Lost Too Much

LOST TOO MUCH Chapter 2

When Bronte arrived back at the mission, she wasn't surprised to see Owen sitting at her mother's desk. As she approached him, he looked up and smiled. "How did your visit go?"

"Okay. My father was there so we couldn't talk shop," she added. "And I met G. Callen, who was also visiting my mother."

Granger creased his brow. "He did?" He was annoyed he'd been left out of the loop on the team leader's whereabouts.

"Don't worry, Owen, Hetty was expecting him." She gave him a reassuring smile. "She never mentioned to him about being unwell, so I am unsure if he's picked up on her lack of sparkle."

"He'll know something is wrong. He always knows," Granger told her. "Expect him to interrogate you later on Hetty."

She nodded. "So where is everyone?" She had noticed the empty bull pen when she had walked in.

"Up in the Ops Centre. We have a case. Nothing pressing yet, just information gathering at the moment." Bronte nodded. "It would be a good opportunity for you to observe and meet Mr Beale and Miss Jones."

Bronte followed Owen up the stairs and in through the sliding doors. They entered the Ops Centre unnoticed. They could hear the tall man with shaggy blond hair, tell them a funny story. She noticed a petite red haired woman, giving him a look to stop talking. She found it rather amusing and could see working there could be very interesting. But she hid her amusement for the time being. She could laugh about it later with her mother. She really hoped her mother would come out from her operation okay.

"I would like to introduce you to Agent Bronte Smith. She will be filling in for Hetty while she's on vacation." Bronte noticed the tension in the room was so heavy, that you could almost cut the air with a knife.

"Hello. Bronte, will be fine." She gave them a smile, hoping that they would relax around her.

"Hi, I'm Kensi Blye." The tall brunette walked closer and shook her hand. Bronte noticed the unusual mark in one of her eyes. "This is my partner, Detective Marty Deeks." Bronte shook the shaggy blond's hand.

"Detective?" She asked, curiously.

"He's our LAPD Liaison officer. He's well experienced in deep cover work." Granger filled in for her. She really had hoped to have been briefed by her mother, but she was glad her father was in town.

"I'm Nell Jones and this is Eric Beale. We're the go to people for intelligence gathering, etc." Bronte smiled at the younger woman. A younger version of her mother, she noted.

"And I'm Sam Hanna." The former Navy SEAL shook her hand. "Sorry, but my partner isn't here at the moment."

"You were a SEAL, Agent Hanna?" She asked and he nodded. "You remind me of my husband. He too was a SEAL." It was the manner of Sam Hanna that had reminded her of him. Suddenly she felt like running out of the room to cry. Why am I here? She asked herself.

Sam could see the woman before him was trying really hard to keep her emotions under control. But he was impressed on how well she had handled herself. Something has obviously happened to her husband, he concluded.

"I'm only temporary, so you don't need to worry about Hetty not coming back. She assured me that you will give me the respect you give her, and together we can run this place smoothly as if she was here." She saw a couple of them shift with uneasiness. This had obviously been a bad area for them to trust.

She heard the doors behind her open, but chose to ignore it, knowing it was G. Callen who had arrived back. "I will only observe for the first couple of days, to see how this team works. However, if I see a need for improvement anywhere, I will pass on my suggestions." Bronte could feel Callen's presence behind her. Although it was difficult, she chose to ignore him.