Author's Note: Thanks for reading and reviewing my stuff, I very much appreciate it... and I'm totally sorry that I took that long with the update. Term papers, now new semester... and too many ideas and too little time to write them all down. The troubles of a messed-up fanfiction writer, you know what I mean...
Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. I'm still doing some figuring-out on the plot level, which is why I take a bit more time with updating.
As always, read, review, and hopefully enjoy ;)
Yellow. Blue. Red. Blue. Red. Yellow. Red. Blue. The spot lights flicker over the dance floor, as though they were snapshot of a camera, each beam of light a momentum. Faces of the intoxicated dancers are changing colors like chameleons as they move to heavy rhythms, rubbing against each other, allowing the music to carry them when their legs are almost failing them already.
Aside, the colored lights fade into a mixture of green – and the heavy rhythms eventually hum together, creating a low buzzing noise.
Deeks sits with the rest of the gang in one of the lounge areas a little aside from the dance floor, nursing his beer, creating nonsense circular patterns with the condensed water that gathers at the bottom of his bottle on the smooth black tabletop. The buzzing is so strong that his entire torso seems to vibrate as a result.
They spent the last three hours with the three D's – dancing, drinking... and more drinking. At some point Deeks can't deny he is glad that Liz is not there. She would have gone into a perfect tantrum when Nick danced with quite a few women... quite closely. Well, not exactly. That would have been true for the Liz from a month ago, the girl who wasn't unhappily pregnant in all this mess, with Nick's and her child. Oh yeah, thinking about it... reality just bit all of them in the ass. If Deeks doesn't lose his sanity over this, then Liz may still lose her child over this... or Nick loses Liz or Liz Nick, everyone each other... just when did this case become... not a case? When did it become his problem? Or is it just Kyle's? Deeks just doesn't know. He can't tell anymore. All he knows is that he is dizzy, tired, royally pissed and simply confused. And he has been like this, more or less, for the last few weeks.
"... Kyle?" rings a voice, and Deeks snaps out of his thoughts of babies and guns and losing oneself in endless music.
"What?" he asks, blinking up to Nick.
"What's the matter with you?" Nick asks, half concerned, half amused. "You're supposed to be drinking and partying. Not impersonating my dear Liz when she's having one of her mood swings."
"I just don't like the music here," Deeks shrugs.
"... yeah... I know what you mean," Nick grimaces, nodding his head absently.
"Can't we just head to the coast or something? It's getting stuffed in here – and some of those people just don't know how to use deodorant," Deeks makes a face, even if in truth, he just wants to find out what gig Nick has in mind – and if there isn't some smooth way to end this mess before it fully unfolds. Because isn't that supposed to be his job after all? Prevent stuff from happening? Honestly, that would be nice for a change, and something that would certainly give his life... a sense again.
"We should go to the warehouse," Luke throws in gleefully.
"Yeah, might be a good idea...," Nick shrugs. "Just who will have to pay for the drinks?"
"I'd say newbie pays," Will huffs, though it's obvious he's had a few too many already.
"And I'd say that only sells for so and so long," Deeks huffs. "Especially since I had only two drinks while you tried to drink the bar... empty. How 'bout little game to settle this, huh?"
"Sure, love games," Will smirks.
"So... I'd say you pay if I win. And I pay if I lose," Deeks suggests.
"Yep, with you on that one," Will smiles.
"Okay, I say I can read your mind," Deeks smirks. This will be totally easy with Will drunk, not that it's a lot more difficult with him sober, but the detective needs a bit of... happiness again? Deeks just wants to smirk for once, because everything else is just absolutely terrible.
"Not that this is very difficult," Jen laughs. "Nothing."
Will nudges her into the side – and she nudges him back a bit harsher.
"Yeah, no, now seriously. You think you're still able to think of a number and do some easy math with it?" Deeks asks with a smug smile tugging at his lips.
"Yeah, sure, Master Degree in Math and all, go ahead," Will snorts.
"Alright, Einstein, so to make it not too difficult, I'd say even numbers, and one you can actually handle to calculate with," Deeks winks at him. "So think of such a number and keep it to yourself."
"Got one," Will nods.
"Alright, multiply it by two," Deeks goes on.
"Yup," Will says.
"Add fourteen to the number you have now," Deeks smirks.
"Gotcha," the other man licks his lips.
"Good, then divide your current total by two," Deeks says.
