Author's Note: Thanks for the nice feedback, you're such kind people!
Okay, so this chapter will extend on the orchestra arc a bit, and we dig deeper into one character. The case will come back into focus later on, so don't worry ;)
I hope you'll like it.
Read, review, and enjoy ;)
The next day, Deeks is back to the game. At some point he is really glad that Kensi convinced him to take the evening off. He feels... refreshed, actually, and less nervous. Though he still feels nervous each day, but Deeks gave up on the idea long ago that he will ever feel comfortable as Julian, the violinist. The character is not the problem, it's the profession, most definitely. He would rather not have to do with it at all, but now... it doesn't seem so bad for once, and that despite the fact that he is targeted by a murderer. At least his shoulder doesn't hurt as much, aside from the bruising, but... all in all... there were worse days before.
He puts up his equipment along with Kensi when Katy comes over to him and instantly grabs him in a tight embrace, leaving Deeks dumbstruck, "Whoa!"
"I didn't get a chance to properly thank you for saving my life, Julian. So, thanks," Katy says.
"Not for that," he laughs nervously.
"You risked your own life for mine. How do I ever repay you for that?" Katy asks.
"One thing you can do right away," Deeks winces.
"What is it?" Katy asks.
"Let go of my shoulder, big please?" Deeks grimaces, and Katy instantly lets go, putting up her hands the way criminals do after they dropped their weapons, "Oh, I'm so sorry."
"It's fine, just minor, believe me, only hurts when you press on it," the detective smirks at her, patting her on the shoulder lightly.
"This piece stuck out of your shoulder," Katy insists, and Kensi joins her, "Same thing I told him, but Mr. Ambrose is very persistent."
"Ms. Finnegan is just too worried about me," Deeks snickers. Katy frowns at the two, "How are you two related again? I mean, I get it that you're his manager's secretary, but... you seem kinda close."
"Well, we grew to be friends when Ms. Lange found him. At first I couldn't stand him, typical overly creative musician and all...," Kensi smirks.
"Yeah, we have a reputation to have our kinks," Katy grins.
"Right. Well, I help wherever I can. And now I'm playing nurse," Kensi shrugs.
"And that is something I enjoy greatly," Deeks chuckles, but that is when Kensi suddenly slaps a cooling back against his shoulder, quite roughly. He hisses.
"You wish," she smiles at him mischievously.
"Always," Deeks returns.
"So I take that you're gonna carry on," Katy turns to him, and Deeks nods, "Yep."
"I bet Adrian's mad as hell that you didn't quit yet," Katy snorts.
"Why?" Deeks asks innocently.
"Well, he did it, didn't he?" Katy grimaces, "With the boxes."
"That's not said. It's not even clear if this wasn't just an accident," Deeks argues. They are sure this was not accident, but that's nothing Katy should know about.
"Ugh, c'mon, it must be Adrian. Who else would?" Katy argues, but Deeks replies, "We don't know that and it's way too early to jump to conclusions. And it's not nice to suspect one of the team, even if he's a jerk at times."
"You say that now," Katy grumbles.
He takes her by the shoulder, "C'mon, it's time for practice."
They walk over to the stools. Adrian's already seated next to Deeks, checking him over.
"Good day," the detective greets him extra-cheerfully, but Adrian says nothing... just as usual.
"Well then...," Deeks grimaces, but much to his surprise, Adrian speaks up, though it is more of an icy hiss, "How's the shoulder? I heard that you had an accident yesterday?"
"Oh, it's fine, thanks for the concern," Deeks smirks, ignoring the obvious implication here, though he can't help himself but ask himself if this "threat" isn't a bit too obvious.
"Maybe you just gotta be more careful," Adrian smirks darkly.
"Might be, thanks for the advice, pal," Deeks flashes his signature smirk at him. Both fall silent after that. Shortly afterward, the conductor comes in and practice starts, once again. Deeks is glad that the shoulder doesn't affect his play so that Mr. Smith doesn't complain as much.
