Chapter Text
Present Day
It was supposed to be an ordinary day, well as ordinary as the life of an NCIS agent could be. Lucy and Kai were in the bullpen reviewing some files on a cold case while Jesse was in Tennant’s office. That certainly caught the young agent’s attention, but she did not want to get her hopes up for a new case. These cold cases were torturous. It was rare new leads developed and Lucy saw it as a personal failure for not bringing the bad guy to justice.
“So, a sailor, a marine and a solider all walk into a bar…”
“Oh bro come on with the dad jokes,” Kai sighed rubbing his sore eyes.
“Yeah read the room…these cold cases are killing us. Here,” Lucy picked up the file folder on her desk preparing to give it to Jesse.
“Not a joke, our new case,” Tennant announced following Jesse into the bullpen.
Lucy sat up intrigued.
“What do we have?”
“As long as it’s ok with Kai to continue,” Jesse jabbed.
“By all means,” Kai shot back giving Jesse the runway.
“Corporal Jordan Yaco, First Sergeant Mark Young and Lieutenant Tony Carter went to a bar Thursday and that is the last anyone has seen of them. They were reported UA Friday when they did not report in. There is reason to believe these men were targeted.”
“Targets? Why? What were these three even doing together? I know we have a big military presence here but it is not common for three guys from three different branches to be headed to a bar without a larger group.”
“They were part of a training operation,” Tennant filled in.
“What kind of training? Having three branches of the miliary present for a training operation…that has to be big right,” Lucy asked?
“Unclear at this point but I have a call into Naval Pearl for details. I want backgrounds on these three men…service records, details, assignments everything we can find. Excuse me,” Tennant said as her phone started ringing.
Lucy turned to Kai as he had the most military experience.
“You have thoughts on what training operations call for at least three branches of the military,” Jesse asked Kai?
“It’s not entirely uncommon for multibranch training operations. We did combat training with the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard…they were a big deal. It would be uncommon for guys to leave base before or during the training periods,” Kai explained.
“Do we know if the training is still ongoing?
“It is,” Tennant confirmed walking back into the bullpen. “They are trying to continue with the training, but these three men are very important.”
“What are their roles?”
“Operations.”
Kai rubbed his hand over his face and let out a groan knowing this was bad.
“They have the playbook for how each branch would respond in various scenarios.”
“Exactly. The type of information that would be highly valuable to any of our adversaries or bad actors wanting leverage. We need information and fast,” Tennant demanded.
“I already spoke to Pearl and they are releasing all of Young’s records for us but it is going to take a little longer to cut through the red tape with the Marines and Army for their files.”
“Maybe not,” Tennant said looking towards the elevator, “the Army and the Marines are each sending over a representative. They should be here shortly with the files, focus on Young for now.”
The team got to work pulling everything they could learn about Young including his training posts of duty, members of his squad and knowledge of operations. The more Lucy read about the guy the more she realized how valuable an asset he was. First in his training class, moved up the ranks quickly and was well on his way to Commander.
Lucy, Kai and Jesse were deep in research when the elevator binged and two uniformed officers stepped into the bullpen. Tennant saw them from her office and headed out to greet them.
“Better look sharp I think our guests have arrived,” Kai saw them first.
“What gave it away the uniform dress or tight hair,” Jesse joked.
Lucy was the last to see them as she was trying to finish the last paragraph from Young’s file. When she looked up her jaw nearly hit the floor.
“Everyone I would like you to meet Captain Noah Whistler representing the Marines and Captain Kate Whistler representing the Army.”
6 MONTHS AGO
It had been a long day, in a long week and Lucy just wanted a drink and her bed. The guys had invited her out, knowing they all needed to blow off some steam, but Lucy asked for a raincheck and headed to her local bar. She liked the bars casual vibe, but liked her anonymity there even more. The bartender knew her favorite drink and she was a Dallas Cowboys fan but didn’t know she was a Special Agent.
“Hey Lucy good to see you. Usual?”
“That would be much appreciated Malia.”
Lucy took the corner seat at the bar and just as she was settling in a drink was placed in front of her.
“What’s good,” Lucy asked?
“The huli-huli chicken is popular tonight.”
“Come on Malia don’t do me like that,” Lucy played.
“I don’t even know why you ask when all you ever want are malasada.”
“Maybe if they weren’t the best in the world, I wouldn’t want them all the time but alas here we are.”
“I can’t argue that. I’ll bring out the next fresh batch.”
“My girl,” Lucy smiled.
This is exactly what Lucy needed tonight, easy playful banter with good people. Lucy took a couple sips of beer and looked around at the various TVs showing different sporting events. Lucy didn’t mind watching whatever was on, but she only really cared about the Dalas Cowboys. A couple people came and went while Lucy enjoyed her drink.
“Ready,” she heard Malia asked?
“Yes, I am going to have the island burger with fries well done please.”
“Excellent choice. It will be out in a few minutes,” Malia smiled and headed off to place the order.
Lucy looked down the bar and saw what she thought might be the most beautiful woman she had ever seen before. She took a sip of her drink before taking the plunge.
