NCIS L.A.: Vicious Tunes

Author's Note: Okay, I am a Deeks-addict. I am bound to admit it. Therefore... I hereby post another Deeks-centric fic.
I'm building on his remark that he used to play the violin as a kid and I want to expand on that idea a bit, because I really would LOVE to see that somehow on the show.
This is an implied-Densi fic, though I'm not sure whether the others should be aware already (when I started writing this story, the new season wasn't out yet, therefore I didn't know about Kensi going to Afghanistan and their night together, so... might be kind of AU-ish). This is supposed to be a case-fic, so no greater implications and no specific point of time (I'd suppose somewhere around season 4 to 5. I don't know if I wanna include Sidorov etc.)

It might seem a bit farfetched with the story line, and I admit that I have no great knowledge of music whatsoever. I did play in elementary school, but soon lost interest. So... I really apologize for flaws I make. I don't know exactly how orchestras work and about their dynamics, I just build on what I heard and read so far. And I want to make clear that this is not supposed to offend anyone of the music community. I just use it for the plot, so... forgive me, please if I'm inaccurate or so ;)

I hope I did a proper characterization... so I will not put up an OOC-warning yet... only if you tell me that I didn't capture the characters at all. For which I apologize in advance.

That being said, I hope you'll enjoy the story. If not... I'm deeply sorry.
Read and review, I'm looking forward to it ;)


"Morning, everyone," Kensi greets Callen and Sam as she rounds the corner to sit down at her table, putting her shoulder bag down on the desk.

"Hey," the two greet back.

"... where's Shaggy?" Sam frowns. Usually, the two partners come together after all.

"Oh, Deeks got called off for a job at the LAPD yesterday," Kensi explains with a shrug.

"Undercover op? How long will he be gone, then?" Callen frowns. No one informed him about that one.

"Oh, not long, don't worry. It's a small job, as far as he told me. Hetty knows. He should come by later the day," Kensi shrugs again.

"You're surprisingly calm about this?" Sam eyes her suspiciously. Usually, she is fussing when Deeks is gone for LAPD cases, because that means she has to work without her partner, and she doesn't know what he is up to.

"I trust him when he says that it's no huge operation," Kensi argues.

"Well, your call," Sam shrugs. And that is when the whistle blows.

"Eric, I will smash that godforsaken thing!" Sam growls as he gets up. The others follow suit.

"We got a case," the analyst declares before stealing away, since Sam speeds up, and Eric fears for his life. The three agents make their way to the Ops, where the analysts and Hetty are already waiting for them.

"Good morning, everyone," Hetty greets them.

"Morning," the three agents greet her back.

"I think Ms. Blye informed you by now that Mr. Deeks will only join us later the day?" Hetty goes on calmly.

"Is it sure he'll come today? Just for the planning?" Callen asks.

"I talked to him early in the morning and he's assured me he'll be around soon," Hetty nods.

"Alright," Callen agrees.

"Mr. Beale?" Hetty motions at the analyst.

"Alright, we got a dead Marine," Eric begins, just to give the stage to Nell, "Michael Gallagher. A retired Marine after a leg injury in battle," Nell explains.

"Wait, I saw that on the news!" Kensi blurts out, "That guy died onstage."

"Well, technically, he died in hospital, but he broke down onstage," Eric provides.

"What?! On what stage?" Sam shakes his head.

"Mr. Gallagher played in one of the top orchestras in Los Angeles as first violin," Hetty tells them.

"What?!" Callen can't help but gape, a little.

"Yeah, I heard about that. He became the top quite fast. I mean... a Marine playing the violin virtuously... that story sold, right?" Kensi smirks.

"Exactly," Hetty nods.

"Well, he had a fatal cardiac attack. The toxicological screening didn't give anything away yet. They are still trying to figure this out, but... someone who was in such good health...," Eric grimaces.

"Might be someone had to do with it and 'helped'," Sam nods.

"Which is why we'll look into the case. He's one of ours," Hetty nods.

"Alright, then I'd suggest that Sam and I will go talk to the other folks of the orchestra, see if we get some information while you go see his wife?" Callen suggests, nodding at Kensi.

"Alright," the two nod.

"Well, you try to see if you find anything on possible enemies, if he's had trouble, if someone was stalking him, you know, the standards. We'll see where that goes," Callen tells the analysts.

