Wow I've been overwhelmed by the support and follows you've all given to the first chapter! Hopefully I can give you a good story – well that's my aim anyway. So I'm here to give you the next chapter…hope you enjoy it xxx
Disclaimer: No part of NCISLA is owned by me.
NEVER KNEW
CHAPTER 2
Kensi, Callen and Sam all turned the corner into the bullpen and looked forlornly at the pile of paperwork perched high in their in-boxes.
"I'm sure all that wasn't there when we left last night" Kensi grunted as she screwed her nose at the huge pile.
"Nope it wasn't there. I'd say the paperwork fairy came last night and planted it there" Callen sighed.
"Does this paperwork fairy have a name G?" Sam chuckled.
"Yeah Hetty Lange" sighed Callen.
"Good morning all" Hetty sang, "How are we this bright morning?"
The three team members all turned and stared at their diminutive boss, "Well we all would be a lot better without all this" Callen waved at the mass of papers.
"Well I have to give you all something to do. We don't have any pending cases at the moment. Just think how lucky you all are compared to Mr Deeks. He has to do twice the paperwork for NCIS and LAPD" Hetty argued.
"Speaking of Deeks, where is surfer boy?" Sam asked, looking straight at Kensi.
"Why are you looking at me Sam? I don't know where he is every second of the day" Kensi frowned, but inwardly she was wondering where Deeks had got to.
"Mr Deeks phoned me and had to attend to a personal matter this morning. He will be here shortly though" Hetty answered.
"What personal matter?" Callen asked.
"If Mr Deeks wants to tell you then that is up to him Mr Callen"
"You know something don't you Hetty?" Callen narrowed his eyes, "Is he okay?"
"He is fine" Deeks called out as he walked into the bullpen and over to his desk, throwing his go-bag on the desk, "Anything happening?"
"Oh nothing in particular. Just Kensi groaning about the paperwork fairy dumping the load of papers on our desks during the night" Sam smirked.
"Uh huh. Well Kensalina also complains about the vacuuming fairy never coming to clean her carpets or the dishwashing fairy never coming to clean the dirty dishes so the paperwork fairy is just another one to add to the list" Deeks smiled at his partner who just retaliated with an eraser thrown directly at his forehead.
"Next time it won't be an eraser it will be bullets, Deeks" Kensi smirked.
"Mr Deeks, I'll save you from harm from your partner, would you join me at my desk?" Hetty nodded.
"Sure" Deeks stood, giving Kensi a poke of his tongue on the way out.
"That's mature!" she called after him.
"So Mr Deeks is there anything I can help you with regarding arrangements?"
Deeks shook his head in disbelief, "I've just accepted it now that you know everything Hetty"
"No not everything Mr Deeks" Hetty smiled, "Just most things"
"Right. I've got the funeral sorted. It's going to be this Friday. It's just going to be a small thing. Just me attending"
"That was fast. Considering your mother only died last night and today is Wednesday" Hetty said with raised eyebrows.
"Well I had informed the funeral parlour that her passing was imminent and I wanted the funeral done as soon as possible. I just…I just want to close that part of my life Hetty".
"And what of your sister? Has she been notified?"
Deeks nodded, "I told the PD in her area to let her know. Through LAPD I managed to track down where she was living now. She's in Chicago now. The Police told me that when they told her about it she yelled she wanted nothing to do with me or mother and slammed the door in their faces. I guess it's understandable"
"Well I'm sure your team mates would like to give you their support at this time. Why don't you tell them Mr Deeks?"
"I don't want pity Hetty. Don't get me wrong I'm upset at her passing and I have a lot of good memories with my mother…it's just…I don't know. I can't really explain it…"
Hetty nodded, "I see. I understand you visited the person who was handling your mother's affairs earlier this morning?"
"Yes. Everything is pretty much sorted about that. He did give me an envelope though which I wasn't expecting" Deeks replied.
"What's in the envelope?"
"I haven't opened it yet. I was going to open it later when I had something alcoholic to open it with probably after the funeral" Deeks smiled, "If there's nothing else perhaps I should get back to work" he stood up.
"We are all here for you Mr Deeks. Please remember that"
He nodded, "Thanks Hetty"
Kensi sidled up to him as he sat down in his chair, "Hey are you sure you're okay?" she whispered, "You can tell me anything you know"
Deeks smiled, "I know Princess. There is something I got to tell you but I don't really want to do it here"
"Tonight? Your place then?" Kensi nodded.
"Only if you bring beer"
"Deal" Kensi grinned.
Sam and Callen were watching the exchange when Callen's curiosity was starting to get the better of him, "Is this date tonight just the two of you or are we invited too Deeks?"
Deeks' eyes shot up in surprise, "It's not a date" he stated, "It's just two partners hanging out drinking beer and maybe watching a movie"
"Just like we've done millions of times before" Kensi nodded in agreement.
