Proving Ground 12

Chapter 12

Deeks couldn't turn his mind off. If he closed his eyes, he saw the muzzle flash from the gun that wounded him, or heard Emiri's screams, which jolted him awake. He was grateful for the medication that kept the pain from being too bad, but moving his arm was still a bitch. The portable x-ray machine had been waiting when he'd returned to the gurney in Hetty's back room. As gentle as the doctor had tried to be, his arm was on fire by the time he was finished taking x-rays. Dr. Breschi had told him he could see no other bone fragments on the scans, and that had been a relief, but now that the anesthesia from surgery had worn off, his humor seemed to have evaporated right along with it. Callen must have noticed his sour mood, and to cheer him up had shared his conversations with Hetty and Sam about each ones' idea on what they wanted to do when they went to work at his new bar. He couldn't come up with a retort for any of it, and Callen's eyes narrowed into that telltale squint that signaled he was questioning what you had just said or done, or what you had not said or done. The interrogator in him would then come to the forefront and Deeks always felt like a deer in the headlights when that happened. It was like being in a mental boxing match, and right now he didn't have the energy for a fight.

"If you want out, Deeks, just say so," Callen finally said softly. "No one will fault you if you do."

"Who said anything about wanting out?" He said, cautious and feeling defensive now that the idea had been mentioned. "I can still do my job."

"He's not questioning that, baby," Kensi said. "But you're wounded, and…"

"And you don't think I'm strong enough to complete the mission," Deeks shot back, wondering why he was suddenly so angry.

"Right now, you're not. So quit pretending you are," Sam said as he walked in the door. "You forget…we know what it feels like to get shot."

"And Sam's always grumpy afterwards, too," Callen said.

"Well, this won't make any of you very happy," Teague said as he hurried into the room. "Yavuz just called. He wants me to bring you back to his house."

"When?" Callen asked.

"Now," he replied.

"Why?" Kensi asked, sitting down beside Deeks as if to protect him.

"Because Max Gentry is in danger," Teague replied.

"From who?" Deeks asked, finally finding his voice.

"The Grey Wolves," Hetty said from the doorway. "They've put a hit out on Max Gentry. According to Lieutenant Bates, the word on the street says the offer is fifty thousand."

"Seriously?" Deeks was stunned.

"How do they even know about Max Gentry?" Callen asked.

"Sadik discovered that one of their own people was the inside man for the Grey Wolves," Teague said. "He was the one who arranged for the tennis instructor and got the kidnappers onto the grounds. Yavuz told me one of the dead men was a member of an influential family that holds a great deal of power within the organization. They think Max killed him."

"I didn't kill anyone," Deeks said. "Sadik killed one and the guard, Selim killed the man who shot me."

"Selim was found dead in his apartment a short time ago," Teague said softly. "Someone slit his throat."

"Sonofabitch," Deeks whispered. "He saved my life."

"And apparently Yavuz is intent on saving yours," Teague said. "Says he wants you close so he can protect you."

"You sure about that?" Sam asked roughly. "What if he's lying? What if it's just a way to get his hands on Deeks again? We don't know if he's been made or not. All we have is the word of a man who had a Federal agent thrown off a building."

"What other choice do we have?" Teague asked. "The man's paranoid right now, and if I don't comply he sure as hell will think we're Feds and we'll never recover those missiles."

"Hetty? What did Nell and Eric find out?" Callen asked. "Did anyone access Deeks and Teague's files?"

"Max Gentry is covered. They only found what we wanted them to find. Unfortunately, EAD Mosley adamantly refuses any and all access to Mr. Teague's files," Hetty replied.

"What can I say? My work is highly classified," Teague said, and Deeks felt a sudden surge of anger.

"So every one of my files gets gift wrapped and presented to you like it was Christmas morning, and you're so special we're not allowed to know anything about you?" Deeks raged. "Afraid to share your dirty little secrets with your partner, Benny? I'm just supposed to take your word for it that you know what the hell you're doing, and aren't some fucking screwup?"

"Yeah, Detective Deeks, you are," Teague shot back.

"Well, I don't!" He shouted. "I'm the one with a price on my head. Not you. And if Yavuz found something in your files and we walk in there blind…we're dead, and you know it."

