A/N – Thanks to all my guest reviewers I can't respond to (me, French fan, every one listed as guest). Thanks! Merci! Gracias! Grazie!

Caroline – Thank you for the kind review and I love that you question me! It often gives me ideas on what to write in the next chapter. As to why he's running, I just think that sometimes you need to lick your wounds in private and don't want to endure the pitying looks and well-meaning sympathetic words, even from your closest friends. He may have taken it a bit far but wouldn't be much of a story without it.

Kate – I saw a couple of your responses to this story and other reviewer's responses to you. You are right, Mexico is south of Texas, but it runs coast to coast, just like the U.S., and also borders California, Arizona and New Mexico. I'm also not sure why you asked if Santa Ana went to LA with the Mexican army to take over the Alamo. Everyone should know that the Alamo is in Texas.

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Chapter 4

Ruben walked through the door of the B&B with a bottle of tequila in one hand and a bouquet of flowers, for the table, in the other. If he'd shaved, combed his hair and dressed in a nice pair of jeans and a button down shirt, well, his friend was in town and he wanted to look his best for their first dinner together in a long time. Clarinda walked out of the kitchen, having heard footsteps, drying her hands on a dish towel. She took in the very nicely cleaned up Ruben and her heart fluttered in her chest. She wasn't sure she'd ever seen him so dressed up and found her attraction to him increase. Calming her run away heart, she smiled and said. "Ruben, you're right on time. What do you have there?"

Ruben lifted the bottle of tequila and waggled it back and forth, eliciting a laugh from her. "I see you brought the good stuff! And what's that in your other hand?"

"I thought some flowers for the table might be nice." He handed them over to her and watched as she buried her nose in the bouquet and took a deep breath. Ruben was mesmerized by her.

"These are lovely! I'll just put them in some water. They'll be a nice addition to the dinner table."

Nodding, Ruben looked around, expecting to find Marty pop up from somewhere but his friend was conspicuously absent. "Where's Marty, Clarinda? I would've expected the delicious smells coming from the kitchen to have teased him out of his room long before now."

"I haven't seen him. I'm just putting the finishing touches on dinner, so why don't you go up and get him? He's in the last room at the end of the hall." She turned and headed back into the kitchen, maybe a little aware that Ruben was watching her go, which might have been the reason she put a little extra sway in her hips.

He watched until she disappeared from sight and shook himself. He needed to focus on Marty right now but, damn! He smiled a little and took the stairs to the second floor two at a time. He may have slowed down some but he wasn't old yet, not if his reaction to Clarinda's backside was any indication. He headed to the room and knocked softly on the door. When he didn't get a response, he tried the door knob and found it unlocked. He quietly opened it to find Marty sprawled across the bed fully clothed and sound asleep, Monty by his side. Ruben walked soundlessly up to the side of the bed and looked down at him. The lines around his eyes that had been there earlier, had smoothed away in his sleep. Remembering the look of exhaustion on his face when he'd shown up unexpectedly, Ruben decided to let the man sleep. Moving quietly, he gently removed Marty's boots without waking him. He pulled a blanket off the back of the sofa placed against the wall and carefully laid it over the sleeping form. The only reaction was Marty snuggling deeper into the pillow. Monty watched carefully from his position by Marty's side and thumped his tail a couple times when Ruben patted him on the head as he left the room. The door closed silently behind him.

Downstairs, Clarinda met him at the entrance to the dining room. "Where's Marty?"

"He's dead to the world. I think he needs sleep now more than food. I'm pretty sure he hasn't gotten a good night's sleep in a few days."

"The poor boy. I'll make sure to put up some leftovers in the fridge with a note saying to help himself."

"Thanks Clarinda, I know he'll appreciate that but, from what I just saw, I think he'll sleep through the night." The two of them stood there and stared at each other, neither sure what to do, now that the reason for Ruben coming for dinner was sleeping upstairs and wouldn't be joining them.

Ruben finally said. "I'll understand if you'd rather I just left."

At the same time Clarinda said. "I hope you'll still stay for dinner."

