Disclaimer: The characters of N.C.I.S. Los Angeles belong to CBS
Deeks was pulling up the safe house as the sun was setting. He was late getting back because he want to go over more the case files that he got from Bates. Deeks had a sinking feeling that when the crap hit the fan Hailey Jackson would be called out of retirement/hiding; and she would be killed. But he put all of those details out of his head and then got out of his suv, armed it, and went into the house. Deeks was greet at the door by Monty, who was looking for a some loving in the form of a scratch behind the ear, then approached Kensi and kissed her tender, and lovingly on the lips. To which she smiled back after they had parted from the kiss.
"Guess who came back to the west coast?" Kensi asked.
"Granger." Deeks said with disdain dripping from his voice. She nodded. "Let me guess: The director wanted to know why Callen, Sam, you, and I aren't on any cases anymore. When did you find out?"
"About two hours ago. Pretty much; when Hetty informed the A.D. of Jon Doe's presence in the op, he backed off. It seems our new found friend has some political clout." She said.
"Which I hope he as the good graces not to use during or after this op is completed; I hate owing people favors." Deeks said.
"Only time will tell." Kensi said. By this time Deeks smelt the food.
"What's for dinner?" He asked.
"Pizza." She said
"Jon wants to brief on the op tomorrow." He said.
"Why, has there been a new development?" She asked.
"You might say that." Deeks said with a sly grin spread across his face.
"What is the supposed "development" then?" Kensi asked.
"This little circus act is going on the road." He said.
"Where to?" She asked
"New York City." He said.
"What's in New York City?" She asked. Deeks stared at Kensi for a minute or two reveling in the fact that he was about to share and wonderful fact with her; one that would make any partner/girlfriend proud.
"The operation will be taking place at Carnegie Hall!" Deeks exclaimed. Kensi was in shock at the mention of the famous hall and then hugged Deeks. Deeks hugged her back, while lifting Kensi off her feet and spinning a quick turn with her in his arms. After he sat her down they approached the dining room table and ate dinner. Then they went into the living room and watched a movie. It has been six months and Deeks conceded to letting Kensi watching Titanic. While they were watching the movie couldn't help but feel like he was "the king of the world," given the fact that he was with his beautiful partner, who was now his girlfriend, and that he was going to be playing in Carnegie Hall in a weeks' time.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
After the movie was end Kensi had fell with her head resting on Deeks shoulder. So Deeks shut everything down, and pick Kensi up gently, and carried her to bed. As he was carrying her up to bed, Deeks placed a kiss on Kensi cheek, to which she smiled. Even asleep she knew Deeks touch; though she didn't wake up. Deeks finished climbing the steps and made his way their room, but left the door open for Monty to come in if he wanted to; though the pooch preferred to sleep in the hall. Deeks tucked Kensi in and went into the bathroom to brush his teeth before he climbed in bed. Before Deeks could get comfortable Kensi woke up and turned to Deeks.
"Anything interesting happen after I left for Afghanistan?" She asked
"Two things actually: 1) Callen found himself a girlfriend." He said.
"Really?" She asked.
"I've never met her, but from the picture Sam showed me she is cute." He said.
"Why haven't you met her yet? I figured you would be my source for team gossip." She said waking up a little bit more. Deeks hesitated but told her anyways.
"The night that I could have met her was the night you fell off the grid. I felt despondent after you didn't answer my emails that I forgot about the dinner party, and went home. I couldn't stand to be a killjoy to the rest of the team, so I elected not to kill the mood and went home for the evening." He said
"I'm sorry." Kensi said. "I should have thought it through before running off and getting myself captured. I wanted answers, but I didn't think of the consequences of my actions."
"Don't worry about it." He said.
"Don't worry about it!" She scoffed.
"We came to rescue you, but we put our differences aside and found our way. You promised that you would talk about our relationship, and I promised that I would be patient." He said.
