Note: I'll be quick and just say thank you so much for all the continual support. It means a lot that you have come to care about the characters created as a part of this story, and for the versions of Kensi and Deeks represented here. Hope you continue to read and enjoy, and thank you for reviewing if you do.
"Too late. That's going to be too late."
Listening to Kensi's voice over the comm, flat and dull, Deeks felt his heart being to pound. He recognized the tone in her voice, the reconciliation that told him she'd resigned herself to a course of action that she felt she had no choice in. And since she hadn't voiced that decision to him, and Deeks had heard enough of her desperation just a few minutes earlier upon seeing Hailey trapped and just out of reach, he feared for what she'd decided. He knew she would do what she thought was necessary to save Hailey, he didn't doubt her resolve to protect their family. But he worried over who would protect her. Deeks trusted her abilities as an agent, but even the most veteran agent might falter when facing what he'd heard Kensi describe inside the Arsenal.
Kensi's description of Hailey, locked away and just out of reach behind an impenetrable door had oddly been enough for Deeks to feel hope in a way he hadn't for almost a week. It was the very worst kind of fear to not know where a loved one was. Since he'd made a silent promise to protect his sister it had felt like failure upon failure that she continued to be in danger and away from him. Kensi's description of a kind of panic room rigged to keep Hailey locked away, safely secure and continually a prisoner had caused a nameless rage to build within him. He had felt fear and anger at Hailey and Kyle being taken and used as bargaining chips by international criminals. Innocent lives pulled into a game they'd never asked to be a part of felt worse than unfair. It felt like a violation of justice, which was something Deeks had fought against his whole life.
Hailey was inside, so close that Deeks could barely manage to keep his feet planted in the ground. Every protective instinct screamed at him to get to his sister, to free her at any cost, and to get her far away from people who might hurt her. Even as his base instincts spoke to the reacting and unthinking part of his brain, Deeks had to remind himself of where they were, and the risks they faced. This wasn't a simple problem that Hetty could solve with a phone call and a few stern words. Her contacts in Russia weren't high enough to move the usual mountains. And intervention from the United States government would be too slow, if at all, to make a difference. They had to think about the plan with the best chance of succeeding. And that had now dwindled down to just one option.
"Kensi, just hold on. We're coming in after you," Deeks said, speaking to Kensi and hoping she heard him through whatever plan she was forming in her head. Deeks looked over to Callen and Liam, gesturing for them to join him from across the plaza where they'd been standing on opposite corners. They quickly walked over, long strides bringing them to Deeks. Callen looked relaxed and calm, the hard line of his jaw and the focus in his blue eyes brought Deeks back to more than one dangerous mission from their years working on the same team. Strong and capable, there weren't many other people Deeks would have rather have had at his back, ready to go in after his wife.
Deeks could tell Liam was faring worse than Callen. He'd heard the news from Kensi over the comms about Hailey being just inside and it had clearly shaken him. He shoved his hands into his pockets and Deeks knew it was because he was trying to hide that they shook with anger and adrenaline. Even still, Deeks wasn't worried about Liam. He was in control and his motivations were in the right place and Deeks had no intention of letting anything happen to the man his sister loved.
"Cody, Jack, time to kick off Plan C."
Cody affirmed the brisk order and the line went quiet for several minutes, the barest hint of the murmuring crowds in the background in Cathedral Square the only thing Deeks heard. Knowing it might take Cody and Jack a little time to pick a spot for maximum exposure to start their fistfight, Deeks turned his attention to other concerns.
"David, anything from Eric on Markovic that we can use?"
David's voice over the comm was regretful.
"He's still looking. He's found some accounts that show Markovic funneling money to Kovalev and he's trying to trace that money to see if Kovalev used it in any of his deals trading with known terrorist groups for weapons."
