A/N: Just to warn you all now that it will be a while before I post the next chapter. I'm working on a certification and it's going to need all of my concentration. But as soon as it's over I will be back to continue this story.

So enjoy this latest chapter.

Chapter 15

Wednesday, July 3rd

Los Angeles

Hetty was in her office scrolling though the video cameras in the gym and other areas. She was fortunate that those cameras downstairs were wired with sound as well as video. After what Kensi Blye had told her early that morning, it had confirmed her suspicions that Mr. Beale and Mr. Callen were up to something and the piece of the conversation that Agent Blye had heard confirmed it. Now Hetty was scrolling through the recorded video feeds from late yesterday afternoon at the time Kensi had said she had heard that piece of conversation. It didn't take her long to locate what she was looking for. As Hetty played back the video, she put a pair of earphones on so she could hear the conversation in its entirety as the two men moved through the downstairs gym area and locker room. After it was over she sighed and then made a copy of it to provide to the FBI. Yes, she was aware that the FBI had been going through their system last night because Eric was pitching a fit this morning when he came in. She couldn't tell the reason why but to say that they were testing everyone's security and doing routine data checks. Which of course everyone knew happened randomly. Eric accepted this but was still wondering why they were doing this so close to the holiday. Of course only a handful of people at NCIS knew about the hacks in New York and that they were originating from a federal facility in Los Angeles. Hetty was not happy to discover that it apparently looks like they had originated from here, her domain. Bugger.

Of course, speaking of holiday's Hetty was sending everyone home at noon so they can begin celebrating the Fourth of July early. Needless to say, Sam was very happy about that and so was Nell. Apparently those two had plans tomorrow. Eric she knew would be on the beach surfing and Kensi would be spending some time with Deeks who was recovering from his latest procedure to repair the trauma to his mouth.

Hetty sighed, and sent an email to Director Vance informing him of what she discovered. In the email she asked if they could arrange for her to turn over what she discovered to the Los Angeles field office of the FBI after noon today. Nobody was going to be happy back east. Especially not herself, Hetty was also disappointed in both men. Apparently they still couldn't accept that Nell Jones was a marathon runner. How did they find out that she was running New York? Nell had never told them. Sam, Marty and herself knew but no one else. What had her so upset is their brazen attempt to get Nell out of the New York marathon. But why? Was the biggest question of the year. Hetty had her suspicions but it would have to wait until the FBI finishes its investigation. But something told her the fireworks would start flying before she sent everyone home.

NCISLA

Washington, D.C.

Hoover Building

Tobias Fornell listened intently to the person on the other end of the phone. "She wouldn't say how she discovered that the hacks were apparently coming from our office in Los Angeles, but she knows it. She also has some recorded video of an Agent and a Tech discussing this."

"Christ, I can't believe that someone from NCIS would do this considering that a couple of their own are running the marathon. "

"You're not the only one upset about this, I had to read her email report twice to believe it."

"So anything else,"

"Yes, she's asking if we can arrange for her to turn this over to your field office in LA today. She's sending everyone home early today and would like to do it after that."

Fornell sighed, "Alright, let me set it up and get back to you. If what she has pans out, we're going to have to make some arrests in your house in LA."

"I'm well aware of that and it's going to upset a lot of people."

"Yeah, I know, I'll be back to you with the details. Just wish this was under better circumstances."

"Yeah, me too I just hope it doesn't ruin the holiday for all of us."

"Same here, I'll be in touch." Hanging up the phone, Fornell turned and took a long look out of his window. He felt sick to his stomach, once Gibbs finds out, shit's going to hit the fan because Fornell knew that Gibbs would do anything to protect anyone over at NCIS but this matter crosses lines all over the place. Turning back to his desk, he picked up his phone and dialed the field office in Los Angeles.

NCISLA

Friday, July 5th

Los Angeles NCIS OSP

Sam was in a relaxed mood as he looked over a cold case in front of him. Yesterday had been spent in his backyard with his family and other relatives who had come into town to visit barbecuing and enjoying themselves. Last night everyone had gone to check out the fireworks and he had had a great time. Just being with his family, made him feel better. Kensi was at work too, translating some information in English at Hetty's request, while Callen was buried in paperwork. It was going to be a quiet day. Apparently nobody managed to get killed over the holiday which was a good sign.