"So, it's no longer a "thing" huh; it's now a relationship?" She asked.
"Kensi I think it became relationship by the time you came back from Afghanistan; though you haven't forgiven me yet, it was slowly building into something more. To be honest to call it a "thing" is callous and heartless. As much passion that we display whenever we make love, it is more the something flippant and casual." He said. Kensi kissed him for his admission that was from the depths of his heart.
"So about that "partners with privileges" line?" Kensi asked.
"I was trying to make you smile, seeing as how you don't really smile that much. I'm sorry for not respecting you, and you're decision on waiting to engage in our relationship. Please forgive me?" He asked. Kensi kissed Deeks.
"Forgiven." She said. "Number 2?"
"I met the man who made this." Deeks said. He turned so he could reach the nightstand drawer, open it, pull out the object and close it back. Deeks turned back to Kensi and handed her the object: it was her father's knife. Kensi stared at Deeks in shock and started to cry a little.
"He was an old friend of Hetty's that did wet work for her when she still had ties with the C.I.A., funny thing was that he was friends with your dad. He even remembered you; he forgot you name though. Said that you were the sweetest girl ever; I was on the verge of crying when he said that. His name was Tuhon."
After Deeks had explained the history of her father's knife, Kensi broke down and cried. Deeks had pulled her into his arms, and held her until she calmed down. Once Kensi calmed down she had fallen asleep. It took Deeks a moment, but then he realized that Kensi was asleep.
"Sweet dream, Fern." Deeks said and the fell asleep himself.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Six o'clock in the morning Deeks phone started ringing. Both Kensi and Deeks were startled by the explosive noise that jolted them out of their dreamless slumber. Deeks found his phone and checked the caller id: Bates.
{Probably calling to say that Hailey has been recalled.} Deeks thought.
"What's up Bates?" Deeks asked.
"Captain Spears dropped by my office recently: he wants to know why a federal agent interested in an old cold case." Bates said.
"Because of a strange turn of events it is going to become a federal case. I think I saw the man in question casing our house sometime during the past six months." Deeks said.
While Deeks and Bates were discussing the case, Kensi received a text message. It was from Hetty.
[Boat shed, seven thirty.]
Kensi looked the clock and saw that it was six fifteen. She tapped Deeks on the arm and showed him the text. Deeks looked at the clock and started to wrap the call up.
"Bates I'm not going to pull rank, if Spears wants in on the case he will have to talk to Hetty." Deeks said.
"I'll let him know. Thanks for humoring an old man." Bates said.
"I'm being summoned, so I got go." Deeks said.
"Bye Deeks." Bates said and then hung up the phone.
"Should we take a shower?" Kensi asked.
"And make to the boat shed on time? Naw." Deeks said. "We can shower at my place in town, seeing as how you have fresh clothes still there, before coming back here."
Kensi and Deeks got dressed real quick and let Monty out to do his business. And then they jump into Deeks vehicle and sped off for the boat shed.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
The couple was a half hour late getting to the boat shed. They didn't think an apology was necessary given the short notice of the text.
"So much for making it on time." Kensi said flustered.
"Hetty knew that we we're fifteen plus miles out of town, so I think this has to do with something else." Deeks said, as they were entering the building. Upon opening the door, Deeks recognized the voice yelling at Hetty.
{Easy there Spears; or you might be walking away needing a new pair of pants.} Deeks thought.
"What gives you right to tell my detective to pull all the files on the cold case files with a serial killer going back twenty years?" Captain Spear asked yelling at Hetty. Deeks froze on the spot after hearing how long the case has been going.
{TWENTY YEARS! OH MY GOSH!} Deeks yelled in his brain. Kensi brought him back to reality as he heard Hetty responding to the accusation.
"First off I never told Mr. Deeks to request the files, and I have yet to see these files. And you might want to update your files. Mr. Deeks is no longer a detective." Hetty said.
"Since when!?" The irate police captain yelled.