"Already on it," the two reply in unison.

"And I will tell Mr. Deeks once he is here," Hetty provides.

"Then this is decided, let's get going," Callen claps his hands together. With that the agents make their leave.


Later on, the three assemble again once they did their interrogation.

"So? What did the wife say?" Callen asks.

"The usual things. He was such a great man, a great dad...," Kensi sighs. It's sad, of course. The problem is that they mostly don't get anything from these kinds of wives, information-wise, "and you?"

"... could've gone better," Sam admits.

"Ho, that Sam Hanna admits defeat... that I witness the day," comes a familiar voice from around the corner. Deeks smirks as he walks up to them.

"It was no defeat," Sam argues.

"But now don't you worry, papa's back," Deeks smirks.

"As can be seen, Mr. Deeks," comes Hetty's voice.

"Both of you doing a dramatic entrance, huh?" Callen huffs.

"That is just because you don't pay attention, Mr. Callen," Hetty smirks.

"How did the case go?" Kensi asks her partner, glad to see that he is actually alright.

"Because I'm simply amazing... pretty well. Bad guys in prison. I already did part of my job. Now you come," Deeks winks at them.

"So you're up to joining the game?" Sam questions.

"You know I'm always ready," Deeks waggles his eyebrows at him.

"Whatever," Sam snorts, rolling his eyes.

"So... are we really dealing with the Marine who's done the Dying Swan onstage?" Deeks asks.

"You know about that?" Callen frowns.

"It was on the news, and Hetty's already updated me over the phone, thanks for that by the way," he smirks at the petite woman grinning back.

"Well, then no briefing needed," Callen shrugs, glad he doesn't have to repeat things all over again.

"No, no... just what you found out... even if from the sound of it, that isn't much," Deeks shrugs.

"Not really. I'm still trying to get used to this whole idea. I didn't even think Marines played in orchestras," Callen shakes his head.

"What? You think a Marine can't play music?" Sam huffs, now feeling offended.

"No, I just didn't think it'd be big orchestras, more like... bands or whatever," Callen admits.

"Sailors, since early times, have been very musical men. From those stem the best shanties in the world, after all, Mr. Callen," Hetty lectures him.

"I'm just saying that I didn't see that coming," Callen smirks.

"So what do we intend to do now?" Kensi asks.

"Right, the orchestra people didn't seem all too open for conversation," Sam rolls his eyes at the memory.

"They were acting as though they were part of the secret service," Callen grumbles.

"Well, I don't know much about those folks either, but what I know is that they spend a lot of time together, training. That means you stick together, like glue, I guess," Kensi shrugs.

"But what would they have to hide? I mean, this is still an orchestra we're talking about. I get it that the murderer won't talk, but that all of them keep quiet when someone of their team has been killed is odd to me. Seriously, what would they have to hide?" Sam questions.

"Oh, they have their secrets for sure. The competitions is strong in the big cities especially, you must be aware of that. There are dozens of ensembles rivaling about who gets to play in the big orchestras, or get a steady placement. Whoever has the best performance wins the audience, and thus fame – and fame is everything in the music world. Money is secondary, and now we have a situation where one of their men was killed – onstage. That means their fame is on the verge. It can either go all the way up or falter entirely, tearing all of them down," Hetty explains.

"So you mean that the tragic death might make them popular now, but if they can't keep up with that and deliver, they'll soon be from yesterday," Kensi nods.

"Correct," Hetty agrees.

"Question remains. What do we do to get a ticket into that club of theirs?" Sam throws in.

"Well, they met us two – and we clearly failed in their opinion, so undercover is no option for us," Callen argues. They would recognize them for sure.

"Then it'll be Deeks and I, supposedly," Kensi shrugs, hugging her arms.

"Oh, you must," Hetty insists.

"But what undercover would work for the matter? I don't think we can just show up as, I don't know, instrument salespeople, huh?" Kensi grimaces. She doesn't know too much about music, so this might become really tricky.

"Those guys spend a great deal of time selecting an instrument that plays the way they want it to. If it's off by just one nuance, be sure they won't buy it. Some of those instruments cost as much as a house and are just as heavily guarded. They would sell a kidney before they'd give up on it once they have it in tune, so no way they'll let some salesperson close to them," Deeks blurts out, causing the others to stare at him.

