Germany-
Sasha and the raid group were cleaning up the site when Granger was calling for an update.
"Hello." Sasha said.
"What's the word?" Granger asked.
"The base has been secured, and all information is being sorted and declassified." Sasha said.
"Agent Deeks said that there was a base in the U.S.; see what you can find." Granger said.
"I'll coordinate with the people here, and your people back in D.C. to get the location." Sasha said.
"Keep me posted." Granger said, and then disconnected the call.
"Cross-reference the information here for any locations in the U.S." Sasha says to one of the people pouring over the information.
"Yes." The person said.
Sasha went to get an update from Tanner and Quintus on when they would be ready to move out when they had the information.
"Tanner." Sasha said.
"What's up?" Tanner asked.
"How soon can we move out when we get the information?" Sasha asked.
"It will take some time. Even the state side team won't be ready to move for a day or two once we find the location. But when we do find the location we will be out on the next flight back to the states." Tanner said.
"Keep me apprised of the situation." Sasha said.
Sasha walked away to get an update from the other team leaders to see if they found any other leads on possible cells.
Don't want to take any chances with this group. Sasha thought
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Los Angeles-
Kensi and I leave work, but we make a pit stop before heading home. It takes me a little bit to figure out where we're going, but I figure it out when we stop at the second light.
"The kids still going to Julia's?" I ask.
"Yes they love spend time with our mothers." Kensi said, looking at me with a smile.
"Good." I say.
There was silence for a time. I want to ask, but I'm not sure how to ask the question. Kensi picks up on my hesitation.
"Clair wants to meet you. She has seen pictures of you, and is intrigued by your… shagginess." Kensi says.
"Ha. Ha." I say.
The ride to Julia's house was made in silence, but I'm nervous. It's been five years since I've seen my mom and Julia. They will be happy to see me, but I've just been gone too long.
"Everybody will be happy to see you." Kensi said, as if reading my thoughts.
"So we're picking everybody up now, and then heading back to our place?" I ask.
"Yep." Kensi said.
"What time is the party?" I ask.
"Six." Kensi said.
I look at the clock and see that it's four thirty. I just get lost in the scenery as we finish the drive to Julia's house. As we pull up outside the house and park I freeze in my seat. I can't do anything except just stare out the windshield.
"Stage fright?" Kensi asked.
"More or less. I've dreamed of this day for years, but now that I'm here I don't know what to do." I say.
Next thing we hear is a knock on the window. We both turn to see that it's Julia. Julia sees me and gets teary eyed. I turn back to Kensi as Julia yells back for Ann to come out here.
"Moment of truth." Kensi says.
"No time like the present." I say.
I get out of the car and Julia wraps me up in a big hug.
"Daddy!" Conor says.
"Daddy." I hear my daughter say.
"Baby!" Ann exclaimed.
Julia moved out the way just in time as the Clair and Conor come racing down the dive way and leaped into my arms. I kiss both of my kids and hold them tight. I don't want to let go of them, but my mother is waiting. So I let them go, and go hug my mother. I know my kids and Julia were ecstatic to see, but my mother is… well there are no words to describe my mother's happiness at seeing me alive again. After my mother finishes hugging me she gives me a kiss on the cheek, and then I'm tackled by Tracy and Monty. After the dogs were satisfied we head into the house. I sit down on the couch, and my daughter climbed up on the couch then into my lap.
"What's your name?" I ask.
"My name is Clair. Daddy what's a violin?" Clair asked.
I take a moment before answering Clair's question.
I haven't played that instrument in very a long time. A long time. I think.
I wasn't paying attention, but Kensi, Conor, Julia and my mom had gathered around to hear my explanation.
"A violin is a musical instrument that is a part string family; it is an instrument that your Grandma Brandel had me learned when I was about your age." I say.
"Can you still play?" Conor asked.
"It's been quite some time, but your Grandma Hetty bought me a violin a few years back." I say.
"Can we get a performance tonight at the party?" Julia asked.
"I haven't heard you play in twenty plus years." Ann said.
"Princess." I say, looking over my shoulder at Kensi.
"I hid the violin a few years back. I'm guessing that you might be that you might be a little bit rusty, but I thinking you could give a return performance tonight." Kensi says.
"Princess." Julia says.
"I'm pretty sure you and dad had pet names for each other." Kensi said to her mom.
"I want to be a princess!" Clair exclaimed.
"You'll have to fight your mom for that title." I say teasingly.
"She can be the princess, I'm promoting myself to queen." Kensi with a wicked smile.
"What do you say little man, you want the title of prince?" I ask Conor.
"Yeah!" Conor said excitedly.
