The drive to the ranch was relaxing once the traffic of downtown and central Los Angeles had been navigated. Anton DuValle was the perfect gentleman to Callen and his so-called foster brother, Deeks. He asked no questions of their backgrounds or current circumstances and instead charmed the pair with tales of how he and Josh Lyneham had painstakingly renovated the ranch, gradually reaching out to fellow veterans who had struggled to adapt to civilian life and eventually, to anyone they felt they could help. Callen and Deeks had shared a few unspoken moments during the journey as DuValle was certainly ticking all the boxes when it came to being a good Samaritan. Even though both agents were familiar with his dubious military record, the fact that he was a charismatic con artist was clearly missing. Deeks interacted the most with DuValle, engaging in conversations ranging from the history of Los Angeles to politics. He kept the tone light hearted and only voiced a slight bitterness at his opinion of the social welfare state. Callen remained silent for the most part. Occasionally he dipped in with a sarcastic comment that was accompanied with a wry smile, trying not to put too much of a dampener on the mood. It almost meant he could downplay his alias's true feelings yet still ensure there was enough feeling to pique the interest of DuValle. By the time they were approaching the ranch, the sun was just dipping below the horizon. The colour had been drained from the sky and with the darkness of the national park came a change of tone from DuValle. Deeks mentioned in passing the failure of his alias's numerous marriages and DuValle began to allude to his conquests of women when in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was of the opinion that it was better to use and discard of women than the other way round. Both Callen and Deeks knew DuValle's conquests equated to rape and probable murder and they refrained from encouraging the man further. Luckily, DuValle fell silent as he turned off the main road. The car slowed to around ten to fifteen miles per hour and bumped over the dirt track they assumed led to the ranch.

'Got about another five miles of this guys, hope you don't get car sick.' Despite his words, DuValle did not sound concerned at all for the welfare of his companions, neither of whom bothered to answer.

True to his word, five miles later they stopped at a wooden gate, marking the entrance to the ranch. Deeks glanced at Callen who looked a little worse for wear.

'You good?'

Callen inhaled deeply and slowly turned to face Deeks.

'That was worse than being in a car with that ex of yours driving.'

'Ah, KK. Yeah she had mad driving skills.' Deeks returned his comments with a smile, wondering what Kensi's reaction would be if she could hear this conversation back in Ops.

'You're not gonna chunder, man?' DuValle asked. This time he did sound concerned. 'Maybe you should step out. You can open that gate for me.'

Callen didn't need to be asked twice and without saying a word he unfastened his seat belt and opened the car door. Standing on the solid ground felt good. He could travel on all types of boats, aircraft and most vehicles, but for some reason certain cars, drivers and terrains could be the undoing of him. Enjoying the cool night air, Callen walked over to the gate and undid the latch. Not much in the way of security he thought, recalling Nell's similar assessment. He walked the gate open and watched as DuValle pulled forwards. Once through, Callen closed the gate behind him and returned to the car.

'Just another couple of minutes now.'

'Glad to hear it.' Deeks said. 'Will we be in time for dinner?'

'Sure thing, bound to be a pot of chilli on the stove. You up to eating Rob?' DuValle shot a half worried look at Callen.

Callen gave him a thin smile. 'Nothing a bottle of beer won't sort out.'

A low fence surrounded the main buildings and was illuminated by a lamp hung from either side of another set of gates. At either side of the gates were the remains of stone columns which presumably had supported some kind of archway. A youth of about twelve ran from the porch towards them, raising a hand for a quick wave before he deftly pulled them open to allow the car through. Deeks looked behind him as the car pulled up and saw the kid closing the gates again.

'Welcome to your new home' DuValle turned and smiled at his guests. 'You can stay with us - for as long you like.'

Callen jolted and stared at DuValle, his words suddenly taking him back to his fifteen year old self.

'You sure you're alright? You look like you've seen a ghost.'

'It's nothing.' Callen shook his head. 'Just -nothing.'

'Ok. C'mon, let me introduce you to everyone.'

The three of them walked up the wooden steps to the veranda, Callen making sure he was not lingering at the back with Deeks. He didn't feel like being quizzed on the reaction DuValle had just witnessed. He just wanted to freshen up, grab a beer and get on with the operation.

The door opened up to a spacious living area that led to an equally large kitchen diner. Large, long couches were organised in a U shape with the fireplace forming the focal point of the room. There were several doors further down and to the right and a wide wooden staircase leading to the first floor. Sitting on the sofas and leaning forward towards a coffee table covered with cards, were half a dozen men. It looked as though the three had interrupted an evening of cards and the room which had been buzzing from tipsy conversation and testosterone suddenly became muted. A man Callen and Deeks recognised as Joshua Lyneham stood up. He folded the cards in his hand and placed them face down on the table.

'Anton.' He walked over and with a guarded smile welcomed his friend with a warm embrace. 'I didn't realise you were bringing two guests with you tonight. You should have warned me.'

