A/N Thanks To everyone who has read & reviewed, followed and favored my story. It means so much to me. Also thanks you so much to cat4444 for putting up with me and giving me even more ideas for this chapter and more to follow.

Chapter 2

Kensi sat at her desk, her knee mindlessly bouncing as she glanced up at the clock, then to her partner's empty desk. It was Deek's style to be late, but it was almost an hour. Sam and Callen were already in the gym. Kensi had booked herself and Deeks some time at the shooting range since she had to retake her marksmanship recertification test later that day, and Deeks had promised that he would practice with her. Standing, she rolled her eyes, looking at her partner's desk, knowing well enough he had probably spent the night at the bar, and, hung over, he just forgot about her. She began to chew her lip; Deeks had never let her down like this before, and it hurt more than she ever thought it would. Her jaw clenched as she pushed away from her desk, deciding to fire off a few rounds to clear her head.

Deciding not to wait any longer, she pushed her chair into her desk and headed for the shooting range, pausing when she heard Hetty's strained voice say, "I understand, Detective Bates." The Operations Manager walked toward her, cell phone to her ear. She didn't look impressed; holding her hand up, she motioned for Kensi to stay where she was. "Yes, I will send someone over to check."

After listening to what Detective Bates had to add, Hetty remarked, "No this is news to me."

She paused listening intently to the Detective on the other line. "No he has not signed his forms to join us." Kensi felt her stomach drop; she knew her partner was still struggling with the idea to join NCIS. Hetty shook her head listening to the Detective on her phone. Closing the phone, she looked at Kensi. "Miss Blye."

"Yes, Hetty?" Feeling uneasy, Kensi folded her arms, and looked around; hoping Callen or Sam would take some of the tension off.

"Would you please go to Mr. Deeks' residence, and check up on him?" As Hetty slid her phone into her pocket, Kensi opened her mouth to ask why, but, before she could say anything, Hetty continued, "He resigned from the LAPD this morning. Detective Bates called me to ask if I knew what was going on."

Kensi felt like she had just walked into a wall. Deeks? Resign from the LAPD? She knew her partner, and she never thought he would do something that rash. She shook her head, snatching her jacket; at least she thought she knew him. She ignored the banter coming from Sam and Callen as they entered the bullpen. Hetty would deal with them.

As she hurried to her car, so many thoughts flashed through her mind. Had they been so tough on him that he would quit? Did she say or do anything to hurt him? She tapped her finger on the steering wheel, she had openly flirted with him, but she hadn't meant anything by it, he knew that. She swallowed hard; at least she hoped he knew it. Besides, she thought, he was seeing that bartender, but she blanked on her name. Slamming her hand on the steering wheel, she tried to recall her name, Tina . . . Tammy . . . something that started with a T. Grinding her teeth, she turned onto the street where Deeks' apartment was located.

As she pulled into the parking lot, she saw that his parking stall was empty. Sucking in her breath, she took the steps to Deeks' apartment two at a time. His door was just before her. Raising her hand to knock, she paused. What would she do if he answered? What could she say to convince him to stay?

"He's gone," a soft voice said, making her turn. An older lady holding a white fluff ball of a dog approached Kensi. The lady smiled at her and continued, "Martin's gone."

"I'm sorry?" she questioned.

"He paid out two months' rent and cleaned out his apartment last night." She scratched the dog behind the ear.

"Did you see him? Did he say anything?" Kensi felt a bubble work up her throat as she tried to control her emotions.

"No, I talked to him on the phone." She looked off into space, shrugging her shoulders. "Said he'd send a moving crew to clean out his things and that he was leaving something inside for a friend to pick up. I can let you in if you'd like."

"Thanks." Kensi assumed he left whatever it was for her, something to tell her what he was doing. She waited for the woman to return with a ring of keys.

Opening the door, Kensi looked at the empty apartment, everything was gone except for a cell phone, watch, badge, and a yellow piece of paper on the counter. Kensi stepped inside; until now she had been worried for him. Anger washed over her as she picked up what he left behind. She tightened her grip around the letter, not wanting to read it. He was such a coward to do this. She thought she knew him, but she was wrong. Putting his things in her pocket, she again thanked the woman and left.

Arriving at the Mission, she felt sick to her stomach. Sam was sitting at his desk and stood up when she entered, waiting for her to say something. Shaking her head at him, she headed into Hetty's office. She could see the disappointment on the older agent's face as he sat back down. She knew Sam had some troubles with Deeks, but she knew he respected him.

