Hey guys!
First, a big THANK YOU to anyone who has reviewed, favorited, and/or followed this story! It means the world to me!
You guys ready for the big rescue? I sure hope so!
And I know this is a day late, but it's a long chapter, so I hope that makes up for it a little bit!
I don't own NCIS LA or anything associated with it.
Enjoy!
Chapter 5
Callen looked at himself in the mirror, trying to get a feel for his disguise. The shiny surface reflected back an image of himself in brown trousers, a gray button down, and matching deep green tie and ball cap. The logo for the Los Angeles park services was embroidered into the left shirt pocket and the hat. The final touch was the name plate on his right shirt pocket that read D. FAWSWORTH; the 'D' standing for Darrel. Callen wasn't sure where Hetty or Eric or whoever had come up with Fawsworth as his last name, but he wouldn't rule out the possibility that it was some prank on him or something. And, well, okay, the nametag wasn't the final final touch…
"Nice goatee," Kensi smirked from where she sat on the stool behind him, Monty on the floor beside her.
He turned to face her, the half-smile he gave her not quite the same with the itchy faux mustache and goatee attached to his face.
"Well, at least I don't look like a Barbie doll," he countered, eyeing the blonde wig and blue contacts Kensi was donning.
"Ha ha. Very funny," she said sarcastically, then grimaced. He figured she liked her accessories about as much as he liked his.
"Why did Hetty want us to wear this stuff anyway?" Kensi muttered, thinking aloud.
And, of course, her words were heard.
"Because, Ms. Blye," Hetty's voice drifted over as she approached. "the harder it is for Sidorov to recognize you, the better. This will throw the Russians off your trail, if even a little bit. It gives us more options when Michelle's meet is over."
With a knowing smile, Hetty turned and headed up the stairs to OPS.
"How does she do that?" Kensi whispered in awe, shaking her head in disbelief like they usually did when Hetty popped up out of nowhere, seemingly knowing everything.
"She's a ninja, remember?" he shrugged, smiling, slipping on a pair of aviator's sunglasses. "Come on, we'd better get going. Michelle's meet with Sidorov is in an hour."
-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-
Callen missed Sam.
The worst part?
It was his fault that Sam and Deeks were gone in the first place. It had been his plan—his stupid plan—to get Janvier involved. And now, because of it, Sam—his partner and best friend, the person he trusted most—was getting tortured somewhere by angry Russians. "This is all your doing," Janvier had said. "Look into my eyes. I still only live for one thing…to kill what you love." The words ringing over in his head weren't helping with the guilt.
The second Janvier had revealed that he had given Sam up Callen had wanted to finish what he'd started. He had wanted to kill Janvier so badly. And for a moment, it seemed like his anger—his pure, white-hot rage—would take over, would get the best of him. But Janvier had wanted to die; Callen wasn't going to grant him the luxury. So he settled for punching Janvier a couple more times. Punching him until he heard the satisfying crunch of cartilage under his fist and Janvier's nose was turned into a fountain of blood.
It wasn't that Callen didn't like working with Kensi. She was a good agent, a good partner, but she wasn't his partner. Though he and Kensi were friends—more like brother and sister—they just didn't have the same bond he had with Sam. Or even the same bond that Kensi had with Deeks—recent kiss aside. That kiss… Callen wasn't jealous or anything, just protective. Again, Kensi was like a sister to him. He didn't want to see her get hurt. Not that he thought Deeks would hurt her, but if something were ever to happen to Deeks, he didn't want to see the toll it would take on Kens. She had already lost her father; lost Dom, her first partner…he knew she couldn't afford to lose Deeks. So it was now Callen's job, not only to get his own partner back, but Kensi's partner too.
And that's exactly what he was going to do.
-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-
Kensi gave the tennis ball another good throw, watching as Monty tore after it. She couldn't help but smile. Monty was pretty cute, even if he was a little shaggy. Maybe she'd have to get a dog. Then her and Deeks could walk their dogs together, have puppy-play-dates as her and Deeks sat on the couch, watching Titanic for the billionth time, drinking beer and eating Rocky Road. But we have to get him back first, her head reminded her. Her smile disappeared.
