Choices

Chapter 4

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The snow squeaked under his boots as he made his way to the porch behind Soldier. The boy had his arm wrapped around his ribs, and Deeks reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"You okay?" He asked as the boy turned to face him.

"I was scared, Uncle Deeks."

"Me too."

"And mad," he said, looking down at his feet.

"Yeah… Me too," Deeks said again. "You took quite a risk going after Harley like that, but I'm glad you did. It was impressive."

"Really?"

"Your dad will be proud," Deeks said. "But he'll probably want to kick my ass. How much did you tell him when you called?"

"Enough to get him yelling in Arapaho," Soldier said, grinning shyly up at him. "He wasn't too happy with me when he found out where we were."

"Better here than freezing to death out in that blizzard," Deeks said. "It'll be dark in a couple of hours. Hope Purty's cavalry gets here soon."

"Papa told me he wasn't sure Kemp would let him on the property," Soldier said.

"Why the hell not?"

"He said it was a story for another time," he replied. "I could hear Kensi in the background. She was already on the phone to the Chief of Police."

"That's my beautiful ninja wifey," Deeks said proudly, smiling as he followed Soldier into the cabin.

Once again he wished she'd been with him, the fear he'd felt for Soldier and Molly resurfacing as he recalled the fight. The whole thing could have gone sideways very easily. Soldier had surprised him by taking on Harley, giving him the opening he needed to take out Bryce. He'd forced the issue, but if he hadn't it was quite possible that none of them would have survived. Deeks paused at the thought, realizing just how lucky they'd all been. Purty had been unable to help, or had just been too surprised to act. Now he was back in the leather chair by the waning fire, which had settled into a pulsing glow of embers and small, flickering, blue and orange flames. The satellite phone was pressed against his chest and his eyes were closed.

"Guess I really owe you now, city boy," he said, without opening his eyes. "For a while there, those assholes had me thinking about all the things I would never get to do."

"Like what?"

"Finding a hot chick who'd put up with me," he said softly. "Winning a gold buckle in bull riding at the State Fair, seeing what all the hoopla is about California…maybe seeing some girls in bikinis. Stuff like that."

"I could help you with that last wish," Deeks said, grinning at him. "But, not with that first one. I'm not a miracle worker."

"You are a lifesaver, though," Purty said, finally opening his eyes to stare at him.

"I just did what I'm trained to do," Deeks replied, feeling uncomfortable with the sentiment.

"Is Soldier trained, too?" He asked. "Caused he moved like it."

"I think his dad, Elan, has been working with him," Deeks replied, looking over at the boy as he and Molly talked softly to one another in the kitchen.

"Yeah. That big Arapaho is something. Saw him take down a guy at a rodeo once," Purty said. "Guy never knew what hit 'em. Backed his buddies right off."

"What was it about?"

"The guy and his buddies were harassin' a young Indian girl," he replied. "He told 'em to stop, and when they didn't, he grabbed Corky by the neck and shoved his head into the side of a horse trailer."

"Were you one of the buddies?" Deeks asked as he threw a couple of more logs on the fire.

"I was a teenager, but I wasn't stupid enough to try anything after that."

"Good idea," Deeks said. "He was an Army Ranger."

"That explains it," Purty said, holding the satellite phone out to him. "My father and Dalton are on their way. You need to talk to anyone?"

"Thanks. Probably should tell my wife I'm good," he replied, taking the phone.

"How long you been married?"

"A little over three months," he said, unable to keep from smiling. "We're on our honeymoon. Or I should say…our pre-honeymoon."

"Was she one of those bikini girls?" Purty asked with a smirk.

"No..no…we met at an MMA gym."

"No shit?"

"She's a Federal agent too," Deeks replied. "And she's my partner."

The sound of an approaching helicopter distracted Purty, and Deeks let out a sigh of relief. It would be good to get back to the ranch, and to hug his wife. The thought made him smile inwardly. He was ready to go on his real honeymoon, alone with the woman he loved, in a place with lots of sunny days, white sand, and deep aquamarine water that stretched all the way to the horizon.

