Joelle Is Dangerous

KC looked up when Kensi approached them, making room for her friend to sit down on the grass near them, watching Alina playing. "Hey. Thanks for coming."

"No problem. You sounded odd on the phone. Is something wrong?"

"How are you feeling? Are you still talking to Nate?" It was obvious whatever KC wanted to talk about, she would have a hard time doing it, even to Kensi.

"Yeah, I'm still talking to Nate. He's really helpful actually. Thanks for pushing me." Kensi wasn't ready to talk to KC about what she had been through though. "I'm feeling alright. I haven't really been doing well at work. I just sort of sit there and fill out paperwork really. After that day, I haven't gone back to the field."

"How's Uncle Deeks?"

"Good. I think he's glad he isn't having to comfort me all the time. He knows I'm telling Nate things, but he hasn't asked yet, cause I don't think I can tell him. How's Alina?"

"Happy. Healthy." She could tell that the little girl missed her father, even though she rarely got to see him, but she tried to keep Kensi out of the middle of her and Callen, something that would soon change.

"Good. How are you coping alone?"

"I can handle it. I miss work sometimes, but that's not the issue."

"What's wrong?"

"The girl Callen's dating. How much do you know about her?"

"Not much. I think the guys know more than I do. Why?"

"Something's been feeling wrong for a long time. Maybe at first it was jealousy, maybe trying to protect my child in case he actually got serious about her, I don't know, but I started looking. After...after what happened to the boys last week, I really started digging, talked to some of my contacts. I think they were set up. I think she did it."

"What?" Kensi wasn't so much shocked as just worried. She loved her team like they were family. "Are you sure?"

She nodded, telling her friend what she'd found out.

"We need to tell Callen."

"You don't think I'm just being jealous, paranoid even?" KC said, a little hope in her voice.

"Not really, but then again, who am I to talk? My head's messed up so much right now, that I'm seeing a shrink."

"Nothing wrong with seeing a shrink, Kens. Hell, that's probably what we all need to do." Alina was the only thing that kept her from smoking, drinking, again, knowing that she was all her daughter really had left.

"I think we need to tell Callen."

"You know I've never asked you and Deeks to get in the middle of this. I never intended to."

"I'm your best friend, and you're my best friend. You have always been there for me, let me be there for you."

"Do you think Deeks would babysit?" She knew the conversation wasn't going to go well and didn't want to have Alina witness it.

"Of course. He loves her."

"What about that, sweetie? Do you want to see Uncle Deeks?" The baby laughed and clapped her hands, trying hard to say his name, ending up with an 'eek!'

Kensi smiled. "She's adorable."

Alina hugged her aunt, blowing kisses at her.

"I love you too baby."
********
Kensi led her friend into the Ops center at work, having told Callen to meet them there. Deeks beamed when he saw his niece.

"Eek!"

"Getting closer, sweetheart." He took Alina. "Let's you and I go see if we can split a bottle of juice, huh?" They disappeared towards the kitchen through the empty ops.

"What's going on here Kens?" asked Callen.

"We need to talk. Tell him KC."

KC told him exactly what she'd told Kensi, word for word, waiting for the fight to start.

Callen sat down in Eric's chair, pale. "Are you sure?"

"Why else would I be here?"

"No, I think you're jealous." He stood up and walked out, leaving both girls staring after him.

If they hadn't been in ops, she would have either cussed him out and thrown something after him or cry, but she had heard stories of Hetty and the last thing she wanted was for the woman to see either of those. "I need...I need to find Deeks. Alina and I need to go home."

"KC, wait." Kensi followed her. "I'm sorry, this is my fault. I shouldn't have told you to tell him when I doubted myself."

"You didn't believe me either. That's great, Kens. Thanks for telling me that right now."

"No, I believe you. I don't trust myself right now. That's another reason that I haven't been in the field."

Deeks hugged Alina when he saw the women approaching. "Uh oh, sweetheart. I don't think it went well." He whispered before carrying her over. "Is everything okay?" He almost said everyone.

"Callen doesn't believe us." Kensi moved to stand with her boyfriend.

