Partners

/Chapter 6/

a/n: okay, trying for a case story...this chapter is the set-up. It will be a quickie as I want the story to focus on team dynamics/Callen-Deeks relationship rather than full on case details...so we'll skim case details in favor of the h/c, friendship/family dynamic...

/ N C I S: L A /

Things had been mostly business as usual at NCIS over the last six weeks since Deeks and Callen had learned of there "connection"; just like Sam, the changes in the dynamic between Deeks and Callen did not pass unnoticed by the rest of the team, and for the most part it was seen as a positive thing. If Callen wanted to be a little more open, a little less "lone wolf"; if Deeks showed more "interest" in learning NCIS protocols and procedures, who were they to complain...it was only making the team bond stronger.

The team had just completed two rather low-key, back-to-back ops, and they were looking forward to some well- earned down time when Deeks phone rang toward the end the workday.

The agents watched curiously as the detective listened to the caller at the other end. Deeks sighed heavily, slumping back in his chair, "yeah, nine tomorrow...I'll be there..."

Ending his call, he looked up to the expectant faces of his teammates, "Uh, that was Bates; I've got an assignment..."

"An undercover..." Callen said knowingly, a scowl on his face; leaning forward in his chair he asked, "...for how long?"

Deeks shrugged, "As long as it takes, you know you can't put a time frame on these things..."

"So why you...why now," Callen demanded, his tone held a hint of accusation, "LAPD hasn't called you in months—Bates said it himself, you belong to us now."

And it was true, except for some information sharing and closing out and testifying on some pending cases, Deeks had had very little actual working contact with the LAPD since his "suspension" during the Clarence Fisk investigation. For the most part, Deeks still being LAPD didn't even register with the Ops team anymore.

"I may play in your sandbox, but in case you've forgotten, I am still a cop," Deeks said with a shrug, "narcotics has been piecing this one together for over a year now...laying down some groundwork for my cover..."

Callen took in and let out a deep breath, a frown creasing his forehead, his eyes boring into the detective, "...and why exactly is that... just how many times you gonna do this before you've had enough, before you stop doing this to the team...how many more near misses before you wise up to the PD?"

"Huh...wise up to the PD, what are you talking about," Deeks rejoined, confused by Callen's attitude, adding, "...in case you haven't been paying attention...I've had just as many 'near' misses, as you put it, working with you guys; kinda comes with the job, man..."

Ignoring Deeks comments, Callen continued, "...and what is it this time...drug dealer, another shady lawyer, IA can't do their own dirty work...cause we all know how well your PD under-covers work out.."

Raising an eyebrow Deeks asked tightly, "Hold up...you saying I don't know how to do my job?"

"No—what I'm asking is why you keep going back; what has the PD ever given you...or have you forgotten you almost died the last two times LAPD sent you under," Callen said as he rested his hands on Deeks desk and leaned towards the detective.

"Whoa...that's what this is about...my going undercover..." Deeks said, adding, "It's never been an issue before..."

"Well it is now..." Callen stated.

"I'll have an entire department..." Deeks started to say only to be interrupted by Callen.

"It's not us..." Callen pointed out.

"Look, I'm already committed to this...my cover was set up months ago, and now I'm getting face time with the dealer they've been investigating," Deeks explained, "We get this guy off the street and we shut down a major distributor of heroin in this city...plus, hopefully get enough to move on some of his side businesses..."

"Side businesses," Sam questioned.

"No one has been able to link him directly, but we think he runs a child pornography ring too," Deeks said with disgust.

And with that Callen knew nothing he could say or do would keep Deeks from the case...if children were involved, the detective was laser focused in his quest to bring down the perpetrators, no matter the cost.

"Anything we can do to help," Callen asked with a sigh.

"PD op...No military angle..." Deeks replied, standing he continued, "I gotta go talk to Hetty..."

/ N C I S: L A /

Hetty was not any happier than her senior agent and had a few choice words for Captain Bates about absconding with her liaison officer- again...

"Hey, until he decides to turn in his badge he's still mine..." Bates reminded the woman, adding, "...we've been setting up his cover for this for months...we're not dropping him in this blind..."

"I would appreciate being kept informed of Mr. Deeks assignment," Hetty said.

"Would it do me any good to remind you this is an LAPD operation," Bates reminded the woman.

"Need I remind you that Mr. Deeks has a home here with us, and his team mates have grown rather fond of the cheeky bastard: his highly trained ex-Seal and ex-CIA trained teammates, that would be very upset if something were to happen to him—again, while on LAPD time," Hetty threatened lightly.

With a snort, Bates replied, "No, Ms. Lang, you don't have to remind me of your 'vested' interest in Mr. Deeks continued safety...but, be very clear...this is my op..."

"Naturally, Lt. Bates, we would never think of interfering in a local investigation..." Hetty replied easily.

"I'll be in touch," Bates said, ending the call.

Hetty closed her phone and sat back in her chair, steep ling her fingers, a smug smile crossing her face, saying casually, "you can stop lurking now Mr. Callen..."

Callen stepped from behind the partitioning wall that separated her office area from the rest of the ground floor, "what'd Bates say?"

"We'll be kept in the loop, but this is strictly an LAPD operation..." Hetty said.

"Yeah and the last time we let LAPD lead, Deeks was damn near blown to hell..." Callen ground out.

"And while in the service of NCIS, Mr. Deeks has been shot and nearly killed by a Serbian spy looking for his wife, been exposed to small pox, and been in numerous explosions..." Hetty said, "Need, "need I continue..."

"Alright, I get it, I am well aware our job is dangerous..." Callen snapped back.

"I understand your worry Mr. Callen, but you cannot keep Mr. Deeks from doing his job," Hetty pointed out, adding, "Any more than he would keep you from doing yours."

Sighing heavily, Callen dropped into a chair, "I know..."

"This connection you have with Mr. Deeks is a wonderful thing...can give you a sense of family that even a team just can't quite reach; but, don't let it cloud your judgment Mr. Callen—or you will end up doing more harm than good," Hetty warned lightly. "Remember, he's still the same man...the same detective; and you've trusted his skills thus far..."

"Hetty, you know it's not about trusting him..." Callen interjected.

"I know," she replied. "Before, it was a teammate taking risks...now it's more like a-brother..."

Callen didn't reply.

...ncis la...

a/n: could use some input for the case story...I want it to be short and to the point and I really have problems with that as I am so OCD with details and all...if anyone has any ideas they would like to bandy about, drop me a note...