Authors Note: I'm literally blown away with all the reviews, favorites and follows I got for the first part of my story. Thank you guys! It means so much to me.

I'm attempting something different in this story. I really hope I don't disappoint you guys. ^^ - If there are any grammar/spelling errors you can go ahead and point them out and I'll be more than happy to fix 'em. It's current 3AM so I'm assuming you will find some mistakes somewhere.

Also be sure to read the A/N at the very end. I just clarify a few things there... :D

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own NCIS: Los Angeles or any of its characters. All credit goes to their rightful owners.

Chapter 1:

Set: 4 years later

Deeks's P.O.V

My feet hit the pavement with loud thuds as I continued to run. The sound of my heavy breathing echoed through the empty street. I had no idea where I was or where I was going, I just needed to get away before he could find me again. I had no intention of going back to that place ever, again. I needed to go home, back to my team, back to Kensi.

Putting one foot in front of the other I kept running…

I finally stopped and placed my hands on my knees as the need for air became crucial, I had no idea how long I have been running but it must have been quite some time since my lungs felt like they were on fire. I coughed while attempting to catch my breath and slowly raised my head to study my surroundings.

The entire neighborhood seemed a bit dodgy… The only place that appeared the slightest bit trustworthy was some diner located just across the street from where I was standing. I let out a loud sigh and stood up straight. Looks can be deceiving but I didn't really have a lot of options. The least I can do now is find out where the hell I am.

When I entered the diner I was fairly surprised to find it normal. It was just a casual diner with casual people sitting at tables, eating and chatting. I guess I wasn't very high on trust given my current situation.

I stalked over to the front desk where some grey haired waitress was in the progress of cleaning a ketchup stain from the table. "Excuse me?" I asked while clearing my throat.

She studied my appearance and sighed. "How can I help you?"

"This is probably a weird question but where exactly am I?" I asked forcing a smile.

Her face fell slightly. "East Los Angeles, honey…"

I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding… That was good. Well, for the most part… It could have been worse. I could have been in some foreign country. "Thank you very much." I told her and began to turn.

"Hey… Can I get you anything? Coffee? Water? On the house." She asked giving me a warm smile.

I returned the gesture. "That is extremely kind of you but maybe next time, I need to get going."

She nodded and I walked out the same way I came in. It was time to start my long walk back to the only place I assumed wouldn't of changed locations. Work.

Callen's P.O.V

I sat at my desk and worked on some paperwork I had somehow, managed to fall behind on. The rest of the team had gone home hours ago but Hetty demanded that I have these done by morning.

I sighed and scanned my eyes over the empty bullpen. It was nearly midnight and I still had an entire stack to work through. I reached for my coffee cup and groaned at the emptiness the cup contained. I pulled myself to my feet and began staggering to the coffee machine, stopping dead in my tracks when I heard door at the back opening.

I leaped back to my desk, took my gun out from the top drawer and aimed it aimlessly out in front of me, while walking towards the origin of the noise. I stopped at the entry of the bullpen and waited. Most of the lights had been turned off so I wasn't able to see much… If it was anyone that worked here they would have announced their arrival, therefore this could only mean trouble.

The heavy sound of footsteps got closer and I felt my reflexes starting to kick in. The dark figure passed me and I grabbed it by the throat. I felt whomever I was holding stiffen before getting elbowed in the stomach, the blow caused me to stumble backwards gasping for air.

Seconds later a loud chuckle echoed through the room. It sounded so familiar but I couldn't quite figure out who it belonged to.

"Wow…" The man said dragging out the word. "Not exactly the welcome back I was expecting. I take full responsibility for it though." He added.

It finally clicked and my eyes widened in disbelief, "Deeks?" I queried shaking my head while backing away, my eyes finally beginning to adjust to the dimness of the room.

Deeks's P.O.V

I couldn't help but laugh at his expression. Even in the dim light I couldn't miss the different emotions that played out on his face. "If you back away anymore you're going to end up against the wall."

"How are you-"

"Here?" I grinned finishing his sentence. "I'm not entirely sure myself… Lets just say I finally saw the opportunity to escape and I was more than happy to grab at the chance."

He narrowed his eyes. "Wait, this must be a dream, I probably just fell asleep at my desk while doing paperwork."

"Yeah…No, it's me, the one and only Marty Deeks." I teased. "Look I'll even pinch you if it'll make you feel any better."

He kept his eyes fixed on me. "Deeks?"

I pulled my lips into a thin line and nodded slowly.

Less than a second later he had managed to pull me into a brief hug. "We looked everywhere. We shouldn't have given up." He whispered dropping his gaze to the ground.

"It's alright… I take it you guys did what you had to do. I understand." I replied matching his tone. "Look, can we not talk about any of this now?"

He nodded slowly and I smiled, silently thanking him.

We began walking further into the bullpen and I decided to break the silence with a question I was dying to ask. "How is everyone? Kensi?"

He stopped for a second like he just realized something. "She's good. She misses you a lot though." He replied and I felt like he was withholding something from me. My face fell slightly as I thought about the possibility of her having moved on.

"Is she- uh-" I paused slightly searching for the right words but he seemed to beat me to it. "Seeing someone? No." He replied with a huge grin.

I nodded. "Good."

"Good?"

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Uh-huh."

I shook my head and yawned. Quick to change the topic of discussion. "I'm assuming I don't have an apartment anymore."

"Unfortunately not… You've been missing for four years." He responded and I couldn't help but silently repeat the total of years I've been gone. I knew I had been gone for a very long time but hearing him say it made it all the more real.

"Look Deeks you need a place to stay for the night and my house looks almost exactly like it looked four years ago. Empty. You can stay there for the night. I have a rather comfortable couch." He offered and I nodded my head in agreement.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me... You think Hetty will let me off the hook for not finishing my paperwork, given the circumstances?" He asked curiously while grabbing his belongings.

"I guess you'll have to see in the morning."

The ride to his house had been completely silent. I was grateful, I didn't really feel like talking. I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep for an unreasonable amount of time... I know that I'm going to have to tell them where I've been for the last, said, four years at some point, but for now I was driven to sleep first.

Okay so I live in South Africa and I don't really have a CLUE where the dangerous part of Los Angeles is located… So Google told me what I wrote, I hope it's right...

Also I know a lot of you are probably sitting there wondering where on earth Deeks was for FOUR years but don't worry. You'll find out in given time; you can probably go ahead and expect a lot of flash backs in future chapters... Woo! :D

I have school vacation for the next month so I'll update as often as I can. Next chapter will be up tomorrow or the day after.

Don't forget to drop me a review? ^_^

xxx

-Tc