The two of them started to laugh and Ruben nodded. "I'd love to stay for dinner. It smells absolutely amazing!" The two sat at the table and proceeded to thoroughly enjoy their meal. All awkwardness between them melting away as they talked, finding they had many things in common. Upstairs, Marty slept on, but not as soundly. He groaned and mumbled in his sleep, once even gasping as memories of falling out of the sky, of finding Kensi hurt so badly, all tumbled around in his mind. Frowning as her final words to him were replayed. He thrashed a couple times, the blanket winding around him, making him feel trapped, but he never woke. Monty carefully watched from his position on the bed, ready to do whatever needed to be done to help this human he loved more than anything in this world.

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In Los Angeles, Eric nervously pulled on his jacket. Nell patted him on the arm. "It's going to be fine, Eric. Just let me do the talking, okay?" Eric nodded and watched as Nell rang the bell. It wasn't long before the door opened and Kip Brigham stood in front of them. Eric gulped.

"Can I help you?"

"Mr. Brigham, my name is Nell Jones and this is Eric Beale. We work for NCIS and would like to talk to you."

"Well, I don't want to talk to you. It's late and I've already spoken with Agents Hanna and Callen earlier today. I told them to leave after they fed me a load of lies about someone I care about very much. You can talk to my lawyer instead." Kip started to close the door and Nell put her hand on it to stop him.

"I'm sorry for the way Sam and Callen approached you. They're both used to trying to get information out of suspects or witnesses, not the best friend of someone they care about. They're worried about him, we all are. It was the wrong tack to take and I would like to apologize on their behalf."

"Marty told me about you. He really cares about you. About all of you. That's why I don't understand why they wouldn't just tell me the truth about why you are all looking for him!"

"Could we talk inside Mr. Brigham?" Nell asked.

Kip looked at her consideringly for what felt like hours but, in reality, was just a few moments and then sighed. He opened the door wider and waved them in. "I hope you two tell me the truth or you'll be leaving as quickly as the other two. Sit." Kip motioned them to the couch in the living room. Eric was still staring around the beautiful home and had to be pulled down by Nell.

"Now, I know this has to do with Kensi, so what the hell happened? He was the happiest I've ever seen him and from what I saw, he made her happy as well."

Eric and Nell shared a look. They'd agreed on the way over here to be as honest with Kip as they could without giving away any classified information. Nell started. "Two weeks ago both Kensi and Deeks were in a bad accident, one that wasn't either of their faults. Deeks walked away with minor injuries but Kensi's are much more severe. At this point the doctors aren't sure if she'll ever walk again."

Kip interrupted her. "And you're here to tell me Marty walked out on her? No way! There's no way in hell you'll ever convince me of that!"

"We wouldn't try Mr. Brigham. That's not exactly what happened."

"Not exactly? Then what did happen? And does he speak?" Kip pointed at Eric who opened his mouth a couple times but nothing came out.

"Kensi told him some things she didn't mean, trying to save him from a life of having to take care of an invalid."

Kip interrupted again, his arms waving as he emphasized his words. "He wouldn't care about that! He's one of the most loyal men I know."

"We know that! She's already regretting what she said. Look, she's scared and she's having a hard time believing that the paralysis isn't permanent, no matter what hope the doctors hold out to her. She had her whole future planned out with him and this was something she never imagined would happen to her. She thought she was saving him from a life that would eventually leave him with regrets." She paused and added softly. "Such as never having children."

"Well, then, I guess she doesn't know him as well as I thought she did."

"She does, that's the problem! She knows he would never have left her unless she said the unforgivable. Still, he's the one who left without saying goodbye to anyone except you and his mother!"

"Why should he have?" Kip stilled and looked at Nell. "Just what did she say to him?"

Nell swallowed at the look on his face. "She told him she didn't love him anymore and hadn't for a while." She repeated part of what she'd been told and stopped there.

"That wouldn't have sent him running. He still would have stood by her anyway. I know this from experience. My life could have gone in a completely different direction but Marty, he never took no for an answer, even when I told him I hated him and wanted him out of my life. When it seemed like the gang life was the easier way to go he still wouldn't give up. There had to be something else."

Nell sighed and said. "She told him that she blamed him for the accident. That she wouldn't have been there if she hadn't had to babysit the stupid cop." She stopped, not able to continue.

Kip stood up from the couch and started to pace. "I can't believe she did that to him! Nothing she said could have cut him more to the quick."

"She didn't mean it!"