Sweeping the open area around the Arsenal with his eyes, Deeks narrowed his vision on the video cameras positioned throughout the plaza. As much as he wanted to get inside and get Hailey, Kensi, and Marina, Deeks was clear headed enough to recognize that finding them was only half the problem. Getting out of the Kremlin and eventually out of Russia would be much harder if their faces were recorded and passed around to every government agency from the Russian Federal Security Service to Immigration at the airport.
"David, ask Eric to change his focus to hacking the surveillance system in the Kremlin. Get Nell to take over the search of Markovic's records."
"The surveillance system is probably a closed system, Deeks. I don't think he's going to be able—"
"Just ask him to do it," Deeks barked, unaccepting of anyone's second guessing of the miracles he knew Eric and Nell could pull off. "And if anyone can find the needle in a haystack we need on Markovic, it's Nell."
"What about the jurisdiction issues of asking them to get involved?" Callen asked quietly. Deeks shook his head dismissively.
"I trust Nell and Eric to cover their tracks so that it won't get traced back to NCIS. And honestly, at this point we can figure out the jurisdiction issues later. With the CIA's part in this I don't have a problem with focusing all my time and attention on their mishandling of Jack as an agent and America's priorities in keeping citizens safe when we get home and I go back to being a lawyer. I don't need to protect myself as a federal agent beyond getting out of Russia. I don't think I'll be a NCIS agent longer than it takes to get my sister free," Deeks replied, brisk and unworried. Callen's hand, clasped on his shoulder, and the respect in his eyes, startled Deeks for a second.
"It sounds like maybe NCIS and the CIA could learn a lesson or two from you," Callen said thoughtfully. "I wouldn't want you coming after me."
Deeks didn't get a chance to respond. Over the comm he heard Cody shout, followed by a loud curse that sounded genuinely surprised. Deeks narrowed his eyes, waiting to hear the sounds of scuffling, or guards shouting at Cody and Jack to break up their fight. The minutes dragged on with nothing but puzzling silence.
"Cody, are you there? What's going on with Plan C?" Deeks asked, his confusion turning to worry. It was possible Cody's comm might have gotten loose or damaged, but Deeks could hear crowd noises from the background at Cathedral Square, nothing alarming him at first. The long silence erupted with loud shrieks of surprise and screams of fear, followed by the sound of gunfire. Deeks startled at the sound, hearing it over the comm and as an echo in the distance from his position in front of the Arsenal.
Liam and Callen looked worriedly from Deeks to Cathedral Square, concluding that something had gone wrong and Cody was out of communication. Deeks kept calling for Cody over the comm and didn't hear any response. The sounds of gunfire had mobilized the tourists in the plaza outside the Arsenal, with most of them moving in a large mass for the exit. Even greater numbers of tourists streamed towards the exit, having come from Cathedral Square. Within minutes, guards and soldiers from the Arsenal and the surrounding buildings of the Kremlin were running in the opposite direction, towards the square. Towards Cody and Jack.
"David, what's going on? What do you see outside?" Callen asked. David's response was rushed and he was clearly struggling with his frustration.
"Lots of people leaving. The guards are just rushing them to get out. There are more police arriving to cordon off the area. They may force me to leave. I can't understand what anyone is saying, it's all in Russian."
Callen bowed his head, concentrating on the words coming over the comms from Cody and David's lines. His eyes widened as he seemed to latch onto several key words. Deeks was about to ask him what he'd heard when Callen stepped away, searching through the crowds and finally catching the arm of a young man hurrying by. Callen spoke to him in Russian, keeping his questions quick and letting the man go after a few seconds. With the chaos unfolding around them, their cover in the plaza was still intact, though Deeks didn't think it would last for long if police were arriving on scene.
Rubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw, Callen's face was serious and the grooves in his forehead deep. "There's a hostage situation in one of the cathedrals, the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael. The guy told me that an American attacked a guard in Cathedral Square and managed to get his weapons. The man entered the cathedral and took everyone inside hostage." Callen paused, considering his next words. "It's a couple dozen people. And he's locked the entrance to the cathedral."