"And you come to know how?" Sam blinks at him.

"Huh? Documentary," Deeks replies directly.

"You're watching too much TV, you know that, right?" Sam snorts.

"You can never watch too much TV – it's informative!" Deeks smirks at him.

"Whatever!" Sam throws his hands up in the air. He long since understood that arguing with Deeks is like talking to a brick wall. He's even worse than Callen, and that seems hardly possible.

"But Mr. Deeks is absolutely right with what he says. That wouldn't bring us anywhere, no we have to get right to the center, to the core. Otherwise we won't get any so such information vital to the case," Hetty agrees.

"And how do we do that?" Callen argues. Hetty suddenly takes off to her table without saying another word. The others follow her curiously, tilting their heads as they go. Once she is at her desk, Hetty grabs underneath her table and retrieves a violin case.

"What?" Sam frowns. Hetty smirks. Deeks is visibly tensing up at that, but simply remains silent so that the attention stays away from him. Inside his mind, he is already figuring out the best exit route, but figures that with three agents who can take out any terrorist will stop him if they have to, and that little ninja assassin with bob hairstyle who can take you out by just looking at you. Sucks.

"Well, we will have to get right into the center, as I said. And that only works if we really break through to the core of the orchestra, after all," Hetty smirks.

"You want one of us to... try to become member of... of an orchestra, do I get that right?" Callen makes a face. They worked quite some covers before, but it'll be hard to play off as a violinist if you never touched such an instrument in a lifetime.

"This orchestra, quite right," Hetty grins even more. Deeks would love to die right here, now.

"Good plan, but let's count through. I don't come to play a classical instrument. Do you, Kensi?" Callen smirks.

"Nope. Sam?" Kensi snickers, joining the game.

"Not at all. Deeks?" Sam continues. The blond man nods, "They are right, I don't think this is a good idea."

"Now wait," Sam whips his head around.

"What?" Deeks blinks.

"You didn't say you don't play an instrument. You just said you agreed on this not being a good idea," Sam argues. And here Deeks thought he could get around this somehow.

"He's right," Callen agrees.

"Guys!" Deeks exclaims, not knowing what else to do. It really sucks when you are surrounded by badass agents who smell a lie fifty miles against the wind.

"See? Still didn't say he didn't!" Sam insists. Deeks has to make any effort not to blush like a teenager girl at this moment.

"My partner is right!" Callen snickers.

"You pseudo-psychologist folks, try your mind tricks on someone else, please!" Deeks argues, putting as much sarcasm into his voice as he can. But before he can even think about running, Hetty walks over to him to hand him the casket with the violin, "You mentioned before that you played the violin, Mr. Deeks."

"Are you kidding me? This... That was ages ago – and for like... three years all together, if at all!" Deeks cries out.

"Now wait! You. Play. The. Violin?!" Sam gapes at the blond detective. Nice, Sam.

"I played, past tense," Deeks insists, trying to keep his calm. Maybe he can maneuver out of this somehow, because he definitely didn't want to have that... maybe he should've taken a bit longer with the LAPD case? Stupid, that actually would've been smart. But Deeks, the man he is, of course has to try to be an upstanding citizen and detective. Screw it.

"Thinking about it, you did say something like that...," Kensi remembers, tapping her index finger against her chin.

"Seriously?!" Deeks exclaims. He thought that at least Kensi, Kensi of all people, would be on his side with this. Hetty tilts her head at his reaction, "Oh well, at least you had one of those in your hands before, and actually played it."

"Hetty, I don't mean to be disrespectful, because I know you kill me if I dare, but this is ridiculous! I play like a third grader, maybe! If you wanna embarrass me in front of those folks, then fine, but...," Deeks rants, not knowing what to do, unconsciously rubbing his arms.

"Mr. Deeks, this is a means to prove my absolute trust in you and your skills," Hetty argues.

"Hetty, I appreciate that, honestly. But your trust in my musical skills is a little too high for someone who's just learned it as a kid and never played since," Deeks replies.

"And why did you quit?" Callen asks all of a sudden.

"... I discovered miniskirts," Deeks brings out. No, that is nothing he's sharing with the class.

"Either way, you are our best shot at getting into the ensemble, Mr. Deeks – because none of the others is playing a classical instrument, at all," Hetty tells him.

