Vengeance: Chapter 11
...
Joe and Deeks stood side by side in front of the fireplace, the embers glowing among the white ashes of the dying fire. Diane had gone back to her mother's house to pack for the honeymoon and Kensi had gone with her, while George drove Hetty back to the hotel in Saratoga. All the wedding guests had left except for Jim Littleshield and Elan Hand, who were spending the night. Elan stepped between the two men and tossed another log on the fire and then a couple more, kneeling to stoke it until the flames flared, finally standing and draping his arms across both men's shoulders.
"Did he tell you where they're going on their honeymoon?" Elan asked with a grin.
"Santa Fe," Deeks replied with a questioning look as Elan's smile widened.
"Tell 'im, Joe," Elan said as he pushed his cousin, laughter in his voice.
"It wasn't my choice, man," Joe said, shoving his cousin back.
"Have you two always acted like you're twelve?" Deeks asked.
"You should talk, dumbass," Joe knelt down and began roughly poking at the renewed fire.
"Ten Thousand Waves," Elan drew out the name softly before laughing again. "It's a spa outside of Santa Fe, where they give you a kimono to wear to your massage. Kinda girly for an FBI agent don't you think Joe?"
"It's supposed to be relaxing, you shit," Joe said, standing and trying to look tough, but holding back a smile as he spoke.
"Joe might look kind of attractive in a kimono," Deeks' broad smile earned him a solid punch on the arm.
"With those skinny legs?" Elan laughed.
"Diane heard about it when she went to a massage therapist's conference in Santa Fe," Joe said as his two friends laughed. "She had her heart set on it for the honeymoon, so what could I say?"
"You are so whipped, buddy," Deeks said and went to the sideboard, pouring three glasses of Glenfiddich and handing them out. "To Joe, the man no longer in charge of his own life."
The three men touched glasses and turned back toward the fire.
"You better get going, Cuz. You don't want to piss off your new wife the first day," Elan said as he squeezed his cousin's shoulder.
"That kimono is calling, brother," Deeks said, pulling Joe into a quick hug. "You're a lucky man, Joe."
"Watch your back, Marty," Joe said, the easy smiles suddenly gone between them. "Don't go getting yourself killed while I'm on my honeymoon."
"I'll wait till you get back," Deeks said with a crooked grin.
"Don't joke like that, you dumbass," Joe said sharply.
"What's going on?" Elan sensed something and stood looking back and forth between the two men. "Are you in trouble, Marty?"
"Joe worries too much," Deeks said. "I can take care of myself, remember?"
"Bullshit," Joe almost shouted. "I remember you hanging in that cage with cattle prod burns all over your chest, so don't tell me that."
"Joe," Deeks said quietly. "I have good people watching out for me. Just go enjoy your honeymoon and I'll see you when you get back, okay man?"
"Yeah, sorry," Joe said, relaxing slightly, a flicker of embarrassment in the small smile that appeared briefly.
Joe gave Deeks a clap on the arm before heading back to his room to pick up his suitcase and was surprised to see Jim Littleshield standing silently in the shadows. They hugged briefly in passing and then silence hung over the room until Joe walked back in. The three men followed him out to the porch, trailed by the four dogs. Deeks bent down and picked up Boo, holding her under his arm as he waved goodbye to Joe as he drove off into the night. No one spoke until they could no longer see the lights of the car.
"You want to tell us what that was all about?" Elan said as they returned to house.
"Not really," Deeks felt uncomfortable as the two men stared at him. He put Boo down and watched as she cuddled up next to Stinker close by the fire.
"George mentioned you weren't used to family," Jim Littleshield said, the words softened by his distinctive way of speaking.
"And Joe told us you liked to talk, so why don't you?" Elan's voice was anything but soft.
"George didn't tell you anything?" Deeks faced the fire as he spoke, away from the searching eyes of the two Arapaho men.
"He told us how you saved Joe's life," Elan replied. "That's why you're family and that's why we want to know if you're in trouble. We take care of family."
Jim Littleshield silenced his nephew with a look before moving to stand behind Deeks.
"When I was seventeen, George and a few of us got in a fight with some bull riders in town for the rodeo," Jim's words seem to come from a distant place and Deeks braced his arms against the fireplace mantle, remembering the story George had told him the first day he met him.