"It doesn't matter! She still said it!" Kip ran his hands through his hair, trying to calm himself. "Look, Marty told me some things about his life growing up. Things that I think he would rather have kept private but that he thought might help me see that I could make anything of my life that I wanted to, if I just tried. His mom is a great woman and I love her, but she's not the strongest. His dad used to beat the hell out of both of them and he'd tell Marty that it was his fault. That if he'd been a better son, a better man, he wouldn't have had to beat him and his mother. That everything that happened to both of them was his fault. Jesus, he was just a little kid!"

Nell went white. "He never let on. He has such a happy outlook on life and comes off as so confident! I never would have guessed."

"Yeah, well, he's good at hiding his insecurities. Kensi must have known some of this to know exactly what to say that would drive him away." Kip sat down heavily. "What do you want with him?"

"We just want him to come home! Kensi wants to make it right with him. She still loves him, always will." She knew this as she'd visited her friend before coming here, as she wasn't willing to face Kip Brigham without knowing exactly what would happen if they were able to locate Deeks and bring him home. She wasn't willing to subject her friend to anymore hurt unless she knew how Kensi felt, even though it had been Hetty who'd requested she try. Kensi had broken down and told her she couldn't face a life without him in it. It wouldn't make up for what she'd done, but Nell thought Deeks should have a chance to make that decision for himself. Something that wouldn't happen if he never returned and faced her. She firmly believed the two of them were meant for each other and no one else would do for either of them.

"So, she feels bad about what she did and I'm supposed to do, what? Break the confidence of a man I consider family, my brother? Even if I know where he went, which I don't, I wouldn't tell you."

He looked directly into Nell's face, trying to convey his rock solid belief in this and started to panic when he saw her chin quiver and her eyes fill with tears. He'd never been able to deal with a crying woman and he frantically looked at Eric to find the other man's eyes just as tear filled. He didn't know what to say. "What do you want from me?" He asked frantically.

Eric finally spoke. "We just want the chance to say goodbye. If he really wants to leave LAPD and NCIS, leave us, we'll respect that, but I really don't think it's what he wants. His whole identity is tied up with helping people, being a cop. If we could just talk to him, tell him how much he means to us and that we want him to come home…I think we could convince him."

Kip was surprised at the conviction in the other man's voice. "And Kensi?"

Nell answered. "She just wants a second chance, to tell him it was all lies and try to make him understand why she did it. She knows he may never forgive her, but are you willing to let this chance slip away? Do you think you won't regret it later? That maybe there was a chance to bring two people who love each other more than any couple I've ever seen, back together and you stood in the way? Do you want to live with that?"

Kip looked at the pretty little red head sitting on his couch, pleading with him. "He told me you were good. He thinks of you like a little sister and raved about how smart and brave you are." He looked at Eric. "Both of you." He sighed and stood up. "I have to think about this." It wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a no either.

Nell and Eric stood up as well and, surprisingly, it was Eric who held out his hand and said. "It's all we can expect of you. I just hope you make the right decision. Please, we can only ask that you don't take too long making it." Kip took the proffered hand and nodded. Eric gave him their contact information with a hopeful look on his face.

The two left and he started to pace, not sure what to do, what the right thing was. He remembered when the two of them had come by to talk to him as a possible suspect in the killing of that reporter. He'd teased Marty by repeating things he knew his friend would be embarrassed to admit he'd told him. He'd known right then and there, even though the two of them hadn't gotten together yet, that they belonged together. He'd felt the energy in the room. He remembered everything Marty had said about her, this woman who had been unexpectedly thrown into contact with his friend. He smiled when he thought about how she'd gone from the pain in the ass new partner to a quasi-friend, progressing to best friend and then something so much more. The happiness that had shown from his eyes when he told him that they'd gone all in just before Christmas, two years ago. The last two years had been the best of Marty's life and he wondered what the rest of it would be like without her. This was not a decision he would be able to make lightly.

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Ruben entered the B&B once again the next morning. His evening with Clarinda had been one of the best he'd had in a long time and he felt hopeful for his future. His friend's, however, was still in doubt. No one greeted him and he wandered into the empty dining room only to hear a familiar laugh, Clarinda's. He made his way into the kitchen to find Marty sitting at the kitchen table, wolfing down his breakfast with Clarinda hovering over him. He smiled as he watched the food quickly disappear. "What ya eatin' there mijo?'

