A/N: When I originally posted the previous chapter, something went wrong and two parts of the final section did not make it into the document. I have since edited those two pieces in. So in order for this chapter to make sense, and for things to flow better, please go back and at least read that final section of chapter 17.
Also, elements of Sylvia may be vaguely based on a family member who has a very obsessive personality and can act impulsively with less-than-optimal results.
"Sylvia, whatever you're going to do, the police will be here any second," Deeks warns, holding up a hand. If she doesn't listen, he's honestly not sure what he'll do. Even now, he's not certain he can fight back physically.
"Whatever I'm going to do? I just wanted to you show you the pictures from our trip to Jamaica. Remember how much fun we had," she says, holding up her phone, and relief rushes through him when he realizes she's not armed.
A squad car pulls up before he can respond, or she can get any farther. He silently thanks Nell for using her pull to get them here so quickly.
Sylvia spins around as one of the officers gets out, then turns back to Deeks, looking as desperate as ever.
"Ma'am, step away from the door," the officer calls out, his voice firm yet calm. His partner is slightly behind him, her hand steady on the butt of her weapon. Deeks takes all of this while never letting his focus completely drift from Sylvia.
Her eyes dart between Deeks and the quickly approaching cop, making a sound that reminds him of a wooded animal. This time when she throws herself at him, Deeks is ready, blocking her with his foreman in the expectation of another assault.
He doesn't expect her to curl a hand in his hair, forcing him face against hers. Her mouth is almost painful on his for the two seconds before he roughly pushes her away. He feels a few strands leave his scalp when she tries to maintain her grip, but he ignores the slight pain.
"Sylvia Gray, hands in the air!" The officer shouts, advancing more quickly.
Sylvia hesitates, looking at Deeks in hurt and disbelief. When he says nothing, she slowly raises her arms, hands trembling slightly.
The second cop moves to stand in front of her, a barrier between her and Deeks.
"Officer Deeks, I'm Officer Shelley, that my partner Patten. Are you alright? Dispatch mentioned a weapon might be involved," she says. Behind Shelley, her partner was guiding Sylvia to her knees, and patting her down.
"Um, yeah. I'm good." He absentmindedly swipes the back of his hand across his mouth. "I thought she was armed at first, but it turned out to be a cell phone."
"Or maybe not," Patten says, holding up a folded pocket knife.
"That was for my protection. It's not safe for women to be out all alone," Sylvia defends herself. "I wasn't planning to use it."
"Uh-huh." Patten grabs a pair of handcuffs, securing them around her wrists. Officer Shelley continues taking his statement, and it takes all Deeks' effort not to look at Sylvia while Patten calls in the incident.
Despite everything, he feels…something for her. Pity? Regret, maybe. At the very least, he doesn't want to see her in this position again.
He's saved from having to ponder those thought for the moment though, as an unmarked black car screeches down the street and parks haphazardly along the curb. Nell climbs out a moment later, giving a perfunctory wave of her badge to the arresting officers as she eyes Sylvia, still kneeling on the ground, moving onto Deeks.
"Deeks, are you ok? Did she hurt you?" she checks.
"Yes. And no."
"Detective, he didn't appear in immediate distress when we arrived," Shelley speaks up. "But Ms. Gray was kissing Officer Deeks and she had a weapon on her person."
"Unbelievable," Nell sighs, shaking her head in disgust at Sylvia. "When you submit the chargers, I want you to add on attempted assault."
"Nell," Deeks protests.
"Did you want her to kiss you?"
"No, but—"
"Well, then there you go," Nell says, like it's finalized.
Deeks takes her arm, drawing her a few steps away. "I'm not looking for retribution here," he hisses.
"She needs to be taught a lesson though. Otherwise she'll keep thinking she can get away with crap like this." She points in Sylvia's direction; Sylvia's silently crying, though her chest heaves with a sob every few seconds.
Without fully processing it, he takes a step towards her, but Nell grabs his shoulder, holding him back.
"Don't. Let her go, Deeks."
They watch as Patten pulls Sylvia to her feet. "Sylvia Gray you are under arrest for violation of terms of your release on bail, violation of a no contact order, unlawful possession of a concealed weapon, and attempted assault."
