Author's Note: Wow, you guys are simply amazing. Such nice reviews, so kind words. You make me soooo happy ;)
Alright, obviously, next chapter ahead, and with it Deeks ahead ;) I have to say that I think there is much more in Deeks than meets the eye (especially on the show). I believe that he is much smarter and realizes more things than he acts like with his goofing around, so that is something I build on. If you don't share the opinion, regard it as OOC-ish.
Read, review, but most importantly: Please enjoy ^_^
After Hetty declared warfare to Ramsay, the team is still eagerly working on a strategy, but all attempts seem futile, since LAPD is just blocking every try they make.
Currently, the three agents are, once again, sitting at their desks in the bullpen. Sadly, they can't focus on Deeks and his case all the time (terrorists don't take a break just because they want to... and they take it when they don't want to)...
"This is nuts!" Kensi tosses another paper into the trashcan, not caring if she misses or not.
"Kensi, Planet Earth doesn't like it when you produce that much trash," Sam huffs.
"And I couldn't care less, Sam," Kensi grumbles.
"Children, don't make me put you in the silent corners again," Callen sighs. Kensi gets up from her chair and wants to walk into the hallway as suddenly she almost bumps into, "Deeks!"
"Hey, guys," the blond man peeks his head into the bullpen, now in a loose white tee and jeans. He looks more than worn out, but much clearer than the last time Callen saw him in the interrogation room, well thank God.
"Op over?" Sam asks, with a hint of hope in his voice.
"No," Deeks chuckles softly.
"I thought you were not supposed to come, not that I mind at all," Callen grins. No, it's what they built on, but actually... no one believed it, except for Kensi, maybe.
"And I shouldn't be here. Nick and the others are out to get his special new board and I said I had one drink too much yesterday, and wanna sleep it off before night shift, so I'm safe to come here for now. Well... and I needed a bit of a break from all this, come back to normal, well... if you can call that normal," Deeks grins weakly, coughing lightly out of nervousness.
"Have a seat," Kensi jumps in. She guides him to his desk, rather forcefully, though she tries to be gentle. He flops down, clenching his hands together.
"Is good you came here," Callen nods.
"You asked me to," Deeks shrugs, offering a weak smile.
"You still remember that?" Callen asks curiously. He actually thought that Deeks was way too far out of it the last time he's seen him. Deeks glares at him, "Yeah."
"Are you okay?" Kensi asks tentatively.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Fern, thanks," he assures, flashing a brief smile, though it comes out more like a mask.
"So what was that when police took you?" Sam doesn't waste any time and jumps straightly to the problem.
"Sam!" Kensi cries out.
"What?" Sam shrugs. He rather tackles problems head-on. He is not the type to tipple-toe around such issues.
"Still, even you should know that this is nothing you just... oh, forget it, you're just a brute," Kensi mutters, feeling any urge to support her partner now. Deeks can't help but smile at her protectiveness, "Hey, is okay. I know what you're upset about, alright? I get it. I wasn't really... uhm, in it. One of the officers was so kind to ram the baton right in the back of my head. I guess I was kinda outta it when you came in."
"You seemed pretty clear for the most part," Callen argues.
"You know, I'm a cop. I can take a hit to the head and still look fine, if I have to," Deeks snorts.
"You didn't have to," Callen argues.
"Right," Deeks sighs.
"Well, either way... even if you put up an act about the matter, you still got us worried," Callen argues.
"Which is why you were upset about me not answering the safety questions correctly," Deeks nods with a smirk.
"Well...," Callen sighs, but Deeks holds up his hands, "Might be I was checking out on reality a bit, but even in that state I realized that this didn't come out right."
Callen comes up to him with a cup of coffee, "Here."
"Thanks," Deeks nods with a smile, taking the cup. He kneads the mug between his hands before he takes a sip, visibly easing at the warmth rushing through his fingertips.
"Well... as you can probably guess... that got us... alarmed," Callen begins cautiously.