"We were full of ourselves back then," he continued. "We thought no one could get the better of us, but we were wrong. I was wrong and so are you and you should know that. You and me both remember the pain a cattle prod can bring, but you're still full of yourself. You have come close to dying so many times you think you're blessed because you're still alive, but you're not. You have been alone too long with no one to talk to. You talk, but you don't hear. George is your father and we are your cousins. Listen to what we say and hear it. We are family now and we protect our own."
"Tell us what you can, Cuz," Elan said quietly. "And if trouble comes to you here, we'll fight by your side."
Deeks was stunned by their words. He turned back to look into their eyes and he saw truth and complete acceptance there. He sat down on the hearth and lowered his head and began to tell them about the threats made on his life. They asked no questions and the more he talked the calmer he became as he unburdened himself. His words hung in the air around him as he spoke of his fears about the harm that might come to those who put themselves in the line of fire to protect his life, and he heard Jim grunt softly at that. When he finished, he looked up and saw the two men looking at one another. They stood and he stood to face them, not sure what to do.
"You really know how to piss people off, Cuz," Elan said. "I'll stick around until you leave. My rifle will be close by if we need it and I assume you're armed, so if anything happens, look for me."
"I don't know what to say, except thanks," Deeks said. "And you're right, I'm not used to relying on family. Mine was never there for me. The closest family I've had up until now has been my team at NCIS. I've learned to depend on them, but I've been with them for three years. You just met me yesterday."
"George and I have been like brothers since we were little," Jim said. "When Chris was killed in the war, he was lost to himself for a while. He blamed himself. Then Joe enlisted right away and he was crazy with fear that he would lose him too. He rattled around this old place by himself, and he wasn't in a good place, drinkin' too much and letting things go with the livestock, so I came to stay with him until Joe came home. George needs family and you are a lot like him I think. You need family too, and now you have one. We may not be blood, but when you saved Joe's life, you saved George as well. He has taken you as his son and he doesn't want to lose you."
"I'd do anything for George," Deeks said earnestly. "I don't want him in the line of fire. I could never look Joe in the eye again if something happened to George because of me, and I couldn't live with that either. I'm leaving tomorrow and I'll be fine. I have back up in California and Kensi will be with me."
"How's she gonna help if you're attacked between here and there?" Elan scoffed.
Deeks' loud laugh startled the two men and they looked back at him in confusion.
"Kensi could probably take you in a fight, Elan," Deeks said. "And I know she can outshoot you."
"No way, Cuz," Elan looked incredulously at him as Jim Littleshield laughed softly and shook his head.
"Believe it, man," Deeks said.
The sound of a truck in the driveway ended their discussion as the dogs rose and began barking their greetings as they sniffed at the door, their tails wagging furiously. George and Kensi came in and Deeks saw the cautious look in her eyes as she glanced quickly at him. He smiled and raised his eyebrows and saw her curiosity return.
"Elan thinks he can outshoot you, Kens," Deeks smiled as he saw her eyes sharpen and widen as she looked over at Elan as he stood smugly by the fire.
"Well, our plane doesn't leave until two, so how about a little target shooting contest in the morning?" she smiled wickedly at Elan and Deeks saw his confidence waver ever so slightly.
"You're on, ma'am," Elan answered.
"Did he just call me ma'am?" Kensi's eyes widened, followed by a piercing look that froze Elan.
"Sorry," he said, somewhat disconcerted by her tough attitude.
"Call me Kensi," she told him.
"Or you can call her Wonder Woman like I do," Deeks wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her tightly to his side.
"She's a Federal agent, Elan," George laughed. "You may have just met your match."
"No way is a woman gonna outshoot me," he said, standing taller as the other three men laughed.
"Wanna bet?" Deeks asked.
"You're on, Cuz."