"Kens, you read me?" Callen's voice interrupted her thoughts over her com.
"Yup, loud and clear." She responded, taking a second to spot Callen across the huge stretch of grass, dotted with the occasional trees, which made up Pan Pacific Park.
If she didn't know him, she definitely wouldn't have recognized him. Most of his face was concealed with the ball cap he wore, sunglasses, and facial hair. It reminded her of her own disguise. The blonde wig didn't match her eyebrows, but she was not going to dye them. The blue contacts were pretty high quality, so they didn't mess with her vision like cheap ones would have. She supposed her disguise could've been worse. Although, several guys had already come up to talk to her, and it was very hard trying to not act like a first class bitch trying to get them to go away so she could focus on the task at hand.
"Kens, Eric, you got eyes on Michelle?" Callen's voice sounded in her ear again.
"Yeah, she's sitting on the bench Nell hid the mic on," Kensi replied.
"The cameras I set up have a clear image of Michelle," Eric said over the com. "The mic Nell hooked up has good sound. When Sidorov joins her, we'll be able to hear everything they say."
"Good," Callen said. Kensi spotted him, picking up trash as he scanned the area for any trace of Sidorov or his men. "You see anything in the parking lot, Eric?"
"No sign of them yet, Callen." The analyst responded.
"Okay. Keep us posted,"
"Will do."
Kensi threw the ball again as Monty dropped it at her feet. She glanced over at Michelle, seated on the park bench with Nell's mic, about twenty-five feet to Kensi's two o'clock. Michelle had picked a good spot to meet. The park didn't have a ton of trees, which would make it harder for Sidorov or any of his guys to hide, but also easier to hit a target if a fire fight broke out. There were people, park police…the only thing that would make it perfect was if Sidorov showed up. Her eyes scanned the park again, and that's when she spotted him: the tall Russian with his salt and pepper hair, and steely eyes. Kensi wanted to take him out right then and there, but that wouldn't get Deeks back.
"Callen, I've got him. He's heading towards Michelle right now. I don't see anyone else yet, but I'm sure they're here." she said quietly, plastering on a smile as Monty came back with the ball. She raised her voice. "Good boy, good boy!"
Out of her peripheral, Kensi saw Sidorov glance at her as he walked, but if he recognized her somehow, or noticed anything unusual, he didn't act on it. After all, she was Maggie Symons, just a normal girl at the park with her dog.
"I see him, Kens. Eric?" Callen's voice crackled over her com.
"Yup, I've got him, too, Callen. Hey guys, Michael Zhrov's there too. He's about twenty feet behind the bench Michelle's at. There's a guy with him. I'm running the other guy through facial rec right now." Eric reported.
Kensi's let her eyes drift briefly over to Zhrov. She could see him clearly with the other guy. She read their lips. All small talk. Trying to blend in. Wasn't really working for them. She could see small bulges in their jackets, and she was sure they were guns. Subconsciously, Kensi touched the small of her back, where her SIG was tucked, and she pulled her jacket and shirt down more to make sure the weapon was concealed.
"Callen, looks like Zhrov and his buddy are carrying. I don't see anyone else. You?" she stated.
"Nope. Sidorov might've just brought the two guys. Any hits yet, Eric, Nell?"
"Not yet, Callen," Nell's voice answered.
Everyone fell silent as Sidorov reached Michelle. She stood up to greet him, and he embraced her in a hug. Kensi caught a glimpse of his firearm. No surprise that he, too, was carrying. Kensi was more worried about all the civilians at the park, rather than any of them. Michelle sat and Sidorov followed her lead.
"Quinn," Sidorov said fondly, and Kensi could tell that he really was in love with her. Kensi found it hard to imagine that the man who was trying to sell nukes and was having her partner tortured was even capable of feeling…anything.
"Isaak," Michelle greeted, smiling, falling easily into the façade of her cover.
Kensi saw Sidorov rest his hand near his jacket, where he could easily reach his gun. Kensi knew he was probably still suspicious of Michelle. But it was Michelle's turn to play her part.
"What happened? I want to hear it again," Sidorov said, his brow creasing with concern.
