Hi,

Thanks for checking in on my story, "No Good Choices." Since there was a lot of interest in it, I decided to extend the story with a story arc I've been planning for a while, but never had the nerve to post. Caution: the structure will get weird. How weird? Well, check out my "Hetty's Final Project" especially the chapters by "the Gardengnome."

Regardless of who the main characters are, the "No Good Choices" theme colors each chapter. I'll update the character list as I go.

By the way, the "Lean In" movement influences both these stories. I'm not sure I did "Lean In" justice, but I tried. And leave a review, too!

A few minutes later, Callen barreled into the bullpen and flung his bag onto his desk. "Anybody seen Sam?"

Nell, by the espresso machine, replied, "I saw him at Hetty's desk a few minutes ago. We'll need him soon. We're about ready to brief you guys on this morning's case."

Hetty materialized behind Callen. "Actually, he's in the library today, on a different project. Ms. Jones, you'll be in the field with Mr. Callen today."

The agent in question was walking by the coffee station at the time, and stopped to try to give Nell a high five, but she just cowered in shock. "Me?" she mouthed, then aloud said, "Hetty, are you sure? Are there any questions with my certifications?"

"Everything is in order, except your hand-to-hand, Ms. Jones. In my book, the skills you've already shown are worth three certifications. If you promise not to get in a fistfight with a six-foot-eight bruiser I don't know about, you'll be fine for the day."

"Hetty, I don't try to get in fistfights with six-foot-eight bruisers, either. They just sometimes find me," Callen objected.

Hetty suspended their objections with one final pronouncement. " 'Brains over brawn,' Mr. Callen. That's probably good advice for both of you."

Still recovering, Nell finished, "I better go up and tell Eric he'll be alone in ops for this one. See you up there, … partner."

After a few minutes, Eric whistled for the depleted team, and they assembled in ops. Nell, however, commanded the floor through the briefing and directed their attention to the probationary driver's license on the big screen. "Meet Micah Hendstetter, fifteen, who was kidnapped on his way to Anaheim East High School this morning. This footage is from a gas station security camera." One kid, ambling and reluctant; one panel van, free of marks; three thugs in ski masks, completing their work in just under ten seconds: It had all the hallmarks of a classic professional grab.

Kensi asked, "But Hetty, how did we get the assignment? Where's our jurisdiction?"

"This came directly from the office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Apparently, the Pentagon knows something we don't. Speculating about what it might be is above all our pay grades." She gave a warning glance, then gestured for Nell.

Nell continued. "The police are waiting with the parents, who work together at Arvin Research. They'll be expecting us."

Callen dished out the assignments, "Kensi, Deeks: go wait with the parents. Set up for a ransom call to any of their phones. Nell and I are working together today. We'll go to their house."

"Actually, Mr. Callen, Arvin Research is quite similar to our old friends Brindel Research. I suspect Ms. Jones will be more helpful there."

"Fair enough, Hetty. Nell and I will wait with the parents. Kensi and Deeks, check out the house."

Nell completed the plan. "We've got the parent's permission to pick the lock."

One previously-shattered doorjamb made such niceties completely unnecessary. Guns drawn, Kensi and Deeks cleared the house and converged on Micah's bedroom. The mess measured only one standard deviation beyond a normal teenager's, but a dozen computer cables advertised the laptop-sized void on his desk. Kensi reported in to ops. "Eric, the computer is missing. Somebody broke in here, and we think they took it about the same time they got the kid."

"I'll check his cyber-footprint," Eric volunteered. "It may be the kidnapping is related to something he's doing online."

Kensi interrupted, "And see what Kaleidoscope can pull up on the break-in."

Eric's voice rattled over the speakerphone. "Give me a break, here, guys. I'm flying solo today. It may take some time."

Deeks butted in with a leer, "Uh-oh! Is a certain technical operator missing a certain someone today?"

"When Kensi was in Afghanistan,…"

She broke in with vehemence. "Mellow out, guys! Eric, is there any chance there's any worthwhile hardware left behind, a thumb drive or something?"

Deeks started his search right away. "They already searched the desk drawer. Bedside table's …Hello!" He pulled out a strip of condoms, and counted them, "Eleven."

"At least he was careful," Kensi observed.

Deeks laughed. "No, optimistic. Betcha a dollar condom number twelve is in his wallet, even now."