Cursing low and under his breath, Deeks crossed his arms, thinking quickly. Glancing towards the Arsenal and knowing they now had problems on multiple fronts, Deeks could feel the urge to lash out in anger at how things had gone downhill. Instead, he forced himself to focus quickly on their most immediate problem.
"It had to be Jack. There's no way Cody would have agreed to that. And if it was just one man then you can bet Jack incapacitated Cody and went off on his own," Deeks replied, even as realization trickled into his mind and he felt unexpected gratitude towards Jack. "He may have done us a favor. Look at the entrance to the Arsenal."
"It's unguarded," Liam murmured. And sure enough, in the confusion of an active shooter situation, the guards who had been at the Arsenal's entrance had left, joining the rest of the guards and soldiers heading towards Cathedral Square in the confusion of people moving around.
Deeks clapped him on the back. "But probably not for long. And that wouldn't have happened over a fistfight." Keeping his hand on Liam's shoulder, he pushed him forward. "Come on, we're going inside." Looking to Callen, Deeks fixed him with pleading gaze. "Callen, I need you to go get Cody, find out if he's okay, and get him out of here. I need you to get both of you out of here."
At first Callen looked like he wanted to argue, his worried eyes straying to the Arsenal. Deeks knew Callen was worried for the three women inside, each of them meaning something to him. Marina was a close family friend, Kensi was like his sister, and Hailey was practically his niece. Deeks saw the struggle and he placed his hands on Callen's shoulders, imploring him with a low voice. "Please, Callen. I know we could use you in there with us, but we can't leave Cody to fend for himself. If he's unconscious or hurt we need to get him safe. You know it's the right choice, the right strategic choice. We don't leave anyone behind."
Even though Deeks could see it was a struggle for him to separate his need to be there for the people who were like his family, he nodded his acceptance of Deeks' request. Callen allowed a tight smile, admiration in his shrewd eyes. "You've gotten much smarter and convincing, Deeks. I know it's been a few years since we were on the same team, but I'm starting to think NCIS lost something unique when you quit."
Deeks barked a short laugh but quickly thought of his reason for quitting. Hailey. It focused him, drew his energy and attention. "I could say the same thing to you, man. And maybe they did, but I gained something even better. Stay in contact on comms and let us know when you have Cody."
Callen was quick to nod and move off, dissolving into the stream of people still heading towards the exit. Deeks noticed the flow of people was getting lighter as he heard the distant whine from the sirens of the ambulances and emergency vehicles getting closer. He gave Liam's shoulder a quick shove, the only prodding the young agent needed to propel him forward. They walked briskly and Deeks kept his head down and focused on the front door of the Arsenal. He half expected loud shouts in Russian or even the sound of a gun cocking to stop them in their tracks, but when no resistance came, Deeks released a long breath as they passed through the entrance of the Arsenal, coming upon an empty hallway.
Talking to Kensi through his comm, Deeks tried to reassure her, as well as get a response. "Kensi, we're inside the Arsenal and we're coming to you. Hang tight, we'll be right there." When Kensi didn't answer, Deeks felt his resolve to get to her only deepen with urgency.
"Second floor, sixth door on the right." Liam muttered, remembering the guard's earlier description as he'd walked Kensi to Markovic's office. Bypassing the elevator, Deeks found the stairs in the corner of the building, gesturing for Liam to follow him. Deeks turned around in surprise when he realized Liam wasn't close behind him.
"I need to go find Marina. She's in here somewhere with that guy and we can't leave her to fend for herself. She was on the first floor somewhere when we lost her signal." Liam looked down the center of the stairwell towards a darkened basement below. "The basement might be lined to block signals, so maybe Sergei took her down there. We got her into this, we need to help get her out."
