Brotherhood

Chapter 2

...

His mind was a jumble of memories, and he desperately sorted through them as if they were forgotten old photos he discovered in a box under the bed. He'd been curious about Joe from the beginning, when he'd caught him watching as he danced with Kensi in Al The Wop's in Locke. He and Kensi had been undercover tracking a Chinese arms dealer, and Joe was an undercover FBI agent doing surveillance on the same man, but neither one had known that at the time. There had just been something about him. He could see the innate intelligence in his eyes, the calculating way he surveyed the people in the room and it had made him suspect the man was more than he was pretending to be.

They'd started working together after Kensi and the team had been terribly wounded in an RPG attack by their suspect, who turned out to be a Chinese spy. It had been a lonely time for him. He'd felt isolated and unsure, full of fear for his partner, the woman lying wounded once again in front of him, and for the two men who were standing by his side now. When they'd discovered they were both Federal Agents, he found a kindness within Joe that balanced his more obvious toughness. And he was funny. Joe had been the person who had pulled him from a place of desolation and despair all those years ago, giving him guff when he needed it, making him laugh when he didn't feel he ever would again, fighting by his side and almost dying in the process. Joe had taken him home to his ranch in Wyoming when he was drowning in guilt, making him part of his family, and changing his life. Without Joe he never would have met George. Joe's father had become his father, a person he cherished beyond reason. Because of Joe he had a family to call his own and a home to go to when he needed to be reminded that there were still good people in the world, people who weren't out to steal or harm or kill. Now the man who became his brother might be lying dead somewhere, or wounded and alone and far from home, and it was taking every ounce of strength he had left to keep from screaming his name.

It was the barely perceived pressure from Kensi's fingers on his that pulled him away from his dark thoughts. He opened his eyes to search her face, looking for any sign that she was coming awake and might finally be able to assure him she was okay. He was still amazed she'd survived. Digging her free had been a nightmare, and it had taken him and four members of the tactical squad to lift the heavy beam off her leg. She had remained unconscious during the entire rescue, scaring him badly, so he desperately wanted to hear her voice and see recognition in her eyes when she looked at him.

"I think she's coming to," Callen squeezed his shoulder, the gesture much needed and comforting.

"Hey," he whispered when her eyes opened.

She blinked slowly and then gripped his hand and licked her dry lips, looking around warily as if she didn't know where she was.

"You're safe, Kens," he said softly. "We got the bad guys so nothing to worry about except getting better."

"They tried to blow us up," she choked out, her eyes flashing in anger.

"Almost did," he replied.

She looked quickly at him, her eyes roving over his body, slowly assessing what she saw as tears started in her eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah...I'm good."

"But I saw Alejandro shoot you," she said, straining to sit up.

"He was a lousy shot," Deeks laughed, showing off his tidy bandage. "I'm fine. You can ask Callen and Sam. I'm good...right guys?"

"As good as he ever gets," Sam sniped with a grin. "Still annoying."

"Wouldn't leave the ER. Made a nuisance of himself," Callen said quietly. "Even yelled at an intern."

She looked at each man in turn, as if trying to read them and Deeks quickly offered her some water, holding the plastic cup while she took a few sips through the straw.

"Something's wrong," she said. "How bad am I? What aren't you telling me?"

"You're gonna be fine Kens," Deeks assured her. "Concussion. Three broken ribs, and one very ugly compound fracture of your left leg. Almost threw up when I saw it...just so you know."

"Too much information, Deeks," Sam said.

"Then it's something else," she persisted. "You look sad."

Deeks hung his head and he felt Callen shift uncomfortably back and forth behind him. He didn't want to burden her with what had happened to Joe, but he also knew keeping it a secret from her wasn't an option. Not at this stage in their relationship.

