Treasures: Chapter 7

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Over the next three days, Deeks settled into a daily routine of swimming, knee exercises and long conversations over lunch with Saki after the therapy sessions were over. They had hit it off from day one and took turns razzing each other about everything. He was a surfer too, so Deeks was able to get the latest on the local surf scene and some juicy gossip about people they knew in common. It always amazed him how Hetty knew exactly the right person to bring into a situation, but then he realized he shouldn't be, because she had done the same with him, knowing he was the perfect partner for Kensi, at least that's what he thought.

"How long have you known Hetty?" Deeks asked as they sat down to an early lunch by the pool.

"Most of my life," he answered. "I think I was eight when I first met her. She was a friend of my father."

Deeks noticed a hesitancy as he spoke and his voice became softer as he continued.

"She saved my dad's life during a busted op," Saki said.

"Your dad was CIA?" Deeks asked in surprise.

"Yeah. He was badly injured, but she refused to leave him behind, even though she was ordered to." Saki said as he stared out at the pool. "She managed to get him on a private plane and flew him back to the States for medical attention. He was never the same after that, so he retired and we moved to LA when I was fourteen. She came to visit whenever she could and we would have these amazing conversations. After I graduated from UCLA with a degree in linguistics, she got me a job with the CIA."

"Your security clearance is way above mine, then," Deeks said.

"It was, but now I'm out," Saki said with a brief smile of relief.

"Why'd you leave?" Deeks asked.

"For two very different, but related reasons," Saki said. "I fell in love."

Deeks sat up and caught his breath as he waited for Saki to continue.

"That's only one," Deeks said.

"I was almost killed during an operation," Saki said quietly. "I underwent a lot of physical therapy to get back on my feet and I saw what a difference it could make in people's lives. And, I wanted to have a family with the woman I loved. I couldn't see that working if I stayed with the CIA, so I quit and went back to school to become a physical therapist. I'm happily married with two sweet kids and I sleep like a baby every night."

"You don't miss it?" Deeks asked tentatively, drawing in a breath.

"The adrenaline rush, you mean?" Saki asked and his eyes narrowed as he stared at Deeks, who slowly nodded.

"No. All I have to do is look at my wife and kids and I know I did the right thing," he said. "I'm committed to them. I didn't want my kids to grow up without a father, which is a distinct possibility in that line of work."

"Understood," Deeks' voice caught in his throat and he looked down as a sheen of sweat broke out on the palms of his hands.

"You're in love, aren't you?" Saki said softly. "She a regular person or an agent?"

"She's an agent," he replied as the air slowly left his lungs. "She's my partner."

Saki didn't say anything, he just stood and squeezed Deeks' shoulder and told him he'd see him tomorrow.

Deeks watched him walk away and couldn't help but admired him for his decision. Deeks didn't know if he would be able to do the same and he especially didn't know if Kensi could or would want to. They had talked about the future, but not in depth, afraid to go there just yet, considering how young their relationship was, but he knew he wanted to be with her for the rest of his life and if they decided they wanted kids, he knew he would face the same decision Saki had. Thinking about marriage was scary enough, but bringing a child into their situation would change everything. He pulled back then, knowing he was getting ahead of himself. He was deep in thought when Hetty sat down next to him.

"How's the therapy going, Mr. Deeks?" She asked, drawing him away from his preoccupation with the future.

"Good, Hetty," he answered. "I was able to put some weight on my knee this morning, but I looked like a car with a flat tire when I walked."

When he looked back at her she was deep in thought and he wasn't sure she had heard a word he'd said. Hetty didn't give away much in her body language, but he got the feeling something wasn't right.

"Are you okay, Hetty?" he asked and saw her gather herself.

"Of course, Mr. Deeks," Hetty said, surprise lighting her eyes briefly as she realized he had noticed something. "What do you think of Saki?"

"You didn't tell me he was CIA," Deeks replied, still watching her closely.

"I don't let just anyone into my private world," she said slowly. "There are only a few people who have ever been here and Saki is one of them."

"I feel honored to be included, Hetty," Deeks said with a crooked smile.

"You're family, Mr. Deeks." she said quietly. "Now, if you'll come into the house, I have something for you."

"Should I be worried?" he asked lightly.

"Don't you trust me, Mr. Deeks?" she replied.

"With my life, Hetty," he said.

A look passed between them and they both realized how important each was to the other. Their relationship had grown deeper over the last two weeks and there was an unspoken closeness between them now, an easiness that hadn't been there before. As he followed her into the house, his emotions rose in his chest as he mulled over her comment about being family. It had caught him off guard, but now he savored her words and would treasure them always for the gift they truly were. To be a part of a close knit family was special, but to be included in hers was more than he had ever thought possible and he felt a sense of peace settle within him.

She led him to her private office, just off the kitchen. It was quite small and rather spare in comparison to the rest of the house. Her desk was quite ornate, but not overly large and sat in the middle of the room. Her laptop and neatly stacked piles of file folders were spread across the antique leather surface. There was a wall display of ancient daggers, which contrasted sharply with a small sideboard beneath it covered with a collection of colorful paperweights. He was drawn to both and after examining the daggers, he picked up one of the paperweights and was surprised at its weight.