Liam's face was filled with tension, his voice low and worried when he spoke, obviously torn by the choices he saw in front of him. At first Deeks was incredulous at Liam's decision, angry that he was choosing Marina over Hailey. But that reaction quickly faded away to surprised respect. Deeks knew it had to be next to impossible for Liam to tear himself away from getting to Hailey, from being there when they finally rescued her. But he was seeing the bigger picture, the responsibility they all had towards the team as a whole. Even towards unofficial team members like Marina had become. It was an impressive showing of loyalty and strength.
"You're right, Liam. Go find Marina and make sure she's safe. If you can, come to Markovic's office. But if you need to get to safety, I won't hold it against you," Deeks said, measuring a heavy and serious gaze on Liam. "And neither would Hailey."
Liam nodded, clearly struggling to swallow, his eyes turning bright and his voice desperately strained. "Please get her back."
"You know I will," Deeks said, the words more of a promise than he wanted to give, but he sensed that Liam needed to hear it. With one last nod, Liam darted away and down the stairs towards the sub-level basement to begin his search for Marina.
Taking a deep breath, Deeks allowed a glance at the stairs leading up. He froze for the length of one breath, listening for the sounds of footsteps or hurried shouts that might indicate guards were coming. Although he had the backpack with minimal supplies looped around his shoulders, Deeks keenly felt the absence of any weapons. And he was extremely aware that he couldn't look more like a tourist and without any Russian language skills beyond a few words, he would have a difficult time explaining his presence in the most fortified building in the Kremlin.
Hearing silence in the stairwell, Deeks took the steps two at a time to the second level, pausing to listen at the door before he entered the hallway. Not taking the emptiness for granted, Deeks moved quickly down the hallway, finding the sixth door on the right. He paused again to listen, and reacted by shoving his way into the room when he heard the sounds of a struggle inside.
Not sure what to expect, Deeks swept his gaze around the room, taking in an office that looked like it dated to more lucrative Cold War days, the false fireplace facade that had been opened to reveal an ominously tall metal door behind it, and Kensi with her arm securely wrapped around Ivan Markovic's neck. The surface of Makovic's desk might have once been neatly organized, but the struggle between Kensi and Markovic appeared to have dislodged books, reports, and binders so that they'd scattered over the desk and spilled to the floor.
Deeks' eyes widened as his eyes settled on the splash of red on Kensi's sleeve, the blood freshly streaked. He didn't know if it was Kensi's blood or Markovic's, though Kensi didn't appear to be hindered by any injuries. She'd forced Markovic to his knees and was standing behind him, squeezing her arm at the elbow to suppress Markovic. His face was a mottled red and his lips purple as he gasped for air, his eyes wide and angry.
The scene in front of him didn't concern him as much as the complete concentration on Kensi's face. Her face was almost serene, her eyes studiously focused on the side of Markovic's face as she tightened the muscle in her arm. Deeks knew Kensi had killed before, that she was capable of taking a life if the situation called for it. And Deeks didn't know if he could argue that this situation might not call for it. He knew Kensi wouldn't kill unless she thought she had to. But Deeks worried that her desperation and need to rescue Hailey might have trumped any rational weighing of options.
As Markovic finally stilled, slumping slightly against Kensi's arm, she took a deep breath and released him, letting him fall to the floor as she stood and smoothed back her hair where it had fallen free from her ponytail. Almost methodically, Kensi stepped over Markovic, leaning down to pick up the knife Callen had given her. She wiped the blood on the blade off on Markovic's jacket, slipped the knife back into her boot. When Kensi finally stopped and looked up at Deeks, the dark brown of her eyes was almost eclipsed by the wide dilation of her pupils.
Deeks spoke her name quietly, waiting as she didn't seem to see or recognize him. It was just a second's delay, but it was enough to make Deeks think that Kensi wasn't entirely in control. Saying her name again, softer and using every infection of persuasion he could, Deeks watched as Kensi blinked, seeming to come back to herself, her eyes shifting to recognition as she breathed heavily.
