Sylvia
/ Chapter 3 /
It was clearly taking a lot out of Deeks, both emotionally and physically, to open up about his past with Sylvia; and after the fifth or sixth time Deeks sighed heavily and tried to run his injured hands through his hair only to hiss in pain, did Hetty put a stop to the story.
"I think that's enough for now, you need to take a step back and regroup, you have had quite a shock today," Hetty told the detective, "and we need to look into why Sylvia Gray is no longer in state custody."
"Uh, Hetty, this isn't an NCIS type case..." Deeks said quietly, embarrassed to be the center of attention.
"Nonsense, she is a threat to you and could pose a threat to this team...it is very much and issue for us; I won't have my agents threatened," Hetty said pointedly. "If she should somehow show up in the middle of an op it could prove disastrous."
No one bothered to question how and why Hetty seemed to be working on more knowledge of the particulars of the situation than what Deeks had shared; which at this point, had been very little.
"You're right...I should probably steer clear for a while..." Deeks said absently, already trying to formulate a plan to keep his friends safely away from Sylvia.
"That's not what I meant...and you most certainly will not 'steer clear' of your team..." Hetty chastised the detective gently.
Deeks fixed the diminutive woman with a pleading look, "Hetty, you...you don't know what she's capable of...she's crazy dangerous...she killed a good friend of mine..."
"And she very nearly killed you...no, Mr. Deeks, Sylvia Gray will not get the opportunity to finish what she started," Hetty countered. "Back then you didn't know what you were facing...now you do, and the more we know, the better we can address the situation."
Too tired to fight and knowing at the moment he would lose against the formidable woman he just hung his head and sighed, "I don't want to...I can't...if she tries to hurt someone else...I can't let that happen..."
"And we'll do everything in our power to see that it doesn't," Hetty replied, "For now, Miss Blye, I think you need to take Mr. Deeks home...and stay with him; we'll look into Sylvia Gray."
When Deeks didn't move or acknowledge Hetty's request, Kensi gently took her partners arm, "Come on partner, let's go."
Deeks allowed Kensi to guide him from the room, never once looking up to make eye contact with any of his team mates.
They all stood in silence for several moments after the Ops door slid shut, lost in their own thoughts and worry.
"This is crazy...I've never seen him like this before...it's like he's folded in on himself...what did this woman do to him..." Sam huffed out angrily.
"Hetty what aren't you telling us...he should be angry...I'd even expect guilt, because his friend was killed; but this...Hetty, he acts like there's nothing he can do, like he's given up...before we even try to find out what's going on," Callen questioned.
Sam looked thoughtful for a moment, "It almost reminds me of a battered spouse...the resignation...the fear...Hetty?"
"It's ultimately Mr. Deeks story to tell; but what I will say is that it was a terrifying and painful time in his life and before it was over she had him at her mercy for nearly ten days: he had to work hard to overcome what she did to him," Hetty said, "Make no mistake, Sylvia Gray is a very dangerous and delusional woman and all of you need to be on your guard at all times."
...NCIS LA...NCIS LA...NCIS LA...NCIS LA...
The ride to Deeks apartment was made in silence. When they pulled up to his complex he had the car door opened almost before she brought the car to a stop.
"Whoa, hold up Deeks; what's the rush," She asked.
"Thanks for the ride, see ya' later," he said off handedly as he hurried to his apartment.
"What? Wait just a minute; I'm not leaving you..." Kensi said as she raced to catch up to her partner.
"I'm fine Kens, really..." Deeks started to say.
"No, you're not; and I'm not leaving you alone," She said pointedly, snatching his keys from his hands and turning to unlock his door, "if nothing else you need a help for a while 'til your hands heal up some."
"Kens, please..." Deeks pleaded. "How can I make you understand just how dangerous Sylvia can be...?"
"And I'm not...you don't think I can handle myself," Kensi replied with a small scowl.
"It's not about being able to handle yourself; Sylvia lives in her own little world of delusions...she won't hesitate to hurt...or kill, anyone she sees as threat to her plans," Deeks explained earnestly.
Kensi gently grabbed Deeks face and turned him so they were eye to eye and said with equal earnestness, "And what about you...how bad has she hurt you, will hurt you...don't you understand we can't see you hurt either: can't let you face this alone—we're a team."
Deeks just pulled his head from her grasp and shrugged, turning and going into his apartment: Kensi right behind him.
From the end of the block; a pair of binoculars were lowered, and an angry frown set in Sylvia's face, "Marty...Marty, what have you been doing while I was away?"
...NCIS LA...NCIS LA...NCIS LA...NCIS LA...
A/N: I thought this was going to be longer...this story my turn out to be a lot of short, intense chapters...now back to OPS—what is the team going to do to keep Deeks, and themselves safe?