"It looks like I'm taking over as king." I say.
I feel Clair reach up and run her little hands through my beard. I shake my head because I know joke of some sort is coming.
"Do kings have facial like you do daddy?" Clair asked.
"Yeah. It's a symbol of honor, and glory." I say bracing for the joke.
"Mommy says that it just makes you look shaggy." Clair said.
Conor was looking around while Kensi, Julia, and Ann start laughing; I just glare at Kensi. All she does is smile back and blow me a kiss. Julia had a light snack set out, so we all ate and then made our way over to mine and Kensi' house. I let Monty, Tracy, Conor and Clair play out in the backyard while I go snooping through the house.
"Looking for this?" Kensi says.
I turn and see my violin case. I walk over to Kensi and open the case and see the instrument, and bow in the case. I give Kensi a kiss, and close the case.
"It's been almost a decade since I played this thing last." I say.
"Wonder if you still got it?" Kensi asked.
"We'll find out tonight." I say.
I go to the freezer and see that it's been stocked, so I pull out a few hamburgers, hot dogs, and some chicken just for starters. I see some French fries also, so I pull a bag out. I walk over to the kitchen counter and fire up the oven, and then I go outside to fire up the grill.
"Need anything Marty?" Ann asked
"When the oven is ready put some fries on a cookie sheet, and stick them in please." I say.
"You got it." Ann said.
I put some hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken on a plate, and then put the rest of the meat back in the freezer. Just as I'm stepping out onto the deck I hear the doorbell ring. I put the meat on the grill, and shut the lid to go greet my first guest. It's the nerd herd, and their daughter.
They had a daughter while I was gone. Time flies. I think.
"Uncle Marty!" The little girl screamed.
I get down on one knee to give my niece a hug.
"What's your name little one?" I asked.
"My name is Martina." She said.
"Martina, huh. That's a very special name." I say.
"Thank you." Martina says.
"Your welcome." I say, and then give Martina a peck on the cheek.
I let Martina go, and she takes off running out the back door to play with Conor and Clair.
"I'm honored." I tell Nell and Eric.
"Your welcome." Nell said.
"Go ahead and make yourselves at home. I'll be out back manning the grill and keeping an eye on the kids." I say, as I disappear out back.
Nell went to help Kensi, Julia, and Ann; while Eric came outside to catch up with me.
"How are you doing?" Eric asked.
"All things considering I'm good, but I've missed so much." I say
"I know it's not my place, but don't go there Deeks." Eric said.
"What?" I ask.
"You've been there so much already, so don't go there. Just live in the moment." Eric said.
"When did you become so philosophical?" I ask.
"I haven't, but I've seen you four go through this phase numerous times." Eric said.
There was another ring at the front door, from my position I can see that it was Sam, Michelle, and Cam. I smile when I see Michelle's reaction to my return. Probably didn't believe Sam at first, but she can now that she has seen me in person.
"So don't lament about things that happened in the past; just look forward to the future." Eric said.
"I shall." I say.
"Back from the dead Deeks." Michelle said.
"Technically I was never dead; just missing in action." I say.
"Glad to have you back." Michelle said, with a hug.
"Glad to be back." I say, hugging her back.
"So how's it going Shaggy?" Sam asked.
"Ha. Ha. It's going great. Want something to drink?" I ask.
"What do you have?" Sam asked.
I open a cooler, and it was loaded with beer; Sam reaches in and grabbed a beer.
"Uncle Marty!" Cam shouted.
"Hey Cam." I say, as I bent down to give Cam a hug.
"Where have you been?" Cam asked.
"I was on a business trip." I say.
I hear a snicker from all the adults within ear shot of my statement.
"Did you have fun?" Cam asked.
"It was boring, but I'm glad to be home." I say.
"Me, too." Cam said, and then went to play with the rest of the kids.
There was another ring at the door. This time it was Hetty, followed by Callen and Noa.
"Where's Granger?" Kensi asked.
"The director had business to attend to in Washington." Hetty said.
"No problems here." I say
I pull some of the meat off, and at that moment Kensi brought the buns out. I put the buns on, and flip the chicken.
"I heard a rumor that there might be a repeat performance from nine years ago." Eric asked.
"That comes later, right now I'm cooking food." I say.
"What happened nine years ago?" Michelle asked.
"New York City." Eric said.
"Move over Deeks, I'll finish this. You go put the music on." Sam says.
"Yes sir." I say, as I put the tongs down.
I walk into the house, and head into the bedroom. Just as I'm pulling the instrument out of the case Hetty walks in.
"Whose idea was it for you to play tonight?" Hetty asked.