"But you play one, right?" Deeks clutches at straws.

"Sadly, no violin," Hetty shakes her head.

"Why do you have a violin if you don't play it?" Deeks blinks at her.

"I love classical music – and I play other instruments, just not the violin. I find it an extraordinary instrument, however, which is why I own a fine collection of these" Hetty explains. Well, no miracle. Hetty has a collection of everything. She probably has the Holy Grail on her nightstand, and her nightstand being the Ark of the Covenant.

"This is not gonna work," Deeks shakes his head.

"Oh, we'll see where that goes, Mr. Deeks. All that can happen is that you fail, or am I mistaken?" Hetty argues, flashing a smirk.

"You forget about life-time torture by those two over there," Deeks thumbs at Callen and Sam, who are smirking viciously, "Oh, we'd never."

"Just shut up!" Deeks cries out.

"Now, why don't we hear a little performance?" Hetty suggests.

"Right, why don't we hear a little performance?" Sam mimics her, unable to hide the hugest of smiles on his face. Deeks can only vaguely imagine the humiliations that will follow this day. And already the imagination is enough to terrify him.

"That won't happen. I can't just kill that violin in front of everyone – and possibly break that beautiful and awfully expensive instrument from your fine collection, Hetty. Not to mention that the acoustic in this room's just awful," Deeks argues, biting the inside of his cheek at the last statement, fully aware what is to come, from Sam, "Oh, the acoustic, of course."

"You're absolutely right, Mr. Deeks, the walls distorts the sound way too much. The gym should suffice, however, for the present purpose. The acoustic is about just fine. Alright. Then this is where we go," Hetty decides, starting towards the gym. Deeks hurries after her, "Hetty, c'mon, don't do this to me."

"Mr. Deeks," Hetty sighs in that tone that means "you know this is happening anyways". Deeks stomps on the ground two times before he takes the casket and walks after the small woman. The others run right behind him like overly excited children who are about to uncover a great secret.

"You stay outta this, c'mon," Deeks argues.

"Hell will freeze before that happens," Callen snickers.

"Right, we gotta see that!" Sam agrees.

"Hetty, do you hate me that much?!" Deeks exclaims with utmost exasperation.

"Oh, Mr. Deeks, I am giving you a chance of proving yourself. Regard it as a kind of challenge because of my great deal of faith in you," Hetty argues, now almost innocently. Deeks curses Hetty inside his head, but then stops... maybe she can read minds after all, he strongly suspects that, still. They walk to the center of the gym. Deeks tries to lock the three out, but Sam's faster.

"Nice try," Sam laughs. The other two walk past Deeks as well, both smirking at him broadly. Deeks lets out a cry of frustration before walking back up to Hetty and the others to the center of the gym, his shoulders hunched like children do when they are supposed to do something they don't want to do.

"So, Mr. Deeks, please start whenever you're ready," Hetty says.

We should've gotten popcorn," Callen leans over to Sam, snickering.

"I know," Sam laughs.

"Ten bucks he's just bluffing," Callen smirks.

"Of course he is. That ain't a bet. I say he kills the strings upon first stroke and then starts to cry like a girl," Sam argues.

"I hold against the both of you," Kensi argues.

"I'll thank you for the money later," Sam grins at her mischievously.

"Right, faith in your partner shouldn't be mistaken for, well... reality," Callen shrugs.

"We'll see," Kensi says, focusing on Deeks. The blond detective takes the violin out of the casket, examining it for a second, his long fingers gingerly brushing over the even surface, inhaling the smell of dust and wood, mixed with a faint waft of rosin. He has to try hard to keep a smile from his face – and the sadness that comes with its familiarity.

"I hope this is not too antique or expensive – he might break it," Sam huffs.

"It's from my collection, as I said, so yes, it is the finest of materials to work with," Hetty argues. Sam's smirk only becomes broader as he calls out to Deeks, "So you better don't break it. You may repay her for... the rest of your life."

"And that of your children," Callen adds.

"Perhaps also grandchildren," Sam corrects him.

"Yeah... his entire kin might be enslaved for that debt...," Callen nods, thinking about it.

"This is just nuts," Deeks exhales wearily.

"Mr. Deeks, now, we don't have the time to fool around," Hetty lectures him.

