew a lot of smiles from other agents and staff who were gathered there including Sam.

"Oh, good," spoke Eric. That drew a glare from Sam.

"Yeah and Deeks will be back here too," chimed in Kensi.

What Kensi didn't know was that Sam and Hetty were arranging a meet between Nell and Deeks when she returned. Nell had been happy and had figured that the blonde detective would have come to his senses before everyone else. But no one else knew about this yet. Hate to be around when the others find out. Sam was telling himself. The remaining three had still not come to their senses and it was infuriating Hetty and pissing Sam off. If Eric was hoping that things would return to normal, he had another thing coming. And that was an understatement. Hetty hadn't said what she would do next, but whatever she had planned, it wasn't going to be pretty. With Hetty anything was possible.

NCISLA

Monday, April 22, 2013

6:30 a.m.

Deeks arrived at the coffee shop on time. It was still early but he didn't mind. He was here to meet a certain petite redhead who had come back to LA yesterday. Marty had spent the weekend thinking about what he would say to Nell but in the end, he just decided to go with the truth. Entering the shop, he found Nell sitting at a corner table and it appeared she had ordered him a large coffee and there were some pastries set in the center. He had to smile. No wonder this place was chosen, he liked the pastries here. Walking over he took a seat across from her. "Hey glad to see you back," he said with a smile. Truth was he was glad to see her. After the taking the assignment with the Sand Diego MCRT, he realized how strange it felt without her there.

"Thanks," she replied taking a sip of coffee.

Not wanting to waste time, Deeks just decided to come out with it. "Uh, Nell, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I was acting like a total jerk and with Callen, Kensi and Eric doing the same thing, I … well should have talked to you first before saying the stuff I said. I mean, I really don't know much about you and I guess because of our jobs, we all have our own thing …" he said continuing o ramble on.

"Deeks," Nell finally said. "It's okay, apology accepted."

"You … you mean that?"

"Yeah I do, I understand."

"Yeah, but how could we or even I have seen it."

"Well, I guess we're all entitled to our secrets. For me It's running, besides it helps me clear my head.

"Well that's cool, then. Well, you know I like surfing anyway."

"Yeah I think I've heard it mentioned a few times. But I don't know what beach you go to."

"Well I guess it's okay then, besides, there are several I go to I kind of vary it depending on the conditions. Something like you running, you probably have several routes you alternate with then huh."

"Yeah, something like that," she said with a grin taking another sip of her coffee.

"Same thing with the marathons, to then," he asked taking a sip of his coffee and eyeing the pastries trying to decide on which one to eat first.

"Yeah, that's why I don't advertise that, so no one knows where I am or which one I'm running. It kind of makes things kind of interesting."

"I bet," selecting a jelly filled one and taking a bite. Mmm no wonder why I like this place, savoring the taste in his mouth.

Nell selected a pastry and began eating it. "It's a good way to keep things interesting. Besides I've heard Sam and even Callen say to not keep a routine anyway. But sometimes we do need a routine but at least with mine, I like to shake it up a bit."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. But I like routine it keeps me centered. I guess that's why no one knew what you did in your off time."

"Yeah," she said taking a sip of her coffee.

The two ate the pastries for a few minutes and had polished off their coffees when Deeks offered to get them more. She agreed and he got up and headed to the counter picking up two more coffees for them and then returned to their table.

"So, Boston," he spoke. "must have been a very interesting week."

"Understatement of the year," she said. "I never expected to be there when the bombs went off."

"So were you at the marathon when it happened?"

Shaking her head, "no was at the hotel. It caught us all off guard."

"So did you run it the marathon?"

"Yeah, for the case I had to. We finished almost an hour before the bombs went off. We heard the explosions though."

"Maybe a little too close for comfort then."

"Yeah, a little."

"So what was it like dealing with the alphabet soup."

"Crazy. FBI was caught off guard by this one when it was over."

"So I heard."

"Uh huh,"

The two sat and talked for another hour going through coffee and pasties before realizing that they had to be in at eight. Luckily they were close to the mission.

"You still have to do your run today?"

"No, I'm still on Boston time so I was up really early this morning so I already did it." What she didn't tell Deeks was that she had gone to an indoor gym and had done her five miles on their indoor track at five that morning.

"Gee Nell, you have guts. I'm still out cold. I find I'm still half asleep at 5:30."

"Why thank you detective."

"So let's head to the office. I know a lot of people who will be glad to see you."

They headed for their cars and drove the short drive to the mission. Sam had just arrived and just observed as the two arrived and apparently were still continuing a conversation as they headed for the entrance. "Hey, things okay," he asked.

"Yeah, we're good Sam," replied Nell.

"As she said, we're good," came Deeks' reply as the three headed into the building. Eric was on the upper landing while others were gathered around the main area. The moment they spotted Nell coning in with Sam and Deeks someone began clapping and it was joined by others as the entire building erupted in clapping and cheering for their returned agent. Nell was flattered as it seemed like the noise went on for ages. Once it began to die down people came over to welcome her back and congratulated her on Boston. Eric stayed upstairs unsure what to do. While Callen and Kensi did the same thing at their desks. Hetty finally made her way over and spoke to her. "Congradulations Miss Jones and welcome back."

"Thanks Hetty,"

"Now that you're back hopefully things can return to normal for a little while at least."

"It's good to be back."

"Now let's get to work."

Everyone agreed as they went to their desks and Nell went to hers happy to be back where she belonged.

TBC ...

Until Next time.