They had become closer after Santa Fe, both making promises and clinging to each other as they rode out the aftermath, but their differences about their future never seemed to go away. Without thinking, he had strayed into a conversation about children at Christmas and had pushed her a little too hard on the timing, and she'd finally told him she was still "weighing her options". He had bristled at what he considered an irritating comment, worried that he might be one of those options she was reconsidering, and he'd stupidly kept on pushing. When the argument was over it left them on rocky ground they were still trying to navigate.

They had argued a lot during this operation, and she had accused him of being intransigent at one point and it had pissed him off, asking what the hell she meant, even though he knew the definition of the word. She had then cockily rattled off a string of synonyms to make it clearer, calling him bull-headed, mulish and pig-headed, using all the farm animals with great amusement. When he hadn't cracked a smile, she grew hesitant and then had refused to talk to him the rest of the day unless it was about the operation and he had been angry with her for that. When he'd seen her go down though, none of it had mattered. There was no future family for him without her. It was her he wanted to have a child with and he'd almost lost her. Now he might have lost the man who had shown him what a family could be and he began to shake as that realization finally hit him hard.

He stumbled to his feet and backed away, not wanting her to see him break down, not wanting her to think about anything other than recovering. He reached for the one man he knew would understand, pleading silently with Callen to get him through this moment, and it took him only a second to respond.

"They give you any pain pills?" Callen asked as he gripped his good arm and turned him toward the door so Kensi couldn't see his face.

"I don't remember," he replied, going with the play Callen was spinning.

"He hasn't slept in a couple of days," Kensi added. "And he hasn't been eating well either."

"Maybe we should have a doctor take another look at that gunshot wound," Sam said, picking up on what was happening. "Might be infected. You got a fever?"

"I'm fine...just feeling a little lightheaded is all," he whispered, unsure how much longer he could stand there without revealing to Kensi how devastated he was and why.

"Okay if Sam stays with you Kens?" Callen asked without releasing his grip on Deeks' arm. "I'll take your boyfriend here and get him some food and meds. He can come see you when you get in your room."

"He can be a little stubborn," she replied sleepily. "Just remind him I don't need as much protection as he thinks I do. So when you come back somebody better tell me what the hell is going on."

"Not sure she has a concussion," Sam said softly as he followed the two men out into the hall. "Sounds pretty damn sharp to me, especially for someone just coming to from surgery."

"Don't think you're gonna be able to keep this from her for long," Callen said as they headed back to the waiting area. "Are you listening? Deeks?"

He was lost in thought, searching through his recent conversations with Joe, trying to remember anything that he might have let slip about what case he was working. When Callen spoke his name, he looked over and saw the turmoil in his eyes and realized Joe's disappearance had rattled him too, something hard to do to a man with his experience. Deeks had always jealously guarded his relationship with Joe, even from Callen. It was a selfish act, especially now, considering the circumstances and how close the two men had become. He felt as if he were floundering in unknown waters, terribly afraid things would never be the same again if he lost Joe. He felt unsettled and he needed Callen to be the solid ground that might keep him from sinking into despair.

"Deeks. I'm here," Callen assured him, his blue eyes piercing with intensity. "You're not alone in this."

"I can't lose him, G."

"We'll find him together."

"Not without me you're not," Sam said, making it sound like a reprimand. "You two can't track a man like I can...especially in the dark."

"Is he bragging about being a SEAL again?" Deeks asked with a weary grin, feeling some of his tension ease.

"Nothing new there," Callen smirked. "We might have to take him along just in case we find Joe after the sun goes down."

"What the hell was he working on G?" Deeks couldn't stay seated and stood up, striding to the window to stare out at the parking lot below.

"FBI wasn't in the mood to share any details," he said quietly as he came up beside him. "Hetty is working on it."

"Have they told Diane?" Deeks asked, tears slightly muffling the words.

"Yeah."

"Can you drive me over there?" He asked. "I rode the ambulance in with Kensi."

"You think she called George?"

"It'll kill 'im if Joe is dead," he whispered.

