We are moving on slowly. The story will finish this year

"That one's on me" as everyone turned and saw Granger striding into the middle of the room. "I gave that damn detective more grief than any one person should get and he just keep doing his freakin' job. It's payback time for me. Besides I promised Don I'd watch over Kensi. He's important to her so let's pull his ass outta this."

All the agents plus Eric and Nell just stared, waiting for someone else to move first. When they finally started to stir they heard "good for you Owen, now agent Callen get this show on the road" from Hetty thru their comm's.

"Ok, that's it. We will execute on my call. Do not go early. Any questions? (pause) Ok, saddle up and let's get this done" G said this as he pulled the straps on his vest a little lighter. Everyone exited the building and headed for the assembly point as G reminded them to stagger the arrivals to avoid being noticed. Once there G looked around and said "be safe and cover 6."

Everyone, including SWAT started arriving in unmarked cars and were now wearing their gear including vests-NCIS-LAPD-DEA were all quite visible. G took about 2 seconds to reflect on the reaction they had gotten from LAPD-DEA and even the FBI when the word went out about Deeks being in trouble. LAPD shocked him till one of them took him aside and said "there's a few of us who respect the heck outta Marty so we're here for him." They had started filtering into their assigned areas 1½ hours before the meeting time. As they arrived, they immediately began surveying their area of responsibility and identifying the "outside security". Once done, they checked in with the number of bad guys in their sector and any other necessary information (i.e. weapons, civilians in the area etc.) in their respective areas of responsibility.

Kensi came on their comm "this is shooter one. Bad guys all id'd. I have eyes on all 8 in front. Assume 8 more in back. Waiting on the big shots."

"Shooter two, confirmed. Mine are smokin' and jokin' like they don't expect to be real busy today."

Eric came on the line "ok here we go, Kings coming in. They are headed to the rear corner exit, west side. As expected, 2 men going in. We are looking at 6 men inside plus the 4 at each outside post for a minimum of 22. Ok now I have the Afghani connection exiting their car. Jack and Nicole as expected. They are walking in the front door."

Barely 2 minutes later the Demons arrived. As they exited the car and headed for the front door, Miguel whispered "I really do like the new Max. Real sinister look to you mi amigo."

Eric said, "ok wait a minute where's Deeks-oh wow-a-hey Kensi, guys- -you gotta see this." Deeks had his hair cut short and dyed coal black. His scruff was gone replaced by a moustache and goatee also dyed black and he was wearing aviator shades. "Looks like he got the message."

"Yea, he must have figured out who was at the house. He is hoping that Jack doesn't recognize him right away, but Nicole is a different story. He doesn't know about her involvement and she has seen him more recently. The disguise may not help" offered Nell.

G announced "this is lead, we go on my mark. In 3- - -2- - -1 go-go-go."

A few minutes later the sound of each of the 4 groups checking in confirming security was "handled." LAPD was quickly and quietly sweeping them up. They would split credit for the bust with DEA.

Inside all hell was breaking loose. Deeks had spotted Nicole, who he didn't expect and Jack who he did as he had figured out Jack had to be the guy staying at Kensi's and that had irritated the hell out of him till he thought it through. Deeks stepped forward to run the meeting. At the same time Nicole yelled "he's a cop." The disguise had bought him about a minute but that was enough. Deeks first thought was with the guns, drugs and money all in plain sight they can all go down on all charges. Deeks then said "you gonna beat me with a wet noodle Nicole?"

Kensi screamed into the comm's "Noodle is our distress word-he's talking to me-go-go-go-all unit's go-lighthouse I repeat lighthouse."

The next thing heard was "NCIS, DEA and freeze, hands" up from every corner of the room. When the smoke settled Jack was using Nicole as a shield and was surrounded by various agents and 1 pissed off detective.

Deeks was staring at Jack and walking toward him when G stopped him, stuck a comm in his ear and said "listen" following that with "Kensi- -go Deeks is plugged in."

"Marty listen it's not what you think", Kensi also promised explanations later.

Deeks nodded then said "I know sunshine, just a freaky coincidence right? Now I'm gonna be busy for a few minutes Kensilena" and resumed walking straight at Jack.

Finally he was staring at Jack who said "so you're the big dick knockin boots with Kensi these days. You know you can't replace me don't ya."

With blue eyes cold as steel and a voice none of the agents nor the wonder twins had never heard Deeks literally growled "personally I don't give a rat's ass if you shoot her since she gave me up. She is certainly not innocent in this anyway. But, know this for sure, you will die right after her so how about you and I make a deal instead. You and me to the finish. Kick my ass or kill me and you walk out that door. G, Sam you hear me? He's mine. Promise me AND him so he lets her go." G and Sam shared a look.

Sam heard Kensi say "Sam, Jack is a trained recon marine, Deeks is tough but he's gonna get killed. Stop this."

"Nope sorry Kens, he's earned it. Have faith in him like he's shown in us many times. He trusted us to figure it out and be here." Sam responded. It was done so quietly that G didn't even hear Sam talking to Kensi. Then turning to Jack, Sam said "you have our word, whip him and you can walk out that door."

"Oh ye of little faith Fern-trust your boyfriend here ok" came over the comm's.

"Guys, I'm doing one last perimeter search- -checking for stragglers, I'll be along soon, make em wait. I can talk Jack down" came over the comm's from Kensi.

Jack snarled, a wide twisted smile on his face "Ok clear the room except for the 2 of us, the one who walks out wins" and he pushed Nicole violently towards the 2 agents.

As the 2 fighters circled each other Deeks said "Sam before you and G leave- -if I'm in a coma or something please be sure she understands that it's not about all the crap that we built the mountain out of its just communication pure and simple, she wouldn't cheat on me so it's something else. But she just walked away without telling me anything. We agreed to never do that. If trust was the problem, I would have just left and never come back-period."

"You just told her shaggy" G offered, pointing to Deeks ear "along with everyone else."

Rolling his eyes in best Kensi fashion he turned to face Jack, Deeks took a deep breath and said "Ok, clear the room. Then shortly after he added "ok Jack let's do this."

G and Sam just looked at each other on the way out. All they could do now was listen on their comm's.

Ok are we taking bets on this outcome? How we doin' here?