A/T: The usual thank you to all you guys out there for your support! After watching the latest episode I know for sure that the next three weeks will be nerve wrecking for all us fans. I suggest we buckle up cause it's going to be one bumpy road,
I hope you like this next chapter. I was supposed to post it during the weekend but I couldn't help myself!
As always feel free to knock yourselves out with reviews.
She comes to in the dark.
For a brief moment she wishes it was all just a bad dream, but soon reality hits her. She is still bound and cold. This endless stagnation has led her body to numbness but the burning on her shoulder still remains. She can't feel her hands or her legs. She desperately tries to move her fingers. Maybe that will stimulate her blood to circulate. But nothing…
Her throat is dry and she is starving. She can't remember when was the last time she ate a proper meal. Those four days hiding in that warehouse, waiting for the Ghost were endless as they only had water and energy bars in their possession. Actually, she has lost all sense of time and doesn't even know how long she's been held hostage. It could be hours, days, weeks…
Truth is, it's been nearly 48 hours.
Did the Ghost leave her here to die alone?
She keeps forgetting that the Ghost has a name now.
A very familiar name.
How could Deeks keep such an important detail a secret from her.
Why did he never tell her about his estranged brother. Obviously, they didn't separate under the best of terms, but still.
He could have mentioned him like he had mentioned his father.
A long time ago, she asked him the history behind the Max Gentry alias and he had lied to her face.
That Max, was simply a cover he put together.
In his defense, this was during the early stages of their partnership. Maybe he wasn't ready to share that piece of his past with her.
But it's been 3 years since then.
He could have said something.
As much as she'd like to be angry at Deeks, she is not. She cannot get angry at him more than two minutes but she never lets him know. Every time he thinks he's pissed her off, he does everything within his power to make up for it and cheer her up.
She loves him for that.
She loves how well he knows her. She loves how he shows his affection without verbally expressing it. If he were here now she would admit it to him.
Words are not always important.
Words can lie, manipulate, deceive, hurt.
Action is what matters, and man, Deeks is the king of actions. He would rather do than tell.
She closes her eyes and shivers. She can feel the cold down to her core. Her lips are trembling and she bets they've turned purple. She's never felt so uncomfortably stiff in her entire life. Not even when she was locked in that laser room. Back then, she knew Deeks was coming. He would never leave her.
Could he be coming now too?
Of course he is.
This is Deeks we are talking about. Nothing would ever keep him away from her. If it was up to him, he would have flown to Afghanistan a long time ago. He is certainly coming, but is he going to be on time.
Will he be able to save her this time and at what cost?
What if the Ghost kills her eventually?
What if Deeks has to kill his own brother later on?
That would devastate him. He is not that strong. No one is that strong. She prays it won't come down to that.
She closed her eyes trying to ease her mind from the growing discomfort when suddenly the door opens. It's dark, the figure is outside her line of sight and the torch he is holding nearly blinds her. Is it a rescue team? Is it Deeks? She doesn't make out the face until he is standing right above her. To her disappointment it's him. The Ghost. Max.
"Are you here to kill me?"
"No," he grins "my brother would never forgive me if I killed you."
He reaches behind her for her cuffs and removes them from the chain they were locked to.
This is the perfect chance to escape but she is too weak and she knows it. She refuses to go down that easily though. As soon as she is up on her feet – barely – she kicks him as hard as she can in the groin. Unfortunately she is too weak to even try another strike so she falls hard on the ground.
The Ghost moans in pain but smiles in admiration. "I expected nothing less from you sweetheart, but you know you are not going anywhere."
He forces her up and leads her towards the center of the room.
She tries to understand what he is planning, but as soon as he stops her below the chain hanging from the ceiling she gets the point.
"What are you going to do with me if not kill me?"
He uncuffs one hand and then quickly binds her again. Only this time he places both her hands in front of her. Then, he raises her hands and hangs the cuffs from the chain hanging from the ceiling.
She wasn't going to let him see her pain, but a groan of pain escapes her lips.
"I am just going to let you die. The temperature drops below zero during the night. You are going to freeze wearing that single tank top. Your legs can barely touch the floor. If you give up and let go, the cuffs will cut through your skin and you will slowly bleed to death. Either way, I'll be surprised if you make it through the night."
"And you honestly believe Deeks will forgive you even if you don't kill me with your own two hands?"
He considers her words for a moment.
"He's my brother. He'll understand me. Besides, if I don't kill you you'll kill me. Partners come and go but I will always be his brother. He'll understand me. He'll see the truth hiding behind you peoples lies. I know my brother and he will come with me. So, enjoy what's left of your pitiful life."
"Why do you want him so bad?" Kensi snaps at him. "You haven't seen him in years, you have a little army here surrounding you …why do you need HIM?"
"Because he is my brother. My blood. I failed him once, but now that I've finally found him I am going to save him."
"Save him from what?" Kensi yells trying to understand his plan.
The Ghost moves forward and grabs her hair shoving her head backwards.
"YOU people! Seals, marines, the Government. Everyone that has been lying to us. I don't have time for this." He lets her go and walks towards the exit. "I have another attack to plan!"
"Stay away from him you hear me? I won't let you destroy him! Even if I die today I will make sure I take you with me. You hear me?" Kensi yells with all her strength but it is too late.
The Ghost has already left her alone.
Once she is alone in the room she realizes the severity of the situation. The wound on her shoulder is killing her and she must have torn the stitches because its bleeding. The cold air coming through the broken windows penetrates her body like needles. Death seems her only salvation. She wants to give up and let herself fade away. Surrender. But the word resignation does not exist in her vocabulary.
She tries to keep her balance but her exhaustion is consuming her rapidly. Every time she stumbles she can feel the cuffs digging into her wrists and making their way to her bones.
Deeks will come, won't he? He always finds her. But what if he won't succeed this time? How will he react when he finds her lifeless body hanging from the ceiling like a butchered animal?
Two agonizing hours go and as much as she wants to fight, her legs seem to have a mind of their own. Soon enough, they can't support her weight any longer and leave her body hanging from the ceiling. The pain if the cold metal cutting through her wrists is excruciating as she feels the warm blood running down her arms.
She doesn't cry but tears escape her eyes. "I am sorry," she manages to say before succumbing into the darkness.