Callen sat talking quietly with Hetty; he didn't seem pleased with what they were discussing. "Miss Blye, any news on Mr. Deeks?"

Kensi handed over what was left of her partner, "He's gone, his apartment is cleared out. This is what he left behind, and a note I haven't read yet."

Callen muttered under his breath, pushed the chair back with too much force and walked out. Hetty took the small trinkets; thanking Kensi. Opening the letter, Hetty read it quietly to herself. Shaking her head, she handed the letter to Kensi. "This is for you, not me."

Kensi reached for the paper, in no mood to read Deeks' sorry excuses for leaving. Walking back to her desk, she dropped down in her chair. Sam was quietly talking with Callen; he glanced at her giving her a 'You good?' nod. She shook her head; no she wasn't good. He left her a note, wasn't even man enough to tell her to her face. No, right now all she wanted to do was track him down and beat him into submission.

She stared at the yellow piece of paper. Too upset to read it, she folded it up and tucked it into her back pocket. She didn't want to be bothered by this right now. Yet again, she was left alone, and she really didn't care what her partner thought.

A whistle broke her musing; Eric stood on the landing staring down into the bullpen. "We got one." He turned and walked up the stairs. As the junior agent watched, she noted his slow movements. She knew Deeks had gotten close to the tech over the last year. She ground her teeth; he hurt a lot of people. Standing, she followed Sam and Callen up the stairs.

Nell was talking softly to Eric, who looked like hell. Kensi tried not to stare; tried to keep her focus on Hetty. Sam stood to her right; his presence enough to keep her in check.

"Petty officer Shane Redington washed up this afternoon." Hetty spoke, her hands clamped behind her back. An image of a young man flashed on the screen. He had soft brown eyes and short hair. Kensi found herself frowning as she stared at his face. "He was reported missing two weeks ago by his commanding officer. The coroner has not released his report on the cause of death, but police on scene confirm he looked to have been tortured. Petty Officer Redington work on some highly classified cases for the Navy. We need you to find out if anything was leaked."

"Kensi, go to speak with his commanding officer, Sam and I will check out his house." Callen directed, then, looking at the two techs, said, "Dig up everything on the Petty Officer two weeks before he went missing. Let me know if anything jumps out."

Everyone went to do what they needed to do. Kensi spent the afternoon with Redington's commanding officer, and learned nothing useful to the investigation. She did learn that he was bright and heading up the ladder already as he had a promotion lined up, but that was before he went missing. He was liked by his team and was an all-around good guy.

She headed back to the Mission, no closer to any answers, and found herself driving by Deeks' favourite spot to surf. Pulling into the parking lot, she stared out over the water, watching the waves roll in. She couldn't help but think about her partner, wonder where he was, if he was thinking about her. She chewed on her lip; the letter was burning a hole in her pocket. She felt maybe now would be a good time to read what he had to say.

Kensi,

Hey, by now you know I resigned. Well, no offence partner, but I just couldn't hack it; I couldn't be one of you guys. I couldn't be a good cop, a good lawyer, or a good son. I fail at everything I try; everything I touch.

Kens, don't worry about me, I feel much better now.

MD

Crumpling up the piece of paper, she tossed it across the car, crying out as she slammed her hands against the steering wheel.

When Deeks regained consciousness again, it was without the anger he felt the first time. Instead every muscle in his body rippled with the after- effects of the electrocution. His muscles twitching with such force, he was pulled from the darkness. A whimper slid out before he could stop it.

The pain in his wrists and shoulders were the first thing he noticed outside of the twitching. Slowly opening his eyes, he found he was no longer in the small room but, rather, a much larger, white-tiled room. No windows graced the walls. The small white tiles were stained green half way up the wall, and smelled strongly of mold. His feet dragged across the cold floor. He hissed at the pain caused by his movement in looking around; his arms supported his weight while his body swayed slightly, turning in half circles. He knew he needed to take the weight off his arms, but, at that precise moment, his legs decided to ignore his commands to stand.

Sweat dripping into his eyes; his body began to shake from the strain on his shoulders. Clenching his jaw, he stared at his legs. His right leg shook slowly as it dragged across the floor. He was too high to place his foot firmly on the floor, but he was able to reach it with the tips of his toes. As his right leg snapped into place, some semblance of balance returned, at least until his body shifted and he lost control, crying out as he began to twist again. His shoulders strained, threatening to pop out of their sockets.

