The Prodigal Daughter
Las Angeles
Hetty smiled reading the message as Callen and Sam neared her desk.
“Hetty have you heard anything from Gibbs or Jen?” Callen asked.
“G I keep telling you-no news is good news” Sam said.
“Don’t worry Mr. Callen-Genevieve will be arriving around 6pm” Hetty replied to him.
“Why is she coming here?” Sam asked.
“I would assume she feels the need to grovel about the cabin” Hetty answered.
“But it wasn’t her fault right?” G asked.
“Well of course not-but if I told her that-she’d never visit” Hetty replied with a smile.
Owen walked in and cleared his throat announcing his presence.
“Hello Owen what can I do for you” Hetty asked.
“We have a problem” Owen replied.
“Of course we do” Callen responded making Sam smirk.
Granger looked at both Sam and Callen then turned to Hetty “I just got a call from SecNav. Top secret-confidential information has been leaked to the Russians. Yet the trail is disappearing as soon as we get wind of it” he replied.
“So they have an inside person with the capabilities to make them disappear” Callen said.
“This is the only picture we have of one of the spies talking with a man in a dark car” Owen said handing the photo over to them.
Hetty stared at him then sighed “Mr. Callen please give this to Nell and Mr. Beale to blow up. I’ll text Genevieve and tell her not to expect me tonight” she decided as she pulled out her phone.
Jen was leaning against Bruce’s chest reading during the plane ride to LA. It seemed to keep him calm and it gave her an excuse to cuddle and relax during the trip-she suddenly wasn’t feeling well. Tony had crashed out on one sofa as soon as he set foot on the plane and promptly passed out-tossing and turning and talking in his sleep. She glanced over at Tony as he mumbled again turning so he was facing them and they could actually understand him.
“Hmm yes I am brilliant. A man above men. A genius” he said with a snort as he turned back toward the couch cushion muffling the rest of his words.
“Did he just compliment himself in his sleep” Jen said with barley suppressed laughter.
Bruce nodded his head with amused and worried look on his face.
“I think he’s always done that-he’s always said he could conduct business meetings in his sleep. I still laugh every time though” Bruce replied with a chuckle.
“How does Pepper deal with it?” Jen asked amused.
“Honestly I don’t know if she does. They don’t seem to be in the same place very often” He replied.
“That’s sad” she commented.
“I guess it works for some people” Bruce replied.
“They keep it up it won’t work for long” she mumbled to herself as she went back to her book.
Happy was waiting for them at the airport when they landed-smiling and shaking Tony’s hand.
“Hiya Boss” Happy said with a smile.
“Hap it’s good to see you” Tony said with a smile. “You remember Bruce” he added.
“Yeah-Yeah Hey Doc how are you” Happy replied.
“Very good Happy thank you for asking” Bruce said.
“Happy do you remember Genevieve Gibbs? She worked for me quite a few years ago” Tony asked as he gestured toward Jen with a smile.
Happy looked over at Jen squinting slightly until he could place the name with the face “Yeah-wow Genevieve look at you. How are you?” Happy said as he came over and hugged her.
Jen laughed “I am great Happy-It’s good to see you” she replied with a genuine smile.
Happy checked his watch “Sorry Boss we need to get going. I have to go pick up Pepper in an hour” he said as he grabbed Tony’s bag and headed to the car.
“You still make that man shlup your stuff around? He’s not your chauffer anymore right” Jen whispered as they walked to the car.
Tony shrugged his shoulders “He protects Pep more now-but he’s still my-our-chauffer” Tony said. “Thanks Hap” he added as he climbed in the car.
“We got it Happy thank you” Jen said when he tried to take their bags as well.
He nodded and climbed into the driver seat to start the car. Jen rolled her eyes as they placed her bag in the trunk, next to Tony’s then glanced at Bruce.
Bruce smirked at her “Don’t waste your breath-Tony will treat people the way he’s always treated people. The only time that changes is when the relationship changes” Bruce whispered as he kissed her temple and closed the trunk.