Rushing to her, Deeks took Kensi's hands in his, tightening his grip on her cold fingers as they slipped into his. She breathed his name in response, relief and regret mixing together in a sound that was both tired and fearful. Even though it cost a second, Deeks leaned forward to kiss Kensi's forehead, letting his lips linger there long enough to feel and hear her shuddering breath against his neck.
"Are you okay?" Deeks asked softly into her ear. Kensi leaned back, confusion on her face, until Deeks reached out to touch her sleeve, the drying blood darkening the fabric.
Shaking off his concern and his hand on her arm, Kensi replied quickly. "It's not my blood. I pulled the knife on him and he struggled. I got him in the arm."
Deeks looked back towards Markovic, noting the long gash in the left sleeve of his uniform, and the fresh blood soaking the fabric. The cut looked fairly deep but not life threatening.
"Help me tie him up."
Kensi shifted Deeks' concern away, speaking in a brisk and commanding tone. Realizing they really didn't have any other option, Deeks nodded, releasing Kensi so he could move to Markovic, lifting him under the arms and dragging him to the wooden chair behind the desk. The man was heavier than Deeks by at least fifty pounds and shaped like a bear, which made maneuvering him difficult. Heaving his dead weight into the chair, Deeks turned around to look for something to tie Markovic to the chair and found Kensi was ripping the sashes from the curtains around the window from the wall, bringing the heavy silken ropes over the the chair. Kensi slashed through the two sashes, creating four lengths of rope.
Silently they each took an arm, looping the ropes around to tie in knots around Markovic's wrists, then moving to secure his legs to the bottom on the chair. With the relative calm and security of Markovic tied down, Deeks finally allowed himself to turn towards the fireplace and the metal wall that he concluded had to be where Hailey was being held. Laying his palms flat on the cool metal door, Deeks took in the digital keypad and fingerprint scan, ignoring them so he could turn anxious eyes to the small video screen at about eye level.
His throat thickened around the hard lump that formed almost instantaneously at the sight of Hailey inside the room small enough to serve as a closet. Her face was hidden in her knees, the rocking back and forth of her body just barely visible on the screen. Hailey's hair fell in a matted and knotted waterfall down her back and seeing it unkempt hit almost him harder in the chest than seeing her tied up did. Unbidden, the vision of her running on the beach, her long sun bleached hair streaming behind her like the rays of the sun, her laughter an echo with the crashing of the waves, flashed into his mind. And he couldn't accept that the vision would remain a memory and would never be reality again.
With all his frustration welling up, Deeks slammed his palms against the smooth metal surface, switching to pummeling his fists when there was no response from Hailey on the screen. Anger shook him when he finally stepped back, feeling completely ineffective as the metal door remained unmarked and Hailey only continued to rock back and forth on the screen.
"It's too thick for her to hear," Kensi said softly. "And I don't think anything less than a bomb going off is going to open that door."
Deeks shook his head, pointing at Markovic. "So he's the only way to get to her, he's the key. What's our plan, Kensi?"
He kept his voice level even as his anger vibrated below the surface. He'd walked in on the scene of Kensi incapacitating their only lead to Hailey. The man was now unconscious and tied to a chair and they weren't any closer to freeing Hailey.
"I thought I could threaten him with the knife. I knew I didn't have the money to convince him and he doesn't seem to care what happens to his brother. Physical persuasion seemed to be the only option," Kensi said softly.
Deeks shook his head unhappily. "Kens, we're working on getting something on his financials. Eric and Nell are going to find something. We just need some time."
Kensi's eyes flashed with sudden anger, her voice hissing with impatience. "How much time? It looks like a terrorist attack has happened out there. The Kremlin is the most secure fortress in Russia. How much time do we even have before the military locks it down? I had to act because if we don't get Hailey out right now we're never going to get her out."
Holding up his hands to fend off Kensi's frustration, knowing it mirrored his own, Deeks tried to keep his voice calm. "We're on the same side here. Let's see where everyone is at. Maybe we have something we can use."
