Set anytime in the series after Deeks joins the fun. Deeks has a secret.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and no one. I'm just writing them as I want to see them.
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A/N: I don't normally do an author's note but I feel it is needed this time. I'M SORRY! This story is so hard to write. I did have writer's block but I think that is mostly due to my fear of this story. Characters, conversations and situations I can write. Action? It scares me. I worry about getting it wrong and disappointing those wonderful special people who have been reading this story. i.e. You. Please forgive this ridiculously long delay. I appreciate your patience. Thank you.
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The ref's meeting was the first time that Deeks was able to see his opponent, David "The Dragon" Crew, his manager and his trainer. Along with his sparring partner and his dietitian for all Deeks knew. The guy had an entourage of about 10 people with him.
They did the weigh-in and stood across from each other while the ref gave them their instructions. The fighters eyed each other and Deeks recognized the look of disdain and contempt he saw in the other fighter. It's the same look that Sam gave him for years. It quickly dawned on Deeks that he hadn't seen that look in Sam's eyes in a long time.
"So you're Wyler." Crew said. His eyes rolled over Deeks, trying to play mind games. His eyes shifted over to Sam. "You're Williams? Maybe you should fight me instead. I could use a good work out." He pointed to Wyler, "This one doesn't look like he could fight his way out of a wet paper bag." He sneered as he returned his gaze to Wyler, checking to see if there was any reaction to his words.
The only reaction from either Wyler or Williams came from Williams. It was a one sound chuckle and a half smile.
The meeting ended and they returned to their locker room to warm up. "There are three fights before ours. Start your warm up and stay loose. We have at least an hour before the fight. I'm going to check in with Eric."
Deeks nodded his head and started his warm up and stretching routine. Sam moved to a corner of the room where he hoped Deeks would be less likely to hear the conversation in case there were issues. "Eric?"
"Go Sam."
"Sit rep."
"Callen and Kensi are on their way back here to drop off the surveillance footage and change before joining you. Nell and Hetty have arrived and are in the High Roller section. Nell has been running facial recs and I've been cross referencing them with background checks. So far, nada."
"ETA on Callen's arrival here?"
"Forty minutes minimum."
"Not good enough Eric. The fight starts in about an hour. We need him here now." Just then Deeks' 'Wyler' phone vibrated in Sam's pocket. He had taken it so Deeks wouldn't get distracted. "Hang on Eric. Someone's calling Wyler." Sam checked the caller ID and saw 'Polson' on the screen.
He exhaled a breath thinking What now? "Williams," he answered the phone.
"Williams? It's Polson."
"Hey, what's up?" Sam clipped out, hoping to end the conversation quickly.
"I'm here and I have a good view of the corner. If they try anything, I'll let you know."
Sam could hear the eagerness in Polson's voice. He just wasn't sure what Polson was eager about. "Good. If they try something underhanded but legal, just let us know. If it's illegal, let ringside know. Otherwise stay back and stay safe."
"Got it. Tell Jason, I'm sorry and good luck."
"I will."
"And watch out, he has a tendency to drop his left before using his right. And he telegraphs his right leg sweep. Did you work on that? I hope you worked on that."
"Yes, Polson. We worked on all of that. He'll be fine. He's ready for this." Sam reassured him.
"Ok. Well, again good luck. I'll be watching whoever is in their corner. You take care of him."
"I will." Sam cut the connection before Polson could say anything else.
"Eric?"
"Hold for a second Sam." Eric said to him.
Sam creased his brow and was surprised at the tech. After several moments of waiting, "Go, Sam."
About time, Sam thought. "Tell Callen and Kensi to skip stopping in ops unless it is vital. They need to be here ASAP."
"I already did Sam. ETA: 20 minutes but traffic is kinda heavy."
"Help move them along Eric."
"Sam, these traffic signals are optimized to move traffic as fast as possible. At this time of night, if I change one red to green, I could collapse the entire grid and cause a bigger delay. ETA: 20 minutes."
Sam could hear Eric's undertone of don't question me in my own sandbox. Sam, amazing Eric, backed off. "ETA: 20. Got it Eric. Thanks. Keep me updated on any changes."
"Copy that Sam." Both men went back to their respective responsibilities.
"Anything new?" Deeks asked while he was jumping rope.
Sam should have known Deeks would have been paying attention even as he did the required warm ups. "Not really. Callen & Kensi should be here in about 20. Nell & Hetty are where they are supposed to be and so is Polson." Sam looked Deeks square in the eye, "Where are you? If you aren't here, this is a waste of time."
"I'm here." Deeks smiled at him, "Remember? I'm method. I get into my undercover ops." Deeks had dropped the jump rope. He grabbed a body shield and tossed it to Sam and prepared to throw kicks. Sam shook his head at the detective and braced himself to receive the kicks.
While Sam was talking with Polson, Eric had two different conversation going at the same time. "Callen?"
"Yea Eric?"
"Sam needs you at the arena ASAP. The fight starts in about an hour."
"We have the video footage from the building. We need you to go over it and see who was at the building. We found a spot where someone might have been but I think it's a camera blind spot. We need this Eric."
Eric thought for a moment. "Callen, hang on a second." He cut his microphone to Callen and opened his microphone to Nell. "Nell?"
Nell's face popped up on his the big screen. She held up a finger for him to wait until she was in a secluded part of the room. "Yes?"
"Callen and Kensi are on their way over to the arena. They have the surveillance video with them. I need you to upload it on the server so I can go over it and see who or what pops up. Can you meet with them before the fight?"
"Copy that. Have Kensi meet me in the ladies room on this floor. ETA?"
"From their current location, 20 minutes. Plus time to get to you. Another 5?"
"Yea, I can do that."
"Thanks. And…um…I can't see much but you look great." Eric blushed just a little.
Nell smiled at him and ended the conversation.
"Eric?" Sam called him.
"Hold for a second Sam." Eric said to him. Eric muted his conversation with Sam again and opened his mic to Callen. "Callen?"
"Eric?"
"Head over to the arena. Nell is already there and she said to have Kensi meet her in the in the ladies room on the High roller floor. She can upload the footage to me. She'll be waiting there in about 25 minutes."
"Perfect Eric. Good job."
Eric cut his conversation with Callen and re-connected with Sam to relay the information.