He pressed the palms of his hands on either side of the narrow window and leaned his forehead against the cool glass, and finally let go of his tears.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Deeks," Sam urged as he squeezed the back of his neck. "There are lots of different reasons for him to go dark. Just focus and take it one step at a time, just like you would any other case."

"This isn't like any other case," Deeks roared as he shoved away from the wall and turned to confront Sam. "We might not be related by blood, but dammit Sam, he's my brother."

"And you're mine, Deeks," Sam reminded him. "Brothers in arms."

"Going off on each other is not going to get us anywhere," Callen said forcefully. "Call George. He needs to hear from you."

"What the hell do I tell him? I don't know anything," Deeks said, angrily choking on the words.

Callen wrapped an arm around him and patted him on the chest. "You need to hear his voice, as much as he needs to hear yours."

Deeks nodded and pulled his phone before running his hand through his hair as he tried to think of what he could possibly say. Joe had once shared with him his father's reaction after being told of his supposed death. He said he'd found George in the corner of Sheila's stall holding Boo in his lap, talking softly to the animals, and telling them stories about him. He had felt cherished after hearing that, and he wasn't even his real son. Joe was. How could he possibly comfort him if Joe was gone? There were no words that could soften that kind of news. There was only the stark reality that Joe was missing, and possibly dead, because if he wasn't he would have found a way to let them know.

"He would have let us know, G," Repeating his thoughts quietly.

"If he could, yeah," Callen replied. "But sometimes that isn't possible. You know that. Doesn't mean you give up. Doesn't mean he's dead either. You weren't, and there's no evidence that says he is, so call Diane and George. Then let's go find your dumbass brother."

Deeks grinned at the familiar nickname Joe used so often and nodded again and turned back toward the window. Staring blindly out into the pale sky, he waited for Diane to answer. He tried to remind himself she was a strong woman, but she'd never gotten this kind of news before, so he had no idea what kind of reaction to prepare for.

'Who's calling?' A male voice answered.

"This is Marty Deeks, and I'm calling for Diane Atwood," he replied, shooting a confused look at Callen. "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm Agent Aaron Slater with the FBI and Mrs. Atwood can't talk to you right now," the man said, sounding irritated and abrupt.

"Hey, man...Joe Atwood's my brother and I'm an agent with NCIS," he said, quickly putting the phone on speaker. "Please... I need to talk to her."

"His records show one brother, now deceased," the man replied. "So whatever your game is, I'm not buying."

"Listen Agent Slater, just ask Diane," he said, trying to remain calm. "She'll explain it to you."

"Sorry, but Mrs. Atwood is being taken in for questioning," Slater replied.

"What? Why?"

"Sorry, but I can't tell you that," the agent replied. "It's a matter of National Security."

"What about Chris? Her little boy...is she taking him with her?" Deeks was closed to panicking now.

"He's being turned over to Family Services until further notice," the man said coldly.

"The hell he is," Deeks raged. "He's two and I'm his uncle. Give me twenty minutes and I'll be there to pick him up."

"Like I said...we have no record of your relationship with this family, so that's not happening."

"You do know Roger Stinson, don't you Agent Slater?" Callen interjected. "Executive Director of the FBI's National Security Branch? Sound familiar?"

"And who might you be? Another so-called brother?" Slater sneered.

"I'm Special Agent Callen. Office of Special Projects...NCIS," he replied sharply. "Director Stinson called my Operations Manager this morning to inform her of Agent Joe Atwood's disappearance. He did that so she could inform Agent Deeks, who for your information used to be one of his agents...a decorated one. Oh, and just so you know...I think of Joe Atwood as my brother too."

"Deeks? Go," Sam said urgently as he handed him the keys to the Charger. "Get over there as fast as you can. I called Michelle. She's on her way to meet you. She'll look after little Chris while we figure this out."

"What the hell is going on, Sam?"