Lyneham made no attempt to disguise his appraisal of the two visitors, both of whom stood still and remained silent. This was a moment between a leader and his second in command and there was tension in the air. By remaining silent, the moment would naturally reveal clues to the state of the group which NCIS could later exploit.

DuValle took Lyneham by the arm and guided him away from Callen and Deeks.

'Call it an executive decision,' DuValle spoke in a low voice. 'Rob Gladstone is the one we really want, the shorter older one. I've checked out his records, he was in black ops. His file is heavily redacted and most of his past records are sealed. Honourable discharged but lots of blots on his record. Been arrested a few times too. The scruffy guy's his foster brother or something. Patten said he showed up at the shelter and thought it would be better for both to come along. He seems a real friendly guy. If he thinks like the rest of us we can easily use him out in the field. I agreed with Patten.'

Lyneham digested DuValle's words. There was an instinctive look of mistrust on the face of Rob Gladstone and a toughness that was acquired from decades of being forced to survive in unlikely circumstances. He had instantly realised the man he wanted was not the man who looked as though a comb and scissors hadn't seen his hair this side of the year. His brother did have a playful look in his eyes though. Yes, Lyneham thought, DuValle had made a good call. He tapped him on the shoulder and turned back to the two men who were patiently waiting at the entrance.

'Gentlemen, I'm Josh. I was only expecting one guest tonight and that was Rob.'

'I'm Rob.' Callen said. 'This is my brother Billy. If you have a room or bed free then he can take it. I'll crash on the floor. We'll be out of your way tomorrow.

'Nonsense.' Lyneham smiled. 'I did only have one bed set up but it's a twin room so if you don't mind sharing...And you're both more than welcome to stay. Let me introduce you to the others.'

Lyneham led them towards the group of men who had been staring at their new guests with undisguised interest.

'This here is Chet, Bradley, Raider, Thomason and Stone.'

Handshakes and basic pleasantries were exchanged and Callen and Deeks were invited to sit. Within minutes they both had a plate of hot chilli with rice and a bottle of beer which gave Lyneham the opportunity to speak while they ate. He told them he was a former Gunnery Sergeant who'd had trouble adapting to civilian life after an honourable discharge. He'd drifted for a while, hooked up with his former comrade Anton DuValle, and then found this disused ranch. Slowly they'd encountered other men, women and families who had fallen on hard times and before they'd realised, they had a community, a repaired ranch and numerous outbuildings and stables which now housed a growing number of people. Lyneham was not boastful in his storytelling, just factual and both Callen and Deeks would have believed him, were they not aware of the real purpose of his carefully constructed community.

'I'll give you both the grand tour tomorrow. But first let me show you to your lodgings.'

Lyneham stood up and Callen and Deeks followed, grabbing their bags which had been left next to the door. Lyneham led them out in to the night and away from the main ranch. About seventy meters away to the left were a series of single story stables. The whinnying of a horse was heard in the still night air.

'We have nine horses here. Either of you two ride?'

'Once.' Callen replied, pulling a face that suggested it was not an experience he wished to repeat.

'Never horses.' Deeks said mischievously. Callen shot him a daggered look whilst Lyneham chuckled.

'Well lucky for you we converted the stables on the other side and left the horses here. There are four self contained erm, apartments, I guess you'd call them. Small bedroom, one bathroom and a through lounge and kitchenette.'

'Sounds like you should have been in real estate.' Callen said, leading his partner into securing his alibi and justifying his reasons for staying.

'Realtors are scum.' Deeks said with a sudden vengeance in his voice. 'Bastards sell you a home you can barely afford and then the banks just whip it away.'

Lyneham glanced in Deeks' direction and filed the brief outburst away for future consideration. His look was not lost on either Callen or Deeks.

'Ain't no charge here. All I ask is that you help out around the ranch. Anything you can do from mending fences, cooking to mucking out the horses. Here you are.'

The converted stables may no longer have been full of sawdust, mice and horses, but they weren't quite as grand as Lyneham had made them out. A small sofa and a single arm chair took up most of the living room space and to the rear was a small kitchen, separated by a four seater table. Lyneham opened the door to the side.

'This here's the bedroom. Spare bedding is in that bottom drawer there. Next door is the bathroom. I'll leave you boys to it. Main house is always open so if you need anything, just come in. Stone is usually awake all night.'

'Stone? Which one was he?' Callen asked, knowing full well which of the men they'd met earlier had been Stone.

'He's the one build like a brick outhouse. Dresses in plaid shirts, red faced, dark hair. I think he might actually have been a brick in a former life. He clearly was just given the wrong name.' Lyneham smiled at his own joke as bid the pair goodnight, leaving them alone for the first time in about four hours.