"You comin'?" Purty asked as he pushed himself to his feet.

He nodded as the man moved slowly to follow Molly out the door. Soldier hung back, looking over at Deeks with sad eyes. He hated seeing that look of uncertainty on the kid's face. It made him mad.

"Maybe things will change now," Deeks said, trying to lift his spirits.

"I hope so," Soldier replied, as the sound of the helicopter got louder. "I really like her, Uncle Deeks."

"I do too," he said, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "She's cute and she's tough. Reminds me a little of Kensi."

"I just wish her family would like me," he said softly, tearing at Deeks' heart.

He wanted to assure the boy, but until he met the Kemps he couldn't. Through the open door they could see a sleek black helo with red striping coming in low over the lake, skimming just above the tops of the cottonwoods. It looked like the ones the LAPD flew, and he wondered if it was the police coming instead of the Kemps. The rotors beat out a loud whomping sound as it gently set down, the snow whipped into a frenzy like the blizzard they'd just survived. When the engine shut down and the snow began to sift back down to the ground, Deeks noticed a distinctive logo on the side. The background was yellow with the silhouette of a black wolf racing across the top of bold, capital red letters that spelled out Kemp. Deeks thought it was a hell of a way to make an entrance, and one he thought was a common one for this family. Nothing subtle about any of it.

The rear compartment door opened, and a dark haired man with a neatly trimmed beard jump down into the snow. He was wearing a black Stetson, dark blue jeans, and a white shirt under a red ski parka. He stepped aside to allow the man behind him to get out. He was tall and his hair was steel grey. His square jawline was clean-shaven, and his stance was ramrod straight, almost military. Dark eyes took in everything, and they were sharp, like flecks of obsidian Jim Littleshield had once showed him. He was hatless and dressed in a maroon sweater and black ski pants that were tucked into laced up hiking boots. There was no doubt who was in charge. The two men both stood still for a moment, scanning the scene as if trying to come to some decision. Neither smiled. There was a coldness about the older man that matched the freezing temperature, and it surprised Deeks. He looked like a man who was pissed that he'd been interrupted and taken away from something more important, instead of a man who's two children had just called to tell him they'd been threatened by men with guns. Purty hesitated, and Molly turned back to look at Soldier, and then up at him. She looked embarrassed.

"It's my dad and Dalton," she said, as the two men slogged a few steps through the crusty snow, before stopping when someone called to them from the helicopter.

As the Kemps turned to look back, another form appeared behind them. A woman scooted out of the helo, her long, strawberry blond hair blown wild by the wind, along with a pink scarf wrapped in several layers around her throat. She wore a bulky white sweater and pale blue jeans tucked into stylish, honey-colored boots that came up almost to her knees. Deeks was struck by the thought that she didn't look to be much older than he was.

"Mom!" Molly rushed down the steps to greet her.

As Molly passed her father, the man reached out and took her arm to stop her. She stared up at him with a little anger and a touch of fear.

"Sheff. Please," Molly's mother pleaded from behind him. "She's been through a frightening ordeal."

"Did either one of these two hurt you?" The man asked Molly, pulling her close, but with his eyes on Deeks and Soldier.

"The men who tried are locked up in the barn," she said tightly. "Ask Purty."

She pulled her arm free and went to her mother, who ran a shaking hand through Molly's short hair before wrapping her arms around her. Sheffield Kemp watched briefly before turning his attention to Purty, who was talking quietly with his brother.

"You look like hell," Kemp said as more of an observation than with any concern.

"Said his horse spooked and fell on him," Dalton reported. "He claims that hippie over there saved his life. Pulled him out of the creek."

"Were you doing something stupid?" His father asked. "Horses don't spook for no reason."

"He flushed some grouse," Deeks said from the porch. "Flew right up under his horse."

"You got a name?"

"Doesn't everyone?" Deeks replied, flashing a hopeful grin even though his joke froze in midair.

"Don't smart talk me young man," Sheffield snapped.

"Sorry. Old habit. I'm Marty Deeks," his words spoken with caution as he watched the man's expression harden.

"You and that Indian kid are trespassing on my property. I can have you both arrested."