Once practice is over, the conductor comes up to Deek, "Mr. Ambrose."
"Mr. Smith," Deeks bows his head politely.
"I hope your shoulder is better?" Smith asks him.
"It's fine, thank you. It won't hinder me in my play if that's of concern," Deeks assures quickly, enacting the anxious newbie perfectly.
"No doubt, your play was just as it was the day before. No, I wanted to talk about something else," Smith tells him. Marty nods curtly, "Okay, go ahead, please."
"Well, apparently, Mr. Gallagher was supposed to give a solo performance onstage, though he tragically passed away during the concerto. And for the coming up concert, he was also to give a solo," Smith explains.
"Okay...," Deeks grimaces.
"We buried the idea with him, sadly," the conductor goes on "but maybe we actually have a chance with you."
Oh oh!
"Your performance was surprisingly good – and if we got no other impression of you but that you are one to be able to pull off a show," Mr. Smith explains, "and that is what we need now to stop the gossip revolving around Mr. Gallagher's death."
"Pardon?" Deeks blinks. His brain just somehow cut all ties to the rest of the body. Oh please no!
"Well, there is gossip on whether Mr. Gallagher's death was, well, natural. And on whether we can hold up our standard now that he is gone. People are focusing on this and not the music, or performance, and we hope that maybe you might help us getting rid of that particular problem by performing a solo, by performing Vivaldi's "L'inverno", as the first violin. So if you want, you may try your luck," Mr. Smith explains. Deeks stares at him. They talked about the possibility, but till last Deeks didn't see it happening. Oh God!
"Really?! No kidding?!" Deeks gets a hold of himself and plays the overly excited musician whose dreams just became reality... though this is Deeks's personal nightmare that became true.
"No, we agreed that you're an excellent performer, and that is what we need, so...," the conductor nods.
"Wow, that'd be... amazing!" Deeks stammers.
"So you want to do it?" Smith asks. Deeks nods vehemently, "Definitely... unless of course this is... uhm, I don't wanna step on someone's toes, you see?"
Because the detective knows that he definitely is, Adrian's namely.
"That is something you have to forget about if you want to be a high class violinist, Mr. Ambrose, always keep that in mind," Smith lectures him, "you can be either a shark or a fish. What will it be, Mr. Ambrose?"
"I definitely want to," Deeks agrees hastily.
"Very well. I'll give the notes to your assistant. The committee and I decided that we shall keep that to ourselves for at least two more days – so that things calm down here, after this... incident," Mr. Smith goes on. Deeks keeps a straight face, "Yeah, of course, that makes sense..."
Katy didn't lie when she said that this guy is solely focused on commerce, and for that he wants a starlet, and that starlet is Deeks now, seemingly.
"I assigned Mr. Carson to your help," Smith goes on, "He knows the tunes, and since we need to pull this off in short time, it's best you practice with someone who knows it well."
Oh well... rationally, this is an opportunity to get closer to Adrian, and therefore closer to tying up the case, but emotionally... Deeks would just love to run. He doesn't want this, at all.
"Not that I mind, but why exactly doesn't just Adrian play it if he knows it already?" Deeks asks.
"Mr. Carson is a pillar, no more, no less. He delivers what he is assigned to, is steady in his play, and strengthens the overall performance, but it's not the pillars people look at, it's the great statue in the center that draws the attention to it," Smith explains.
"Does he know about this yet?" Deeks asks cautiously, because that means he may have to watch out for knives, more boxes, a bomb, shotguns? He would just like to know what to expect.
"We let him know yesterday, yes," Mr. Smith nods. Oh well, that means Adrian just climbed all the way to the top. If he knew since yesterday... best chances that he was the one who manipulated the scaffold.
"Oh, okay," Deeks nods hastily.
