8 minutes later and the three agents were at the park. Callen and Sam had stuck together with Melissa deciding she was better off without them. Sam had tried to protest suggesting Callen be the one to split off alone but Melissa had logically reminded him that it may confuse Dante if she was alone and give them a better chance of taking him in. Sam had been unable to argue and Callen had remained suspiciously quiet throughout the debate. Sam had tried to counter her argument with the argument that Dante knew who they were now either way. Melissa had been stubborn and headed for the pavilion alone while Callen and Sam stayed on the paths and Kensi and Deeks checked out by the lake. Melissa had never been to the park before. It was beautiful for a walk she noticed as she looked around at all the people playing chess at the tables around her. She hadn't played chess since she'd moved from Boston after her liaison role with Boston PD which had lasted 9 months in the end. She had opponents back in Boston in the Rizzoli's and Maura, here she had no-one she knew who played. There was chatter in her comms as she looked around her cautiously. Dante would have headed straight to the park after his little show she knew that for certain. He was toying with her and it was getting to her. After 3 years he still could play his mind games much better than she could despite always her beating him in the end. Chess had been what had introduced them to each other back in 2009 and high school after she had moved back to the States from Wales. Her accent had been a novelty to him at first but as soon as he had noted how well she played he made a habit of being at her spot for a game every day. Kyle of course had realised his brother's sudden reinterest in the game after a week or so and met Melissa the week after. Distant memories now…

'Lake's clear' Deeks commented as he and Kensi lap the lake for what must be the third or fourth time.

'Keep looking.' Callen orders. 'Melissa anything with you?'

'No, just as you and Sam want it.' Melissa answers her disappointment audible in her voice. She didn't mean to be resentful. The senior agent was trying at least now with her after Dante's show back at the motel. She couldn't help but feel like Agent Callen would never accept her as a part of his team, as a capable Agent and not a novice or probie. She knew she would have to prove herself and that it would take time. Time was something of a luxury right now though with the madman she is tracking. Melissa doesn't let her guard down as she reminisces about better times, never stopping covering all angles and noting places Dante would have an eye line on her but she wouldn't on him. People are playing on around her and her training is telling her that the amount of people around means she is unlikely to get a clean shot at Dante even if he does come into the open. He's chosen well. This frustrates her.

'Melissa we're coming for you,' Sam notifies her a minute later.

'No. We agreed.'

'You agreed, I didn't.' Sam counters.

'A few more minutes. I'm going to sit at a table and maybe that will be enough to draw him out.' She answers stubbornly sitting at a nearby empty table. Sam and the rest of the team cannot argue with her logic and neither can those anxiously listening to the team's comms in Ops. She uses logic on them all the time to disobey authority. Hetty can easily draw comparisons to Melissa and Callen in that respect. Sam has noticed the similarities too.

'OK but I'm sending Deeks and Kensi your way just in case'

'I can deal with that.'

'You have no choice.' Callen grits his teeth as he cuts the impending argument off. Sam is protective of everyone and Melissa is only 5 years older than Aiden so Callen knows Sam still sees her as somewhat of a child. Callen finds himself thinking it too.

Melissa tries to breathe normally as she sits, not to let on of any fear or hesitation. Her training is working. Dante knows better from his vantage point near the fountain. He knows she's not alone. She's been speaking on her comms probably to the other agent who grabbed her from harm's way back at the motel. He's not been able to read it all but she's asked for a few more minutes. She's exactly where he wants her. She came which means she's playing the game. Now for his next move… and for this one a glimpse.

Melissa plays with the pieces on the board never looking down at them for more than a second. She's always been drawn to the King and Queen pieces. They are the pieces with the power. Deeks joins her a minute later. Melissa is unable to mask her surprise.

'Deeks what are you…?' She blurts.

'No agent gets left without backup.' Deeks simply answers with a smirk.

'You've left Kensi without backup…' Melissa attempts to counter only to be cut off.

'Kensi's a big girl.'

'So am I?'

'You are the one with a psychopath playing a game of cat and mouse.'

'Thanks for reminding me.' Melissa somehow manages to look over and seems to spot him so Dante ducks and breathes as she looks the other way again.

'Callen and Sam would kill me if I let that psycho get one up on you.'

Melissa cannot help but laugh and Dante cannot miss the change in Melissa's mood from his vantage point. The shaggy haired guy who he has never met has made his girl laugh. His girl. Jealousy writhes up within Dante and the gun within his pocket starts to feel heavy. His hand has been on the butt of the gun since he arrived but now he wants to produce it and shoot the guy who has replaced him in Melissa's life or so he thinks. Dante is unaware of a lot in Melissa's life but still thinks he knows it all.

'He's watching you know.' Melissa finally stops laughing as she scans the immediate area once again.

'We know why do you think Callen and Sam sent me over here.'

'Because Callen doesn't trust me, He thinks I'm a probie.'

'Callen just takes a bit of getting used to. Probie?'

'Probie, probationary agent, Rookie .'

'I'm sure that's not true.'

Dante has had enough of playing the long game. He pulls out the gun, testing its weight and decides to make his move finally coming out from the treeline and firing a warning shot. Melissa and Deeks immediately grab for their respective guns and point in the general direction of the shot.

'Target sighted. Shots fired!' Deeks shouts over the comms.

People duck and dive in fear as yet another shot rings out. Melissa spots him and immediately stands up to give chase. With all the commotion neither agent can get a clean shot but that doesn't stop Melissa giving chase with Deeks close behind. She attempts to weave through the frightened crowd as Dante makes a run for it a few yards away back in to the treeline… Her vision is obscured by all the commotion and Dante uses the chaos to his advantage. He knew she could never get a clear shot and now for him to make himself scarce. He dives for the trees hoping she will come after him…