A/N: Hey guys, so here's the thing. This story is one that I have been tinkering with for a little while, and I finally decided to write it down and post it up here. It's probably not the kind of thing that most of you are use to, but I assure that if you stick with it-you will more than likely end up enjoying it :). Here's what you need to know beforehand, however, and I promise no spoilers here. This fic is sort of my NCIS:LA Halloween fantasy for the year, but it is also a love story as well.

All of that said...I hope you guys enjoy this first chapter of my Halloween story. Oh and please, if you'd all be so kind and R&R-I would be most grateful :) :)

-CURSED-

Chapter One

'Things are not always what they seem'. LAPD Detective Marty Deeks learned this lesson the hard way. It changed his life forever. This is his story…

The investigation into the death of Pfc Warren Mitchell, and the disappearance of Corporal Quentin Collins lead the OSP team to a notorious drug cartel run by the infamous Diego Hernandez. However, a lack of evidence saw the teams' forward momentum in the case utterly halted, but this was not too last long. Detective Deeks learned, through the use of a reliable C.I., that one of Diego Hernandez's most trusted enforcers was known to frequent a nightclub called Glow. The owner of said club was a man named Terrence King, who was once close to an old alias of Deeks'. The team quickly laid out a plan they felt would best utilize this new 'ace in the hole' as it were.

It was supposed to be a simple collar. All they had to do was go in, grab him, and get out. After that it would just be a simple matter of convincing the man, known as Juan Marquez, to help them infiltrate the Cartel's infrastructure. Well, okay, maybe it was a little more complicated than that, but nevertheless easy had been their goal.

It was late in the evening, on a Friday, near the end of September when the team decided to finally put their newly crafted plan into action.

Kensi went in first. She was dressed in a way-to-short red dress, with matching high heels, and way too much make-up. Her dark hair hung loose around her face in bouncy little curls that perfectly framed her delicate features, and one could most assuredly detect the odious perfume that Hetty gave her from miles away—it was just that strong. This was the one and only part of her job that Kensi absolutely hated above all else.

Once inside, the female federal agent sauntered over to the bar, having sighted their target upon entry, and after ordering herself a drink began to use her feminine 'assets', much to her chagrin, to lure the unsuspecting gentleman into a false sense of security. What they did not know, however, was that their ruse was not to succeed. Their target had already been tipped off prior to their arrival. All in all, it's not really a place that any member of the NCIS OSP team wants to be on a Friday night.

Working unseen, from behind the bar, Deeks saw everything, and almost from the get go something seemed off in his mind. The coms were on the fritz though, so any attempts to relay his doubts about the continued viability of their plan were ultimately hindered as such, and he could not risk breaking cover just to warn his partner. So silent vigilance became his next best option.

The story Begins…

Inside the night club, the music is loud and strobe lights overhead seem to dance around in sync with the beat of said music. The place is sufficiently crowded, with some people dancing with others, and some just standing around, drinking, and making idle conversation with total strangers.

"Kensi's headed your way Deeks." Callen's voice crackles over the com-link devices nestled within each of their ears. Sam and Callen have elected to remain outside, hidden from view, so that they can be ready when Kensi and Deeks give the signal. "Is the target still in position?"

Deeks looks up from his place behind the bar, where he is busily mixing drinks for club patrons, and nods silently at his partner as she saunters her way towards him. "Far corner. He's not alone though." Deeks whispers out of the side of his mouth, as he casts a quick glance over in the direction of where their target is currently positioned.

"Copy that."

Kensi smiles her biggest faux smile, and tries to act the part of the overly-flirtatious party girl who's out on the town looking for a good time. This, however, is not the true Kensi Blye. The true Kensi Blye only has eyes for one man, and that Kensi Blye also detests wearing dresses that only come to just below her butt. Sadly though, Hetty insisted that Kensi appropriately look the part as it is necessary to the success of the operation at hand.

Kensi tries her best to hide the grimace that briefly crosses her face, as yet another wolf whistle is issued in her direction, and instead flashes her pearly white smile and bats her eyelashes as if in invitation. "I feel so exposed in this dress." She mutters into her earpiece, her disdain clearly evident in the tone of her voice.

She half expects to hear Deeks make some snarky little remark about her appearance, but one never comes. She knows this particular form of silence quite well. He only gets this way when he's really and truly uncomfortable with something. And now that they are technically engaged to one another, situations like these usually put him a little more on edge than they used to.

"What's the matter Deeks? No witty observation about my dress?" she teases playfully, hoping that her loose attempt to lighten the mood will succeed. Nothing. "Hmm, gotta say I am a bit disappointed."

Deeks opens his mouth to reply, recognizing all too well the tension diffusing technique for what it is, but then his attempt is cut short as he watches some drunk muscle head appear at Kensi's side. He is big, broad-shouldered, and even through the fabric of his shirt his muscular physique is well defined and very visible. His hair is kept in a very neat and tidy 'high and tight' haircut. This is a feature that Kensi usually associates with Marines.

