Chapter 8

Hearing Meaghan Shelton's scared voice, Deeks sat up straight, waking Kensi. "Sweetie, what's the matter?" he asked, eliciting a frown from his sleepy partner. He mouthed "Meaghan" at her. She sat up, instantly awake and now worried about the young girl.

"Where are you Meaghan? What's going on?" he asked.

"We're at a club, The Keen on Santa Monica. We heard Vivid Dreams was playing tonight and wanted to see them. We were having a great time until these three older guys started trying to buy us drinks and wanting to dance with us. They won't leave us alone or let us leave. We talked to the bouncer but he knows these guys and won't do anything. We went into the bathroom to get away from them. Marty, we don't know what to do! You said I could call you any time and you'd come. Please come Marty, please!" Meaghan sobbed into her phone.

"Kensi and I are on our way Meaghan. You stay in that bathroom until we get there. Kensi will come in and get you. Who are you with?" he said, moving around the living room as he spoke, shoving his feet into his shoes. Kensi did the same and held up the keys to the SRX, motioning towards the door. Still on the phone, he moved with her through the door, locking it behind him.

"Valerie is here with me."

"Ok sweetie, you stay there and don't let her out of your sight. Did you call your folks? Do they know where you are?"

"No. I told them I was staying at Val's tonight. Val's folks think she's staying with me. You know that we've been to clubs before to see bands and we've never run into this kind of trouble! My parents are going to kill me! Things were going so well after the party last night. I've ruined it all! "

"Sweetie, they love you. They may be angry and there will be consequences but you guys will work it out. You need to be honest with them and apologize. If you act like an adult, they'll treat you like one. You can't lie and sneak around."

Meaghan sniffled again. "I know. Can you stay on the phone with me until you get here?"

"Absolutely. You know, I was going to suggest meeting the guys in Vivid Dreams next weekend. I guess you pushed the agenda up." This time he was rewarded with a watery giggle.

Kensi drove as fast as she could, breaking several traffic laws along the way, while Deeks stayed on the phone with Meaghan, keeping her calm and letting them know the two girls were still okay. Thankfully, there wasn't as much traffic at this time of night. Turning onto Santa Monica she screeched to a halt in front of the club, throwing the car into park. The two of them piled out of the car, Kensi yelling at the valet "Federal Agents! Leave the car where it is!" Deeks let Meaghan know they were here and hung up.

They bypassed the long line of people still waiting to get into the club and ran up to the bouncer who was checking the guest list and monitoring who got in. Kensi reached for her badge when Deeks said "TJ, we need to get in to find some friends of ours. It's an emergency!"

"Hey Marty, figured you'd show up here at some point to see Chris play. What's the emergency? Can I help?" the bouncer asked as he undid the rope to allow them into the building.

"Thanks man, but I think we got this covered. Don't be surprised if three guys come hightailing it out of here shortly. My partner and I are going to be having a very serious talk with them." Deeks replied as he and Kensi ran by him, intent on getting in and finding the girls. TJ watched them disappear into the club and then shrugged. He trusted Marty and knew that, whatever was happening, he would deal with it with a minimum of fuss. He turned back to the line just in time to catch some wannabe trying to slip past him while his attention was elsewhere. TJ just grabbed him by the collar and put him back in line with a glare. This guy was going to the bottom of the list.

Familiar with the club from the many times he'd come here to see bands play, Deeks led the way to the ladies room. He stopped at the door and Kensi went in, spotting Meaghan and her friend immediately. Meaghan sobbed when she saw Kensi and ran into her arms. "I'm sorry we caused all this trouble! I'm so glad to see you Kensi!" Kensi rubbed her back and looked at Valerie, who was crying quietly. She opened her arms to her and Valerie rushed in. Kensi held both girls tightly; glad they were safe but so angry that they had taken such a chance. They weren't ready to deal with the kind of guys who trolled these clubs. Both girls were going to get some self-defense lessons as soon as she could arrange it.

She pulled away and asked "Are you both okay?" She was rewarded with two shaky smiles and nods. "Let's get out of here. Deeks is waiting right outside, he's frantic with worry about the two of you. Before we leave, I want you to point out these guys to us. We're going to be having a little chat with them." The girls took one look at her face and decided they were glad Kensi was on their side.

Deeks was pacing outside the ladies room, earning him some weird looks from women heading in. He ignored them, wondering what the hell was taking so long. The door opened and Kensi walked out with the two shaken teenagers. Meaghan immediately went into his arms for a hug. He looked at Kensi questioningly and she nodded that the girls were okay. He sighed and pushed Meaghan back a little. "You and I are going to have a serious discussion about this young lady!" She nodded and hung her head. "I shouldn't reward either one of you but, as long as we're here, why don't we go backstage and I'll introduce you two to Chris and the guys?" Both girls forgot their trauma in the excitement of what he had just said. "First, I want you to point out these three guys to Kensi and me." They nodded, remembering the look on Kensi's face in the rest room.

They headed back towards the dance floor with the girls in front. They didn't have to point the men out as they were already moving in on the two girls, not realizing Deeks and Kensi were with them. Both stayed quiet and let them come. These guys weren't going to know what hit them. The largest of the three said to the girls aggressively "We were wondering where you two went. Thought you ran out on us, you little teases!" as he reached out to grab Meaghan's arm.

Deeks stepped between them. "I don't think she's interested man. "

The guy looked him up and down, seeing what most people did, lanky beach bum who wouldn't know how to fight to save his soul. His two buddies came up and flanked the man, who was obviously the leader of this little pack of jackals. "Mind your own business or you won't be walking out of here. Understand me, man?"

Deeks nodded and said "Oh, I understand plenty. I understand you guys have been bullying and threatening these two girls here. And by girls, I mean 16 year olds. Jail bait, if you get my drift. Back off now or you're all going to end up in jail." he moved his shirt out of the way to display his badge. He felt his partner move to his side as she held up her badge to them as well.