"Callen's an ass." He said to Kensi before telling Alina, "Sorry, baby girl. Don't repeat everything you hear your Uncle Eek say, okay?"

"I know. But it was rude of him to run out on us."

"You did what you could. If he gets hurt, it's on him." He looked at KC. "I know you're right about this."

"How do you know that?" KC asked softly, taking her daughter, needing a hug.

"Because I know you."

"If it was just Callen, I wouldn't care right now. But he's Alina's daddy. And if he gets hurt, you and Kensi might get hurt too and I would never want that." And she still loved him.

"Deeks and I will be fine, KC, I swear."

"Alina and I need to go home."

"Why don't you stay with us tonight, KC? Don't drive back by yourself tonight." Deeks suggested, knowing Kensi would be okay with it.

"Yeah, we can have a girl's night with Deeks. We'll dress him up and put make up on him and do his hair."

"Or I can sleep at my place..." He teased.

"No, Alina will need company when KC and I dress you up."

Deeks muttered something under his breath and Alina laughed. "Don't repeat that either, baby girl," he told her.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, dear." Deeks said, doing his best to be angelic.

"Liar. See what I have to deal with KC?"

KC didn't chime in, laugh, or even smile. She also didn't tell Kensi how lucky she was to have Deeks; she knew her friend already knew that.

"Are you coming then?"

"I'll be there, babe. I'm just gonna finish up some things around here and get something to eat. You want some pizzas?"

"Sure, if KC does."

"I'm not really all that hungry, Deeks. Pizza's fine, whatever's fine..."

Deeks looked at Kensi, worried about their friend.

"Get pizza." Kensi turned to KC. "Come on, let's go home." She took KC's hand and led her friend to the car.

Deeks sat at his desk, doing the same thing KC had the week before, looking for proof.

Sam came in and found Deeks working hard. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"How long have you known Callen's girlfriend?"

"Joelle? Almost four years. Why?"

"Just a question, Sam. Does there always have to be a reason why?"

"Sorry. I saw Kens getting into her car. Aren't you going home?"

"I will in a little while." He paused, waiting for Sam to say something about KC and the baby. He knew Sam hadn't liked KC when she'd been with Callen. To his way of thinking, Sam and Hetty were a big part of why they'd broken up. Was it just because Sam had been the one to introduce Joelle to Callen the reason why he didn't like the woman or was KC right? Could Callen and, indirectly Kensi, be in danger?

"How's Kens doing? I noticed she shies away from field work lately."

"She's a strong woman, Sam. She's got this."

"Okay. Just checking."

"What are you doing still here?" He printed out a page, wanting proof that he could hold in his hand if he was going to confront Callen.

"Collecting my belongings. I just came from the showers."

"Have a good evening. Tell Michelle hello for us." He printed out a second page.

"Sure. See you tomorrow."

He continued looking, losing track of time, printing off what he found.
********
KC got Alina ready for bed and let her play a little while with her toys.

"Deeks just called, He's on his way."

KC nodded. "What if he's right, Kens?"

"Callen?"

KC nodded. "Yeah. What if I'm looking for things that are wrong about her?"

"Then so be it. But, you're right."

"I don't regret Alina, not for a second of any day. I love her so much. But I miss Callen. The real Callen. What happened tonight...that wasn't him. I don't...I don't know what's going on. We had our fights, but he never...he never deliberately hurt me, before tonight."

"Do you want me to talk to him tomorrow?"

"No, honey. I've involved you and Deeks too much in this already. I never wanted you to be in the middle."

"It's okay. I'd do anything for you. You're my best friend."

"And you love Callen too. He's your brother, just like you're my sister. I wouldn't change that for anything in the world. I think the best thing for me to do is take Alina home tomorrow. For good."

"No. You aren't going anywhere. I won't talk to him if you don't want me to, but I won't let you go while you're hurting."

"I don't know what I feel, Kens. Sad, I guess." She paused. "You know how you told me you missed the old Jack? I miss the old Callen." She knew her friend would understand.

Kensi looked away for a moment and then looked back at her friend. "I know you do. If you let me, I'll see what I can do about getting the old Callen back. Starting with taking out the trash."

