Chapter 7

Kensi and Deeks went for Yummy Yummy Heart Attack and back to Kensi's place for a marathon of America's Top Models, after their game of darts. Kensi's mind keep repeating what she saw in the bar. Carla's face while talking to Callen didn't quite match her words. While there had been sadness there was more. Kensi couldn't quite place it and no matter where she went mentally, it never jived with what was said.

Deeks noticed that his partner didn't get as involved with the show as she usually did. There were no asides for what they were watching, no interaction with the judges that she always had. Deeks switched it off and she didn't even notice. "Kens, talk to me. You're freaking me out here."

Kensi took a minute to answer. "I've been thinking about what I saw tonight. Carla's words didn't match her facial expression. There's something more going on here. I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out what it means."

Deeks sat up."What's not making sense?"

Kensi threw up her hands. "Everything and nothing, it's a jumble. What she told me and the expression on her face in the bar didn't match. Part of the problem is when she talked in the car, I was busy driving. The turns from the boatshed to O'Malley's make you pay attention. I couldn't watch her face. She did take her time answering my questions though, almost like she had to think about the answers." Kensi shook her head and let out a sigh. "I don't know maybe I'm reading too much into this."

Deeks' interest was piqued now. He pushed himself to the front of the couch and looked down at his partner. "What did she say on the way over?"

Kensi replayed the conversation over in her head. "She was born in Washington D.C. and her parents had met in Europe. She has a younger sister. She didn't say much else about her. Her father went back to Europe and was killed there by a drug trafficking group. She wanted to know how to work with G. Maybe I didn't ask the right questions of her. I don't know. I want to keep an eye on those two and have a conversation with Hetty."

Deeks sat back next to her and chuckled. "Good luck with that!" Deek's mind went to work on the problem as well. If Kensi was worried about this it must be serious.

Kensi had a worried look on her face. "Yeah, I'm going to need it."

Chapter 8

Carla arrived at the Mission just before eight o'clock. She was relieved that Callen hadn't arrived yet. She let herself in and headed for the coffee area that had already been set up. Nell watched her from the balcony across the mission. She was interested in this new "partner." Callen had called her last night to find out about their new friend. Unfortunately that was proving to be difficult; Most of her records had been redacted. She'd keep at it for G. He needed to know who he worked with. Nell would have asked Hetty but had the feeling the answer would be not quite what Nell needed. Hetty was known for the obtuse answer sometimes.

I came in, grabbed a coffee and looked to my new partner and nodded to the shooting range. "Drink up Partner; we've got work to do." I headed off to the range.

Carla smiled and gulped down the tea she'd prepared. "Coming partner." I was in for a few surprises so this was going to be fun.

I had already set out ear protection and sent the targets down range. All Carla had to do was don the protection and take out her weapon.

When she did I looked at her piece and smirked. Put my hand out for her weapon to look at. I had never seen one this nice, up close. It had an inlaid pistol grip with her initials on it. It was a pretty gun. "Does Hetty know you carry that?"

She smirked back at me. "Yes she does. She gave me that Kimber as a gift two years ago. I'm a rather small person, if you hadn't noticed and I'd rather not let the bad guys get that close. That forty-five caliber does the trick." She motioned for me to return her Kimber and unloaded five shots into the bull's eye, left-handed.

I noticed the lefty approach and thought 'Why me? Why do I have to have partners that have to go to extremes?' "I thought you were a righty."

It was Carla's turn to snicker. "I am but a few years ago I got shot in the upper right arm and if my partner hadn't shot my assailant I'd be dead. After that I opted to train with my less dominant hand. So I'm proficient in both hands now."

It impressed me. I picked up my Sig and shot my first five shots and managed to kill the target. Carla shot her second five with her right hand and was within the bull's eye area again so I called the shooting match off before she could embarrass me. "Shall we hit the gym?" Both of us holstered our weapons and walked out of the armory.

When we had changed into clothes more suitable for the gym I surprised her with an attack from the rear. She easily flipped me and took a ready stance to take more. She could see from my eyes that it surprised me. She moved in for a tackle of her own and I met her with a deflective move that I'm sure she herself had perfected and taught. She was glad to see it worked and had been used in the field. I tripped her up with a kick to the back of the legs which took her down to the mat.

My worries about the capabilities of the woman were beginning to fade. I still wanted to know more about her. Kensi and I were going to have a beer or two after work soon. I knew that she got some answers last night and wanted to know what those answers were.

Nell came to the entrance to the gym and watched the interaction between the two. It had an odd flavor to it.

I turned and caught her watching us. "Yes?"

Nell blushed. "Hetty wants you up in OPS. I'll tell her you'll be up shortly."

I caught the look Nell gave us and would talk to her later as well. "Be right there." I turned to Carla. "Well partner it has been fun but duty calls." I picked up my towel and headed for the locker room to get dressed for work. Carla went to ladies locker room to do the same.