Hi all. Only one more week until the Season 9 premiere. Below was my entry into the NCISLAFicExchange Hiatus challenge Tumblr. I hope you enjoy it.
"Martin Deeks will you marry me?"
"No no come'on baby you gotta stand up."
"No Deeks."
"Listen you can't you can't, you can't do this."
"Deeks I think I just did."
"You can't because the guy, the guy has to propose."
"Oh really, cause I think it's 2017 and you kind of had your shot."
"Not to be a stickler for detail, but I've actually proposed three times, if you count the very romantic version I did while you were in a coma. Baby what are you doing?"
"Life is really short, Deeks. I mean we saw that today and we see it everyday. And I don't know how much time either one of us have left, but I do know this. I want to spent the rest of what I have with you. So what's it gonna be?"
"I mean I don't know. I mean this is lot for a girl to process."
"You're such an idiot."
"I love you."
"I love you."
"Yes. Absolutely, what the hell yes. My god did that just happen? Let's take a look at this thing. Well, I gotta be honest, I uh, thought it'd have a little more bling to it."
"Oh no. You know me. I'm more bang than bling."
"That's right, sunshine and gunpowder."
The sun broke through a slim crack between the drape panels in their bedroom. Marty Deeks was lying quietly watching his fiancée sleep. He held her hand that now was properly adorned with the ring he bought and tried to give her several times. But as happy as this moment was, there was something else bothering his sleep. He remembers sitting on the mission staircase after his first go-round with Internal Affairs.
"You could have lost all of this. "
He rubbed his hand over his face. Whiting. What is he going to do about Whiting? Deeks knows what he can't do. He can't lie to Kensi. And he hasn't. He just needs to fill her in on what Whiting wanted to meet him about and he is going to bring her up to speed with what he was thinking and together they will face this. He also thinks A.J. Chegwidden could be helpful. He is a lawyer with Hetty-like connections and would be a good person to have on his side. Also with Shay Mosely, the new assistant director, wanting to send him back to LAPD, he is going to need all the inside help he can get.
Kensi's alarm goes off. Deeks watches as she stretches her way to awake. He leans in to nuzzle her neck and playfully suggests a few extra minutes. She agrees and he rolls on top of her and starts his favorite journey with his lips. Starting just under her right ear, across her jaw, down her neckline.
Kensi for her part runs her hands through his silken hair, across his shoulders while her hips move against his, expressing her desire and impatience. Deeks receives the message and skillfully slides into her and together they move in perfect harmony. Although they don't have much time, this little trip to heaven is their favorite way to start the day. Unspoken is the thought that today, like every day, could be their last. Michelle Hanna's death still raw in their hearts and minds.
Reluctantly they separate and officially start their day. Showers, clothes, Monty, coffee and off they go to the mission. Kensi texts Callen to find out if he had any luck talking to Sam. Kensi wants to help, but doesn't want to overwhelm Sam. They asked about Kam and Aiden and Callen promised he would let them know if there was anything they could do. Being back at school was probably good for them. A normal routine. Kensi has all she can handle with Deeks and Whiting and now the new assistant director.
On the way to the mission, Deeks tells Kensi how his meeting with the IA detective went.
"So my talk with Whiting the other day proved that some folks won't change."
"What do you mean?"
"She told me that IA is inundated with cases. Whiting thinks there are even more not being reported. She even heard rumblings that Bates might be dirty and she wants my help to find out."
"You don't really think Bates is dirty do you?"
"No, of course not. But the best way for me to clear him is to help her. Plus she really didn't give me a choice."
"How so?"
"She remembers everything I said to her about Boyle. But she is willing to close my investigation if I help her. And before you ask, I asked if she was going to hold this over my head for the rest of my career."
"Let me guess, our twosome is now a threesome?"
"And not in a fun way." Deeks can practically see the steam coming out of Kensi's ears. "Baby, please. I know that look. I can't have you approaching Whiting. I have a better idea." Deeks then suggests that they should to bring AJ Chegwidden in for support. She agrees. Deeks contacts AJ to invite him to dinner. Kensi suggests that it needs to be someplace public. She doesn't think their house is bugged but does not want to risk anything.
Kensi, Deeks and AJ meet at Neptune's Net. It was a quiet Tuesday evening and the weather is perfect for outdoor dining.
AJ looks at the couple. "Alright you two, to what do I owe the free eats?" Since Kensi actually partnered with the Admiral during the mole case, she takes point.
"Why does there have to be a reason to share a meal with you?" Kensi tries to look innocent.
Chegwidden raises an eyebrow at the two. "I'm old, not stupid. I hope it's because you, Detective, realize you need help with your impending transfer back to LAPD courtesy of the new assistant director?"