"This whole thing is fooling around, I tell you," Deeks argues. Really, she had to propose the idea, right? And then let the gang come along!

"Mr. Deeks, please," Hetty shakes her head at him. Deeks lets out another sigh as he takes the violin up to his chin, makes a theatrical movement and wavers around with the bow ridiculously, just to brush the bow over the strings just once, taking up a final pose, his face still overly theatrical to sell it, "Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen, this was Mr. Martin Deeks with his Sonata to the Summer."

"I knew it," Sam laughs out, clapping his thigh.

"Okay, show's over, guys," Deeks sighs.

"Ugh," all grumble in unison. At some point they expected more of a show. The three leave the room.

"He didn't break the strings...," Kensi argues as they go on. Really, she actually thought that Deeks had been honest when he told her that he used to play... she kinda counted on him there. So that means he'll repay her later.

"But he bluffed, so you're the loser of the day, Sam," Callen snickers.

"C'mon, he didn't even play. This was a bluff right from the start – and that's what I agreed with you upon," Sam argues.

"That means I get the money," Callen laughs victoriously, clapping his hands together. The other two make a face. Meanwhile, Deeks carefully puts the violin down to place it back in the casket.

"Mr. Deeks," Hetty turns to the detective with a serious grimace.

"What?" Deeks blinks at her.

"Would you play for me now?" Hetty suggests.

"I just...," Deeks wants to argue, but she interrupts him, "Mr. Deeks, we are alone now, so play for me, really play – and not just your colleagues."

"I'm honest to you, Hetty. I didn't play in ages – and I didn't play for long to begin with," Deeks insists. And he doesn't want to, goodness sake!

"Just do me the favor and play for me just once, Mr. Deeks. If only for my enjoyment," Hetty asks him to.

"Big please," Deeks pleads her.

"Mr. Deeks," she shakes her head.

"Pretty big please, please?" Deeks tries another time, but she just looks at him in her certain way, that way that says that she gets what she wants, because Hetty Lange always gets what she wants. Deeks exhales a shaky breath before he picks the violin back up. He lifts it to his chin, but this time his expression is perfectly changed. No longer the goofy sunnyboy from next door. Instead, he leans into the movement, just as a lover leans on the object of his desire, fiercely, but not too violent, careful not to break it, but to keep it in a firm hold, so that it doesn't escape, doesn't slip away from him, with ease, as though the violin weigh no more than a feather, but not too gently to leave the slightest of doubts he is in absolute control. He lifts the bow over the instrument and then... makes the first stroke.

Outside, the three stop in the motion as suddenly a strange, yet incredibly beautiful melody fills the hallways, subtle, but strong, light, but not weightless, as though a small orchestra had just shown up in the gym to give a solo performance. They plant their faces against the glass, just to see Deeks playing the magical tune inside their ears. Next to him Hetty is holding her hands in front of her chest, smiling her smile she makes when she knew something all along. Sam is the first one to grab the knob of the door, but Kensi stops him, "Don't interrupt him."

Sam considers for another second, but then gives in to her plea. They simply watch and listen.

After two minutes or so, the music slowly starts to fade away. That is when the three make their way inside. Upon catching sight of them, Deeks almost drops the violin, though.

"Whoa, easy there," Callen holds up his hands.

Deeks hastily readjusts his hold on the instrument and lowers it to his lower leg, just as he does with his bow, his features visibly tensing up upon the realization that he has been overheard.

"Okay, now tell me where the subwoofers and the mp3 you hooked up to them are," Sam argues, still not buying any of it.

"Oh, Mr. Deeks is still playing one of my violins, Mr. Hanna. I know that those do not have any so such electronic devices attachable to them," Hetty argues.

"He can still put up some boxes," Sam insists.

"Why would he?" Callen argues. Now seriously, why would Deeks make that effort?

"To fool all of us?" Sam snorts.

"And Hetty would give it that much effort to give one of her violins to him?" Callen replies.

"Play something else," Sam demands.

"You play something else," Deeks returns, finally regaining some of his confidence.

"Play something else," Sam repeats flatly. Really, that can't be. Not Deeks. Not in a million years. Who is he kidding? Not in a billion years!

"Dude, can't you just leave it alone?" Deeks exhales.

