Vanished

Just an Average Day...

She didn't see it coming.  One moment, sitting in her small, well-appointed den sipping on a delicate tea and the next, trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey. The woman could do nothing more than wait; and that was something she excelled in...waiting.  As she did, the tiny, frail-appearing woman used all of her senses to their fullest.  When the time came to provide 'proof of life', she would be ready to weave detailed clues about what had happened to those who would rip the world apart looking for her...her 'children'.  What her captors failed to realize was that life would be at an end on that day.  

All she had to do was wait...

****

"Get it in gear Fern!!!"  NCIS Special Agent Marty Deeks hollered from the kitchen of the home he shared with his partner and girlfriend, Special Agent Kensi Blye.  "Hetty will murder us if we're late!"

"Relax Nancy!"  Kensi bellowed from the top of the stairs to her anxious boyfriend.  "I'm coming!" 

The dark-haired beauty smelled the warm, inviting scents of bacon, eggs, and pancakes mingled with the heady aroma of fresh-brewed coffee wafting through the chill morning air.  Closing her eyes and savoring the amazing repast waiting for her in the kitchen, Kensi very nearly ninja-jumped the railing to get to the hot meal decorating their kitchen table. 

"Good morning, Max."  Kensi greeted softly as she wrapped her lithe arms about Deeks' waist and snuggled a gentle kiss to his exposed neck. 

"Back at you, Fern."  Deeks replied as he placed the final dish on the table and pulled out the chair for Kensi. 

"This smells absolutely amazing, Marty."  Kensi complimented, taking a deep breath in.  "My compliments to the chef."

"Anything for you, love."  Deeks smiled warmly at Kensi as she dove in face first to devour her food while it was still steaming hot.  Deeks took a slower, more conservative approach as he enjoyed the view next to him between bites of food. 

"I wonder what's in store for us at the office today?"  Deeks wondered aloud.  Going to work everyday not knowing what to expect was what the scruffy former detective loved about being an NCIS agent.  Each day was different and completely unexpected which kept him challenged and on his toes, leaving no room for boredom at all. 

"Won't know until we get there."  Kensi replied, her mouth full of pancakes.  "Heaven only knows what Hetty has in mind."

"True dat."  Deeks replied sipping lightly on his cup of black coffee.  "Did Hatcher ever finish up that case he told us about last week?"

"I think so."  Kensi replied.  "From what Callen said, he was supposed to begin the transition to full-time Liaison starting today."

"We'll find out when we get to work, then."  Deeks said.  "Son of a...!" 

Their phones began chirping madly signaling an urgent message from Ops. 

Ops now!  Emphasis on NOW!!  Read the text message from Intelligence Analyst Nell Jones. 

Kensi and Deeks looked at one another wordlessly.  Both agents instantly realized that something was horribly wrong and wasted no time in getting things put away and turned off before grabbing their gear bags. In a few short moments, the pair of agents raced to Deeks' vehicle for the mad dash to the Mission. 

Jana?  Kensi texted her fellow agent and best friend. 

Not a clue, Kens.  Swinging by the precinct to grab Hatch.  Be there in ten or less.

Copy that, Jana. 

Both agents inserted their earwigs and powered them up indicating they were up and listening.