The Little Red Tattoo

Chapter 5

Los Angeles – September 30, 2017

Nell was having one of those days, it was Saturday and she was trying to do fifty things at once. The wedding, a very modest affair, was in a few weeks and she was scrambling to make sure all the little details were taken care of.

Hetty had offered her beautiful estate to the couple and agreed to pay for the catering as her special gift to Eric and Nell, but there was a ton of other things that needed doing.

Their families were flying in from all over the States so hotel rooms needed to be booked, the music was still to be selected, flower arrangements to finalize, on and on it went. She was drowning in it.

Eric was sort of helping out, basically he was trying to stay out of her way and running the odd errand for Nell. He almost went surfing that morning but he thought better of it.

The last thing Nell needed today was s frantic call from Deeks. She was certain he had lost his mind or suffered a stroke, probably both the way he was talking.

"Nell, I saw her, she's here in LA. I saw her. I swear to God, right there across the street from me. She looked right at me, me and Monty. She smiled, I think, a strange smile, yea come to think of it, a really strange smile. Weird, huh? Anyway, yea Monty saw her too. He was barking and wagging his tail, going crazy. I swear, I swear it was her. I'm not crazy, really I'm not. I would never make up something like this, never. Nell, Nell, are you still there?"

"Yes I'm still here. Deeks, take a breath. Who are you talking about? You sound deranged."

"Kensi. Who did you think I was talking about?" He said it almost non-chalantly.

"Kensi! Oh my God, are you sure, I mean one hundred percent sure? Not your kind-of-sure but 'The sun was in my eyes' or 'I'm still hung over from the night before so I think I saw her?' Right, you're absolutely certain Deeks."

"Nell, I know Kensi, I would know her anywhere. It… Was… Her. But like as dummy I didn't move fast enough to catch her. You need to track her fast. Get on Kaleidoscope, the facial recognition program, whatever you guys do or use, but you need to do it now."

He knew he was rambling, so he took a breath and calmed right down and he spoke slower. "Please Nell, I'm begging you. Please help me find her. I know it was her."

"Ok Deeks, I'll get Eric and we will go in and personally start the search. Meet us there as soon as possible. If you are right, I'm calling Sam and Callen in to look for her."

"Thanks Nell, I really mean it. Thank you." Deeks was coming down off his high and beginning to focus. He needed to clear his head and start thinking like a cop. All types of questions were spinning around in his head and he had to sort them out and try and make some sense of this.

He headed home to change and drop off Monty. Deeks was so preoccupied with thinking about Kensi that he missed the freeway exit to his place and ended up going twenty minutes out of his way. When he finally made it home he ran into the apartment, showering fast to remove the smell from the clothes he was wearing, it was a little too much to take into OSP. He wanted Nell and Eric to help him find Kensi not run from the room gagging.

Just before he stepped out the door Deeks knelt down and scratched Monty behind the ears and said "We are going to find her boy, don't you worry. This time she's on my turf and we are going to bring her home."

Monty must have understood completely because he was waging his tail and even licked Deeks' face. "Ok enough, I need to go." Deeks opened the door and sprinted to the car.

The way the police detective weaved through traffic with surgical precision was epic. Arriving at OSP in record time, he leaped from the car and ran into the building and up the stairs. Nell and Eric were already there and waiting for Deeks.

"We started to run the facial recognition program for LAX and then we are going to expand the search area, spiralling out from LA." Nell was typing and completely focused.

She was the Operations Manager but she still could run the systems just as well as anyone.

You have to hand it to them; they didn't waste any time getting to work. Deeks gave them the intersection where he saw Kensi and they began to check for cameras in the area.

"Where has she been for all these years? Why come back now and not call anyone? Are you sure she knew it was you Deeks? Maybe Kensi didn't recognise you in your homeless outfit?" Nell was thinking out loud and Deeks was just staring at the screen.

"I don't know Nell. Kensi would never forget Monty, even if she didn't know it was me. I've been running all these questions and more through my mind since I saw her. Nothing makes sense now, but I know it was her."

"Deeks, there is nothing close enough to get a look at anyone." Eric was working the camera but it was in a section of the city that had the units spread out wide.

"She must have come from one of the streets around the area. Expand the search range for the cameras." Deeks was becoming agitated. He thought they would find her fast and then be able to determine where she was staying.

After about four hours with nothing solid to go on, the techno twins were ready to call it a day.

"Guys I know it was Kensi, I wouldn't make this up. We can't stop now."
"Deeks, come on, we checked and double checked every camera in the area from every angle we can generate. If it was her and I'm not saying it wasn't, but if we can't locate her, we can't track her. Look, the facial recognition will keep running even if we aren't here to watch it. Let's take a break, get something to eat and then hit this with fresh eyes."