"Maya and Veronica took me to that building. They said we were just going to wait till you called, so that's what I did. I had my back turned for one second and they attacked me." Michelle said. Kensi listened over her com, impressed. Michelle's voice was all right as she told the story over, adding in just the right amount of shock and disbelief and remembrance.
"They threw me down, gave me these," Michelle lifted up the sleeve of her jacket, revealing bruises on her skin that she indeed had gotten the other day.
Kensi watched as Sidorov's eyes widened briefly, his eyes momentarily filling with anger.
"That's not all they gave me," Michelle continued begrudgingly. "But you can see those later." Michelle smirked, trying to lighten the mood, and placed a hand over Sidorov's.
"She's good," Callen said, and Kensi had to agree.
"Anyway," Michelle started again. "They told me that they were only in it for the money. They turned on you, Isaak. Told me all they needed to do was kill me when you weren't around, and then they could disappear."
"I don't…it's just…so hard to find good help these days," Sidorov gave Michelle a tight smile. "How did you get away? There were two of them, one of you,"
"Well, it wasn't easy. They threw me out one of the windows and everything. They thought they'd killed me. That made it easy for me to catch them off guard."
"And the bodies?"
"Got rid of 'em before anybody found them and got the cops involved." Michelle answered smoothly.
Kensi saw Sidorov relax slightly, and she did too, not even realizing how tense she had been getting, caught up in the conversation.
Sidorov glanced down at the ground and sighed. "Why didn't you call me right away?"
"Too dangerous. Didn't want to alert anyone in case Maya and Veronica weren't alone. I just laid low for 24 hours. I called you, that's what matters right?" Michelle gave Sidorov a smile and he smiled back, trapped in her web.
"I suppose so. And you're sure nobody followed you here?" Sidorov asked warily.
"Positive. I took heavy precautions; especially this close to the sale of the weapons. You are still selling the bombs to the Iranians, right?" Michelle asked and Sidorov didn't look the slightest bit suspicious of her question.
"Yes. They've already given me a considerable amount of gold. If I were to turn back on the deal….well it would make disappearing with you very difficult." Sidorov smiled at Michelle, looking at her as if she was the only woman in the world, and Kensi knew it was an okay thing that Sam wasn't seeing this. Though, if he were there, Michelle wouldn't be having this meet in the first place.
Michelle smiled back, grasping his hand tighter. "That's true. When is the trade happening? I want to be there to celebrate our freedom,"
Sidorov's smile vanished. "I don't know anymore. After David…I'm not sure if it's safe right now."
Kensi tensed, listening for Michelle's response. She could almost hear Callen tense through her com. She tried to calm herself by petting Monty, who had given up on fetch and decided to lay down by her side.
"David?" Michele's voice flooded with the appropriate amount of confusion and the tiniest bit of anger, her brows pulling together in disbelief. "What about David? Why wouldn't it be safe to distribute weapons?"
Sidorov didn't answer; only clenched and unclenched his jaw repeatedly.
"Isaak, what is it?" Michelle asked, taking both of his hands in hers. "You can trust me, Isaak. You know that don't you? I love you, Isaak, so please, tell me."
When those three little words rolled out of Michelle's mouth, Sidorov looked straight at her, looking at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. Kensi had to admit, she was stunned too. And judging from the deafening silence over her com, so was everybody else. But it was clear in Sidorov's features that he believed her. Hook, line, and sinker.
Sidorov looked at Michelle, and it looked like he was trying hard not to smile. Once again, Kensi found it hard to believe that somewhere inside of the coldness of the man there was a warm, beating heart.
"A tip was given to me…" Sidorov paused. "David is not who he says he is. He is working against us as an undercover agent."
"What?" and there it was again, the perfect display of disbelief and shock in Michelle's features and tone. "That can't be…h-how's that possible?"
"I don't know. I thought you knew David well, though?" Sidorov asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.
"Kensi, be alert. If Sidorov says something you don't like, move in." Callen said over her com.
"Copy that, Callen." She responded, pulling Monty closer to her side.
