Chapter 56 – Meeting a Legend
Los Angeles, California – Summer Afternoon 2018
The sun shone brightly over Los Angeles, reflecting off the skyscrapers and bustling avenues of the city. Jason Gibbs and Ziva David strolled calmly down a quiet street in Venice Beach, watching the street performers and skaters passing by.
They had grown accustomed to the city's rhythm, exploring new places, trying new foods, and, for the first time in years, living without a specific mission to accomplish.
But, as always, fate seemed to enjoy playing tricks on them.
Because there, sitting alone in a small, classic coffee shop, as if time had no effect on her, was Henrietta "Hetty" Lange.
Jason and Ziva stopped instantly.
Ziva raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
Jason crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the diminutive but intimidating figure calmly sipping her tea.
"If I weren't looking, I'd say it's a ghost."
Hetty looked up, her sharp eyes immediately analyzing the two.
Then, a slight smile appeared on her lips.
"Ah… I knew you'd show up here sooner or later."
Ziva smiled, crossing her arms.
"And we thought you'd really retired."
Hetty chuckled softly and gestured for them to sit down.
"Retirement is a relative concept, my dear."
Jason and Ziva exchanged glances before sitting down at the table with her.
"So, Hetty…" Jason began, leaning slightly forward. "What's a legend of intelligence doing here, drinking tea, as if she weren't the most dangerous woman in this city?"
Hetty smiled slightly.
— The same as you two. Observing, listening… and, when necessary, interfering.
Ziva took the cup of tea Hetty offered and took a sip, savoring the strong, familiar taste.
— This reminds me of the last time we met.
Hetty smiled slightly.
— Ah, yes. You were still in Mossad. Jason was still in Delta. Both crossing paths unintentionally, but never so far from each other.
Jason chuckled softly.
— I guess life has always kept us within the same orbit.
Hetty nodded, watching them both intently.
— And now? What's your plan?
Ziva shrugged.
— None. For the first time… we're just living.
Hetty raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
— You two? Just living?
Jason smiled, taking a sip of coffee.
"Believe me, Hetty, we're just as surprised as you are."
Hetty placed her cup back on the saucer with a light tap and leaned slightly forward.
"So… since you're here, I imagine you already know who's still in the game."
Jason nodded.
"I heard Callen is still leading the team, with Sam as second-in-command."
Ziva added.
"And Kensi and Deeks are still active."
Hetty smiled, satisfied.
"Yes. Callen remains a formidable leader, and Sam Hanna… well, he remains Sam Hanna."
Jason laughed.
"The man is a force of nature."
Hetty nodded.
"Kensi and Deeks remain the most unlikely and effective duo I've ever seen."
Ziva smiled slightly.
"And you? Still guiding them?"
Hetty took a deep breath and looked at her tea before answering.
"I've officially retired… but I still have my ears out there. I can't just switch off."
Jason smiled slightly.
"I guess nobody expected you to retire completely."
Hetty smiled softly, but her eyes held a glint of mystery.
"And you two? Any chance of getting back in the game?"
Ziva and Jason exchanged a brief glance, and Jason was the first to answer.
"Not for now. But if the world demands it… who knows?"
Hetty approved the answer with a slight nod.
"Well, if one day you need a new purpose… know that the world always has room for those who know how to operate in the shadows."
Ziva smiled, but said nothing.
They knew Hetty always spoke in code.
And they knew that, somehow, this conversation could be a harbinger of something bigger. After some more conversation, Hetty finished her tea and stood up with her characteristic elegance.
"It was a pleasure to see you again. I so rarely have the privilege of meeting former operatives who still know how to smile."
Jason and Ziva stood up as well.
Ziva looked at Hetty with a genuine look.
"It was good to see you, Hetty."
Hetty smiled and held her hand for a brief moment.
"Be careful, my dear. The past has a curious way of finding those who try to escape it."
Jason squeezed Hetty's hand, his eyes firm and respectful.