Deeks came in with the pizza, kissing Kensi's cheek, and handing KC the folder. Confused, she opened it and looked inside. "Deeks..."

"You use it...or I will. If Callen wants to be a fool, that's his business. When he hurts my family, he crosses a line."

He was including KC and Alina with Kensi.

Kensi grinned. "See, you aren't going anywhere. You're our family."

"I'll try again." KC said quietly, almost unheard. "And thank you, Deeks."

"Let's eat." He took Alina back, watching her laugh for him.

Kensi took KC's hand and led her to the kitchen, giving her friend no opportunity to escape when she wasn't looking. It worried Deeks that their friend was so quiet. He didn't quite know what to make of it.

Kensi grabbed out plates and handed them to Deeks so he could put the food onto them, and then she grabbed out glasses. "What drinks do you guys want? And does Alina need to eat yet?"

"Soft drink will be fine. And she has some cheerios in her bag." She moved to get them. "I can hold her, Deeks, so you can eat."

"I don't mind." He told her, partly because he knew she would use it as an excuse not to eat and partly because he loved holding his niece so much.

Kensi waited until KC returned. "After dinner, I'll set up the spare room for you, but can Alina sleep in my room tonight? Please?"

Deeks saw her hesitation, knowing it was because KC didn't want to be parted from her daughter rather than not trusting Kensi. "Why don't you three have a sleepover? I can take the spare bedroom tonight."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm a big boy. I can sleep by myself one night," he said, partially teasing.

"Thank you." Kensi was so happy to have her friend in her room.

"Thanks, Deeks," KC said gently, managing a smile for him.

"Yeah. I can fix the room so we can sleep in there."

"I can help," KC told her.

"Don't be silly. You're my guest."

"Please, Kens. I need...I need something to keep busy."

"Okay then."

"Why don't you two watch a movie or something? I can babysit." Deeks knew from Kensi's stories about the past that it was best to keep KC occupied when she felt like this.

"Promise?"

"Absolutely. She likes it when Eek babysits, don't you, baby girl?" Alina smiled at him in reply.

"If you're sure...." KC said.

"I'm sure." Deeks replied before she could finish, giving Alina another Cheerio.

"Perfect. Let's go." Kensi cleaned up their dishes when they were done.

KC followed her friend, not really caring about a movie. She had a bad feeling like something else was going to happen, go wrong.

"Relax KC," said Kensi.

"I can't, Kens. I...I just can't."

Kensi looked at KC, worried, "Yes you can."

"I have a bad feeling, Kens. Like this isn't over."

"Nothing will happen tonight, I promise." More like I hope nothing will, she thought.

KC nodded and tried her best for Kensi.
*********
Callen walked in, finding Joelle already in his living room.

She smiled, turning to face him. "Hi, sweetheart."

"Hey. You have dinner yet?"

"I waited for you, of course."

"Can we just get take out tonight? I'm tired."

"I cooked your favorites. They've been keeping warm for you. Do you want a drink first?" She did her best to be the perfect little 'housewife'.

"No, I'll eat. Thank you."

"G, what's wrong, sweetheart?" She could tell something was amiss. He seemed distant, like he did on the rare occasions when he saw his daughter.

"Nothing. Like I said, I'm just tired."

"Okay, sweetheart. I just worry about you when you're like this. You work too hard."

"You're not going to push?"

"Of course not, sweetheart. If you trust me enough to let me know, you'll tell me."

"Thanks."

She tried another tactic as she put the food on his plate and carried it to sit it in front of him with an opened beer. "I just hate seeing you like this. The only time you ever are this upset is when you see the bit...see your ex."

"She is not a bitch, Joelle."

"That's not what Sam says."

"Sam doesn't like her, but that doesn't mean anything."

"He's got excellent taste, don't you think? He picked Michelle. He found me for you."

Callen smiled. "Yeah. And it wasn't KC that I saw. I argued with Kensi."

"You never argue with Kensi."

"I know, that's why I'm upset."

She massaged his shoulders as he ate.

"What did you argue with Kensi about?"

"She tried to tell me I was wrong about a case. I guess I overreacted."

"Do you want to talk about it? Sometimes it helps..."