“Delaware?”
“Come again,” the blond asked confused?
“Where you’re from…it’s a game I like to play. It’s just I haven’t seen you in here before. I’m thinking Delaware.”
The blond smiled slightly impressed.
“You’re close actually…DC. I’m in town for a meeting. I heard they do a good burger here.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty good…but their huli-huli chicken that’s there secret weapon.”
“I HEARD THAT,” Malia yelled from the back.
Lucy couldn’t help but laugh. It was a sound the blonde wanted to hear again
“You know it’s kind of hard to hear you,” the blonde raised her voice just slightly, “you want to sit closer.”
“Sure,” Lucy smirked picking up her drink and moving a few chairs down.
Once Lucy took residence next to her she started into her own story.
“So in DC I go to this place called John’s whole in the wall…supposedly it’s where they planned Watergate…double patty, double cheese, smothered in thousand island dressing…
“Hmm you don’t seem like a smothered in thousand island type of gal.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t seem like a lot of thing,” the blonde fired back.
Malia dropped Kate’s burger off with smiled but didn’t linger. She gave Lucy a subtle wink and headed to the back.
“Thank you.”
“So, what is Watergate anyway,” Lucy asked trying to keep a straight face.
The blonde’s head whipped to the side trying to determine if her bar mate was serious or not. It took a beat before she broke into laughter.
“I’ll tell you what Watergate is if you tell me what a malasada is.”
Lucy was practically bouncing in her seat, overly excited to explain what these little balls of heaven were.
“Oh my god ok..so they are these little balls of fried dough and covered in sugar.”
“So, a donut.”
“What? NO!”
Lucy acted truly offended but her excitable exterior made it impossible to seem upset.
“Donuts do not compare to the pillowy crispness that are malasadas. There is a specific type of yeast used and they have a slightly eggy flavor. I don’t know how they do it but the outside has this crunch while the inside is just melt in your mouth.”
“I guess I am going to have to try one…if you’re willing to share,” the blond raised a challenging eyebrow.
“It would be cruel not to introduce you to the pleasure of the island. I’m Lucy by the way.”
“Kate.”
“Kate. I am assuming you are new to the island seeing as you never had malasada before.”
“Just flew into today, I leave on Friday.”
Lucy didn’t ask what Kate did for a living because she didn’t want the return question. They continued to chat while Kate ate her dinner. She did tell Lucy it was one of the best burgers she had. While Lucy did not argue, she was holding out for her malasada which she had Malia hold until Kate was done her dinner.
“Now I am a sucker for the originals but I will admit I do enjoy some of the more modern varieties,” Lucy begrudgingly admitted.
“Since I haven’t tried any version, I think it is best I start with the original,” Kate confirmed.
Lucy looked at the basket and plucked the plumpest ball of dough of the bunch.
“It is only fair for you to have the first one,” Lucy offered the sweet treat to the island guest.
Kate smirked before wrapping her hand around Lucy’s and bringing the dessert to her lips taking a bit. Lucy slowly blinked, stunned at the actions of the blond, but it was not unwelcome. The warmth of Kate’s hand spread down Lucy’s arm like fire. When she felt soft lips graze her fingers Lucy had to bite back a moan.
“Amazing,” Kate moaned.
Lucy’s jaw was still on the floor, clearly Kate had no such restraint.
“Umm yeah. Uh-huh.”
Kate took the last bit of the offered treat, her tongue grazing Lucy’s fingers.
Bold.
“So, does this island have any other pleasures,” Kate asked with a raised eyebrow.
Lucy hesitated for a second allowing her brain to kick into gear.
“MALIA I NEED A TO GO BOX,” Lucy shouted as she tossed some money on the bar.
Present Day
Everyone was in the war room trying to figure out what connected these three men and why they were presumably taken. Each mans photo and service record were displayed on the three large TV screens.
“Captain Whistler,” Tennant started.
“Yes,” both Kate and Noah responded.
“Yeah, this won’t get confusing at all,” Jesse quipped.
“You can just call me Noah,” the taller blond sported an easy smile.
Everyone looked to Kate.
“You can call me Captain Whistler,” she responded her posture seeming to get more ridged.
“Noah please tell us what you found about Carter.”
Noah read through Carter’s file followed by Kate reading through Yaco’s file. Try as she might, Lucy failed to get the eye of Kate as she waited her turn to speak. Lucy was frustrated but she was going to try and focus until she could get Kate alone.
What the group gathered was all three men were highly intelligent, moving up the ranks quickly and had operational details of military responses. However, they still did not have any idea why these three would leave based during training and seemingly be the only three to do so.
“Kai, Jesse head down to the bar and get some answers,” Tennant instructed.
The two nodded and headed out. Before Tennant could instruct the others, her phone rang.
“This is Commander Bailey,” Tennant told Noah, “lets take this in my office.”
Noah followed Tennant to see what his boss wanted.
Once the door clicked shut Lucy turned to Kate.
“What the hell is going on here…Captain Kate Whistler?”
“You tell me…NCIS Special Agent Lucy Tara,” Kate challenged back.