"Yeah, no, but I'm back to being me now. I think you just caught me on a very bad day. Those guys party too much even to my liking, so you can tick the box for sleep deprivation. And this robbery was just... mad. Everyone was going different directions and people fell outta line coz they had to get drunk before getting on the job, so it was a real mess. And when you take all that together, plus the baton-incident... Then things kinda start to merge together... and you start mixing things up for a moment... so that the answers don't come out right...," Deeks explains. The others grimace. It sounds reasonable - and bad - but... Callen told a very different story.
"... was it cleared with the dead Marine?" Deeks asks.
"Simple shoot-in, not your gang, but another one that didn't like him. We caught the guys some days ago," Sam informs him.
"Good," Deeks nods.
"Do you know when this will be over?" Kensi asks softly.
"Nope. And... you know, there's still some things I have to get straight, like... well...," Deeks grimaces.
"We know that you are after some bigger fish than the Swagger Gang," Callen nods.
"I'm not supposed to talk about this," Deeks shakes his head.
"Look, we know we're not supposed to investigate, but as Eric said, they can hardly blame us from watching TV or YouTube," Callen smirks.
"And your face was all over it," Sam adds.
"Yeah, believe me, I didn't plan that one! The problem is that they find it extremely important that you do it to prove yourself, you know, that you stand to the team, and that you got the guts. So I had to go with it not to appear suspicious," Deeks smirks.
"So do you have the head yet?" Callen asks.
"As I said, I'm not supposed to talk about this," Deeks shakes his head.
"Deeks, you know that whatever you may say is safe with us," Callen argues.
"Yeah, but I have my orders," Deeks glances at him.
"Fuck orders!" Kensi cries out.
"Fern, is nice of you that you wanna do bad things to orders for me, but on this one... I just gotta ride it out," Deeks grins faintly.
"You mean your operative?" Callen grimaces.
"You guys are sticking your nose into it too deep, again. Ramsay already gave me hell 'bout it," Deeks sighs. That talk really was anything but pretty. If Deeks actually gave a damn, he would have cowered in the corner and cried.
"So he finally bothered to make a check-in?" Callen huffs. Seemingly the Hetty-treatment had at least one "good" result then.
"Yeah. And he was not pleased that a certain someone with glasses and coming off a bit short threatened him. And he gave me hell for it in turn, coz he knew I'd had contact with you guys... I mean, I appreciate the concern beyond all measure, but Ramsay doesn't. And I think he's gonna lynch me if this continues," Deeks explains.
"Not before I have done that to Mr. Ramsay myself, Mr. Deeks," Hetty's voice rings from next to him.
"Hetty, is good to see you...," Deeks smirks at her warmly. His eyes wander to the ground where suddenly Monty jumps up to him, "Monty! What are you doing here, buddy?"
He takes him into his lap and strokes his back, visibly easing at that. God, he missed the little mutt.
"Your neighbor got sick, so I agreed to take him for the time until you return," Hetty grins at him fondly.
"Thanks," he smiles at her.
"Not for that," she winks at him. The blond detective instantly focuses back on the dog, "Who's a good boy? Huh? Yeah, you're such a good boy. You missed me? Huh? Yeah, you missed me."
The puppy licks his face.
"So, Mr. Deeks, how are you?" Hetty asks.
"Fine, as I already told the others. When you've last seen me, or rather... when Callen did, I was a bit outta it and wasn't thinking clearly," Deeks nods, scrubbing the dog behind his ears.
"That's good to know. We were very worried," Hetty nods, going with it.
"I appreciate that," Deeks nods.
"So would you mind explaining to me why Mr. Ramsay is giving you hell at the LAPD?" Hetty asks. Because that is something they didn't figure yet.
"... he threatened you, didn't he?" Deeks grins.
"He tried, so to speak," Hetty shakes her head.
"Well, guts he has, that's for sure," Deeks chuckles.
"Mr. Deeks. What is it with Mr. Ramsay?" Hetty asks again.
"Well, Ramsay's... he's... he doesn't like me, as does pretty much anyone at the LAPD...," Deeks grimaces. Really, the list for "Guys-at-LAPD-who-hate-Deeks-to-his-guts" is way too long.
"And why does Ramsay bear you a grudge now in particular?" Callen questions.
