A few hours later and the team were still in the bullpen when the whistle came from Eric for them to join him in Ops. Hetty and Nell already had CCTV feeds up as the team joined them. Callen and Sam were leaning against the table as Melissa stood near Nell by the screen. Deeks and Kensi on the other side of the table.

'We've got a marine who's been badly beaten. One assailant running facial rec but it not looking hopeful,' Nell started.

'No I.D as yet on the victim,' Eric.

'Marco Triton.' Melissa answered as she turned to the team who were all looking at her in surprise before Nell could continue.

'How do you know?' Callen asked.

'I'm sure I would know a guy that I used to live with Callen. We grew up on the bases together.'

'He's been taken to the general. Got beat up pretty bad.' Nell continued

'Any idea why he was attacked?' Callen…

'He's not working on anything top secret if that's what you're asking Callen. We talk nearly every day.' Callen's eyebrows rose at this. Sam shuffled awkwardly as Deeks and Kensi glanced at each other.

'Marco Trition, son of James Triton an ex-marine. Age 23. Based out of Camp Pendleton.' Nell responded as she brought up Marco Triton's file on the screen.

'Eric have you got any shots of the assailant?' Melissa asked

'Nothing usable for facial rec.'

'Just try it… If it's someone the victim knew I may know them too. Most of the boys are still there,'

Eric looked to Hetty who motioned for him to play the feed. Melissa could only watch as the fight played out on screen. The assailant hitting Marco from behind in the alley and then looking out of shot before kicking him repeatedly causing Melissa to flinch. Marco trying to get up from the floor, covering his head instinctively until he passed out. Eric stopped the feed.

'The assailant looks to be 5"7 to 5"9. White male.'

'Half the city…' Deeks joked.

'So what do we do Hetty?' Melissa looked to her boss questioningly.

'We find the guy that attacked one of our own,' Sam answered automatically standing up straight.

'Mr Hanna is right Miss Createn. We find your friend's attacker. You, Mr Callen and Mr Hanna go to the hospital get a statement. Mr Deeks and Miss Blye will canvass the area see if we can get more surveillance footage to ID the assailant.'

'Are you sure? About me heading out, as you say he's my friend…' Melissa asked quietly.

'Will you be able to stay objective if we find the attacker?' Hetty answered loudly.

'Of course.'

'Then I trust you Miss Createn. Team dismissed.'

The team nodded as they left with Callen staying behind. Hetty immediately sighed.

'Yes Mr Callen.'

'Do you really think she's up to this?' Callen asked as she turned to face him.

'Only time will tell Mr Callen. Either way the decision is Melissa's, she will decide how this case goes.'

'You saw her flinch?'

'I did.'

'Then why risk it?' Callen asked as he was about to leave Ops.

Hetty smiled. She knew it was a risk but one she was willing to take. Hetty had faith in Melissa to know the boundaries. On the stairs Melissa and Sam were waiting for Callen. Melissa was standing near the bottom while Sam was on a landing. Callen came out of Ops with more questions than answers. He knew that Hetty was probably right. He was probably worrying over nothing but he could see Melissa wasn't herself. He noticed Melissa's glance immediately before bounding past Sam on the stairs.

'We good to go G?' Sam asked.

'We're good.' Callen acknowledged with a nod as the three of them left the boatshed.