Panting, he concentrated again. His right leg moved, and he let out a giddy laugh when his left foot twitched, finally obeying his urgent need for balance. Now that he could control his balance, the strain on his shoulders eased. He concentrated on keeping his weight properly distributed so as not to start twisting again.

His delicate balancing act was lost when his concentration was broken by a small man pushing a squeaking cart into the room, the metal clanking on the swinging door. The noise made Deeks quickly glance up, the sudden movement causing his left foot to slip out. The pain was excruciating. Trying to bite back a scream, it still slipped past his dry, cracked lips.

The man stopped; his blue eyes appeared even larger as the thick glasses magnified them. He looked genuinely surprised by Deeks being awake. He muttered softly to himself, shaking his bald head. He walked past Deeks quickly, his feet shuffling until Deeks was sure he was gone. That thought was quickly dispelled when chains rattled behind him, lowering him just enough to stand, but not enough to let his body relax from the strain.

"Told them, not to bring you here," the man softly remarked when he walked past. "Needed rest you did, treatment could wait."

He returned to his cart, pushing it closer to Deeks. A small array of syringes were laid out, together with two small vials; one blue, the other clear. The man clicked his tongue, touching each object several times before he stopped.

"Almost ready, almost time." He looked up at Deeks, pushing his glasses up his nose, repeating the same movement several times before he relaxed. "New subject, promising."

His hands touched Deeks' stomach; the man's fingers were warm. Again, the man touched the same spot repeatedly. Deeks stared in amusement; the guy wasn't all there upstairs. And with his OCD, thick glasses, and the heavy plastic apron he wore, Deeks thought he could pass as a mad scientist. He smirked at that thought.

"Hey," Deeks found his voice, making the man jump back looking horrified; shaking his head the man covered his ears.

"Nope, I won't listen to them." He stepped back, not looking at Deeks. "The words lie."

The man backed out of the room, the door clicking as the latch engaged. Deeks stared at the door, confused by the strange man's actions, then moved his gaze to the cart he had left behind. If he could pull it closer, maybe there was something there he could use.

However, the doors snapped open again, and the mad scientist walked back in. He looked almost mischievous; his thin, cracked lips curled up in a tight smile. Following behind him were the Rat and a tall woman.

The woman's sharp, exotic features made Deeks stare a little longer than he should have. Her skirt was just past the top of her thigh, exposing long muscular legs. Her silk blouse open just enough to show off the black lace of her bra. The way she stood, he knew she was also very dangerous and would not hesitate to crush anyone who got in her way. Her ruby red lips curled up, knowing that he was admiring her beauty. She purposely tossed her thick black hair to the side, her pale blue eyes taking him in completely. Realizing what he was doing, he broke his stare. She was dangerous, and he was her prisoner.

"Are you ready, Simon?" She spoke with a thick European accent, and Deeks concluded that English was not her native tongue.

The mad scientist shook his head. Returning to his cart, he kept his head down. Filling two syringes, he began clicking his tongue again, then placed the syringes down as his OCD kicked in.

The Rat looked at the mad scientist, annoyed by his actions, while the woman moved closer to Deeks. Her stiletto heels clicking against the tiles.

"Martin Deeks," she ran her manicured nails slowly over his ribs.

He tried to stepped back, instead it caused strain on his arms he was defenceless against her touch. "Yeah," he croaked out.

Leaning in, whispering in his ear, she breathed, "I know everything about you, Mr. Deeks." She smelled strongly of Chanel, cigars, and another underlying scent he couldn't quite identify. Her breath warmed his neck, making him shiver; he couldn't see her smile, but he knew she was enjoying this. "I have watched you for a long time, Mr. Deeks, and I went to great lengths to obtain you."

She stepped back, her tongue smoothed over her lips, as her hands dropped to her hips. "An only child, mother died of cancer. Your father dead, but not before you shot him. Being bounced around from home to home. No one wanting you, no one caring for you. Studied law, but you didn't fit in there either, not wanted. LAPD took you for a bit, but they soon tossed you aside like a piece of trash. But you found something with NCIS, didn't you?" She stuck out her bottom lip, pouting.

