If the measure of a good writer is to convey the illusion of reality then things are progressing well. Half of you think this is nuts and half really like it plus all of you think I'm nuts. The truth is out there somewhere but maybe 8 or so chapters away. FYI my fun is reading the reviews of people that are stumped that our kids are acting this way-go figure! Maybe the lines blur or maybe you have to believe so they can believe-that's a tribute to Spock and his "complex linear thinking"

At that moment Jack walked in carrying Yummy Yummy Heart Attack. He sat down on the couch and asked "Kens, you don't seem to have a man in your life right now, any chance we could get back together?" She reacted with a shocked look but he forged ahead- -"we have gotten along great since I got here. I could switch to NCIS and get rid of the 'liaison' and give you a real agent for a partner day and night."

Finally she shot up glaring at him and growled "Jack I did this as a favor to my boss (a/n remember Jack and Hetty are buds) while you got cleared to start FLETC and join the CIA-nothing else. I did it for Hetty, against my wishes, by the way. The deal was you sleep in the spare room period. No benefits. Understand there is no us. I have someone in my life and probably have managed to screw that up. I care about that man more than any man on this planet. I really think it's time for you to move on and find your own place. Actually it's past time so just leave- - -now" and she got up and locked herself in her bedroom. 2 hours later and well buzzed, Jack picked the lock and quietly entered her room approaching the bed in his bare feet. The first thing Kensi knew, she was being choked and Jack was on top of her. As she struggled she managed to get her legs up and around his neck from the back (thank you yoga). Once there she was able to pull him backward off her. Quickly getting out of bed she took a defensive stance as he approached her. He took a swing that she countered, stepping to the side and bending at the knees, she leg whipped him, putting him on his back. She then lunged across the bed for her weapon on the nightstand. While she was doing that he got up and fled. Realizing she was clad only in an LAPD tee shirt and panties, Kensi simply locked the door again, went to the kitchen and poured herself a stiff drink. Then she hit the bathroom and took a long shower as hot as she could stand it. After watching reruns of America's top model for a couple hours she started feeling sleepy-finally-and eventually ended up back in bed falling asleep knowing she had to deal with the nightmares of what just happened as well as the events of the last few months. When the nightmare came it was a new one- -Jack was raping her over and over and she was begging Deeks to help. He just stood there, sad eyed and said "sorry, Kens, I'm not tough enough, you know that." She woke up in a cold sweat and with tears in her eyes. Reality hit her again as she realized the implications of her dream and she felt even worse. All the way to work she wondered if this seemingly small tiff turned abyss could ever be bridged. Then she realized it was on her that it got so out of hand as well as her job to fix it. Remember the goal here girl! He was just an unexpected accident.

The next day at ops, she told the guys everything that happened the night before, excluding who the rapist was. She also apologized to them for everything that happened between her and Deeks saying "a little bit of ribbing got way out of hand". She stopped short of promising to fix things with Deeks and had no idea why she did that. Was it because she didn't want to or because she didn't think it was possible or? A shrill whistle woke her from her contemplation as Eric announced "we have a case!"

The 3 agents immediately started for ops. Hetty followed them in and announced "before Eric begins the briefing, I am making some changes-Ms. Blye with work with Mr. Hanna and Ms. Jones will partner with Mr. Callen when all 4 of you are needed in the field." G was about to object but Hetty shot him her best glare and he shut up Proceed Eric.

All eyes were on Kensi, not Eric as he said, "this is seaman 1st Jason Droege. He is stationed at Point Mugu NAS. He is an engine mechanic responsible for the Tomcat of Lt. Jimmy "Jackman" Jones. They were here on a 6 month ground based training and equipment upgrade before being rotated back to the "Ike" (the carrier Eisenhower). They were both found dead about 04:30 of gunshot wounds. It was made to look like they killed each other but surveillance tapes show they both fell at almost the same time. The source of the shots was out of camera range. They were both suspected of and being watched for participation in a gun running ring operating out of San Diego and or LA. There are also drug concerns as these men have contacts thru out the mid-east and South America. We are waiting for details of that investigation plus all related materials and information from our agent afloat as well as people on the ground in Afghanistan and South America. Our objective is to try and find the killer(s) and also close down the gun and/or drug smuggling ring. Basic data to your cells. We-er I will begin searching their lives for any financial ties to known cartels as well as other possible relationships. Be aware I will be alone in ops for the time being so it may take a few extra minutes to generate data or answer the comm's. It shouldn't be a major problem but a minor inconvenience. Just remember that before you yell at me." Eric offered this last part rather sheepishly.

G then parceled out assignments-Sam you and Kensi go to Point Mugu-look over the crime scene and talk to anyone who might know something, especially bunk mates, the pilots REO and the rest of the flight crew as well as anyone on base that knew them. We will arrange to meet the San Diego SAC and find out what he knows about any cartels operating in the area and any links they may have to our victims. Eric, copy us all on anything written that comes in from the agent afloat or anywhere else.

MUGU NAS

Kensi and Sam were looking at the crime scene. The bodies were gone but the chalk outline remained. "Sam, this was a high powered rifle of some sort. Look at the blood splatter, it is too large a spray pattern and area to be a handgun." Hitting her comm unit she added "Eric, be sure and get a copy of the ME's report plus any and all ballistic info. on the shooting. If they didn't run the bullet, please run it thru the system looking for a match."

"On it Kensi. Already checked on the ME's report. That will be here by end of day. Ballistics are 24 hours out."

NCIS SAN DIEGO OFFICE

"Agents I am Mark Hammond, SAC of this office what can I do for you" he asked as he extended his hand. Mark was an older man, well over 6' tall and well built. G thought he might be formidable in a fight.

"I'm Callen, this is my partner Agent Jones. We're from the LA office of Special Projects. We are looking into the murders at Mugu. You should have copies of the prelim reports by now. The 2 dead naval personnel are linked to a gang from this area who are smuggling guns. What we know is very little. You have been sent a copy of the prelim reports which includes a lot of speculation at this time. I can add that we do suspect a guns for drugs for money type of transaction based on the contacts the 2 victims had. We are combing thru said backgrounds and any contacts we can identify right now. We will update you as information is available. You should know that our liaison Det. Deeks is undercover in the middle of this out of LAPD, not our office. He and his partner are having a bit of a rough patch so he might not be real cooperative and/or forthcoming with intel so anything you can generate from here will help us all and be appreciated."

"Just finished skimming them. I was expecting to hear from you. I'll give you all I can. The San Diego Demons gang is the most prominent local gang running guns to various other gangs up and down the coast-most prominent, of late, the LAtin Kings down your way. We think they are also the largest illegal gun supplier on the west coast. We estimate they account for over 90% of the illegal guns on the California gang scene and well over half of all illegal guns in the on the coast. If this leads to them going down we will put a major dent in the arms smuggling around here. If you are right about drugs we need to stop them before they start. We have enough of that crap coming in."

"I thought the Kings were out of business. Are you sure they are one of the bigger players in this" G asked and his face indicated he was puzzled.

Oh oh, does this mean Deeks could be compromised based on that last operation with Ray? Is anything coming into focus? Smile everyone!