Monstrous

Even separated and switching partnerships, each and every one is hunting monsters. Just an own interpretation of the sneak peeks of what's to come in episode 9.17. Two chapters only

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Marina del Rey Hospital || February 3, 2018

Although he was used to her diminutive posture, it was as she'd even shrunk now he saw her in the hospital bed. Sure, they had been just in time to get her out of that nasty cellar in Vietnam. But the side effects from being kept in the humidity, the bad circumstances, the torture — things he could only imagine but he didn't know of — it had all taken its toll and he had never seen her like this before. Older, hurt, far too weak.
Callen sighed deeply. How many times had it been the other way around, him in a horizontal position while Hetty was sitting next to him. He shook his head. For the time being, she was best of asleep. Hugh Adams, the doctor who'd treated him so many times in the past, had told him he preferred to keep Hetty asleep for the first few days, since he 'surmised something else was wrong as well.'

Again, Callen swallowed, trying to get rid of the awful feeling he might lose the woman who was closest to a mother to him after all. Like Owen Granger had lost the battle against the long invisible monster called Agent Orange, Adams suggested it might be the same monstrous matter which now hunted Henrietta Lange.

He gently put his hand on hers and sat, simply letting his thoughts go.

Sure, he heard someone coming his way. The heels clacked on the linoleum floor and the person wearing them never mind whether or not it irritated patients or public.
"I'd say you've been around in here long enough, agent Callen. Your team has gathered at the office hours ago."

He didn't look up. In one way or another, everything he did or said would be wrong and he knew it. There was little love between assistant director Mosley and the agent in charge of the Los Angeles Office of Special Projects.

Without glancing at the other woman, Callen already pictured how she would stand behind him. Both hands placed on her hips, one of her feet nearly tapping impatiently. There was some short rustle — she'd crossed her arms, he knew for sure. A sign of uncertainty, it was said to be.

"I'm glad they're around at the office. If there's a case going on, Sam will take the lead," he said, finally letting his gaze to over the woman's face, his stare harder than Shay Mosley was used to.

She pursed her lips, never destroying the lipstick which was, as ever, perfectly applied. "In fact, they're already working on something I've ordered them to do." With a few more steps into the small cubicle in which Hetty's bed stood, Mosley took the chart from the end of the bed and studied it for a few seconds. Then she put it back and said "She can do without a visitor for the first twenty-four hours, so it says."

"She can. But she won't have to," Callen replied. "I can stay around like she stayed with me so many times, y'know."

"Well, I actually don't know and frankly, I don't care. She won't notice if you are around or not."

"Perhaps she won't notice, but I do. So, if you'd excuse us? I'm pretty sure there's work to do." His words emphasized his cold stare.

"Trade carefully, agent Callen. You know who you're addressing, right?" Her eyes spit fire the other way around as well. "Actually, we've got a job to do. As I said, the others are in the field already. I've sent Hidoko with them."

He shrugged. "And you've come all the way to let me know, right? Come in here to do what?"

She somewhat relaxed. "I need you around. As I said, we've got a job to do."

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Previously || Office of Special || February 3, 2018

It wasn't as in the old days, since Eric Beale had two formal notifications of Mosley because of the loud whistles with which he summoned everyone to be in the Ops center. Still, he'd leaned over the lower part of the balcony, right next to Mosley's new office and noticed how Sam and Deeks sat next to each other, working on some files. So was Kensi, opposite of their desks. Callen's desk however remained empty.
"We've got a case, everybody. Up!"

Once the three of them entered the Ops center, they noticed that Mosley and Hidoko had joined the analysts already. It was Nell who explained. "Petty officer Hal Horton was reported missing. He should have been around yesterday morning at the Naval Base at Seal Beach. All in all, he hasn't been around ever since last Thursday."

"And?" Sam urged her to continue.

"He was found, earlier this morning," Eric said. "Unfortunately, he won't be able to explain what happened." He motioned at the large screen. Next to the standard ID's which showed a uniformed man, now another picture was shown.

"Gruesome", Deeks said.

"Monstrous, I'd call it," Eric agreed.

"It is. So, I suggest, detective Deeks, that Harley and you will go visit the scene where Horton was found and try and find out as much as possible on how this man in there died," Mosley now said. "Whereas you, agent Hanna, will be working with agent Blye. Right in here, with your analysts."

Kensi shook her head. "Wait. We do what?"

"You know that 'our' analysts are yours too, assistant director," Sam brought forward, pointing up his words with air quotes. "We're all working together. How about Callen? Shouldn't we wait for him?"