"I don't think I should be talking about this," Deeks shrugs with a smirk.
"The hell, Deeks! That ain't classified, so stop the shit!" Sam breaks out.
"Sam's right. So just tell us what the hell's the business with that guy," Callen approves.
"I don't get around this, do I?" Deeks grimaces.
"No," Kensi shakes her head with a smile. Definitely not.
"Okay, fine, so... I guess the story he has given you is that... he doesn't like and thinks I'm outta control, right?" Deeks turns to Hetty.
"In essence, yes," Hetty nods.
"Well, that's kinda true, but... there's more to it, of course. He's... he's mad at me for a case I did in my early beginnings as undercover cop and didn't let it go since, kinda," Deeks explains.
"What happened?" Kensi frowns at him.
"He was undercover as well. We were supposed to take up a bunch of drug dealers. Ramsay had already been in on it for a few days. I was just supposed to play right-hand man for him, as the newbie, but then... we were on a delivery and Ramsay just screwed up coz he made a flaw in his story. He told them the wrong names – and was too stupid to correct himself or make up a good cover-story for that one. The guys were suspicious and were that close from taking out their guns, so I just... I just drew my gun on him and said that he's most likely a cop, so basically... I just uncovered him in front of those guys...," Deeks admits.
"Why did you?" Kensi grimaces.
"I thought it's better to uncover one than having both dead. I said that I'd take him down for the betrayal. We went outside and I shot in the distance. The others from LAPD took him into the van we had set there for cases of emergency. We covered it up with fake blood and... Ramsay was off the case, but because of my bold move, the dealers wanted me to stay – and take Ramsay's spot as the shipper. So I became the boss's protégé and helped take up the dealers eventually," Deeks goes on.
"But why's he mad at you?" Kensi grimaces. That isn't making any sense.
"You saved his ass," Sam argues. Really, Deeks's move was simply smart, fast, and on target. Normally, that is the moment a case gets blown and people die, but even as a newbie he managed to get Ramsay out of the line, and still keep up his cover. More than anything, the guy should crawl on his knees and mutter "thank you".
"Unwritten rule is that you don't steal an undercover op from another undercover cop who's came in first. I broke that rule – and made a total fool outta Ramsay coz now he had the reputation that he got tricked by a rookie. Ever since," Deeks explains.
"But... what else should you have done?" Kensi frowns.
"I could've come up with a story to explain the flaw, but I didn't. I just snapped, moved on a hunch. As I said, I was still new to undercover work and... well, then you act faster than you talk at times," Deeks shrugs.
"So Ramsay has beef with you only coz of that one op?" Callen grimaces. Even if Deeks "messed up" (though he didn't) on this one operation, that is normally not enough reason for a year-long seek of revenge.
"No, but because I messed up his reputation and then... we had to work together another time, a few years later... and then he tried to get back at me, at least I know that he did," Deeks sighs.
"What happened?" Sam asks.
"We were infiltrating a human trafficking ring. There was a big meeting with the bosses, the first, which is essential for initiation. And that was when he suddenly questioned my cover, in front of all the bad guys, with guns and knives and... maybe some bombs... as I said, just to get back at me. I only got outta it by whipping him across the face and telling him to go to hell and stop talking shit. We started a little fight, but eventually both of us calmed down. To the others, it looked like there was some disagreement that tough guys like them like to settle the old-fashioned way, by beating each other to pulp, so, everything okay... We managed to blow them up, but it was a damn close call... when I wrote my report, well, I did write that he almost blew my cover on purpose – and Ramsay was banned from undercover ops as a result. Now he's all into administrative stuff, which is why he rose to be Bates' rep, but no longer any undercover work. So... stands to reason he hates me," Deeks shrugs.
"But... what else would you've done other than writing it in the report? The other cops must have heard it on the comm that he was messing with you," Sam shakes his head.
"No comms on that one. We work things very old-fashioned at times. So it was merely my choice that I blew him up, and that's what makes him hate me that much," Deeks explains.
"But it was your obligation to write that down," Callen shakes his head.
