Prompt: I'd like to ask you to make a fanfic about Deeks going undercover and someone recognizes him and ruins the operation but the team manages to save him.

A/N: Takes place in the first few seasons.


"Deeks, you sure you know what you're doing?"

Deeks rolled his eyes at Callen's question, vaguely insulted by the implication that he wasn't prepared.

"I go in, ask around for Eric Warner," Deeks repeated verbatim. "Then I start up a conversation with his ex-partner and very casually mention that Warner owes me money. Exactly like we talked about roughly two dozen times."

"Just wanted to make sure."

"Uh-huh." Deeks got out of Max Gentry's car, saving himself from having to truly respond since that would only get him in trouble. Straightening his jacket collar, Deeks took a quick breath to settle himself into Gentry's personality.

He walked into the Old Dog bar like he owned it and immediately ordered a beer while scoping out the other patrons. He noticed the bartender checking him out as she grabbed a bottle. Even with his crude, and often cruel, personality, there were still enough women who inevitably found Max attractive.

Personally, he didn't understand it, but it usually worked in his favor. And might be just a little bit gratifying. The bartender, Deidra, proved to be a wealth of information, readily answering his questions in exchange for a few smiles and the implication that he would stop by again.

He was careful to sprinkle in a few questions about her to avoid suspicion.

"Nice," Kensi commented with a derisive snort. "You couldn't have figured out a better way to grill her without practically promising to go out with her."

"Jealous?" he asked in an undertone, pausing to wink at Deidra while she grabbed another bottle of generic beer. She smiled back, flipping a lock of long blonde hair over her shoulder.

"Oh, you wish." Kensi gave a sharp cackle. "Actually, the word that came to mind was "disgusted".

"Dee, give me a shot and a beer," a man demanded from opposite end of the bar. Deeks glanced over at the tall, bald man and instantly recognized the large tattoo on his cheek.

"Crap," he hissed, shifting on his barstool to conceal his face.

"What's wrong?" Kensi said, instantly serious.

"There's a guy who knows me sitting three seats away."

"Unfriendly?"

"Extremely." Deeks chances another glance in his direction and saw he was in the middle of an exuberant conversation with another guy. "I need to get out of here," he added, eyeing the back exit.

He got up without waiting for confirmation from Sam or Callen and tossed a few bills on the bar.

"Wait, Max, where are you going?" Deidra asked, returning with his beer and confused expression.

"Something came up," Deeks muttered, throwing a hasty smile and a few bills her way. Before she could draw any more attention to him, he turned, making a beeline for the backdoor.

He made it outside without anyone stopping him and quickly cut across the alleyway.

"Deeks, what just happened?" Sam asked.

"The guy I mentioned is Harrison Greer," Deeks explained. "He's got a couple decade history of crimes and two years ago I played a significant role in his arrest. Unfortunately he has connections, so he got off."

"Fantastic," Callen muttered. "Well, we'll have to find a different way to get to Warner. Head back to the mission, Deeks, and we'll regroup."

Got it." Internally he was cursing himself. He hadn't expected Greer to be so far from his usual home base.

As he approached the other end of the alley, a lanky man rounded the corner, blocking Deeks' way. At the same time, Deeks heard the crunch of gravel behind him and he grabbed for the back of his waistband. Before he could even reach his weapon, the barrel of a gun was pressed to his forehead.

"Detective Mary Deeks," a low voice growled. Harrison Greer came around to face Deeks, a malicious grin twisting his mouth. "I've been looking forward to this moment for a long time."

"Harry," Deeks drawled. "I see that near conviction really convinced you to turn your life around."

He anticipated Greer's blow, but it still rocked his head back with impressive force. The inside of his bottom lip split against his teeth, instantly filling his mouth with blood.

"Get down on your knees," Greer ordered, jamming the gun beneath Deeks' chin when he didn't immediately respond. Pausing to let a mouthful of blood to dribble onto the dusty ground, Deeks slowly dropped to his knees.

"Oh, this is going to be fun." Greer motioned the second man over, expression practically feral.