Deeks activated his comm, asking for a status report from each team member. He and Kensi listened in as the rushed voices of the team came over the shared communication channel, with Callen speaking first.
"I've got Cody. I just got to Cathedral Square when the soldiers were starting to clear people out. He was unconscious from a blow to the head but he's waking up now. We're outside the square, but I can see probably two dozen soldiers surrounding the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael."
Cody's voice broke in, filled with regret and self loathing.
"I'm sorry, Kens. Jack jumped me. I thought we were going to stage the fight when he clocked me. While I was trying to get back up he attacked a guard and got his gun. He pistol whipped me and the next thing I know Callen is shaking me awake."
Callen spoke up, the sounds of orders shouted by guards in Russian echoing in the background behind his words.
"I don't think I'm going to be able to get anywhere near the cathedral. Jack is on his own."
"He chose that path. I don't think we should risk anyone else to try and get him out," Deeks replied flatly.
"He chose that path to help us. He sacrificed himself so we'd have a better chance at getting to Hailey," Kensi replied quietly.
Deeks met her eyes. "Then don't you think we should take that chance and make the most of it?"
Although her eyes were filled with concern, Kensi finally nodded. Speaking into her comm, she asked David for an update on the situation outside the Kremlin.
"I had to move away from the entrance to avoid the guards and the cordoned off area. I'm north of the Kremlin, near the entrance to Red Square. They're still evacuating tourists and the guards don't seem to concerned with checking people over, they're just getting them out and away from the area."
"Which means if we can get out then we have a shot at blending into the crowd," Deeks murmured. He glanced at the metal door holding Hailey. "But first we have to figure out how to open the panic room where Markovic has Hailey."
"What about Liam and Marina? Where are they? I tried Liam a couple times but his signal just disappeared a few minutes after you guys entered the Arsenal."
Deeks sighed, disliking that he didn't have an answer anyone on the team wanted to hear. "Liam went looking for Marina. He thought she might be in the basement. He didn't want to leave her on her own. It was his choice to go. If he finds her he'll either get out of the Kremlin or he'll come to Markovic's office."
David's quiet swear was his only response. Deeks could feel and hear the frustration behind the words and knew David hated being outside and away from the team, unable to directly help. But Deeks also knew how valuable David's position was, and that his communications with NCIS back in Los Angeles could prove invaluable.
"David, have you heard anything from Eric and Nell? Anything we can use to persuade Markovic to let Hailey go?"
"I just got information from Nell. She has proof of Markovic giving money from his personal accounts to Peter Kovalev. And Kovalev turned around and made a deal with the Bratva, the Russian Mafia. It appears he brokered a deal of cash for weapons, and then sold those weapons at a profit to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani terrorist group. Pakistan's government intelligence agency supports the Lashkar-e-Taiba on the side, so they know about the weapons coming into the country and have just looked the other way. But the money Kovalev got from the deal clearly came from a conglomerate of sources, including the Pakistani government."
Deeks released a deep breath, a smile forming on his lips. "That means we can tie both Peter Kovalev and Ivan Markovic to international terrorism. And specifically to to terrorism approved and funded by Pakistan. They'll never be able to leave Russia with that kind of shadow following them."
"Nell says the trail is pretty well hidden behind several dummy accounts and businesses, but if you know where to look, it's there."
"The Bratva aren't likely to be too thrilled about their weapons being sold at a profit to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and through a deal they were cut out of," Kensi observed. She looked towards Markovic, seeing he was still unconscious. "The threat of the Bratva coming after him at home and the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistani government abroad might persuade him to let Hailey go. We could trade Hailey for silence."
Deeks wondered for a brief second if there would be the question or discussion on the justice of keeping such information secret. As representatives of the law and the moral right they'd often had to make decisions that considered the greater good over the safety of the few. The silence over the comm told Deeks that there would be no discussion when it came to Hailey's safety. The team was unanimous in their agreement that the sacrifice of justice for Hailey was justified. Even still, Deeks knew that compromise could weigh heavily on Kensi's team in the future. The consequences of letting men like Ivan Markovic and Peter Kovalev run free could be farther reaching than any of them could contemplate.