"Which is why I did it, but as for LAPD... we see things kinda differently on the personal level. If you piss someone off who's higher in the ranks, be sure he gets back at you. Oh, by the way, Ramsay's very much liked in the department, so... that's also why the rest of the guys is not always as delighted to have me around... I have the reputation to even blow up a cop if I have to," Deeks snorts.
"LAPD is weird at times," Sam grimaces.
"As I said, we just take things way more personally. Ramsay's the best example," Deeks huffs.
"Bastard," Kensi grumbles.
"Did you know that Mr. Ramsay would be your operative for this mission?" Hetty questions.
"Yeah, he's called me up to the office for the briefs. Of course. Why asking?" Deeks blinks at her.
"Coz I, in your situation, would've turned him down. You could've claimed to have a case here or so," Callen grimaces. Really, if you know your boss might seek revenge... you better stay out of this right from the start.
"Are you nuts?" Deeks gapes.
"Are you? This guy's clearly out for revenge, which is why he tries to mess up your op. He wants to see you fail. I wouldn't take that mission if I had a choice," Callen admits.
"I'm LAPD cop, okay? I didn't have a choice. When the office calls, I answer. And in contrast to Ramsay, I stand above that argument between us. I can work a mission without getting personal with the operative... like that," Deeks grumbles. Of course he got "personal" with his other operative, but that was something entirely different.
"But Callen's right. He's just trying to destroy you," Kensi argues.
"He tried before, it never worked. I just gotta do my job right, then he's sent to hell the same way. Look, guys. As LAPD we don't get to choose who's our operative. And now I got the shit end of the stick with Ramsay. Well, shit happens," Deeks huffs.
"I think we're way past that point, Deeks," Callen returns. Really, this is more than "shit happens", this is... disaster.
"I know, okay? But what am I supposed to do? He is representative – so when he calls, I come and finish the job. That's the way it goes. You guys don't quit a mission coz you don't like the sound of it either," Deeks replies vehemently.
"Most certainly not," Hetty has to agree.
"But we stay outta something when it has trap written all over it," Callen throws in.
"Exactly. If the security management is not enough, any agent has a right to decline," Hetty agrees.
"I've worked with less, you guys," Deeks shakes his head with a lopsided smirk.
"There's less than nothing?" Kensi grimaces.
"Sure. Used to be undercover for a year once, to screw up a human trafficking ring who sold little girls to rich bastards as sex slaves. During that time, I had no single check-in, no valid leading operative, no phone, no internet, no safe house, no nothing," Deeks snorts.
"How did LAPD ever manage to get that through? That's against any rule there is!" Callen shakes his head. Really, normally they call such a case off, no, it never comes about.
s when five undercover cops before you got killed for exactly those security measurements having been uncovered. Then no security net is the best security net after all, just trust me on that one," Deeks huffs.
"How did you even get outta this?" Kensi asks.
"By finishing the case. Easy as that. I didn't slip on my cover, I stayed under the radar, and I had the right timing for the wake-up call to LAPD for the raid, and that was the end of those bastards. So you see... I've worked with way less, for way longer and still got the job done. I admit that when you came to check on me, I gave you the worst impression I could've given you, but I can finish this," Deeks insists.
"And no one's questioning that," Callen argues, but Deeks doesn't bite, "That's exactly what you're doing, Callen, sorry. You think I can't get the job done."
"No, Deeks, you're misunderstanding us. We're just concerned that given the circumstances, this is outta hand already," Kensi argues, keeping her soft voice. She can see that Deeks is on edge now, and she doesn't want him to go over the rim if she can help it.
"I've had worse before. I can handle some gang and its boss," Deeks grumbles. Really, he's had enough of this.
"Doesn't mean you have to," Sam objects.
"Does mean I have to. Coz this is my job," Deeks grits his teeth trying to control himself.
"And working for us is not?" Kensi throws in.
"It is, but I can't forget that I'm a cop the same way. And truth told, Ramsay might be dick, no, is a dick, but he's made a case in point when he said that I slipped on my duties for LAPD," Deeks retorts.
"That's bullshit! You can't be everywhere," Kensi snorts. Really, he can't cut himself in half to be in two places at the same time.