"Yeah…don't think that would hold up in court, Mr. Kemp," Deeks said, trying to hold his temper in check. "We were both invited here by members of your own family. I'd hardly call that trespassing."

"I'm a respected attorney with powerful friends," he said, standing even taller, if that was possible. "I can make a charge stick if I choose to do so."

"Then you should choose not to," Deeks replied, his anger flaring. "I'm a lawyer and a Federal agent. Purty was unconscious when I pulled him out of that creek and managed to bring him here. He's badly injured, by the way. And Soldier, this so-called Indian kid, helped me take out two armed men in your cabin who were poaching game on your property, and who I'm pretty sure didn't intend to leave witnesses to what they were about to do. If you want to pursue a trespassing charge against me, give it a try. But if I were you, I'd concentrate on putting good old Harley and Bryce in jail for endangering two minors, and threatening your son and a Federal agent with assault weapons."

"You're not me," the man said stonily, but looked over to assess Purty. "Is what he said true, son? Are you injured?"

"Think my elbow's broken, sir…maybe a rib or two," he replied. "Nothing I can't handle."

"You always were a whiner, Purty," Dalton said. "And I doubt those two poachers were all that scary."

Purty turned to glare daggers at Dalton. "What the fuck do you know? You were home, probably with your damn feet up…drinkin'. One of those bastards grabbed Molly, while the other one held a big ass rifle on me and Deeks. Soldier charged an armed man to protect her. Deeks took the rifle away from the other one and knocked his teeth out, then fired a shot right over the head of the asshole fighting Soldier. You should be thanking them both instead of threatening to send them to jail."

Sheffield stared at his son for a long time, his eyes narrowing, before looking over at Deeks and Soldier, who remained on the porch. He made no effort to acknowledge what Purty had just recounted, but Deeks saw his expression soften slightly.

"Dalton? Get Purty, Molly, and Alison in the copter," he ordered, and called to the man in the front passenger seat. "Beecher? You're staying. Wait with those two for the authorities. They'll be along shortly."

"Why can't they come with us, Daddy?" Molly asked. "There's room."

"This is for family only. The police will want statements and an accounting of what happened here," he replied. "Beecher will see to the mess and assess any damage or missing items. He'll let the officers know where we are. They can come to the hospital if they need to interview you and Purty."

He made no attempt to thank Deeks or Soldier, but Mrs. Kemp looked sharply at him before walking toward them with a steely determination. She held her hand out as she climbed the two steps up onto the porch, clasping Deeks' hand in both of hers, her eyes bright with unshed tears.

"How can I ever thank you?" She said, and reached over to caress Soldier's cheek, looking calmly at him. "You were a brave young man, Soldier. Molly is everything to me, and I know she likes you very much. Thank you for fighting for her. That took courage."

"I couldn't let them hurt her, Mrs. Kemp," Soldier replied shyly. "She's my friend."

"Please…call me Alison," she replied, pleading with them as she stared up at Deeks. "It's rare to hear Purty defend someone. You must have impressed him."

"I'm sure he'll get over it," Deeks replied with a quick grin.

"Well I won't," she said. "Je te rembourserai. That's French for…"

"I will repay you," Soldier translated, causing her to smile.

"Vous parlez Français," she said jauntily.

"Oui. Seulement un peu, Madame."

"Did you learn it in school?" She asked.

"No. From friends in Normandy," Soldier replied.

"You have been to France? How wonderful," she said. "But you wouldn't have gone alone. Did you take him there, Mr. Deeks?"

"That would be his father, Elan Hand," Deeks replied. "And don't try to speak French with him. He only knows a few words and those shouldn't be spoken in polite company."

"I'm intrigued," she said and laughed softly.

"Alison? I'm waiting," Sheffield Kemp called out as the helo slowly began to rev up.

"Please forgive my husband," she said, her smile gone. "He's a hard and very proud man."

With that she turned and stoically walked back toward the helicopter. When she was inside, it quickly lifted off, leaving a man standing alone with a shoulder holster strapped across his chest. He wore sunglasses, a black watch cap that matched his clothing, and carried a heavy plaid jacket under his arm, as if the cold didn't bother him.

