Hey there good people! So here we go with another chapter…

Disclaimer: as per usual NCISLA is not mine

HANDS OF GUILT

CHAPTER 7

"What do you mean Deeks? What makes you think Ben Carting isn't his real name?" asked Kensi.

"When I discovered Ben's habit of pickpocketing I decided to do a little digging about him and his past. I felt so guilty about doing it since Ben was a friend but I found that the last foster home he arrived at was the one where he learnt his theft craft. His foster father was a cop and a crooked one at that. Ben's foster father, James Sanderson fought in the first Gulf War as a bomb diffuser expert. After the war Sanderson joined the police where his skills were put to use in the bomb squad" Deeks explained.

"I'm thinking James Sanderson taught Ben all about bombs" Sam grumbled.

"So am I", nodded Callen, "Go on Deeks".

"I also discovered that Sanderson had a lucrative little sideline where he was using Ben to sell drugs to teenagers at school. The kids would get high, get into trouble causing the police to have to attend to the scenes of out of control kids, meaning more overtime for the cops which the police couldn't afford to give out. I went undercover and caught Sanderson buying the drugs for those purposes and exposed him to internal affairs. Sanderson was thrown out of the police force and into jail for his crimes"

"But how come Ben still thought of you as a friend Deeks? Wouldn't the fact that you discovered James Sanderson's illegal activities alert Ben to your involvement?" Kensi asked.

"I pleaded with the officials at LAPD to not tell Ben it was me who discovered Sanderson's crimes. Ben was holidaying in Europe with a girlfriend at the time of Sanderson's arrest, so Ben never discovered it was me…until my name came up in court" Deeks said sadly.

"So Ben knows you found out what Sanderson was up to and reported him and has decided now to seek revenge. What is Ben's real name then?" Callen asked.

"Ricky Hanaren. Ben changed his name after James Sanderson's arrest. Ben felt like he didn't want to be a part of the Sanderson name anymore" said Deeks.

"You said James Sanderson was only a foster father to Ben though Deeks" Sam frowned.

"James Sanderson was a foster father but wanted to adopt Ben formally. The authorities wouldn't allow it because Sanderson was a single dad, his wife Naomi was killed by a truck that lost its load of gas cylinders which then exploded, onto her car killing her in the resulting explosions. So Sanderson had Ben's name changed by deed poll to Ricky Sanderson".

"Ben was in on James Sanderson's crimes though. I mean Sanderson used Ben to deal and sell the drugs at school. Why would he feel like he had to change his name?" asked Kensi.

"Oh believe me Ben knew exactly what he was doing. He didn't think I knew about his deals at school but through a couple of kids I got to know through a few misdemeanours I picked them up on they told me all about Ben's dealings. I kept quiet that I knew to keep the case against Sanderson strong. If you remember a couple of months back I was away from NCIS for a couple of days?"

"Yeah you never told us why you were gone Deeks. I'm still mad about that" Kensi said as she nudged Deeks' arm with her elbow, more gently than normal though, seeing as he was injured.

"That's why I was gone. Internal affairs had Ben under surveillance and caught him doing the deals and other illegal stuff and arrested him. The court let him out on bail and he is due to be sentenced next month. And I'm subpoenaed to testify against him there too"

"So Ben now realises your involvement in both Sanderson's arrest and his own. Nell find out if James Sanderson is alive and where he is".

"On it", the little red headed analyst said as she moved her fingers deftly over the keys.

"Records show James Sanderson was sentenced to fifteen years jail, with no parole for supplying drugs for use for dealing to minors. He is alive and currently serving time at the County Jail" Nell answered.

"He is not due to get out until 2014" added Eric.

"Sanderson has received one visitor during his incarceration" Nell said.

"Let me guess, Ben Carting" Callen gave a thin smile.

"Correct guess Callen. Ben has been visiting on and off for the past few months especially" smiled Nell.

"So what's our next step then guys?" asked Kensi.

"Sam and I will pay a visit to James Sanderson", answered Callen.

"Don't leave me out of this. I want to catch Ben myself. He deserves to get a little bit injured by my own hands" Deeks groaned in a mixture of pain and anger.

"We're not leaving you out of this Deeks. Right now you have to focus on getting yourself healed and out of hospital. Let Sam and I talk to Sanderson first, then we'll think about the next step. I believe you're going home with Kensi when you're released?" Callen smiled.

"The doctor is coming around in about twenty minutes to do an assessment on Deeks' injuries. If the doc is happy then he'll be allowed to leave" said Kensi.

"Nurse Kensi. Has a nice ring to it don't ya think?" grinned Deeks.

"Well it does mean I'll be in charge of changing the plasters on your body. Don't you have a lot of hair where your bandages are Deeks?" smirked Kensi.

"You wouldn't be so cruel to your injured partner would you Kensi?" smiled Deeks.

"That all depends on how good and well behaved you are as a patient doesn't it?" purred Kensi. "I mean these hands can be used for good or evil".

There you go. Next chapter Deeks goes home to Kensi but is allowed to start finding Ben. Reviews most welcome. Much much love xxx