It's been forever since I updated this story: life literally got in the way. Time to finish what I started so long ago...

Somewhere in Los Angeles

NCIS Office of Special Projects

There was never a normal day at the office for Henrietta Lange.

No day was ever the same for the Operations Manager who oversaw NCIS's top undercover team and the field office it worked out of. Some days were mundane, and some - like today - were ripe with danger.

The team was investigating a suspected domestic terrorist cell thought to be operating out of nearby Laguna Hills, perceived to pose a serious threat to the Navy. All three agents, the team's LAPD detective liaison, and the NCIS assistant director who oversaw the OSP were embedded within the group. The investigation so far had uncovered that the group was sitting on over $40 million stolen from the downtown branch of the Bank of Los Angeles, and a cache of weapons stolen from Camp Pendleton.

The diminutive, bespectacled and intense Lange oversaw the op from the OSP's headquarters. She was more concerned than normal because the cell leaders had sanctioned brutal torture or murder of members suspected of working with law enforcement. If her people were found out, depending on the time and place she could get an NCIS strike team to rescue them - or be forced to pray they could save themselves.

So, today wasn't a good time to contact Lange about something outside the op. However, Kate was well aware Lange would break away momentarily if her assistance was truly needed.

So she called Hetty from an empty interview room she found open near the elevators. "Hetty? It's Kate. I need your help."

"Hello Caitlin," Lange said. "It is good to hear from you, but I'm afraid I don't have the luxury of time at the moment."

"You're busy."

"Yes, very much so. But you didn't call just to say hello."

How did she know that? Kate thought, of the woman who gave her a crash course in Team Leadership 101, 201 and 301 after former director Jenny Shepard decided to have her lead the Washington MCRT. "No, Hetty. I need to be read in on your team's last op with the LAPD's Priority Homicide Unit."

"Oh dear," Hetty replied. "Brenda Leigh Johnson."

"Yeah, and anything you have on her subordinates. Plus the details of the op."

Hetty paused for a few moments and quickly figured out what to have Kate do. "I take it Leon sent you and your team here because of the case involving the Admiral?"

"Yes. It's become more complicated than I like. She's being difficult to work with."

"I will have Mr. Beale send you Mr. Callen's report. We should talk face to face as soon as possible, but you will need to come here. How soon can you do so?"

Kate checked her watch as she noticed Sgt. Gabriel in the hallway, heading for her. "Tonight. A little busy at the moment."

"Contact Mr. Beale or Ms. Jones when you can get away," Hetty said. "Bring someone with you. I will see you then."

Kate hung up just as Gabriel walked in. "Agent Todd. Chief Pope's looking for you."

"I'm sorry, Sergeant. I had some NCIS business I needed to take care of," Kate said. "Let's go."

Back in the squadroom, Pope was very exasperated not at Kate but at Brenda who had locked herself in her office. She took advantage of Kate's short absence to give herself some privacy to text an old friend from the Agency.

SUGAR AM CALLING IN THAT COFFEE YOU OWE ME WHERE IS THAT SHOP AGAIN?

YOU SERIOUS?

SERIOUS AS A HEART ATTACK YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE THEIR CUPCAKES :)

IT'LL HAVE TO BE TONIGHT; JAVY'S JAVA, WEST 11TH SO HILL

I'LL SEE YA THERE, BRING YOUR PLANNER

WHAT!

I KNEW IT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM! THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH :)

Only then did she acknowledge Pope and Fritz pounding on her door; she smiled, seeing Gabriel and Kate walking back into the squadroom behind them. Brenda opened her office door and put on her best smile to both men.

"Gentlemen, so sorry. Had something to take care of quickly."

"It better be life and death," said a very peeved Pope.

"Well I wouldn't go THAT far Will. I need my tooth looked at."

"Your tooth?" said Fritz, agitated by Brenda and wondering who she had just texted. "Brenda-"

"Oh. I see our guests are all back. Let's not waste any of their time."

What about mine, Pope thought as she waltzed back into the squad room.