After wagers were laid down, Deeks and Kensi said their goodnights and headed for their room, leaving the three men talking quietly in front of the fading fire. Kensi closed the door behind them and leaned against it, her eyes coming to rest on her partner as he silently began to unbutton his shirt, his mind elsewhere. She didn't go to him, unsure of where they stood and afraid to breech the subject of the future again. She smiled as he removed his shirt and saw him shiver in the cool room, his lithe body tensing as he reached for a tee shirt. She moved quickly then, coming up beside him and reaching out her hand to stroke his arm as she placed her other hand on the suddenly taut muscles of his back. He turned to face her, his face tender, but uncertain, the tee shirt hanging forgotten in his hand as their eyes searched each other's faces. She moved closer, her hand moving to stroke his bare chest as the other toyed with the curled hair at the base of his neck. His eyes were placid as he waited to see what she would do, his arms unmoving by his side.
"Hold me," she said softly as her arms went around his neck and pulled him against her.
He did as she asked, wrapping his strong arms around her and gently resting his face against her cheek. She felt him let his breath out as her lips teased the base of his neck and then following the line of his shoulder. His hand moved up into her hair and she could feel his warm breath in her ear and it made her quiver.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I want you," she replied as she pulled back to look at him.
"Just for sex?" he asked with no hint of a smile.
"What? Why would you say that?" She stepped away from him, her body rigid with anger.
"Isn't that all were doing? Having fun in bed and then watching each others back at work while we flirt?" He walked past her and pulled on the tee shirt before going into the bathroom and shutting the door.
"Don't do this," she said.
He opened the bathroom door and stood staring at her and she could see the turmoil in his eyes.
"I love you, Kens," his voice sounding suddenly defeated. "If all you want is sex, I can do that. I'm good at it and if that makes you happy then count me in, just don't tease me about more than that and then yank it away because you're too scared to make a commitment."
She was too stunned to comment as he stood bracing himself against the doorframe.
"I met George and Joe's Arapaho cousins just yesterday," he said quietly. "And for some reason they welcomed me into their family and offered to fight by my side if I needed them. I've known them for less than two days, but they made a commitment to me. I've known you for three years, Kens. I've loved you for almost that long and I thought you loved me, but you're still holding back and I'm tired of trying to understand why."
Then he turned back and shut the door, leaving her standing there with tears in her eyes, unable to move.
...
...
He rose early, the cold darkness still heavy on the room. He dressed quickly, picking up Boo as he moved toward the door. He paused to stare down at Kensi bundled tightly on her side, not splayed across the bed as she usually was. He blamed himself for that, knowing she had not touched him at all during the night. His regret at telling her his true feelings tugged at him, but he couldn't take the words back now and wasn't sure he wanted to. He closed the door behind him and hugged the wiggling dog, welcoming her warm body and the solace of unconditional love.
He was surprised to smell freshly brewed coffee as he neared the kitchen, having expected to be the first one up at this hour. He found George and Jim Littleshield talking softly over steaming cups of black coffee, and he was glad for the company, placing Boo on the floor as he sat down to join them. He was still amazed at how comfortable he felt when George was around and Jim gave him the same feeling. Enjoying their camaraderie reminded him of the times he'd spent with his grandfather as a little boy. Those visits had provided the only escape from some of the more difficult times of his childhood, but that hadn't lasted long, his father refusing to let him and his mom visit, for some reason, after he turned eight. His grandfather died when he was nine and he wasn't allowed to go to the funeral.
"Sheila's gonna miss you, son," George said. "So don't stay away too long or she might pine away."
"Maybe you should breed her again, George," Jim said. "I got a beautiful Bay stallion she might take to. A foal might keep her mind off Marty here."
"Nothing like a little sex to take your mind off things," Deeks said rather harshly, causing both men to look at him sharply.
"You didn't resolve things, did you?" George asked.
"I'm pretty sure I made it worse," he said, getting up to pour himself a mug of coffee before looking sheepishly over at George.
"You aren't letting George give you advice about women are you?" Jim asked with a light laugh.
"Why do you say that?" Deeks grinned and perked up at the inference.
"Did you meet Kate Lovejoy?" Jim asked as George grumbled something unintelligible into his own coffee.
"The lady that bred Boo?" Deeks' smile widened, earning him a grumpy look from George.
"She's given George so many hints he could practically trip over them if he weren't so dense or just plain stubborn," Jim said with snorting laugh.
"You don't know what you're talking about, Littleshield," George got up to refill his coffee and found Kensi staring at him, wrapped in an old robe she found in the closet.