They climbed in and Happy started the drive to the mansion. He glanced in the backseat eyeing them before he spoke.
“So Boss are Doc and Jen staying at the mansion too?” He asked.
Tony’s head shot up-alarmed. In all the commotion he hadn’t even thought about where Bruce was going to stay. Normally it wouldn’t have been an issue-but Pep seemed to be more annoyed at him than usual and showing up with two extra people probably wouldn’t go over so well.
Jen took pity on him “No Happy Bruce and I are staying elsewhere” she replied. “Actually we are close-would you be able to detour for maybe 10 minutes?” she asked as she scribbled the address and handed it to him.
Happy took the paper and stared at it “Yeah sure it’s on the way” he said as he turned the turn signal on and changed lanes.
There was an almost uncomfortable silence after Jen made that announcement. Tony was frowning- fiddling with his glasses and staring out the window-looking anywhere but at her.
“You need time to be with Pepper alone” Jen said finally-breaking the silence.
“Besides Tony-Pepper wouldn’t have been happy if you showed up with us in tow” Bruce said gently.
“How do you know that?” Tony replied.
“Your eyes were huge when Happy asked you if we were staying at the mansion-which meant you hadn’t even considered where we were going to stay” Bruce answered. “This is better-you can spend time with her-without any distractions” he added as Happy pulled up to the house.
Jen looked out the window “Thank you for the ride Tony-I guess I’ll see you tomorrow” she said with a smile as she climbed out to help Happy with their bags.
“Yeah sure” Tony said to her.
“What are they doing in there?” Happy asked as Jen came to stand next to him at the back of the car.
“Probably making out or something” Jen said with a roll of her eyes.
Bruce just stared at Tony with slight confusion. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
Tony looked down “Just didn’t know you guys were staying elsewhere” Tony replied with a pout.
Bruce looked annoyed for a second before he rolled his eyes “Tony stop -I enjoy spending my time with you-you are my best friend. You haven’t had time alone with Pepper in weeks-we didn’t want to interfere. Have Happy take you to the mansion or ride with him and surprise her. Talk to her. I will see you in the morning” Bruce said as he gave him a quick hug and climbed out of the car.
“Sure big guy-I’ll see you in the morning” Tony said.
“See you tomorrow Tony” Bruce replied as he stuck in his head back in-then shut the door.
Happy watched the interaction with a raised eyebrow as he shook his hand “So Doc do you need me to pick you up in the morning?” he asked Bruce.
“That would be great Happy thanks” Bruce said.
Happy smiled “I’ll call you when I am on the way-see you in the morning” He said as he checked his watch headed back into the car and drive off.
Jen chuckled “Tony’s mad at me” she said as they watched Happy drive away.
Bruce chuckled in return “he’ll get over it” he said.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“He better” Bruce said as they climbed the front porch steps and unlocked the door.
Jen smiled as she locked the door-activated the security. Bruce looked around taking in all of the little personal items.
“Is this your house or Hetty’s?” he asked setting down their bags.
“A little of both” she replied.
Bruce looked at her with a raised eyebrow-making her smile.
“She has different properties throughout California-well the world really. This one she wasn’t using-I needed a place-so she sold it to me” Jen said as she headed to the kitchen.
“She collects properties?” Bruce asked.
“In case she needs to disappear for a while-and to give to her kids-apparently” Jen replied with a smile.
“Does she need to disappear often?” he asked smiling when he noticed his favorite tea waiting for him.
“Not in years it’s more habit now” Jen replied calmly.
“Does she know we’ve arrived?” Bruce asked.
“Yeah-she texted me when were in the air-something came up. I figured I’ll go to NCIS in the morning-while you are at your meeting” Jen replied with a shrug.
“Let’s eat and relax-you know how nervous I get when I fly” he murmured as he opened the fridge.
Jen leaned over and kissed him “Not sure if I should eat anything” she said.
Bruce looked her oddly “why?” he asked.
“I haven’t felt well today” she said her hand unconsciously on her stomach.