"I wasn't going to use it on anyone," Sylvia insists, pulling against the cuffs, her face a mix of fear and rage. It's as hard to watch as the last time. At least this time she doesn't beg him to help.
"Ma'am, you have the right to remain silent—"
"No, I'm not going back there! I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Ma'am if you continue to resist—"
The rest of Patten's statement is unintelligible as he drags Sylvia away.
"You'll need to come in and submit your full statement," Officer Shelley adds unnecessarily.
"Right," Deeks agrees, saying something else that he barely hears. There's a sudden faint buzzing in his ears, as the last 20 minutes hit him. "We should go inside." He doesn't wait for Nell to respond, or check if she's following him, too intent on getting inside before he falls apart.
He shuts himself inside the bathroom, hands shaking on the doorknob. Each breath he takes rushes out of him in a short gasp, and he slides down against the door, head falling back with a heavy thunk. He sits there for several minutes, breathing through the hazy memories that bring back feelings of anger, fear. Hurt.
It could be a few minutes or an hour when they finally stop, leaving a dull ache in his temples, and a full-body exhaustion that has him slumped against the door.
A hesitant knock on the door makes him jerk upright, his heart rate instantly spiking again.
"Deeks, are you ok in there?"
"Uh." He clears his throat, which is as hoarse as if he'd been screaming at the top of his voice. "Yeah, give me a minute."
Pushing himself to his feet, Deeks stumbles over to the sink. He lets the water run until it's icy cold, and cups several handfuls over his face. It makes him feel slightly more human; probably not enough to get out of a thorough interrogation from Nell.
When he opens the door, Nell is right there, and he'd be annoyed if it weren't for the way her eyebrows are furrowed, arms crossed tightly over her chest in worry. He gestures to the couch; for once he doesn't have the energy for extra words. Nell seems to understand well enough, and follows him as he takes a seat. She sits on the very edge, still looking unsure.
"Sorry about that," he mutters, nodding to the bathroom. "I needed to…process some things. Didn't really think you needed to see it."
"It's ok." She smiles grimly. "I think you earned it."
He drags a hand through his hair. "Would you believe me if I told you tonight was really supposed to be lowkey?" Nell snorts at that. "Damn, your date," he groans, suddenly remembering their call, which seems like hours ago.
"Don't worry about it. I already called Eric, and let him know that a friend needed help. He understands," Nell assures him. "We'll find another night."
"I probably overreacted a little, or a lot, but when she pulled out that phone, I thought for sure it was some kind of weapon."
"Based on her past behavior, I'd say that was a perfectly rational conclusion," Nell disagrees. "Better to be safe than sorry. And, she did have a knife. Maybe she was being honest, and it was just a precautionary measure, but there's no way to know for sure. I'd rather have shown up with a dozen police cars in tow than find out she hurt you again."
"That would have certainly gotten the neighbors talking," Deeks jokes to cover the heavy sensation in his chest. Nell rolls her eyes, nudging his shoulder.
"Yeah, Kensi might have to move after that." She purses her lips, facing his with a look that suggests she's about to say something he won't like. "Speaking of Kensi, you need to let her know what happened."
"Not tonight," he says instantly. He'd already thought of Kensi, and decided that he wouldn't bother her. "This is the first night she hasn't spent her, taking care of me in weeks. It can wait until tomorrow."
"Maybe it can, but Kensi would want to know." When he starts to object again, Nell raises her hand. "She'd hate to find out that this happened and she was out drinking instead of here, making sure you're ok. I promise the only one doing any blaming in this situation is you." She taps his phone through his pocket. "Call her."
"You're a good friend, Nell."
"I know," she says flippantly, hopping off the couch. "Now, while you call Kensi, I'm going to order some food. Because I am starving, you need a stress snack, and Kensi's going to need something to soak up those margaritas.
A/N: We're slowly getting there, guys. I don't think Sylvia will be getting out so easily this time.
Once again, I decided to end a fairly angsty chapter with a little bit of lightness. I think when Deeks is having a rough time and unable to provide his usual level of positivity, those around him chip in to make up.