"About six months ago." Deeks said as him and Kensi were entering the main room showing his N.C.I.S. credentials. Spears took one look at the couple and laughed.
"I see." Spears said.
"You see what?" Kensi asked.
"Deeks spent one night with you and decided to join the federal ranks." Spears said sharply at Kensi. Hetty stared at Spears in shock at his audacity to make such an accusation.
"Why you son of a -"
Deeks raised an arm to silence Kensi before she could stoop to Spears level.
"What's the matter sweet heart; can't handle your light work?" Spears asked.
Kensi was staring daggers at Deeks for interfering, but she was a little taken back to see that Deeks was calm; like eerily calm. Deeks turned, grabbed Kensi hand and kissed it. Kensi blushed as she returned her hand to her side and conceded to Deeks judgment. Hetty was in shock at her agent's behavior. Deeks turn back to Spear and was staring the man down. And with a calm fury burning in his chest Deeks chastised the man for his insolence.
"I did spend the night with Kensi before becoming an agent, but that was last year. And unlike you I wouldn't take advantage of Kensi for my own personal benefit." Deeks said.
"What's that's supposed to mean?" Spears asked in ignorance.
"Didn't you make the rank of Captain by sleeping with your ex-partner?" Deeks asked, to which Spears stared at Deeks like he was ready to shoot him. "So I think the phrase "That's the pot calling the kettle black" would be highly appropriate in this situation, don't you think?"
Spear would have fired Deeks if he was still one of his detectives, but that option was removed from him. Though Deeks had put him on Front Street, Spears had the good graces to calm down and get back to the topic at hand. Kensi was not the one to let somebody else to defend her honor, but seeing Deeks put the Captain in his place made her feel sexy. Hetty called the meeting to the table, and everybody took a seat: Spears on one side, Kensi and Deeks opposite him, and Hetty at one of the ends. As the meeting was finally getting started, Kensi took Deeks hand under the table, interlacing her fingers with his and held his hand through the meeting.
"What do you want?" Hetty asked the captain.
"Deeks took files about a cold case that has been going on since I was a detective; I want to know why?" Spears asked.
"Selena Carter." Deeks said. Hetty decided that it would be wise to let Deeks do the talking and see how this plays out
"That's Hailey Jackson's new identity after she was shot by Johnson. What's the big fuss?" Spears asked getting irritated.
"Because Spears an ex-C.I.A. agent was murdered after dropping her name to me and our tech engineer three months ago." Deeks said.
"So what, some retired spook was murdered, and you think that gives you the right to steal all the files on the case?" Spear asked ignorantly. Deeks looked at Spears like he was a fool.
"There's a leak in L.A.P.D. Spears. With Hailey's protective custody name out on in the open it is a massive security breach. I secured the files before any more harm can be done." Deeks said trying to keep his voice an even tone. Spears was trying his patience, MASSIVELY!
"If Johnson returns I want this to be a joint operation." Spears said just short of demanding. Deeks looked at Hetty; and she looked back at him.
"Why are you looking at me Mr. Deeks, this is your case." Hetty said.
"You're my boss, and when "Johnson" returns it will be a federal case anyways." Deeks said.
"Why?" Kensi asked.
"Because Johnson's main target is a federal agent." Spears spat at Kensi. Kensi gave Spears her signature death stare and he started to cower.
"Who's the target?" Hetty asked. Deeks cleared his throat and Hetty got the hint.
"Okay, when the case picks back up we will call you." Hetty said.
"I will pick the liaison to be working the case. And it's my choice." Spears said growling at Deeks. Deeks just stared at Spears and was about to protest, but Hetty cut him off.
"Okay." Hetty said. Deeks stared at Hetty in shock; to which she gave Deeks a stare that told him to stand down. Deeks did as he was told, and kept quiet.