"Whatever." Kensi shook her head.

Eric's voice spoke up again over the cell phone. "Err… If you'd rather look for computer hardware, try the closet shelf, beside any of his boxes, and in the corner."

Kensi brought her flashlight up to the closet shelf, and was checking each crevice, before jamming her gloved hand into the last one. "Thumb drive, right where you said!" She approached the phone, "How'd you know that, Eric?"

He gave a laugh, "It's a geek thing, Kensi. Go ahead and upload it."

A minute later, he confirmed. "Got it. I'll see what it says. By the way, Kaleidoscope was able to follow the van on its way to and from the kidnapping. Looks like their base is a warehouse in Korea-town. Sending you that address, now."

Meanwhile, at Arvin Research, Callen, Nell, two FBI technicians, and two angry Ph.D. parents crammed into one conference room.

"So now we wait?" Dr. Laura Hendstetter asked, angry. "That's it? That's all?"

"Honey, this is what these people do. They're experts in this. They'll bring Micah home safe." Dr. Brandon Hendstetter tried to put his arm around her, but she pushed him away.

"Actually, Dr. Hendstetter," Nell soothed, "We've got ten people from LAPD working on it, and I think this is the best team from NCIS: we've got an amazing tech guru back at the office working on it."

"I'll tell Eric you said that," Callen interrupted. He was standing in a corner, and everyone's back was to him, so he could give Nell a grin as he said it.

Nell continued, though, unperturbed, "and another awesome NCIS team is out in the field tracking down leads…and coordinating with LAPD."

"But why? Why didn't you give Micah a ride to school today?" Brandon asked.

"Because I had that LMX-5 meeting this morning. It was really important, and Micah likes to walk. Says it clears his head. I would have asked you but you had to be in for testbedding the SRU. But wait—why do I have to be in charge of school anyhow? Who are you to be getting on my case?"

"I know, honey. I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated."

Nell and Callen looked at each other, and after a few silent head-jerks, Callen was steering Brandon to one corner, Nell steering Laura to the other.

"Listen, Laura. We know it's frustrating to wait, but we're all on the same team here. I'm sure you both love Micah very much, and love each other, so don't say anything under stress you'll regret later."

Callen, overhearing, gave the same warning to Brandon. "She's right. There'll be time to sort things out later. Let us help you get Micah back. You'll get through this."

Meanwhile, at ops, Eric took Deeks' call when he called back in and said, "This warehouse is empty. There's a few fresh wrappers here. Smells spicy. Yup: Korean beef, I think. They must have left through a back alley: probably long gone by now. What did you find out about the break-in at the kid's house?"

"I'm sorry, guys. Kaleidoscope tracked a Caddy back to that same location." Eric sounded drained, and the clock hadn't struck eleven yet.

Kensi's voice turned consoling. "It happens. The bad guys didn't give us another lead. No need to apologize to us, Eric."

"The good news is that I was able to track the company that leased the warehouse: no small feat, if I say so myself. Leased by a shell company registered in Alabama as a front for a company in Saskatchewan, then Estonia, Benin, Uzbekistan, and finally an account in Macao that the British and the Japanese say holds funds for the North Korean 'People's Information Bureau:' their CIA."

"So, I'd bet this trip through the rabbit hole of international finance means you're not done with that thumb drive Kensi uploaded to you." Considered, synthetic sympathy strained at Deeks's voice.

"Try this on for size. It seems young Mr. Hendstetter was a hacker with some skill behind him. He protected his file pretty well, but once I broke through his encryption, I found he'd hacked into the Marine Corps Forces, Korea, and the garrison at Yongsan."

"That would explain the Corps' interest in the case. But why? Why did this kid hack here in particular?"

"Let me get back to you on that," Eric mumbled. "I just got into the files a minute before you called."

"Okay, see where it takes us. Why this kid and this unit, and did it get him kidnapped?"

Deeks completed Kensi's thought. "It would tie in with all the other Korean connections, too. Korea-town, the Korean beef, and the Korean money behind this op."

Eric volunteered, "We can ask his parents, too. Nell and Callen are still waiting with them for the ransom call. I can patch 'em in, make this a conference call."

He tapped his earbud again. "Nell, We're seeing a lot of connections to Korea, specifically the Marine Corps garrison at Yongsan there, which Micah was hacking into. Do the folks know anything about that?"