Deeks looked up and brandished his fork, loaded with food, and replied. "The best huevos rancheros I've ever eaten! You have to try this!"

Ruben had to grin at the happy look on his friend's face. "I know! Clarinda is the best cook for miles around!"

The woman being talked about, blushed. "You two! You're both charmers, aren't you?"

Deeks and Ruben exchanged a conspiratorial look until reality overtook Deeks and he placed the fork back on his plate, his current appetite forgotten. "Don't know about that, ma'am."

Ruben saw the change in demeanor and immediately knew that it was time to switch things up. "What do you say we check out the neighborhood?"

Deeks forced a smile and took one last bite of the formerly delicious food, then stood and said. "Why not?" Turning to Clarinda he asked. "Would you care to join us and show us around your town?" Ruben knew it was a deflection; that he wouldn't be able to grill Marty about what had happened with her with them, something the young man was well aware of.

Clarinda nodded, happy to spent time with two handsome men and pulled the apron off her waist. "Let's take a walk and see what's going on. I'll see to the dishes when I get back."

Deeks offered an arm and Ruben, not to be outdone, offered the other and the three of them left the B&B arm in arm. As they walked, Clarinda pointed out the various landmarks and introduced Deeks to everyone they ran into. She seemed to know everyone, but then it was a small town. They paused when they reached a small basketball court to watch some boys playing a pickup game on one end of it. Deeks wondered why they weren't in school and said so. He was stunned when Ruben told him it was Saturday and school wasn't in session. He'd completely lost track of what day it was. His attention was caught by a smaller boy watching the bigger ones play. He had a wistful look on his face and Deeks was immediately drawn to him. Walking over to stand beside the boy, he continued to watch the action on the court.

"Wish you were out there playing?"

The boy looked up at the stranger in surprise and some trepidation. He looked around and saw Miss. Clarinda, who nodded that it was okay. "Yeah, but I'm too small. They won't let me play."

"Well, I doubt they'd let me play either. You guys have another ball? I'd like to get out there myself and need someone to play against." He looked down at the boy and held out his hand. "I'm Marty by the way."

The boy took it and responded. "Diego. There's another ball over there but I'm not sure the guys will let us play."

"Why not? They're not using the other end of the court."

Diego swallowed and looked at the boys again. "They'll decide they want to use the whole court once they see us using it."

"Well, let's see what happens. Get the other ball and we'll start up our own game." The boy ran over to the opposite side of the court and grabbed the remaining ball. He scurried back to Deeks's side and handed it to him. Deeks bounced it a couple times; it was old and a little flat but he decided it would do. "Let's go." He led the boy onto the court and they started to play. Ruben watched, happy to see his friend having some fun. He was watching the boy chase Marty around the court when the much taller man pulled up at midcourt and launched the ball at the basket. Diego's jaw dropped open when it swished through the net. He looked up at Deeks who shrugged and said. "Lucky shot."

The other boys had seen the shot as well and decided it was time to push these interlopers off their court. The biggest of them sauntered over and said. "You need to leave. We're playing and we want the whole court." Clarinda started towards them but Ruben placed a hand on her arm and smiled down into her questioning face, shaking his head. They turned back to watch the confrontation.

Deeks smiled and said. "You were doing just fine on the other end and we're not taking up much space. I have an idea, why don't we join forces and play one game?"

The boy laughed as the others came up to flank him. "He's too puny and you're too old."

Deeks's smile just got bigger and he said. "Really? Want to put your money where your mouth is?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" The boy said belligerently and thrust his chest out.

"Diego and I take on you and one other guy, first to ten baskets. We win, Diego gets to play. We lose, we'll leave."

The boys all laughed and the leader sneered at him. "Why should we? We can just kick your asses off our court and be done with it."

"You that afraid of one puny boy and one old man?"

All laughter died and the boy in front of him pointed to the next largest. "Jorge, you're on my team. Let's wipe the court with these two."

Deeks nodded and held out his hand. "Marty."

The boy looked at it like it was something dirty and refused to take it but at least gave him a name. "Patricio."

The game started and at first it seemed like the boys were going to win easily but then Deeks upped his game a few notches, shooting basket after basket and stripping the ball from both of the boys with ease. Diego simply followed him around until the score was 9-9. Deeks stripped Jorge of the ball once more and passed it to Diego who looked like he didn't know what to do with it. The other two boys started for him and Deeks played defense, keeping both of them at bay as Diego scurried around the court, dribbling the ball.

