Hello my darlings. I would like to thank GoldenEyes-65 and elsje1967 for the wonderful reviews.
So here it is, the one you've all been waiting for….
This chapter is set in season 2, episode 17 'Personal'. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS: LA, nor any of the lines I have taken from the show.
Deeks woke, as usual, surrounded by the warm arms of the man he loved. Was there any better way to start the day than this? He really didn't think so.
"Morning, Marty." Came the voice from above him, though he also heard the words vibrated through the chest his head was resting on.
"Ummm." Was his intelligent response as he rubbed his head against G to get the hair out of his eyes before planting a kiss upon his skin. "Morning." He finally mumbled closing his eyes and relaxing with the aim of going back to sleep.
"We need to get up." Callen replied chuckling at Marty's behaviour. He was never willing to get out of bed when he woke up, not that he had any problem with that. In fact he very much liked staying in bed with Marty as often as he could. Even months after there relationship started and that was something that was still very much alive, thank god.
"Why?" Marty pouted turning so he rested his chin on G's chest and he could stare up into his eyes, doing his best Monty impression.
"Because I'm having breakfast with Sam and you wanted to go for a run." Callen replied leaning down to kiss the pout of Marty's lips. That and he knew if he looked at that big eyed puppy dog look for too long he would cave. And Sam didn't need any more ammunition against him. Especially as he had stood him up for breakfast the last time they had planned it because he found himself 'oversleeping'. Thought as Sam said, he didn't sleep so that was the worst excuse he could ever use.
"I can think of a much better way for us to get exercise, and it doesn't require moving from our bed." Deeks suggested when they came up for air, moving so he was half lying on top of the older man as he placed kisses down his jaw line and onto his neck.
"I don't think Sam would appreciate having breakfast in bed with us. He might not find the menu to his liking." Callen replied though his arms wrapped around the other man tighter as he moved to give Marty greater access for his kisses.
"But I would." Deeks whispered seductively into his ear before taking the lob between his teeth and nibbling it making Callen chuckle. As much as he would love to stay where they were and do what Marty was obviously thinking of, they couldn't. Therefore with much willpower and protestations from the younger man he pulled them apart pushing Deeks so he was lying on his back on the bed.
"Later, I promise." He said before sealing his lips over Marty's in a fiercely passionate kiss which was designed to send both their blood pressures soring. He then pulled back and climbed out of the bed smirking at the glazed look of desire in his boyfriend's eyes.
"I'm going hold you to that." Deeks finally replied as he lay back and watched G make his way naked to the bathroom. It was a good image if he wasn't going to get anything more. It would do for now.
At that Callen just laughed. He didn't doubt for a second that Marty would indeed make him repay his promise with interest later, but he was absolutely fine with that. More than fine in fact.
15 minutes later Deeks was setting out for his run and Callen was making his way to meet Sam, neither of them aware at what they day would bring. Or at least Deeks wasn't until about hour later he found himself lying on the floor of a convenience store, with one bullet wound in him and staring down the barrel of a gun aimed right at his head. He knew this was it, there was no way he was going to get out of this one. And as he lay there waiting for the man to pull the trigger that would end his life all he could think about was G. About how he loved him and how he would never get to see him again. And then the finger twitched, the sound repeated around the store, and pain seared through him before his mind was claimed by blackness and he thought no more.
Callen and Sam were in the office, exchanging their usual banter when Kensi came in.
"Oh it never fails. Oh it never fails. No matter how haggard you look at the gym, some guy is gonna hit on you." She stated in disbelief as she put down her water bottle. What was it with men and having to do that?
"What is that? Is that a humble brag?" Callen asked his eyebrow quirking at her words. He couldn't quite believe that those words had come out of her mouth. Not because he didn't think she would say them, but more he didn't think she would give them such wonderful ammunition to use against her. Just wait until he told Marty, he would never let her live it down.
"A what?" Kensi asked her hands going to her hips. That sounded far too much like something her partner would say, she didn't expect to hear it out of Callen mouth. Though she probably should have done. They did practically live together after all.
"You feign complaining while patting yourself on the back." Sam explained making her realise it wasn't just something Deeks would say.
"No I don't." She stated. There had been no bragging in her words… had there?
"No, what you're really saying is, even at your worst, people hit on you." Callen responded with a smirk. This was fun.
"No, that not what I'm… saying-" Kensi tried to argue but Sam overrode her.
"It's like me saying, I can't believe the referee tripped over my feet at the Lakers game." He suggested looking over at G who was nodding in agreement.
"Whoa, that is not what I'm saying." Kensi replied trying to find a way out of this conversation now. She hated it when the senior agents did this to her. Where was Deeks to take the heat when you needed him huh?
"Morning, Hetty." Sam interrupted as he saw their operations manager make her way to them. Though looking at her he realised she had a look he had never seen on her face. What was going on? He couldn't help but sit up a little straighter because of it.
Hetty had been in her office, doing her work when the call came in. it was one she had never hoped to receive, and she didn't know how to break the news to the team. To break the news to Callen. Oh this was not good. But she couldn't sugar coat it no matter how much she wanted to, so instead looking straight into the eyes of her boy she said the words she never ever wanted to say. "Deeks has been shot."
Callen couldn't believe it. He couldn't compute what she was saying. One minute he was sitting there ribbing Kensi, and the next Hetty was telling him… no. It couldn't be. He couldn't have been. Marty was fine, he had been with him just a couple of hours ago, he had left him to go on his run. How the hell did anything happen to him on a run? Oh god. Oh god. Deeks has been shot. Marty has been shot. No. this couldn't be happening. No no no no. NO.
