Disclaimer: I own nothing and no one. I'm just writing them as I want to see them.
Reviews are a writer's coffee, they keep us going. Thank you all for the reviews. It really does help writers.
Lots of Notes, Sorry. First, parts of these chapters are dedicated to Jclimactic for the invaluable information which made these chapters possible.
Second, a thank you to Motsie of Atlantis for giving me a friendly 'not push' to get back at it. :-D You know what I mean.
Third, I'm sorry to disappoint anybody, but I'm not going to write the full fight out. Writing the moves of the fighters for a 15 minute fight would take more than I can do. Please forgive that.
Additionally, if you read "Joint Operations" you know how the rest of the story is going to go. With the different groups in different locations and doing different things, it's hard to keep everyone moving forward. Some chapters will have multiple groups doing things at the same time and other chapters will be just about one group…maybe. I haven't written them yet, so your guess is as good as mine as to how this will work out. Thanks for your patience while this story works itself out.
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Wyler stepped forward with his guard up and power emanating from him. He saw Crew move quickly forward but then back off. Wyler remembered from watching Crews' previous fights that he was traditionally fast off the line. This just confirmed in his mind that Crew was doing what he was told to do: make the fight last as long as he could. Wyler decided to test his resolve to hang back and drag the fight out by moving forward with a quick series of punches and kicks.
He threw 2 very fast jabs and followed up with a round kick to Crew's front thigh. He purposely landed with his weight forward in order to be well within range for planting a hard right hand to left side of Crew's head.
Crew tried to fight back but he found himself in unfamiliar territory. He was told to back off and to make sure the fight lasted all three rounds. He was normally in control of the ring, keeping his opponent on the outside, near the cage, while he controlled the inside. Doing this forced his opponent to expel more effort and energy in order to move around. Today, he found himself on the outside having to work twice or thrice as hard as normal.
He was surprised by the speed and strength behind Wyler's attack. He didn't look that strong or that fast. When he saw Wyler land with his weight forward he knew he was going to get hit hard in the head. He accepted this but wrapped Wyler up and turned them so Wyler was backed into the cage. He landed a couple of knees to Wyler solar plexus but they were mostly blocked as Wyler escaped the hold.
Wyler was moving forward again which forced Crew to back up into the cage again. Crew kept backing up, moving away from Wyler. He figured it was best way to keep the fight alive even if it was boring. Every time Wyler moved forward, poised to strike, Crew moved out of range.
Kensi was raptly watching the fight when she caught something out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see what it was but only saw Polson. She caught his eye and he shook his head indicating that so far, there was no funny business going on. Her attention was brought back to the fight by Sam's voice.
Sam could tell that Wyler was getting frustrated with Crew and was about to just rush in and see what happened. "Calm yourself Wyler!" Sam shouted out trying to bring Wyler back to the task at hand.
Wyler half listened to his corner but still found himself in a clinch with his back to the cage and taking knees. He was blocking most of them but that also prevented him from throwing, let alone landing a punch or kick in order to escape. Kensi wasn't sure how he was going to get out of this but in a surprising move, Wyler hooked both hands around the back of Crew's neck and moved in closer. This did two things at the same time; first it stopped Crew from being able to use his knees and second Wyler was better able to control his opponent. He used this new position to his advantage. He kept his left hand on the back of Crew's neck while at the same time sliding his right hand over the top of the head. This put both his hands one side of the neck. He pulled his arms quickly down forcing Crew's head to lower and brought his right knee straight up connecting in the 'sweet spot' on Crew's solar plexus. As Wyler stepped away he threw a left hook towards Crew's head which hit nothing but air. Crew had already moved away to get a better bearing on the situation while taking some deep breaths. The fight continued in this back and forth manner until the end of the first round.
As people were rushing out to get drinks or use the bathroom, Kensi noticed some people moving toward a side exit. There was nothing about it to actually draw her attention except the absolutely casual way the group was moving. People leaving to use the bathroom or get additional drinks usually left as a single person or a pair of people; leaving their friends behind to watch the action. In other words people moved with a purpose; wanting to get back as soon as possible so they didn't miss too much of the action. This entire group was leaving, casually walking away; slowly scanning the room as if nothing was going on while moving as a group but without stragglers. Everyone was in their place. Experience had taught her that no group moved that casually and precisely unless they were highly trained. For this environment this was the 'unusual' that they had been looking for. "Eric, Callen? I have a group of people leaving the south exit. Eric, do you have them?"
"Got'em, Kenz." Eric zoomed in and refocused the cameras. "That exit and the direction they are moving means they are headed to the loading docks. I see 7 of them. I can tell 6 have weapons. Starting facial rec now." Callen was on his feet making his way toward the group.
Before Kensi could get up and follow them as well, Sam's voice brought her back to the fight and she realized that round two had already begun. "Get off the ropes!"
Kensi's eyes darted between the fight, Polson and watching Callen slip through the door the group had used. For the first time in her career Kensi was unsure what to do. "Callen? Do you want me to follow you?"
"Negative Kensi. Stay where you are. Keep eye an out for anything else. Right now you are our eyes in there. Eric, I need back up." Callen informed his team.
Eric was on it, "Nell, you need to get to the south loading docks. Come at them from the west. Callen is following them from the east."
Nell looked at Hetty while handing the tablet over. "ETA from this location?" Nell asked Eric as she started to make her way to the exit.
"I'd say you have about two minutes if you run."
"Great." She made her way to the exit, hiked up her skirt and then bolted down the hall. "You run in heels and then tell me two minutes."
"Nell, you do have your weapon right?" Eric asked her.
"Yes I do and no don't ask where it was hidden."
Callen had been listening to them and smirked at her response but kept a steady pace behind the group. He heard the crowd roar and wondered what was happening with Deeks even as his attention was focused on his own task. He kept a safe distance from the group depending on Eric for directions and instructions.
"Callen, hold up. They've stopped in front of side door; it looks to be an electrical room. This doesn't make sense; according to the blueprint this room has no outlet."
There was a long pause as Callen waited. He tried to hear what was going on around him and realized he could not hear what was happening in the arena; he knew then he had to be deep in bowels of the building. After waiting what he deemed a long time, "Eric?"
"Hang on Callen. They haven't moved, they're just standing around."
"Where's Nell?"
"She's making her way to you from the opposite side. She's…"
Callen cut him off, "Have her hold back. Make sure she isn't seen. Let me know if anybody else is approaching from either direction. Something is going on, they are just waiting. Either someone else is coming to them or they are waiting for instructions. If they get a call, trace it. But also keep an eye out to see if anybody else is coming this way." He paused, "How's Deeks?"
Eric checked the screen to see Wyler on his back, scraping to keep from getting hit, but using his feet and legs to great advantage. "Um..well,..he seems to be….holding his own right now." Eric cringed as he watched Wyler fight to his feet just in time to take a tough hit to the head that sent him back several steps. "Over all he's doing really well!" Eric hoped his enthusiasm convinced Callen that all was well because he wasn't so sure.
Wyler mentally shook off the hit to his head and just focused on his opponent.