"Gentlemen…enough," Hetty said firmly.

Deeks was furious, and honestly scared. He felt Kensi's hand on his arm and looked up to see the same solid support he always found. He wanted to survive this, to marry her and have kids, not end up in some landfill over proprietary rights to classified intel.

"I'll go back with you, Deeks," Kensi said. "We can do this, okay?"

"No, Kens. I don't want you to risk your life for Mosley or her douchebag secret agent here," he replied.

"I'm not talking about them, Deeks," she said. "Like you said to me once…I'm talking about us. We're partners, and we can get those missiles back if we work together."

"Kensi just might be our ace in the hole, Mr. Deeks," Hetty said. "And you'll have the extra backup you need."

"Deeks, she's right," Teague said, holding up his hands before Deeks could protest. "Let me finish before you rip my head off. This operation will end up dead in the water without you, and those missiles will kill hundreds…maybe even thousands of people. I'm willing to speak with Shay, and suggest we allow your analysts to check for any intrusion that might have compromised my alias. If I do that, and if they find nothing, would you be willing to go back in? With Kensi?"

"I'll go, but Kensi stays out of it," he said.

"Deeks…quit trying to protect me and let me do my job," Kensi said, standing up and staring him down. "Did you suddenly forget you got shot today?"

"She's right, Deeks. You're not fully operational," Callen said. "You need someone you can trust in there. Your good partners, and good undercover. I don't want you going back in if she's not going with you."

"So you're all ganging up on the wounded guy?" He finally said.

"We have your best interests at heart, Mr. Deeks," Hetty said. "But we also need to find those missiles. Do you agree, or not?"

He closed his eyes for a moment and felt Kensi grip his hand tightly, finally letting himself believe this new plan would work.

"Okay."

His mouth went dry as he spoke the word, and his eyes found Kensi's. She nodded at him, and smiled softly because she'd gotten her way, but it didn't make Deeks feel any better. Fear stalked his mind, but he tamped it down as best he could, refusing to allow it to hamstring him. Once back under the eye of Yavuz, he'd have to be on guard constantly. He had to be sharp for her.

"Do you have an alias that would work, because we don't have a lot of time for backstopping," Teague said quickly.

"I'm thinking Sage. What about you Callen?" Kensi smiled seductively as she stared at him with dark eyes.

"She'd be perfect."

"Sage, the hot biker chick?" Deeks asked, feeling a slight prick of jealousy. "The one who helped save your life?"

"Yep, she's the one," Callen said, with a slightly embarrassed smile.

"Sage looked damn good in black leather if I remember right," Sam said with a wide smile.

"Hey…this is my fiancé you're talking about, not Callen's fake girlfriend," Deeks said.

"And now she'll be yours, Mr. Gentry," Hetty reminded him.

"Is her alias viable?" Teague questioned.

"She helped me take down a white supremacist group I'd infiltrated while in prison," Callen said. "Don't think Yavuz or his people run in those circles."

"Let's hope not," Hetty said quietly. "Kensi…you should head back to OSP and get dressed. Teague and Mr. Deeks can pick you up at the boat shed, and you can get your stories straight on the drive up to Coldwater Canyon."

"Overwatch is going to be a little tougher at night," Sam said. "Mosley's team back from dinner yet? We need to go over logistics."

"They're on the deck, Mr. Hanna," Hetty said. "And check with Nell to see if there are any private security patrols operating in the area. You might be able use one of their vehicles as cover."

Once Sam had left, Hetty turned to Benjamin Teague. "Have you briefed the Assistant Director? Does she know Yavuz is demanding you bring Max Gentry to him?"

"She knows and she's not happy," he replied. "She asked…well actually, she demanded to know if there was any other way."

"Did you inform her of the price on Max Gentry's head?" Hetty asked. "And that this is Yavuz's way of repaying the debt he owes him?"

"I explained that, but she discounted it, I'm afraid," he said softly. "She's only interested in the missiles, not in some private war between terrorists. Her words exactly, by the way. She believes Deeks' presence will only complicate things."

"Wait till she hears about Sage," Callen said with a smirk.

"Probably best we keep that to ourselves for the moment," Hetty said. "We can ask forgiveness when this is over. Well, all of you can."

"You do realize I work for her?" Teague said.