"Sure," Will nods, though he takes a bit longer to actually manage.
"And now you subtract the original number you picked from your current total," Deeks says – and Will takes some time to figure that one. Yeah, drinks and math don't mix well.
"Yeah, okay, I have it," Will finally says.
"Are you sure? You took quite some time to answer that one," Deeks huffs playfully, to which the other man only grunts. "Fine, fine, okay... so now I use my incredible magic to read your mind."
Deeks, to sell the show, massages his temples, closing his eyes, as he says, "Is your number seven by any chance?"
"What?! The hell did you do that?!" Will cries out pathetically. Deeks gets up, clapping him on the shoulder, "A magician never tells his secrets. And now pay the bill already. I wanna head outta here."
"I don't like you," Will mutters as he fishes for some crumpled dollar bills.
"No, you love me," Deeks winks at him. The others head after Deeks as Will goes on pouting a little.
"... that was really easy," Deeks huffs at Luke, who can only agree, "You finally figured it out. Took you long enough. Will always falls for such things."
"I'll remember that," Deeks winks at the other man.
"Warehouse it is," Luke declares, hand raised above his head.
The Warehouse. A shabby, worn-down, dimly lit, damp construction site in the industrial area downtown. As far as Deeks knows, this was supposed to become an office block some years ago, but it was shut down after everyone just ended up bankrupt thanks to an economy back then. Now it is more of a secret club house with graffiti in neon colors, halfpipes out of cheap wood, a few washed out and broken sofas and huge pillows. To Deeks, it resembles the secret hideout of a bunch of teenagers, but then again, Liz is seemingly right in her evaluation that they are all just a bunch of kids, still, so this place actually fits perfectly.
Once they get there, Will and Jen flop down in one of the beanbag chairs in a heap of legs and arms, fighting for dominance, though both are now in the state of drunkenness where they get clingy and extremely attached. After that come only two options: either they get really aroused and start to make out, or they fight, and not just each other. Luke and Joe start to play basketball, or rather, Luke tries to do some dribbling and fancy tricks, just to come face-to-face with Joe, who just takes the ball from him to make a slam dunk. Nick goes to the beat-boxes to start some buzzing rap tune before he walks back up to Deeks, "let's go to the roof, shall we?"
Deeks nods and follows wordlessly. They are met by a cold breeze and a crystal clear nightsky that shines ever the brighter in the more forlorn industrial areas in this part of town. The two make their way to the railing. Deeks leans on it with his forearms resting on the cold metal, and Nick copies his posture. The team leader glances ahead into the night, his eyes glistering, before he closes his eyelids for a second, allowing the soft breeze to caress his face. Deeks can't help but smirk. Nick is a choleric, he is a screw-up, and as Liz says, he can't manage his own life, but one of the things Deeks honestly admires about the man is that he really knows how to find freedom in the little things of life. Many forget about how liberating it can be to have the wind in your hair, to have the ocean humming in the distance, a beer with friends, to wait in the sun long enough for the once wet sand sticking to your skin to fall off as it dries, not to be forced to talk, but simply live into the day, dare to dream of nothing at all. Nick knows these things – no, he lives them. Deeks knew that the moment he went surfing together with them for the first time. Nick was in the tube – and there was this one moment his fingers brushed against the surface of the water, barely penetrating it, and the surfer closed his eyes to feel this drifting sensation against his skin, feel the ocean, touch freedom. And that is when Deeks knew that this man knows what liberation in the little things means.
But the detective is pulled out of his musing as Nick opens his eyes again to look at him intensely, though not threateningly, "Well, I guess it goes without saying that I wanna talk to you 'bout the new gig, right?"
"Sure," Deeks nods.
"Well, I've watched your progress in a while, on the job," Nick begins. "And you did incredibly fine. I mean, I know that it's intense and fast. There aren't many who can keep up with that."
"Might be coz I'm simple-minded. That makes it easier for me to be fast. I just don't think too much," Deeks shrugs with a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Actually, I take you for smarter than you act," Nick smirks, and Deeks has to try hard not to suck in a deep breath at that comment – it's always bad for an undercover operation when you turn out to be better in something you claimed to have no clue about.
"... just coz Liz isn't around doesn't mean you should try to land on me. I have a girl now," Deeks jokes. Nick nudges his shoulder against his with a smile, "I'm just saying. On a gig, we can actually count on you."
