Work Text:
After several months of no answers, the team set off on a rogue rescue mission to bring Hetty home from Syria. And because he wanted Hetty gone for good, Kilbride forbade the team from going. Thankfully, no one listened.
In a secret part of her SOS message, Hetty told Callen to check her secret cameras she put up in her office before she left.
After getting her back in 1 piece (albeit a shaky leg), Hetty revealed some information that made Kilbride look really guilty. And when Callen took the time to watch some of her cameras on the way home…
A couple of days later
Desperate to get to Washington to try and prosecute the whole team, Kilbride was trying to get out of Hetty's office as fast as he could when he heard the dreaded click click of heels.
'Only the guilty try to run, don't you remember?' Hetty said, wobbling on a cane, looking like she was ready to punch someone.
'No. No, you, and this whole team is done! You all disobeyed direct orders from a commanding officer, and you all deserve to be fired!' Kilbride exclaimed.
Hetty laughed. This old fart threatening her and her team? So laughable. 'And what makes you think you're going anywhere?'
'Because I say so, and I can just as easily shove you aside if you try and get in my way.'
'I'd like to see you try.' Then she pushed her jacket aside to reveal her gun holster.
'What are you going to do, shoot me?' Kilbride sarcastically asked.
'Oh I won't, but they will!' Then the whole team showed up from the shadows with their guns drawn.
Kilbride chuckled haughtly. 'Unbelievable. She's got you all brainwashed! You think she loves any of you? She doesn't. You're all pawns in her sick control games! That's how she mostly operated in the CIA, she used everyone, criminals and agents alike! Once she's done with any of you, she'll get rid of you!'
'My god, stop being such a drama queen!' Deeks shouted.
'Mr. Callen? The screen if you will.' Hetty pointed to the screen.
Callen went over to the screen and plugged in a drive.
'What is this crap?' Kilbride asked.
'I hid cameras throughout my office. I wasn't about to leave you completely in charge, so I hid cameras everywhere. I told Mr. Callen to look for them when I gave him that SOS message. And I imagine he's had the time to look at some of them.' Hetty replied.
'I have. I found this interesting tibit.' Callen then revealed an image of Kilbride looking at a photo.
'When was this?' Sam asked.
'At the end of the Laura Song case. The one where we thought we had failed.' Callen snarled, looking ready to burst. 'Turns out, HE knows more then he let on!'
'Oh BS. You have no idea what you're talking about!' Kilbride grumbled.
'Do I? Because it looks like you had more to do with that case then you let on!'
'Stand down, Agent Callen!'
Callen laughed. 'I'm not the one who has a whole team of federal agents aiming their guns at me!'
'This is stupid. I will make sure you all never work again!'
Fake yawning. 'Yeah yeah, whatever. Did you have more to do with the case then you let on?' Callen asked.
'I don't answer to you.'
Snarling. 'Did, you, have, more, to, do, with, that, case?!'
'Oh good grief, yes! Yes I was more involved in the case.'
Everyone gasped.
'And you let us believe that we failed.' Callen grimly said. 'Take him away!'
The team led Kilbride to the boat house's interrogation room.
'You done with this stupid charade yet?' Kilbride asked, gruffly.
'Actually no. You know what I just found out? A very hidden camera from 2021 revealed that you tried to convince Nell that Hetty wasn't coming back. And Hetty said that you were going to 'have her sacrificed for the greater good' if her mission went sideways. Looks to me like your crimes are piling up more and more.' Callen said, looking cocky.
'It's called 'politics'. We do what we have to to keep the peace, even if it means sacrificing troublemakers to our enemies.' Kilbride replied.
Eye rolling. 'Yeah, whatever. The real authorities will be here momentarily. And from the looks of it, you're going to jail. So, I just have 1 question: What made you think that you could try to take over the team quietly?'
'Because this team deserves better then being ruled by a reckless, emotionless manipulative ex CIA operative who only cares about herself.'
'Yeah, I'm out of here. Have fun in lockup.'
As Callen walked toward the door…
'She's lied to you throughout your life about your past, what makes you think she loves you?' Kilbride asked.
'You might have forgotten this, but I'm also former CIA. I know how the secret keeping aorks. And if it wasn't for Hetty, I would've died a long time ago. So pardon my language, but shut your craphole up.' Callen finished.
Hetty was waiting for Callen when he walked out.
'I'm proud of you for holding your temper in. Heaven knows I wouldn't have been able to.' She said.
'Yeah. I'm glad this is over.' He replied. 'I'm really sorry he tried to do all this. I should've known months ago that he was trouble.'
'Don't. He had us all fooled.'
'Well, I'm glad we can finally go back to normal.' Then he hugged her.
'Ohhhhh. Thank you, Mr. Callen.' She replied, thankful for the warm embrace.