"And it's not that we didn't try it with him, Mr. Ambrose, you can rest assured. Mr. Carson got chances many times, but when he is on stage performing for us," Smith goes on, "it's as though all passion's left him. And that is something we can't have for the solo. Such a performance has to move people, but if an unmoved man plays it, how is it going to stir emotional reaction in the audience then, you see?"
"Sure, okay, so Adrian and I will be working overtime, as I take it?" Deeks asks. Extra-work ahead! Yay, sucks!
"We already made up appointments. They are handed to your assistant as we speak," Smith tells him, but then Adrian comes by, so the conductor raises his hand to get his attention, "Ah, Mr. Carson! There you are. On a word?"
Adrian comes over to them, his raven hair falling over his green eyes.
"I just informed Mr. Ambrose about the solo," Mr. Smith says. Adrian nods curtly, but says nothing.
"Do you have time to practice with him tonight?" Mr. Smith questions, keeping up an overly nice tone that makes Deeks's skin crawl.
"Of course," Adrian mumbles in a low voice, though he probably wants to say, "go to hell".
"Very well. Then this is settled," the conductor nods, "Goodbye, gentlemen."
With that the man walks off. Deeks turns to Adrian almost apologetically, "I didn't know about this until just now."
"Just be there after official practice. I want to get over with this," the other man hisses. Deeks makes a face. It's natural that Adrian is pissed, but... if he is a murderer, this means that a murderer targeting him is mad at him. That can't be good. However, before Deeks can contemplate further on the topic, Adrian walks off wordlessly. Kensi comes up to Deeks, "You got the solo?"
"Yeah... I think... I mean...," Deeks grimaces. He still can't believe it. The detective runs a shaky hand through his locks. This feels just so wrong.
"Uhm... congratulations?" Kensi frowns uncertainly. She knows that Deeks, personally, would rather not be assigned that position, but it might be their ticket to Adrian, so it is at least worth a congratulation.
"How did that happen?" Deeks brings out, still staring at the spot where Mr. Smith and Adrian used to stand a few moments ago.
"You were good?" Kensi shrugs.
"... I got the solo... and Adrian's supposed to practice with me," Deeks says, in the hope that verbalizing it makes it less weird, but once he spelled it out, it feels only worse.
"Wow, okay, that can be... dangerous," Kensi winces. Deeks nods, "Mr. Smith said that he knew about this already since yesterday."
"So maybe that's why he attacked you?" Kensi concludes also.
"If he attacked me," Deeks shrugs, "though it's not looking good for him. Well, maybe I get some more insight in practice with him... he'll have to say something, right?"
"Hopefully," Kensi replies.
They will have to see.
Later on, Deeks's special practice begins. And really, Deeks asks himself when his life suddenly became an aura solely revolving around this godforsaken violin. A few days back, he was a detective, working with his partner, over at the NCIS, and now he is... what? At some point he doesn't know anymore. Deeks does something he hates, but it's as Kensi says: there are those moments when he feels a smile creeping to his face throughout the performance, no matter how tiring the repetition is. He catches himself leaning into the touch of the instrument the way he used to, when it was still a sweet escape. And now he is supposed to actually play a solo, in front of all those experts? Deeks hopes from the bottom of his heart that they will close the case before it comes to that incident... he would rather not pee his pants or faint in public... possibly both.
And here he is, with Adrian, who might be the man targeting him, alone... in that private audition room. This is definitely not what Deeks had pictured as a good starting point.
Deeks sits on the ground cross-legged, for minutes now. He just glances up to Adrian, who looks back at him. Staring contest is probably an understatement. Deeks wants the other man to take the initiative, which is why he just waits. He got time, right?
After another minute, Adrian is actually the one to break the silence, visibly fed up with this, "Are you just going to stare or will you start playing?"
"You're the one in command," Deeks shrugs with a smile, "I just wait for my orders."
"Wow... okay... I have no idea why they gave you the solo," the younger man grumbles.
Deeks: "I still don't understand myself. I guess it's the hair," Deeks smirks, but Adrian stays unimpressed, "How often did you play this yet?"
