Disclaimer: The characters of N.C.I.S. Los Angeles are property of CBS
One month later: US Naval Support Souda Bay, Greece -
"Deeks." Callen said sternly.
"Callen let it go, alright. I'm not staying on the base, I'm going with you guys." Deeks said.
"But you haven't fully recovered." Sam said.
"The doctor said that I'm good as long as I take it easy." Deeks said.
"Have you ever taken it easy?" Kensi asked Deeks.
Deeks shot Kensi a stay out of this look. Sam spoke up next, and it was an unwise question to ask.
"I understand that you want to save your son, but is doing so in your current state really worth it?" Sam asked.
It was Kensi turn to glare daggers, followed by Callen speaking again.
"What good is it to save you son, but possibly dying in the process?" Callen asked.
"Callen, shut up!" Deeks snapped. "When you have a relationship that last longer than 2 years then you talk to me about my health: both physical and mental. I went through some rougher patches on this mission while you were undercover."
Callen and Deeks got into a staring contest; which was broken up by Kensi and Noa pulling the two agents apart. Deeks turned and took a shot on Sam.
"And you Sam, making concerns about my health; even you couldn't keep you head in the game when Michelle was undercover with Sidorov."
Sam got pissed that Deeks made a low blow, but Sam decided to walk away. Nothing Sam could say in his defense that would justify his actions. Callen was about to comment, but Noa had stopped him and dragged him from the room. Deeks felt the strain of the argument beginning to wear on him, so he sat down in the closes chair.
Deeks pulled out a medicine bottle, pulled out a pill, and replaced the cap. Deeks put the bottle back in his jacket pocket, and then took the pill straight. Kensi found some water and gave to Deeks so he wouldn't suffer any adverse side effects.
"If you go you won't be on the front line." Kensi said.
"What?" Deeks asked.
"I'm pretty sure you took a major beating besides what happened in Ulm, but I'll be darned if I'm going to let my husband get into the thick of things." Kensi said sternly. "If you go, which it has been cemented after that display, you are hanging back in overwatch with Quintus."
"Yes Kens." Deeks said, his demeanor that of a scolded child.
Kensi felt that she was more harsh than necessary; albeit, she wanted Deeks to understand that Sam and Callen weren't wrong.
"There not wrong you know." Kensi said, as she sat down on Deeks lap, straddling legs.
Deeks shot Kensi a shocked look, and then recovered.
"I know they're right. I admit that I should still be in a hospital bed, but we don't have the luxury of a full recovery." Deeks said.
"Why?" Kensi asked.
"By now Janus has already began consolidating his forces, and resources. We don't have much time to waste." Deeks said.
Kensi thought about Deeks words and then got up off his lap. Deeks miss the closeness and her warmth, but knew that they needed to get moving. The couple left to go find Callen and Sam, or Sasha and Tanner.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Callen, Sam and Noa found their way to the chow hall, and sat in silence; contemplating the conversation that they just left. Sam and Callen drank their beverages in peace for a time, and then Noa spoke up.
"Going out on a limb, seeing as how I just met Deeks a month ago, but I think he understands the risk; but I also think there is more to the story that we may have missed." Noa said.
This got the agents attention.
"How so?" Callen asked.
"Well it has been two weeks since Deeks has been able to move around without the assistance of a cane or a wheel chair, but what has our opponent been doing this entire time?" Noa asked.
"What do you mean by that?" Sam asked.
"Think about it: we have been sitting on our hands while Deeks has been recovering, but what has Janus Koza been doing this past month?" Noa asked.
Before Sam and Callen could understand the implications of Noa's query there was a page that came over the intercom.
"Will Agents Hanna, Callen, and Vega please report to the situation room. I repeat: Will Agents Hanna, Callen, and Vega please report to the situation room."
The three agents got up and made their way to the situation room.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Upon entering the situation room Sam caught the compounds on the screen; all with explosive qualities, and in high amounts.
"What does Koza have in mind for all of that material? If he uses all of it that will make one pretty explosion." Sam said as he approached the center console.
"I was going over the math, and looking at a couple of blue prints I think Koza is going to rig the monastery to blow." Deeks said.
"He's going to blow up St. Cyril?" Callen asked
"Technicality St. Cyril was the name of the monastery in the James Bond movie; the actual name of that establishment is the Monastery of the Holy Trinity." Tanner said.
Callen and Sam shared a look.
"But to put it bluntly yeah he is going to blow the monastery." Quintus said. "The question is when will he do it?"
"That's an easy one." Deeks said.
"Probably when we get there." Sasha said. "Or sometime after that."
