Isobel and her Superman Chapter 1
A/N: Isobel = Lana's alias (her Wiccan ancestor)
Clana get back to their loft the day after Christmas. They stop by the restaurant to check in, sign up for shifts as wait staff and see if Paolo or Maria notice Lana's ring. Maria does, of course. That leads to much congratulating and insisting that their dear friends be invited to the wedding. That was a done deal anyways.
The kids have even thought of including the older folks in the wedding somehow. 'Can Tiramisu be a wedding cake?' Maria begs to host the rehearsal dinner; hm, something to think about. If you combine the cooking talents of Maria & Martha . . . that would be a dinner for the ages! Front page of the "Social Scene" in the Daily Planet! Byline – Clark Kent! Food for thought.
New Year's Eve
Clana pass up a couple of party invitations; they work the party at the restaurant. They are becoming very good friends with Paolo & Maria; both couples feel really good about it.
The next weekend while working Lana notices a suspicious looking (to her) table of four guys. She tells Clark, and with his super hearing, he picks up something about a bank robbery being planned. Nothing specific, except the name of the bank.
They get an appointment with the Chief of Police, and see him in disguise; their first time using both their suits. They give him what they saw and heard. He still isn't happy with their anonymity, but informs the bank. The bank beefs up security and the perps are caught in the act.
Smallville, the Talon, late February
Clana are sitting at a corner table, enjoying their favorite drinks and pastries. They are spending a relaxing, long weekend with the folks. The current topics of discussion are spring break and finalizing wedding plans.
"Clark, have you given any thought as to what we might do for spring break? Where we might go, if any where? It's only 3 weeks away you know."
"I know, and no I haven't thought about it. Last year we went to California. What about the opposite coast?"
"NYC, Boston, the Jersey shore, Charleston, Daytona beach, Miami, Key West? Any other options you would like to consider, hm?"
"My brain just exploded!"
"Your super-brain did not explode! I've never been to NYC: the Empire State building, Central Park, Madison Square Garden, Statue of Liberty, Freedom Tower, Madison Avenue shopping."
"STOP! Alright, I'm not going to mention any other place, it sounds like you have tourist brochures pasted all over your cerebrum!"
"What! No, I just wanted to start your wheels turning."
"My wheels are stuck in the mud."
"Ok, I'll be right back; I'm gonna get you a triple shot latte."
RING
"Clark here."
"Mr. Kent, this is Hetty with NCIS. Is this a good time to talk?"
"Probably not, sorry. We are in Smallville at a coffee shop. Could I call you back, say in 1 hour?"
"Certainly, use this #, it's my personal cell."
"Will do, Lana and I will talk with you soon."
"Thank you, good-by."
Lana returns with his triple-latte. "Who called?"
"Hetty."
"What did she want?"
"Don't know, we are to call her back in 1 hour."
"Well, let's get your wheels unstuck. Here," She hands him his 2nd drink of the morning. 'This better help!
NYC, 1 PP – NYPD COMISSIONER'S OFFICE
"Sir, Sergent Reagan and Officer Janko are here," Detective Abigail Baker announces.
"Good, send them in. Have Detectives Reagan and Baez arrived yet?"
"No, but they should be here shortly. I'll send them in when they arrive."
"Good,"
"Jamie and Eddie enter, salute – which is returned, and take a seat as motioned by the Commissioner.
"What can we do for you, sir?" Jamie inquires.
"We have an under-cover op for the two of you. Danny will explain when he gets here."
They spend a few minutes chatting about home and family life, including plans for next Sunday's family dinner. "Pops has a new recipe for chicken that he wants to try. Can you pick up 2-3 birds?" Frank asks.
"I will," Eddie responds.
Danny and Maria enter the office, "Sorry we're a little late," Maria apologizes.
"No problem," Frank says, looking a little perturbed. "Can you explain to Jamie and Eddie what we propose they do?"
"Yes, sir," Danny says. "We have intelligence on a new drug distribution ring in the tri-state area. We would like to shut them down before they grow any bigger or stronger."
"And we would do, what?" Eddie inquires.
