Hello my dears. I would like to thank Petunia3116,heyjode, Lic. Lu, Guest, fanncis, French fan (Guest), Adri1577, Max and Fern 4ever and ssl71 for the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.
So sorry about the long wait of this chapter, but I had my sisters hen do to go to, and it turned out to be a bit messy. Anyway here is the next chapter I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS: LA.
Callen climbed out of his car, placing his weapon in its holster as he looked around. At first he thought his GPS had gone wrong somewhere when it had directed him down a little used road to a seemingly empty cove, though the waves were amazing. But then he saw the building built right on the beach, and he couldn't help but shake his head even as a smile graced his lips. Only Deeks would be able to find work in a bar that opened onto a surfers dream. Oh yeah, if he had ever had to consider where he thought would be Deeks dream destination, this place came damn close. Standing in the parking lot he breathed in deeply, tasting the salt in the air, as well as the freshness that you never got in LA. It was peaceful and beautiful, and eased something inside of him. He had been worried when he discovered Deeks was working a bar that it would be shady rundown joint in some dodgy part of some crummy town. But this… this was perfect for the man who had walked away from everything in LA. It was so different to life there, and Callen was sure that if Deeks could find what he was looking for anywhere it would be here. He hoped so at any rate.
With one more scan of the beach area he turned towards the bar. It was time to find the missing detective, make sure he was really okay, and see what he wanted to do with his future.
Frank stood behind the bar watching the expensive Merc pull up into the parking lot. That was not the sort of car that came round their way often, and as such he paid careful attention to the driver. It was for this reason alone that he saw him slip a gun in the back of his jeans. That action alone made him weary of him. Who was this guy that he felt the need to carry here? And who was he looking for? Because there was no way he had just stumbled across their bar. Looking again at the car he saw the LA licence plates and put two and two together to get four. He had a feeling this guy was here for Deeks. He didn't know why the kid had run, but he knew it wasn't good. And if there was a guy looking for him carrying a gun, well not good really didn't do it justice in his mind. As such he made sure that he was at his most watchful when the man in question entered the bar and after a look around headed straight for him.
"Hi, I'm looking for Marty Deeks?" Callen said to the barman having taken note that the man he was looking for wasn't in the bar.
"Don't know who that is." Frank responded in a casual tone, making sure he didn't do anything obvious to show the man who was asking that he was lying. He knew the tells from his time on the force, there was no way he was going to give away Deeks.
Callen looked the older man in the eyes and knew he was lying. And that was not because of the fact that he knew Deeks worked here, but more the almost militant defence he had of the kid he was looking for. Only Deeks could commander that sort of loyalty in the week he had been gone. Therefore relaxing his stance and putting on his friendliest smile he spoke once more.
"Let's start again. I'm Special Agent G Callen, NICS, I worked with Deeks. Do you know where he is?" Callen asked pulling out his badge to show the other he meant no harm.
"Nope." Frank responded without hesitation. He wasn't even lying. Deeks had gone off on one of his afternoon runs with Monty, the kid could be anywhere right then. Plus having a badge meant nothing in his mind. Those in law enforcement were just as bad as those out, if not sometimes worse in his experience.
"Then I guess I'll just have to wait." Callen replied before ordering a beer and carrying the bottle over to a table where he could watch every entrance and exit, as well as the people in the bar. He had come here to see Deeks, and he would, whether the guy at the bar liked it or not. Though the idea that he would defend Deeks from him made his hackles rise. It had been his job as team leader to keep Deeks safe for the last three years, so what did this guy want with his team member?
Frank watched the agent walk away. Watched how he chose the one seat in the place that gave him the perfect angle of everything in the bar without thought. The way Agent Callen moved… it gave off an air danger to Frank. He knew his type of old. He was one son of a bitch he wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley that was for sure, and certainly not someone you wanted to cross. He was like a panther waiting to strike, playing nice until it time to close in for the kill and then you would be dead before you even knew what hit you. What he didn't know was what the guy wanted from Deeks. Was him being here for Deeks good or not? And he had no way of answering that question until the kid came home. Therefore all he could do was wait and watch warily as the predator stalked his bar and the one he had taken under his wing.