"Millions of times before? Did you hear that Sam?" Callen smirked.
"Somehow I don't really believe that it's not a date G" Sam snorted.
"It's not a date!" Kensi growled.
A loud "Ahem!" echoed from Hetty's desk, "We better get back to the paperwork guys" Deeks opened his drawer, "Here Kens, something to keep you going" he threw over a Snickers bar to his partner.
"Thanks Deeks" she grinned, ripping open the wrapper.
"It's not a date Sam" Callen smiled.
"It's not a date" Sam nodded.
"Oh shut up!" Kensi mumbled.
The team managed to get through most of the dreaded paperwork before Hetty finally arrived in the bullpen and dismissing them all to leave.
"Mr Deeks" Hetty walked over to him.
"Yes Hetty?"
Hetty pulled her arm from around her back, holding a bottle of whiskey, "I know you prefer beer but in case you need something a little more refined when you open the envelope."
"Thanks Hetty. I do prefer beer but you never know…something stronger may be needed" Deeks smiled, "Good night Hetty"
"Good night Mr Deeks"
Kensi and Deeks grabbed their bags and said their goodbyes as they headed out to their cars. Callen watched them leave and walked over to Sam;
"Hey what do you think is up with Deeks?"
"I don't know G. Maybe his lease is up or something"
"Feel like taking a ride to Deeks' place tonight Sam?"
"Did you forget they have a date tonight?"
"They insisted it wasn't a date which means we can join them and we can hassle Deeks into telling us what's going on" Callen stated.
"I always hate it when you get like this G" Sam moaned.
"Like what Sam?" Callen asked innocently.
"Like you don't know something and you have to know what it is. Curiosity killed the cat remember"
"I don't know what you're talking about Sam" Callen smiled.
"Sure you don't" Sam shook his head.
An hour later, Kensi arrived on Deeks' doorstep with a six pack of his favourite beer and a large pizza. They had just set out the table when there was a knock on the door;
"Callen, Sam nice to see you. Something I can do for you?" Deeks sarcastically stated.
Sam held up another six pack of Deeks' favourite beer, "G's idea not mine. I come in peace"
"I guess you better come in then" Deeks held the door open wider.
"Thanks Deeks" Callen smiled.
The four sat around Deeks' small dining table, devouring the large pizza and downing their beers. Sam gathered up the rubbish and disposed of it as the other three headed to the sofa and flopped down.
"Thanks for tonight Deeks. The pizza was great" Callen wiped his chin with a napkin.
"Oh don't thank me; Kensi brought the beer and pizza. So you guys heading home then?" Deeks grinned cheekily.
"Not until you tell us what's going on" Callen narrowed his eyes, "I know something is up"
"Just tell us Deeks" Sam sighed, "G's not going to let this go without a fight"
"If Deeks doesn't want to tell you then he shouldn't have to Callen" Kensi growled, "How often do you tell us something personal huh?"
"Touché Kens." Deeks proudly smiled at his partner, "But it's okay…I guess I should tell you guys"
"Deeks…no you don't have to…"
"My mother died last night. I went to get her affairs sorted out this morning, that's why I was late" Deeks sighed.
"Oh Deeks I'm sorry" Kensi immediately shifted closer on the sofa to him, "Was she sick?"
"Yes she was, she had a major stroke last night. Her brain had been pretty much scrambled from all the beatings she's had over the years from dad so finally her time was up last night. I knew it was coming but still…" Deeks shrugged.
"Sorry man…I didn't mean to upset you at all…I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I mean if you were in trouble or something we could help…" Callen squeezed his shoulder.
"When's the funeral Deeks?" Sam asked.
"Friday. And before you all say anything there is no need for you to be there. It's just going to be me. There's just one more thing I got to do before I close the chapter of that part of my life".
"What do you mean Deeks?" Kensi queried.
"The man I met this morning, handling mom's affairs? He gave me an envelope to open" Deeks replied.
"I'm guessing you haven't opened it yet or were you going to do that tonight?" asked Callen.
"Actually I was going to wait until after the funeral" Deeks shrugged.
"No time like the present Deeks" Sam squeezed his arm, "Perhaps it will give you some peace"
"Maybe you're right Sam" he opened the flap of his go-bag and pulled out the envelope, slumping onto the sofa, "Okay here goes…" Deeks opened the letter enclosed and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Deeks what is it?" Kensi touched his arm tenderly.
Deeks shook the envelope and a small brass key fell out onto his lap. He read the letter again, holding up the key to the light.
"That looks like a key to…" Callen began;
"A key to a safety deposit box. You're right it is. What I'm wondering is why the hell my mom had a key to a safety deposit box at all because I sure didn't know about it" Deeks gasped.
There we are – chapter 2 done. Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for your support! Updates are when I can get a free day from real life happenings. Much love xxx