"I'm afraid that's your problem, Mr. Teague," she replied tartly. "But Mr. Deeks isn't going anywhere without Ms. Blye. So you better learn to live with it."

She walked out without another word, and Deeks smiled at the stunned look on Teague's face.

"You better get going, Kens," Callen prompted.

"Wait," Deeks said, tightening his grip on her hand. "Give us a minute."

Both men nodded their assent and left them alone.

"Don't try and talk me out of this, Deeks," Kensi warned.

"As much as I want to, I won't," he replied. "Kens…just be yourself when we get there. Don't go all ninja biker chick, at least not completely. Let him see the love between us, because that…that's what's missing in his life. He lost the love of his life and it's left him angry, and full of hate. The only love he has left is for his daughter, Emiri, and someone tried to take her from him today. And now…now he's in a rage because of it. He's a violent man, Kens...a cold and calculating one, so I have no idea what we're walking into. Please don't get aggressive if he goes off on me, okay? Don't kick ass to protect me. The result won't come out the way you think it will. He needs to see that we love each other. I think he'll respond to that…it's what will get us through this."

"I can do that," Kensi said softly. "That won't be hard at all, baby."

"Now go get into those sexy leathers," he said with a sweet grin. "That's the kind of excitement I could use right about now."

She was smiling when she leaned over and took his face in her hands. She kissed him slowly and passionately, and he was pretty sure his heart rate went up as well as his blood pressure. He clung to her as her arms wrapped around his head. She whispered her love in his ear, her tongue darting out to lick at his earlobe. Then she lightly kissed his cheek and held his gaze for a moment before smiling softly and stepping back.

"I won't let them hurt you, Deeks," she said, her eyes determined and bright with a glaze of tears.

"Kens…"

But she had already turned, rushing out the door as he called after her, leaving him flustered and fearful once again.

When Kensi walked into the boat shed decked out in a purple, low cut tank top, a short black leather jacket and tight fitting black jeans, Teague choked on the tea he was drinking. Deeks slapped the agent hard on the back before pulling her to him and wiggling his eyebrows at the man.

"Meet Sage Rogado from Reseda," Deeks said with a grin.

"Is that Spanish, Mexican…?" Teague asked.

"Portuguese," she replied with just a hint of an accent.

"Sage doesn't sound Portuguese," he said.

"I changed it. I'm into fresh herbs," she said, making Deeks huff out a laugh.

"What did your mother say about that?" Teague asked.

"My mother was a drug addict who boosted whatever shit she could to feed her habit," Sage replied, sounding tough and defiant. "I never bothered telling her, not that she would care."

"And dear old daddy?" He asked.

"Never met the man," she replied softly.

"Sounds like the typical unhappy childhood of a woman one might find slumming with a man like Max Gentry," Teague said. "But I'm sure he isn't the first."

"Are you checking her story or just being a dick?" Deeks asked.

"I'm quite capable of doing both at the same time. Now, how did you sweet little lovebirds meet," Teague asked, and Deeks bristled at the condescending tone.

"You jealous, Benny, or trying to find a weak spot in our story?" He asked, letting his annoyance show.

"Kind of…is there one?"

"You should be, and no…there isn't one," Deeks said. "We've been undercover together before, and engaged, so…"

"So…you do realize that Yavuz and Sadik aren't going to be this nice, right?" Teague said.

"I can handle it," Kensi said.

"You sure about that, sweetheart?" He shot back. "Because my life will be depending on it."

"It's Deeks' life I'll be protecting, so all you have to do is play along and we'll be just fine," Kensi said, her confidence and intensity making Deeks proud.

Their standoff was interrupted when Mosley walked in, her eyes blazing and critical as she looked Deeks over.

"I see you're not as bad off as everyone told me you were, Detective Deeks," she said smugly.

"I have no idea what you were told," he replied. "Oh, wait…yeah…I must have been unconscious and undergoing surgery when that conversation took place."

"If you're not well, perhaps you should sit this one out," she suggested.

"Shay…we talked about this," Teague said. "Yavuz wants him back there…and so do I."

She took her time mulling it over, the two of them having a silent contest of wills as they stared at each other. "All right. I don't like it, but I'll allow it. But I see no reason for Kensi to be involved. That is what you're intending isn't it?"

