Hunters and Hybrids

Chapter 5

Sam was beyond annoyed.

All the leads they had, had petered out and there was still no sign of Callen. Tim had gone a day ago for information telling Hetty and Gibbs he'd only be five minutes. Even though he hadn't returned neither his team leader nor their boss seemed worried about it.

"Time difference, it screws with ya sometimes." Was all Gibbs would tell him.

DiNozzo just shrugged, "If the boss ain't worried, it's best you don't." He advised him.

"This sucks!" He sighed, "G's still missing and now we are down another man."

"Tim'll be back, sometimes he forgets about the time difference in there." DiNozzo nodded towards the door, "Come on, we'll go get everyone coffee's I hear your Kensi has a thing for donuts, I know, you know, the best place to get those." He grinned.

Sam couldn't help but let out a small smile, he knew exactly what Tony was doing, keeping everyone's minds off of things, deflecting with food, drink and keeping Sam from tearing up the place in frustration.

"Ok, but I'm driving." He picked up the keys to the challenger as they headed for the door.

"Good man that." Hetty remarked as Tony led Sam from the building.

Gibbs nodded, "He is, but don't tell him, he'll get a big head."

"Jethro!" Hetty admonished him, "You do tell him, don't you? Everyone needs to know they are appreciated from time to time."

"He knows." Gibbs said. The truth was he did tell Tony, though not as often as he would like, it was rare now that they shared steak dinners together and decompressed after a case. But he did know it was because he himself was dealing with his own issues. DiNozzo was worth his weight in gold, which was why Gibbs had picked him for his team in the first place. He knew when he was needed and when to give Gibbs the space he needed.

"Good, because if you ever decide he isn't needed... There will always be a space here for a good agent like that." Hetty smiled.

"Crafty Imp." Gibbs snapped good-naturedly.

"And don't you forget it." Hetty replied as she went to pour herself a cup of tea leaving him staring at the doors the agents had walked out of a few minutes ago.

Sam turned in surprise as someone called his name as they were entering the coffee shop.

"Joelle?" Sam smiled, "How are you?"

Joelle smiled as she walked up to him and the other man. "I'm good Sam, how's G?"

"He's good, he's away on assignment." Sam lied, "This is Tony, he's filling in for him. Tony, this is Joelle, friend of the family and Callen's Ex-girlfriend."

Tony looked at her suspiciously for less than a second, then his mask dropped and he shook her hand.

"Pleased to meet you." He smiled.

"I know I can't ask what assignment G is on, but let him know I'm always thinking about him won't you." She said. As she turned to go Tony noticed a charm bracelet she was wearing.

"Nice bracelet," He remarked innocently, "I want to get something like that for my girlfriend Abby. Did you get it around here?"

Joelle's face darkened for less than an instant, "No, it's a family heirloom." She lied.

"Oh well!" Tony shrugged like it was no matter and turned as the barista put their coffee's down for them. "Sam, we have to get these back, the boss will go nuts without her coffee."

Sam nodded, "Sure." Turning to Joelle he smiled, "I'll get Michelle to call you soon." He said as he turned back to help Tony with the drinks.

Climbing back into the car, Sam waited as Tony got settled.