"I smelled the coffee," she said, glancing uncertainly at Deeks as George poured her a cup.
"George has a girlfriend, Kens," Deeks said easily, keeping his voice light and teasing. She knew instantly that he was roll playing and decided to go along.
"I'm not surprised. You're very handsome, George," she said as she took the seat next to Deeks, glad that she didn't have to look into his eyes. "Any woman would be lucky to have you."
"Well, she wants him, that's plain to see," Jim said, smiling at his cousin's discomfort.
"But what does she want him for, is the question," Deeks teased.
"Watch yourself, boy," George said, glaring at him. "I can probably kick your butt if I have to."
"I'd be happy to help, George," Kensi said as she rose from her chair. "He needs a good kick in the ass once in awhile." Her eyes flashed at her partner, which the cousins picked up on, turning to see what Deeks' response would be.
"She loves my ass," Deeks said, a lecherous grin on his face as he wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"Actually, I can take it or leave it," she said flippantly. "Personally, I think it's overrated, kind of like it's owner."
"Ouch, Miss Blye, you wound me," Deeks put his hand over his heart like he'd just been shot and smiled broadly, making Kensi's eyes narrow at his playfulness, knowing he was just trying to get under her skin.
"You better watch out during our little shooting contest this morning," Kensi said as she started to walk back toward their room. "I wouldn't want to make a mistake and shoot you in that smart little ass of yours."
"Oh, I think you would like nothing more, Agent Blye," Deeks said, his smile gone as they stared at each other.
She turned and left and Deeks looked back to see two men with large questioning eyes staring back at him.
"Did she just threaten to shoot you?" Jim asked.
"It isn't the first time," His laugh not entirely convincing.
"Do you two always go at it like this?" George asked.
"Yeah. It's our thing," he answered with a short laugh as he got up and grabbed his jacket off the peg and headed out the door.
"Those two got it bad," Jim Littleshield said.
"Yeah, they just don't know what to do with it," George replied.
...
...
Deeks had set up two hay bales down by the creek, each topped with a row of seven jingle bells. George and Jim would keep count of the number of bells each shooter managed to hit and the first person to successfully hit fourteen would be declared the winner. Deeks watched as Kensi familiarized herself with the rifle George had loaned her. She was completely engrossed in the contest, never looking at him once as she went to stand at the fifty-yard mark for the first series. Elan looked very confident and Deeks hid a smile, knowing what was coming for the poor man.
"Ladies first," Elan graciously offered.
Kensi stepped to the mark and fired rapidly, hitting each bell in turn, the pinging sound from the hits echoing along the creek.
"Your turn," Kensi said with a swaggering, smart-ass smile.
Elan Hand was a former Army Ranger and he had no problem hitting his targets, turning to Kensi with a broad smile when he finished. The second round would take place from one hundred yards and both George and Jim shook their heads, not thinking it was possible to hit the tiny bells from that distance. Deeks set up the targets and smiled at George as he came to stand next to him.
"She that good, son?" George asked.
"Oh yeah. I trust her with my life," he answered.
"What about with your heart?" George asked, causing Deeks to flinch and give the man a warning look.
"She's the one who's afraid," he said as Kensi stepped to the line.
The sharp crack of the rifle was followed each time by the ping of a jingle bell as it flew into the air, leaving the hay bale bare. She had hit every one and even at this distance the men could see the change in Elan's body language. He managed to hit five out of the final seven, and looked dejected as he walked back alongside Kensi.
"She doesn't seem to be scared of anything," Jim said as they approached.
"Except committing to me," he said softly.
George nodded at him with understanding as the two shooters approached.
"You were right, Marty," Elan said, resting the rifle on his shoulder. "She is that good."
"Thank you," Kensi said with a wide smile.
"You watch over him then," Elan said. "If anyone comes for him, you take them out, Kensi."
"You know about the threats," she said, sobering as she looked over at Deeks.
"I'll be fine, buddy," Deeks said. "Kensi will have my back all the way home."
"And after that?" Jim Littleshield asked.
"After that I've got my other family," Deeks said. "A Navy SEAL, a hard ass Federal agent who never sleeps, two geek wizards and Hetty and nobody messes with her."
...