"Diego, shoot it!" Clarinda yelled from the sidelines where she and Ruben had watched with fascination, cheering on their team. The boy looked from her to the ball to the basket and finally heaved it up. Everyone stopped to watch the ball make its way towards its target only to fall short.

Patricio picked up the ball and looked at Deeks. The other boys joined them on the court as he said. "You could have just taken the shot and won. Why give the ball to Diego?"

Deeks shrugged. "It's a team game and everyone should get their shot." He placed his hand on Diego's shoulder. "He made a valiant effort and I think, with a little practice, he could be a pretty good player." Diego looked up at him with awe and not a little hero worship. Patricio exchanged looks with the rest of the boys and then held out his hand. Deeks smiled and took it as he asked. "What do you say we call it a tie and start another game with everyone playing? We have an even number and I'll take Diego on my team."

Patricio grinned and nodded. The boys split into two teams, everyone wanting to be on Deeks's. He picked the smallest of the remaining boys and the game was on. Clarinda turned to look at Ruben. "How did you know he didn't need our help? These boys aren't bad, exactly, but they're known to run in a pack and bully the younger kids. What just happened out there?"

Ruben just shrugged and said. "Marty happened."

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Around 4 AM, Kip stopped his pacing and looked into the pool, feeling exhausted and no closer to a decision. The funny thing was, Marty was the one he normally would've gone to when faced with something like this, something he just didn't know what to do about. He'd spent most of the night pacing around his house, thinking he'd made a decision and then second guessing himself. Finally, he thought about the sound of his friend's voice when he'd called him asking for the truck. The memory of the sad and defeated tone of his voice helped him make his decision. It might cost him a friend, but if there was any possibility that he'd be able to see that happiness come back to his friend's eyes, then he'd be willing to take the chance. He picked up his cell phone and punched in the numbers that the two federal agents had left him.

Eric rolled over and fumbled for the ringing phone on his bedside table. It felt like they'd just gone to bed, looking at the read out on the phone he realized it was true. They'd worked late into the evening until Hetty had finally sent them home a couple hours ago. Nell yawned and sat up, pulling the covers up to her chin. "Who is it?" She was hoping she knew.

Eric looked up and said. "I don't recognize the number. The only person who has this number and isn't in my contact list, is Kip Brigham."

"Well, answer it!"

He fumbled the phone and finally answered. "Eric Beale."

"Yes, Mr. Brigham." Nell tensed, worried that he'd already made his decision and that it was the wrong one. She watched out of the corner of her eye as Eric scrambled in the drawer of the bedside table and pulled out a pen and pad of paper, poised to write down the information.

"Yes, like we said earlier, we only want to talk with him. He's not in any trouble, I promise you!"

"Ok, go ahead."

Writing down what Brigham was telling them, the look on Eric's face told the story. He'd agreed and they had a chance.

"Thank you Kip! I know you won't regret this!" Surprised that Eric had used the man's first name, Nell raised her eyebrows at her partner in crime. Eric finally hung up and brandished the piece of paper.

"We have all the information on what vehicle Deeks was driving! Year, make, model, color and license plate! We're going to find him Nell! We're going to bring him home!"

His smile was infectious and Nell felt a huge grin burst onto her own face. She gave into her foremost urge and kissed that smile right off his face.

Three hours later, in a computer filled room in Los Angeles, a bleary eyed Eric Beale's face lit up. "Nell! I found him crossing the border into Mexico yesterday! Just like we figured!" He looked over at his partner who was smiling from ear to ear. "He's not traveling under his own name but I got the one he's using by hacking into the border guard's computer system." He clicked some keys and the image of Deeks in the borrowed truck appeared on the big screen.

Nell looked at the picture and frowned. "Are you sure that's him?"

"Yes! That's why we didn't find any video of him before, he's hiding his face and was careful to avoid letting the cameras at the border guard station get a full on facial picture. Facial rec wouldn't have picked him up but the license plate matches what Kip gave us. That's him! Meet Richard Higgins."

Nell turned and ran out the door. She raced down the stairs and the two men in the bull pen looked up at her expectantly. Hetty quickly got up from her chair to join them. Nell paused on the landing and said breathlessly. "We found him!"

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