Beside you still
Chapter 9 Hawaii
A/N: As promised, this is an occasional update. When I get struck by lightning, I write. Here is an idea for a little arc. Enjoy? Review! Please!
6 WEEKS LATER, after the Italy trip
Lois has invited Clark to a picnic down by Lake Metropolis. They are relaxing on a blanket after a fantastic fried chicken dinner.
"Clark?"
Silence. His breathing is deep and regular as he relaxes on his side. She thought he was studying her; if he was, it was through his eyelids.
She caresses his cheek, "Clark?"
"Hm . . . Lois?" He half opens one eye.
"Where are we going next, lover boy?"
"Am I your travel agent, Lois?"
"Yup! I thought you knew that," she smirks.
"Ok, any requests?" He says with hope and trepidation.
"Warm, sunshine, crystal blue water, bikini-
"You got it! Itinerary coming soon!"
"I wasn't done!" 'I knew bikini was a magic word!'
"You gave me all the clues I need. Oh wait . . . which hemisphere?"
"You pick. Surprise me."
"Got it."
He rolls over and starts a make out session.
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NCIS-OSP Los Angeles *
Hetty stands at the balustrade overlooking the bullpen. "Ms. Blye, Mr. Deeks! Ops please, now."
Agents Callen and Hanna look up expectantly, a hurt look on their faces. Hetty senses trouble.
"Ok, gentlemen, you may come up also. This op is just for them, however. You may assist from here."
The four head upstairs and take their places around the large central briefing table.
"Mr. Beale, if you please." She nods to Eric.
He begins; "Sec NAV has informed us of a planned terrorist attack on the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu. Apparently, the plan is to take hostages and demand that the Center be shut down. Or hostages will be killed one-by-one."
"Who would do that, and why?" Kensi wonders.
"A new Indonesian terrorist group," Nell supplies. "Name unknown at present."
"And the assumed motive is the idea that the Center exploits the Polynesian people," Hetty adds.
"Timing?" Sam Hanna inquires.
"Weekend after next," Eric supplies.
"Who caught this, and why only 2 of us?" Deeks asks. "Not that we can't handle it with Wonder Woman here and the Jungle cat."
He dodges an elbow, deftly. (Expected)
She glares . . . though she loves it (And Him).
"Apparently ONI* caught it; and they along with 2 SEAL teams are running the show. We are asked to assist, ONLY. A marine major Morales is on point," Hetty fills in.
Deeks turns to Kensi, "I'll help you pack. We don't want to miss that royal blue-
He doesn't miss this elbow! "Ow!"
"Baby!"
"That's Jungle Cat!" He's crouched over.
"Ha! A Jungle Cat would have dodged that."
"This cat was distracted by that royal blue-
"Lady, and 'gent', let's get on with the briefing, please." Hetty attempts to restore order. Callen looks put out, Sam glares. Nell loves it. Erin is oblivious.
Eric and Nell show a series of pictures and talk about what is known. The agent and investigator are given Morales contact info and go down to the bullpen and talk things over with G and Sam.
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LOIS' APARTMENT
DINNER WITH PERRY AND THE GENERAL
"I have gotten a whiff of a planned terror attack on Oahu," Lois' father starts. "Something about a major hostage taking at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu's NE side."
"Has the Justice League been contacted for help?"
Clark asks.
"No, and they probably won't. NCIS, ONI and the marines think they can tackle anything. Literally anything!"
"So, why did you want to meet with us, daddy?"
"Well, I really think the probability of significant bloodshed is high, very high. I was thinking; if you and Clark were vacationing in Hawaii, on Oahu you know. Lois would be there for a story; Clark would be there just in case Superman was needed."
Perry's eyes light up.
Lois frowns.
Clark grimaces.
"What?" Sam wonders why Lois and Clark aren't excited about the possibility here.
"Well daddy," Lois starts. "We need to be very careful about how many bread crumbs, i.e. clues, Clark leaves behind for smart people to follow."
"Ah, his dual identity," Perry gets it.
"Ok, I see that." Sam rubs his forehead. "So . . . how can we work this?"
"Is it public knowledge that you have any kind of a connection to Superman," Clark muses. Looking at the General.
"Not really, why?" Sam responds.
"Ah, I see," Lois' eyes light up. "Daddy, if you as part of the military got wind of this, you could ask Superman to help. Sweet!"
"And step in a great big cow pie!" Sam winces.
"Sir, you are used to getting out of messes. Right?" Clark grins.
Sam glares at his daughter, who raises her hands in innocence while giving her boyfriend a look.
"Let's do this; Sam, do you have a time frame?" Perry asks.
"Weekend after this one coming up."