"I suppose so. We're working on a murder. Kensi's been doing desk work since that flashback three weeks ago, and she's getting bored easily. But she told me that I had the wrong suspect. All the evidence says it's her."

"I'm sure you're right, sweetheart. She just is inventing problems."

"Maybe..." Her comment wasn't sitting right though. Kensi had done nothing of what he had said, but he wasn't going to tell her about KC.

She waited for the beer and drug to take effect, killing time. Callen put his glass on the table as he started to feel lightheaded and woozy.

"Sweetheart, maybe you should go to bed."

"Yeah, I think I will." Callen stood and swayed for a moment before he managed to find his way to his bed.

She waited a few moments before digging through any papers she could find. She was beginning to get to be an expert at exploring his information, learning how he stored it.

"You're not as good as you think you are," she whispered.

Callen tossed and turned in his bed until a splitting headache woke him at midnight. He climbed out of bed and grabbed his phone, calling Kensi in the hopes that she would know how to help him, now that he finally believed her and KC. KC was still awake at midnight, unable to sleep. Kensi stirred but didn't wake when her phone rang.

KC picked up. "Kensi's phone," she whispered, trying not to wake her friend.

"KC? I know you're angry at me, and I don't blame you, but please listen to me. I need help."

"Where are you?"

"Home. I think you were right. I think she tried to kill me."

"I'm on my way. Is she still there?"

"I don't know where she is."

"I'm on my way over."

"Please hurry."

"I'm on my way right now." She didn't bother leaving a note for Kensi or waking either her or Deeks, but slipped out of the apartment, 'borrowing' one of Kensi's guns.

Callen hung up and returned to his bed, in case Joelle came looking for him. He didn't want to let her know that he was alive still, or that he knew what she had tried to do. Joelle was downstairs when KC showed up. She watched the girl go up and waited.

"Callen?" KC called, letting herself into the apartment. "G?"

"Shh, I still don't know where she is," said Callen from the front room.

"C'mon. Let's get out of here." She held her hand out to him. "Ali's with Kensi and Deeks. You'll be safe there."

"Thank you." He took her hand and they left quietly.

She got him in the passenger side of the car and slid into the driver's seat, starting towards Kensi's apartment. Joelle followed them, keeping a safe distance but still able to see them. She sped up as they hit the freeway and slammed into the back of KC's car.

"Hang on." She held onto the wheel as tightly as she could.

Callen clung to the dashboard. The next hit drove them off the freeway overpass and the only thing she could think about was their little girl. She let go of the wheel and held on to his hand. Callen flung an arm out to stop KC from flying into the windshield, knowing Alina needed at least one of them around.
*******
Kensi's cell phone rang in the middle of the night, finally loud enough Deeks heard it and got up as well.

"Hello?" asked Kensi sleepily.

"Ms. Blye? Kensi Blye?" An unfamiliar voice asked.

"Yes. Who is this?"

"My name is Maria." She gave the name of the hospital she worked at. "We found your name in Ms. Landry's purse, as her in case of emergency."

"What the hell happened? Wait, KC? She's right here." Kensi turned around. "Oh no. Is she okay?"

"She was in an accident. She's in surgery now."

Kensi paled. "What?" she whispered. "I'm on my way right now."Kensi grabbed a bag and filled it with clothes, nappies and food for Alina.

Deeks had seen that look on Kensi's face far too often lately. "Kensi. Kensi, talk to me. What happened? What's going on?"

"KC....an accident...surgery." Tears flowed down her face as she attempted to tell Deeks what had happened.

"Okay, baby. Okay. KC's still got her diaper bag packed. We'll use that. Just get dressed, okay? I'll get me and Ali dressed."

"Right, okay..." Kensi sat on her bed though. She was scared.

He decided that Ali could stay in her sleeper, that it wouldn't hurt her as long as they put a blanket around her. "C'mon, Kens. Put your shoes on for me, okay? You can wear a coat and go like that if you want, but you need to put some shoes on."

Kensi did what he told her, and then walked to him for a hug.

He held her. "It's going to be okay. She's going to be okay." A brief thought ran through his head as hard as he tried to push it away.

"Can we go now?"