Deeks came back from his afternoon outing with Monty, and rather than go to him room he headed straight for the bar. They hadn't gone for a run, just a causal walk along the cliffs so he had no need to change, and he felt let having a chat with Frank before he started his shift. With that in mind he pushed open the door, but before he could say a word Frank was there standing in from of him as if shielding him from something.
"Frank, what ya doing?" He asked quizzically even as Monty made his way around the older man and moved into the bar.
"There's man here who's asking for you." Frank responded, not sure what to do as Monty had already moved past him. Hmm, maybe he should have tried to stop the dog, but he never seemed to leave Deeks side, so it hadn't even crossed his mind.
"Okay, who?" Deeks asked bending to look over Frank's shoulder. Though what he saw made him realise he really didn't need the other man to answer that, considering what he saw was Callen rubbing Monty's head. "Yeah, forget that. He's okay."
"You sure?" Frank asked even as he stepped aside and turned to see how Monty was treating their dangerous guest.
"Yeah. He's… a friend." Deeks responded though there was uncertainty in his voice as he said the words. He wasn't sure if friend was the right description for his former team leader, but he did know he wasn't a threat. Whatever Callen was for, it wasn't to cause him harm. With that he moved towards the other man. Time to find out why the hell he was here.
"Callen." He said stopping in front of the other man and therefore pulling his attention away from Monty. Not that Deeks was fooled for a minute that the senior undercover agent of NCIS hadn't been completely aware of his approach, he had no doubt noticed him as soon as he came into the bar. After all he was in the one seat Deeks usually preferred for the fact he could see every exit and entrance from it.
"Deeks." Callen responded pulling his attention from the dog now lying at his feet to run his eyes over the detective, or former detective, standing in front of him what he saw made a small smile appear on his face. Gone were the dark shadows under his eyes, and the haunted look he had the last time he had seen had receded somewhat. Yeah this place was good for Deeks. "You're looking well."
"I'm good." Deeks replied before siting so he was across from Callen, but they were both still able to see every part of the bar they were in. "What you doing here?" He asked deciding not to beat around the bush. He could only think of one reason Callen would come and that was to drag him back, he was just surprised he was alone. And he was alone, Deeks had made sure of that as he walked towards the other man. The rest of the team were not here.
"Well if you ask Hetty or Bates I'm here to drag you back to LA kicking and screaming so they can lock you up until you agree to come back to work." Callen responded. He wanted Deeks to know that his resignation had not been taken lightly. Not because he wanted to cause guilt or worry in the younger man, more he wanted him to realise just how valued he was.
Deeks looked at Callen at his words. He heard what he was saying, but that wasn't what he had asked. He knew he was leaving a shit storm behind him when he left, but he really didn't care about that. No. He wanted to know why the man he had handed his gun and badge to was sitting in the bar he now worked that.
"I asked why you were here." He replied steadily, determined to get the answer. Because he had trusted Callen to keep him hidden. Okay sure he may not have thought about it until now that he was confronted by the man, but his parting words, that there was always room on the team for him, he'd thought Callen would have his back in this. So why was he here now?
"I'm here to give you the choice. You can return with me, or resign officially from the LAPD, and effectively NCIS as well." Callen responded with a shrug, leaning back against his seat, his eyes fixed solely on Deeks, though the both knew he saw everything else that was happening around them just as Deeks did as he returned the stare.
"I'm pretty sure that when I gave you my badge and gun I made that decision clear." Deeks answered. He had made his decision. He wasn't changing it. He needed out, and what he had found here, it was more than he had ever had.
"Yeah. I have the paperwork in my car for you to sign." Callen agreed. He knew as soon as he had pulled up into the parking lot of this bar that there was no way he was going to entice Deeks away. And that was before he was confronted with the protective papa bear routine from the man behind the bar.
"Good." Deeks responded with a smile as something inside him relaxed. He had been right he could trust Callen to have his back.
"Of course there other things we need to talk about." Callen replied picking up his beer and taking a swig as he watched the confused frown cross Deeks face. He wondered whether he should wait until the former detective joined the dots and worked out what he was talking about or if he should put him out of his misery. Though a swift look at the guy at the bar who was glaring at him at the look on Deeks' face he decided the latter would be better if he didn't want to get thrown out on his ass. "Your apartment. I doubt the pay of a barman can cover an LA rent, and there is no way I'm paying that indefinitely. So what do you want to do with all you stuff?" He asked curiously.