“Hope you’re not getting sick” he replied reaching up to feel her head. “You need to eat something-how about toast and ginger tea” he added.
“Whatever you say Dr. Banner” Jen replied with a smile. “And for the record I never get sick-probably just jet lag or something” she added.
“I am sure that’s what it is” he replied as he poured their tea and went into the bedroom to unpack and settle in for the night.
“What’s going on? Why is Hetty all giddy today?” Deeks whispered as he watched Hetty smile for the fifth time in a row from across the bullpen.
Sam glanced up from his paperwork and smiled then glanced at Deeks “Jen’s coming in today” he replied.
Kensi glanced up with a raised eyebrow “Jen?” she asked.
“Genevieve Gibbs” Sam said glancing at Kensi expectedly.
“Sorry Sam am I supposed to know that name?” she replied with a chuckle.
Sam stared at her for a few minutes “She worked here for a while-I guess she was gone by the time you came Kens. Sorry I thought you two had met” Sam replied. “Hetty helped raise her” he added.
“Hetty raised a child?” Deeks asked in surprise.
Suddenly Eric shrill whistle got their attention. “I found something” he called from the top of the stairs.
One by one the team got up from their desks and made their way to the Ops center. As they walked in the picture Granger had given them was blown up on the screen.
“what’s this” Sam asked.
“Granger says we have top secret information that is being given to the Russians. Once we get wind of it they disappear” G supplied.
“This is the only picture that has one of the spies and who we presume is their government contact” Granger interjected.
“Have you identified the spies” Hetty asked as they all looked at the picture.
“Sort of- They came into the country with alias’s but before that we have no record of them other than numbers-it’s like they don’t exist” Nell said.
“What about the person in the car?” Kensi asked.
Eric looked at Hetty “The resolution of the picture is a little grainy-we can only lighten it up so much-all we can decipher is that it’s a male in some sort of hat with a mustache” he said apologetically. “But we are checking other public cameras” he added.
Owen looked at the picture as well “Maybe we can track them by their weapons” he suggested.
“Thought of that as well” Eric said as he tapped on his tablet as the gun in the picture was isolated and in the fore front. The name on the gun said STARK.
“Well that’s a dead end” Callen mumbled.
“How?” Kensi asked.
“Stark stopped producing weapons quite a few years ago” Sam replied.
“Before that his weapons had been sold on the black market for years. Even if there was a way for us to track those guns there’s no guarantee it’ll take us to the people we are looking for” Granger finished.
Hetty turned slowly “Would Stark put some sort of detection chip in his weapons do you think?” she asked.
“Maybe” Eric hedged.
Hetty smiled “He’s in LA for a few days. I’ll contact him tomorrow and see if he can help us” she said.
“How do you possibly know that?” Owen asked.
Hetty looked at him “Genevieve rode on his plane” she replied.
Owen blinked then shook his head “She’s coming to visit huh” he chuckled.
Deeks looked between the two “So will we get to meet her Hetty” he asked bravely interrupting Owen.
Hetty looked at him then shrugged “If you wish Mr. Deeks” she said.
“We all would love to meet her Hetty” Kensi said.
Hetty smiled looking down “I am glad” she said finally.
The Next Morning
Eric and Nell looked at each other when the computer told them they had other camera views of the man in the car. They both had shown up earlier than normal to try and get an early start on their search.
“Call Hetty” Nell said to Eric-who was already reaching for the phone.
“Yes Mr. Beale” Hetty said as she answered her phone.
“We think we might finally have facial recognition” Eric said.
“I am switching to video” Hetty said and after a few minutes her face appeared in the corner of the big screen.
“We have different angles of the front of the car and there actually were two men in the car. Let’s see who they are” Nell said as she typed in a few commands.
Suddenly a picture of the man came onto the screen “The driver is a man by the name of Conrad Samuels. He’s wow-he’s older- 58 and is a member of the board of trustees at ..Stark Industries” Nell said as she read through the information in front of her.