"Yeah." He slipped on a pair of sneakers, grabbed the diaper bag, and lifted Alina.
**********
Kensi pushed her way through the crowd of people in Emergency and found a doctor to talk to.

"She's still in surgery," The doctor said after he was informed who she was looking for. "As is the man who was with her in the car."

"Man?" asked Kensi before she broke down in tears again.

Deeks pulled out his phone and found a picture Hetty had taken of the team, the one that he'd looked at so often while Kensi had been gone, with them in the middle, the guys on either side. "Is that the man who was with her?"

The doctor nodded, indicating Callen. "He was."

The news just made Kensi cry harder. Her 'brother' and her best friend were hurt. She turned to Deeks and was glad that he was there for her this time.

He held her with one hand and Alina with the other. "Did one of the cops from the accident come in with them?"

The doctor nodded, waving a young officer over.

"Are they going to be okay?"

"The man received damage to his arms and chest; he suffered a concussion. The woman was trapped in the car; we won't know the extent of the damage to her back or legs until she's awake."

Kensi dropped into a chair and found herself trying to calm down, her heart breaking as the doctor gave them the bad news.

"Babe, can you watch Alina for a minute?"

Kensi nodded. "Of course."

He handed over his niece and went to talk to the officer about what had happened. Kensi cuddled the little girl to her.

Sam ran in, not stopping until he saw Kensi. "You've got to be kidding me," he said to himself.

"Shhh, she's sleeping." But Kensi was glad to have him there, glad to have someone until Deeks came back.

"I should have known KC was involved when they told me G was hurt."

"It's not her fault! She went to save him!"

"From what? He was fine when I left him tonight!"

"I don't know, but don't you dare blame KC for going to help him when he told her off for being considerate."

"I should have known you'd take her side."

"Shut up, just shut up!"

"Sam!" Deeks' eyes blazed as he hurried back, hearing Kensi's voice raised.

He stood between Kensi and the ex-Navy Seal. "I know that your partner's hurt. You're scared. Lower your voice and/or get away from my partner and my goddaughter. Right now."

Sam turned angry eyes on Deeks. "Why don't you take them home? Huh?"

"They have every right to be here, same as you. They're hurting too. And if you want to start attacking people, why don't you leave the girls alone and c'mon or shut up 'cause I'm really tired of your shit."

"Deeks," said Kensi in a soft voice. "Don't."

Deeks studied Sam, waiting for his next move, not backing down, not moving from between Sam and his partner.

Sam raised his fist but dropped it again. "Sorry...."

Deeks told Sam what the doctor had told them about Callen and then what the officer had told him. "It wasn't her fault. They were fleeing from someone. My guess...Joelle."

"Really Deeks? Joelle?"

"She's a spy, Sam."

"Yeah right."

"She's using you. Using Michelle. And she was using Callen too."

"That's ridiculous."

"Why? What do you really know about her?"

"I have known her for a long time Deeks."

"She damned near killed your partner. Maybe instead of blaming KC..." He cut himself off.

"What? Blame myself? Get lost."

"You said it."

"Stuff you."

"If Joelle's innocent, why don't you call her? I'm sure she'll want to be with her boyfriend."

"Good idea."

"Call Hetty while you're at it." He knew that they were right, but worried that Sam wouldn't see it and wanted reinforcements in case Joelle actually showed up. There was no one Hetty would protect more than Callen, but then again, she had been instrumental in helping Sam set Callen up in the first place.

Sam pulled out his phone and sent texts to both women. Deeks turned his attention to Kensi.

"Deeks, I want to see KC."

"Babe, she's still in surgery. The doctor will come get us soon."

"What if they can't fix her?"

"Not an option. They will."

"Promise? I won't lose my best friend?"

"I promise, sweetheart."

Kensi wrapped her arms around him. "Alina needs her parents."

"I know." He kissed her temple.

"What will happen if she can't have them back? Who will look after her?"

"You and I will, babe. That's why we're the godparents."

"Right," nodded Kensi.

"She'll be okay. And so will KC. The doctor will come out any minute."

"I hope so."

True to Deeks' prediction, the doctor returned before Sam did.

"Is KC okay?" asked Kensi immediately.

