Lovely Lane Chapter 6

Spring Vacation III

Holiday Inn 07:00

KNOCK, KNOCK – "Room service!"

"I'll get it, babe," Clark shouts. He closes the bathroom door as he glides past on his way to answer the door to their room.

He opens the door and two ladies enter, pushing the room service cart. One is older, diminutive, and wearing very old-fashioned round spectacles ('wow, where did she get those'). The other woman is younger, also quite short with red hair and carries a tablet on which she is typing notes. Clark signs for the food and watches as the younger lady sets up with the older woman providing instructions. This is obviously a trainer/trainee situation.

After set up is complete the two ladies step back, stand still with arms folded in front of them and wait. Lana steps out of the bathroom, also in her robe and slippers. She takes her place at Clark's side.

"Is there something else?" Clark asks, wearing a puzzled expression.

"Yes, we have some questions," the older woman responds.

"Questions?" Lana is puzzled now too.

"Yes, about the incident at the Santa Monica pier yesterday," the younger woman inserts.

Clark & Lana look at each other. "Ok, who are you, really?" Clark asks in a demanding voice. He and Lana have slipped into high alert mode. He has turned on his super-hearing and with his x-ray vision has found that both ladies are armed. He nods at Lana and says, "Do it."

'FREEZE', Lana thinks, and both women are frozen in time and space.

"What now, Clark? Shall we have some fun?"

He grins, "Let's do that."

They quickly finish dressing and come back to the LR. Lana pulls out the desk chair, angles it and sits down with crossed legs. Clark moves from where he was standing, taking a relaxed stance and nods to Lana.

'UNFREEZE'

The two ladies move slightly as they 'thaw out', then their mouths drop open and they reach for their weapons.

"Don't do that," Lana says as Clark in super-speed mode disarms them. He lays the weapons on the table (clip & cartridge from the chamber removed) and resumes his stance. "You need not fear us," Lana assures them.

"Do you have more questions now?" Clark asks with a smirk. "Why don't you introduce yourselves properly?"

Hetty and Nell look at each other. "We can do that," Hetty admits. "I am Henrietta Lang and my young companion is Nell Jones. We work for NCIS-OSP here in Los Angeles."

"Explain that agency please," Lana instructs.

"Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Office of Special Projects," Nell explains.

"Fancy name," Clark smirks.

"Anyway," Hetty mutters, "I am the operations manager and Nell is our technical analyst."

"We are not criminals!" Lana retorts.

"We know, but you did stumble into one of our operations yesterday at the Santa Monica pier. Lunch time," Hetty explains.

"Wait a minute," Clark stops the conversation (interrogation?). "I assume your entire team would like to hear this?"

Hetty points to her ear, "They are all with us."

Lana huffs, "So, they are listening in, and you are probably recording all this, without our knowledge or permission?"

Clark strides to the door, opens it and says "Please leave ladies!"

Hetty takes one step forward and holds out a hand. "Please, a few questions," with a pleading expression.

Lana and Clark look at each other, she raises an eyebrow. "No, unless your whole team is present, in person. We need to see their faces, gauge their reactions."

"My team are trained professionals," Hetty responds.

"Final answer," Clark smirks.

"Very well, we have an auxiliary facility."

"You mean the covered boat dock at 10551 Marina Del Rey Drive?"

"Where did you get that address?" Nell is confused.

"We tailed your agents," Lana smirks.

"They noticed no tail," Hetty puts forth.

"Maybe they missed that training session?" Clark grins.

"Can you meet us there in an hour?"

"09:00," Clark replies. "Keep it short, we have some plans for today, please."

"Your breakfast is getting cold, shall we re-heat it for you?"

"We will handle it," Lana is confident.

"I don't see a microwave."

"We will handle it, ladies please," Clark extends his hand toward the open door as Lana hands them their guns sans ammo. "We will bring the cartridges with us."

The ladies slowly exit.

Callen speaks over comms, "So, that went well, um?"

"Shut up," Nell retorts.

In the hotel room Clark heats up their breakfast and they leisurely eat, and strategize about the upcoming meeting. They go over their agreed upon signals and cues for situations like this. It feels really good to work together. They share some good-morning kisses and are on their way.

TBC