"Kensi mentioned it when we were at her mom's house, and Sam just kicked me off the grill to play for the group." I say.
"It's been nine years since you last played; do you think you still have it?" Hetty asks.
I finish adjusting the strings, and then pick the instrument up.
"We'll find out in a little bit." I say.
I prepare to play, and then I start playing a few cords. The house falls silent at the sound of the music I'm playing.
"Like riding a bike." Hetty said.
"Yes it is." I say to Hetty, and then continue playing.
I play until dinner is served, but the round of applauses never stop coming. We all gathered outside and eat. As people were finishing their meals, Kensi would remove the plates and glasses as the came up. I returned to my violin. Another hour Kensi served dessert, but after dessert was finished the children slowly started to fall asleep. My friends stay a few minutes longer, but one by one they all pack up and head home to put their children to sleep. Kensi drove our parents back to Julia's house, but while she was out I was putting our children to bed. As I laying Clair down to sleep she woke for a few seconds.
"Did you miss us while you were on your business trip?" Clair asked while yawning.
"Yes, princess. I miss you so very much." I say, with a tear in my eye.
"What's wrong daddy?" Clair asked.
"You mom gave birth to you, and I missed it. I didn't even know you were alive" I say, rubbing her head.
"How come you were away for so long?" Clair asked.
"I was being held against my will." I say, which is true to an extent.
"Against your will?" Clair asked.
"Just go to sleep Princess. I'm not leaving anytime soon." I say, as I kiss Clair on her cheek.
"Night daddy." Clair said, kissing my cheek.
"Sleep tight." I say.
Clair drifts off, and then I go to check on Conor. He was out like a light. So I go and put my violin back in its case. I hear Kensi pull back into the driveway, and shut the car off. A few seconds later I hear her open and shut the front. Kensi locks the door, and then walks over giving me a hug from behind. We stand there for a time not moving, just standing there as if frozen in time.
"I have so much to make up for." I say just above a whisper.
"I know Deeks, and I know you. You will do everything for Conor and Clair, just like those kids over a decade ago." Kensi said.
I snicker at the memories of the children in question.
"I always had a way with children." I say.
"That you did." Kensi said.
Kensi grabs my hand, and leads the way to the bedroom. Tomorrow is Saturday, and we don't have a case. So when we make love this time we don't have to worry about getting a phone call in the morning about a catching a break in the case.
A month later Eric received an email, and called the team up to ops.
"What's up Eric?" Sam asked, as the team entered ops.
"We found the base located here in the states." Eric said.
"The base is located in Miami, Florida." Nell said.
"Miami, now why does that ring a bell?" I ask.
Kensi realized why I asked that question; it had nothing to do with the case, and more for a personal reason.
"Sasha and his group are already en route to Miami." Eric said.
"When do we leave?" Callen asked.
"We have five plane tickets departing for Miami in two hours." Hetty said.
"Pack up your gear, and be ready to leave in thirty." Callen said.
"Hetty." Kensi said, after everybody left ops.
"Yes Mrs. Deeks." Hetty said.
"I have a favor to ask." Kensi said.
"You want a family vacation." Hetty said.
"Deeks has an old friend in Miami, but they haven't talked in twelve years; not since he left Los Angeles." Kensi said.
"I'll put in a phone call, and send Conor and Clair along after you have completed your mission." Hetty said.
"Thank you Hetty." Kensi said.
Kensi exits ops, and then goes and packs her things for the raid in Miami.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Miami, Florida-
The team was disembarking from the plane and gathering their luggage when a team members of the Miami branch of N.C.I.S. was there to pick them up.
"I'm Agent Jefferies. This is Agent Rowe" Jefferies said.
"I'm Agent Callen; this is Agents Hanna, Vega, Deeks and Deeks." Callen said introducing us.
"Deeks, and Deeks?" Rowe asked.
"Husband and wife." Sam said.
"The Office of Special Projects have different rules for work place love?" Jefferies asked.
"Sort of." Noa said
"We're not here to discuss the ethics of marrying your partner." I say. "We have a slave trade to take down."
"If you will follow us please." Jefferies said.
As were walking away from baggage claim my phone starts ringing.
"Hello." I answer
"Deeks, its Sasha." Sasha said.
"What's your E.T.A.?" I ask.
"Two hours." Sasha said.
"We'll see you in two and a half." I say.
"See you then." Sasha said, and then hung up.
"What did Sasha say?" Callen asked.
"His E.T.A. is in two and a half hours." I say.
"After we get situated I want to get a lay of the land." Callen said.
"Let's get you guys to your hotel." Jefferies said.