"Hey there hot stuff…wanna dance?" the drunk asks sloppily, eyeing Kensi up and down hungrily, as he proceeds to drape his arms all over her without permission. The stench of alcohol on his breath is strong and nearly unbearable, and the lopsided smirk he gives her is enough to make her feel that much more uncomfortable. On top of that, she swears she can almost hear the veins popping in her fiancé's neck all the way through the com-links.

"Uh, no. So not happening." Kensi replies tartly, as she carefully removes herself from the drunk's messy embrace. She starts to walk away, but is halted as the man swiftly grabs a hold of her wrist. He yanks her back around, and tries to grab her other wrist as well.

"Come on now. Don't be like that Baby." The man slurs drunkenly.

Kensi is prepared though, and quickly slams the heel of her free hand upwards into the drunk guy's nose as he tries to pull her in closer. The result is a resounding crunch that makes several people, standing nearby, turn around in surprised astonishment.

"Huh…no one calls me baby." She spits out, as the guy staggers backwards a few steps before finally toppling over on top of a nearby table. Kensi then notices all of the stares she is receiving from all the spectators that have gathered around her, and so, playing to her cover, she gives a small shrug and a chuckle. "Self-defense classes. A girl can never be too careful." She says with a wink, before turning around and continuing towards the bar.

She reaches the bar without any further complications, and proceeds to order herself a drink. All the while she smiles, and tries to appear as though the previous encounter has not affected her or dampened her mood in any way.

"I'll have a Pink Lady please." Kensi asks sweetly, as she pulls herself up onto an empty bar stool.

Deeks quickly schools his features, and shifts back into undercover mode. "Sure thing gorgeous." He says with a wink. "One Pink Lady, coming right up." He announces dramatically, as he begins to mix up her drink with all the flair expected of a seasoned bar tender.

"That kind of thing happen a lot for you?" Deeks asks, flashing a friendly smile, while trying to act as if it hadn't bothered him.

"Hmm, I'm afraid I don't know what you mean." Kensi teases, smiling brightly. Deeks' attempt at trying to sound nonchalant in his questioning does not fool the brunette beauty. Though she does not let on as they are undercover at the moment.

"Mhmm. I thought so." Deeks replies, as he finishes off the drink by sticking a straw down into the liquid. He then passes the beverage across the bar to his partner.

Kensi giggles. "If it didn't…I'm sure I wouldn't need this." She says, holding up her keychain for him to see. The can of pepper spray attached to the keys sticks out like a sore thumb.

"Touché." Deeks replies, with a grin.

"Thanks." She says with a smile, as she lays down some money before turning away from the bar. As she does this though, their eyes meet, and a message is instantly sent between them.

I'm okay.

I know.

Kensi hops down off of the bar stool then, and is about to step away when he appears. It's like one minute he's not there, and then the next he is. But no one can just appear out of nowhere. It's just not possible. Or is it?

Deeks does a complete double take on the spot. He blinks several times just to make sure that he isn't dreaming or, at the very least, seeing things. But he isn't. How the hell did he get over here so fast? Deeks' eyes dart back to the area in the far corner of the night club, and then glances back at the man once more carefully gauging the distance between the two points almost suspiciously. There's no way.

The grin that spreads across the man's face, as he holds out a hand to help steady Kensi, is eerie and unsettling, but at the same time it is also warm and welcoming. And Kensi soon finds herself suddenly staring up into his dark chocolate eyes, almost becoming lost in them, and it takes her just a bit to remember that she is undercover (and engaged). She shakes her head clear, and then offers up a warm smile of her own.

"I am so sorry. I-I really didn't see you there." She says softly, letting her eyes run over his body, as if checking to make sure that she did not spill any of her drink on his nice suit.

"That's quite all right. See. No harm done." He says, as he holds out his arms and displays himself for her to see the truth in his words.

"Hmm, I guess you're right." Kensi replies, with a small chuckle.

"Forgive me, but I could not help but notice you came in alone."

Kensi nods in reply. "Coming from anyone else, that statement could probably be taken as slightly creepy." Kensi teases playfully, as she takes a sip from her drink. They both laugh at that.

"Indeed." He says in agreement. "Though I can assure you, my intentions are nothing but honorable." He adds with a smile.

Deeks' gut is suddenly churning wildly now, as he discreetly stares after his partner and the man she is currently engaged in conversation with. He can't seem to shake the feeling of dread that is slowly settling over him, and the vibe he's picking up from the man is seriously giving him chills all over.

Suddenly, I've got a very bad feeling about this…

…TBC…

A/N: I really hope that you guys enjoyed this, and that you will join me later for the second installment as well. Oh and, before I forget, for those of you who are also reading my other story 'Uncharted Territory'-do not fret, I am almost finished with Chp 3, and hopefully will have it posted sometime before Monday morning. Thanks again, ~Ciao~