Notes: Hey readers! I just wanted to let you all know that I am currently re-writing Partners! I have gone over this story so many times and found some mistakes that I really want to fix. So, without further delay... here is chapter seven!

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Transformers. Hasbro owns them. Not me.

"Jesus Christ."

There was a long pause after that, as Orion ran a hand over his face, repressing the heaviest of sighs; this was not his day. He leaned back in his chair with the phone pressed to his ear.

"Are you guys alright?" he asked.

There was static before Preston's voice echoed through the receiver. "Yeah, we're both fine but the house didn't survive the blaze. However, I did manage to grab the answering machine; there was a message on it from Darren Ward. Esposito decided to stay behind and help out with CSU; I'm on my way back to the precinct."

The captain sat up at the mention of the suspect. "You said Ward left a message for Deeks?" he repeated.

Preston continued to speak on the other line. "Yeah, sounds like the two of them had some kind of history. Not sure what exactly but I'm hoping Percy can help us out in that department."

"Interesting," Orion ran his fingers through his hair and stood up. "I'll have Underwood put out an APB on Deeks and we'll see where that will get us. Just please get back to the precinct safely and we'll figure out where to go from here."

The captain hung up his phone and stared down at the device shaking his head, before slipping it into his pocket and placing both hands on his desk. He hunched over, his eyes glued to the most recent photo of their murder victim, Jillian Monaghan, that was currently on his computer screen. She was dressed in a green cocktail dress with her hair pinned up in curls and had her arms wrapped around her parents' shoulders, wearing the biggest of smiles that made her eyes sparkle as if she had just won the lottery.

It was sad, really, to see a victim be so happy in one photo, and then the next day is lying dead on a metal slab. The captain sighed, shook his head again, and walked out of his office. When he entered the bullpen, he saw Lacey hunched over Esposito's desk, her head resting on her folded arms, fast asleep. Brendan, on the other hand, sat across from the inspector and was typing at his computer, stealing quick glances to the sleeping blonde. It was obvious that the newbie detective was the designated look-out.

"Inspector?" Orion called.

She did not stir.

The captain frowned and approached Lacey. He tapped her gently on the shoulder and expected a hand to swat him away. However, he did not expect the woman to jerk awake, scream, "Bloody hell!", and attempt to throw a punch at him. He snatched onto Lacey's first and locked eyes with her. Her green eyes were wide whereas her cheeks were flushed in embarrassment. Brendan's eyes shifted between his captain and the inspector before he pushed himself away from his desk and stood up.

"I'm going to go get some coffee," he said, shuffling away from his desk, trying to evacuate the area.

Orion pointed at the young detective and said, "Sit. Down." And Brendan quickly went back to his desk and did as he was told, with his hands folded in his lap, though still looking nervous. The captain released his grip and Lacey dropped her hand to her thigh.

"I'm sorry about that, captain," the inspector murmured. She ran a hand over her face and yawned. "My nephew called me last night and forgot about the time difference between here and London. Won't happen again, I promise."

Brendan snorted and Orion cast him a narrowed gaze. He turned back to the inspector. "It's quite alright. I'm sure your nephew was happy to hear from you."

"He was," Lacey said with a smile.

"So," the young detective drawled leaning back in his chair and folding his arms behind his head. "What was the phone call about?"

"Ah yes, Novak and Esposito went to find Deeks and the guy's house caught fire, burning a great amount of evidence," Orion said.

The inspector cut in. "What? Are they alright?"

The captain nodded and continued speaking, "They're both fine. A little bruised is all. Esposito is staying at the house until CSU can comb through the wreckage and Novak's on his way back." He sat down on the desktop behind Lacey and folded his arms over his chest. "Did you two find anything on Deeks' financials?"

"Nothing useful," Brendan answered, gesturing to his computer. "Not much in his savings or checking account so I'm thinking he had another account like our victim. I mean, if we still going on the theory that they worked for the same guy."

"We just need to find out who their employer was," Orion said.

"And what exactly they were doing for them," Brendan murmured, his gaze shifting towards his captain. "It's gonna be a lot harder with Deeks in the wind now."

"We'll find him," the captain replied. "Did you find any other open homicides relating to this one?"