"But, as liaison, I should be working both sides. And the last... year... is it already? I've been here every day and was only off for short undercover ops during the weekends and holidays, so much about how much I gave on LAPD over the past. To me it's natural that people are pissed at me for that reason, even if I totally agree that Ramsay's taking it a bit far," Deeks argues.
"What was that with weekends?" Callen makes a face.
"What?" Deeks blinks at the agent.
"You said you worked undercover ops during weekends and holidays," Callen repeats, hugging his arms. Deeks bites his tongue. Darn, he never should've said that. He really has to start paying attention to that a bit more.
"Did I say that or did you just hear it?" Deeks narrows his eyes in the hope to make it ridiculous again.
"No, you said it," Kensi argues sternly.
"Did I say that or... did you both just hear it?" Deeks tries.
"Deeks, stop it!" Kensi curses.
"Fine... I may have said it what you heard," Deeks mutters. And once again he feels like the child of the group, and darn, he hates that.
"You are aware that this is the time you're supposed to... I don't know... sleep, rest, not work – and I can't believe that I'm saying that to you now?" Sam shakes his head. The guy is always talking about what he does on his weekends, and that never came up. Up until now, Sam always believed that Deeks would rather die than... take work home. Deeks lets out a dry chuckle, "Rest for the wicked, that is."
"I mean that," Sam insists.
"And I mean it, too. You people. It's no big deal," Deeks replies.
"And why didn't I know about that?" Callen questions.
"Because the only one of the department who has to know is Hetty. And she got the information from either operative. Easy as that," Deeks shrugs. Really, it doesn't take a badass agent to keep a secret.
"Hetty?" Callen turns to the petite woman, who explains, "It's true what he says. The LAPD is his employer after all, so they have a right to call him off for cases when Mr. Deeks is not involved in an active NCIS operation, which... frankly... happens on weekends and holidays for the most part... and it is not my obligation or right to let you in on it, Mr. Callen. You are only to know for when Mr. Deeks is actually called off of an active op for NCIS, which never happened until now, though, gladly."
"And you just let him?" Callen grimaces, because that is what he doesn't get. Hetty is very protective of her little herd after all.
"There's nothing she can do about it, since my employer is still LAPD. It's in my contract just like that. They allow me to work here and share LAPD information for as long as I pay my duties to LAPD by filling out the required paperwork, and being there for them when I'm not on an active op for NCIS. That's the way my liaison activity works. That's not Hetty's fault or whatever," Deeks argues.
"This is getting better by the minute," Kensi mutters under her breath. Really, just when do they finally hit the bottom here?!
"Look, I don't get it what you're fussing about, coz is not like I have that contract since yesterday. I work this schedule in a while, and up until now there were no problems – coz you guys didn't know 'bout this! I enjoy the work here, but deep undercover work is still mostly with LAPD, which is, after all, what I'm supposed to do, as it says on my badge," Deeks argues.
"How do you do deep cover when you're only there for weekends?" Callen grimaces.
"Is this some kinda interrogation now again, or didn't I get the punchline?" Deeks retorts.
"Just trying wrap my head 'round something," Callen shrugs.
"Well, of course I don't set up a deep cover for a weekend job. That is only when on holidays. But I have a good range of deep cover approved aliases which are set as such. I just resurface as either person when needed, get some things straight, disappear again, and then I'm out for a surf in the morning before I hang around with you guys again. Easy as that," Deeks tells them.
"Easy as that? Are you nuts?" Kensi makes a face.
"Pecan nuts," Deeks jokes.
"Stop that! I mean it," Kensi insists angrily.
"And I mean it the same way, you folks. It's cute that you're so involved into this all of a sudden, but... for the last year I've dealt with this about just fine, at least you didn't fire me yet coz I screwed up as a result or so. I have a handle on this. So really, leave the overly concern for me at home or so. I don't need it," Deeks retorts angrily.
"Of course you need it! What if there's a shootout and no one's there to back you up?" Kensi argues.
"Then I take them out with a gun... or I start to sing, either way... something's gonna work," Deeks throws his hands in the air.
"Oh, bullshit!" Kensi turns away with a grunt.