"And how about me and Kensi working together, like we're used to do? What about this switching around? You know how it works, don't you?" Deeks tried to argue.

She raised her arm, emphasizing the authority she wanted to show but which somehow this team failed to feel. "My decision, detective Deeks. I suggest you now join agent Hidoko and leave before other measures are taken."

"Point taken, Ma'am," Deeks muttered. He then still flashed a smiled at Hidoko and turned, leaving Ops.

Mosley did the same, and after the sliding doors closed once again, Nell who asked "You think that was awkward, guys?"

Kensi nodded, adding "But never mind that, I do think we've got a job to do. So…"

"She didn't even comment on my question whether or not Callen is working with us. I mean, I know he would want to stay with Hetty, still… But yeah, Kensi is right. Now, if you guys can find out more about this Horton? Perhaps Kensi and I could contact the morgue later on. I mean, these wounds were pretty specific, or, like Eric just put it in words 'monstrous'.

A little later, Sam sat behind his own desk, letting his hands go over his face. "Any ideas, Kens?"

"Not yet. I mean, that guy... who would do that, and why? It must've been an awful way to die."

Sam shook his head. "Not what I meant. Why is she shaking things up like this. It's like years ago, with Hunter. Remember?"

Kensi leant back in her chair. "No. This is different. She... Mosley seems to dislike Callen. Still, she's testing him. You think she's prepping him to take over Hetty's place?"

There wasn't that much time to ponder over the idea, since Eric simply whistled without any holdbacks. Moments later, he started talking.
"Hal Horton wasn't the only one with those marks on his body. Actually, he was the third person found who appears to be killed in nearly the same situation. Strapped, bleeding to death and wounds in about the same place."

Nell continued "There's Lieutenant Commander Robert MacIntosh, stationed at the same place as Horton. And, which is odd, LAPD officer Robert Santos was found two weeks ago. Same MO, or at least with similar marks. You see, I called in with Rose, hoping she could let us know more."

"And?" Sam prodded.

"And it seems all three died before those awful cuts were made on their bodies. Apparently, all three of them were tortured in a different way. Which is nasty as it is, guys," Nell explained. "MacIntosh drowned, actually. They're trying to find out how, but he did anyway. Santos, on the other hand, was shot in his left eye."

"The bullet went straight through his brains, which was the real cause of death of course," Eric added.

"And Horton?" Kensi asked. "How… what was his actual cause of death?"

"We didn't see it before, since someone put his cap back on and there was all this blood, but… scalping, Kensi. He was more or less scalped," Nell said.

Sam wondered "Different modes, despite the fact all those cuts appeared the same? We sure got a case in here."

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An hour later || Office of Special Projects

"Is there any reason why Hidoko isn't around? I mean, the two of you are used to work together, right? Sam could've picked me up —"

"I need a man to accompany me, agent Callen. That is why I never even asked Harley. Besides, she respects my way of thinking and wouldn't be the one to defy any orders. I suggest you think twice before you speak of any doubts about my decisions."

He glared her way, clenched his jaw and decided it was wise indeed to just be silent. At a certain moment, Mosley would need to explain something about what it was she wanted from him. So, he just leant against one of the chairs in the glass office which overlooked his team's cubicle.

Mosley let her gaze go over his posture and simply said "I suggest you get properly dressed, agent Callen."

"What?"

"Dress up. A suit, tie, decent shoes. And you'd better hurry. There's a taxi waiting for us."

Callen remained in the same place he was. "Not going anywhere unless you tell me where". A smirk came her way and he added "Ma'am."

Her white teeth showed when Mosley showed him a sincere smile. "How about you and I will join some of the country's finest people of the alphabet soups?"

"I'm not going to join you as some kind of 'arm candy'," Callen said. "So spit it out, what is it you are expecting of me?"

"I want some extra ears and eyes, Callen. There's something going on with Shane Malley, ATF, former CIA. Something I don't trust at all."

He chuckled softly. "Arm candy it is. Really?"

"Really. Now, if you'd excuse me? I wish to go get dressed as well."

He exhaled loudly, then did what she asked him to do.

o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)

An hour later || Los Feliz

Half an hour later, the driver halted near one of the posh clubs in Los Feliz.

"So," Callen said, as he held the door for Mosley and smiled politely, "All you expect me to do is to keep my eyes open?"

Again, she flashed him a smile. "Just like that. Observe. Share your thoughts later on. You never know who you might meet. But stay put."