"Anything else?" Hetty asked
"Nope." Spears said. Spears pushed his chair away from the table and stood up. Before he walked away Spears took a parting shot at Deeks.
"It'll be great to work with you again, Special Agent Deeks."
"Not likely." Deeks shot back sarcastically. Spears glared at Deeks and then walked away. After the Door had slammed shut Hetty said to her agents.
"Jon Doe wants to brief the team at ten. That's in thirty minutes; I'm going to disappear for the time being until then."
After Hetty had walked out of the boat shed, Kensi et go of Deeks hand and kissed him on the lips.
"Thank you." She said.
"For what?" Deeks asked.
"For telling me to stand down before I could do anything rash and then by putting Spears in his place, it made feel very sexy and like a woman for you to defend me like that." She said. "Did he really make the rank of Captain by last with his last partner?"
"Yeah; I didn't want you to drop to Spears level by talking the bait. I figured my speech was the more appropriate choice of action to take." He said.
"Who's Johnson?" She asked.
"Johnson is an alias, but to the L.A.P.D. a living nightmare; one that I don't wish to discuss right now." He said.
"Fair enough; let's try to get some more sleep before the meeting." Kensi said. Kensi and Deeks both stood from their chairs and made their way over to the couch. Deeks sat down first, and then Kensi sat down snuggling into Deeks. They got to sleep for an extra ten minutes before Jon Doe call the group together to start the meeting.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Kensi felt her body being shaken gently by a strong hand. When she woke up she saw Sam, and he had a playful glint in his eye and a grin on his face.
"This is -"
"It's exactly what it looks like. I don't care what you think, we're just happy that you two settled your differences." Callen said cutting Kensi off.
"We're happy you two are together. As long as you can still work together without letting your feelings getting in the way, it's fine by us." Sam said. Kensi looked up and saw that besides Sam and Callen being here, Nell and Hetty were present. Kensi looked over at the table and saw Jon Doe and his right hand man. Kensi looked back to Deeks and try to wake him up gently.
"Hey baby, it's time for the meeting with Jon Doe." She whispered as he was starting to open his eyes.
"Thanks." Deeks said. With his hands he motioned "143" and stood to stretch. Kensi motioned "143" back.
"To you too." She said. Then everybody gathered around the table, and Jon hooked his laptop up to the plasma and started to brief the group.
"The finishing touches of the op have been put into place. In two days we will travel to New York set up shop in a hotel here." Jon said bring up a map of New York City pointing to a hotel near the center of the map.
"Wait a minute." Sam said. Callen was tracking with him and finished his sentence.
"Is that Carnegie Hall that's right across the street?"
The ops team, except for Kensi, turned and looked at Deeks.
"What?" Deeks asked.
"I hope you've been practicing." Callen said.
"Wait, Kensi you don't seem the least bit surprised. You already knew?" Sam asked. Kensi stared at Sam, and then with her left index finger motioned between her and Deeks.
"Fair enough." Sam said.
"And yes I've been practicing." Deeks said.
"He has been practicing so much that even the conductor expressed his appreciation and gratitude to be working with Deeks." Jon said.
"Thanks Jon." Deeks said with a smile, Kensi nodded Jon too.
"So what's the plan?" Nell asked.
"I'm guessing Hetty will be staying behind to keep and on eye things here." Jon said to which she nodded. "Everybody else will be going to New York to carry it out. As I said earlier we leave in two days to set up shop, and also run surveillance: on/in the hall, and the surrounding area. Callen and Sam you two will be working the ground floor the night of the symphony. Nell and Kensi you two will take the balcony."
"What's going to be happening before the symphony?" Nell asked.
"Nell you will be Kensi partner for the duration of this op. I will be working with symphony on this one." Deeks said. Nell was a little taken back, because this was her first real assignment and she was a little scared to say the least.
"Don't worry about it Nell. It will mostly be surveillance until we move to take the target down." Kensi said. "Just try to act natural and everything will be fine."
