Callen and Sam enlist the help of a Gurkha, an elite Nepali soldier specializing in knife fighting, to retrieve a missing thumb drive. Meanwhile, Kensi and Deeks struggle to find a balance in their partnership.

The NCIS: Los Angeles team searches for a motive when a senator's daughter is attacked. Meanwhile, Deeks and Nell partner up to help Sam and Callen bring the daughter to safety and Kensi receives the perfect holiday gift from one of her co-workers.