TBITC Chp. 17

"So what did you find?" Jack asked, as he Pavel, Mike and Ken sat in the study that had been converted into a 'team room' of sorts. There were various photos of Clavo, and known associates hanging around the room. All of the heavy weapons were stored there as well.

"He hangs out at a club called Sphere." Pavel said.

"How often?" Ken asked.

"My informant says has been there every night this week." Pavel said.

"Security?" Mike asked.

"There are a few guards, but I would advise against doing anything to him there; other than a shot at long range. Too many witnesses for anything else." Pavel knew his words would resonate with Jack, the unofficial leader of this operation. He knew that Jack would only kill Clavo quickly, such as with a sniper rifle or a bomb, if he had no other option. If Jack had his way, Clavo would suffer and when death finally came, he would beg for its release.

Jack nodded in response. "My thought's exactly. Besides, that's too good for him anyway. I say we go in, gather what intel we can, and get out."

"KISS. I like it." Ken said.

Jack and Mike grinned at the familiar acronym, which stood for Keep It Simple, Stupid. The group broke up and Jack grabbed a few hours sleep. When he woke, he saw that it was already dark and the clock beside the bed told him it was 1945 hours. He got up, showered and dressed in a celery suit, dark green silk shirt and brown belt and brown dress shoes. Mike was dressed similarly, except he wore a blue suit and grey and black striped shirt. Ken wore a dress shirt untucked with jeans. "Going somewhere?" Alexx asked, when she saw how all three men were dressed.

"Pavel told us about a club that Clavo frequents; we're going to check it out." Jack said.

She nodded. "Need some company?"

Jack hesitated. Alexx had no formal weapons training, that he knew of, and he didn't want to put her in danger unnecessarily. But it would make them look less threatening. A thought struck him. If each man brought a date, they would be about as anonymous as you could get in Miami, or anywhere else for that matter.

"So?" she asked, when he didn't answer.

He grinned. "Sure, I'm always up for company."

She smiled. "I'll check with Sam, and go change."

Mike and Ken invited Natalia and Maxine, after making sure Horatio and Meagan didn't mind watching Sam. Both readily accepted and Sam seemed ok with the arrangement. "You like her, don't you?" Mike asked while the three women were getting ready.

Jack got a noncommittal look on his face and shrugged. "Maybe. I mean I'm not gonna propose tomorrow, if that's what you mean."

Kenny laughed at the thought. "I never said you were, delta. Chill out, man. I'm just happy for you, and I think Jennifer would be too."

Jack scowled at the mention of his deceased wife. Even after ten years, it was still a touchy subject. But then his face softened. "I hope you're right."

000

"I think it's sweet." Calleigh said, sitting with her father, husband, and daughter on the patio.

"What is, lambchop?" Duke asked.

"That Jack invited Alexx, even if it is just for cover. She hasn't been on five dates since Dennis and the kids died."

"I don't know if I'd wanna date someone with his skill set." Eric said.

He husband's words made Calleigh think about what she'd said to her brother not twenty-four hours ago, and it made her heart ache. She knew that she'd hurt him and she honestly hadn't meant to. All she'd wanted was for her family to be together and safe.

She stood quickly and went inside. Both men watched her go. When she was gone, Duke sighed. "She was more of a parent to Kenny than his mama and I ever thought about being." He shook his head, and looked at his son-in-law and granddaughter.

"You know, I never told anyone this, but when you and Calleigh got married, her mama was none too pleased."

Eric scowled. "Yeah, I uh, heard a few things."

"Well, I expected she try something, but when she didn't I figured she'd come to her senses. A couple weeks went by and she calls me, raving mad. Wants to know why I sicked Kenny on her, had him threaten to kill her if she so much as contacted you or calleigh ever again."

Eric's eyes bugged. He knew his brother-in-law was a hard man, but he also knew that the man had a gently side that he rarely let anyone see. So far the only one's to see it were Calleigh, Gabriella and, presumably, Valera.

"I told her I didn't know what she was talkin' about, that I hadn't talked to Kenny in years and that he wouldn't have told me if he was gonna do something like that, me bein' an officer of the court and all."

Eric nodded again. "He's a good man, Kenwall."

The older man's face turned sad at this. "Yeah, and I didn't have a thing to do with making him that way."

000

Calleigh approached the three men tentatively. She knew what she had to do and she knew Kenny was a hard man, especially when you hurt his pride. Gathering her courage, she cleared her throat. All three heads turned and looked at her. "Kenny, could I talk to you for a minute outside, please?"

"Excuse me, gents'." He said, following Calleigh outside.

"What's up, Cal?" He asked.

He could tell she didn't want to look at him. She was watching the ocean, and gathering her thoughts. So, he waited. Finally, she turned around. "I'm sorry about the other night. What I said was uncalled for."

He shrugged. "You're not the first person to disparage my service."

From the look on her face, Ken could tell he hadn't helped. "Look, Calleigh, I get it, ok? You wanted Eric and Gabriella to be safe, so you had to convince him. And I understand, ok. What I did is totally different from one you do. You only use a gun to protect yourself and others. I use one to hunt others."

Calleigh smiled, and nodded. "Thanks, bro." she said, hugging him.

"Anytime, sis."

"Be safe." Calleigh said, as Kenny walked away.

"Always am."

000

A/N: Ok, I'm not really impressed with this chapter for several reasons. Chief among them being that I think the whole date scene is a little...how shall I put this...staged? Yeah, that's a good word for it. But I wrote it because I have an idea for the next chapter that it wouldn't have worked without it. So... Yeah, I'm rambling. I'm just gonna shut up now and post the chapter.