"So how are we going to play this?" Noa asked.
"There is another shipment going to the monastery in two weeks from a depot in three hours from here." The base commander said.
"I think it's clear how we're going to infiltrate the monastery." Sasha said.
Callen looked around at the group present and came up with a plan that included everybody present.
"Here's the plan: Sasha and Tanner you two will hunt down Janus and any of his goons; it goes without saying that they aren't allowed to see another day on this earth. Noa and Kensi will look for Hetty and Conor. While Sam and I look for the bomb." Callen said.
"What about Quintus and me?" Deeks asked.
"Quintus is the sniper and you are his spotter. And if there is a problem call it in over the radio, and we will handle." Callen said.
Deeks shot Callen a look, but kept his mouth shut.
"Is there a problem Deeks?" Callen asked.
"Nope." Deeks said.
"Everything will be fine Deeks." Noa said.
Deeks shot Noa a questioning glance.
"What?" Noa asked.
"Deeks and I don't share the same sentiment as you do when the word "fine" is being thrown around." Kensi said explaining her husband's look.
"So when do we leave?" Deeks asked.
"Soon." The base commander said.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Two weeks later: A cargo plane heading to the monastery –
The five agents boarded one of the two cargo planes headed to the monastery without any problems. Deeks found a small corner blocked by a cargo pallet and sat down. He still felt slighted by Callen's decision to place him in a support role, but he had a feeling that it won't go according to plan.
{When has anything gone according to plan when dealing with this man?} Deeks thought.
Kensi found Deeks by himself and joined, more for her sake than his. Noa was bored listening to her boyfriend and his partner talk shop, so she went to join Kensi and Deeks.
"So Noa, how exactly did you meet Callen?" Deeks asked.
"I met Callen while we were both working undercover to bring down a man that was looking to secure supplies to take both you and Sasha out." Noa said.
Deeks took it all in and then grabbed Kensi hand and kissed it. Kensi blushed at Deeks affection, but smiled.
"What?' Noa asked.
"That's how we first met." Kensi said.
"Though our relationship developed much slower." Deeks said, winking at Kensi.
"Hey, there is nothing wrong with how are relationship moved forward." Kensi whined in protested.
"Oh no, there wasn't a problem. Other than the fact that I had your back since day one; you on the other, let me flounder and make my own way without any help." Deeks teased.
"Had to make sure he could stand on his own two feet." Kensi fire back effortless.
"Oh yeah. You we're going to get along just great." Noa said to Deeks.
"Be careful though, Kensi has a nasty jealous streak." Deeks tease Kensi more.
"Speak for yourself: you were the one who walked into a steam pipe on the USS Van Buren because I was getting friendly with one of the crew." Kensi shot back.
"Friendly, huh? While you were in uniform, no less." Deeks reminded Kensi.
"Touché." Kensi said.
"Gold star for Kensi for saying the word in proper context." Deeks said.
"I'm going to leave you two to it." Noa said and then disengaged from the conversation as the couple started to bicker.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Three hours later-
The two cargo planes landed at the monastery: one with the L.A. agents; the other was loaded with Sasha, Tanner, and Quintus. As fate would have it when the infiltration team exited the planes the platform was empty.
"Any other day of the week that might seem strange." Quintus said.
"No time to gawk Quintus; let's move." Deeks said.
The teams broke off into their designated groups and made their way to take down Janus. Noa and Kensi found Hetty without fail, but Conor wasn't with her.
"We found Hetty, but Conor is elsewhere." Kensi said.
"Keep looking." Sasha said.
Sasha and Tanner found a few people in Janus operation and killed them one by one. As Sasha killed the last one Quintus saw something that caught his attention. Quintus took his scope and zoomed in on a flashing light.
"Deeks check this out." Quintus said.
Deeks grabbed his scope and zoomed in on what Quintus was talking about. It took all of thirty seconds for Deeks to realize what he was looking at.
"Callen there has been a development." Deeks said.
"We're kind of busy." Callen said.
"You found the bomb?" Deeks asked.
"Yes." Sam said.
"Well as it would seem there has been a complication." Deeks said. "Stay here Quintus."
"What's the complication?" Callen asked.
"Koza has more bombs planted around the complex." Quintus said.
"Deeks what exactly are you doing?" Kensi asked.
"Can't talk right now." Deeks said, as he was running to the first of the many tiny bombs.
"Deeks I said let us know." Callen said.
"That's not possible." Quintus said.
"How many bombs?" Sasha asked.
"Too many." Deeks said, while still running.
