"What is it?" Sam barks so loudly that it causes Eric to jump in his seat. Nell lays her fingers over her keyboard and answers calmly, "Physically, she's ok."

"But?"

"But she is actually in Abu Dhabi as of a few hours ago." Beside Nell, Eric is slowly starting to shrink into his chair.

It takes a deep breath and a reminder of one of his meditation mantras to keep Sam from exploding at his teammates. "She's been here in the city….for hours….. Why didn't you call and say anything?"

"Because you will not engage your wife, Mr. Hanna," Hetty warns. Her focus shifts from analyzing the quiet detective to a challenging stare down with Sam. "That's an order."

Sam snorts. "An order?!"

"Guys," Nell holds up a hand and says out, "Callen and Kensi are Skyping in right now." With a quick click to her keyboard, a second screen appears on the monitor and immediately show Callen and Kensi in a large tent. Callen stands center in the screen in full military wear- tactical vest, cargo pants, helmet, and fatigue long sleeves. In the corner of the screen, Kensi's back is turned as she quickly tosses in cartridges, a radio, and other items needed for the trip into her bag. Callen coughs forcefully to grab the younger agent's attention and it does; Kensi whips around and almost immediately explodes, "What the hell is wrong with you two?"

Deeks' eyes flicker over to Sam expectantly. It's a look that screams I'm playing the injury card so it's all on you look. Sam takes a step closer to the screen and explains, "Kensi, Deeks is ok. We're at a hospital-"

"Sam, you don't bring an someone with a dental injury into the field, even if there's a hospital nearby!" Kensi looks over to Deeks and says much calmer, "You did not have to go with Sam. There is nothing for you to prove, Deeks."

I'll never understand their partnership. No words and she's figured out more than I did in days, Sam thinks in wonder. Beside him, Deeks crosses his arms and looks away from the screen. Kensi sighs and adds, "We'll be there soon and then everything will be ok."

"Hiding something," Deeks mumbles. He winces and places a hand on his cheek to see Hetty glaring at him disapprovingly.

"Remember the doctor's order- no talking, Mr. Deeks," Hetty warns. " You are right though. I told Mr. Callen and Miss Blye that they need to join you in Abu Dhabi to protect the both of you. I've received intel here in States that you, Mr. Deeks, and your wife are of interest to Mr. Nahili. He's somehow gotten a hold of your covers and once to continue Sidarov's tradition of cutting out loose ends. "

"Extract?" This time, Deeks holds his form or at least tries to, as he talks. "Leaving?"

"Unfortunately, no. Given that Mr. Hanna won't leave his wife until they are reunited and that Mr. Callen won't leave his partner; a protection order is our best option."

"I can still go get Michelle-" Sam stops when he realizes he's once more left Deeks out of his plans. Before he can correct himself, Deeks rolls his eyes and storms out of the room, rubbing his sore cheek in the process.

"Once again, you can't go after Michelle, Sam. He'll be expecting the three of you together," Callen explains. Behind him, Kensi pulls her backpack over her shoulder and walks out of the screen without a word, just like her partner. "I know that it's going to kill you, Sam, but please- please- do this for me. We'll be in Abu Dhabi within a few hours. Get some rest and talk to Deeks. Promise me this."

"Alright, alright…fine. See you soon." As Sam rubs his face with his hands in frustration, he watches his partner give a quick salute and sign off of their webcam. On the OPS camera, Eric and Nell are slowly walking towards the OPS center doors with Nell pointing to the pictures taken by Deeks. Once they clear the room, Hetty slides into the chair in front of the camera, cups her hands together and states, "You and I need to talk, Mr. Hanna, about any progress you've made with Mr. Deeks."

"Progress?" Sam plops down into the chair he had slept in, " I haven't made a damn step with Deeks. He's, he's…he just hates me," Sam blurts out. He can't help but sound like a child. " He went off on his own after I had dropped him off at the clinic, he snaps at me when I try to talk about him being an agent-"

"A touchy subject for him, but continue."

"He went out on his own and froze- I tried talking to him about it and-"

"Similar to the theme on this team, our Marty isn't apt at sharing his feelings," Hetty holds up a finger, peers to an unseen object to her left and says, "I've just sent you an email with some information that could help you in speaking with Mr. Deeks. Call it a distraction until Miss Blye and Mr. Callen arrive at the clinic."

"What am I looking at?"

Hetty smirks deviously. " Take a look and see. You two are not as different as you think, Mr. Hanna. Good night."

Southern Abu Dhabi

In the kitchen of a small white apartment, Michelle Hanna sits at the small glass dining table with her Glock 17 resting, loaded, in her lap. In a dark blue hijab, long sleeves and a skirt; Michelle sits almost perfectly still, repeating the same thing over and over and over in her mind.

I made a mistake with Nahili and I will fix it. I made a mistake with Nahili and I will fix it.

She can feel her wedding band on her finger, a burning reminder that becoming Quinn had required her to give up a lot more than her husband, friends, and agency had known.

I made a mistake with Nahili and I will fix it.

If she had done her job right, the weapons would have been found with Sidarov and Khalid Nahili would already be dead.

I made a mistake and I will fix it, even if it kills me.