"... couple of times? Well, ever since I got the information from Mr. Parker that this is the program," Deeks shrugs. Adrian grunts, "God."
"I can't help it," Deeks smirks.
"What? You can't help it? You can't even play the classics," Adrian runs a hand over his face, "You're an absolute idiot."
"Yeah, I get that a lot, sadly," Deeks grins.
"I don't know what Smith is thinking... I would have better chances teaching that to a rat," Adrian grumbles.
"You're the one in command, but how is this suggestion: you play it for me once?" Deeks asks tentatively.
"You're supposed to learn it, not me," Adrian rolls his eyes.
"I know that, but I can play it better once I heard it," Deeks explains, and that is actually true. Deeks can play better once he heard it the way it should be, but it also has a very practical reason, he wants to get closer to the man, so he has bring Adrian out of his shell.
"Music-dyslexic, really?" Adrian grunts.
"What-ever," Deeks rolls his eyes.
Adrian lets out a weary sigh before he takes up the violin and starts to play, perfectly, really.
"Wow, you're damn good," Deeks blinks at him. And that is an understatement. Deeks has no clue what the others meant: his play is beautiful, it's perfect.
"Of course," Adrian rolls his eyes as he puts the violin back down.
"I don't know how it is about you," Deeks sighs, "but you should be playing this part, not me."
"But you should be aware that in this orchestra, the committee decides. And it decided against me and for you. So you'll have to live with it," Adrian sighs, and at this point Deeks can't help but feel with this guy. It's obvious that he loves music, loves this instrument. It must be paining to not only be denied your well-deserved spot, but to lose it to a newbie who's not halfway as good? That must be torture.
"Are you never accepting an honest compliment or is it just me?" Deeks grumbles.
"Both," Adrian huffs, and yes, there is actually the faintest of smiles on his lips this time.
"Okay, Boss," Deeks winks at him, "what's next?"
"You play," Adrian demands.
"How 'bout we play together at first? Then I can adjust to the rhythm," Deeks suggests. Adrian shrugs, "Fine, if that helps you – and ends this ordeal."
They pick up their violins. Deeks takes his stance, as does Adrian and they start to play. Deeks can't help but smile. Adrian seems far more relaxed and actually better than he plays in the ensemble. Once they are done, Adrian says, "Better than I thought."
"Thanks," Deeks smirks. That was an actual compliment.
"But you played my second violin," Adrian argues, "as first you have to take the lead."
"I just liked your play," Deeks smiles. And that is truth told. He loves the way Adrian plays.
"Don't get sentimental on me, will you?" Adrian grumbles, visibly uncomfortable to be praised for his skills. This must be really a rare occasion for him.
"I'm just saying that I like your play. No reason to get into your pants about it," Deeks huffs playfully, but Adrian replies simply, "Let's just do it again, this time you alone."
Adrian sits down on his stool while Deeks brings the violin up to his chin. He closes his eyes, trying to ease. The detective has to realize that he feels even more nervous than he does in the ensemble. And it's not because he might be facing a murderer, but because he is impressed with Adrian's skills as a violinist. Deeks tries to shut out everything surrounding him, and then starts to play the solo. Adrian watches him carefully. Once he is finished, Deeks searches the violinists's eyes.
"Your string-work is fine," Adrian says, "but you're always speeding up towards the end."
"Yeah," Deeks nods, but Adrian huffs, "But that doesn't seem to matter anyways. You just smile it away, whatever."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Deeks questions.
"What? Mr. Parker is one sentimental old bastard, let's face it. He's all over you because he likes you and because you touched him in some way... though I don't see how. And Smith just wants to make fast money with you. You're no real violinist, and you'll never be," Adrian accuses him. And now Deeks actually feels offended, "You don't even know me."
"I know your play," Adrian returns.