"NO." He shouted. He hadn't even realised he had said the words aloud until all eyes in the building seemed to turn to him. To be watching him. He could feel them, it was making his skin crawl. He wanted to run away, he wanted to hit something, he wanted to see Marty… he wanted to find whoever had done this and Make. Them. Pay.
"I am sorry Mr Callen. He is in surgery at Pacific Beach Medical." Hetty responded in an even tone. She had never seen her boy so pale as he was right now, it was as if all the blood had been drained out of him at her words. Why did this have to happen? Oh yes she knew it was the way of things, but everything had been going well for them all. The team were gelling nicely, and Callen and Marty were so happy together. Why now? Not that there would ever be a good time for any of them to get shot, but still…
Sam had turned to G as soon as the words that Deeks had been shot left Hetty's mouth. He could only imagine the pain and heartbreak he was going through. But he knew there was nothing he could do. So he sat and he watched as he paled and the look of hopelessness come over his face as the words registered in his mind. When Hetty explained that he was in surgery he let out a sigh of relief. At least he was still alive. That left him to do the only thing he could do. He would find those who did this, and he would bring them to justice, for Deeks, and for G. But first he would be there for his brother. He would need someone to sit with him at the hospital, and Sam was more than willing to do that. He knew Hetty wouldn't mind. They were a family after all.
"When?" He asked turning to Hetty and standing, readying himself to move.
"This morning at Sandune Convenience Store on Culver Boulevard." Hetty replied though when she heard the sound of hitched breathing her eyes, and those of Sam and Kensi went back to the man who still hadn't moved from his chair.
Sandune Convenience Store. It was Marty's favourite. How many times had he told him to switch it up? How many times… oh god. This was his fault. If only he had stayed in bed this morning none of this would have happened. Marty wouldn't have been on his run, and he wouldn't have stopped off for coffee. This was his fault. He should have trained him better, should have taken the time out of their relationship to make sure he learnt how hide… He should have told him he loved him. No. Marty could not die. He would be fine. He had to be. That was the only outcome Callen could possibly accept, now or ever.
"Let's take my car." Sam said turning to place his hand on his partners shoulder. He needed to get G to the hospital.
"Agreed. Keep me in the loop." Hetty nodded at Sam's words. She knew he would look after Callen for as long as he needed him to. He would be at his side through all of this. That was good, her boy was going to need his friend.
"No." Callen finally responded when he realised what Sam was suggested. He wanted to take him to the hospital, wanted him to wait around for news. Wanted him to stand there helplessly while Marty fought for his life. No. He couldn't do that. He wouldn't do that. He had a shooter to find. He needed to explain to whoever did this what happened when they hurt the man he loved. And he would explain it in explicit detail, slowly and very, very painfully.
Sam took one look at his face and couldn't stop himself from taking a step back. Because G had murder in his eyes, it was the only way he could think to describe the determined, terrifying look G was giving him right then. And Sam knew exactly what was going through his partners mind. He wanted to hunt down the shooter and get revenge. That wasn't how they should do this. They needed to bring the guy to justice, but as he opened his mouth to say just that Hetty spoke before he could.
"I think your particular skills would be of use at the crime scene Mr Hanna, Mr Callen." She said in an even voice, though she wasn't looking at Sam. She was staring into the eyes of the closest thing she had to a son. She knew what she was doing, and she knew she shouldn't let Callen anywhere near this investigation. But she understood him. She understood his desire to find those responsible, and she couldn't fault that. She also knew that even if she tried to take him off this case he would just go lone wolf to solve it. Hopefully if he had Sam with him instead of being on his own, he would be able to stop him from crossing the line they all walked as law enforcement. She hoped Sam would remind him how much Marty would not want Callen to kill for him, not in revenge.
"Agreed. Kensi go to the hospital. Keep us posted." Callen replied in a tone of voice that no one would question. It was hard and dark, and demanded respect. This was a side of Callen that none of his team had seen before. The dark side that people only get when the ones they loved had been hurt.
"Of course." Kensi responded with a nod. She had wanted to ask if she could go to the hospital, but she had known that Callen had more right to be there than her. He was the one Deeks loved, she was only his partner after all.
With that arranged Callen walked out of the bullpen. He didn't care if Sam followed him or not. He was going to find who did this, and he was going to make there last moments hell on earth. Because they had shot the man he loved. The man he had never told his feelings to. The man he would do anything for. The man that was his whole world. They were not getting away with this.
Sam was torn. He wanted to follow G to make sure he didn't go completely off the rails, but he also wanted to ask Hetty just what the hell she was all about. Surely she knew sending G to catch the shooter was like setting a lion on herd of goats. No one would survive his wrath.
"He will investigate this case with or without my permission Mr Hanna. I am hoping you will be able to make sure he doesn't…" Hetty said in reply to the look Sam was giving her, the questions he had in his eyes.
And Sam knew what it was Hetty wasn't saying. She was expecting him to tame the beast. Oh man, did she think he was some sort of god? The only person he knew who would be able to calm G and stop him killing everyone was the one lying in surgery right now. Therefore as he walked out of the bullpen to follow his partner he couldn't help but pray that Marty Deeks pulled through and woke up before it was too late. Because in Sam's mind he was the only one who would be able to save not his shooters, but G. Only Marty Deeks would be able to save G Callen from himself.