"I don't know, but I called Hetty. Don't worry. She'll find out."

Deeks bolted for the elevator and then stopped abruptly and turned back, remembering that Kensi had no idea what had happened.

"I'll stay with Kensi, and fill her in," Sam said calmly. "She'll understand why you had to go."

"Thanks, Sam."

"Wait for me, kid," Callen called out. "You'll need backup if that guy is the one handling Joe's disappearance. I'll deal with him while you try and talk to Diane."

A sense of calm flooded through Deeks when he saw the determination on Callen's face when he slapped him lightly on the back and followed him into the elevator. He was grateful for the support, which he had come to rely on more and more, and that he desperately needed right now. His body was slowly giving in to exhaustion and his thought process was becoming more and more muddled as each new challenge piled one on top of the other. There was something he was missing, but he wasn't sharp enough to grasp what it was.

"Why question Di? It doesn't make any sense," Deeks finally said. "What do they think she knows? If she knew where Joe was she'd tell them."

"I don't know, but taking her in doesn't sound good," Callen replied. "They have to suspect her of something, but I can't think of what it might be."

"She's gonna be scared and really pissed if that dickhead told her they were handing Chris over to Family Services."

"If he did I'm sure he got an earful," Callen laughed. "She swears better than Joe."

"You think they'll let me take Chris?" Deeks asked as they rushed out of the elevator. "Slater knows I'm not really family."

"Diane still has rights, and Chris is her son," Callen reasoned. "I don't think Slater cares about him...probably just sees him as a bargaining chip to use against Di."

"The sonofabitch," Deeks growled.

"Try and keep it together when we get there," Callen cautioned.

"Think I can't handle myself?" He snapped, instantly taking offense.

"I think you're running on adrenaline. You're hurting and confused about all this and you are beyond angry," Callen said as he settled in behind the wheel of the Challenger. "But that doesn't mean I don't think you can handle yourself. Just don't punch the nice FBI man in the face. It might feel good, but it won't help."

"Not sure I have the energy to punch the bastard," Deeks conceded. "But I'll take odds on Diane."

"I'll take odds on Michelle," Callen laughed as he wheeled into traffic and floored it. "Slater won't have a chance if he pisses off Michelle."

The rest of the wild ride was made in silence, Deeks absentmindedly picking at the bandage on his arm as his mind drifted back to Wyoming. If he was being honest with himself, he was afraid to call George. Telling the man his son had been missing for a week would hurt him and that was the last thing Deeks wanted. He didn't think he could bear hearing the pain and resignation in his voice. He had to be able to give him some sort of hope that Joe was still alive, and right now he didn't have any.

"Looks like Slater thought he might need lots of backup," Callen smirked as he parked behind two, big black SUVs. "Diane have a reputation I don't know about?"

"What the hell is this about, G?"

"More than a missing agent," Callen replied as he trotted up to the front door of the Atwood house.

Two agents dressed in grey suits and dark ties stepped forward and stopped them at the door. Both men stared disapprovingly at Deeks' tattered state of dress, one even putting his hand on his weapon.

"We're Federal Agents, boys," Callen said, showing his badge and nodding at Deeks as he showed his. "Just got off the phone with Agent Slater. We're friends of the family and here to pick up the little boy."

"Names?"

"Agents Callen and Deeks."

"I have orders to keep both of you out of the house," one man responded.

"Why the hell is that?" Deeks asked, struggling to hold onto his temper.

"Agent Slater doesn't believe you're who you say you are," the tall skinny black agent replied.

"Having trouble reading the fine print on my credentials?" Callen asked, his eyes boring into the man.

"Looks like your friend here spent the night on the streets," The burly agent with an unfortunate buzz cut said, looking with obvious disapproval at Deeks. "You expect us to believe this guy's an agent?"

Callen answered quickly, putting an arm across Deeks' chest as he took a step toward the man. "This really has nothing to do with your belief system. That badge he's holding has his picture and name on it. In big letters. Now step aside."