"Yeah, well, give me credit that I get thrown into this," Deeks argues, "and that I take a bit more time to adjust." Both stare at each other for a while, but then Adrian gives in, "Fine, then play me something you do know, if there is."
"Seriously?" Deeks blinks at him.
"What? You only big talk? That just proves my point," Adrian huffs, but Deeks takes the challenge. He brings the violin back up to his chin and starts to play the piece he wrote himself that he performed for Mr. Parker, giving it everything he has. Adrian looks disapprovingly at first, but then, he closes his eyes, listens, really listens. Once the last tune fades out, Deeks turns to the violinist again, "Still that bad?"
"Well, you're better composer than you are a player," Adrian huffs.
"Whatever," Deeks rolls his eyes.
"... This was a compliment," Adrian says, now almost sheepishly.
"Oh, was it? I thought it was a critique," Deeks huffs.
"I'm not good at this," Adrian admits, flashing an uncertain smile this time... and that guy really has a nice smile, if he ever shows it.
"Yeah, I guessed as much," Deeks smirks.
"It's good, it's really... good," Adrian adds.
"Thanks," Deeks smiles. That surely means something, if Adrian brings himself to it to admit that.
"And you're right that you play this far better than the other things," Adrian smirks.
"Just my point," Deeks chuckles.
"And you can smile it away, that's all that matters," Adrian sighs, waving his hand dismissively. That is when Deeks decides to take a risk and change the course.
"Dude, if you don't want to help me, that's fine. I won't spill to anyone. You can take off, be sure I won't tell a soul. I'll say you practiced all the while, along with me, but stop the attitude," Deeks growls at him. He figures that he has to get Adrian out of his shell, and that might be just it.
Adrian: "Why would you do that?" Adrian blinks at him, visibly shocked at his suddenly harsh reaction... and probably at the fact that Deeks talks back.
"I don't want to play with someone who doesn't wanna play with me. We are in an orchestra. This should be... we should be colleagues, there should be at least some kinda understanding for each other, but this is... only antagonism – and that's nothing that should be there. This only works for like... certain themes where two powers are confronted and fight each other till the bitter end, good and evil, water and fire, God and Satan," Deeks explains, gesticulating wildly, "but in truth, all have to get along to make this work. Or else I can try all I want and won't ever get the harmony right, coz there ain't any. And you should know that even better than I do. You have far more experience and your play's better than mine. No secret to me. I just say that... I won't quit just coz you're pissed. Smith's asked me, so I use the chance, but I won't keep you away from doing your thing. I really don't need that."
There is a long pause. Deeks is actually afraid that he lost Adrian with this... and that he might kill him now, but then he speaks up, "You know Holst's Mars, the Bringer of the War?"
"Yeah... antagonistic," Deeks smirks knowingly. It worked, gladly.
Adrian lifts the bow and starts to play, Deeks joins him immediately. And so they play through all pieces of antagonistic powers, of good and evil, love and hatred, despair, passion, rivalry and jealousy. Both literally sink into the music, allow it to be the extension of their feelings, allow to be carried away by it, to a place no one can follow. Once they are finished, both are sweat-soaked.
"You're so damn good, man...," Deeks laughs, wiping a hand over his face. He really is.
"Has been... some time since I played Mars last," Adrian gasps, actually looking... happy for once.
"I take it that it's your favorite," Deeks asks curiously.
"Used to. Now it's no longer...," Adrian shrugs, his voice growing mute. He suddenly puts his violin back into the case and grabs his things, "I think we're done for the day."
"So we continue?" Deeks asks, actually hopefully.
"Yeah," Adrian nods, not meeting Deeks's eyes, "I gotta go."
He walks to the door, but then turns around one last time, "Ambrose?"
"Yeah?" Deeks blinks at him.
"Thanks for playing this with me. First time it made... fun again," Adrian admits, and with that he takes off.
Deeks stands there, feeling lost.
Is that guy really what he seems to be?
Is he the murderer?
Or just someone who is at war with the world?