It was late in the afternoon when they noticed a middle aged man in a suit come in and head for Hetty's office. "I wonder who that is," Kensi was asking.

"Looks like FBI to me," replied Callen.

"FBI, if he's FBI what is he doing here," asked Sam.

"I hope it's not a joint case with us," spoke Callen

"Me neither," replied Sam.

Then they noticed Nell enter the office and the door closed.

"Uh, oh, it better not be another case that she gets loaned out," spoke Sam.

"Nah, Hetty wouldn't allow that," said Callen eyeing the paperwork in front of him.

"Let's don't jump to conclusions until it's over," chimed in Kensi, not wanting to further alienate herself from Nell.

After what seemed like ages, several more people in suits came in and headed for Hetty's office, Nell had just left and they all stepped in and spoke quietly with Hetty. As they finished the conversation, Hetty handed them what appeared to either be a tablet and laptop then they all came out.

"As of right now, this team is standing down," Hetty announced.

"Why Hetty," asked Kensi.

By then Eric had come downstairs.

"Not now, Ms. Blye," Hetty spoke.

"Un, Hetty we're locked out of our systems."

Turning to Mr. Beale, she spoke to Eric. "I'm well aware of that Mr. Beale, but right now these gentlemen would like to have a word with you."

No, they couldn't have, Eric was saying nervously in his head. On the outside he was trying to stay calm. But he suspected that the FBI had somehow traced his hack back to him. "Why?"

"Hetty what is going on," Callen asked rising from his desk.

"That is the question the FBI would like you two gentlemen to answer," she spoke sternly now Mr. Beale and Mr. Callen if you two would be so kind as to go with these agents please."

"Hetty …" Callen tried to protest.

"No!" Hetty's voice was so strong that not only did everyone in the building hear it, but they all jumped. Sam and Kensi were giving nervous glances at each other as Hetty continued speaking. " Mr. Callen, you are not getting out of this one. Now please go with these FBI agents."

"Not until I know why," Callen replied.

"Uh, it's okay I'll go with them," spoke Eric defeated. Hetty's reaction scared the daylights out of him and he had a very good idea why. They were now both in deep, deep trouble.

"Eric …" Callen tried to stop the geek but Eric just gave him a sad look and left with two of the agents.

"G, go with them get this sorted out, please." It was rare that Sam had to do this but whatever it was it was not good, he got that impression from Eric's reaction as he left.

"No," replied the other man.

"Yes, Mr. Callen. Sam's right go get this sorted out because right now you are off duty until you do."

Callen glared at both Sam and Hetty and just stood there.

"I've already given them permission to take you by force if necessary. Am I clear Mr. Callen?" Hetty spoke not very amused at his stubbornness at the moment.

"G, just go, don't make this any worse," Sam spoke trying to defuse the situation.

"Not until I know why," he said.

"I believe you already know why Mr. Callen," came Hetty's reply. Sam and Kensi were now wondering what he had done.

That comment told him what he already knew. He and Eric were now in trouble. He thought about making a run for it but thought better of it and just didn't move. "Hetty …"

"No Mr. Callen, just go," she spoke more forcefully this time.

He tried to stare Hetty down but she was just as good at holding her ground. For everyone watching it seemed like ages even some were considering taking bets on how long it would last. Callen was so concentrated at the stare down with Hetty the FBI made its move in on him. His reflexes were quick but Sam realized what was happening and joined the fibbies and pinned him down Callen tried to fight them off but Hetty's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Mr. Callen! Enough!" that gave the fibbies a chance to get the upper hand and put Callen into cuffs and haul him off. Leaving everyone watching as he struggled against the fibbies.

Once they were gone, Sam was the first to speak, "Hetty what's going on?"