Deeks finally lost his patience and tried to push past the two men, but the burly one grabbed his wounded arm, causing a sudden rush of pain that made him dizzy. He groaned as his knees started to buckle and he stumbled against the doorframe. Callen pushed the agent off of him, and wrapped an arm around his waist to keep him on his feet. The other agent got a hold on Callen's jacket and a shoving match ensued, with Deeks loudly cursing the men.

"What the hell is going on out here?"

A baldheaded man with a wide face and dark, piercing eyes stepped out and demanded order. The two agents backed away immediately and started accusing Deeks of attacking them.

"You the NCIS agent I spoke with?" Slater asked, raising his hand to silence his men.

"I'm Callen and this is Agent Deeks. Office of Special Projects," he said as he helped Deeks lean back against the wall to catch his breath.

"Really?" The man replied haughtily, his tone full of distaste, as he looked Deeks over. "NCIS lower their standards recently?"

"Not that he needs defending, but he just came off of an undercover assignment. He was wounded," Callen replied in a measured tone. "He's been at the hospital with his partner who just came out of surgery. The remaining details are classified."

"Sorry I didn't have time to dress to your standards," Deeks added, not shielding his anger from the man as he stood and faced him. "Now, I want to see Diane Atwood."

"Like I said over the phone, that's simply not happening," Slater said coldly. "This is an FBI case and I will not allow you to tamper with a suspect."

"A suspect in what?" Deeks asked, suddenly more afraid then he had been. "Her husband's missing. You think she kidnapped her own husband?"

"What I think is none of your business," Slater said, sounding bored. "Now if you'll excuse me I have an interview to conduct."

"Is Mrs. Atwood under arrest?" Callen asked as the man stepped back inside the doorway.

"Not at this time," the man said. "But she is a person of interest."

"In what?" Deeks angrily demanded.

"As I said before...it's a matter of National Security," Slater said with obvious irritation.

"Then let me take her son with me," Deeks said. "I'm gonna go ahead and assume he's not a suspect."

"You're not a blood relation to the boy, so you have no standing in a court of law," the agent replied smugly.

"I'm a lawyer, asshole," Deeks stormed. "And we're not in a court of law. You haven't charged her with anything, and Mrs. Atwood has the right to make provisions for her son while you question her."

"Unless you're trying to intimidate her by terrorizing her two-year-old," Callen accused, his eyes flashing with intensity.

The man glared at Callen and was about to close the door on them when little Christopher Atwood wedged his way past the man's legs holding a stuffed pony by the tail. He looked up at all the tall men in front of him, his expression uncertain until he saw Deeks.

"Unca Marty," he giggled, smiling widely as he held his arms out to be picked up.

Deeks dropped to one knee and pulled the little boy to him, brushing back his tangled brown curls and kissing him gently on the forehead.

"You okay, buddy?" He whispered, tears blurring his vision.

"Mommy's mad," he said and wrapped his arms around Deeks' neck.

"I bet she is," he said softly, lifting the little boy up his arms as he stood to confront the disconcerted FBI agent. "You ever met Joe Atwood, Slater?"

"No."

"Just a word of warning," Deeks said sullenly. "When you do meet him, don't let him find out how you treated his wife and especially his son. He can be a little sensitive about his family. Because if you think Mrs. Atwood is tough to deal with when she's mad, then I'd advise you not to be in the same room with Joe when he finds out you threatened his baby boy to scare the shit out of his wife."

"I'm not afraid of Joe Atwood," The agent said icily. "The man's a traitor and with any luck he's dead by now, so take the kid and get the hell out of here. I have a case to build."

"You lying sonofabitch," Deeks shouted, scaring Chris who began to cry.

"Deeks...keep it together," Callen implored him. "For the boy's sake."

"Callen? What's happening?" Michelle walked up with her badge held out in front of her.