"Yeah, sure, anything for the team," Deeks assures him quickly – more honestly than he'd like to admit to himself, though.
"Well, as I said, we'll have this mini gig soon," Nick carries on, now in a graver voice. "As you may know, Liz won't join for the next one."
"Yeah, she's told me about that on the ride to your apartment," Deeks nods, keeping his face as casual as he can, pushing the images of Liz crying and the thoughts of left-alone babies into the far corners of his mind.
"Well, I don't know what's the deal with her, but... I know better than to argue," Nick shrugs. "Anyways, I want you as my second in command on that one."
"Seriously?" Deeks blinks at him, trying hard not to sound too excited, because that would mean he is actually excited. "I mean... that'd be totally amazing. Wow."
"Curb your enthusiasm, pal. It's a small job. I wanna see how you handle," Nick scolds playfully. "But I think it's time to give you a chance to prove yourself. On the last gig, you took quite a few hits for the team – and got out of it without landing in prison for too long, so that means you surely have some skill."
Actually, Deeks has people who have to let him go, as LAPD, but that is nothing he has to share with Nick, right?
"Wow, that's... thank you so much," Deeks says, puckering his lips.
"And if you manage not to suck, we may think about... moving it up a gear," Nick tells him.
"What gear?" Deeks frowns at the other man.
"I know that you've been itching to get to know Big Ben," Nick explains. "So if you pull this off alright, it might be that the Boss will see you."
"Really?!" Deeks asks, now actually excited, and not feeling sorry for it. That is the first spur of rock he has felt beneath his fingertips on this climbing tour labeled "job for LAPD that turned out as misery".
"Now don't get into your pants about it, geez," Nick huffs.
"Sorry, it's just... last time you said it could take months until I would finally get to meet him. That just shows me that you really trust me," Deeks lies... or is he?
"If you didn't have my trust before, you surely have it since the last gig, man," Nick winks at him.
"Thanks, dude," Deeks smiles at him.
"Well, and if this goes the way it's supposed to and you don't totally mess this up, you might get a leading role for the big coup we're planning, but that's between you and I for now," Nick warns him. "It might be that the others won't take it too well with you on the big gig... or the small gig either. You're still new to the game."
"... so you think the others will resent me for that?" Deeks asks cautiously.
"Hey, I say a word and that's what they do. I make the decisions, not them. But I want them to see that you can do it. I put that much faith into you," Nick goes on to explain, his voice lower now. "You see, those guys are my family, but they have abilities, too. My task is to find out which one that is and then push it, you see?"
"Yeah, sure," Deeks nods.
"Well, Luke's easy, geek without glasses. Joe is just Joe. But you? I watched you in a while now. And you are the type of guy who only gains clarity when a situation turns to real shit. I saw it on the last gig. It was messy, but that's when you were in focus. You were fast, sharp. And that's what I need as a second in command. If we have to split up, then I need someone who can lead the team to the hideout, you see? I have to make sure you folks are safe," Nick explains, gritting his teeth towards the end, with unexpected determination flooding his voice. And that is the other thing about Nick Deeks can't help but admire: this passion, for his friends, his family. Nick lives for this team, more than any of them. He'd do anything to make sure that they are safe... in a twisted way, of course, but from Nick's own perspective, he protects them the best way possible.
"I know," Deeks agrees weakly. Nick flashes his typical smile at him, but then turns severe once again, his facial features instantly hardening. He glances ahead again, allowing the breeze to smooth out the lines of worry from his tanned face. Deeks allows himself to look ahead also, enjoying the cold stroke across his cheeks.