"We know where some low to mid-level guys routinely have lunch. We'd like you two to have lunch in the same place, several weeks in a row; get on their radar, and see if you can glean a name or two of higher-ups in the organization. You will be wired, as will be the restaurant. After a month we will evaluate where we are."
"Can we work this into our schedules?" Jamie wonders.
"I will make sure you can," Frank assures them.
They both nod in assent. Simple, lunch on the NYPD's dime, what can possibly go wrong?
SMALLVILLE – CLARK'S LOFT
Clana call Hetty back.
"Hetty here, thank you for calling, Clark and Lana."
"No problem, what can we do for you?"
"A great deal, I hope. I am gratified that Kensi and Deeks have become friends with the two of you."
"As are we," Lana speaks up. "Just so you know, we are on speaker, but it's only the two of us in the loft."
"Thanks for telling me, and I am recording this call. However, I will not release it in any form w/o your consent. I am calling to see if I can generate any interest in your being consultants for me, here at NCIS-OSP?"
"What would that entail?" Clark questions.
"I envision it as follows:
I could ask for your assistance when a case has problems that you seem to be uniquely qualified to address with your unique abilities, either or both of you,
We here would be available to you to improve your personal security; on your persons, vehicles and residence,
NCIS would provide supplemental health insurance for both of you for on-the-job injuries,
If either or both of you find yourself in jeopardy (abduction, hostage e.g.) NCIS would work with local authorities on your behalf."
"We are both in school and have part-time jobs, you know," Clark points out.
"Of course. Those obligations would take precedence. If it was case work, I would defer to your judgement as to what time you are able to give me."
"This is very interesting," Lana observes.
"I agree," Clark mutters. "We should take a little time to think and discuss this. What is the time frame for an answer? Could we get back to you in 2 weeks?"
"Yes, that would be satisfactory. Are there any questions at this time?"
They look at each other and shake their heads. "None now," Clark answers.
"Very well, I will await your call."
AFTER SUPPER
Clana share Hetty's proposal with the folks.
"Wow, that is impressive. A Federal agency recruiting you!" Martha exclaims.
"But dangerous!" Dad sputters.
"We are not looking for danger, dad. And I am confident Hetty will be very careful as to what she asks of us." Clark comes back.
"I agree," Lana puts in. "In our dealings with them, I see that they will be very cautious in regards to the situations they ask us to step into. At least that's my impression."
"Mine too," Clark agrees.
"So, are you seriously considering this?" Mom asks.
They both nod.
"I hope you know what you are getting into," dad grouses.
"We will check it out thoroughly." Lana assures them.
"Good for you," mom consents.
NCIS-OSP
2 weekends later in LA, Clana land and enter the mission through the garage; Hetty has given them permission and instructions. They proceed up the back way to the Ops center.
They are met with enthusiastic hugs from Nell & Eric. "I'll tell Hetty that you are here," Nell offers.
Hetty soon appears and welcomes them. "I want to show you two some aspects of what we have available to our agents, and ask you some questions."
"Great, lead on," Clark responds.
As Hetty leads them past the bullpen, the agents toss a "Hello" their way. They proceed to the armory.
"Are either of you certified to carry a firearm?" Hetty asks.
"No," they both admit.
"Are you interested? It is not necessary for you as consultants."
They look at each other and shake their heads, no. "Not at this time," Clark admits.
"That's fine. If you change your minds in the future, we can help you select an appropriate weapon and train you." They walk past the gun range which Hetty points out.
Next they see the gym. "As you might expect, physical fitness and training in various fighting skills is important for our agents. Both for offense and defense. Whenever you are in the area, our gym, equipment & agents for sparring partners are all available to you. If you sign on, of course. Now back up to the Ops center."
Up in Ops Hetty continues, "Eric & Nell will run through what is available for you if you become consultants."
Eric starts, "great to see you guys! I hope we can work together. Anyway, here is what we can provide you as consultants:
Personal GPS tracker. We recommend that you keep this on your person at all times. When needed, press the red button to activate. Then call one of 3 emergency numbers we will give you, so we can start tracking you. On that call we will ask for a description of the emergency – if you can talk of course.