"We can't find Koza, so we're heading back your way." Tanner said.
"We'll be there soon." Callen said.
"No we won't; Deeks I hope you know what you're doing." Sam cautioned.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Deeks said.
Just a he finished speaking Deeks was approached the first bomb. Deeks stared at the bomb for a few seconds, and then recognized the method for disarming the device. Halfway through the disarm Deeks heard a thump come from behind him.
"Thanks for the assist." Deeks said.
"Anytime." Quintus said.
"Deeks there's been another complication." Kensi said.
"Aren't there always?" Deeks asked.
"Not like this." Noa said.
"Let me guess: Conor is currently being held by Janus?" Deeks asked.
"How did you know?" Sam asked.
"It was the only logical outcome." Sasha said.
"We're approaching the courtyard now; mostly like on the far side." Tanner said.
Sasha and Tanner entered the courtyard and started to tackle the task of disarming the bombs. They were about half way through the task when they heard.
"Big bomb diffused, heading back up top." Sam said.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Kensi and Noa made their way back to the helipad, with Hetty, when they heard.
"Mommy?!"
Kensi and Noa drew their guns and pointed them in the direction of the young voice. When Kensi, Noa, Hetty looked in the direction of the voice they saw Conor, who was being flanked Janus. When Janus saw Kensi, Hetty and Noa he pulled a gun and pointed it at Conor, as he picked Conor and used him as a shield; Kensi almost flipped her lid when she saw that.
"We have a new problem." Noa said over the wire.
"That you do." Janus said.
When Conor realized what was going he started to cry.
"Shut up boy! You might still live through this." Janus said.
"Janus just took Conor hostage." Kensi said.
There was a delay before Noa spoke.
"He picked Conor up in his arms and is using him as a human shield."
It took all of thirty seconds before Sasha and Tanner to disengage and make their way over to and draw their guns on Janus. Janus was waiting for the rest of the infiltration team attempting to buy some time, but upon seeing Sasha he almost lost it.
"How are you still alive?" Janus asked.
"Your people never confirmed my death properly." Sasha said.
Sasha heard something in his ear, and then responded.
"Doing it as we speak."
"How did you all get the best of me?" Janus asked.
"It was pretty obvious how we did it, but I think I'm going leave the explaining to somebody else." Hetty said.
Callen got a phone call. He walked over to Janus, put the phone on speaker and place it on the ground, and then went to rejoin the group.
"Hello." Janus said.
"It's so good to hear from you again Koza." A familiar voice said.
"But your dead!" Janus exclaimed upon hearing Granger's voice.
"What did you really see?" Sasha asked.
"And did you even bother to verify the video?" Granger asked.
"I watched you die Owen Granger!" Janus exclaimed.
The team noticed that Janus was becoming extremely agitated: He was breathing rapidly, his gun arm was shaking rapidly; the team thought Koza might shoot, but Koza calmed down and regained his composure. Callen was about to speak, but was cut off by Koza who had pointed his gun at Sasha as he was speaking.
"As much as I did not enjoy this reunion I'm going to have to-"
Koza was cut off as a bullet had ripped through his throat. Koza dropped both Conor, and the gun while grabbing his throat as he fell to his knees; chocking on his blood, as he attempted to stop the blood loss. Conor fell down, and curled into a ball and continued to cry; Kensi holstered her gun and ran over to comfort her son. The group watched as Kensi maternal side came out.
"Nice shot Quintus." Sam said.
"Thanks." Quintus said.
"When did you get here?" Callen asked.
"Five minutes ago." Quintus said
"If you didn't take the shot, then who-"
Hetty cut herself off when she realized the possibility of who could have taken that shot. Quintus pointed in the direction of where the shot came from. The group looked in the direction that Quintus had pointed. They saw a lone figure standing on the roof of the chapel; the man had a mop haircut.
"You always wanted to see my skills." Deeks said.
"Deeks! Get down her now!" Kensi said sobbing.
"Coming Princess!" Deeks said.
Deeks got down off the roof and made it to the group within ten minutes; then was in the arms of his wife.
"Daddy!" Conor exclaimed when he realized that Deeks had joined the group.
Deeks kissed Conor on his head and held him tight, and then he kissed Kensi. Kensi snuggled into Deeks as she held both her husband and son; Deeks shirt was catching the tears of both his wife and son. Noa walked over and snuggled into Callen, and they kissed; Sam walked over to Hetty and shot the breeze; while Sasha was calling for a pick up.
"Now what did we learn from this little endeavor?" Callen asked jokingly.
"Never try something this big without back up?" Noa asked timidly.