"Real friendly family," Deeks murmured as they watched the helo bank right, and fly out over the lake and head down toward the valley.

Deeks decided not to wait for the man to approach, turning instead to go back inside. He was cold, even if Kemp's security man wasn't.

"Hold on," Beecher said, tromping heavily up the two steps. "Mr. Kemp wants me to check the place over, and he told me not to let either one of you back inside."

"Well, Mr. Beecher, we're not staying out here in this freezing weather, if that's what you're suggesting," Deeks said. "I've worked crime scenes. I know what not to touch or disturb. We'll stay by the fire."

"Okay. You can go in, but the kid stays out," Beecher said, his pale blue eyes hard as ice.

"Seriously?" Deeks felt his face flush with anger. "And why's that?"

"Just following orders," he replied.

"Like a good little neo-Nazi?"

"Fuck you. I'm just doing my job. What Mr. Kemp says, goes, so that Indian ain't going inside," the man said, his hand inching up toward the grip of the semi-automatic Glock pistol under his arm.

"Yes…he is," Deeks countered. "From what Mr. Kemp said, the cops are on the way. You'll have to explain to them, not to mention my boss at NCIS…why you shot an unarmed Federal agent. They'll probably also want to know if you were given the go ahead to do so by your employer. And in case you're not aware, that would make Mr. Kemp an accessory to a Federal crime, or murder, if you happen to kill me. And if that happens, then you'll become acquainted with my team at NCIS, and my wife, a kickass Federal agent with mad sniper skills and a real nasty temper. Oh…and did I mention? We're newlyweds and she loves me very much."

Deeks didn't wait for him to say anything, just pushed the door open, and guided Soldier inside. He was actually hoping the man would try to stop him. It would give him an excuse to vent some of his anger by punching the prick in the mouth. Soldier was grinning at him, and that softened his irritation with the entire situation. It took Beecher a moment of reflection before he followed them in. While Deeks and Soldier warmed themselves in front of the fire, the man walked through the room. He was attentive and careful, and Deeks realized he knew his way around a crime scene. He took his time, finally pausing in front of the poachers' rifles Deeks had collected and leaned against the gun cabinet.

"Pretty expensive hardware," the man said. "Ambush 300 Blackouts. Semi-automatic with Nikon scopes. Serious stuff. Overkill, if you ask me."

"You would know," Deeks replied.

Beecher looked over at him, his nostrils flaring at the snide comment. Deeks heard him mutter a curse word before turning back to take in the broken whiskey bottle on the floor. He continued his commentary as if the two of them were interested in his expert opinion, which Deeks wasn't.

"Didn't see any fresh carcasses on the flight in. Saw the snowmobile outside. The game warden will be in a huff about that if they were firing on game from the back of one of those, not to mention it being out of season. Must have been planning to come back after the storm to dress out their kills. If anything was left after predators found them."

"They were the predators," Deeks said. "Not sure what they had in mind when they found us all here, but I know it wasn't good."

"Most poachers don't kill people," Beecher noted.

"Maybe they're not just poachers," Deeks said. "Maybe they had another agenda."

"Feds always think there's another agenda," he replied. "Maybe these guys were just stupid, bumbling around out here having fun. Maybe you misread the situation. Escalated it."

"And why would I do that?" Deeks snapped. "I had an injured man, and two teenagers here."

"Did you panic?"

"Now, you're just trying to piss me off," Deeks said quietly.

"Well, did you?"

"No, Beecher, I did not," he replied, holding onto his anger as tightly as he could. "I was LAPD before becoming an NCIS agent. I know a threat when it's right in front of me, especially when I'm looking down the muzzle of a semi-automatic weapon."

"LAPD? You?" The man asked, starting to smile.

"Yeah, me. Made detective and everything," Deeks shot back. "Undercover mostly."

"I could see that," Beecher said with a nod. "You know…with the hair and all."

"What police department were you with?"

The man looked surprised he'd made him for an ex-cop. "Denver. Homicide detective. But hey, Kemp pays more."