Brendan shook his head. "Not any homicide cases," he said. "But I did find two cold cases about a pair of prostitutes being held at knife point."

"What happened?" Orion asked.

The detective told his story. "According to both statements, the suspect grabbed both girls from behind, took a knife to their throats, assaulted them, and then tried to carve something into the side of their neck. In both cases, the vics managed to get away and took shelter; one at a church and the other at a convenient store. They called the cops and gave their statements."

"When did this happen?" Orion questioned.

"About eight years ago, both attacks occurred within two weeks of each other. Special victims were investigating but they eventually ran out of solid leads, so they sent it off to the cold case detectives."

"Did either victim get a description of him?" Lacey asked.

Brendan shook his head. "No, it was dark both incidents and neither of them said they got a good look at the guy."

"Damnit," Orion muttered. He ran a hand through his unkempt hair and vented a frustrated sigh. Just as he slipped off the desk, his phone vibrated in his pocket to which he fished it out and checked the text message. Captain, I found something that I think you will find very interesting about your murder victim.

He closed the message and looked to Brendan. "Underwood, I want you to put an APB on Blaise Deeks. We need to find him and bring him in before another body turns up," he ordered. "And try to get in contact with the original detective who investigated those cases, maybe he has something that could help us track down our killer." The captain then turned to Lacey.

"Inspector, there is someone I would like you to meet."

"On it, cap." Brendan pushed himself away from his desk and strode toward the elevator.

Orion gestured for Lacey to follow him down the hall and up a flight of stairs. They traveled in silence, both buried in their own thoughts before they came to an office with its door wide open. The captain walked inside and paused, his eyes locking onto the man who was bizarrely laid out on the leather couch, hanging upside down. Across from him was one of the paintings by their murder victim; the same one Lacey had found in her apartment.

"Dr. Novak, I normally do not question your methods but is there a reason why you're upside down and staring at this painting?"

"I am analyzing the painting from a different perspective," came the reply. The man, Sean Novak, lifted his head briefly to glance at him and then returned it to its original position. He had curly brown hair and blue eyes and wore a clean button-down shirt and slacks. He wore no shoes but had a pair of mix-matched socks on his feet. He lifted his head again and said, "However, I do enjoy the sensation."

Orion narrowed his eyes. "Now is really not the time, Sean. In case you've forgotten, we do have a murder to solve."

With a huff, Sean shifted his position to where he was sitting back on the couch and had his back to the paint. He swung his legs around and stood up. He noticed Lacey behind Orion and stuck out his hand and shook hands with her.

"Dr. Sean Novak, I am the precinct's designated psychologist," the man introduced. "But please, do call me Sean."

"Detective Inspector Lacey Barton, pleasure to meet you, doctor," she replied, shaking his hand. She then realized what he had said looking at him queerly. "Novak? Any relation to Detective Novak by chance?"

Sean chuckled and nodded. "Yes, he's my older brother."

"I see the resemblance now," Lacey commented.

"But I am more handsome than little Preston; he failed in that department," Sean said with a wink.

Oh Jesus, someone please stop him. Orion thought with a shake of his head. Knowing full well that this conversation was going to go nowhere, the captain was quick to cut in and rein in his new detective and the psychologist.

"You said that you had something about our victim?" the captain asked.

"Ah yes, I was getting to that," the psychologist said. He motioned for Lacey and Orion to follow him and all three were now standing in front of the painting. "For one, Ryan was right about your victim being abused by a client."

"How do you know that?" Lacey asked, curious.

"The brushstrokes, inspector," answered the psychologist.

Orion was confused. He looked at the painting and then to the psychologist who was practically beaming with pride. The captain glanced over at Lacy who shared the same expression of confusion. He clicked his tongue and flatly said, "... The brushstrokes? Would you care to explain that?"

"Of course," Sean replied. "I was examining this most recent painting, done on the 9th; the day before she was killed. Her brushstrokes were much more different than those painted six months ago." He pointed to the painting and mimicked the movements of the brushstrokes. "These here are very short and erratic. They are filled with anger and fear; as if she was afraid of something, or in this case, someone."

Orion sat down on the edge of the psychologist's desk. "So, this confirms the injuries she sustained prior to her death."

