AUTHORS NOTES: Hello everyone! I hope you have liked everything so far. In this chapter Callen finds out more information on Brian. Then Brian gets the first gimps of Callen himself. Also Carter Verone is introduced in this chapter as well WARNINGS: The only warning i need to give really is bad language. Happy reading!

Chapter#2

Callen stretched his muscles as he went to claim his luggage. His joints cracked. A nap on the plane wasn't the worst, but could never replace a proper mattress. Callen found his bag quickly and six and a half hours after the take-off he entered Miami's heat for the first time. It was a very different one than in Los Angeles; sultry. Callen looked around. Hetty had contacted him shortly after the landing. The FBI agent was currently stationed at the Miami bureau and ought to pick him up. Callen looked out for him and spotted shortly after that a very suspicious looking black SUV. The man seemed to have forgotten the meaning of discreet. The car stopped next to Callen and a man – almost 6'8 ft, black, broad shoulders – got out from the driver's side

"Agent Callen?" the guy asked and Callen nodded. The man extended a paw. And yes, he said paw not hand because wow this guy was big "I'm agent Roger Bilkin's from the Miami bureau. I heard you found O'Conner?" Bilkin's said

"A colleague of mine discovered him by chance at a street race" Callen said. Bilkin's laughed shaking his head

"A race, where else? I tell you: it's in the boy's blood. Come on! I'll drive you to our bureau. There you can drink a decent coffee for the time being, none of that watered down crap" Bilkin's said.

Callen nodded gratefully, threw his bag on the back seat and got in. The drive wasn't that long, even in the traffic of the early evening. After reaching the precinct, Callen went to the restroom to spray water in his face and after that sat down with Bilkin's in his office

"Tell me about O'Conner" Callen said.

Bilkin's pushed a cup of coffee toward him, then leaned back and stared thoughtfully at his hands

"There were lots of truckers, who were robbed by drivers. It took place on the highway every time. It was three cars and everything happened, while the trucks drove about 60 mph. It was very professional work. And because it was taking place not far from L.A, we suspected street racers. The LAPD asked for our help, because they couldn't get very far. And it became dangerous, because the truckers started to arm themselves. After a little research we soon suspected Dominic Toretto's team. You're familiar with the file?" Bilkin's asked. Callen nodded "so we decided to plant someone there"

"Why did you take someone from the LAPD?" curious Callen asked and leaned forward "why not one of your guys? Why not someone more experienced?"

"We tried with two guys from the bureau. They failed at the races. If they attracted attention, then only through bad driving. One didn't even reach the finish line. He had run his car against a wall" Bilkin's said. Callen barely suppressed a grin. He crossed Bilkin's look and saw, that the guy was amused, too "damn, did we almost muck it up!" Bilkin's leant his head back and sighed "Nick Tanner then suggested a guy"

"O'Connor" Callen said, Bilkin's nodded

"I tell you: this guy had a poker face. You never knew his thoughts. On the other hand, he could be very charming" Bilkin's said

"The ideal undercover agent. His file showed much potential" Callen said

"O'Conner was made for this job. We just had to change his name and open his juvenile file. The sentence was suitable, he had experiences with cars and he could drive like no one else. You should see him race" Bilkin's said smiling Callen smiled back

"I did. Via video" Callen said shaking his head, Bilkin's laughed

"Yes, he's got nitro in his veins. And always kept a cool head, cold like ice. That's why he was nick named Snowman back in L.A" Bilkin's said

"What brought him to betray his colleagues?" Callen asked. Bilkin's took a pen and knocked nervously with it on the tabletop. He evaded Callen's questioning gaze "agent Bilkin's?"

"The truth is, O'Conner wasn't very popular with his colleagues, other than Tanner of course. Everyone else they avoided him nearly without exception. And O'Conner kept out of their way" Bilkin's said

"Did he have such a difficult character?" Callen asked. Bilkin's looked thoughtfully at him. Callen leant forward over the desk "agent Bilkin's, I have to work with this man. Do I have to worry?"

"That depends on your attitude" Bilkin's said eventually

"What for?" Callen asked frowning

"Don't ask, don't tell" Bilkin's finally said.

Callen was silent. He leaned back. The blood was pounding in his ears. He forced himself to remain calm. Because honestly, he was ready to flip the fuck out. His colleagues hated him all because he was gay, because he outed himself? What the fuck!?

"He outed himself?" Callen asked

"I don't know exactly, but after what ever happened had happened. Tanner had suggested he didn't reveal any of his personal secrets voluntarily anymore" Bilkin's said

"Was he bullied?" Callen asked

"For that you'll have to inquire the LAPD. Or ask O'Conner. But I suspect it yes" Bilkin's said.

Callen nodded gratefully. He stood up and extended his hand to Bilkin's

"Thank you. It could be, that I need you, should O'Conner be in our custody. Maybe he will more likely believe you than us" Callen said. Bilkin's laughed

"If you think so! I won't leave for the time being" Bilkin's said and he gave his card to Callen "call as soon as you have him"

Callen saluted with two fingers and left

TIME SKIP/PAGE BRAKE

Carter Verone went to the bar in his club. Music pulsed through the Pearl and the guests gave themselves away to the rhythm or sat at the tables. Not a few women sat straighter as soon as they saw him. They smiled at him and adjusted their front equipment. Everything in a hope to get an invitation to the VIP lounge. But Verone had noticed the last few weeks, that his appetite went into a slightly other direction. After all, maybe he still found someone for today. First however he had to take care of the business. He summoned the woman. She smiled friendly at him. And Verone liked that. She didn't flirt to obviously, neither with him nor the guests. Furthermore, she animated marvelously the guests to drink. Since he recruited her, his sales had increased. She was good