"And if we ever need anything, we know where to find you."
Hetty smiled slightly, as if she knew something they didn't yet.
"Good luck in Los Angeles, you two. Something tells me that city still has a lot to offer you."
And with that, Henrietta Lange disappeared.
Jason and Ziva watched until she disappeared completely.
Ziva crossed her arms and looked at Jason.
"That woman always gives me the feeling that she knows more than she lets on."
Jason smiled, putting his hands in his pockets.
"Because she does."
And with that, they continued on their way.
Because, deep down, they knew this wouldn't be their last encounter with Hetty Lange.
Chapter 57 – An Unexpected Proposal
Los Angeles, California – Jason and Ziva's Home
The afternoon sun gently illuminated the porch of Jason Gibbs and Ziva David's house, bringing with it a cool breeze from the Pacific Ocean. The house, located in a quiet Los Angeles neighborhood, was a perfect refuge for two former operatives accustomed to living in the shadows.
Jason sat on the porch, meticulously cleaning a combat knife while Ziva watered some plants in the garden.
The calm of the afternoon, however, was interrupted by the sound of a car parking outside.
Ziva raised an eyebrow, putting the watering can aside.
"Are we expecting someone?"
Jason glanced at his watch, frowning.
"Not that I know of."
He stood slowly, throwing a cloth over the knife and walking to the door while Ziva followed close behind.
When they opened the door, they were greeted by two uniformed LAPD officers.
One was an older man, with a rigid posture, gray hair, and sharp eyes. The other was a woman with strong features, a professional expression, and an assessing gaze.
Jason recognized the badges immediately.
"Captain Jessica Cortez and Commander Robert Hicks, LAPD SWAT," he said, crossing his arms.
Jessica smiled slightly.
"So you've heard of us."
Ziva looked from one to the other, clearly curious.
"Well, you're not exactly strangers. But the question is: why are two SWAT officers at our door?"
Hicks looked at Jessica, who took the lead in the conversation.
"Can we come in?"
Jason and Ziva exchanged glances for a moment before Jason opened the door wider.
"Of course."
Once everyone was seated in the room, Jason and Ziva remained attentive, carefully studying the two visitors.
Hicks went straight to the point.
"We know who you are. We know what you've done. And we know that, even though you're 'retired,' you still possess skills that no one in the civilian world can match."
Ziva crossed her arms.
"And what exactly do you want from us?"
Jessica picked up a folder of documents and placed it on the table.
"Training."
Jason raised an eyebrow.
"Training for whom?"
Hicks leaned forward.
"For the LAPD SWAT team."
Ziva and Jason exchanged a quick glance before Jason spoke.
"You already have one of the best tactical response teams in the country. What would be the need to call us in?"
Jessica opened the folder, showing reports of recent missions.
"The LAPD SWAT team is one of the best trained, yes. But lately we've been dealing with more complex situations that require a different approach." Domestic terrorism, criminal factions with military tactics, well-armed cartels… We need to take our training to the next level.
Hicks continued.
—And no one is better suited for this than two veterans with real-world experience in tactical combat, infiltration, and high-risk operations.
Jason scratched his chin thoughtfully.
—You want us to train your team to fight like special forces.
Jessica nodded.
—Basically, yes.
Ziva took a deep breath, analyzing the information in the folder.
—How long would this training last?
Hicks smiled slightly.
—As long as you deem necessary.
Jason leaned back on the sofa, absorbing everything.
Ziva closed the folder and looked directly at the two officers.
—Let's be direct. If we accept, we want complete autonomy in the training. No external interference.
Jessica and Hicks exchanged glances before Hicks answered.
"If you accept, you'll have carte blanche."
Jason sighed, looking at Ziva before smiling slightly.
"Well… it seems we're back to work."
Jason and Ziva hadn't planned on returning to the tactical world, but fate seemed to have other plans.
Now, the LAPD SWAT team would have two instructors that few in the world could match.
And this would only be the beginning.
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