"Kensi!" Deeks calls out to her, to which she turns back on the heel, "You're being ridiculous and you should know it!"
"But...," Deeks tries to, but Kensi is faster, "No, I'm your partner – I should've known about the weekend activities there!"
"It's classified!" Deeks cries out.
"You told me about other jobs before!" Kensi retorts.
"And those were not classified," Deeks argues. Don't they get this or are they just trying to make fun of him?!
"Now c'mon!" Kensi huffs.
"Kensi, calm down," Callen jumps in.
"I won't calm down! You could've been dead so many times – and none of us would know!" Kensi curses.
"Kensi – I am not dead, okay?" Deeks curses. He's alive, for goodness sake!
"D make me punch you!" Kensi grits her teeth at him.
"Kensi, stop. This is not the right time to be in each other's faces," Callen argues.
"G's right," Sam nods.
"Argh! You guys, how can you be calm about this?" Kensi gapes at them. This is serious! More than serious!
"We don't like it, but we can't change it now anyways. It happened," Callen throws in.
"Thank you," Deeks grumbles.
"We will discuss this later on, though," Callen adds. Deeks rolls his head, "Now you c'mon!"
Callen already wants to say something in turn, but that is when suddenly Hetty jumps in, "Mr. Deeks, would you come with me for a moment?"
"But...," Deeks means to argue, but she just has to glare at him and he knows that this is futile, "... sure..."
"Monty can of course come with you," Hetty adds with a wink. Deeks picks him up, holding him over his head as he walks, "Heard that, pup, you get the special treatment. Such a good boy."
Hetty and Deeks walk to her desk where they have privacy. She settles down and motions the detective to do the same. He eases Monty back down on his lap, eying the short woman curiously, "I guess I shouldn't have said that with the weekends. It was a slip of tongue, I swear."
"Mr. Deeks, I didn't call you here because I'm mad that you revealed that to them. I thought it was high time anyways," Hetty assures him.
"How's that?" Deeks blinks at her.
"You are working two jobs – and the others didn't know about that, not even your partner. Mr. Deeks, that is not healthy, not even for someone as good as you," Hetty explains.
"Thanks for the compliment, Hetty," Deeks huffs.
"I fear I didn't tell you that too often yet, Mr. Deeks," Hetty licks her lips.
"That's the way it stays special, you know?" Deeks smiles at her wearily.
"And maybe this would bring some more understanding for the rest of the group, so that they see what you actually do here," Hetty sighs.
"... you know I like the guys. But... I won't just rub it under their noses that I do that much work to make them shut up about how I'm all too easy-going. If they don't realize that themselves... then I think they have to get something straight, not me," Deeks argues honestly. There were moments when he felt tempted to just yell it at the others when they were, once again, making fun about his attitude and that he takes things too easy. Deeks can take criticism, and he's not the one to feel hurt over a joke, or ten, but he never liked it to be degraded. At the LAPD people at least recognize him for his undercover work. They don't like him, but they respect him for that. As much as he loves the team... that is something they didn't quite figure yet. They didn't get off their high horses yet.
"Very true... very true...," Hetty exhales.
"But now it's blown, so what do we care about it now, huh?" Deeks huffs weakly.
"I think it might serve us better than the secret, Mr. Deeks," Hetty argues.
"Well, I don't know...," Deeks shrugs.
"So now...," Hetty begins, her voice steadier now.
"Here comes the lecture," Deeks hums.
"Mr. Deeks... I am asking you for a favor," she then says. And Deeks has to try hard not to gape at her. He blinks repeatedly. Did that just happen? Did he just say it or did he only hear it?
"Wh, what?" he brings out.
"I am asking you for a favor, Mr. Deeks, and I hope that you don't turn me down," Hetty goes.
"You're confusing me," Deeks narrows one eye.
"Mr. Deeks," Hetty suddenly grabs his hand, "Please, let us help you on the case."
"Hetty, I don't need help to get this done. I can pull this off," Deeks insists.
"I know all that, Mr. Deeks," Hetty nods.
"Then why?" he asks. This is making less and less sense... and it's making no sense at all.
