And There He Was…Gone.

Chapter 11

Eric was sure he had the correct location. It had to be because they were running out of time, so he was going to will it to be.

"Callen, Sam, address is on your phones. I'm sure this is the place."
"How sure?" asked Sam

"About 80 percent. Best I can do."

"Good enough. On the way. Is Elle with you?"

"On the way to back you up." Was the reply. She was fired up and looking to take these guys down and take them down hard.

Rachelle reached the location first and parked out of sight. Exiting the vehicle, she put on her tactical gear and waited for Sam and G.

Less than a minute later they pulled in behind her and jumped out. It took them seconds to get ready and start moving toward the building.

"Eric anything we need to know?" Callen was several different scenarios in his head and depending on the intel, he would pick the best one.

"Nothing new. I don't see any movement in the building. Best egress is from the side door. That leads to a hallway with several rooms branching out from it."

"Got it. Elle take up point behind the planters at the front door. If we flush them out they will run right into you. Sam and I will enter through the side door."

"On it." Came the reply from Rachelle. She double checked her automatic rifle and side arm. Loaded and ready to go.

The two senior agents slowly entered the building and made their way down the hall. One by one they cleared the rooms and found nothing.

"Damn, nothing. Elle all clear in here. Eric this isn't the place. Any other places that look possible?" Sam was frustrated and starting to worry.
"Sorry guys that's all we got. Nell is still searching, but for now that's it."

"Ok let's get back and regroup. I'm not liking this Sam, time is becoming very critical."

G was shaking his head, frowning as he walked back to the car.

Elle and Sam followed at a lost for words. Really, what could they say.

They all knew too well that if they didn't find them today, the odds of finding them alive would be minimal at best.

Hetty was waiting for the team when the entered the mission. She was standing with her hands behind her back and had a very sombre look on her face.

All three just walked by her and shook their heads. Their silence spoke volumes and just seemed to accentuate the mood of the day.

They needed a break, a small clue, anything to point them in the right direction. Waiting was not their strong suit. They needed to act and soon.


Kensi reached the body of Domingo and started to go through his pockets looking for the keys to the gate. She found a cell phone, but there was no signal in that room. Then pay dirt, a set of keys. Grabbing the keys she started to move when she noticed the gun on the floor and picked it up. Why didn't she take it before? Rookie mistake, her head had not been in the game. As she passed the table she took a small knife as well. Bonus she thought and smiled. It was just then that she heard a single gun shot resonate in the hallway.

"Deeks!" She screamed inside her head and ran toward the door.

A man was standing about half way down the hall pointing his gun at Deeks and inching closer to him.

"Freeze" Yelled Kensi with her arms locked in front of her face aiming Domingo's gun at the man.

Turning he started to aim at Kensi, but that was as far as he got. Two bullets hit him square in the chest and down he went.

Rushing over to the body, Kensi kicked his gun away and checked him for a pulse. None was found.

Turning immediately she ran over to the alcove calling for Deeks.

"No, no, no, you can't be shot, you just can't.

Deeks talk to me, please, please." She was panicking.

She couldn't lose him now after all that had just happened.
His back was to her and he was covered in blood and not moving.

"Kensi, I…I was hit."

"Where? Where Deeks?"

Her mind was spinning at all the possible locations; his spine, the kidneys even his liver, he could be paralyzed, God she needs to stop the bleeding and call for help.

'Get a grip Kensi and think. You don't panic in these situations; it's not what you do.' Talking to herself she was trying to calm down, but when it came to Deeks being shot or hurt, she was a mess.

So she took a deep breath and focused. Grabbing the phone she dialled the back door number to OSP.

Nell answered the call with hesitation, not recognizing the number.

"Yes, can I help you?"

"Nell it's me Kensi, just listen. I have no idea where we are, or even what city we're in so lock in on this phone and send help. Deeks is hurt bad. He's been shot and I'm trying to stop the bleeding. I don't know when these guys are coming back so hurry. I gotta go but I'm leaving the line open."

With that she placed the phone on the ground next to her and turned her attention back to her partner. Yes he was her partner again and that was that. Hetty's approval would come later.

"Deeks, can you lie on your stomach, I need to locate the bullet hole."

He complied and she started sliding her hands on his skin searching for the wound.

"Deeks, a little help here."

"My right leg, the thigh."

"Your leg? Seriously?" Came the reply.

"Yea my leg, near the top at the back." Didn't she care that he had been shot?

As if reading his mind "Don't get me wrong, being shot is serious, but in the back of the leg?"

With the knife she cut the pant leg to expose the skin and then began to locate the bullet hole. The thigh was fine, so where was the wound?

"Deeks, again where in the leg?"
"The back, at the top."

"Do you mean your butt? Ahhhh, yes you do. There it is. Bleeding nicely too. So I guess you want me hold your butt until the paramedics arrive?"