"I do—I did." Michelle responded to Sidorov. "I knew him very well. Wait, you don't think I'm and agent as well, do you?"
"I can't be positive. The circumstances are suspicious, Quinn. Veronica and Maya turning on me, you managing to evade death by their hand, all of it starting with David."
"What I told you about Veronica and Maya was the truth. You have to believe me; I had no idea about David—or whatever the hell his name is. If I had, I never would've brought him with me. I wouldn't put you in danger like that. Like I said, Isaak, I love you. I want the burden of these weapons gone; I want to run away with you. I want to disappear." Michelle said, and even Kensi believed her.
And when Michelle gently placed her lips to Sidorov's, he seemed to believe her too. Kensi had already seen Michelle kiss Sidorov once, but she could practically hear everybody else's shock at what Sam's wife had just done.
"Uh…" Callen was at lost for words, and Kensi had to smile. "No mentioning this to Sam, agreed?"
"Way ahead of you," Kensi joked.
"We'll sell the bombs as soon as I know it's safe." Sidorov told Michelle.
"How are you going to find out if it's safe or not?"
"Through David and his partner."
"You have David? And another cop? Well, have you gotten anything out of them yet?" Michelle asked.
"No, nothing yet. Our methods are not working." Sidorov admitted.
Kensi had to restrain herself from pulling out her gun and shooting Sidorov herself. He mentioning Deeks planted a seed of rage deep in the pit of her stomach, and every second it grew bigger. She clenched one hand into a fist. She needed to calm down, she knew that. She took deep breaths and ran her other hand through Monty's fur. It helped, having the dog there. He kept her mostly calm.
"Kens, you okay?" Callen asked, concerned. Even with the distance between them, Kensi could feel Callen's eyes on her, watching her reaction to what Sidorov was saying.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Kensi replied, not letting her voice give anything away.
"Torture?" Michelle questioned. "Let me try. Maybe I can get something out of David. He might talk to me. It's worth a shot if it means we can sell the nukes. Besides, I think I owe him a punch or two now."
Kensi tensed. Here was the moment where the op would sink or swim. Sidorov was either going to kill Michelle out of suspicion, or he would take her to where their friends' were. Everything seemed to stand still for a moment, everything around them becoming insignificant next to Sidorov's awaited response.
"I'll take you to them. If we don't get anything out of them in the next 24 hours, we kill them both and take the weapons to the Iranians." Sidorov finally said, and Kensi—including Callen, Eric, Nell, and Hetty—all let go of the collective breaths they'd been holding.
They were in.
-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-
"I'm tracking their SUV using Kaleidoscope," Eric said back in ops, and Kensi watched as her pulled up footage of a black SUV onto the big screen. "Plus, we're tracking Michelle's phone and the phone that belongs to the number Sidorov gave her. Nell also planted a GPS chip into one of Michelle's boots and on one of the bracelets she was wearing. We're not gonna lose them this time."
"Once they get to their location, we're going to get every camera in the area on them. We'll let you guys know when we have eyes." Nell added.
"Very good, Mr. Beale, Ms. Jones," Hetty said. "I've put in word to Director Vance on our progress. Mr. Callen, Ms. Blye, my office. A word, if you wouldn't mind."
And with that, Hetty turned and left.
As Callen came up to her, she tried not to feel angry. After Sidorov, Zhrov—and his other guy who had yet to be identified—left with Michelle, Kensi had wanted to follow. Callen had held her back though, insisting that the whole time, Zhrov and the other henchmen had been surveying the whole vicinity every minute they were in the park. He insisted that it would be too dangerous to follow. And, it would only tip off Sidorov. If they followed him right away, Sidorov would no doubt assume that Michelle—or Quinn—was behind it and that would put her at risk. Kensi saw the logic in all of that, but every second they didn't act, was another second Sam and Deeks spent getting tortured.
"I know you're mad at me, Kens—" Callen started to say, but she interrupted.
"I'm not mad, not really," she sighed, feeling defeated. "I'm just frustrated with all of this. I just want to get our partners back."
"I know. Me, too. We'll get them back. Let's just see what Hetty has to say, then we'll plan our next step." He said, trying to comfort her. It worked a little. It was more comforting now that he looked like himself again, along with her.