"That wouldn't be hard," Deeks said. "How'd you score the job?"

"You don't need to know that," he replied, and Deeks knew it was something he wasn't proud of.

"Fair enough," Deeks allowed. "What should I know?"

The man looked over at Soldier and then back to Deeks. "Not that I care what the hell you think, but I'm not a neo-Nazi. But…Sheffield Kemp? Let's just say I wouldn't be surprised. All I do know is…he specifically hates Indians. Passionately. He actually prides himself on it. The rest of them have been soaking in that hatred probably since the day they were born. So, you should know that what this kid did here today…won't change that old man one fucking whisker."

"I'm gonna go check on the horses," Soldier said, and walked purposely toward the door.

"Soldier…"

"I understand them a whole lot better than I do people," he said as he walked outside and closed the door gently behind him.

"You should try and keep that kid away from Molly Kemp if you can," Beecher warned.

"One more threat to top off the day," Deeks said, growing weary of listening to them.

"It's good advice. Not a threat," the ex-cop replied. "Kemp is a control freak, and a very rich and powerful attorney. What he wants he usually gets. He's lethal when things don't go his way, so be careful."

"Are you saying he'd physically hurt the boy if he doesn't back off?"

"There are all sorts of ways to hurt a kid like that that isn't physical," he replied.

"Soldier has been hurt enough in his life," Deeks said, taking two long strides that put him within striking distance of the man. "Don't underestimate me or his family, especially his father, Elan Hand. Every single one of us would take a bullet for that kid, and you don't want to mess with Elan. Believe me."

"I'm just saying…watch your back. All of you," Beecher said. "If he comes at you, you might not see it coming."

"And if I do see you coming, I won't hesitate to protect Soldier or his family."

"Understood."

"Make sure your employer does too," Deeks said.

"Oh, he'll hear about it," the man replied. "He pays me well for my intel."

Deeks was left with a foul taste in his mouth when Beecher smiled at him and headed for the door. He wasn't sure if what he'd said had been an honest warning, or another veiled threat. Probably a little of both. Either way he couldn't wait to get himself and Soldier out of here.

"Sounds like our local country lawmen have arrived," Beecher said to the growing sound of approaching vehicles. "Let's go see who they sent out. Saratoga cops don't have jurisdiction this far out, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Chief of Police shows up in spite of that. Kemp contributed to his last campaign. Doubt the County Sheriff could have made it down here so soon from Rawlins in this weather, but he's up for reelection and needs money, so if he's got an officer in the vicinity he'll be coming for sure. That leaves local Game Warden, Henry Tarver. He does have jurisdiction, since these yahoos were poaching. And Henry hates poachers."

Deeks wished the man would just shut up. He no longer cared about the two poachers. The only thing he wanted was to get Soldier home, and to wrap his arms around his wife. Kensi was the only one he hoped to see as he walked back out on the porch.

Four vehicles were slowly making their way toward the cabin in the dying light. A green Ford pickup led the way over what appeared to be a rough two track road that skirted the edge of the lake. The man driving wore a bright red shirt that stood out in the dull gray light. Behind him Deeks recognized Joe's four-wheel drive SUV. As soon as they pulled up to the cabin, Elan was out and rushing toward the cabin, followed by Kensi. Just seeing her made him feel warm and safe.

"Where's Soldier?" Elan asked, his eyes dark and intense.

"He's in the barn," Deeks said, taking his arm to try and calm him. "Elan…he's okay."

Elan dropped his head and took a deep breath. When he looked up, Deeks saw the film of fear fade from his eyes before he was wrapped in a powerful hug.

"I'm glad you were with him," Elan whispered.

"Elan?" Kensi said, pointing toward the low log barn.

Soldier had walked out of barn leading three horses, his dark hair blowing across his face when he looked up to see his father. He raised his hand and Elan jumped from the porch and slogged through the snow to reach him.

Kensi stepped in front of Deeks and put both her hands on his chest, looking steadily into his eyes. "Hey, baby. Are you okay?"

"I am now, Mrs. Deeks," he breathed out, smiling down at her. "I am now."

…

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