We leave the airport stopping by the hotel, and then heading out to an abandoned office building on the edge of the city.
"And who says that bad guys aren't stereotypical?" Sam asked.
"You obviously haven't been keeping up on the bad guys." Callen said.
I observed the lay of the area with a critical eye. I was watching a pair of cars pull up, and saw some people get out.
"Anybody got a pair of binoculars?" I ask.
Jefferies hands me a pair, and then I watch the people enter the building. I patiently wait for them to exit, something about this set up was off. I wait for the group to exit to see if there is anybody I recognize.
"See anybody you recognize?" Kensi asked.
"Give me a second." I say.
Just as I finishing speaking the group exited, and I recognize a few of the people in the group. There was a woman and her two bodyguards. They all got into the cars and left.
"You five stay here. Kens come with me, you're driving. Keys." I say.
Jefferies tossed Kensi a set of keys, and we take off following the departing entourage. We tail them all over the city, until I'm satisfied with the final destination; it was a hotel.
"This is more like it." I say.
"What's wrong with that last place?" Kensi asked.
"That abandoned place would be a place to let potential buyers to test the product before buying them." I say. "This place is more likely the headquarters."
"Let's head back." Kensi said.
"Just a little bit longer." I say, wanted to confirm my theory.
"How can you be certain this is the place?" Kensi asked.
"Would you think to check a hotel for these kinds of people?" I ask.
"No." Kensi said.
I see the bodyguards leave without the woman, and something in the back of my head bothered me. I pick up the phone and call Callen.
"What do you have Deeks?" Callen asked
"I found the place where the slave trade is hiding out, but I there is a bit of problem." I say.
"What's that?" Sam asked.
"I don't think there is a base here in Miami." I say.
"What do you mean?" Jefferies asked.
"I think the information of the base in the states was off to an extent. I think the next auction was to be held here in Miami. With their headquarters dismantled, this auction was a play to get them back in the game." I say.
"So you're saying that this auction would help them rebuild, and take another foothold." Sam said.
"Something like that." I say.
"Wait so you're telling us that the base in the states was false, and that this whole trip is a ruse?" Rowe asked.
"It's not a ruse. The slave ring is trying to recover its loses after their base in Germany was shutdown. This is an attempt to recoup those loses, and get back in the game." Noa said.
"We're going to have to split into to two groups." Kensi said.
"Not a problem." Jefferies said. "Return to the hotel, and we'll come up with a plan then."
"You got it." Kensi said.
I ended the call, and we made our way back to the hotel. When we entered our room at the hotel Sasha and his gang had arrived.
"So it seems that your memory is more useful than you let on." Tanner said.
"Tell me about it." I say, with a sly grin.
"How did you know that the building was a product holding site?" Jefferies asked.
"That woman I saw at the building only goes that places like that before an auction." I say,
"How does it work?" Rowe asked.
"This auction will be done electronically. After the auction the bidders will go out to that site, and collect the merchandise." I say.
Sam's phone started to ring. It was from ops.
"What do you have Eric?" Sam asked.
"Given the new information that we acquired, we were able to cross-reference known associates and came up with the date of the auction." Eric said.
"How many people are coming to the auction?" Callen asked.
"Six groups are coming to the event." Nell said.
"The woman in charge will have her two bodyguards." I say. "Eric send us the list of those attending the auction, and we can work our way from there."
"Consider it done; also the auction is tomorrow night." Eric said.
The laptop chimed that it had received an email.
"Thanks Eric." Sam said, and then disconnected the call.
"Let's head to the hotel and get a bead on these guys." Callen said.
We head out to the hotel and run surveillance. A few of us commandeer some hotel employee uniforms, others sit in the lobby and at the bar. Noa and I remain outside to watch for their arrival of the people participating auction.
"You didn't have to wait out here with me." I say to Noa without looking at her.
"It was my decision." Callen said.
"Fair enough." I say.
"Deeks what was the longest deep cover op you have even ran?" Noa asked.
I turn away from the front door thinking about how to answer that question.
"A probably nineteen months." I say.
"And that entire time you didn't have any problems?" Noa asked.
"A few yeah, but nothing to sideline me over. I learned how to compartmentalize my compartmentalizing." I say.
"That sounds hard." Noa said.
"Usually is." I say.
I don't finish that thought because I see a car pull. I saw one man get out, and then run around the back of the car to let somebody out. I got a good look at the person who got out, and recognized him from the passenger manifest.
"Look alive folks. We have a player incoming." Noa said.
A few minutes later, I heard Sam speak.
"We got him, keep an eye out for the rest of the party."
"Copy that." Noa said.