She could stop herself from laughing, this was too much. Given the situation they were in just minutes ago, this was a gift.

Cutting the bottom section of his pants she folded them over several times and applied pressure to the wound.

Just thinking of what she was doing made her snicker again.

"Ok you can stop laughing now. I'm really hurt here."

"I'm so sorry Deeks. I know you're in pain…or should I say a 'pain in the butt'."

Kensi started again with that laugh feeling proud at her witty remark, all the while keeping pressure on the wound. Deeks had turned his head and was looking incredulously at Kensi who had a great big smile on her face.

"Wow, that was really bad Kens. Even for you. Well at least you're having a good chuckle at his expense."

Actually he didn't mind at all. It was good to see her smile, laugh and momentarily forgetting what had happened or could of happened today.

"So am I going to be the 'butt' of your jokes for the next little while, aren't I?"

He all ready knew Sam and G would be merciless with their teasing once they found out, he was just hoping she would cut him a little slack.
"Oh Deeks, it could have been much worse." Her eyes showed the compassion she had for him.

The sounds of sirens grew closer and they both looked toward the gate.

"I need to open the gate and let them in to help you. So stay put and try not to get shot this time. Well actually you could turn the other cheek if you had too."

"Really Kensi, more bad jokes."

She opened the gate still laughing and shaking her head.

As Kensi looked for the Paramedic and Police she had a thought. Yes they were back and things were going to be different this time around. She was going to see to that.

She walked out into the sun and parking lot and flagged down the vehicles headed across the parking area. The day was going to end a lot better than it started. Rico was still out there somewhere, but they would find him soon enough.


Back at OSP Nell had put Kensi on the speaker phone for all to hear. As they listened to the conversation Nell was busy finding the exact location of the two missing agents. Sam and G were chomping at the bit to find them so when Kensi put the phone down they burst out of the room saying in unison "Send the address to my phone." They just looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

Rachelle was a step slower off the start but caught up with them quickly. She wasn't going to miss this.

Hetty, Nell and Eric listened to the rest of the conversation and couldn't help but laugh.

Even Hetty joined in on the levity. "Guess I shouldn't be referring to Mr. Deeks as a 'cheeky bastard' from now on."

Nell couldn't help herself and laughed out loud spinning with her chair.

Hetty turned and walked out heading for her desk knowing things might just be getting back to normal.


Sam pulled the Challenger into the parking lot of the warehouse and stopped behind the Police cruisers already there. First order of business was to make sure that they were both safe and sound.

As they approached the entrance they first spotted Kensi wrapped in a blanket speaking with one of the officers. Deeks was still on the ground being attended by the Paramedics.

"Kensi. You all right?" Callen spoke as he was taking in the scene and Kensi' appearance.

"A little better than Deeks." Nodding her head towards the alcove and the Paramedics working on her partner.

Sam kept walking until he reached Deeks.

"How bad?" He asked watching the two men work to ready him to be transported to the hospital.

"I'll live. I need to brief you on the guys involved in this operation. These guys are very dangerous and must be picked up fast."
"We know all about the Cartel and Rico. What we want to know is how did you and Kensi end up here? Actually, how did Kensi become involved in this op?"

"Yea, you're going to have to ask her about that. Kinda caught me by surprise as well."

They loaded Deeks on to the gurney on his side with his butt in the air. Sam looked on and smiled, almost laughing.

"Not a word Sam. Not. A. Word."

"Not now "butt" soon." Sam couldn't help himself.

Deeks just stared at him.

"Wow. You and Kensi have the same writer for your jokes?"

"Seriously, I get shot and everyone jumps on the bad "butt" jokes band wagon."

Callen and Rachelle were still with Kensi going over the details of the shooting and what went on in the building.

Deeks was being wheeled by on the way to the ambulance when Kensi noticed and started walking toward him.

"I'm riding to the hospital with him."

"We'll meet you there." G looked on as she followed behind the gurney and stepped into the back of the vehicle with Deeks.

Sitting down looking at her partner propped on his side Kensi smiled and asked "How are you feeling now?"

"Been better. The open wounds on my back hurt more the bullet hole. But the meds are starting to work so I should be ok real soon."

"Well just rest for now. I'm going to be here every step of the way." Kensi took his hand and gave it a squeeze. Deeks rolled onto his stomach to get comfortable.

The other three agents walked into the building to start their review of the scene.


Back at the crime scene Police and NCIS teams were processing the site and cataloguing the evidence. Across the street sat a lone figure in a black sedan watching the activities. He picked up his phone and dialled a pre-set number.

"Yea" came the answer.

"Your little love nest is being raided. You have two down. The guests are on their way to the hospital."

"I'll make the necessary arrangements" a voice replied.

The line clicked dead.


I want to thank everyone for following along. I appreciate the support.

Best Wishes to all, have a great Christmas or Holiday Season. Enjoy your family and friends