"Miss Pereira" Verone greeted her "do you have a moment?" she nodded "then please come to the lounge"

"Of course, Mr. Verone" Pereira said. Verone nodded, then turned around. Not even five minutes later Pereira stood in the lounge. She held a drink. She put it on the table in front of Verone "your scotch, Mr. Verone"

She sat down beside him and crossed her legs. Her dark locks fell down her shoulders. Verone lifted a brow and grasped the glass

"You're forward-thinking. I like that. I heard; you're often going to the street races" Verone said her eyes sparkled

"Oh yes, I'm very interested in cars" Pereira said

"Do you race?" Verone asked

"No, but I rather like just watching. Some stunts look very dangerous" Pereira said laughing lightly. Verone nodded agreeing

"Do you go often? How good do you know the drivers?" Verone asked

"I visit the races since I live in Miami. Of course, some drivers are more known than others. Are you interested in a particular one?" Pereira asked.

Verone leaned back. This woman was clever. Maybe he should try something with her after all. She could satisfy his hunger, till he found something better. But he quite didn't like her hair color. Too dark

"Why do you think that?" Verone asked

"Everyone in the scene knows, that you recruit drivers now and then. That's why I thought you had your sights on someone special. Certainly, your only content with the best" Pereira said.

Verone produced a cigar from his suit pocket

"You surely seem to have made your thoughts about that" Verone said as he cut the head of the cigar "do I have to worry, that you work for two masters?"

Pereira blinked. She appeared incredulous and indignant. A little weight lifted from Verone's chest. He was relieved, that she probably wasn't a honey trap for him

"Mr. Verone, are you asking me whether I work for the police?" Pereira asked.

Even her voice sounded convincingly offended

"Well?" Verone said and ignited his cigar, "are you working for the police?"

"No. But, please, verify it" Pereira said

"I will" Verone said, he took some breaths "in the meantime organize a job interview. Like you correctly heard, I need some drivers. You know the scene. Find two or three teams" Pereira smiled brightly

"Of course, Mr. Verone. When will this interview happen?" Pereira asked

"I have to deal with something before that. Let's say in two days' time. The drivers should arrive around noon at my villa. You know, where it is?" Verone asked, she nodded "then you'll have enough time to go to the race today"

"Does that mean, I get the evening free?" Pereira asked Verone nodded

"Report to me as soon as the race is over" Verone said. Pereira nodded and stood up. She threw her hair back and a soft presume wafted to Verone. Verone drew on his cigar. That wouldn't help her. He liked it harsher. Before Pereira went, Verone called her back. He beckoned her over with his finger "in any case get me him"

Verone showed her a picture on his cell. Her brows drew together

"You want to have Bullitt as a driver?" Pereira asked. Verone grinned broadly

"Only the best" Verone said, Pereira nodded and went

TIME SKIP/PAGE BAKE

Brian wriggled through the traffic on the highway. He speeded up and got to the address Tej sent him in under four minutes. He got a pre-taste for the upcoming race, once the spectators saw him. They cheered and tried to touch his car – this he didn't like much. Nevertheless, Brian grinned brightly. A tingling sensation passed through his whole body. The first adrenalin was detectable. It was a wonderful thought, that he got fans. To get through the crowd, the smoke projectors on his Skyline really paid off. Brian drove to the start line next to Orange Julius's red Mazda RX-7. He got out and shook some hands. The crowd was completely behind him. At least that would explain the pinched faces of his opponents, well at least two of them. Suki was cool shit and loved racing with him win or lose. He greeted Tej with a fist bump

"Thanks for the invite" Brian said

"No problem at all, man. Just remember me when you wax, all right?" Tej said.

Brian nodded to Tej. It was the least he could do. After all, Tej only provided profitable or nerve-racking races. Sometimes both. Today he felt ready for both! Brian turned towards his opponents. His gaze caught a pair of green eyes in the crowd. They belonged to a handsome man: short cropped dirty blonde hair, stubble, athletic shape, a lot larger than him in muscle and body mass. He looked to be maybe 6'3 at least. And a damn sexy lopsided grin. To not get distracted, Brian turned to Tej again. Occasionally that could end deadly at such races. And he certainly didn't want to total his baby this evening

"They got deep pockets?" Brian asked, Tej laughed

"Real deep" Tej said.

Very good. The next rent for the houseboat was due soon and perhaps he needed a couple new shirts. Brian and Tej turned finally to the rivals. Thereby Brian's gaze glided to handsome man in the crowd again. Damn, did he wink? Quickly Brian looked at Suki. He liked her. She reminded him of a nicer, more polite and more sociable Letty

"What's up, Suki?" Brian asked

"What's up, Bullitt?" Suki asked

Oh, he defiantly liked this new name!

"What do you say we kick it a nickel?" Brian asked.

He knew, that the jackpot would decrease. But for under ten thousand altogether the race wouldn't be worthwhile. And immediately Julius objected

"Nobody mentioned raising stakes!" Julius said.

Sighing Brian approached him. He didn't even look into Julius's eyes. Instead, he tried to meet or avoid the gaze of the handsome man. He wasn't sure

"If that's the case, ask these nice people to back off the line so you can go home" Brian said.

The crowd booed and hooted. Immediately Julius countered

"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Julius said. He looked at Brian and Tej, who had stepped next to him with crossed arms "okay" Julius buckled "$3,500. Three cinco" (five)

Julius reached for the money and pressed the money into Tej's hand while cursing. Brian gave Tej his own money, and then he went to his car. On his way there the handsome man winked at him again and nervousness filled Brian's stomach. Nervousness, he experienced the last time with Dom. But this feeling was different this feeling was one he just knew would change the rest of his life. In what way? Well, he didn't know yet