"You two in my office now," she ordered and Sam and Kensi walked over to her office. Hetty went to Callen's desk to retrieve his badge and service weapon disappointment in her heart. Ever since making that call two days ago, Hetty didn't get much of a break for the holiday. Vance and Granger had ordered her to cooperate with the FBI in their investigation first by turning over the recorded conversation she had uncovered from their video cameras and then allowing the FBI's cybercrimes unit to do a thorough search of their servers. Technology is such an interesting thing. Even if you tried to throw the FBI off the search as they tried to backtrack the hacks, the originating source had the information. Eric tried deleting the information but once the IP address was confirmed, Hetty had been dismayed to learn that Eric had used one of their tablets in the hack. Combined with the use of their servers, he was able to pull it off and had made it difficult for the FBI to find the so called "needle in the haystack." But It was Kensi's unintentional overhearing of just a piece of that conversation and Hetty's going through recorded video, that blew the case wide open. Vance was furious and was now in the process of terminating the two of them from the agency. Granger had to second that despite the fact that the two were good at their jobs. But they broke the law and had multiple agencies now on their backs because of what they had done. Returning to her office where Sam and Kensi were seated and waiting she went around to her side of the desk and opened the drawer and placed the two items in it and closed it. She would make sure that the service weapon was rechecked into the armory later.

She sat down heavily in her chair and sighed. The two agents realized that whatever she was going to tell them was bad, real bad. "it is regrettable to inform you that both Mr. Beale and Mr. Callen committed a serious crime that not only crossed state lines, but now has multiple law enforcement agencies involved and a small number of victims including military personnel and several agents from the various federal law enforcement agencies." She said with a heavy sadness in her voice.

"Hetty, what did they do," Sam was the first to ask.

Kensi who was momentarily stunned, asked, "Is it that bad?"

"I'm afraid so, Miss Blye," she said then explained the hacking cases out of New York and the FBI's investigation into the matter. Sam and Kensi listened intently wondering why G and Eric would do this. "The FBI had managed to trace the attacks back to the Los Angeles area but were having a very hard time pinpointing the location that was until you overheard a portion of Eric's and Mr. Callen's conversation back on Tuesday. After our conversation two days ago I began digging a little further."

"Me hetty, I don't understand," Kensi asked perplexted.

"It was what you told me that allowed me to discover what they had been up to. I had suspected something was amiss but I never expect this. Assistant Director Granger and I had been advised of the ongoing investigation but what I had discovered forced me to inform not only Director Vance but provide any information I had over to the FBI."

"So you're saying Eric hacked the marathon's site," Sam asked in disbelief.

"Yes, but it wasn't just once it was several times. The last was Wednesday evening."

"So he figured that doing the hack on a holiday nobody would be noticing," Kensi spoke.

"Precisely, but by then those of us in NCIS had coordinated with the investigation to either confirm or deny it was coming from us here."

"I don't believe this," Sam spoke not quite sure what to say.

"I know Sam but what troubles me is Mr. Callen's involvement."

"Yeah," Sam and Kensi said in unison.

"Hetty does Nell know," he asked.

"Yes she does, she had difficulties trying to access her account over the weekend and I learned of it on Monday when she was informed about her account being compromised."

Sam felt like punching something but decided against it at the moment. "So,"

"it wasn't just the marathon, hotels as well, including reservations for her family as well."

Shit! Kensi felt bad for the redhead. Now it made her feel worse for how she had treated Nell when she first learned Nell was a runner.

"Uh, Hetty, is her status in running the marathon in November in jeopardy," Sam asked concern in his voice.

"At this point, it is until it can be fully restored."

Kensi heard Sam let out a low growl. Uh Oh, not good. "You mean she's running New York in November? And Eric just about jeopardized it." Kensi blurted out stunned.

"That's if it can be restored," chimed in Sam as well clearly not amused.

"Yes," is all Hetty could say still not believing the events that had just unfolded before her.

"Excuse me, I'm going to get some air," Sam said getting out of his chair and walking out of the office. He had heard enough. Maybe he'd go find Nell and make sure she was alright.

"How does Callen fit into this," Kensi asked.

"Apparently he's involved in putting this together. I won't know until the investigation is over," Hetty replied.

"Okay," she said. Realizing she didn't even know Nell was running in New York later this year. She was surprised at how much she didn't know about Nell. Apparently Nell is good in hiding these things. Now she felt really bad about how she had treated Nell. But what she had stumbled on the other day blew open a plan that Eric and Callen had been working on to get her out of that marathon. She thought for a moment and then asked. "Hetty you were saying that it was the piece of conversation I heard the other day that got your attention."

"Yes it was. As I said I suspected they were up to something but I had no idea what. So after you informed me of what you heard, I started doing some further investigating and now know what they were discussing."

