Thanks for all the new reviews, favorites and followers.

To 'my' guest: I have something else in mind to trigger Deeks' memory, but surfing might have helped too. And don't fret it, your English is far better than my French will ever be.

I'm not sure I ever said it for this story, but I think we all know that I don't own NCIS: Los Angeles, I just enjoy playing with the characters. Here is the next chapter as a proof...

Chapter 10

In the following days they cultivated a kind of routine. Sam came by in the mornings, made breakfast for them all or brought something Michelle had made. Callen teased him about it, saying he would gain some weight if he continued to have breakfast two times a day, cause no one could convince him that Sam wouldn't take the time to still have breakfast with his family. Sam just huffed annoyed. He filled Callen in on what was going on at the work front and relayed instructions from Hetty on what kind of work Callen could do from home, before leaving again for the mission. Callen and Deeks with Monty at their heels then would stroll around Los Angeles and the wider area – Callen did most of his work during the night which went well with his ever present insomnia.

Callen was amazed at how well Deeks knew Los Angeles though it was plain to see how much it irked the man that he knew the city, but had no idea how he had gained said knowledge. Callen had to talk him down several times when he overdid it in his struggle to remember. It wouldn't do to try and force it. Once in a while they met people who knew Deeks, but luckily those confrontations were mostly of the "Hello-Nice-To-See-You-In-Passing" kind which Deeks took in stride with a huge smile and a friendly wave. If they bothered him it didn't show at first, but Callen noticed that Deeks tended to close up after such meetings and needed even more prodding to talk to him.

The one occasion it was a meeting of another kind was with an older man who probably had been homeless for a long time. He had an air around him that was telling to Callen. His clothes plainly said poor, but were nevertheless well cleaned and tended as was the bearer.

The man spotted Deeks who sat with Callen on a bench and admired the cane Sam had brought this morning with regards from Hetty. Monty had settled at their feet right under the bench, dozing.

The man slowly came closer and scrutinized Deeks for a long moment. He didn't look like a threat so Callen let him be, curious at where this one would go. When Deeks finally looked up and their eyes met the old man smiled widely.

"It really is you, I wasn't sure, but no way to mistake those eyes. Look at you, all cleaned up and well fed, it makes my heart happy to see you so. I always wondered what happened to you after you helped me find my daughter and made me live with her and my grandchildren despite of what I thought. And you were so right. We don't have much, but we share it gladly and are happy to be with each other again. Her children are doing well at school and Liam will get a scholarship. I feared to never see you again when the police came and arrested you, but it looks like you got lucky yourself. What happened?"

Callen expected Deeks to evade the question, but to his immense astonishment Deeks slowly got up and embraced the man carefully, but with obvious pleasure. "Edward Martin Stanley, it is so good to see you. And I'm not surprised the children are doing well at school seeing that their grandfather has a major in literature and art. I think Liam's sister Amelia will follow soon and gain another scholarship, you just wait." They took a step back from each other and smiled.

The man put his hands on Deeks' shoulders and squeezed gently. His left hand wiped away a few tears on his own face before carefully ruffling Deeks hair. When he saw the wound he took a good look and Deeks just let him without fuss.

Sam had removed the stitches in the morning to Callen's immense displeasure who had offered to do so the evening before. It had taken both men a while to realize that Deeks was playing them, because he enjoyed their bickering over the fact whom he trusted more and who would do a better job of removing the stitches. Their competiveness was just ridiculous some times. The detective got cheekier each day he spent with them, it was good to see.

Now Edward checked the wound, took in the slightly hunched over posture and the cane Deeks used to take weight of his leg. His eyebrows rose questioningly.

"I got run over by a car some days ago, but I'm on the mend already. And what happened? A lot: I found a social worker, well, got found by one to tell the truth, who took good care of me, made me pull my head out of my ass, got me a job I really liked and now I'm back in the game. It's slow going with a few setbacks once in a while, but its progress all the way."

"That him?"

Deeks grinned at Callen which made the man fear on what his cover story was going to be. With Deeks one never knew. And Callen was still reeling that Deeks had recognized the man without any trouble. They needed to talk about that, see what else he remembered.

"No, my social worker is an older fierce lady who knew how to get the respect she deserved. You would have liked her. This is a colleague of mine. He was curious to see where I roamed when I was homeless and offered to drive us over."

"Jeremy Stanton." Callen introduced himself when Edward turned to him and offered his hand to shake. Callen wondered at how Deeks had seemingly instinctively made up a cover story that was as close to the truth as possible. Well, that he remembered to make up a cover story at all, to tell the truth. Hetty as a social worker, inwardly Callen laughed loudly.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Stanton. You like Artie?" Edward asked and gestured over his shoulder at Deeks.

"I do, though he is a nuisance once in a while."

Edward laughed heartily at that.

"I like you. It's good to meet someone who isn't all high and mighty about those who lived on the street for a while. Those are rare."

The men smiled at each other then turned their heads when a car horn honked. A young man waved from a beat-up looking Sedan.

"That's Liam, I'm afraid I have to hurry, I have an appointment at the hospital, just a routine check-up." he added at Deeks' obvious reaction to that news. "You know where I live, I expect you to visit now that you've settled."

"I will, Ems." Deeks promised and watched as the old man went to his waiting grandson, waving when they drove off.

"It must have been a year ago that we last saw each other and still he recognized me, even with how I look now." Deeks said with wonder in his voice while sitting back down on the bench. For a moment he silently looked on then his gaze settled on the expectantly waiting agent at his side.