"I'll ask." Turning to them, she parroted, "Mrs. Hendstetter, why is Micah interested in the Marines in Korea?"

But her husband answered, "Korea? No idea, why?"

"Wait, honey, isn't that where Joe Simpson is stationed?"

"Joe Simpson? Who's he?"

"He graduated from Micah's school last year, joined the Marines, and is now serving in Korea, thank God."

"Why 'thank God'?" Callen interrupted. Listening in from ops, Eric already had Joe's Marine Corps file on the big screen.

Mrs. Hendstetter gave a shudder. "It could be the Middle East."

"Fair enough. But why would Micah be following Joe?" Callen continued.

"Simpson,…Simpson…. Oh, that's right. Is Julia Simpson still in Micah's class at school?" Mr. Hendstetter asked.

"That's his little sister, I think, so yeah, she is at East. Micah used to talk about her all the time, but just this school year he stopped. I'd been trying to figure out why."

"Here's one possibility. Is Micah seeing anyone?" Nell asked. "Does he have a date for the prom?"

"No, but I'm not sure I see the connection, and I'm his mom."

Nell explained, "What I'm thinking is that Micah's become romantically 'interested in' Julia, and is keeping his interest from you two, but sees 'checking up on' her brother as part of his strategy for her."

Callen interrupted. "Eric, start checking up on that: is it Joe that Micah focused on? How much did he know? How good is his hacking?"

"And we'll go check in with the Simpsons," Kensi continued.

"Actually, it may be better to start with Julia, who's probably at the school." Callen interjected.

"Got it."

"So now it's back to jumpy waiting?" Laura asked.

"I'm afraid so," Callen confirmed.

Another office, more crowded than the last. The sign on the door said, "Mrs. Rivera, guidance," but clearly Kensi was running this meeting. Kensi, Deeks, and a flustered Mrs. Rivera gathered around one standoffish teenage girl.

"We're here about Micah Hendstetter." Kensi started,

"What's your relationship with him? Are you dating?"

Julia rolled her eyes, "He wishes." Kensi and Deeks exchanged glances. "He always wanted to help me on my math homework, and did help me on one Computer Tech project. He's really good at that."

"That's what we figured," Deeks said.

"He's been kidnapped," Kensi continued, eliciting two gasps.

"But please, keep that quiet, for everybody's sake," Deeks continued. "Did you talk much about your brother Joe?"

"Yeah, I told him Joe'd been deployed to the DMZ and last week he brought me pictures."

"What kind of pictures?"

"He told me not to say anything, said it was 'really classified.' But I thought they were just from their Facebook page." She punctuated the comment with a signature eye-roll.

While Mrs. Rivera's eyes got as big as Frisbees, Kensi put an end to the Facebook idea. "Julia, they're the Few and the Proud. They don't do Facebook." Composing herself, she continued, "Did you tell anybody?"

Deeks tried a different angle. "Did he say how he got them?"

"He said he hacked into some server, but I wouldn't have understood how he did it, if that's what you're asking."

"Don't worry. We wouldn't have understood how he hacked either. We've got a guy for that," Deeks reassured.

Kensi worked to regain control of the meeting. "So did you?"

"Did she what, Agent?" Mrs. Rivera clarified.

"Did you tell anybody?"

"Good grief, No! Like I said, I thought it came from Facebook."

"Are you two thinking Micah got kidnapped because he was able to hack into the Marine Corps servers?" Mrs. Rivera prodded. Her voice sounded appropriately worried and respectful, but an element of pride poked around the edges.

"That's an angle we're investigating. Julia, did you notice anything suspicious lately."

Julia just shook her head, but Mrs. Rivera interrupted, "Now that you mention it, I saw a white van outside. Something about it made me suspicious."

At that instant, Kensi's phone sounded. It was Eric, so she put him on speaker. A breathless Eric dove right in. "I've got Nell and Callen on the line, too. I had set a canary-watch on the website for Joe's unit in Korea. It just sent me an alert about somebody hacking into it from a Starbucks in Korea-town. The van's parked outside, but nobody went inside. Looks like they're boosting wi-fi from the parking lot."

After some quick, shouted that-must-be-it's and thanks-for-your-time's and a gotta-go Kensi and Deeks were sprinting for her car.