"No, I wanna know this. Okay, you gotta play something you don't come to have on the list," Sam argues stubbornly. Deeks is losing the fight all over again. That sucks.

"Hetty, you owe me for this, big time," Deeks grumbles. He never wanted that. Never.

"The Moonlight Sonata," Kensi suddenly blurts out at him.

"What?" Callen makes a face.

"Can you play the Moonlight Sonata, please?" Kensi blinks at Deeks with glowing eyes.

"Kensi...," Deeks grimaces, surprised and embarrassed at her reaction.

"Just play it, please," Kensi begs. Deeks stands there for a second, staring, before he picks the violin back up, "I didn't play that one in ages, so..."

He sucks in a deep breath as he leans into it and starts to play. Kensi's eyes sparkle at the sounds of the violin. The others just stare, still not quite believing it.

"Wow," Kensi breathes in awe.

"Okay, so show's over. Can we get back to business now and work on the case, you know, do what we're actually getting paid for?" Deeks grumbles.

"Oh, I think you just delivered the master key to this very mystery, Mr. Deeks," Hetty argues.

"That? Are you kiddin' me? I played for three years all together, and that was ages ago. Last time I touched a violin, I wasn't even to High School. And now I'm supposed to infiltrate an orchestra, full of experts who'll hear any mistake I make? They'll kick me out before I played the first tune," Deeks shakes his head. He can work many covers. He can even play a homeless person to the core, but he can't fool a bunch of experts when it comes to this, right?!

"Nevertheless it is the only option we have, at this moment. And I find your... little... play about sufficient enough to fool them in the first place. And of course, even if I don't think this will become necessary, we will heighten your security, by making you an even more favorable applicant," Hetty throws in, and you know she already has a plan in mind she wants to work.

"How would we do that?" Callen argues, now more back on target, something for which Deeks is actually thankful, because it makes him feel a wee bit less like a fool.

"Oh, I have some very influential friends within that community. So I can make some calls and recommend Mr. Deeks as an uprising musician whose career I'm very interested in," Hetty shrugs. Of course Hetty happens to know someone... she happens to know the entire world, seemingly.

"Still, they won't take me just because you say so, Hetty, despite your influence within the community. If my play's not good, be sure they won't take me, no matter how much you have to say. They strive for perfection. Any less than that is not acceptable in their opinion and you know that," Deeks shakes his head.

"Of course, but I can only repeat it. A bit more training to get the fingers smooth again and you'll be part of that ensemble by next week," Hetty assures him.

"Hetty," Deeks whines.

"Mr. Deeks, this is not up to discussion, you see?" Hetty says now more seriously.

"So I have no other choice," Deeks sighs with resignation.

"I fear not," Hetty shrugs.

"I'm so gonna go down, ugh," Deeks grumbles, throwing his head back.

"Ms. Blye, you will be posing as my secretary," Hetty declares.

"What?" Kensi blinks.

"I will be his manager, of course. So I need a very good secretary who is there for my purposes as well as for young Mr. Deeks," Hetty explains.

"So I'll be his slave," Kensi grimaces, not liking the idea much. She knows that Deeks will do anything to take advantage of that.

Deeks: "Hey, if I have to make a fool outta myself, then this is the least you can do," Deeks grumbles. And that actually surprises her. Kensi fully expected a suggestive comment.

"As I see it, everything is discussed, then. Mr. Callen and Mr. Hanna will observe everything from a distance. I'll make some calls to get you an appointment with the head of the orchestra. And Ms. Blye and Mr. Deeks will spend their time training," Hetty claps her hands together.

"What do I need training for?" Kensi grimaces.

"Mr. Deeks?" Hetty turns to the detective, who goes on to explain, "If you're supposed to be her and my secretary, you need a working knowledge of what I'm talking about, when it comes to material I may need or whatever."

"What does it matter? I can only nod and say that I fully understood," Kensi frowns.

"We'll want you to be in during the auditions, then, to observe everything. And they only let you stay there if you prove to be good enough to them. They won't let some dabbler stay there, be sure," Deeks goes on.

"And you teach me how not to seem like that?" Kensi grimaces.

"I guess that this is Hetty's plan," Deeks shrugs.

"Quite right. And you, Mr. Deeks, will spend the next few days catching up on the training you've missed out on ever since you didn't touch a violin anymore," Hetty smirks.