Knowing time was ticking by, Deeks gestured to Markovic. "We need to wake him up."
Kensi nodded, crossing the room over to Markovic and shaking him roughly by the shoulder. His head lolled to the side, and he was unresponsive. Kensi frowned for a second before she reached for the lapels of his uniform jacket, lifting her right hand and slapping Markovic in the jaw with her flat palm. Markovic's head snapped to the left and Kensi released him, letting him slump back into the chair, his eyes moving under his eyelids and muttered Russian curses under his breath.
Kensi looked back at Deeks, smiling grimly. "He's not liking me very much right now. I didn't know there were this many creative ways to insult my parentage in Russian."
His eyelids opened to narrow slits, the ferocity of his anger burning brightly as Markovic fixed his eyes on Kensi. He briefly glanced at Deeks, uncertainty about his presence only flashing for a second before he returned his gaze to Kensi, speaking lowly in Russian.
Deeks kept his face placid as Kensi stepped in front of Deeks, blocking Markovic's view of him. Deeks had a feeling the move had been intentional, to keep Markovic focused on her as she began to elaborate on the trail Nell had found. Kensi was calm, her voice matter-of-fact, her arms crossed casually over her chest. Deeks couldn't understand the Russian, but he caught Kensi's references to the Bratva and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Circling behind Markovic, Deeks glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, noting the man was entirely focused on Kensi. Deeks came back to the metal door, his heart twisting painfully to see that Hailey hadn't moved an inch since he'd last looked.
Markovic's short burst of laughter caught his attention and Deeks turned around to look at Kensi over Markovic's head. Her face was smooth as stone and not a single muscle twitched, but Deeks could see the shift in her eyes, the switch from calm to uncertainty. He saw Kensi's surreptitious glance down and Deeks knew instantly that she was thinking of the knife in her boot. Something about what Kensi had told Markovic wasn't enough to convince him.
Motioning Kensi to him, Deeks distracted her long enough for Kensi to circle around the desk and behind Markovic. Deeks leaned close to her, noting how her eyes once again nervously glanced around, desperation at the edges of her mind. He cupped his hands around her arms, wanting to focus her, to anchor her back to him. His touch seemed to do just that, bringing her attention back to him even as her words rushed out quickly.
"He's not at all concerned about the international implications of being tied to terrorism in Pakistan. Unlike Peter Kovalev his motivations are entirely tied to what he can accomplish inside Russia and his next military promotion. I don't know how we can threaten or influence that with what we have. And he doesn't seem to think the Bratva are a threat to him. Either he has an inside source or he's calling our bluff," Kensi whispered urgently. "What do we do?"
Scraping a weary hand over his jaw, Deeks wanted to close his eyes against the frustration once again building in his mind. He thought about their options, ticking them off one by one. "We don't need him compliant to get the fingerprint scan. It's the code we don't have and that we need him to give up."
"And he says it's a six digit code that we'll never guess. And after three tries the chamber is locked for an hour," Kensi replied.
"We don't have an hour," Deeks said worriedly.
Kensi shook her head. "No, we don't."
She reached down to unsheathe the knife in her boot but Deeks caught her arm, knowing what she was suggesting even as she didn't speak a word. Inflicting pain as part of torture was a dark path. He shook his head adamantly, not wanting Kensi to be forced down a path that would mire her in darkness and regret.
"There has to be another way," Deeks breathed, his voice low and quiet. "I don't want you to carry the shadow of what you're forced to do here for the rest of your life."
"Nobody is forcing me to do this," Kensi said softly. Her eyes gentled, showing her appreciation of his concern. "I don't want to get what we need this way, but I don't see another option. He's making me choose his life over Hailey, and that isn't a choice, not for me. He's giving me no choice."
"What makes you think he'll even give you the right code?" Deeks asked.