"Federal agent. If we ever hear of you guys threatening anyone at any club in L.A., you are going to regret being born. We will tear apart your lives and leave you with nothing but scraps. You understand me, man?" she said fiercely. The three men started to back away, mumbling apologies. Once at a safe distance, like most bullies, they turned tail and ran, walking quickly to the exit and disappearing into the night.

"That's my girl!" said Deeks, earning him a frown from all three females. "Uh, that's my woman? Nope, that doesn't sound right either. That's my partner! That works, right?" The three of them looked at each other and shrugged, deciding to let him off the hook. After all, he had come riding in to save the damsels in distress, albeit with an amazon warrior at his side.

Meaghan licked her lips and took a chance. "So, you mentioned something about introducing Val and me to the guys in the band?"

Deeks grinned at her. "I will if you call your folks first. Tell them where you really are. You don't necessarily need to let them know you got into trouble, but they need to know where you are."

"Can I call them after we meet the guys?" she asked, pretty sure her folks wouldn't let her stay here long enough to spend any time with the band.

"Nope." he responded, popping the p. "Call them now, tell them where you are, that you're with me and Kensi and that we'll be bringing you BOTH home shortly."

Meaghan sighed, knowing she didn't have a choice. She pulled out her phone and called home. Her mom answered, her voice rough with sleep. "Meaghan? What's the matter?"

"Um, mom. I'm so sorry. I lied to you and dad. Val and I went to a club where we are now. Marty and Kensi are here." she tacked on the last quickly, hoping it would help mitigate the lecture she was sure was about to start.

"Put him on the phone, Meaghan." her mom said. This scared her more than a fight. Marty and Kensi were now going to be in the middle of this and all they'd done was come to help her. Silently she handed the phone to him.

"Mrs. Shelton?" Deeks said.

"Tell me what happened, Detective Deeks. I'm assuming my daughter and her friend snuck into the club, got into some kind of trouble and called in the cavalry in the form of you and Agent Blye?"

"Uh, that about covers it."

Mrs. Shelton sighed. Since yesterday they had seen the Meaghan she used to be. Funny and happy, not dark and unreachable. It seemed like the team sent to protect them from the threat had switched something back on inside her little girl. She didn't want to back slide. "How do you want to play this Marty?" calling him by his name for the first time.

Deeks looked at the two girls. "Would you mind if we stay here a bit longer? I want to introduce the two of them to some good people. Kensi and I will watch over them and bring them home directly after."

"Put Meaghan back on." he handed the phone back to the young girl.

"Mom?"

"Meaghan Jean Shelton, you are in such trouble. For tonight, I'll let you stay there for a while longer, as long as you do exactly what Marty tells you to. Tomorrow, we are going to have a long discussion to determine your punishment, both for lying to us and for putting yourself in harm's way. Do you understand me?"

"Yes. Mom?"

"What Meaghan?"

"I love you."

There was silence on the phone for a second. "I love you too baby!" she heard.

It sounded like her mom was crying. She would ask her why when they had their talk tomorrow. Right now, she and Val were going to meet the band! She handed the phone back to him one last time, knowing he would want to hear that they could stay directly from her mother.

"They can stay for a short time Marty. We'll see you when you bring them home. Oh, and Marty? Thank you!"

"You're welcome Mrs. S." giving her a nickname like he did with everyone else. He heard her laugh as she hung up the phone. She was coming to like the scruffy looking detective.

"We're on! Let's go meet Chris and the rest of the band." he said. He moved towards the backstage area with the women following him. Everyone who worked there seemed to know him. They stopped several times to talk with various employees and clients of the club. Suddenly, when something Meaghan had said popped into his head, he stopped and turned to her. "Can you point out the bouncer who wouldn't help you?"

The girls nodded and looked around the club. "That's him over there." Valerie said, finding him first. Deeks looked at the guy carefully, he didn't recognize the man so he was probably new. He'd be having a chat with TJ on the way out. Chances are this guy would be looking for a new job tomorrow.

Smiling at the girls, he led them backstage and introduced them to the guys. Chris was ecstatic to see him, telling him that Cindy was going to be mad she'd missed him. She had been there last night but was home tonight, taking it easy. He promised Chris that he would call her and make plans to get together soon. Chris had eyed Kensi and told Deeks to bring her along. They spent an hour hanging with the band, the guys telling stories about Deeks that made the two teenagers crush on him even more. Kensi wouldn't put herself in that category but she listened eagerly along with the two young girls.

Deeks finally stood up and said "We got to get going. Kens and I have to take these two home to face the music. Pun intended." They all laughed and stood up, hugs and handshakes all around. On the way out of the club, Deeks stopped to talk to TJ while Kensi lead the girls to the SRX still sitting at the curb. "TJ, you guys got a new bouncer? About 6 feet, dark red hair, looks like he pumps steroids as well as iron?"

"Yeah, Paul something or other. Why?" TJ asked. Deeks went on to explain what had happened and that Paul had refused to help the two frightened girls. TJ's face turned grim. He had a preteen daughter at home and knew he would want to hurt anyone that refused to help his little girl. "He'll be looking for a new job tomorrow, if not a few new teeth as well." he said. Deeks smiled and nodded. He knew TJ meant every word.

Heading to the car, he got into the passenger seat. "Ready ladies?" he asked. Turning to look at Meaghan and Valerie, he was surprised to see them both asleep in the back seat. He narrowed his eyes at them, not sure if they were shamming to prevent the lecture he had ready or if they were really asleep. He looked at Kensi, who shrugged. Looking back at the two girls, his face softened. They had been through enough excitement tonight, he'd let it slide….for now.