Meanwhile, Callen and Nell sprinted out of the Arvin office, and he was still shouting instructions into his cell phone. "Eric, Call LAPD and the FBI. See if there's any unmarked cars nearby…. I want this done quietly. … We can do the full hostage rescue if it comes to it, but what's most important is getting everyone out of there alive—even the kidnappers."

They climbed into Callen's car, and as soon as the siren fired up, Nell exhilarated, "Federal agent, eh? I've gotta get me a set of police lights. This is the only way to go!"

"We'll have to cut off the siren four blocks from the scene, and the lights two blocks away, but I guess you're right. This is kinda fun. Seriously, though, we'll probably be first on the scene. Kensi and Deeks are all the way up in East Anaheim. You ready for some hand-to-hand?"

"I guess I'd better be."

"No, seriously. If you aren't comfortable, we'll just wait for backup."

"I'll be fine. The average North Korean male stands five-foot-five. That's just an inch taller than me, but I'll have the element of surprise with me. Let me check something." She clicked on her phone. "Hey Eric, will we be able to pop the locks on that van, like you did for Kensi on that car-theft ring?"

"I'll have to look into it. Give me a minute. By the way, it looks like there are two kidnappers in the van with Micah."

"Got it," and she disconnected.

Callen looked at her sideways. "I didn't get a chance to ask you. Did Eric say 'canary watch'?"

"Yup," Nell smirked. "Like 'canary in a coal-mine,' remember? That's our term for a Trojan we place on a friendly firewall. Eric called because it sent an alert to us when it got bypassed. It's actually really cool code. The guy is good."

"Again, I'll tell him you said that." Now it was Callen's turn to smirk.

Nell's phone buzzed, and she put Eric on the speakerphone so Callen could hear. "We've got the remote entry. Give me a signal when you want the locks popped."

"What's your surveillance angle, Eric?" asked Callen.

"My best view is from the Starbucks' parking lot security cam on the northwest corner."

"Could you send us a screen cap?"

Eric tapped a few buttons, then confirmed, "Comin' up."

Callen suddenly turned serious, "Here we are." He turned off the light, and then slowed down to blend in with traffic. Finally, they pulled into the parking lot for the pet shop on the corner.

"You've been studying that picture pretty hard, there, Pixie."

"Yup. I wanted to see what we're up against."

"Here's what I figure the plan will be," Callen said looking at the phone. "We'll approach the van through its blind spot, then you'll sneak around to the driver's side door."

"How 'bout if I slide underneath."

"That'll work. As soon as you come up, signal Eric and he'll pop the locks. The goal is to pull the driver onto the pavement and cuff 'im. I'll come in from the back and secure the second kidnapper."

Sam, on a break from his library project, joined Eric and Hetty to watch from the ops center. Nell and Callen wrestled kidnappers from the van to the pavement in less than ten seconds: one very rattled teenager rescued without a shot being fired.

Agent Hanna joined the team in the bullpen as they wound down from the case, Callen trying in vain to rally his charges for a pub-stop. Sam, one bloodshot memory giving him a final retch, politely declined. Kensi and Deeks, too, turned down the offer, then left with a giggle appropriate to a pair of hormonal teenagers. "Nell, that move under the van really pulled it off. Even Sam couldn't have done that."

In the tunnel already, Sam turned, "What's this, G.?"

"All I'm saying is that the suspension was a little low on the van we had to assault today. Even by themselves, your pectorals wouldn't have fit underneath." Sam mollified, Callen turned back to Nell. "So, what do you say, partner? A beer to celebrate?"

"Sorry, G. Something they said on that case kinda rattled me, and I'm gonna need some alone-time to process it. But count me in the next time the team's going out."

Eric sounded concerned. "What's this, Nell? You think this was part of a bigger plot? A hunch you're going to follow up on?"

"Nope, nothing like that. Just let it slide, guys."

Callen relented, "Well, let us know if there's something up. Again, you did good out there." He turned his attention to Eric, who looked up from the surf report on his tablet, only to cower under Callen's stare. "Eric, we work with a bunch of lightweights. You'll have to make up for the rest of the team tonight. What d'ya say? O'Reilly's in fifteen?"

"Sorry, Callen. The surf's up, it's three hours 'til dark, and it's been a long time since I've been out. Rain-check?" and he nearly sprinted for the door.