"Do you think Mr. Akbar will have extra security besides his usual detail?" Callen asked.
"Shouldn't be a problem, but seeing as how this is the money man he might beef up his security for the evening." Jon said
"Eric was tracking the target, and he is currently in Maine right now, making his way to New York." Nell said.
"Any questions." Jon said. The team shook their heads, Jon continued. "Here are your tickets for the flight to and from New York. I see you all there."
Jon put an envelope the tickets on the table and left to get his team together and get them to New York. Hetty took the floor after Jon left the building.
"Any questions?" Hetty asked.
"Who's in charge of the op?" Kensi asked.
"Joint op." Hetty said. "Jon knows the most about the target, so once you're on the ground he's calls the shot. But it should be standard a "snatch and grab" op." Hetty said.
"So can I get the cliff notes for the operations?" Nell asked.
"Once we're on the ground in New York we set up shop at the hotel across from Carnegie Hall. Then while I'm practicing with the orchestra for the symphony, the four of you will be running surveillance keeping tabs on Akbar and his men. Once the symphony starts you four will either be in the crowd or wondering the halls. That clear enough for you?" Deeks asked, to which Nell nodded.
"Everybody Sam, Callen, Kensi and Deeks return to your safe houses and pack and return to L.A. and prep for the next op." Hetty said "Nell pack your bags and be ready to leave." Hetty said.
With that last order the team split and went their separate ways to get ready to leave for New York.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Night before the team leaves for New York-
Deeks was finishing packing and putting his bags by the front door, when he heard a knock on the front door. He opened the door and saw Kensi standing there. He moved out of the way to let her in. Kensi walked into his living room and waited for Deeks to turn back to face her.
"What's up?" Deeks asked.
"I want you to keep my knife until after the operation." Kensi said as she held out her father's knife to Deeks.
"Yeah it would be weird for me to have a gun strapped to me, but a knife would definitely be easier to conceal. Thanks Fern." He said after he accepted the knife there was silence in the room, that bordered on the uncomfortable side.
"It's still early; you want to have a beer before joining me in the bed for the night?" Deeks asked. To which Kensi smiled her acceptance.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
It was ten P.M., three hours after Kensi showed up at Deeks place, and the couple decided to call it a night seeing as how they had to catch a seven forty-five flight out of LAX. Kensi already had shower and was already changed into a more sensual outfit for the evening, while Deeks still had to take a shower. After Deeks had shower and was change into some comfortable clothing, he joined Kensi in his bed, spooning with her. Kensi had one question to ask before she fell asleep.
"About our living arrangements?" Kensi asked.
"You can move in here, or you can wait until we find our new place." Deeks said. "Though if I were you I would start working on those piles in your house. That way when you're ready to move, it will be one less thing to take care of."
"I'll work on that after we get back from New York." Kensi said. "Whose furniture should we keep, and whose should we get rid of?"
"My couch I've had since college, so that can go." He said.
"Mine isn't any better." She said.
"Okay, so we need a new couch." Deeks said. He turned over onto his back to see that it was nearing eleven at night. "How about we discuss this later, it's getting late."
As Deeks turned back to her, Kensi turned onto her back to give him a kiss. Then she return to her previous position and closed her eye. Deeks had wrapped his arms around Kensi in the seat belt position and kissed her lightly on her shoulder. Kensi had grabbed one of Deeks hands and kissed it and returned it to its position on her body.
"Good night babe." Kensi said.
"Night Princess." Deeks said.
The couple fell asleep, and stayed a sleep until the Deeks alarm went off the next morning.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Seven A.M. the next morning-
Kensi and Deeks were approached the waiting area to board their flight. Sam and Callen were already there, and Nell was approaching thirty seconds after Kensi and Deeks did. The team hugged each other and had a little small talk, but everybody could see the nervousness in Nell; it was practical affecting the whole team. Kensi pulled her aside to have a private chat.