"Because we want to help you. We need to. The entire team is... suffering," Hetty admits.
"Oh, c'mon, Hetty. They are... they've worked without me before. The team was built like that before I ever came along. I'm the liaison, an asset," Deeks shakes his head.
"You are a valuable member to the team, and this family. And since you are gone, those three have nothing else in mind but how to get you back. They are hardly operating, and that is something I don't like," Hetty sighs with a smirk. He grins back at her.
"I need my team intact, Mr. Deeks. Now I got the opportunity to, well, compare, and... they were intact for as long as you came through that door over there every morning, but they are not since you have taken that assignment, which tells me that my team will only continue to be intact for as long as you are there... So... for the sake of the team, let us help you to speed things up so that you can return to your duty here at NCIS and make them intact again," Hetty says.
"Hetty, I'm aware that this is reverse psychology, okay?" Deeks huffs.
"Not even in the slightest. I am being perfectly earnest to you, Mr. Deeks... Marty. I know that the team doesn't want to show it to you as much as they definitely should, but they care for you, and they need you here, if only just to lighten up their day," Hetty argues.
"But why do you need my permission for this? You... you don't need anyone's permit if you want to get something. You just do it, coz you're probably the most influential woman in the entire world, perhaps even the universe. Why do I have to let you help me?" Deeks questions.
"For two reasons. One, I don't have and I won't have jurisdiction to involve my agents into the operation because it is clearly LAPD and we can't move around that circumstance," Hetty explains.
"Then you should be begging to Bates, or Ramsay," Deeks argues.
"And I did, and none of it worked. Which is my second reason. I have no jurisdiction to move in this operation. But I will move if one of my team is demanding it. If you tell me that you want our help, I send all jurisdictions to hell and help you. But I need your explicit permit for that. Otherwise I can't reconcile it with my conscience to do such," Hetty explains, putting as much credibility into it as she can.
"In how far?" Deeks frowns.
"You are in no dire danger, as far as I can tell. It would be against my moral codex to oppress my help, of such a form, on a person who is actually important to me, and someone whose work I very much appreciate. I know that you can get this done, Mr. Deeks, with or without our help. That is why. I trust you that can finish it – it's the how and how long that is frightening me. Yet... that is not up to me to demand from you, I can only ask you as your friend to allow us to aid," Hetty says. Deeks lets out a weary sigh, "Hetty, I just... I don't know."
"If you really don't want our help, if you can't possibly imagine having us in on it... then I will have to respect that. Of course, if I get to hear that you are in a life-and-death-situation, you can rest assured that I will kick all jurisdictions in the butt...," she smirks at him, "I will accept it out of respect for you and your ability, but... if there is the slightest doubt in you that you may run into trouble with this operation and can, possibly, imagine that you may use our help for the matter... then we are ready to do anything to help you complete what you started. And I will kick some ass over at LAPD, in your name."
"... sometimes I ask myself how I could ever live without you, Hetty," Deeks chuckles. She smirks at him.
"So there's really no catch to this?" he asks.
"No catch. Just an earnest proposal from... a friend to a friend," Hetty assures. Deeks bites his lower lip, contemplating, but then he says, "... you know... I guess I could really use some help..."
She squeezes his hand, "Thank you, Marty."
"I guess if at all I have to thank...," Deeks wants to say, but she interrupts, "Not at all. I asked you for a favor, you did me the favor. So I thank you, in the name of the team as well."
"I'm so gonna get it for that... Sam and Callen will hold that against me for as long as I live... or maybe for as long as they live... I'm younger, after all... might get lucky that one of them dies from heart-attack before that," Deeks smirks.
"They will not. And if they do, which I hardly doubt, then I will personally kick their ass. And you and I both know that they might be pretty fearless...," Hetty grins, and Deeks completes with a grin, "But anyone fears Ms. Hetty Lange."
"You got it right," she grins at him.
"... thanks for the concern," Deeks replies faintly.
"You are welcome," she nods, patting his hand.
"... I guess it's good to... you know... coz... I... for a while I really thought I lost it. That didn't happen to me in a while," Deeks admits, the grin crumbling to show his true colors, that he is also freaked and... simply exhausted.