Minutes later, Kensi stood with Callen in front of Hetty's desk. There had been an awkward silence for about thirty seconds as Hetty just looked at them. Then she smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes, and Kensi guessed this was as hard a case for her as it was for them.
"I want to tell you what a good job you did today, both of you," Hetty said, spreading her hands.
"Thanks, I guess." Callen said, looking mildly suspicious, eyeing the woman in front of them. "Is that all you wanted to talk to us about, Hetty?"
Hetty sighed. "No, it's not. I spoke with Director Vance. He also says that you two have done well, considering the circumstances. But,"
Uh-oh, Kensi thought. Her head immediately went to the kiss. Hetty probably knew about it—who was she kidding? Of course Hetty knew. She'd probably told Vance about it, and they were going to take her off the case. She was about to protest, but she couldn't get the words out. Luckily, she didn't have to talk. Hetty did instead.
"Director Vance is ordering that we stand down until tomorrow." Hetty said grimly.
It took a moment for Kensi's brain to process what her boss had just said. So not about the kiss, but…they couldn't rescue Sam and Deeks till tomorrow?
"What?" she burst out.
At the same time, Callen spoke. "Hetty, we can't do that."
Her and Callen exchanged a glance, then turned back on Hetty.
"Hetty, we know that Sidorov said 24 hours, but what if they don't make it that long?" Kensi protested. "We can't just leave them there. Once they see Michelle there, they'll be expecting us. We can't just—"
"Ms. Blye, I am aware of the circumstances. I don't like them anymore than you do. But Director Vance was very clear." Hetty said sternly. "I only have the two of you at hand right now. With Michelle inside, the sooner we move, the more likely it is that we put her in danger as well. I cannot afford to lose another agent at this point."
"Hetty—" Callen started, trying to argue.
"Mr. Callen…the decision is final. The two of you, accompanied by a SWAT team, will move in tomorrow. Sidorov is to be taken alive. Am I clear?"
Silence.
Then Callen spoke, his voice clipped, looking as angry as Kensi felt. "Yes. We understand."
"Good." Hetty responded wearily. "Mr. Callen, you are dismissed. I would like another moment to speak with Ms. Blye."
Callen didn't argue. He left, running a hand over his face. Kensi didn't know how much either of them could keep this up. They wanted their partners back. They needed their partners back. They were both angry, frustrated, itching to take action. But they couldn't do it alone. So they had to wait until tomorrow. Kensi didn't know if she could wait that long. Even now every passing second without Deeks felt like a lifetime.
"Take a seat, Kensi." Hetty asked gently.
Slightly shocked, Kensi couldn't refuse. Hetty rarely called them by their first names. Once sitting, Kensi realized how tired she really was. She had been functioning the past two days on hardly any sleep, probably a dozen cups of coffee, and adrenaline. She needed sleep, she knew that. But she also knew the chances of her getting a decent night's sleep were slim to none.
"Kensi…" Hetty paused, like she was searching for the right words to say. "I understand how difficult this is for you. I know that losing your first partner, Mr. Vail, was hard. But I also know that the circumstances are different with Mr. Deeks."
Kensi flushed pink, and she hated herself for doing so. "What do you mean?"
Hetty smirked. "You know exactly what I mean, Ms. Blye. I was up in OPS when it happened. Honestly, Kensi, though it is against the rules, I usually turn a blind eye for you and Mr. Deeks. You work well together, and I can see that he has helped a lot. He has helped you open up a bit since your father's passing. It's not my business what happens in your personal lives'. It is, however, my business to keep this team as safe as possible."
Kensi blushed as Hetty talked about her and Deeks. Though it did sound a little bit like the talk she and Callen had had, god, just last night.
"I need to know if you can set aside your personal feelings and put this mission first, Kensi?" the small woman asked, her eyes caring behind her glasses.
"Yes," it came out as a whisper, so she cleared her throat and spoke clearer. "Yes. Mission comes first. We wait until tomorrow for the rescue and Sidorov is to be taken alive. I understand, Hetty."