"She's awake."

"Can I see her?"

The doctor nodded, showing them to KC's room.

Kensi took a seat on the bed. "Are you alright?"

"G. Is he okay?" She looked into her friend's eyes for answers.

"I don't know. I sort of wanted to come here and see you only...."

"Only what?" Her eyes connected with Deeks and Alina in the doorway.

"I wanted to be selfish."

KC looked at her like it didn't quite click in her head what Kensi was saying.

"I didn't want to see him. I wanted to stay with you."

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry I didn't wake you up. Tell you what was going on."

"It's okay."

"Is Alina okay?"

"She's fine, KC. Try to get some rest, okay?" Deeks said softly.

"I'm not leaving you."

"Is she coming?"

"Sam called her, but I don't think she'll actually be stupid enough to come."

"If she comes, we need to get Callen out of here."

"What happened?"

"I don't know. He called your cell phone. Kens, he was scared. He's never scared. And we left. There was a hit from behind and then another and I just lost control."

"I'm going to kill her!"

Alina began to fuss and Deeks walked with her, rubbing her back. "I have to get Callen out of here."

"I want to stay here Deeks."

"I'm going with him, Kens. I hope you will too," KC answered.

"I don't want to leave you alone."

KC looked at Deeks worried that Kensi just wasn't getting it.

"Kens, you can stay with KC by going with her."

"I'll need some help." She wasn't even sure if she could stand, let alone take care of Callen and Alina by herself.

"I can help," said Kensi. She wasn't going to let anything else happen.

KC tried to get up, not sure she could stand, but wanting to at least try.

"No! You need to rest."

"I need to be with Callen."

"I'll get him," said Deeks.

"Is Sam with him?"

"Who cares if he is."

"He's the one who introduced that b..." She saw her daughter and controlled her language. "Joelle to him. I need..." She saw the look on Deeks' and Kensi's face that let her know this was not negotiable. "Can I hold Alina while you're gone?"

"Of course. She's your daughter." Deeks handed her over.

She cradled her still sleeping daughter next to her, kissing her head.

"Deeks, Sam cannot come." Kensi made it clear she was still angry.

"Okay, babe. I'll handle it. Just keep an eye on KC and Alina, okay?"

"Okay."

He kissed her forehead. "Send a nurse or someone after me if you need me, but we should be right back."

"Thank you."

"Love you." He walked away.
**********
Callen looked up as Deeks approached. "How is she?"

"Scared. She wants you."

"It's Joelle. She knocked us off the road."

Deeks nodded. "She wants to check you both out of the hospital, hide somewhere. Kens and I are gonna come too."

Callen nodded. "I don't blame her."

"Are you feeling up to seeing her?"

"Of course. But I can't actually get up right now."

"Could you go in a chair?" He'd promised KC he'd get Callen to her.

"Maybe. I can ask the doctor."

"I'll go get him." He was anxious to get Callen out of there before Sam or Joelle showed up.

"Thank you."Callen really was grateful.

Deeks disappeared for the doctor. Callen closed his eyes until Deeks returned.

"You've got fifteen minutes to get in a chair, get there, and get back, but yes, you can go."

Callen eagerly got out of bed with Deeks' help and allowed the younger man to push him to KC's room. KC was trying to reason with Kensi about getting up and going to find Callen.

Kensi was relieved when Deeks pushed Callen into the room. "See, he's here."

She let Kensi hold Alina so that she could hold Callen.

Callen gratefully hugged KC. "Thank you for protecting me. I'm so sorry I treated you horribly."

"We'll talk about that later. You need to be careful around Sam and find some excuse not to let Joelle come if she tries." And KC knew she would try.

"Why Sam?"

"Who introduced you to Joelle?"

"Besides the fact that he's acting like an ass," Deeks added.

"What did he do?" He saw the look on Kensi's face. "Did he hurt you Kens?"

"He blamed KC for you getting hurt so I told him off. Then he yelled at me for protecting my best friend."

"He doesn't believe us about Joelle. If she asks him something, he'll do it. And yeah, he hurt my partner," Deeks said, his arms crossed.

Callen looked upset. "I'm so sorry Kens."