"Ok, why don't Lois and Clark go on a short vacation to Hawaii? Sam and I will figure out a way to give them a heads up. And get the story and give help?"
Everyone likes it; it's the best plan they can think of.
"I like it! Sun, sand, warm, bikini-
"STOP THAT!" Lois blushes.
"Son, do we need to have that talk?" Sam wonders.
"Ah . . . not yet, soon!" Clark blushes.
'Oh, he can blush!' Lois thinks.
"Do we know anyone involved, from NCIS or otherwise," Clark inquires.
"Agents Blye and Deeks from NCIS," Sam explains. "But that's super confidential! Henrietta Lange runs an extremely tight ship!"
"Any way we could stay at the same hotel? Clark wishes.
Sam looks at him, askance. "You think I am a miracle worker, huh?"
"Well sir, Lois said-
"I said nothing of the kind!"
Perry is enjoying this!
"I will have my office work on that."
"Good. And Perry – flight?" Lois tips her head.
"What? With Clark!"
"Ah, no sir. Our appearance 2,600 miles from LA without a flight or cruise ticket. That isn't a bread crumb, it's a whole damn loaf!" Clark erupts.
"Oh, yeah." Perry covers his face with his hands.
Sam pats Perry's back. "It takes a while to get used to this, Perry. I'm still a rookie."
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1 WEEK LATER
"Wasn't that great?" Clark mutters. He and Lois had supped on the patio and had watched a show of authentic Hawaiian dancers. Hula and all.
"I'm sure you liked those grass skirts. Personally, those fire-eating guys did it for me!" She gives him the side eye. He is stone faced.
They arrived on Tuesday, and are staying at the Ilikai hotel, at the northern end of Waikiki beach in Honolulu. Apparently, the entire 4th floor was reserved; by an unknown group. Lois and Clark are on the 5th floor; it's easier for him to listen to voices below, than above. He can do it!
They have photos of Blye, Deeks & Morales. They have seen them come and go; no pattern to their movements yet, none expected.
Thursday noon
Lunch on the patio, Lois notices Kensi come out and sit at the table next to them; Lois taps Clark's hand and points.
He surreptitiously turns on his super hearing. Even though she doesn't have the key tones turned on, Clark can hear what keys Kensi presses.
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FLASHBACK – THE DAY AFTER THE TALK ABOVE
"Lois, please join me in Perry's office?" Clark had come in early and prepped Perry. They go hand-in-hand.
"Lois, Clark has convinced me to give you two the day off." Perry announces, she is shocked.
"We are going to my Fortress up north, Lois. If you agree that is." Clark tells her.
"Ok, but why?"
"If you and I are going to do things like this Hawaii thing . . . I would like you and I to be able to communicate telepathically. My father's AI representation can give you that power – and 1 more. Are you OK with that?"
"Wow! Can I think about that? The options?"
"Surely, but we need to go soon."
Lois did think it over; she chose telepathy and strength. Thinking about Clark's other powers, the choice was difficult. She was convinced that she made the right choice. *
She will need to spend some serious time at the gym to cover this. Oh well, she had been thinking about that anyway.
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(Telepathy will be in single quotes)
PRESENT
'Kensi TXT – they are here. They're onto us'
'What shall we do'
'Nothing right now; also, she can read lips'
'So, limit face time?'
'Yup, watch your beautiful face, babe'
'Aw, you think the nicest things'
'Mostly'
"Are you liking that Ah tuna, babe?" Lois asks.
"Yup, I thought it would be like Chicken of the
Sea!"
Lois snorts, "You did not!"
"Really!" He grins.
"You really are a Kansas farm boy, aren't you!"
"Thru and thru. Shall we go up to the room?"
"Yes, I could use some cuddle time." Lois is facing Kensi, might as well play it up.
Once in the room they call her dad.
"Daddy, hi! Any more info for us?"
"Yes, it looks like the attack is planned for Saturday afternoon late. A really busy time."
"Are there tickets available?"
"At the WILL CALL window for Lois Lane and Clark Kent."
"When should we arrive?"
"I would say noonish. Take a tour, check sight lines, check everything out. Have Clark make good use-
"SHHH!" Clark waves to Lois and taps his ear.
"Bye daddy," she hangs up.
'They are listening babe. I'll scan for devices'
He does, and finds 2 audio bugs – no cameras.
'Shall we remove them?' LL
'No, they will think we are dangerous. Talk like we're from Kansas babe'
'OK, cuddle time?'
'Real? Act?'
Lois growls and attacks. They've never had a noisier love session!
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TBC
ONI = Office of Naval Intelligence
This takes this story seriously AU! But it brings in a favorite duo of mine – Densi, i.e. Kensi Blye and Marty Deeks.
This takes us REALLY in to AU territory!