"I'm glad to hear that. Now, go home and get some rest. Big day tomorrow." Hetty said kindly, and Kensi knew she was dismissed.
When Kensi got home later that night, it didn't turn out as she'd predicted. Monty jumped into bed with her, and the second her head hit the pillow, she was out. And all she dreamed about was Deeks and the fact that Hetty had practically given them permission to become more than just friends. Question was is that what she wanted? As she drifted asleep, she knew the answer. Yes. Now all she had to do was open up somehow, let him in. That was going to be harder than tomorrow's rescue mission.
-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-
So far the mission was going well. Kensi crossed her fingers and hoped it stayed that way. Eric and Nell had tracked Sidorov and Michelle to a warehouse. Tracking money through a series of off-shore accounts and fake names, the two analysts had found that Sidorov had been the one to purchase the warehouse. And naturally, the first thing he had done was install security. There were guards posted at each exit—four total; one on each side of the building—and half a dozen security cameras were rigged on the outside. Luckily, the camera footage was easy to hack into, and Nell and Eric had used their computer super powers to hack into the feed, making Kensi, Callen, and the SWAT team invisible to anyone on the inside who happened to be monitoring the cameras.
Kensi stood with Callen by the SWAT van and her car, about a block and half down from the warehouse, half hidden by the trees on the veranda. Callen lowered his binoculars. Kensi could practically see the gears turning in his head, trying to figure out how to get in quietly, so as not to alert Sidorov until they had guns pointed at him.
"How do you want to play this?" he asked.
Kensi thought for a moment. "You and I create a distraction, try to get at least two of the guards attention on us. The SWAT team can take the other two out quietly. Once they've done that, we handle the other two."
Callen nodded. "Sounds good to me. What kind of distraction were you thinking?"
"New to town, we're lost and you're too stubborn to ask for directions. So we start arguing like the old married couple that we're not." he smiled at Callen and he gave a small chuckle.
"Okay. I'll tell the team what's what."
Five minutes later, Kensi pulled her silver Cadillac up to the curb by the warehouse. She saw the two guards closest to them raise their guns and eye the car.
"You ready?" Callen asked her, unbuckling his seatbelt.
"This was my idea, of course I'm ready," she scoffed then climbed out of the car, approaching the chain link fence that lined the sides of the warehouse that were facing the street.
"Excuse me, could you help us?" Kensi called through the fence, putting on a sweet smile. She and Callen stepped through the opening in the fence, walking into the warehouse's yard.
One guard stepped towards them, tucking his gun away. The other followed behind him, gun lowered. They eyed Callen—who had put on his best annoyed face—but then turned their attention back to Kensi and the v-neck line of her shirt. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and call them pigs.
"Hi!" she said brightly as they approached. "My boyfriend and I are new to town and we still don't know our way around the streets. Could you give us some directions?"
"I told you, Kayla, we don't need to ask for directions!" Callen interrupted loudly before either of the guards could answer.
"So how do you explain us getting lost, then?" she snapped back, putting her hands on her hips. She turned back to the guards. "Sorry about that. You can help us though, right?"
She batted her lashes, smiling bigger than before. The guy in front smiled back at her, and the other holstered his gun, stepping closer.
"Sure sweetheart. Where're you trying to go?" Guard Number 1 said, grinning at her, speaking with a Russian accent.
"Hey! Hey, that's my girlfriend you're calling sweetheart! Watch what you say!" Callen shouted, causing the Guard Number 1 to look irritated. "Come on, Kayla, these guys aren't going to be much help,"
Callen grabbed her arm lightly, trying to pull her away. She grabbed her arm back and turned back to the guards just as Callen's phone rang. He looked at the Caller I.D. and answered.
"Hello?" Callen said, taking a step away.
"Ugh, always taking calls," Kensi groaned. "You know, I wouldn't be surprised if he was cheating on me. Maybe it's time I found a new boyfriend. Maybe one who actually knows his way around this city,"
She eyed Guard Number 1 up and down appreciatively, twirling a strand of hair around one of her fingers flirtatiously.
"Kayla," Callen said.
"What, Brian?" she asked irritably.