"I hate this," Deeks cries out.

"So, I think this is settled, then," Hetty grins. With that she leaves the team to figure themselves out. The others are still stunned by what was just revealed.

"Why didn't you ever say anything?!" Kensi grumbles, punching him in the side.

"Hey!" Deeks cries out.

"Why didn't you ever say anything to me?!" Kensi goes on with her rant.

"I told you that I used to play. Is not like I made a secret outta that," Deeks shakes his head. No, he still remembers telling Kensi.

"But you never said you were that good," Kensi shakes her head. Surely not.

"I'm lousy. You'll see once I have my audition! They'll laugh their hearts out," Deeks argues.

"That's anything but lousy!" Kensi makes a face. That was straight-up beautiful!

"She's right. I mean, I'm no expert, but this sounded not all too awful to me," Callen has to admit.

"And I wonder why you're so resistant. Normally you like to show off, Deeks," Sam huffs.

"Right!" Callen agrees. That just doesn't fit together. And they wouldn't be agents if they didn't make any effort to unravel that little mystery.

"I'll make a total fool outta myself. I don't dig the idea," Deeks shakes his head. Really, just why won't they stop!?

"You make a fool outta yourself all the time – and don't seem to bother much," Sam snorts.

"He's right with that. At least that didn't make you so upset before, ever... you even seem to enjoy it to some degree," Callen argues.

"Yeah," Sam nods.

"Yeah, let's not think about that. For now, I wanna practice then, okay, no, I don't wanna practice, but I gotta. Or else Hetty will get mad at me. And Hetty mad at me means bad stuff to happen. I don't want to have her stabbing me with a paper knife. So... since this is the room with best acoustic, you get lost. You distract me," Deeks says.

"We distract lil' Mozart, beware," Sam huffs sarcastically.

"C'mon, Sam, cut him some slack," Callen sighs.

"Fine, catch you later," Sam waves his hands dismissively, probably still mad that he didn't see that coming. With that the two agents head to the door.

"Fern, would you please join them?" Deeks asks Kensi sweetly.

"I wanna stay here. I thought we were supposed to train," Kensi insists.

"That will only take us two hours at tops," Deeks smirks at her.

"And what does it bother if I'm here or not?" Kensi blinks at him.

"You distract me," Deeks smiles at her, to which she snickers, "Oh, am I that much of a bother?"

Deeks comes up to her to give her a kiss, "That's what distracts me."

She smirks, kisses him back, and leaves a hand on his shoulder, "Then I'll leave you alone, for now."

"Thanks," Deeks winks at her. She gives him another quick kiss before she leaves the room as well. Deeks shakes his head before he takes up the violin again, staring at it for a second, grimacing sadly. He closes his eyes for a second before he leads it to his chin and starts to play his tunes again.

Meanwhile back with Callen and the others.

"I really had no clue he was... that good," Callen has to admit.

"Me neither, and I knew at least that he used to play," Kensi gesticulates.

"Till last I thought he was just posing," Sam grumbles.

"I just wonder why he didn't reveal that. That's not what he usually does. And it seemed like it was rather personal to him in some way," Callen argues, the agent in him taking over.

"But what's personal about playing a classical instrument?" Sam frowns.

"You tell me," Callen shrugs.

"Well, you'll have to find out then, Kensi," Sam huffs.

"I don't think he'll give that one away, but we'll see where that goes," Kensi shrugs. She knows that Deeks is better at hiding things than most people give him credit for. He only reveals as much as he has to. The rest... it just stays in that casket he hides deep within him. She has more insight than most people do, but still... Marty Deeks is a walking mystery.

"Most important is that he gets into the ensemble – so that we can catch the murderer," Callen argues.

"Right," Sam nods.

"Oh, and guys?" Kensi suddenly stops.

"What?" Callen frowns.

"Pay time," Kensi hums mischievously.

"What?" Sam blinks at her.

"Let's sum up: He didn't kill the violin – and he wasn't posing. So... Kensi wins the jackpot," Kensi rubs her hands together.

"C'mon, that was..." Sam wants to argue, but his partner interrupts him, "C'mon, be a man. Never welsh on a bet, you know how it goes."

Kensi collects the money from the men, smiling victoriously at the money, "That, Gentleman, is reality."

With that she walks off.

TBC