Of Demons and Darkness

Laying the Trap

Josiah Mitchell, founder and leader of The Freedom Coalition, sat in the small office of their newly acquired headquarters in Long Beach, California and studied the myriad of diagrams and maps of varied targets throughout Los Angeles County.  With the recent destruction of his house and the documents housed within to keep vital intelligence out of the hands of federal authorities, Josiah had been forced to backtrack slightly in order to recover his lost data.  It wasn't long before the Coalition was back on track with their plans to wreak havoc on their enemies.  Though the skirmishes would be mind-numbingly small and slow to plan, in the long run, he would propel his organization to the forefront of the fight against the government and its agents.  In time, they would be victorious and he would be on the fast-track to fame, fortune and power unending.  Where others before him had failed, he would succeed.  There were just a few loose ends that needed tidying up, beginning with Malachi's daughter and her protectors.  He would use them to send a very strong message to the governmental minions that the Coalition would not be toyed with.  The death of two of their number should be enough to cause them to think twice about tangling with him and his organization.

****

"Skulking is one thing, but hiding out pretending to be dead just sucks!"  NCIS Special Agent Kerigan MacBride growled from her hospital bed at Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center; her own protection detail stationed outside her door.

"It's only until you get discharged, Jana."  Michelle Hanna laughed warmly to her best friend and fellow federal agent.  "Once you're out, you and I will find this Josiah Mitchell and put a permanent end to him.  I know it's not the same as having your partner with you, but I promise to do my best."

MacBride reached out her hand and grasped Michelle's hand companionably.  Jana's partner, though still alive after the explosion that nearly killed them, was more seriously injured than she was...chivalry be damned.  After they kicked through the wall to an adjacent bedroom, Clay pushed her through the second story window just as the house disintegrated from under them; the force of the powerful explosion tossing Barringer like a ragdoll for a few hundred feet away from ground zero.  

"Are you kidding?!"  Jana exclaimed.  "I could learn a thing or two from you, Michelle!"  

"You're too kind, Jana."  Michelle effused.  "The spare room is ready to go when they spring you later today.  Sam and I talked about it and you'll be staying with us until we deal with these idiots...no arguments."

"I'm crazy, not stupid, Michelle."  Kerigan began.  "I'm in no shape to argue with either of you."

Michelle laughed at Kerigan's honest assessment of her condition.  "Do you feel up to checking in on your partner?"

"Only if you can get me past my guardians posted outside."  MacBride laughed lightly.  "They're both fairly stalwart in carrying out Hetty's non-negotiable orders."

"Watch and learn, grasshopper."  Michelle replied as she stood up from her chair and approached MacBride's protective detail.   

****

"Higher!!"  Bayleigh squealed in fearful delight.  "Push me higher, Max!!  I wanna touch the sky!"

Marty Deeks laughed without inhibition at the sheer joy and fun Bayleigh Aine was having as Deeks pushed her on the swing.  The weather was warm and the sun brilliant in the mid-afternoon sky as Bayleigh and her guardians planned a picnic lunch and an afternoon at the park to take the little girl's mind off the terrifying nightmares she endured on a near nightly basis.  On the swing next to hers, Kensi Blye let loose with her own happy giggles as she matched Bayleigh swing for swing.  

"C'mon Deeks!"  Kensi crowed excitedly.  "Higher, will ya?"

"You're trying to kill me, aren't ya Fern?"  Deeks quipped as he grunted with effort to push Bayleigh on her swing.