Hello my darlings. Here is my new story. While it is a case fic, it will be concentrated more on the relationships within the team, Callen and Deeks in particular. So if that isn't your cup of tea, I'd advise against reading it.
Anyway that been said, I hope you enjoy this first chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS: LA.
The top team of NCIS Operations of Special Projects sat around the bullpen, exchanging the usual banter between the two sets of partners. Though no matter who spoke it always seemed that Deeks came out the worst for it, but he didn't care. He enjoyed the relationship he had with this team, and he was pretty sure that now, after having worked with them for over a year, they had finally accepted him as well. It felt good having people he knew he could trust watching his back, and having a partner who he could have a laugh with. Yeah he was really enjoying his role as LAPD liaison, and if he was also the clown, he could cope with that just fine.
This usual conversation was interrupted by a shrill whistle coming from tech operator Eric Beale, gaining their attention and causing all four to move towards the stairs. It looked like they had a case. About time too in team leader Callen's mind. They hadn't been very busy of late, and he was getting restless. He liked to be doing, investigating and solving problems. It keep his mind busy, and it was much better than dismantling his own electrical equipment, which is how he spent most of his nights. Not that he actually had much to go at, but still. He did not like being bored.
Walking into the ops centre they were confronted by not only Eric and Nell, but Hetty was there too. This had to be an important case if there operations manager was at the briefing, it made Callen give her a curious look, though she refused to let him see anything in her own face. He would find out why she was there soon enough, though whether he would like it or not she did not know. But needs must, and he was her best undercover agent. No one else would be able to pull this role off as well as him… well him and a certain member of his team at any rate.
"In the last two weeks there have been two murders of marine officers based at Pendleton. Captain Andrew Willer was murdered thirteen nights ago, and First Lieutenant Craig Johnson two nights ago." Nell said when she saw all the team had gathered, pulling up pictures of both men on the big scene so they could see whose deaths they were investigating, as well as the crime scene photos for both murders.
"Did they work with any sensitive intel? There deaths cause a question of national security?" Callen asked his attention fully on what Nell had to say now. Two murders, that was not good. It looked like they either had someone who wanted something particular, or they were looking at a serial killer, neither were good options in his mind.
"No, neither did they work together." Nell replied but before she could say any more Deeks spoke up.
"So what did they have in common?" He asked with a frown. The homicide detective in him coming out as he studied the crime scene photos and saw the similarities in the way both men had been killed and dumped.
"They were both gay and living on base with their civilian partners." Nell responded biting her lip as she waited for someone to ask why it was they were investigating the murder of two gay marine officers. It really wasn't something the OSP did.
"Why are we getting this case?" Sam asked confused. Sure it was bad, but surely the local NCIS office should be dealing with this, not them.
"The current investigation has hit a wall Mr Hanna, and the SecNav would like this solved as soon as possible." Hetty replied with a smile, though she said no more. She could see her lead agent had picked up what she didn't say very easily.
"He doesn't want people thinking the navy and marines condone sexually motivated crimes so soon after the repeal of don't ask, don't tell." Callen nodded, he could understand that, even if it was obviously politically motivated, but what he could understand was, "why us?"
"It has been decided an uncover operation is in order to find the perpetrators, and that, as you know Mr Callen, is what we specialise in." Hetty responded blandly, she had no doubt he had already figured that out too, but she allowed him to make it seem like he hadn't so it was she who had to explain it to the team.
"Okay. So Sam goes in as an officer, and I'll be his partner." Callen replied turning to the team to organise the op but Hetty's next words stopped him.
"I don't thinks so Mr Callen. I'm sorry but I do not believe that this is a role Mr Hanna will be able to portray. Plus I think it would be better if he went in as your commanding officer who makes it vocal he does not like homosexuals. Thus hopefully integrating himself with the people we are trying to track down." She stated in a voice that brooked no argument from anyone.
"So who's going in as my civilian boyfriend then Hetty?" Callen asked wishing he could beg her not to say the words he knew that were going to come out of her mouth. Anyone but him, please. Not that he had anything against the guy, in fact it was more the opposite reasoning. Deeks was far too attractive for him to be able to play at being in a relationship with him without some of his true feelings for the guy showing. Oh man, he would definitely prefer to go in with anyone but the detective.
"Why Mr Deeks of course, who did you think?" Hetty replied with a smirk. She knew exactly what was going through her lead agents head. And while she had never intended to involve herself in any of her agents love lives, the idea that this might just give the man a push towards the younger one… well who was she to look a gift horse in the mouth?
And Deeks standing there listening to her words felt himself being torn in half. One part of him couldn't wait to be able to legitimately touch Callen whenever he wanted under the guise of a cover, not to mention the idea of seeing him in a uniform, but another part was scared shitless that he would reveal the feelings he had for the older man. Oh this could go so badly if agent Callen ever found out the truth, that since the moment he had first met him he had had the hots for the guy. In fact thinking about it, Marty Deeks could not think of any way that this assignment would end in anything but a crash and burn.
Little did he know that G Callen's mind was running along a very similar train of thought.