Contrary to expectations, Deeks actually enjoys those moment of silence. Obviously, he is usually talking... a lot. At the NCIS, that is what any team member will first connect to him and his personality. Yet, in private, Deeks likes to switch off TV, radio, his cell, and simply take fifteen minutes for himself, allowing his mind to drift. At some point, Deeks believes that one of the reasons why he still talks so much is to, well, be heard, so that he doesn't fade into the background. Against the agents, he clearly fails, no point in arguing, and he can only shine with some trivia knowledge, access to some clubs or LAPD intern information. Other than that... what else does he have left to be heard for, right? Even if it's only just for trivial things, it's at least a voice that's being heard... And on a wider page, Deeks made it his personal principle to never keep his mouth shut again. That stopped at the age of eleven, when he allowed a gun to make the statement that didn't travel past his lips until then. That was when he managed to tell this certain someone that he couldn't beat his voice out of him, and that he would never allow anyone to order him to be quiet. Deeks let that happen once in his life, and it cost him more than he'll ever admit, but he swore to himself to never let it happen again. So yes, he loves to talk, but to Deeks, loving to talk and enjoying silence are not mutually exclusive. There are moments when he wants to talk about God and the world, surfing, the job, his conquests, what he had for dinner, Monty or what he dreamed about last night. But there are also those moments when he doesn't. When he just wants to be left alone, see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing. Take a second to allow his mind to go blank, so he may forget about everything surrounding him. And honestly? That is something Deeks finds in perfection only on one occasion in life: surfing. In the ocean. This magical place that can swallow all sound, makes only the sound of waves crashing against the shore and seagulls ring above the otherwise all to hasty world of the city.
Nick seems to be no different. He is just like him about the matter. And honestly speaking, Deeks, for once, finds it nice not to be judged for this ambivalence, get the bird flipped at him to tell him that he is just the former, this never-stopping-to-talk idiot. Really, it's nice to be seen for someone not just allowed to be both, but to be seen to inherit both sides. For once not to be judged for taking that liberty of ambivalence... that's nice for a change... right?
"... Liz didn't tell you anything 'bout why she doesn't want to join, did she?" Nick asks after a while, pulling Deeks out of his thoughts. He bites his lower lip, the images of her crying still too vivid in his mind.
"... she didn't tell you?" he asks tentatively instead.
"No, she doesn't talk much to me at all. She's just being pissed all the time. And I honestly have no clue what the hell is wrong with the girl," he sighs heavily. If only the poor bastard knew...
"And you're sure you didn't mess up again?" Deeks huffs playfully.
"I'm damn certain I didn't. I made sure, you see? I was extra-nice," Nick smirks sadly. "At some point I honestly wished I'd have what you have, with Elena."
"... she's my girl, though," Deeks snorts.
"Yeah, no shit. That's not what I'm talking about. You know that I love Liz all the way to shit-up-crazy. How else would we always end up together again, though we could kill each other at times, huh?" Nick huffs. "What I mean is that I envy you for your chemistry with Elena... that it's easy, you see? With Liz it hasn't been easy in such a long time. I hate it when everything about our relationship is pure fight. Every touch is – because she rebuffs me so often that I start to question my magic on women, and that surely means something. I just want it to be easy again. Like it was back in High School. When I could just take her off before biology class, hitchhike to the coast and then catch the waves."
Honestly? Deeks could die right here... goodness sake, just when is reality cutting him a break?! Now we don't just have identity crisis, Liz pregnant and freaked-out, no, now he also feels pity with Nick because he actually sees that Liz is down because of something, but simply can't tell what's wrong. And it shouldn't bother him, mustn't bother him, but still, Deeks can feel his heart dreading and being pulled down by the edges.
Too close, just too close.
Where is a cold breeze when you need it? To wash it all away...
"Well, obviously, I don't know Liz in a long time. That'd be you. But what I can say as the spectator here... she's seemingly trying to figure herself out, about whatever that is. When I'm like that, I push people away, too, you know? Then I don't want to talk to them, or anyone in general. You want to fight everyone and everything so that you stop feeling this awfully helpless, because you can't change anything about the problem you are dealing with on your own," Deeks offers, allowing more credibility than he wanted to.
"So what? I just have to sit it out? That's your advice?" Nick grimaces, his eyes actually seeking advice and support. Nick never opened up to him about his personal affairs like that before, which means two things: one, he trusts Deeks enough to have such personal conversation, two, it's actually that bad that he has to share it with someone... and now taking into consideration that the same is true for Liz... this situation is just too messed-up to be true. Damn.
"... I can't give you any advice because I don't know Liz the way you do, but... yeah, that's the best you can do for now," Deeks bites his lower lip, fighting any urge not to just grab the man, shake him by the shoulders and scream at him to finally open his eyes, that his girl is pregnant with his child, and that he should just take his team/family and run for dear life. But Deeks can't do that. This is a case. Those are criminals. And they are the... means to get to the boss. And that realization makes him just so sick that Deeks wants to hurl. That they should be means is already sick in itself. Yet... that Deeks doesn't see them like this... isn't it sick also? From a detective's point of view?
