A/N: Yes, the rate of this story is moving like frozen molasses.
The van stopped after what Deeks estimated was approximately an hour. Two armed and masked men dragged them out, and he could tell Kensi was fighting the urge to lash out. She almost certainly could take them out on her own, especially with her current level of anger. He knew she was holding back for Julia's sake.
They were led into a nondescript brick building and then to a dim, empty room. It was chilled and damp with only a few concrete pillars for support breaking up the space. As they were dragged in, Deeks noticed a hunched figure leaning against the farther pillar.
"Mom!" Kensi shouted, breaking free of her captor. She dropped to her knees on the hard floor as Julia lifted her head, eye wide with fear and confusion.
"Kensi?"
"Mom, it's ok," Kensi assured her as the man reached her and roughly yanked her back.
"Hey!" Deeks protested, instinctively moving towards her.
"Don't even think about it," the man holding him growled, jamming the tip of a gun into his neck. Deeks stilled, hands reminding himself to bide his time.
He caught Kensi's eye and shook his head slightly, and she stopped resisting too, allowing the man holding her to chain her to the pillar opposite Julia's.
"What do you want with us?" Kensi demanded.
"That's an excellent question," a voice drawled and Michael strolled in. He'd removed the ball cap, revealing a layer of short black curls. He nodded in apparent approval. "Ethan, secure the detective. Then we can talk."
Once they were all chained, Michael folded his hands together and wandered to stand between them.
"Agent Blye, Detective Deeks, as federal employees, you have access to certain databases, confidential information that I need."
"Whatever you want, this has nothing to do with Julia Feldman. Let her go," Deeks reasoned.
"Oh, I disagree. As your wife's mother, it's just another incentive for good behavior," Michael said.
"What kind of information are you looking for?" Deeks asked, changing tactics. "You know our codes are probably locked down by this point."
"I certainly hope not. For your sakes." Michael's expression darkened for a second, then he smirked. "I've heard you're very good at spinning the truth, Detective. You can stall all you want; it won't change my mind."
When no one spoke, he nodded.
"Maybe you need some encouragement. Jasper." He made a beckoning gesture, and Jasper stepped forward, only his eyes visible through the black plastic mask he wore. He stood in front of Deeks for a moment, then without warning he slammed his fist into Deeks' jaw.
His head jerked back with enough force his skull impacted with the strong behind him, and his vision darkened for a few seconds, and he thought he heard Julia gasp. He blinked against it, laughing breathily before his head was fully clear, lifting his head. Blood trickled down the middle of his chin.
"Wow, that's the same kind of encouragement my dad used. Good times," he drawled. He held Michael's gaze for another few moments, then let his eyes flick to Kensi briefly. Her face was impassive, but her eyes glittered with rage.
"I'll give you some time to think, then when I return, you'll either give me the login information I need or…this will become ugly," Michael said, though he didn't sound quite as calm as before.
He motioned for Jasper and Ethan to follow him. Jasper closed the door behind him, the sound of a bolt being pulled loud in the otherwise silent room.
"Baby, are you ok?" Kensi asked, twisting so she mostly faced him.
"Yeah." He tongued the cut inside his bottom lip. A small gush of blood flowed out with the gentle probe. He spat it out on the floor with a grimace, looking up in time to see Kensi wince and Julia blanch. "Really, it's not that bad, Kens."
"Thank god. Why did you have to provoke him so quickly?"
"He was going to target one of us, I'd rather it be me," he told her.
"Marty, Kensi, I'm so sorry this happened," Julia apologized, speaking for the first time. Her voice shook, and Deeks saw tear track shining on her cheeks.
"No, mom, this is not your fault. They targeted you because of us, but we're going to make sure that nothing happens to you," Kensi promised her.
"Which means we need a plan," Deeks said, wriggling until he could reach his boot. After a moment of struggling, he produced the knife he'd hidden away. "How long do you think it'll take me to break out?"