"Then you know they will find me." The words burned in his throat.

She sucked her lip back in. Looking around, her lips curled up into a smile, showing her perfectly white teeth. Her laughter filled the room, and, just as quick as it started it stopped. Her face went rigid, "No, no one is coming for you. Just like everyone else in your life has done, you have been left for the wolves."

Deeks didn't feel too good at that moment. The mad scientist looked at the woman, and she nodded; he picked up an alcohol swab and moved toward Deeks.

"What are you doing?"

"Drugs," she tucked her hand under her chin, enjoying things far more than he was. "You see, that little cocktail will help you through all this. You survive, you can stay; I'll give comforts, freedoms. You fail . . . Well, I guess things won't be so pleasant."

Simon rubbed Deeks' thigh with the alcohol swab. Sticking his tongue out, he jammed the needle into the muscle of Deeks' leg. Deeks bit his cheek, trying not to let his fear of needles show. The injection point began to burn; he swore he could feel the drugs crawl up his leg. The burning sensation crept up his chest, then moved into his lungs, restricting his breathing. His heart felt like it was ready to explode from his chest. His mouth opened in shock, but instead of the scream he wanted to force out, his throat constricted, blocking any sound. His body shook, but it didn't hurt. In fact, nothing hurt anymore. A renewed strength washed over him. He stared at the woman; she flicked her nails, unimpressed.

He didn't feel the second needle enter; he still struggled to figure out what was happening with his body. He felt renewed strength, but his mind quickly filled with a haze. He lost any coherent train of thought; he was lost and he couldn't help himself.

He could hear their voices, but the words made no sense to him. Their images blurred, quickly coming into focus only to fade away again. He gave his head a shake.

"I think he is ready," the female spoke, her words blending together. "Prep him. We'll start easy, and see how he copes."

He could feel his body relax as his arms were released and dropped to his side. His legs throbbed, wanting to move. A face came into view, a long face. He didn't know why, but he filled with rage. His body wanted to tear the man apart. His body tensed. As he pulled against his bonds, the man stepped out of his view. But it didn't matter, he knew he was there. His muscles tightened. He wanted vengeance. Stepping forward, he turned. The room began to come back into focus. He moved until he could clearly make out the Rat standing nearby, his hand raised, holding a small black box.

At that moment, he didn't care. He wanted to feel the Rat's neck snap in his hands. He took a step toward. The rat dropped his thumb down. Deeks ignored the muscle spasms from the electricity. His neck jerked and tightened. He grunted in protest, but he still pushed forward. The Rat looked terrified and rightfully so. Lunging forward, Deeks grabbed the Rat's arm and, with a quick spin, he drew it over his shoulder. Digging his fingers into the soft flesh of the wrist, he pulled down. The black box fell to the floor. Kicking the box away with his feet, the pain subsided. The man's arm strained. His cries made Deeks smile. Applying more pressure, Deeks heard the distinct sound of bones breaking. The man roared in pain, and Deeks loved it. He snapped his head back, silencing the cries. The man dropped to the floor. Deeks turned, staring at the body. The man had hurt him, had taken him and drugged him. He didn't deserve to breathe the same air. Deeks glared; his fingers slipping around the Rat's thin neck. He squeezed. He didn't care an ounce about the life he was slowly taking away.

The Rat fought against him. His good arm scratched at Deeks' chest and arms. Deeks stuck his knee into the Rat's chest, holding him down.

The rage began to focus Deeks' thoughts on the pains and betrayals of his past. He heard the rage whispering to him: "Take back what they all took from you, Marty. Your father, the teachers, all those police officers, your so-called friends. Take back what belongs to you."

His panting breaths came heavily as he looked into the terrified eyes staring back at him. The Rat's face reddened as he struggled to breathe. Something snapped in the back of Deeks' mind. He wasn't a murderer; he wasn't a monster. His hands snapped back, releasing the throat they'd been coiled around. The Rat gasped for air, holding his neck. Deeks shook, staring at his hands. What was wrong with him?

"Damn it," the woman barked. "Simon, it's not strong enough. His emotions are getting in the way. Strengthen the dose; the fight is tomorrow, and you'd better have him ready." The female sounded agitated.

Deeks couldn't stop staring at his hands.

Hearing a voice say, "You son of a bitch," made him look up. The Rat stood in front of him, holding his broken arm protectively against his chest.

TBC