Deeks hates blurred lines.
Nick claps him on the shoulder, squeezing it by the end, "I knew I could count on you, Kyle."
"Sure, Nick," Deeks answers quickly... meaning it. Damn, damn, damn.
"Alright, then let's let the others know before they drink all the liquor without us," Nick smirks, clapping his hands together as he starts to walk back down. Deeks sucks in a few deep breaths of fresh air, hoping that they will be enough to pull through the rest of the night. With that he walks back downstairs also.
"Okay, guys, get your intoxicated heads together, we got some matters to discuss," Nick declares. The others look at him instantly. Luke drops the basketball to the ground, making it bounce through the room.
"About the next gig, it'll be a nice warm-up for the big one we have in-store. You know, we can't let it happen that you grow tired and lazy, right?" Nick smirks, instantly back to the charismatic team leader Deeks always took him for. "So, to keep it up, the Boss has given us the next target. We have an address. We go the day after tomorrow, or rather the night after tomorrow. No big show. We come in with the boards. Break in. Take as much as we can, and then make a run for it. You see, easy in-and-out."
"I hate it at night. Then the video is always so blurry," Luke huffs.
"Well, that's something we'll have to live with," Nicks shrugs. "Anyway, since Liz won't be on the active team for the next gig, I had to decide on my second in command – and it'll be Kyle."
"What?!" Will cries out, his voice at least two octaves higher. Jen nudges him into the side, "Don't just yell into my ear like a friggin' fangirl on a Justin Bieber concert, you sap."
"What's the matter?" Luke frowns.
"It should be me, Nick, and you know it!" Will says, getting up. "I'm longer on the team than him."
"And Joe is longer on the team than you are," Deeks retorts. He would rather not pick this fight, but Kyle has to, or else he won't seem credible, or so Deeks figures. He takes a few well-measured steps over to Will, purposely cutting his path to Nick.
"Get outta my way, will you?" Will growls, his gray eyes glistering.
"No, you have something against me, so don't go crying to Nick if you have business with me, alright?" Deeks argues, tilting his chin at him offensively. "And by the way, what's the business anyway? Huh?"
"You just chicken out all the time, and now you're supposed to guide us? Hey, I like you as a person, no secret, Kyle, but I don't think that you can lead us just three feet ahead," Will growls, narrowing his eyes, giving him an almost canine character.
"When exactly did I chicken out, you remind me? Last time I remember, I took a fair share of beating for something that actually wasn't my fault," Deeks snorts, gritting his teeth at the man.
"Whatcha implying?" Will demands, moving closer
"It was your and Jen's jackass idea to cause havoc in that shop. It would have been an easy job if you hadn't actually tripped out before the gig," Deeks throws back at Will, whose anger almost explodes inside his eyes, but before he can even retort something, Jen is up also, her eyes narrow slits, "Whatcha sayin?! You got a problem with us? Huh?"
"I have no problem with you, Jen, but I have a problem with not getting the job done properly, and me getting the shit-end of the stick," Deeks argues, standing his ground.
"You are the newbie. That means you don't always get things sugar-coated, alright?" she retorts.
"Yeah, no shit, huh? But I don't think being newbie means to just take it when even the more experienced team members plainly mess up," Deeks snorts.
"Mess up?!" she shrieks, but Will swats her off, "I came first, Jen. I handle it."
"Fuck you," she growls, retreating like a cheetah that waits for the next chance to attack.
"So who do you think you're talking to, huh?" Will huffs. "You are afraid. I can see it in your eyes. Ever since the police played around with you a bit, you're spooked. And I don't care for as long as it's just you on the job. But now you're supposed to be second in command. And I don't take orders from someone who's shitting his panties because he is afraid of getting something for the legal record!"
"You think I'm afraid? I'm just not so darn stupid to drink and sniff all my brain cells away in one night, okay? That doesn't mean that I chicken out," Deeks argues, feeling anger rising within him he didn't know was there.
"That's just what it is!" Will says, now squarely standing in front of Deeks, their faces only inches apart.
"You shouldn't pick a fight with me, Will. That is a battle you will lose," Deeks warns him, glaring at the other man.
"Yeah? Why don't we see about that, huh?" Will huffs, wildly gesticulating, while still leaning forward to bring their foreheads even closer together. Deeks can feel the heat of anger literally radiating from Will's skin... and he can feel his own leaving him. This boy just pisses him off... Kyle, keep it cool, for goodness sake. It's supposed to be just a show, no real fight.