"He probably won't. Not at first. But I know how to make him talk," Kensi replied quietly, her brown eyes calmly serious. Deeks swallowed, knowing Kensi had the knowledge of just the right kind of pressure and pain to apply to force Markovic to give her what she needed. Sighing, Kensi shrugged helplessly. "If you have another way, I'm all ears."
Feeling his stomach turn over sickly, Deeks shook his head. He released Kensi's arm, feeling her move away from him and come around to face Markovic. Even though he worried for what it would do to Kensi to torture Markovic for information, for her to potentially inflict enough pain to kill him, he couldn't look away from her. He couldn't let her be alone in the decision because it had been a decision they made together. It was a dark path they would go down together.
Kensi stood over Markovic, arms crossed and tapping the knife against her forearm. Outside the Arsenal, Deeks heard additional shouting from soldiers entering the Kremlin from outside, which only served to increase his concern that they had limited time before someone might come looking for Markovic and that getting out of the Kremlin was getting more and more difficult as time ticked away. Kensi fixed a long gaze on Markovic, opening her mouth to speak and knowing when she did that she would be crossing a line that would be impossible to step back over.
The office door abruptly swung open, hitting the wall behind with a bang. Kensi turned around and Deeks blinked with surprise as Liam entered the room, sweeping his gaze left and right and allowing the crack of a triumphant smile at Kensi and Deeks before turning to gesture behind him. Marina followed him into the office and Liam closed the door behind her.
Marina's sweater was torn at the neck and her braid had come loose, strands of her long dark hair tangled around her neck. Deeks' eyes narrowed on the reddened skin of her cheekbone, the beginning of swelling telling him she'd been recently struck. But it was her eyes that caught Deeks' attention. Marina's gray eyes danced with excitement and light as she looked from Kensi and Deeks to Markovic, a shadow of anger passing like a dark cloud as she settled her eyes on Markovic.
Deeks stepped towards Marina, giving Liam an appraising look and a nod of approval. He knew there had to be a story about how Liam had found Marina and what she'd gone through and there was a significant part of Deeks that wanted to ask the questions that would delay Kensi further questioning Markovic. But delay was time, something they didn't have.
"It's good to see you, Marina. You're okay?" Deeks asked, relief and concern genuine. Marina nodded quickly. Liam looked around the room, blue eyes anxiously searching for Hailey. Deeks didn't have to ask to know he saw the metal door and wanted to go to it. But he held himself in check, casting a wary look at Markovic.
"He's not talking?" Liam asked. Kensi shook her head silently and Liam wordlessly looked at the knife in her hand, his expression grim as he interpreted the scene he and Marina had just walked in on.
"He's not worried about international pressure or even the risks of his involvement in Kovalev's deals. Even the Bratva coming after him didn't make him blink," Deeks said, filling Liam and Marina in.
Kensi's voice was soft and knowing. "He's a military man, bent on serving his country. It's twisted, but all that matters to him is climbing the career ladder. He's focused on his next promotion. I don't think anything we can say or do is going to threaten that."
Out of the corner of his eye Deeks saw Marina freeze before she very slowly turned her head to stare at Markovic. Narrowing his eyes, Deeks could practically see the wheels turning in Marina's head. She looked down at a sheath of papers she was carrying in her hand, biting her lower lip in distress before she lifted her head. Marina's eyes sought Kensi's out and Deeks watched as the contrary emotions of regret, frustration, anger, and resignation seemed to flit across her face. Although he could recognize the emotions he couldn't put an explanation to why Marina was feeling them. Her face flickered with enough feeling for him to see she felt deeply but just as quickly tucked the emotions away. The anger seemed to be the last to pass before resignation and Marina's sighed, whatever decision she'd been toying with finally made in her mind.
Marina turned her focus back to Kensi and Deeks, stepping towards them and holding up the pages of papers clutched in her hand.
"I have it. I can make him talk."
To be continued