Hetty blinked “What about the man in the back seat” she asked.
Eric typed away “We still can’t get enough for a clear identification yet. But we now see that it is an older man with white hair, a mustache and what looks like a military generals hat” he said looking at Hetty.
“Ross?” she asked.
Owen walked in “We don’t have positive identification yet Henreitta” he said.
“What is your professional opinion then Owen” she said barley suppressing rolling her eyes.
“It does sound like Ross” he said. “What worries me more is this new connection with Stark” he added.
“What are you planning?” Hetty asked.
“Think we can get Jen here earlier than expected?” he asked.
“I’ll call Mr. Callen-she’s already expecting him. This might actually surprise her” Hetty said with a smile. “I’ll be there shortly” she added.
“I think Happy is here” Jen replied when she heard a car pull in then gave a small scowl. “No-it’s not him” she said then headed for the door swinging it open to reveal Callen.
“G you’re early” she exclaimed as she pulled him into a hug.
G laughed “Yeah sorry change of plan” he said apologetically.
Bruce smiled as he walked in “G-hi-how are you” he said going to shake his hand.
“I am fine Bruce-how about you” he said as he shook the proffered hand.
A horn beeped outside making Bruce smile “Right on time” he said after he checked his watch.
“Did you expect any different-Happy’s always on time” Jen replied as they walked outside.
“The only time he’s not is because of me” Tony said as he climbed out of the car to greet them.
“Morning Jen-Big Guy and Agent G” he said with a fake smile.
“Morning Tony” Jen said.
“Mr. Stark” Callen said with a nod.
“What are you doing here?” Tony asked.
“Picking Jen up-she’s needed up at NCIS” G said making Jen groan.
“What does she have planned?” she asked.
All G did was shrug “I am just the messenger boy” he said.
“Yeah right” she said with a snort.
Tony smiled “Sorry Brucie and I don’t have time to chat-if we don’t leave now we’ll be late” Tony said as climbed back into the car.
Jen rolled her eyes but walked up and gave Bruce a quick kiss “Call me when you are done?” she asked.
Bruce smiled “Of course-be careful” he replied as he climbed in the car and Happy drove off.
G turned and raised an eyebrow at Jen “DO I even want to ask?” he asked.
“There’s a meeting at SI this morning and well Tony doesn’t like new people” Jen said.
G rolled his eyes “Well come on Hetty’s going to send a search party out if we don’t get back soon” he said.
Owen was waiting for them when G pulled into the parking lot. He walked up to greet her extending his hand.
“The prodigal daughter returns” he said with a smile. “How are you Genevieve” he added.
Genevieve looked at Owen in surprise “I am fine Owen-How are you” she asked as she shook his hand.
“Fine-Fine. I hear you’ve had quite an interesting few months” Owen replied as they walked inside.
Jen glanced sideways trying to decide how to respond “Yes I have” she said finally.
Owen nodded “well she’s been waiting for you so I am sure I will see you in a few minutes”
Jen turned and watched as Owen walked away then turned back toward G with a raised eyebrow.
“Ok what’s going on? Owen is never nice to me” she said with a chuckle.
“He’s luring you into a false sense of security” G said as they walked toward Hetty.
“Who” Hetty asked having caught the end of the conversation.
“Granger” G replied.
Hetty smiled as she hugged Genevieve “I had hopes of us going to lunch but I am afraid something has come up” she said.
“Is that I was “needed” she asked looking at Hetty.
Hetty looked at her “Come on upstairs and I will try to explain everything” she said.
Hetty led the way to the ops center and for once everyone was already there. Sam breaking off and coming toward her with his arms out.
“You better get over here” he said laughing.
Jen smiled and threw her arms around him “You act like you haven’t seen me in months” she said with a laugh.
“Ok Hetty, G someone needs to introduce us” Kensi said laughing.
Hetty laughed “My apologizes Ms. Blye. This is Genevieve Gibbs-I have been her semi-guardian since she was very young” Hetty said.