"Bring it on, if you have the cojones for it," Deeks taunts him. "Then I teach you where your place is on the team."
"No, I will teach you yours!" Will shrieks, but that is when Nick is suddenly between the two, pushing them back. Will means to lunge at Deeks, but Joe holds him back by the shoulder.
"Now the both of you, stop that!" Nick yells. "Both of you should know their places."
"Told you," Will hisses, but Nick interrupts him, "I meant that you should know your place, too, Will. Kyle is right. You royally screwed-up the last gig. Might be you're longer on the team than him, but you've pulled more than one reckless stunt over the last couple of months."
"Och, please!" Will snorts, but that is when Nick is right in his face, "And this here just shows it again. You think too high of yourself. I don't want one-man-shows on the team, you understand that? We are a team, and I'm the team leader. If I say Kyle takes the spot, then he takes the spot, and you have no damn say in that. If you think Kyle can't do it, then you don't trust my judgment. And we both know that you don't want to tell me them at you don't trust me. Or else bad stuff's gonna happen to you, I assure you."
"Nick, c'mon. We're friends for longer than you are with Kyle," Will pleads, but Nick is having none of it, "It doesn't matter! Family's family! You don't screw with that! I don't care if you're disappointed, I don't care if you're pissed, but we don't fight each other for something like this! That is something you should know by now!"
"Yeah...," Will sighs.
"You won't ever question me like that again, of I will kick your ass so far that you will cower on the ground, you get me?" Nick threatens, and Will gives a sad nod, looking like a dog who just got hit in the nose with a newspaper.
"I chose Kyle because he is the best applicant. I need Luke on the computers. Joe doesn't talk, so we can't have him leading a group. You are just nuts lately, and Jen... you're just one insane bitch," Nick goes on, earning a glare from Jen, who chooses not to comment, though. "I need someone calmer than you. And that is why he gets his chance. That is my decision, so live with it."
"Yeah," will sighs.
"And Kyle – I don't want to see you fighting either, okay? We can't have that on the gig, so don't start it now," Nick tells Deeks, but with less intensity.
"I'm sorry, man, but this just pissed me off," Deeks replies.
"So now, both of you shake hands like adults do. Forgive and forget," Nick demands. Deeks takes the cue and walks up to Will, holding out his hand to him. He wants to prove to Nick that he is not bearing any grudges, or else his chance is gone – and Deeks can't have that. Will takes his hand, but then actually pulls him into a bro-hug, which honestly surprises Deeks. That guy wanted to kill him only a minute ago... and now he smiles at him, honestly smiles at him... is forgiving that easy, or is it just the alcohol?
"That's the kinda love I wanna see," Nick muses and Luke whistles, "Will and Kyle sitting in the tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
"Shut up, Luke," both say simultaneously as they let go. And just like that... all anger is gone again, at least it seems to be the case for Will, after all, he is now already chasing Luke through the warehouse under mostly friendly cursing and yelling.
Nick claps Deeks on the shoulder, then, "Told you they wouldn't take it that easily, but... you took that hurdle, stood your ground. Make sure you keep it up."
"I won't deceive your hopes, man," Deeks assures him quickly. Nick nods, clapping him on the shoulder another time, but then heads over to the couch, flops down and takes a swig of the whiskey standing next to it. Joe joins him wordlessly, and Nick, also wordlessly, hands his friend the bottle, both settling in the comforting silence of alcohol and music. Jen, in the meantime, took out a cigarette and puffs on it now. That is her way of calming down... if she doesn't do so by getting into a fight, though Deeks is glad that she settles with a cigarette. He uses the opportunity to slip out of the building to a corner where he is not further disturbed. He takes out his cellphone, glancing at the screen for a few seconds, debating on whether to call Kensi or text, but then goes with the latter option, out of fear someone may actually overhear him after all. Luke can creep up behind him any time. The kid is sneaky. Kyle... just stop. Deeks leans against the gray wall, feeling the rough cool surface scraping against his shirt.
Sorry that I can't call back.
Still busy.
I'll try to come by tomorrow as soon as I can.
I got some news to tell.
I'm okay.
He pushes the SEND button, softly knocking his head against the wall, glancing up to the stars.
Or is he really?