Lacey cut in and said, "But still doesn't help us in finding out who was abusing her."

"On the contrary, inspector," Sean said with a wag of his finger. "Your victim did leave a clue of who was abusing her; you are simply not seeing it."

Lacey was unconvinced and quirked a blonde brow. But then the psychologist motioned for her to sit on the couch. The inspector looked to the captain who wore an expression that read, "Just go with it. He means well, I promise." Lacey complied, though reluctantly, to Sean's wishes and sat down. She folded her hands in her lap and waited for the next set of instructions.

"Now, I want you to hang upside down as I did before you two arrived," Sean instructed.

The inspector stared blankly at the psychologist who folded his arms over his chest and smirked.

"You can't be serious," she laughed. Her face fell when Sean only continued to grin at her. Apparently, he is. "Alright, but I am not exactly sure how this is going to help find the killer, Dr. Novak." she murmured.

Lacey sighed before she too changed her position to where she was lying upside down with her feet high above her. Her hair billowed out and now hung in loose curls. She blinked several times, allowing her eyes to adjust and stared at the painting. Sean and Orion exchanged glances and waited until Lacey gasped in response. To her surprise, she did find something... hidden within the brushstrokes were the same initials that were tattooed on the victim's lower back.

M.T.

"That cannot be a coincidence," Lacey murmured. "Sir, I think she was trying to tell us who had been abusing her this whole time. The initials on this painting are the same as the ones tattooed on her lower back; her abuser is the same man who was paying her to be an escort."

Orion opened his mouth to speak but was cut off when a knock was at the door and all three turned towards the open door. Standing in the door frame was Preston who hadn't changed out of his sooty clothes from earlier. There were traces of ash still left in strands of his hair and his skin a bright pink from the intense heat of the fire.

"Am I interrupting something?" Preston asked, gesturing to Lacey who still hung upside down.

Well, this is incredibly awkward. Lacey quickly sat up and turned to where she was facing the group of men and the painting. She climbed off the couch and straightened her blouse. She ran a hand through her hair and walked over to stand beside Sean who was smirking at his older brother. Preston narrowed his eyes at the psychologist before turning his attention to his captain.

"I thought you two would want to listen to the message left on the answering machine," Preston stated. "I took it down to Percy who is currently cleaning up the machine as we speak."

Orion nodded and got off the edge of the desk. "Of course," he murmured. He gestured for the detective to lead the way. He followed Preston out of the door before he turned back and said,

"Thank you, Dr. Novak."

"Anytime, Captain Paxton. I am always happy to assist the precinct," Sean said with a bow of his head. "After all, it is what they pay me for."

Just as Lacey was about to walk out of the office and follow after the captain, Sean grabbed her by her wrist and pulled her close to where he could whisper in her ear. "My door is always open if you wish to talk, inspector."

Lacey pulled back and stared at the psychologist with wide eyes. Sean's eyes twinkled with delight. He smirked, released her wrist, and strolled around to sit at his desk again. The woman opened her mouth to speak but her name was called by the captain, signaling for her to leave. The blonde quickly caught up with Preston and Orion, following them down the stairs to Percy's lab, unsure of what had just happened.

The trio strolled into Percy's lab where they found the scientist bent over at one of the tables and was working on the answering machine that Preston had brought in. Percy lifted his head, hearing the doors slide close, and removed his goggles; he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"What do you have for me, Percy?" Preston asked.

"Well, the machine had three messages; two were from Darren Ward," Percy replied. "And the last one was from your murder victim."

You have three new messages. First message received at 10:24 PM on Sunday, June 12th. Look, Deeks, tell the boss that I'm done; I've got nothin' else for me. And tell him to not bother with sending my next paycheck. Beep! End of message.

"That's the one I played before the house burst into flames," Preston commented quietly. "I didn't bother checking for any other messages."

The answering machine continued to play.

Second message received at 2:13 AM on Tuesday, June 7th. Hey, I stopped by your place earlier and dropped off the stuff you asked. I expect my money by next week. Beep! End of message.

Third message received at 11:07 PM on Monday, June 6th. Deeks? It's Jillian. Don't forget to tell the boss that I'm not working this Friday night. I've already made plans so that means I expect no phone calls from anyone. That should be easy enough for you to handle, right? See you on the streets. Beep! End of message.