"I'm afraid they're a package deal, my dear," Hetty said as she strolled in from the back.

"And why is that?" Mosley asked, obviously annoyed.

"Because I'm his partner, and he's wounded," Kensi said sharply.

"I wasn't talking to you, Agent Blye," Mosley said.

"Mr. Deeks might look fine, but if you look closely you can see that he's working very hard to make everyone believe that he is," Hetty said. "In case you hadn't noticed, his hands are trembling, and he's sweating even though it's quite cool in here. I would venture to guess that Mr. Deeks hasn't had any pain medication for a while now. Is that about right, Mr. Deeks?"

"I have to be sharp when I face Yavuz, Hetty," Deeks said quickly. "Besides that…Max Gentry wouldn't have a prescription for pain medication, because he was never in a hospital or treated by a doctor."

"He's right," Teague said.

"But being the thug that he is, wouldn't he have access to illicit drugs to dull the pain?" Mosley asked.

"Max Gentry doesn't do drugs," Deeks said. "It's in his backstory. It's why drug dealers trust him with their merchandise. He doesn't sample the product."

"What about liquor?" Teague asked. "A couple of shots of whisky might be something he'd do, and give you a way to explain how you dealt with the pain in case they ask."

"Good idea, Mr. Teague. I have a bottle of scotch in the cupboard," Hetty said.

"I thought the objective was for Detective Deeks to stay sharp," Mosley said with a snide tone. "Doesn't being drunk compromise that premise?"

"I'm not talking about getting him hammered. He just has to smell like he needed a little courage while Sage here sewed him up," Teague said.

"Although a couple of good swigs might help with the pain," Hetty noted as she handed Deeks a glass of what he was sure was top-notch scotch. "Bottoms up, Mr. Deeks."

The fiery liquid burned down his throat, and he coughed as his eyes watered, making Teague laugh.

"A twit and a wuss," Teague said.

"Wrong way," Deeks wheezed, as Kensi patted him gently on the back. "Good stuff, Hetty."

"You still haven't answered my question," Mosley said. "Why is Kensi needed on this operation?"

"For good reason," Hetty said. "As backup for one. In case things go sideways too quickly for our overwatch team to respond. And, because a woman's presence can sometimes defuse a tense situation. Ms. Blye will change the dynamic. Call her our ace in the hole."

"There's no downside, Shay," Teague said.

"Get this done tonight," Mosley ordered stiffly. "I want those missiles."

She turned abruptly and left without another word and Deeks let out a relieved breath, glad she was gone. He was grateful for Teague's support, although he still had reservations about Kensi's involvement. He did have to admit that having her with him gave him confidence. He knew he could count on her to not only watch his back, but to also charm Yavuz, and possibly keep him a little off balance.

"You good?" Kensi asked, pressing her body against his.

"Yeah…Yeah, I'm good," he replied.

"It appears, Mr. Teague, that your alias was not compromised," Hetty said. "So I suggest you get a move on and jump back into the lions den. The overwatch team is in position and will be on comms with you. You just need to choose a safe word."

"Noodles?" Deeks suggested with a cocky smile.

"I actually like that," Teague said. "If I'm uncomfortable with the situation, I'll start talking about pasta and you can call them noodles. Pasta will put them on alert, and noodles will be the go order."

"Callen and Sam are gonna love it," Deeks laughed. "Not that I'll ever hear the end of it."

"Why's that?"

"Callen threatened to shoot him the last time he suggested it," Kensi said.

"Let's hope I don't have to use it at all," Deeks said.

"I'll alert the team that you're on your way," Hetty said. "The rest of that scotch will be waiting when this is over."

The gate wasn't open when they arrived at Yavuz's estate, and Lorenzo Benedetto had to use the call button to gain entrance. Once inside they were surrounded by four heavily armed guards and Deeks noticed others positioned up on the roof and set up around the perimeter. The house was dark, and even the outside lights had been turned off. There was no doubt they were expecting trouble. They were hurriedly ushered up the steps and inside the front door where they were greeted by Ali Sadik.

"You weren't told to bring the woman," Sadik said. "She must leave."

"She stays, or I go," Max said. "Your boss wanted me here, so go ask him which way he wants to play this."