"Those are antique Baccarat millefiori paperweights," she said quietly as she came to stand beside him. "They are some of the most beautiful objects ever made by man and are considered the crown jewels to collectors."

"They look so delicate, but they're heavy," he said, tossing one up in the air and then catching it. "You could do some serious damage with one of these."

"Don't even think about it, Mr. Deeks," she scolded. "I would have to dock your pay if you fractured one and I'm afraid that would have you living out of your car for a year or maybe two, depending on which one you broke."

He paled, not sure if she was serious, but he put down the paperweight very quickly and very gently.

"Now that you will be starting to walk without crutches, I thought a good solid cane might be of service." she said as she presented him with one. "This came from Ireland. It's solid oak and quite old. The top is carved from a whale's tooth into the shape of a dog's head."

"Seriously Hetty? It's totally cool, but I can't take this. It's too beautiful and looks expensive," he said, stunned at her generosity.

"It's a gift, Mr. Deeks," she said. "You do know how to accept a gift, don't you? Just say thank you and start using it."

"Yes ma'am," he said as he examined the carved dog head. "Thanks, Hetty. It makes me look dashing, don't you think?"

She smiled as he began to test it out, his smile growing as he limped around the small room. She knew he loved to receive gifts of any kind and it gave her pleasure that she had surprised him with this one. He really was just a big kid when it came to gifts. She was pretty sure he hadn't gotten many as a child and that made him appreciate them even more.

When her cell phone rang, Deeks turned to see her smile disappear and a stern and rigid look take its place. Her comments were spoken in a low voice, in a language he didn't recognize and he could see the tension in her body by the set of her shoulders. The conversation was short and he saw her nod her assent to something and he felt a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. Something was wrong and his mind became instantly attuned to her tone of voice as he watched her carefully, searching for clues as to what it might be. When she finished, she turned to him with an inscrutable look on her face.

"Mr. Deeks, I need a favor," she said. "I need you to spend the afternoon in the pool house. It's really quite lovely and has a TV and a selection of books, so you won't be bored. I will be entertaining one of my sources here in about a hour and I'll need the privacy."

"Will you be okay by yourself, Hetty?" he rushed through the words as his heart rate increased. "I could stay if you need me to back you up."

"Calm down, Mr. Deeks," she said, shaking her head. "I was doing this before you were born and I can certainly take care of myself, but I appreciate the concern. I have known this source for a very long time, and he is offering me unsolicited intel that I need to evaluate."

"I'm here if you need me," he pressed, not convinced by her explanation. His instincts told him she wasn't telling him everything, not that that was unusual, but he acquiesced and limped reluctantly back to his room. He didn't bother changing out of his shorts and tee shirt, but grabbed his phone and slipped on a pair of deck shoes before heading out to the pool house. He still felt agitated, but he wasn't sure why. Hetty was a super agent, a legend, a woman who had taken down a variety of international spies and foreign operatives and who knew more about working a source then he could ever hope to learn. Still, he worried for her safety and he knew if he let anything happen to her, he would never forgive himself and neither would the others, especially Callen. Just thinking about what had spooked him when he watched her take that phone call, made him extra vigilant and he decided to keep a close eye on her no matter what she had said.

...

Although her mind was filled with details on the upcoming meeting, she couldn't help but be warmed by Deeks' concern for her safety. He was quick witted and had definitely picked up on the apprehension she was feeling. She was usually better at covering up her emotions, but she had begun to feel comfortable around him over the last two weeks, and that had caused her to let her guard down somewhat. She would have to be more careful in the future. His instincts were impressive though and she did feel some comfort in having him close by if her old friend decided to take things to another level.

She had known Pavel Sobakov for over fourteen years, having first met him while on assignment in Moscow. He was the son of a close friend from the early days and he had provided her with much needed intel on a Russian mobster who dabbled in espionage. After that he had become a good source whenever she needed to know something about the inner workings of certain Russian underworld groups. In the early days he had been somewhat naive about the gray areas in the intelligence field, but he had learned quickly and had found himself a place in several clandestine organizations. He never failed to provide her with good intel whenever she had asked for help and she had grown fond of him. He had a great sense of humor and a ready smile and he made friends easily.

Six years ago he had immigrated to America and had established various legitimate businesses, but after his first year she had lost touch with him. Then recently, he had contacted her in hopes of reestablishing a working relationship; at least that was what he'd said. They had met and he had presented her with a very old Russian lacquer box painted with scenes of Saint George and the Dragon. She had been pleased that he had remembered she collected them. He was older, of course and still very handsome, but the innocence that had always clung to him had disappeared and although his smile was still charming, there was a coldness about him that hadn't been there before. He had told her in their previous meeting that he had something important to share with her and needed to meet in private, so she had invited him to her house. Now that he was on his way, she began to feel a little uneasy, even though she knew she could handle him. She knew Deeks would be looking out for her and realized she did welcome the backup, even though she wouldn't need it.

...