“Since I was born Hetty” Jen interrupted.
“As I said really young” Hetty replied with a smirk.
“Semi guardian?” Nell asked.
Jen jumped in “I was raised by 3 different people basically. Going between the three at different intervals” she supplied.
“Genevieve this is Kensi Blye and Marty Deeks-Standing over there are Nell Jones and Eric Beale” Hetty said beginning the introductions. “Ms. Blyth is one of my agents-Mr. Deeks is a liaison with the LAPD and Ms. Jones is my intelligence analyst and Mr. Beale is my tech operator” she added.
Jen smiled “It’s nice to meet everyone” she said.
“Ok we need to get down to business” Owen said as he walked in. “Mr. Beale please show the others what you and Ms. Jones found out” Owen ordered.
Eric cleared his throat “Yes umm Nell and I finally found other public cameras where we determined there were two people in the car” he began as he typed a command and the picture from yesterday appeared on the screen.
Jen looked around then slightly raised her hand “ok and this picture is of what exactly?” she asked.
“The men outside of the car are Russian spies that are collecting top secret data and the men inside the car are the people giving it to them” Sam supplied quickly.
Jen nodded intrigued “ok continue” she said.
Nell nodded “The driver is a man by the name of Conrad Samuels-58 and is a member of the board of trustees for Stark Industries” she said.
“Who was the man in the back seat?” Deeks asked.
“We have reason to believe it’s General Ross-although we couldn’t get a good enough shot for a positive identification” Eric said.
Jen cocked her head in thought “So Ross is what? Selling government information to the Russians?” she asked.
“Part of it-the Russians are using Stark weapons” Sam replied looking at her.
“New weapons?” she asked. “Tony stopped that years ago-after Afghanistan” she added.
“We’re not sure on that” Owen said. “What I am more worried about is this man who is connected with Stark Industries” he replied looking at Jen.
“So go and confront this guy-see what he says” Jen said.
“You know he’s going to lawyer up-he must be loaded if he’s on a trustee board” Deeks replied with a smile.
Jen looked over at Owen “So you think there’s a mole inside Stark Industries?” she asked.
“Yes-that’s why you are here. I want you to go try and find the mole” Owen said.
“Excuse me?” she asked slowly.
“I said” Owen began but Jen interrupted him.
“I heard you-How do you expect me to do that?” she snapped.
“There are other reasons-why don’t you all give us a few minutes” Hetty said looking at the others.
The others nodded and left the three in the ops center by themselves.
“I figured since you are with Bruce now and will already be within the vicinity of Stark it will be less conspicuous” Owen said staring at her.
Jen swung around and stared at Granger “I have an issue that you seem very knowledgeable of my life lately Owen” she said slowly.
“Ross has been active lately. I-we-need to stop him before he has a chance to strike. We need every angle covered so that we can get enough incriminating evidence that WHEN he is caught he can’t get off on a technicality” Hetty said interrupting.
“You think he’s trying to start up the super solider project again?” Jen asked.
“Yes” Hetty replied.
“Well what about the Russian angle? All you need to do is contact Arkady” Jen said.
“Callen has been unsuccessful in contacting Arkady. We need to act now” Hetty said looking at Jen.
“What do you expect me to do? Pepper is the CEO now-and we don’t have the best history-I don’t think she’s just going to give me a job” Jen commented.
“We will contact Ms. Potts and explain the situation” Owen said.
Genevieve looked at him worriedly “I would Love to see Ross behind bars for obvious reasons. IF you inform Pepper of why I am there I will try to figure out the mole and the connection with Ross” Jen said.
Owen nodded “I will go inform SecNav and one of us will contact Ms. Potts immediately” he said as he left the room.
Jen just turned and smiled at Hetty.
“What?” Hetty asked.
“I am proud of you. You’ve finally added them to your family” Jen said.
“Well despite my best efforts they have broken through my defenses” Hetty said with a slight blush. “Let’s go have a cup of tea while we wait for Owen to call Ms. Potts” she added as they left the room.