Eric was right, they needed to re-group and then look at this again, but Deeks was not giving up so quickly.

"Guys, go do what you need to do. Just show me how to work the program for the street cameras. I'm going to keep looking. I know it was her and I'm going to find her."

"Ok, come downstairs to the other computer. You can set you up there and it will do the job. If you get stuck call us." Nell was already moving toward the door to get the detective setup. What she was about to allow was totally against every protocol in the NCIS book but these were extremely special circumstances.

"So you got it? You should be able to move around the city as you like. We will see you later." Eric was done showing Deeks how the system worked and headed out with Nell.

After about an hour of flipping camera locations and staring at hundreds of people on the streets, Deeks had become frustrated and angry. He got up off the chair and walked around the room to clear his head. He wasn't going crazy. He saw her, it was Kensi. Exhaling loudly and with a new resolve he sat down again and clicked the screen into action. He had expanded the search radius even wider and then there she was. It wasn't a full on head shot but the hat and sunglasses were a match. He noted the location and started to guess which direction Kensi could be going. Several attempts later and then another hit, not as clear as the first but enough for Deeks to get excited. With the last spotting he was able to confirm that she was going into a coffee shop. You could just see the top of the hat, but it fit with every other sighting.

He typed the address into his phone and he was out the door and heading directly for it. The plan was to stake out the coffee shop and surrounding area. Hopefully she would return and he would talk to her and get the answers to the questions that keep bouncing around in his head.


Nell and Eric returned to OSP and Deeks was no where to be found. They sat down and checked the recent camera locations he had visited during his search. Looking at all the same photos he had they didn't really see anything worth pursuing. But Nell knew Deeks and he just wouldn't give up and leave. So she dialled his number.

"Deeks, is everything alright? Where are you?"

"Thought I saw someone or something I recognized so I headed out to look around the area. It's a long shot at best, but I need to try."
"Ok, anything we can do at our end?"

"No, I'm good for now. If this pans out I'll call you. Thanks Nell for all your help. Sorry I ruined your Saturday. I owe you and Eric one. "

"No worries Deeks, call me tomorrow and give me an update."
"Will do."

Deeks walked into the coffee shop and looked around noting all the customers in the place. Ordering a coffee he stepped back into the street, scanning the sidewalk on both sides looking for a strategic place to sit and watch. This was probably a waste of time, but if she was in the area, this could be the coffee shop she likes to frequent. It was worth a shot, better than sitting around the apartment doing nothing.


Kensi was lying in her bed, completely naked, with sweat running down her face and covering her completely. With the color of her skin as a back drop, her body glistened from the beads of water resting gently on her. The next few hours were going to be bad as a severe headache was coming on strong and the pills were no longer working like they once did. The pain was unbearable, at times coming in strong waves. It felt like her head was actually going to split open any second. The scar on the side of her head was hot and painful as well. It had been bothering her more and more lately, but today was the worse it had ever been.

She finally fell asleep after taking a second pill, something she was not suppose to do. Within minutes of falling a sleep the nightmare began. It was the same one she has every time one of these massive headaches overwhelmed her.

Waking up screaming, with her heart pounding she jumped out of bed and ran into the washroom to throw-up. She knew better than to take two pills, but what was done is done. Turning on the shower she stepped in and let the cool water wash over her. Fresh air was what she needed now, so getting dressed the Red Scorpion stepped out for a walk.

These pills threw her off her game, causing her head to become foggy and slowing down her reactions, so wearing a disguise to conceal her identity didn't even enter her mind.

It was dark and cool outside the hotel and it did help somewhat with the pain. Moving slower than normal as she walked the streets, taking in the sights and sound of LA, she soon found herself in front of the coffee shop from earlier that day.

That's what I need, some coffee. The caffeine should wake me up. That idea was clear in her head and so in she went.


It was early morning in Istanbul and Sabatino was on the phone with Mattias. The conversation was very one sided. Mattias was fuming mad at the latest turn of events in LA.

"I have lost contact with my man in Los Angeles and that can only mean one thing – she has killed him. This mission better not be compromised because the consequences for you would be very grave indeed.

"Mattias calm down. There could be any number of reasons your man is not responding to your calls. I will contact her and find out."
"You do that. But I suggest you take the next flight to LA. I want you to personally ensure the mission is completed as I have requested. If you must, then do it yourself. The statement must be made as I have directed."

Sabatino just stared at the phone in his hand and shook his head. Why did he send someone to keep tabs on her? Now this could go into the toilet if she thinks something is off or if she's being followed.

One thing Mattias was right about, Nick Boatsina better be on the next flight to LA and finish the job himself if he had to.


