Author's note-

Sorry for the delay. Work caught up with me there for a bit. ;) I should have at least two chapters up today.

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who is reading this. Reviews are always appreciated. ;)

Lou

Chapter Fourteen

Ben drove slowly, winding through the city on narrow back streets and side roads. He kept his attention fixed on the road and ignored Deeks and Kensi. Now and then, he glanced in the mirror, a grimly amused smile playing over his thin lips. It grated on Kensi's nerves and made her want to punch him.

"So, where are we going?" Deeks asked.

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough," Ben said without looking away from the road. "It won't take us too long to get there. Why are you so concerned?"

Deeks shrugged. "I just like to know where I'm going, that's all."

They passed under a streetlamp. The dull yellow light flickered over ben's face. His jaw was clenched, and a muscle jumped in his cheek, betraying his tightly coiled anger.

Deeks slumped back against the leather seat and grabbed a slice of pizza from the box on Kensi's lap, mind whirling as he tried to figure out what was going on.

"Hey, hon?" he asked softly, knowing that Ben could hear every word and hating it. "Are you sure you still want to do this? We can still…"

"No, Mr. Hunter. You cannot back out now," Ben said just as softly. There was an edge of menace in his voice. "You're both in too… deep."

His tone sent a chill through both of them. Without thinking, Kensi reached across the seat and took Deeks' hand. His pulse thundered against her fingertips. She didn't begrudge him that, knowing that hers was doing exactly the same. It wasn't fear, exactly, but adrenaline and anxiety. Part of the job was learning how to function with the heady mix thundering through your body.

"It doesn't matter anyway." She glanced at Deeks as they passed under another light. "I'm sure I want to do this. Do you want to…?"

Deeks nodded and tightened his hand, just a little. "Wild horses couldn't make me leave you."

Ben laughed. "Well, isn't that sweet?"

They both ignored him. Kensi chewed her pizza slowly, gazing out of the window. The darkly tinted glass stopped her from seeing much. What she could see left her with the impression that they were driving around in circles. She glanced at Deeks, who tipped his head in a slight nod at her questioning look.

They drove past the turnoff for the highway, creeping through more narrow streets until they reached the outskirts of the city. Ben bumped the SUV onto a the start of a fire road, turning off onto a track after less than a mile. The SUV lurched over the hard-packed dirt. Trees branches scraped against the body work. The headlights shone down the road in a narrow band. Now and then, some small animals eye's glowed green in the light.

Deeks blinked, remembering the pristine paint. Bet he's never driven this along here before, he thought, and wondered exactly what that meant. He sighed soundlessly, the deep, gnawing worry just below his ribs confirming that whatever the reason, it probably wasn't good.

Ben stopped the car at the base of a steep, rocky hill. A few hardy trees struggled to survive on the crumbling face, some with branches worn smooth from years being used a handholds. The recruiter pulled the keys from the ignition and stepped out, barely glancing back at his passengers. "We walk from here. Leave your rubbish in the car. I'll get rid of it."

The woods were dark and deep around them. Kensi glanced at Deeks as she opened the door and stepped out, boots sinking into the damp leaf litter. He did the same, then came around the car to wrap his arm around her waist. She did the same, wondering at his sudden need to touch her. Is he just trying to sell this cover, or is it something… more? she wondered.

"Come on," Ben snapped, watching them with a tiny sneer of disgust on his face.

They followed him up the steep bank, using the small trees to help themselves up. Halfway up, Kensi felt her boots start to slip in the loose soil. She dug her toes in and almost groaned in frustration when that made things worse. A hand low on her back gave her chance to take a step and catch her balance again. She climbed over the top of the rise and turned, extending her hand to her partner.

Deeks took it gratefully, making it over the top of the hill in an undignified scramble. It got him an amused smile from Kensi, and a dour look from their guide. He wiped the dust from his hands and looked around.

A trail wound through the scrubby trees. The scent of rotting leaf litter and bruised vegetation filled the air. They followed the narrow path in silence for almost half an hour before they reached a wide, swiftly flowing stream. A bridge had been built over it using felled trees, bound together with thick, rough rope.

Ben walked over it without a pause. Kensi followed him, spreading her arms to catch her balance. She made it across without a problem and turned to watch Deeks navigate the log bridge. He crossed it easily and hopped down the other side, landing neatly next to Kensi.

"How much further is this camp?" he asked.

Kensi looked around, hands tucked into her pockets. The rough terrain made her uneasy. There's no way to get a truck up here. No way to land a helicopter, either, she thought.

"It's not far," Ben said and started walking again, clearly expecting them to follow him.

They followed him quietly for about ten minutes before Deeks stopped suddenly, swearing, one hand pressed against his cheek where a stray branch had taken a chunk out of his skin. Blood smeared on his skin.

Kensi turned, eyes wide with worry. "What happened?"

"A branch got me," Deeks muttered, letting her pull his hand away from the wound.

She took hold of his chin, angling his face towards the scant moonlight to see the wound better. It was a shallow, but long scrape across his cheekbone that was oozing blood.

"It's not too bad," she said. "Keep pressure on it for a bit."

He nodded and pressed his fingers against the scrape again.

Ben sighed. "Now you're finished playing doctors and nurses, can we get moving again?"

They both nodded, following him as he led them down another steep bank. Light twinkled at the bottom. The wind shifted, bringing the scent of cooking food and a snatch of conversation to them. The partners exchanged glances. They had reached the camp.

And now the hard work begins, Deeks thought and followed their grumpy guide into the ring of lights.