"How?" Kensi was asking and then it came to her this place was wired and that's why Hetty knew where anoy one was because of the cameras. "Forget that I think I know how."

"I take it you figured it out."

"Yeah, sometimes I'm glad those cameras are there. That's how you were able to put the pieces together."

"Mm-mm,"

"I think I better go then, I need some air too," she said getting up from her chair.

"Kensi."

"Yeah," she turned back to face Hetty.

"No one's blaming you, you did what you thought was right. They made the choice to do this."

"I know," she said walking out of the office.

Once Kensi had left, Hetty was left with her own thoughts of failure and disappointment.

NCISLA

Sam had changed into his workout clothes and had entered the gym. He was going to let the punching back have it since he couldn't give his partner a few whacks anyway since he was in FBI custody at the moment. As he made his way through the lower floor of the building to the gym, he heard a sound. At first he thought it was something else until he listened more closely. It sounded like someone was in the armory so he went in there. He found Nell sitting in a corner her arms across on her knees and her head resting against them. Sam walked over quietly and spoke in a quiet voice as not to startle her. "Nell, you okay."

He saw the mane of red hair shake back and forth for a few seconds and then Nell lifted her face toward his. His heart nearly broke when he saw her eyes, the sadness, hurt and betrayal that both Eric had G had brought on. Sam was seething inside. She had worked hard for years for this and it was now all in jeopardy. Sam doubted that there would be nothing to protect those two idiots once he got his hands on them. He walked over and sat next to her. "Yeah I get it. I wish I'd known what they were up to so that I could've stopped them in the first place and knocked some sense into them, but none of us knew."

Nell just nodded, too upset to talk. After speaking to the FBI in Hetty's office earlier, she had been stunned to learn that two people she thought would have her back would do this. When the agents were told that it was apparent that she was the intended target, even they weren't amused either. She would meet with them later to give a full statement. But right now, she wasn't sure what to do. Wasn't sure she would still be running New York in five months. She sensed that Sam felt this too. His anger was bleeding out of him like a hurricane at the moment. After a few moments she looked at Sam and said, "Sam I don't think anybody knew what they were up to. Not even Hetty. You could see it on her face."

She was right, Sam thought he'd noticed it too when he and Kensi had spoken to her in her office. Hetty looked devastated by the news. He was telling himself. Especially for G. Hetty had been like a mother to him, but this mess that he had created with Eric's help just about done it in for her. Sam was still wondering how this all could of happened in the first place himself. "Yeah, you're right, they both hurt not only just you but all of us. Even Hetty."

"Yeah, I'm still wondering the how and why though," she said to no one in particular.

"Yeah add a very good reason as well," Sam chimed in.

"So I take it Hetty told you,"

"Yeah, she did."

"Then you know my entry into the New York Marathon has been effected."

"Yeah, she did but she didn't say how bad."

"Well, it appears my entry was deleted but mine wasn't the only one other runners were effected as well."

"You're one of the automatic entries from last year because Sandy, right?"

"Yeah."

"And he still managed to delete it."

"It looks that way."

Sam just sighed.

NCISLA

Kensi found herself wandering the building when she went downstairs, she figured she head for the shooting range and maybe unload a few clips worth of bullets and get in some knife throwing while she was at it. But walking by the armory she heard voices and stopped to listen. She immediately recognized Sam's voice. The other voice had to be Nell's by the way the conversation was going. So she stood there against the wall and listened.

"I'm still trying to figure out how Hetty figured it out," Sam was saying. "She did mention that she suspected that they were up to something."

"Yeah, but how did she put the pieces together to tip off the FBI in the first place. I mean, I told her about my problem getting into the website back on Monday and the email I got regarding the breeches." Nell was saying.

Kensi knew that she had to tell them.

"However she did I'm glad because we now know who did it but on the other side of it," Sam was saying. "Two people we know were behind it."

"I'm still wondering how something like this went past her in the first place Sam. I mean, she knows everything."

"Yeah, that's true but not this time," he took a deep breath. "What a mess."

"But she did figure it out, but how?"

"It was me," Kensi said stepping out from where she had been listening on the other side of the wall.

The two of them looked at Kensi.

"Kensi," Sam asked.

Kensi nodded, "I kind of overheard part of a conversation Eric and Callen were having and it didn't sound right. So …" she hesitated trying to find the right words. "I mentioned it to Hetty."