"Eric called. He's wondering why we're late. He gave us directions, we're good to go. Come on!"
And that was their cue that the SWAT team had taken out the other guards.
"Okay, go to the car, I'll be right there," she said, and Callen turned around, not hurrying.
She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket, along with a pen, and scribbled down a random phone number. She tucked it into Guard Number 1's trouser pocket.
"You can call me anytime to give me directions," she said quietly.
She patted his arm…then yanked it around behind him, hard. He cried out in pain and she heard a pop! as she dislocated his shoulder. She planted a foot on Guard Number 1' back, forcing him to the ground. Guard Number 2 raised his gun, but Callen was already there with his own gun aimed at the guy's head.
"Drop it!" Callen yelled.
Guard Number 2 hesitated for a moment before wisely lowering his gun to the ground.
"On your knees! Hands behind your head!" Callen ordered.
Kensi finished cuffing her guy and disarming him. Callen did the same, and the SWAT team joined up with them just in time. Four of the SWAT team members took their prisoners and locked them up with the other two guards in the back of their van. The SWAT leader, Briggs, handed Callen and Kensi their Kevlar NCIS vests as he spoke.
"The perimeter is secure. I've got guys on each of the exits now." Briggs said.
"Thanks," Callen replied. They quick went over to grab their Colt M4A1 assault rifles. Kensi tucked her SIG in its holster attached to her hip. She double checked her guns' ammo and the straps on her bulletproof vest. She activated her com and put it in her ear. Everything was in order. She looked at Callen.
"Let's go get our partners back." Callen said, giving her that half-smile he was practically famous for.
She nodded. "I couldn't agree more."
Callen looked to Briggs, but Briggs shook his head. "Your lead, Agent Callen."
Callen nodded. "Okay. I want a team going in through each exit. I'll take one team through the main doors. Kensi, you go in through the back with another team. We meet in the middle. Kill only if necessary. Sidorov is to be taken alive. We have three agents in there. You all know what they look like. Ambulances are on their way. No sirens. Let's make this quick and quiet. Everybody clear on what the mission is?"
Everybody nodded.
"Good. Move in," Callen said, gesturing for four guys to follow him, four to follow Kensi, and the other six split up between the two remaining entrances.
Kensi led her team to the southern entrance of the warehouse. She held her Colt at the ready, muscles tense as she waited for Callen's signal to sound in her ear.
"On three," Callen voiced. "One…two…three!"
Kensi burst through the door, holding her gun aloft. It was a big warehouse and Sidorov only had so many men at hand, so she wasn't surprised when nobody noticed them right away. She signaled with one hand for her team to branch out. She took two steps forward and a man with a sawed-off Remington 870 appeared from the shadows. The guy fired around, missing Kensi by an inch. He didn't get the chance to fire another round before Kensi shot a short burst into the man's chest, scarlet blood staining his white-button down as he fell to the ground. She approached him and kicked his weapon away. Her team headed farther into the warehouse. She heard distant gunfire form the other teams.
"Kensi, status?" Callen's voice crackled over her com.
"One guy down. We're all good. No sign of Sidorov, Michelle, Sam, or Deeks."
"We haven't seen them either. We took out two by the main entrance. One of the flanking teams took out the guys who were manning the cameras. We're heading towards the center of the warehouse." Callen updated her.
They continued through the warehouse with barely another peep. Kensi heard one more round of gunfire before everything fell silent again. She met the other teams' in the middle as they came up on a room with a single door on the one side they could see. She could hear the murmur of frantic voices on the other side. Callen ordered most of the men to fall back to the entrances they'd come through, to catch any stragglers or anyone who tried to escape. Kensi was left with Callen, Briggs, and two other SWAT members. Callen looked at her and mouthed, one…two….three! They burst through the door. Sidorov, who had been arguing with 'Quinn' and Michael Zhrov, froze. They all stood by a barely conscious Sam, who was restrained to a metal chair with jumper cables attached.
Kensi didn't even have time to feel relief that Sam and Michelle were okay—mostly okay on Sam's part—because just then all hell broke loose. Zhrov pulled his gun, and Callen fired a round into his leg, causing him to drop to his knees. Kensi knew that Zhrov would be almost as important as Sidorov.