"Nell I know this is something you don't usually do, but you need to relax. You are in good hands." Kensi said.
"You may be used to this, but I'm not. Still just trying to shake the nerves and I'm still afraid for Deeks though." Nell said.
"I gave him a knife to help him seeing as how he really couldn't hide a gun on his person. Not only that, Deeks has the three of us to back him up. So take it easy, and follow our leads; okay?" Kensi said. Nell nodded, and Kensi walked away. She pulled Deeks aside and had a word with him. Nell was off in her own world when Deeks approached her.
"What's up Nell?" Deeks asked. "And don't say it's nothing. We can feel the tension radiating off of you."
"Just jitters seeing how it's my first real assignment and that you are going to be bait." Nell said.
"Don't like the fact that I'm out on Front Street with no real protection in case the op goes south?" He asked. Nell nodded.
"That's the nature of the beast when you're the bait. Hoping everything goes according to plan before it goes pear-shaped and I get hospitalized, or killed; but I'm in good hands, and so are you. Jon Doe is known by the intelligence community, or so I heard." Deeks said.
"How did you hear that?" She asked.
"Hetty told Kensi." He said.
"Yeah I was present when Granger found that he was involved. Granger backed off when he heard the name." She said.
While Deeks was trying to help Nell get over her nerves Kensi was informing Callen and Sam of her issues.
"Well can't say I blame. This a lot different than just going into the field to back somebody up, more things can go wrong here than just wandering around Los Angeles. With you at her back Kensi, Nell should be just fine." Callen said.
"Don't worry. Nell won't get injured on my watch." Kensi said.
"Though it won't be as interest as working with Shaggy though." Sam said teasing Kensi. Kensi rolled her eyes at Sam's comment and then Nell and Deeks rejoin the group. As they returned to the group, the flight attendants call for boarding of the plane. Callen and Sam were the closes to the door, Nell was seated near the middle of the plane, and Kensi and Deeks was seat towards the back of the plane. As Deeks passed Nell he grabbed her arm and said.
"Trust and back up your partner and we'll make it out of this alive."
"I will, and I also miss Eric." Nell said.
"As soon as we touch down in New York text him and let him know. I know he misses you." Deeks said and head back to take his seat next to Kensi.
"What did you say to her?" Kensi asked.
I told Nell to trust and back up her partner. Then I told her to text Eric when we land in New York because she misses him." Deeks said.
"I think you will be the one to keep her sane." She said.
"I think she is uncomfortable with me being out in the open, but once she gets more experience Nell will mellow out." He said.
The pilot came over the P.A. system to do the preflight check, and then started to taxi out onto the runway. The pilot accelerates to take off sped and then lifted off the ground for the 2 hour plus flight to New York. The agents used to flying fall asleep after the plane is in the air, but the analyst is still awake. Nell takes Deeks advice and texts Eric.
[I love and miss you.] Nell texted.
[I love and miss you, too] Eric texted back.
[I don't like the situation I'm in, but I trust them.] She wrote back.
[They will protect you and Deeks, so don't be afraid. You all will come back in one piece.] He wrote back.
[Thanks for the words of encouragement, I appreciate it.] She wrote back
[Get some rest. It will be a boring week waiting for the night of the symphony to come. Text me when you land.] Eric wrote back.
[I will. Take to you later.] Nell wrote.
[Same to you too.] Eric wrote back
After talking to Eric Nell felt relaxed enough to get some sleep.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
The next four days were spent with the O.S.P. team and Jon Doe's team running surveillance outside and inside the hall. Jon Doe and his men watched the airport. Eric every now and then updated their information to within the last twenty minutes. Deeks was in and out of practices like crazy to keep up the act. Deeks never heard it, but to all the agents wired with mics they heard.
"Target has landed."
T.B.C.
A/N: When I start the next chapter, I will jump to the evening of the symphony. No need to bore you with surveillance chatter, and what not.