Home security enhancements. We can install audio and video surveillance equipment, with recording capability for your apartment or condo or house. These can have any type of alarm you choose, plus auto notification of us and/or local authorities.
Vehicle anti-theft and GPS tracking. I'm sure you know what this entails.
Secure laptop and smart phone. For your use when working with NCIS; unless approved otherwise by Hetty. She usually approves some non-NCIS use in order to keep the devices in good working order.
Selection. You may select for installation any or all of the above. We will schedule an install at a mutually convenient time.
Any questions?
"Wow!" Both Clana mutter. "No questions regarding tech, but for Hetty. Your office?" They look to her.
"Yes, follow me."
HETTY'S OFFICE
"That was a lot, I'm sure. Where would you like to start?"
Lana starts, "I'm wondering, given your experience and what you know of us, how often might you call on us?"
"Great question, wishy-washy answer. As you might expect. Our cases vary from day-to-day and week-to-week. I would be surprised if we call you more than once a month. But that's not a promise."
"Would you provide us a vehicle?" Clark wonders.
"Only when you are on a case. Does the CK express not work at times?" Hetty smirks.
"Well, there are times and locations when the CK express is best not used." Clark clarifies.
"Ah, I hadn't thought of that. Of course, we will meet your needs."
"Compensation? I hate to bring it up," Lana inquires.
"I would suggest a monthly retainer of $1,250.00 each; plus $50.00 per hour when you are active on a case."
They look at each other with raised eyebrows.
Clark speaks next, "I don't think either of us are interested in taking the life of another human being." He looks to Lana for agreement.
She nods vigorously.
"I would certainly understand that. And we would do all in our power to avoid that. But, in our work that often is necessary. I will say this; we would do all we can to see that our agents are in that position . . . not either of you."
"Thanks. I just thought of this, can we have some time with Marty and Kensi?" Clark asks, looking to Lana.
She nods vigorously again.
"Surely, they have no case at present. I'll call them."
Hetty calls them to her office. After they arrive: "You know Clark and Lana. They are considering being consultants with us. If you are willing, they would like some time with you for questions. You may take the rest of the day with them."
"Sure," Densi agree. "Shall we go to the beach?"
"OK. Shall we suit up?" Clark looks to Lana.
"Swim suits only," she expresses.
"Did you bring that hot pink bikini that matches Kensi's?"
"You bet!"
"We're on!"
"Where did you park," Kens asks. "Oops! Forgot, we'll take my SRX."
They head for her SUV and then Malibu beach.
MALIBU BEACH
After getting some lunch, they sit on a blanket to eat and talk.
Lana starts, "We are both concerned about the possibility of being put in a situation where we need to take a person's life. How frequent is that?"
Marty responds. "Well, for us it is relatively frequent, I think. Kens?"
"I wouldn't say frequent. But that's hard to answer. Some days yeah, then we go weeks w/o a firefight and a fatality. But I assume that you would like to never be in that position, right?"
"Right!" They answer simultaneously. "And we won't be carrying weapons."
"Ah, but from what I have seen, you both have abilities to be lethal. Correct?" Marty smirks.
"Yes," Lana admits, chagrined.
"So, you and we will have to be careful about where you are exposed to situations like that," Kensi poses.
After talking for 2 hours, Clark summarizes. "I think we will sign and see how it goes, agree babe?"
"Yup, I'm good with that."
HETTY'S OFFICE
They return and sit down with Hetty. Ater signing, she gives them their 1st and 2nd months retainer fee and instructions as to documenting their time sheet.
They then go up to Ops and get their phones and laptops. Nell shows them how to set up their devices, instructs on suitable passwords, and tells them what personal use is Ok on their devices.
Then Eric goes through what security enhancements they would like (they can select more later) and schedules the install.
As they walk through the bullpen on their way out, they greet Sam and Callen. As they are saying good-by, an admin assistant stops them and hands them each a supply of business cards. They are now, In Business!
They exit the mission, find a deserted alley, and the CK express is off.
TBC