Even in the dimly lit entrance hall it wasn't hard to see that Sadik was pissed. He motioned for Benedetto to head into the living room, but as Max passed, he grabbed his wounded arm and shoved him against the wall. The pain was blinding and he cried out, slumping almost to his knees.

"Stop it! You're hurting him," Sage yelled, trying to shove Sadik away.

He hit her and Max roared out in anger and slammed into Sadik in spite of the pain. They hadn't disarmed them when they came in, and Max had his gun pointed up under Sadik's chin within seconds.

"You want to die, asshole?" he growled. "You so much as touch her again and I will make that happen."

"My apologies, Max. This insult will not be repeated," Yavuz spoke softly from the shadows.

Max pushed himself away, securing his gun before reaching for Sage. She was leaning against the wall holding her cheek and he pulled her to him, smoothing down her hair as he comforted her.

"You okay, baby?" He asked, brushing her hair back so he could see her face.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Are you okay?" She asked, gently touching the bandage on his arm. "It scared me when he grabbed your arm. It could start bleeding again."

"Please come into the living room," Yavuz said as he came up behind them. "It has been a troublesome day, and my brother-in-law lost control of his anger. Please…"

He ushered them into the living room, lit only by a few lamps, which gave it a feeling of warmth and of refuge. After they were seated, Yavuz issued an order in Turkish and then sat down across from them.

"Tell me your name, dear girl," Yavuz said.

"Sage…Sage Rogado," she replied shyly. "Please don't blame Max for bringing me. He lost so much blood and I was worried…"

"You must care deeply for him," he said.

"He's all I have," she replied, clinging to Max's good arm.

"How long have you been together?" He asked.

"Off an on for a couple of years before he went to prison, but then when he got out, things just seemed to click, you know?" She said, with a soft smile, looking only at Max. "He takes care of me, and I wanted to take care of him, so I made him bring me."

"I wanted her with me," Max said. "Benedetto told me there was a price on my head. I couldn't risk someone going after her again to get to me."

"Of course. I understand completely," Yavuz said, his voice wavering slightly.

"Do you not have family?" He asked her.

"Never knew my dad, and my mom checked out a long time ago," she shared. "I heard she OD a couple of years ago. Max is my only family."

"You are quite beautiful," Yavuz said gently. "Max is a very fortunate to have you in his life."

"Papa?" Emiri came down from the stairs behind them. "Can I come see Max?"

"Yes, of course, sweet one."

She sounded so tentative compared to the first time they had met, and it saddened Deeks as he rose to greet her. She acted shy and withdrawn and Kensi responded.

"Max told me how brave you were today," Sage said. "I told him women were brave all the time, we just don't get the credit."

"I guess I just didn't want to give in," Emiri said. "They made me mad."

"You did better than I did," Sage said, looking quickly at Max. "I was taken once…and I'm so glad you fought back. I couldn't."

"Oh my God…what happened?" Emiri asked, reaching out to take her hand.

"Max found me before the man could hurt me," she replied. "He saved me."

"He saved me too," she said as tears slid down her face. "I wanted to thank him again."

"And you're safe now," Sage said and wrapped her in a hug. "You're going to be okay. You're a tough girl."

"Thank you," Emiri said softly, standing back and wiping tears from her eyes. "I'm glad you're safe too."

"Why don't you show Sage your room, Emiri," Yavuz said gently. "We have business to discuss."

Deeks could tell Kensi didn't want to leave him, but he nodded imperceptibly and she nodded and turned to follow the girl. He leaned back against the pillow behind him, letting his breath out slowly as he drew his injured arm across his stomach. The wound was burning and he felt shaky all of a sudden.

"Do you not have medicine for the pain?" Yavuz asked as glasses of tea were brought in on a copper tray and set down on the table.

"He told me he does not like drugs," Benedetto said. "He used whiskey to dull the pain."

"Scotch…it was scotch," Max said.

"You are a tough man, Max," Yavuz said. "But pain makes you weak, and I need you to be strong tonight."

"What's going on?" Max asked.

"There is a price on your head because of what you did to save my daughter," he replied. "And there is a price on mine for betraying my birthright."

"I don't know what that means," Max said.

"First we will have tea. You are my guests," Yavuz said as he offered him a glass.

