This begins the end of June 2014-shortly after they returned from Russia. Shane Brennan left so much hanging I thought I would give us an option of how some of it could transpire. Remember this is all before "Humbug." That is yet to happen. Repost to fix the date issue.

Disclaimer: If I owned em, I wouldn't be writing this stuff but one of my plot bunnies is friends with JP's and he allows them out to play now and then

JUNE 29, 2014

"Detective Deeks please rise" intoned the head of the 3 person tribunal that was hearing the IA case. This one happened to be an Assistant Chief of Operations for LAPD and the senior officer on the panel. He then continued "it is the unanimous finding of this hearing board that you be bound over for trial on the charge of murder in the second degree of Mrs. Laurel Brandel, your mother. This hearing is ended. I thank everyone for their time and participation. Detective Deeks is hereby placed on indefinite suspension pending the outcome of that trial. Detective Riviera please take the detective into custody." And then the gavel came down. The sound echoing in Deeks ears like an explosion. He was handcuffed and led away. He refused to look at the 2 people who were sitting right behind him.

Hetty immediately turned and whispered to Nate "he obviously meant it when he told us not to be here. Find a way to talk to him and see what's in that head of his. He is one of mine and we all know he didn't do this. Meanwhile I will turn the dogs loose on this to find the truth." Nate nodded at smiled at this last line knowing that meant the wonder twins, 3 agents along with Deeks, Nate and on a good day, Granger formed the family she protected like a tigress protects her cubs.

Behind her Lt. Bates leaned forward and whispered "anything you need from me, you got it. He's still one of mine also. I've got contacts and can rattle some cages at the appropriate time. I can't believe they ignored his testimony about what happened." Hetty nodded as a quiet smile spread across her face. Another ally. She had hoped Bates would be on Deeks side.

JULY 17, 2014

Working with Bates, Nate had finally been able to get approval to release Deeks into Bates custody for ½ day to allow for the detective to meet with and discuss strategy with his "defense team." That meeting happened to be at the NCIS boatshed and included Granger, Hetty, Nate and 2 lawyers, 1 a friend of Hetty's and 1 a longtime friend of Deeks.

When he was brought in by Bates, the rest of them gasped. Deeks had cuts and bruises all over. He had stitches on his arms and 3 fingers on his left hand in a cast. He also had a soft cast on his right wrist and walked with a distinct limp. Bates was furious. "That bitch detective Riviera somehow got him placed in genpop (general population) where several of his 'friends' decided to play beat the detective. I found out 2 days ago when I started working on this meeting. I immediately got him moved to Long Beach Medical for proper treatment and arranged for him to be put in the security wing when he goes back to jail. I am on the hunt for whose chain was yanked to make this happen. They are dead people walking, they just don't know it yet." Finally he added "he won't talk other than to say he will tell his story one time. He has asked that this be taped and then at the appropriate time be played for the team so they can see and hear it. He leaves that to you to decide when. He just wants you to be sure and include Eric and Nell, whoever they are. Is this acceptable? " Getting a nod from Hetty Deeks then sat down.

One of the concessions Bates had to make was to keep Deeks cuffed at all times but now he removed them anyway and motioned for him to sit facing the group. Granger of all people, placed a bottle of water in front of him, laid a hand on Deeks shoulder and gave a mild squeeze. They all noticed the wince and pain that flashed thru Deeks eyes. "The floor is yours detective. Take your time."

After a few minutes of silence (Deeks had yet to really look at them. He had either looked down into his lap or up over their heads.) "Hetty All I ask is that there be no one watching us now. You can contact them to stop the tape when done."

"Make it so people" said Hetty looking up at a camera. "All of you out of OPS now. Nell I am counting on you to insure Det. Deeks request is honored. Please text me when all have exited and no one is looking in from down in the bull pen." 5 minutes later Hetty got a text that read "agents not happy especially Kensi but the request has been honored. They are all in the gym. Please tell him from all of us we don't believe for a minute that he did this. Also that Kensi wants the name of 'the men who laid hands on my man. I am the only one allowed to hit him'." Smiling Hetty simply slid it over to Deeks to read. He didn't show any reaction. "Please begin Marty." They all looked over at her when she used his first name.

"Before I start 2 questions-who's taking care of Monty and how is Kensi-really?"

Hetty responded immediately "Monty is in Kensi's capable hands. She even threatened Eric who really wanted him. He spends most days at Julia's since she has the fenced in yard. Also Julia takes care of two 5 year olds who love him. Kensi got him a friend-golden retriever. She wanted to name him Python so you had Monty Python around but settled on Shaggy. By the way she says the only difference between you 2 is the pup is house broken." That brought chuckles to them all except Marty. He was still hanging his head and Hetty swore she saw a tear and his shoulders shaking. "As for her-she wants her partner-in everything-back. She doesn't believe any of what she is hearing. She has already threatened to hunt down detective Riviera. I'm afraid of what will happen after she hears this. She is committed to you detective so just worry about yourself."

So, we off to a good start? Let me know what you think and what you might like to see before we end this epistle!