We at that hotel watching for the other five parties to show until two o'clock in the morning. We enter the room we rented in the hotel to make it easier for us. It was on the backside of the first floor.
"That was the longest stake out I have ever worked." Noa said.
"Welcome to the club." I say.
"So how do you want to play this?" Rowe asked.
"Usually there is a meet and greet session before the auctions, but now I'm not so sure." I say.
"Do you think they would break protocol because of their base of operations has been taken out?" Jefferies asked.
"Maybe, maybe not." I say.
"We know what rooms there are in, so let's keep a close on them in case they leave for the meet and greet." Sam said.
"What time do they usually start the auctions?" Callen asked
"We should put cameras in the rooms to help with that." Noa suggested.
"On it." Callen said.
We had the devices to help with that, so six people went to set up the cameras; although, they had to wait for an opening to place the cameras without being seen. After the devices had been set up, we patched ops into the hotel system to keep tabs on the targets. We sat and wait for them to move. Twenty-four hours later was when we saw movement. It seemed the group decided to follow their usual plays as to not rouse suspicion
"The groups on the third and fourth floor are moving." Eric said.
Sam and Callen went to secure the rooms, and neutralize the targets. The local N.C.I.S. branch and the police coordinate to secure the targets. Room by room, target by target we secured and neutralized the buyers until we had them all. While they were securing the buyers I head to the parking garage with Kensi in an attempt to cut off the ring leader and her body guards. And without missing a beat twenty minutes after we secured the buyers she got off the elevator in the parking garage and was heading to her car. Before she could get to her car both Kensi and I put two rounds into each of her bodyguards. Just as she was about to run Kensi stepped into her path with her weapon trained on her. She started to back up, but she didn't get too far. I stood directly in her path, so when she bumped into me I slammed her face down into the trunk of the nearest car. I saw Kensi wince at the use of force, but seeing as how I lost five years of my life and watch numerous women ranging from ages fifteen to thirty-five being sold into sexual slavery it was poetic justice.
"You should have killed me yourself when you had the chance." I whispered in her ear.
"A mistake I won't make a second time Agent Deeks." The woman said.
"Winona Belitrov as I live and breathe." A voice said from behind us.
I didn't bother to turn and look at the new comer, it was Agent Jefferies. I finished putting the cuffs on Winona, and then moved her towards the elevator.
"Agent Jefferies it's been awhile." Winona said.
"Not long enough." Jefferies said. "You're going back to your cell, and you're going to finish your sentence."
"Afraid I'm going to escape again?" Winona said.
"I'd like to see you do that." Rowe said, joining the group.
"I have my ways." Winona said.
"Not without money you don't." Kensi said.
"I have people who owe me favors." Winona said.
"The woman who took control of a sex slave ring being sent back to prison; I don't think you going to get any sympathetic clients on this." Callen said, joining the group.
"Face it Winona, you got caught. So stay in your cell like a good little girl that you aren't because if I see you again I'll put a bullet in your head and be done with it." I say.
Winona was taken back by my threat, but thought wisely about calling my bluff.
Not that I was bluffing. I think.
I hand Winona over to Jefferies and Rowe for processing. I turn to see that Kensi is on the phone, and I thought she might have been talking to Hetty. We were standing around waiting for Kensi to get off the phone, and when she does Callen had plans for the evening.
"With the mission complete we have a day to ourselves before heading back." Callen said, as Noa was finally joining the group.
"I know a great restaurant when I was down here a few years ago." I say.
"I can eat." Sam said.
"Lead the way Deeks." Callen said.
We head out to a restaurant on the docks, and we eat like royalty for an evening. That, and we just close a case that has been open for more the twenty years.
Hetty will understand. I think.
We finished our meal and our dessert, but we sat there for a time. I picked up the tab, and we continue to sit and talk. It was ten o'clock at night when we left the restaurant and head back to our hotel for the evening, but what I didn't know was that I was in for a surprise when we got back to the hotel. As we were heading towards the elevator I heard.
"Mommy! Daddy!"
The five of us turned to see both Clair and Conor running towards Kensi and I. I picked up Clair and Kensi picked up Conor. We gave both Conor and Clair a hug and a kiss, and then Noa asked.
"What are you two doing here?"
"Special delivery for Kensi and Martin Deeks."
Sam, Callen and I almost have a heart attack. I turn to look at the voice and I see an old friend: Ray Martindale and his wife standing in front of us with his two kids.
A/N: I figured that almost all my stories end with a giant shoot out, so I decided to change up the formula. The season six finale seemed more fitting for the fall of the slave ring as opposed to a big shoot out.