"And Hetty must have taken it from there," replied Sam.

Kensi nodded. "I sort of have an idea how she put the pieces together."

The two looked at Kensi as she explained how she had overheard part of Callen and Eric's conversation a few days ago. Sam and Nell looked at each other and then back at Kensi as the two had figured out how Hetty had put the pieces together with the security cameras.

"With the investigation going on in New York, Hetty must have informed the FBI about it then," Sam finally said.

"Yes she did," replied Nell. "from what I've been told, the FBI had managed to trace it back to the Los Angeles area but not to a specific location."

"Not until Hetty told them," came Kensi. "What I can't understand is why would they jeopardize their careers to do this."

"I think we all know the answer to that question," spoke Sam.

Kensi stood there thinking to herself. Yeah I do know the answer. She did, and she can trace the origin of it back to April the week before the Boston Marathon. But now she had a pretty good idea as to why Callen and Eric would do this. Their so called rule about not having a routine in there lives. Screw the rule! Screw it was right. Nell had done such a good job of hiding her outside activities that Knesi didn't know much about the redhead after all nor the fact that she was running the New York Marathon later this year. She had to wonder how many other marathons she's run before now and no one knew about it. Maybe she could take a page from Nell's book too. She sighed and finally spoke. "I guess it's because Callen didn't want you to have a normal routine life. But you, Nell, have managed to pull this running thing off without any of us knowing and I'm sorry for that."

Both Nell and Sam watched Kensi as she talked.

"I know I've been an idiot for the past few months about you being a marathon runner. I should have had your back when we first learned about it but I guess I was jealous and maybe a bit envious and maybe not believing it at the time since we didn't know much about you. I'm sorry."

"So when you overheard Eric and Callen talking …" Nell began to ask.

"I figured they were seriously up to something and I didn't care about the consequences if I was wrong. But I couldn't believe that this whole thing would involve you."

Nell nodded. Nell took a minute to think it over while Sam and Kensi waited patiently. This whole thing was a very sensitive matter for all of them. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, she spoke. "Kensi, thank you and apology accepted."

"Thanks Nell."

The redhead nodded.

"Well I guess we're good then," chimed in Sam."

"Yeah, we're good, Sam." Said both women in unison.

"Now that that's settled, you doing anything this weekend," Sam asked Nell.

"Well making some more Jell-O dishes and some other soft food for Deeks tonight and taking it over to him tomorrow."

"So you're the one who's been making all that Jell-O creations that are in his fridge," Kensi said in surprise.

"Yeah, besides he texted me earlier saying he was almost out," Nell said.

"So how do you do it, I liked the fourth of July themed Jell-O you made for him, I saw it in his fridge yesterday when I went by."

"My mom taught me. It's kind of fun to experiment to see what comes out."

"Yeah, Michelle likes to do the same thing. Oh, and she's making vegetable soup for Deeks this weekend," said Sam

"Hope it's good, he's getting tired on being on a soft food diet. It's driving him crazy," spoke up Kensi.

"Yeah, well he's supposed to go semi-solid next week depends on what the doctor says on Monday," Nell was saying.

"You've been keeping in touch with him," Kensi asked.

"Well yeeaah," replied Nell.

"Good," replied Kensi.

"I just wonder what his reaction will be when he finds out what Callen and Eric have done,"

"Uh, oh, maybe we shouldn't tell him just yet," said Kensi.

"Better now then later," chimed in Sam "or let's wait till next week after he hears what the docs say."

"Next week then,"replied Nell.

"Same here," chimed in Kensi.

"Come on let's get back upstairs before Hetty starts wondering where we've disappeared to." Said Sam getting up. He reached out a hand to help Nell up.

"She probably already knows," replied Kensi.

The three eyed each other and then said, "she knows." As they headed for the stairs.

NCISLA

Hetty did know as a small smile came to her face as she closed the laptop. She didn't have to listen to the conversation to know what was going on. Their facial expressions and body language were enough. At least Kensi had patched things with Nell. She had hoped that Mr. Callen and Mr. Beale would have done the same before today, but apparently not. Until the matter was resolved, she now knew that Nell Jones had people who she can count on to have her back.

U

TBC ... whenever I get back.

You are welcome to R&R