The first thing that came to Deeks mind at those words were "I prefer mixologist." Then the part where Callen was willing cover his rent registered. "You don't have to pay it. I'll give in my notice."
"And your things?" Callen asked more insistently. Because that apartment was still full.
"Throw it out." Deeks responded with a shrug. He had left LA. He'd left his life behind. He didn't need anything to remind of what had been. He was starting a new life, with a new him. He had all he needed here.
"Don't throw away your memories, Deeks. Take it from me, a day will come when you wished you had more than duffle bag filled with clothes." Callen replied quietly, seriously. For all he owned his own home, he still only had only a duffle bag and his bedroll to show that he had been there. His only mementoes of his life fitted into a tea box he had on his mantel. He wouldn't wish that on anyone.
"What can I do with it? It won't fit here, and if I can't afford an LA apartment as sure as hell can't afford a storage unit." Deeks responded with a sigh. He knew what Callen was saying. He knew how the man in front of him had nothing, but that didn't mean he needed to keep what he did have. Right?
"I have an empty garage. You can store it there. And any furniture that won't fit, I'm sure I can find place for in the house. Hell Sam would be happy to have a couch to sit on when he comes round for a beer." Callen responded with a chuckle, as offering his own home as a storage space was more of an advantage to him that it was to Deeks.
Deeks didn't buy it for a minute. He could see what Callen was offering him. It wasn't just somewhere to store his stuff. He was offering him somewhere he would always be welcome. Somewhere that if he ever needed it, he could call home. But he knew better than to call the other man on it. Therefore he smirked as he replied, "Oh, so you just want free furniture for you house."
"You bet." Callen responded returning the smirk, but even as he did they both knew some unspoken agreement had just formed between the two of them. Or maybe it had always been there. Maybe they had always had this connection even, when they were the team member and team leader. Maybe it was just that it was only now that it was just the two of them they were finally letting that connection show. Maybe now there was no Sam or Kensi or team dynamics in-between them they were finally finding a deeper bond from the one they had shared when they worked together.
It was that moment the two were interrupted by Frank bringing over a beer for the both of them. He wanted to make sure Deeks was okay, though it seemed everything was going fine. But he better than anyone, knew that appearances could be deceiving. And he couldn't get out of his head how Deeks had hesitated when he had said the agent guy was his friend.
"Frank, let me introduce you to Agent Callen, my former team leader when I was liaison officer for NCIS and LAPD." Deeks said to his new friend. He wanted them to get along. They were the only two people who seemed to give a damn about him right then, the only two who seemed to have his best interests as heart. And really that made they the only true friends he had.
"Agent Callen." Franks nodded. He was highly intrigued by the idea that Deeks had been liaison to NCIS. The only team he knew that worked out of LA were the special ops group. If the kid had worked with them, then he had seen even more than most undercover cops ever would.
"Detective Monroe. Pleasure to meet you." Callen responded with a smile though he had glint in his eyes as he spoke the man's previous title. He wanted Frank to realise that he was not someone to mess with, and if he hurt Deeks in any way he would come for him.
"Its former detective." Frank responded narrowing his eyes at the agent in front of him. But looking into his eyes he saw what he was doing and why he was doing it. He wanted to protect Deeks just as he did. He could accept that, though the look he gave back as he continued carried the same message. "Good to meet you to. I'll let my husband know Deeks has a friend staying for dinner."
With that the two men shared a nod and Frank went back to the bar, and to inform Henry they would have another for dinner that night. He wanted to get to know Agent Callen better, and he couldn't see him leaving until he knew Deeks was in safe hands. It was a win win for the both of them, and he Callen knew just as he did.
As soon as Frank was out of hearing range Deeks turned to Callen. "Did you really have to run a background check on my employers?" he asked in an exasperated tone.
"Yep." Callen responded without any contrition. Deeks was still a member of his team in his mind it was his job to look out for him, and that included making sure he was working for decent people. He didn't see any issue with what he had done, and if Deeks did, well tough. He was just going to have to get used to it.
At that Deeks shook his head and rolled his eyes but he knew deep down that the idea that Callen had cared enough to do that, it gave him a warm feeling inside. A feeling he hadn't had for a very long time. One of knowing that someone cared. And it was a feeling he wouldn't give up for the world, no matter how many background checks Callen did.