Deeks lets out a half chuckle. "Actually, that is only a small part of my problem." Deeks looks at Kensi. In for a penny, in for a pound, he thinks. Kensi gives his hand a squeeze, nodding her head in support.
"Admiral, how much do you know of my situation with LAPD's Internal Affairs?"
"Henrietta told me that a former partner of yours ended up dead in a motel room. That the detective had made threatening overtures to you and a young prostitute. There was also another corrupt detective who used to be his partner plus a corrupt detective from IA, who you put away, who assisted Hetty with the location of some illegally stashed evidence. From what I read in the witness statement from the young lady, it was just a bunch of circumstantial evidence and hearsay. I also wondered why IA never did anything about your complaints."
Deeks looks at the admiral. He must have been a hell of a lawyer back in the day. Good. He's going to need a damn good lawyer now if he's going to beat this. Deeks takes a dollar out of his pocket and holds it up to the admiral. AJ speaks lawyer fluently and knows what Deeks is asking. After a moment to weigh the possible consequences of his decision, AJ accepts the dollar as his retainer and puts it in his shirt pocket. Deeks continues.
"What you don't know, that Hetty and Kensi do, is that I did kill Francis Boyle. He had threatened both me and Tiffany, the prostitute. There was a struggle in the hotel room. Boyle ended up dead. Apparently when the mole was originally stirring up trouble, an anonymous tip was given to IA. Hetty managed to get things settled by using John Quinn to locate Boyle and Steadman's stash of stolen drugs, money and weapons and then relocate it to Steadman's garage for Internal Affairs to find. She then "relocated" Quinn to another prison with a new identity.
AJ continues to eat his clam chowder as Deeks pressed on with the story..
"Things would have been fine, if Hetty hadn't hatched the plan to keep me, Callen and Sam safe by getting us arrested. Granger ended up getting stabbed, and got her second wind to come after me. When Kensi was kidnapped by that psycho Ferris, I made a deal with Whiting to tell her the truth if she would let me out to find Kensi. When Whiting was shot by Carl Brown, I thought she was dying and I told her what happened. I am not proud of what I did, but Boyle needed to be stopped. Whiting recovered and now is blackmailing me to help her take down my supervisor, Lt. Bates."
"Roger Bates?"
"Yeah. He was Army Intelligence back in the day."
"I know him. What does Whiting want with him?"
"She says she has info that Bates is dirty. I don't believe it. So I agreed to help her so I can clear his name. I could use your help and guidance and maybe for you to be my lawyer. Kensi knows everything, obviously." He looks at her, leans in and kisses her on the cheek and looks into her eyes. "I promised her, no more secrets." Kensi kisses Deeks back who then turns back to the admiral. "We are thinking of including the wonder twins but I wanted to meet with you first and get your thoughts. I also don't know when or if Hetty is coming back. And honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about her. I know you two are close." Deeks finishes and slumps down, exhausted, but relieved to have had gotten everything out.
Kensi looks at the admiral. "We could really use your help. I won't lose him. We are prepared to fight this alone, but I think having someone watching our backs is necessary and a good thing."
AJ eats the last the spoonful of his chowder, puts down his spoon, uses his napkin to wipe his mouth and places it back on this lap. He takes a long look at the couple. They have been through so much, just in this last year. He had been less than thrilled with Henrietta when she had most of the team arrested. He admired Deeks. He read his file when he first came to OSP. A lawyer, a detective and liaison who holds his own with a highly skilled team of federal agents. His arrest and conviction record was impressive and his NCIS file was equally so. How he survived the torture at the hands of Isaak Sidorov was beyond comprehension. Henrietta does know talent when she sees it.
"Ok, I'm in. Roger Bates is a good friend. Set up a meet with him and the three of us. A place like this but not here, as much as I liked the food, we need to keep moving around. Hold off on the meerkats, yeah Granger told me that one, I will let you know when we need them. And good call on assuming everything is bugged. Might be a good idea to get some burn phones for us for now. Also, as for your feelings about Henrietta, she hasn't always done things I agree with. I think she's made some serious missteps, especially with you. That is between you and her and has no bearing on my helping the two of you."
AJ watches the two partners. He is not sure what Shay Mosely is up to, but separating these two is a big mistake. It also may be time for Deeks to sign those papers to join NCIS officially. But he doesn't want to leave Bates defenseless. Well, good thing he is hanging in Los Angeles for awhile. Retirement is for old folks. It's time to get back in the game.
Deeks watches Kensi make a mental shopping list. God, he loves her. She will keep him anchored. And the admiral will help him think straight. Maybe together they can get through this.
It's going to be an interesting fall.