Callen flopped down in the arm chair and stretched his legs out in front. The journey along the dirt road had left him feeling more nauseous than he cared to admit, although strangely the beer and food had somewhat settled his stomach. Unfortunately it had still left him with a throbbing headache. He closed his eyes briefly, thinking the fresh air from the walk to the stables had felt like a slice of heaven. He opened his eyes to see Deeks poking around the room in curiosity.

'What are you doing Billy?' Callen asked, ensuring he kept in character. His ingrained sense of paranoia was telling him to be cautious in case of hidden bugs and cameras.

'Geez Rob, you still paranoid? Think this place is bugged? That these hillbillies want to see you get naked in the shower and hear my awesome singing voice?' Deeks agreed with Callen's hidden sentiments. They had to maintain their cover for anything from a few days to a few months and there was no point in taking any risks. 'I mean I did catch that guy Stone staring at you. Good job the showers aren't communal and at a corner of one of the barns.

'You always were such a jerk.' Callen stood up. 'My head is killing me. I'm gonna get some fresh air.'

Callen left the door wide open, which Deeks took as an invitation to join him and the two men wandered silently in to the grounds. A clear sky meant the night was lit by the stars and the moon, which was lucky as the lights from the buildings were gradually extinguished as the community turned in for the night. Several hundred meters in front of them was the silhouette of a low slung fence. There were no nearby buildings, trees or shrubs and the two naturally gravitated towards it. Callen climbed on the fence and sat facing the ranch. Deeks faced opposite ensuring that anyone approaching would be instantly spotted. They were both aware of how easily sound travelled at night and all precautions needed to be taken.

'You alright?' Deeks whispered to Callen. He was aware of Callen's moods, even if he had rarely experienced them first hand and he couldn't be sure if the silence and solitude were natural, part of his cover or because he genuinely felt ill.

'I will be by morning.' Callen answered with a whisper and ran a hand through his hair. 'I know Nell said she couldn't find any trace of surveillance equipment but these guys seem too sensible to trust every stranger that crosses their paths. They probably have hidden cameras and mics all over the place. Maybe in the smoke alarms and the spot lights in the kitchen and bathroom. Unless we can guarantee we're on our own and can talk safely or with ops, we've gotta remain in cover.'

'I agree.' Deeks tapped his earwig which he had inserted during the short walk to the fence and murmured. 'Anyone there?'

'Sure, we're hearing you Deeks.' Eric replied. 'We were able to listen take screengrabs of the men in the ranch from your button cams.'

'We scored ten out of ten on facial rec on all five of them.' Nell continued. 'First is Chet Bailey, he's a petty criminal who's spent his life in and out of prison, nothing more than a common thief and thug for hire. Next is Bradley Moore, a former Navy Electronics Technician specialising in data systems. Looks like he started off at MIT but dropped out after a few months and then enlisted. He was caught stealing components and dishonourably discharged after a short spell in the Naval Consolidated Brig at Chesapeake, and you already know about Raider AKA Jeb Williams, the former Delta Force operator. Thomason Hawker doesn't seem to have a criminal record nor is there any trace that he served in the military. We have a drivers licence, school history. Looks like a normal twenty three year old. Not sure what his connection is to the rest of the crew.'

Eric paused as he let Callen and Deeks digest the information so far. 'And for a full house, Brett Stone is another thug for hire. Honourably discharged from the marines after being shot in the leg. He walks with a limp but he's a dangerous man. He's been arrested several times on suspicion of assault but never convicted - no evidence.'

'Nice guys Lyneham is surrounding himself with.' Deeks commented.

'We got nothing else for you at the moment.' Nell said. 'Hetty said that you need to sleep tonight and spend the next few days bedding in and winning their trust. She's happy for you to play the long game.'

'Understood.' Callen tapped his earwig, effectively signing off. 'You know the order of play. Be your naturally charming self, make friends and drop hints like earlier about how the Government has let you down. Nothing major, let them draw the stories out of you.'

'You can trust me to do this right.' Deeks muttered, jumping down from the fence and turning to face Callen with a cheeky grin. 'I have done this before.'

'I know but this is different to our usual assignments. We could be here for months so take it easy or they'll start to get suspicious. At the moment we have time on our side unless we get wind that another attack is imminent. We're both without our usual partners so we gotta try not to spring too many surprises on each other.'

Deeks suddenly broke in to a broad smile. 'You mean we can spring some surprises on each other?'

Callen clambered down from the fence and raised his voice to a normal conversational tone.

'Only if you tell me what it is first!'

'What?' Deeks responded. 'Do you actually know the definition of surprise? In fact have you ever had anyone surprise you in your life?'

'Surprises are for kids.'

'Ah yes, and you were never a kid.'

'Had to grow up quickly' Callen retorted. 'Unlike you who never grew up at all.'

'You know it brother.' Deeks took a few long strides and caught up with Callen and draped an arm round his shoulder, pulling him in for a brief hug before letting him go. It was certainly going to be an interesting undercover assignment.