"Oh I don't know about that." Sam said. "I didn't know Deeks had that much intelligence to come up with a big plan like this, no offense."
"None taken." Deeks said.
Sasha approached the group and said that their ride would be there in two hours. Callen and Noa broke off from the group and talked shop about life when they get back to Los Angeles. Hetty approached Sam and inquired of the relationship.
"Did I miss something? Who's the new girl?" Hetty asked.
"That is Special Agent Noa Vega, formerly D.E.A.; now she is permanently working with us." Sam said "And she is Callen's ladybird."
Hetty shot Sam a glance, and then walked over to Deeks, who was currently losing feeling in his legs from having both Kensi and Conor sitting on his lap.
"All in all, mission accomplished." Hetty said. "Nice shot by the way."
"Thank you." Deeks said, but sound distant.
"Problem?" Hetty asked.
Deeks just gave Hetty one of her famous stares.
"Should I make the call?" Hetty asked.
"Yes." Deeks said, and then returned his attention back to his wife and child.
"Anybody in particular?" Hetty asked.
"Nate if possible; he'd want to meet his nephew anyways." Deeks said.
Hetty smile at the fact that Deeks consider Nate apart of his family, then again anybody tied to the Office of Special Projects for any amount of time is consider to be family. Hetty walked away to greet the new member of her team. Two hours later the team was on the plane and headed back the support base; from there the long trip back stateside.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Two weeks later: Los Angeles-
Deeks decided to take the rest of the two month recovery period off that he was supposed to take after he was released from the hospital. Most days he spent sleeping; others he spent going out with Conor, Ann, and Julia enjoying the warm weather. Hetty enjoyed having Noa on the team, but something caught Hetty's eye: Nell had more a round belly.
"How far along Mrs. Beale?" Hetty asked.
"Five months." Nell said.
Hetty smiled at Nell and then slowly walked away to see what needs to be adjust since her departure.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
As Kensi was coming home from work she felt worn out. No offense to Noa, but she felt more comfortable with her husband watching her back. As Kensi was approaching the door, it opened and Conor came running out to greet her. Kensi knelt down and picked Conor up in her arms; she stood back up, and walked back into the house holding Conor in her arms. Conor reacted at first, flinching, but relaxed in Kensi arms.
"Relax honey. I didn't mean to scare you." Kensi said.
"I'm sorry mommy, but I'm still-"
"It's okay Conor. Everybody who goes through that kind of experience still feels the trauma after the fact." Deeks said as he approach his wife and child, rubbing his son's head and shutting the front door.
"Trauma?" Conor asked.
"Something you shouldn't have experienced at your age, but I had grandma Hetty call a friend to help you understand that what you went through and help you make sense of everything." Deeks said.
As soon as Deeks finished speaking they heard the doorbell chime.
Deeks opened the door to an old friend.
"Hey Nate." Deeks said.
"Hello." Nate said.
Kensi put Conor down and went to say hello to Nate, while Conor hid behind Deeks.
"So who's this little guy?" Nate asked.
"This our son Conor. Say hello Conor." Deeks said.
"Hi." Conor said shyly.
"It's okay Conor. Uncle Nate will help you get better." Deeks said.
"Okay." Conor said.
"Go ahead and meet me on the back porch." Nate said.
Conor headed to the back porch, and waited for Nate to join him.
"Uncle?" Nate asked.
"Everybody at Ops is considered to be part of our family; Conor even called Hetty grandma." Kensi said.
Nate chuckled when he heard that Conor had called their matriarch grandma.
"Soda or beer?" Deeks asked.
"Soda." Nate said.
"Give one to Conor will you." Deeks said handing Nate two sodas.
"Thanks." Nate said, taking the two sodas from Deeks and headed to the back porch.
Deeks walked over to the kitchen window to watch Nate and his son interact, who accepted the soda from the psychologist. Kensi walked up behind Deeks and smacked him on the butt.
"Oh baby." Deeks moaned.
Kensi and Deeks embraced and kissed each other; then Deeks broke away.
"I know I haven't seen you in a five months, but let's wait until after Nate leaves and Conor has been put to bed." Deeks said.
Kensi smiled slyly and kissed Deeks again. After Kensi turned to walk away Deeks return the slap in kind, with Kensi throwing a pout over her shoulder. Deeks blew Kensi and Kensi exited the room getting ready for the love making session later.
T.B.C.
A/N: The next chapter will be the epilogue, sorry for another short story; albeit, I have a few more tricks up my sleeve to send this story off. The chapter will start with Conor and Nate talking, and will conclude with a few shocking twists.