Silence hung in the air when the answering machine had finished replaying the messages. No one said anything. They simply sat in silence until the captain finally cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair.

"Novak, call Esposito and tell him to make his way back to the precinct now," Orion stated. He then turned to Percy who had been silent after the answering machine had finished playing. "Thank you, Percy."

The scientist nodded and walked away from the table, hands in his lab coat's pockets. Preston silently made his way out of the lab, leaving Orion and Lacey alone in the lab. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it, unsure of what to say.

"Sir?"

Orion rose his hand to stop the inspector. Lacey closed her mouth and bit her lip. The captain sighed and said, "I need to update the chief of our progress."

With that said, he walked out of the lab, leaving Lacey to stand alone in the lab. She folded her arms over her chest, unsure of what to do at the point. She did not know if she should follow after the captain and wait until he had finished updating the chief or simply stay behind in the lab.

"Inspector?"

Lacey looked up and saw Ian standing in the doorway. He had his arms folded over his chest with a small smile on his lips.

"I just saw Paxton go upstairs; he looked pretty upset... something happen?" the weapons specialist asked.

"You could say that..." Lacey motioned to the answering machine next to her. "Our victim left a message on our suspect's answering machine. She was talking about how she was not going to be working on Friday night... the same night she was killed."

Ian nodded and uncrossed his arms. They stood in silence before the man clicked his tongue and said, "C'mon. You look like you are in need of some target practice."

He motioned for the inspector to follow him. The two walked through the hall in silence and down the stairs, making their way to the firing range. Ian opened the door for Lacey who stepped inside and walked silently up to one of the stalls.

"Listen, I'm gonna head out for lunch, so lock up when you're done," Ian said. He dropped the range's keys on the table next to the door.

"Do you have anyone to go home to, Mr. Winters?" Lacey asked.

The firearms specialist paused, his hand resting over the door knob. He closed the door and slowly turned. He wordlessly pulled out his phone and opened up his photo gallery. He swiped through some of the photos before he clicked on one and revealed it to Lacey. On the screen was a handsome dark haired woman and three young girls all varying in ages and hair color, all smiling. The first girl in the photo had dark hair like the older woman and had dark eyes like her father. Then the middle girl had flaming red hair also with stunning blue eyes. And finally, the last girl, around five years old, had dark strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes.

"My wife, Cate and our three girls," Ian said. He pointed to each girl and smiled. "Our oldest, Bailey, then Piper, and finally our youngest, Annabelle."

"I had no idea you were married," the inspector murmured. She gestured to his left hand where the gold wedding band lay. "Clearly, I was wrong."

Ian chuckled. "Yeah, been with Cate for eighteen years," he said.

"Your girls are beautiful; they look just like their mother," Lacey commented.

The firearms specialist laughed. "We didn't really think about having kids. Four years after we were married, Cate got pregnant with Bailey. Then, couple years later we had Piper and then finally Annabelle. We, uh, we didn't plan on having Annabelle; she was a big surprise for the both of us," he said. He sat down on the edge of the table and stared down at his phone's screen. "I wouldn't change it for the world, though."

Lacey couldn't help but smile.

"Mr. Winters?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you, for the talk."

"Anytime."

The door closed and Ian was gone.

Bzzzt! Bzzzt! Bzzzt!

"Hello?"

"The police found your answering machine with messages from two particular individuals. They are closing in on you, Deeks and that means that they are closing in on me. Now, how do you suppose you are going to fix that?"

Deeks chuckled, his eyes gleaming in his rear view mirror.

"Don't worry, I got something up my sleeve."

"Whatever that may be, see that it is done, are we clear?"

"Crystal."

The line disconnected and Deeks tossed his phone into the passenger seat. He leaned up in his seat, adjusted the rear view mirror, and sat back. He grinned at the figure that passed by and began to laugh. His intended target wore a leather jacket, combat boots, and had a steaming cup of Starbucks in his left hand.

"Oh, this is going to be so much fun."

Author's Note: Feel free to leave a review or two!

Character list:
Smokescreen - Dr. Sean Novak
Chromia - Cate Winters