Deeks was done for the day. With the amount of coffee he had ingested he was pretty sure he was pissing straight caffeine. Giving his head a shake and rubbing his eyes he decided to head home, tomorrow the stake-out would resume again, but for now it was time to get some rest. When his eyes re-focused, there she was, not ten feet in front of him buying coffee.

He was frozen on the spot, just looking at Kensi, in total disbelief and not knowing what to do next. The people around him all moved in slow motion, like in the movies and he was in the center of the store just watching the events unfold but not really being part of the action. The moment that he had dreamt about for years was finally here and he didn't know what to do. She had purchased the coffee and then sat down at a small circular table at the back of the shop with her back against the wall. She looked different, her hair color had been changed and cut short, she seemed fit and muscular and her skin was well tanned. She was beautiful and it was Kensi, or her twin sister or one fantastic, unbelievable doppelganger.

He reached for his phone and was going to dial Nell but realized that the battery was dead. He would call her later once he had more information.

Only one way to find out what is going on and that was to go over and talk to her. So willing his legs to move, he made his way to her table.

Sitting down at the chair across from her he said "Hi princess, remember me?"

"No. Who are you and why are you sitting here?" She was a little annoyed at the intrusion. She wanted to sit and clear the fog in her head.

Deeks was looking into her eyes and realized she wasn't joking. Kensi had no knowledge of who he was. What was going on? Deeks needed more information so he was going to play along and find out what he could about this person.

"Really, you don't remember me. All the good times we had together. Gone, not one memory?"

"Again, no. Were we lovers, because if we were, obviously you weren't very good if I don't remember you."

"Touché princess, touché." He replied smiling.

She smiled back and asked, "What's your name? Maybe that will help me." Taking a sip of the coffee as she relaxed and began enjoying the company.

"Deeks and you really don't remember me?"

"Deeks? Sorry I really don't know you, but you're sure we have met before?"

"A long time ago, so what's your name?"

"You said we were lovers and now you don't know my name. Very strange Deeks."

"Ok I actually never said we were lovers, but the last time we were together I called you Kensi."

"Sorry, it's Helen. I'm from Canada and here for a convention." She was starting to like this guy and there was something about him that put her at ease.

"Ok Helen from Canada, what do you do when you're not in LA drinking coffee?"

She tilted her head to the side and just looked at Deeks. She was staring into his eyes and trying to figure out who he was. Reaching out with her hand she brushed his hair off his face. She wasn't sure why she did that, however it felt right doing it.

"You're very good looking. I would have remembered you." A flash of a memory, but it was too fast and too short. She shook her head and brushed it off.

"God your eyes are so blue." Helen was stroked his cheek as she looked at Deeks.

Ok this definitely isn't Kensi. No way! Was the only thought running through his head.

Looking closer he could see she was on something. If she's on drugs, that would explain part of her behaviour but not the lack of memory. Could she have amnesia? I guess anything is possible. Ok I need to get her checked out by a doctor, but how?

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Oh sorry, just remembering how beautiful you are. Want to get something to eat?"

"I am hungry, but not for food." The look on her face was one he hadn't seen before.

"What do you have in mind, Ke…sorry, Helen?"

"Why don't you take me home, lover." She said in a low sultry voice.

She leaned across the small table and kissed him slowly, softly, running her fingers through his hair and pulling him to her. The kiss was passionate and he hungered for more as it stirred emotions in Deeks he had buried deep a long time ago.

Helen felt herself craving more and more as the kiss lasted longer and longer.

She pulled back just enough to allow her to slide up to his ear and whispered "If you take me home I promise I will rock your world." Biting his earlobe ever so gently before she sat back down.

Deeks was truly speechless, just looking into her eyes and wondering what just hit him.

"Come on let's go make some new memories. Maybe if you're really good this time I will remember you." Helen winked and stood to leave the coffee shop.

As she was moving toward the door she had a though; it must be the pills making me feel like this, but I'm definitely enjoying it. Her head was starting to clear up somewhat but it still wasn't a hundred percent yet.

Deeks couldn't believe what just happened but if she wanted to go to his apartment, it was the perfect place to start dealing with her amnesia. He would be able to contact Nell and get her and Eric over as well.

Jumping out of his seat, he moved quickly to catch-up to her. She was already outside waiting for him with a big smile on her face.

"I was afraid you had changed your mind."

"Not a chance princess. Nothing is going to stop me from taking you home tonight."

She took his hand and they started to walk towards Deeks' car.

This felt good, very good to both of them, maybe a little too good for Helen. She was not one to behave on emotion, but this was different, he was different. She couldn't ignore what she was feeling and the fact that these feelings were intensifying by the minute. Passion, lust, desire, wanting all for this man she had just met.

One thing was certain it was going to be a hell of a night.


I've been trying to get this out for a few days but too many things happening.

So what do you think? The reviews have been great and they keep me moving.