After Callen watched Nell leave, he gave a wave to Hetty, saying, "I know the rule, Hetty. 'Only one drink when you're drinking alone.' See you tomorrow."

Hetty waved in benediction, "Until then, Mr. Callen."

For the next hour, a red Mini wandered the streets of Los Angeles, its driver careful but immersed in her thoughts. After the path converged on Venice Beach, Nell's focus finally emerged from her musings, startled by her car's subconscious trend. She parked, grabbed her purse, and continued on foot, scanning the surf for the familiar face that had drawn her there, as if by magic. Once she saw him, she continued past, to a bench midway between Eric and his car.

From that safe distance, she sat and watched, both Eric and the other surfers, both swimmers and joggers, both sunset and surf, until Eric had finished his surfing. So intent had he been that he hadn't noticed her at all. He reacted with a start when her bench finally came within his view.

"Nell! What a surprise! I wish I'd known. I would have come in earlier. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, Eric. I was still on that alone-time."

" 'Was,' past tense? Does that mean I can join you now?"

"I'd like that."

They sat in a companionable silence for a minute, until Eric felt both comfortable enough and uncomfortable enough to break it. "At the Mission, you said you had to think about some things. Can you share them with me, now? I'm a good listener."

She smiled, the first smile since noontime. "You're the best, Beale. So here's the deal." He raised his eyebrows; for the first time in twenty years that tiring rhyme had made him smile. "At Arvin Research, Micah's mom and dad nearly came to blows over mom not taking the kid to school today. Ten years a latchkey kid, fifteen years since her maternity leave ended, and she's still the one to cart him around. Here they are, same title, and she's the one in charge of the kid's logistics. Heck, they'd have the same seniority with the company if it weren't for her maternity leave."

Eric tilted his head sympathetically. "You're right, it doesn't seem fair."

"Maybe I'm overreacting, Eric, reading too much into one comment. Maybe Dad does the laundry and the groceries."

"Maybe, but I've been thinking about that kind of thing with other talented couples I've seen, too."

"Yup. When we rule the world we'll make sure dads pull their weight around the house, even for power couples."

"Deal!"

"Deal!" The smile faded from her face. "But what do we do in the meantime? How did we even get in this situation, where so much of the housework is 'a woman's job'?"

"It seems," Eric replied, "and I'm not making apologies for it, and it's not at all justified today, like it's mostly historical. Like it can be traced to the 1950's one-income family model, and from there back to our agrarian frontier. Dad would hunt and wrangle the herd and bust the sod, while Mom would tend the garden and the young'uns."

"Barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen," Nell concluded grimly.

"Yuck," Eric agreed. "So I can't help wondering what life would be like today if we hadn't gone through that stage."

"Me neither. Maybe that would help people see their way past some of the remaining barriers for women."

"We can hope, Nell. We can hope."

"What this world needs is more good male feminists like you, Eric."

"I try to be good, Nell. I try."

After a few minutes silence, she looked around. "I can't believe how dark it's gotten."

"That is what tends to happen after the sun goes down," Eric teased. "Come on. I'll walk you to your car."

"Eric, you don't have to. My car's up that way, and yours is down that way, and you're covered with salt and sand and I've already taken up enough of your time."

"But you've run out of conjunctions, and it's already dark, and there've been a couple purse-snatchings here lately, and it would be a pleasure for me anyhow."

"How 'bout you drive me to my car? That'll solve the problems, and save us both some walking."

"Sold."

As Eric pulled his car beside Nell's, he asked, "So what's your plan from here? I've taken up so much of your time, and you're probably hungry for your dinner."

"I figure I'll curl up with a small bowl of pasta and a large bowl of butter pecan, then read fanfiction 'til I turn in."

As Eric wheeled 'round his car to get Nell's door, a plan brought a smile to his face.

"Thanks again for listening to me, Eric. You've been great. See you tomorrow." Then, without thinking, without her hands giving her mind time to evaluate the consequences, she reached up, grabbed Eric's shoulder, and pulled his face down so she could kiss his cheek.

"See you tomorrow." Then he shut her car door. Stunned and confused, he stood in the lot rubbing the stubble of his cheek until her car turned inland and its taillights disappeared behind the souvenir shop on the corner.

AN2: I'll try to update soon, but there's something funny going on with my fanfiction account. Bear with me.