Chapter 7 – good news and bad news

Nell is sitting in ops and working on locating Eric and Ira. She doesn't know for how long she has been working now. She keeps looking over at Eric's empty chair where he is normally sitting right next to her. Finally, she manages to get the location.

"okay Beale now we know where you are." She looks up at the big screen where the live signal is still on. Eric seem pretty beaten up. Nell has seen at least three different men beaten on him while she has been working on the location. every time they asked him to call on the cellphone and each time he has refused. After the second man started beating him, Nell had to remove the audio from the video. She feels guilty that Eric is getting beating up for protecting her. Over the years they have been working together he has become more protective over her. He has even been standing up to assistant director Granger for her.

Callen, Sam, Deeks, Nate and Kensi comes in to ops in the moment Nell starts yarning.

"wow Nell you look…" Nell look over at Deeks with a very tired look. She is clearly not in the mood to hear the she looks like hell.

"you got something Nell?" Callen asks.

Nell nods.

"good news and bad news." Nell places the live signal of Eric who is now asleep in a very uncomfortable position. He is bleating from a wound in his forehead. He is bleating from his hand and he has blood spatter on his shirt and on the floor from coughing Blood up after being beaten.

"Nell remove that picture from the screen." Nate order.

"no I need that to tell you guys the bad news." Nell turns to face the screen. "the good news is that we have a location."

"great let's go." Callen says and is almost about to walk out the door.

"not so fast Callen." Nell says. Callen stops and look over at Nell.

"the bad news…" Nell points toward the big screen.

"I have been watching this to make sure he was…" her voice breaks. "still alive."

Kensi puts a hand on Nell's shoulder. Nell clears her throat and continues. "I discovered that last time Ira and the other men left the building that did some strange movement around the door. I zoomed in and I discovered that all the entrances to this room is booby-trapped. So I did some reached and it turned out the kidnappers along with Ira has left the building but all the entire to building is booby-trapped."

Sam walks closer to the big screen. "can you zoom in on the door Nell."

Nell zooms in on the door. "C4 but it doesn't seem like it is enough to take down the building." Sam says.

"no but enough to take down anyone who enters or exits the door and there is a tripwire and a laser that also activates the C4." Everyone look tired.

"how are we going to get Eric out of there, with no way of enter the building without losing at least one man?" Kensi asks.

"well…" everyone looks over at Nell." I managed to get the blueprints of the building and I found one way that isn't wired or booby-trapped in anyway…. Well. At least there is a way to survive that booby/trap. But there is another problem."

"spit it out Nell." Deeks says.

Nell walks over to the light table where there is a big blueprint.

"the ventilation shaft… it is not booby-trapped, but… it is very small."

"how small?" Callen asks.

"Hetty-size?" Sam asks. everyone look at Sam. Sam gives them a look that says 'you know what I mean.' Everyone understands.

"actually yes. But the ventilation shaft is booby-trapped also…"

"you said it wasn't." Deeks interrupts.

"it is possible for us to survive that booby-trap. Because it is gas so we just need an oxygen tank with us and one for Eric. I figured it out."

Nell crabs some paper from her desk and comes back to the table. There is at least 10 pieces of paper.

"how long have you been working on this?" Deeks asks.

Nell doesn't answer.

"Nell when was the last time you got some sleep and some food?" Nate asks concerned.

"I can't eat in ops." Nell simply reply and then continue focus on the plan.

"Nell you need something to eat." Nate insist.

"My partner's life depends on this right now, Nate. I can eat after." Nell look very insistent on Nate. He can't win this one.

The doors to ops opens and Hetty comes in.

"morning miss Jones. How is the work going?"

Nell is tired of interruptions.

"I'm sorry Hetty but I need to focus on this now."

Everyone is surprised about Nell talking to Hetty like that. Nell normally respects Hetty very much.

"very well miss Jones. I brough you some breakfast."

Hetty places a brown paper bag on the table along with a cup of tea. Nell just look frustrated. Everyone is looking at Hetty.

"continue Miss Jones." Hetty says and everyone is paying attention to Nell again.