"That happens even to the best," Hetty nods.
"I'm just thinking... I...," Deeks exhales.
"What?" she asks.
"I shouldn't even bother you with this. I bother you all enough," Deeks huffs.
"Mr. Deeks, please," Hetty insists.
"What if I can't do this anymore, you know? Undercover cop... that's what I am, that is who I am. That's what I'm good at, damn good at. The only talent that kept me at LAPD coz the others just hated me for the rest... I could've failed on anything else, but when I'm undercover, no one's ever questioned my abilities or my rank, even the stupidest of asses at the LAPD. I had respect for that. And even if the guys here like to joke around when I do the homeless guy or whatever... I know that they respect me for exactly that skill. It defines me. But... if I lose that... I don't know," Deeks admits, his voice tear-stricken. This is nagging at him ever since he had the talk with Callen. What if he lost that edge? What if he can no longer do that?
"You didn't lose that ability, Mr. Deeks," Hetty assures him, holding on to his hand a bit more firmly again.
"How would you tell? I think it's actually part of the undercover job that you keep your head clear even in a messy situation. That is... not what I'm doing now," Deeks shakes his head, and with it shakes his voice.
"A moment of momentary confusion, Mr. Deeks. No more. No less. And even if you did lose whatever it is that you think you're losing, we, at the NCIS, know and appreciate all those other skills you are... hated... for elsewhere. We see more in you than an undercover cop, Mr. Deeks. You are valuable for more than that," Hetty assures him.
"Thanks," Deeks nods, closing his eyes, daring to believe it.
"Is there anything else you want to talk about, with me, in private? Now would be the time?" Hetty asks.
"No, I think that was emotional enough for a day," Deeks smirks.
"Then I think it's time that we discuss our next steps," Hetty pats his hand again.
"Our... didn't hear that one in a while," Deeks huffs with a smirk.
"And that is changed from this point on," Hetty assures. Both get up and walk back to the bullpen, where Eric and Nell now joined in, too. Upon catching sight of Deeks, Nell pulls him into a hug. "Whoa!"
"You scared us!" Nell whines.
"Sorry?" Deeks manages to say. He really didn't expect... that kind of a strong reaction.
"Seriously, dude," Eric shakes his head at him.
"Was not the main purpose. Was just... it had to be, you know? The job," Deeks explains.
"Make sure you don't scare us like that again!" Nell threatens him.
"I'll try," Deeks grins at her and pats her on the shoulders as she lets go, if a bit reluctantly.
"So now... what did you two discuss?" Callen asks curiously.
"If I have private conversation with Mr. Deeks, then I have private discussion with Mr. Deeks, Mr. Callen. I do not appreciate your nosiness," Hetty retorts.
"What? I thought you just gave him a lecture so he finally gets his...," Sam wants to say, but Hetty intervenes, "Whatever you're thinking now, don't say it."
"Feels good to be the teacher's favorite for once," Deeks winks at her.
"Deeks, what's going on?" Kensi asks.
"Mr. Deeks is so kind to let us in on the operation," Hetty declares.
"So kind to... are you...," Sam wants to say something, but again, Hetty is faster, "Yes, Mr. Deeks was so kind upon my pleading to him. He does me a huge favor with this, since all of you are bugging me out of my mind with working things halfway."
"No way! Hey, we're doing...," Sam means to argue, but for the third time, Hetty is getting the upper hand, "You are awfully behind schedule – and not nearly as efficient as you normally are. Don't even go there with me, Mr. Hanna. I know the results better than you all do. Which is why I'm glad Mr. Deeks agreed to take the risk of letting us in on his case. We will serve as the observation part, so that we know that Mr. Deeks is covered – since the LAPD, sadly, is not fulfilling this duty very well... or at all. Anything else will be decided by Mr. Deeks and me."
"Heard that? You get to play boss," Sam smirks.
"I feel so flattered," Deeks grins.
"Is good to have you back," Sam winks at him.
"Not yet. That's only once this case is over, but... I'm glad to be back," Deeks nods.
Maybe they can work this after all. Together.