"The FBI is claiming Joe is a traitor," he told her as Slater glared at both of them.

"He threatened to put Chris in the system unless Diane tells him what he wants to hear," Deeks said as he tried to calm his nephew.

"You called in the CIA?" Slater asked, finally looking a little nervous. "This is still my case."

"We'll see about that Agent Slater," Roger Stinson called out as he hurried up the walk with Hetty right behind. "Now, shall we take this discussion inside? I don't think this little confrontation is something we want the neighbors to see."

"Director, these men have been interfering with a Federal investigation," Slater stated boldly. "And the one with the stringy hair and filthy clothes threatened me."

"Inside Slater...now," the Director ordered gruffly, ushering in the women before leading a parade of everyone else inside except the agents guarding the door.

"Looks like you survived a pretty rough case, Deeks," Stinson said, ignoring Slater as he walked over and laid a hand on his shoulder, smiling warmly at little Chris. "How's your partner?"

"Got caught in the explosion when the bad guys blew the building," he replied shakily. "She's got the usual headache, some broken ribs and a compound fracture."

"And you?"

"Sonofa...gun shot me," catching himself as Michelle came over to take Chris who yawned and sniffled back tears.

"You look pretty ragged," Stinson said kindly. "Better sit down before you fall down. Hetty won't let me hear the end of it if that happens."

"Very true, Roger," Hetty said as she walked up to face Agent Slater. "And I hope your agents have been treating my men with the respect they deserve."

"Are you their mother or something?" Slater snapped.

"Watch your mouth, Agent Slater," Roger Stinson stated sharply. "This is Henrietta Lange, Operations Manager of the Office of Special Projects of NCIS. She's not a person you want to mess with. Actually, none of the people in front of you are to be messed with. Do I make myself clear?"

"Of course sir, but that one lied to me," Slater stated, pointing an accusing finger at Deeks. "Claimed to be Atwood's brother...and look at him sir. It's a disgrace someone made the man a Federal agent."

"My, my Agent Slater, you're quite full of yourself aren't you," Hetty said with a tiny laugh. "You just managed to insult two people who could end your career if they had a mind to. I made Mr. Deeks an agent because he earned it, and your Executive Director stole him from me for a short time and made him an FBI agent because he is excellent at his job. And if you had a modicum of skills you would have checked his record, which, it seems, you didn't bother to do."

"Deeks and Joe Atwood broke a case together that brought down a Chinese spy, and almost died doing it," Stinson informed the man harshly. "They were both given Congressional commendations for it. So don't use the word disgrace when you talk about either one of them, or I'll kick your ass out on the street."

"But sir, we have it on good authority that Joe Atwood is a traitor," Slater stubbornly continued.

"Whoever told you that is a lying sack of shit," Diane said angrily as she charged into the living room, an embarrassed FBI agent on her tail. "Now where's my son?"

"Di, are you okay?" Deeks asked, jumping to his feet and pulling her to him as she frantically searched the room for Chris.

Michelle quickly brought the little boy to her and she finally broke down, sobbing as she hugged Chris tightly, kissing the top of his head as she leaned into Deeks' arms.

The agent she had eluded tried to pull her away, but Michelle put a hand on his chest and gave him a warning look. "Back off before you find yourself singing falsetto."

"Stand down, agent," Stinson commanded. "You can thank me later."

"Mommy," Chris said. "Unca Marty has a booboo."

"Thank God you're here, Marty. Are you all right?" Diane asked softly, gently touching the cut on his forehead.

"You've got more to worry about than me."

"You know Joe's missing then. Slater told me he might be dead...but he can't be...he just can't be. You know how tough he is. Please find him for us, Marty...please. I don't know what I'd do without him and Chris needs his daddy.

"We'll bring him home to you both."

"Don't trust these guys," Diane whispered. "Whoever accused Joe of being a traitor works for the FBI."

...

...