"Yeah. Remember my nick-name, Mosley?"

"The ghost. As if I wouldn't know about your reputation. A legend. Well, that's what Washington's agent in charge wanted me to believe, some months ago," she mentioned.

"Right." For once, Callen simply followed her while he let her lead the way. Dressed the way he was at the moment he sure fit in with the people in here. He recognized some of the people, still, there weren't any he would feel at ease with in a chitty-chat moment at all.
He reached for some kind of cocktail, but put it on a side-table after he sipped some of it. Not his kind of beverage. He watched how Mosley had an interesting conversation with an older woman and two distinguished men. Well, she hadn't ordered him to stay close to her, had she? Callen took his mobile phone and scrolled through it, checking if there was any information about Malley. He looked around if he saw the man around.

"Looking for someone?" a husky, female voice sounded from behind him.

"Maybe," Callen said, turning around. "Was it that obvious?"

The woman behind him nearly giggled. "You are aware that this is some kind of big spy party, aren't you? Charisa Swan, ATF, by the way," she said, looking up curiously.

He was going to be polite, never wanted to stand out. Still, there was no use to hold back. "Callen. NCIS."

"First name? Last name?" The woman shove back some of her dark hair He read the curiosity in her hazel eyes and Callen decided to simply leave it like it was.
"It is." He said.

Again, he heard a kind of a giggle before she asked "Navy Center —"

"Never mind. There's no need to know all those abbreviations, is there?"
ATF... Mosley mentioned that a former officer may or may not be one of the bad guys. Callen wondered if it was something he could ask this agent Swan.

A waiter walked by, presenting the tray in front of him. Two bottles of beer and a white wine was all that was left to offer. He took one of the bottles, assuming she preferred the wine.

She indeed did take the glass and held it up as in some kind of toast, and her gaze went over his face, then lower.

It was as if she was - measuring.

"Trustworthy enough?"

She blushed a bit and replied "Well... I was checking... if you'd be strong enough actually."

"Strong enough?" he repeated, not understanding her remark at all.

"That is what I said, special agent G. Callen," she replied.

o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)

Ops Center || later that day

"How about this, guys," Nell's voice sounded in their ears. "We've checked all around. There were at least 5 dead persons during the past six months, with perhaps similar appearances. The straps, the deep cuts, most post-mortem."

"But why?" Hidoko was the first who asked. She shot a sideway glance at Deeks, who just shrugged.

"All military?" Kensi wanted to know.

Eric replied "Nope. Two policemen, a journalist, and two federal agents."

Sam had been silent so far. "Someone paying money to get them killed, I guess. But then, why like this?"

"There's no need to do this… Unless it is for some kind of show," Nell understood. "So… what if —"

"Really?" Deeks' voice rose an octave. "You think this all is done if front of a camera?"

Sam sighed deeply and eyed his passenger. Kensi nodded and said "Surf, run or stroll over the web, Nell. Dark web. See if there's anything you can find in our city. Anything which may lead us to someone who is watching sick things like this."

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Los Feliz

He'd promised Mosley to keep his eyes open, however, he noticed he was losing that promise.

"We're going to make a hell of money, Callen. Incredible to have you in here," the woman's voice sounded from strangely far away, while he saw how she stood between him and two large men.

No sign of Mosley. Nothing. Darkness overwhelmed him.

o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)o)

Ops Center || a little later

"Videos indeed," the Tech Operator said, staring at his screen. "My God, Nell… Look at this!"

She looked at the screen, dreading what she was about to witness. "Where's this?"

Eric let his fingers tap the keyboards, silent until he would know for sure. Then he shook his head. "Hollywood Boulevard". He pointed at the text which appeared beneath the short video. "January 23rd, Nell. This is FBI special agent Jonas Roberts. Highest bidder paid fifteen thousand to have him killed the way he is going to be."

"We don't have to see that," she nearly snapped. "Eric, all we need to do is to find out what monster is behind this all, and if there's some reason why those men were… kept like this."

It wasn't that Eric was curious, still, he wanted to be sure if there was anything he would witness as some overall proof.

A short beep came as a reminder that some of the search entrances worked and he looked away from his screen, concentrating on what he now read. "First, all victims were male. Bids were made beforehand. The lowest for one of the metropolitan police force. Next, there's Horton". He scrolled through all of the information, knowing Nell would read and process the same facts just as fast.

They should have concentrated on all of it, but then the incoming call of Hidoko kept them from that.
"We've got another victim guys".

Thanks for reading!

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