"I've known him for about five, no, six years now. Whenever I roam around in my guise as homeless man to maintain it, we meet. I liked him and I always tried to get him and his daughter back together, about two years ago I finally succeeded." Deeks looked understandably proud at saying that. "It's so good to see him like this." Deeks sighed. "The last time we saw each other I got arrested by some overzealous colleagues who didn't know me. They still don't. They had nothing on me but bad attitude so I went my ways again without anyone the wiser. I can see their faces before my eyes, but their names elude me. I never forget names, damnit. And why do I roam the streets in the guise of a homeless man?" the last part came more like an afterthought, whispered pensively.

Monty sensed Deeks agitation, stood up and put his head in Deeks lap. Deeks' hands immediately took over the familiar task of grooming through the pelt. It was soothing. As were Callens' next words.

"Calm down, Deeks, you remembered Edward's name and those of his grandchildren. I bet you even know his daughter's…"

"Winifred. She hated him for naming her after her great-grandmother and… Hey, why are you smiling?"

"You like them. I think that's why you remember their names. You didn't like your colleagues, so those names stay forgotten, for now."

"What does that say about our relationship, Callen? I didn't remember your name or Sam's or Hetty's. You had to tell me."

"That's a mean question, Deeks. I would have to ask Nate or your psychologist, but my guess would be that with Edward its just good memories. You like him, you did something very good for him you're justifiably proud of and there's seemingly nothing bad connected with your memories of him. I and the others on the other hand, sadly there are not only good and nice things to remember, so you don't remember at all."

"But I have to remember, it can't go on like this for eternity, you and Sam have work to do, you're partners and I'm the reason you don't have each other's backs, I…"

"Stop it, Deeks. You will remember, bit by bit, if it must be that way. This is a start, a good one. More will follow, you'll see. And right now it's not a problem. We don't have a case that needs me or Sam to have each other's backs. When it will come to that, Michelle will take over. We'll make it work. Which reminds me – we would like to introduce the two of you, so you have a chance to meet her and get acquainted with her, if that's OK with you."

"Give me some time to think it over." Deeks said, but he knew, there would be no way to avoid this.

They sat in silence for a while before Callen suggested to visit the café again they had found the other day and try some more pie. Deeks happily agreed to that suggestion and later bought a whole pie for Sam to bring to OPS and share with the rest of the team. Mellowed by the good food he even gave his consent to meet with Sam's wife the next day when Kamram would be on a school trip.

They had some time to kill before Michelle would arrive so they looked around for something to do while waiting. Monty was with his dog sitter to get a good run. It was more slow going with Deeks and Callen. Suddenly something caught Sam's eye and he grinned.

"You know, you should finally make good on your plan and go to the barber, Deeks."

"Yeah, you totally should." Callen jumped on board without missing a beat. "It's about time to get rid of that beard and shaggy mop of hair to expose the real you."

Don't overdo it Sam's raised eyebrow clearly told Callen who just shrugged. They had that 'conversation' while Deeks looked at the close by shop that had caught Sam's attention.

"I planned to have my hair cut?" Deeks clearly had some doubts.

"And your beard shaved. You wanted to try something new. And I bet you'll love to be finally rid of all that hair."

Deeks eyed Callen suspiciously. Something was wrong though he couldn't get a clear read on it. Sam wasn't telling either. He just smiled his dimpled smile and gestured towards the barber. "Come on, let's go."

"You're messing with me." Deeks grinned, slightly nervous, though. "I won't fall for it."

"No, we're not. Come on, you'll look great." Callen and Sam stood side by side, arms crossed above their chests and smiled encouragingly at Deeks.

"You two are just unbelievable." Sam and Callen flinched. They hadn't seen or heard Michelle coming up on their backs.

Deeks bemusedly watched as the fierce woman scolded the two men. She had an amused twinkle in her eyes though and neither Sam nor Callen seemed alarmed, so Deeks knew all was good.

But, something stirred in Deeks when he heard her voice that he resolutely shoved into the back of his mind. It seemed after he met Edward the door to his memories never closed all the way and he got glimpses here and there. He didn't like the feeling Michelle's voice caused though and wanted to forget about it. Still a fine tremor ran over his body.

"We are not, we are just trying to give Deeks a new look." Sam hedged.

Callen wisely kept silent and watched Deeks out of the corner of his eye. Something was off, but neither Sam nor Michelle noticed and Callen just couldn't put his finger on it.

"Are you, now?" Michelle shook her head in fond exasperation.

"Don't let those two fool you, Deeks. You look just fine as you are. I'm Michelle, Sam's wife. Nice to meet you." Michelle gave no indication that she already knew the detective.

"Nice to meet you, too." Deeks shook the offered hand without apparent hesitation and with a wide smile. Wrong name, his mind screamed at him, but he tried his best to ignore it. Everything was fine, Callen and Sam would have reacted differently if it wasn't, so everything was fine. "Thanks for the save."

Callen narrowed his eyes at Deeks. Now he was sure something was wrong, but he would ask Deeks about it later without the presence of Sam and especially Michelle. Sam's attention was on his wife and Deeks so didn't notice his partner's reaction to Deeks' behavior otherwise he would have asked about it immediately.

Michelle returned the smile. "You're welcome."

She turned back to her husband and his partner.

"What is it with your obsession with Deeks' hair?"

"I wouldn't call it an obsession." Callen said and got his head back into the game of teasing each other.

They started walking towards a close by park, bickering animatedly along the way.

Deeks seemed to calm down on the way Callen noted to his immense relief. He still made a mental note to check later.