"Drop your weapons!" Briggs yelled. Of course, no one listened.
"Quinn, come on!" Sidorov yelled, pushing through the chaos and out through the door they'd come through, firing on anyone who dared come near.
Kensi saw Sidorov glance back a Michelle as Kensi bound her hands behind her back loosely with zip ties and 'forced' her to the ground. Michelle glanced up at Kensi briefly and gave her the tiniest of nods; nothing that would be noticed by anyone but her. Kensi moved away from Michelle when she heard a cry and looked up just in time to see one of the SWAT team members fall to the ground. Michael Zhrov still hadn't dropped his weapon.
"Drop it!" Briggs shouted again.
Kensi thought he was going to put his gun down, but at the last second, he fired again, causing them all to duck. With his wounded leg, he ran as fast as he could towards the door after Sidorov. Kensi watched as he fired at one of the SWAT teams outside the room they were in with Sam, and a SWAT member shot a round into his chest, and Zhrov dropped to the ground like a stone.
"Clear," Callen stated, then immediately rushed to Sam.
Kensi helped Michelle to her feet and cut the zip ties. Michelle rushed over to help get her husband out of the cuffs that bound him to the metal chair.
"Guys, Sidorov managed to get away in his car, but we're tracking him using Kaleidoscope and the GPS tracker Michelle planted on him." Eric reported over their coms. "The paramedics are on their way into the building now."
"Thanks, Eric," Callen replied. "Kens, you see Deeks?"
Kensi had to bite back a sob. "No, I…"
She trailed off when she turned, and through the dirty panes of glass that made up a sliding door on the other side of the room, she saw him.
"Deeks!" she yelled, and pushed the door open.
Kensi rushed to her partner's side and fell to her knees, undoing his hands from behind his back.
"Deeks…oh god… Deeks," she whispered, taking in the bruises, the cuts, and the blood. Lots of blood.
For a second, she wasn't sure if he was alive, and she had to fight the tears forming in her eyes. She gently reached up and placed two fingers to his neck, full of sweat and grime and blood, and felt for the thrumming of his pulse. The seconds that ticked by felt like hours, until, finally, she felt the light flutter of his pulse. She exhaled slowly, trying to calm the racing of her heart as she took in the sight of her battered partner.
"Kensi?"
Her name came out of Deeks' mouth as a barely audible murmur. Kensi just about screamed with relief as he stirred, struggling to pick up his head.
"Kensi…that you?" he whispered.
"Yeah, yeah it's me, Deeks." she smiled, feeling a few traitor tears slip down her cheeks.
She watched as he managed a weak smile. "I knew you'd find me, Fern. I knew you were comin'. I knew—"
Deeks broke off and Kensi could only watch in horror as he coughed and a mouthful of scarlet blood poured over his lips and down his chin, coloring the front of his shirt. But there wasn't enough time to worry about him herself as one team of paramedics rushed forward and began lifting Deeks onto a stretcher. She tried to see what was going on, but one very annoying paramedic kept pushing her away, telling her to stay back. Kensi risked a glance at Callen to see he was in the same position she was: forced to stay back as strangers took the life of his partner in their hands.
Kensi followed the paramedics as they wheeled their partners out to the ambulances. One paramedic was about to shoo Michelle away, but she responded by glaring at him and telling him "There was no way in hell she was not going to ride in the ambulance with her husband". But seeing as Kensi was only Deeks partner and best friend, she didn't get the privilege of riding in the ambulance with him. So she could only watch as the ambulances, sirens now on full blast, roared away from the warehouse, carrying her best friend away.
So there's chapter 5 for ya! Hope you liked it! Took a while to write, so that's why it's a day late.
Tell me what you guys think! This chapter required some research and I was really trying to make every aspect of the mission sound like it would on the show, so I could really use some feedback on what you thought. So REVIEW guys, I like hearing your opinions and constructive criticism is always welcome!
I'll (hopefully) update within the next week, so stay tuned!
Thanks for reading!
-DaughterOfPoseidon333