Hetty's voice suddenly filled his ear. "Mr. Deeks, do not refuse. It would be an insult."

Max picked up the delicate glass of tea and smiled, saluting Yavuz before he took a sip. Benedetto did the same. They all sat silently sipping tea, waiting to find out why Yavuz had brought him here. They had all assumed it was for his protection, but Deeks began to wonder if that were true.

"The leader of the Grey Wolves is my cousin. His name is Mehmet Tilki," Yavuz finally said, carefully placing his glass of tea back on the copper tray. "Our fathers were cousins, and help found the organization. They fought for the soul of our nation during turbulent times. Some called them terrorists, but they did what they thought was right for our country. Mehmet and I grew up in the organization, but we understood so little. He became immersed in neo-fascist beliefs. I loved my country, but participated only half-heartedly in a few militant operations. I was slowly extricating myself from that society when I fell in love with Alara. She had no use for politics, especially right wing politics, and I began to see the world from her point of view. We married, and together we began to build a life and a business, eventually moving here, after Emiri was born. By that time my cousin had a leadership role in the Grey Wolves. When I left he saw it as a betrayal. He called me a traitor."

"Tough words to hear," Benedetto said. "Especially from family."

"When Emiri turned twelve, Mehmet invited me back to Istanbul," Yavuz said, his voice growing tight and hard. "He told me he wanted to reconcile. To end our feud."

"What happened?" Benedetto asked, but Deeks knew.

"I believed him. I took my family," Yavuz said. "It was a trap. Afterwards I thought he had made a mistake, but I was wrong. He didn't want me dead; he wanted me to suffer, to teach me a lesson and to punish me for betraying the Grey Wolves, for betraying the cause. So he killed Alara, and almost killed my daughter."

"Sonofabitch," Max said.

"So those Tomahawk missiles are meant for him. For payback," Benedetto said.

"They are meant for all of them," he replied. "His entire family will pay for what he did to mine."

Deeks felt ice cold as the words sunk in, and he heard someone swear over comms. Irrational vengeance had overtaken a man torn to pieces by hate. He was once a decent man with a wife he cherished and a daughter he loved. His wife had paid the price for mistakes he had made, and his daughter had suffered and now been threatened. The horrific pain of loss he'd endured in the aftermath had changed him completely. Hate ruled his mind and his soul, blinding him and unleashing a bloodlust that would lead to an unbelievable atrocity, if they didn't stop it.

"He is here. Mehmet Tilki is here in Los Angeles," Yavuz said. "The traitor in my household confessed this. Sadik is quite good at making a man talk, so now I know everything. My cousin has made the mistake of bringing his whole family here. His children wanted to go to Disneyland. I know where they are staying."

"If he is a terrorist, how did he get into the country?" Benedetto asked.

"Because he is a terrorist. He has many passports and many names to travel under," Yavuz revealed. "Now I will set a trap for him and you will help me do that."

"How?" Max asked, his mouth so dry he could hardly get the word out.

"He put a price on your head," Yavuz said quietly. "So one of my men will turn you over to him…"

"Wait. What the hell?" Max sputtered, anger choking his voice as his ears filled with the pissed off responses from the overwatch team arguing over whether to breach.

Yavuz put his hand up, the dark look in his eyes warning him to stifle any other comment. Sadik was suddenly beside him with a weapon pointed at his chest.

"You are simply the bait, my friend," Yavuz continued. "You will draw Mehmet out. When he comes for you, it will be at the place where I have stored the missiles. My men will be waiting. Then I will have my revenge. I will show him the missiles and tell him my plan."

"And what plan is that?" Benedetto asked. "I thought you wanted me to get those missiles out of the country."

"Oh, that will still happen," he replied. "But first, I will make Mehmet Tilki watch as I kill his family in front of him, one by one. And then I will tell him my plans for each one of those missiles. The political life of the Grey Wolves and Turkey itself, will never be the same. Do this for me, Max Gentry, and you will never want for anything ever again."

"Do it, Detective Deeks," Mosley ordered loudly over comms. "I want those missiles."

"I don't have a choice, do I?"

"You are a smart man, Max," Yavuz said.

"Sure, why not," Deeks said wearily. "What could possibly go wrong?"