A/N: This was my little Whumptober offering for this year, which has now turned into an ongoing piece. As usual, I've gone with a light topic for this one. Takes place post series finale. For the purpose of this story, both Kensi and Deeks have retired from NCIS and fieldwork.
"Well, first we're going to change your diapers, then mommy's going to feed you, and then we're going to go for a walk. And, if we're lucky, sissy is going to come for dinner," Deeks explained as he secured the sides of Caleb's diaper. "What do you think we should have?" He directed this question at Sophia, who was kicking away in the little bassinet attached to the side of the changing table.
"Ha!" she exclaimed in response.
"I agree," Deeks said conversationally. "Potatoes would be nice."
"Ooh, what gourmet dishes are we planning?" Kensi asked, coming up behind him, and resting her chin on his shoulder as she looked down on the twins.
"Mmmmaaaa," Caleb cooed, excitedly waving his hand in Kensi's direction.
"Hi sweetie." Kensi closed her fingers around his fist, shaking it hard enough to make him giggle. She turned to Sophia then, kissing her tones, and the little girl let out a truly impressive string of sounds.
"And there we go," Deeks announced, hefting a baby under each arm, and spun them in half circles, resulting in another round of giggles. When they were done, he unlatched Caleb's sharp little nails from his t-shirt, presenting him to Kensi with a flourish. "Two squeaky clean kiddos, which will last for approximately 1-3 hours."
"Thanks, baby. "Next round is on me," Kensi said, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "So, what are we having for dinner?"
"Well, Caleb has some interesting ideas about coq au vin, but I'm not sure we have time for it."
"You're quite the chef," Kensi told Caleb, going along with the joke.
"Baaaa," Caleb replied, determinedly tugging at the front of Kensi's shirt.
"And of course, you're hungry again." She sighed good-naturedly, adjusting her top so Caleb could nurse.
Balancing Sophia in one arm, rocking back and forth. Just the other day, she'd figured out how to clap, and had been entertaining herself with the new skill whenever it struck her fancy. Right now she kept an enthusiastic, if uneven beat to Deeks' rhythm.
"You want me to watch this one, or start on dinner?" he asked Kensi.
"Dinner," Kensi replied without a second thought. "I can handle these two."
"All right." He turned Sophia to face him, giving her a mock scowl. "No prison breaks, you hear me missy?" She giggled at his expression, tugging at his beard with her little fingers.
Deeks had just gotten started on cutting up some veggies, when his phone buzzed in his pocket with an incoming call. He checked the number, didn't recognize it, and resumed his previous task, dumping a pile of diced potatoes, onions, and peppers into a pan.
His phone started ringing again less than a minute later with the same number. Frowning, he accepted the call.
"Hi, this is Marty," he answered cautiously.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Deeks, this is the Director of the FBI along with NCIS Director Leon Vance," a smooth male voice responded. "I was hoping you'd have some time to talk."
"Um, honestly, I was just about to start dinner," Deeks answered, falling on humor to cover his surprise. These days the number of calls he got from any federal agency aside from the IRS was minimal.
"We'll try not to keep you too long. I know you have a family waiting for you," Director Vance spoke up, clearing his throat pointedly.
"Of course," the FBI director agreed, appeasing Vance, Deeks thought. "Well, to get straight to the point, our agency has been following a human trafficking ring for the last year. This particular ring has grown over the years, but it's come to a head recently."
Deeks felt his stomach clench unpleasantly at the mention of trafficking. In all his years in law enforcement, dealing with those cases had been some of the very worst.
"We've attempted to infiltrate this ring many times, with subpar results," the director continued on, oblivious to Deeks' inner turmoil. "Unfortunately, time is not on our side. We recently received a tip that several hundred children and women are being transported in the next few weeks. That's when your name came up."
"I'm going to need you to be a little more explicit, Sir," Deeks said, even though he was certain where this conversation was heading.
"Former Deputy Director Ochoa mentioned you're skilled in undercover work, and a review of your history with NCIS confirmed that to be true. I think you'd be perfect for this job."
"You do recall the part where I have six-month-old twins at home, right?" Deeks asked facetiously. He didn't think for a moment that the Director hadn't completely vetted him and combed through his and Kensi's lives meticulously. A bitter feeling settled heavily in his stomach at the thought. "Not to mention I retired from active fieldwork last year."
"Yes, we're aware," Vance said, sounding strained and maybe a touch irritated. Deeks wondered how much say he'd had in this entire venture. If the FBI had gone over his head to ensure his cooperation.
Deeks had expected the topic of fieldwork to be officially shelved, not to be on the receiving end of a call from the directors of NCIS and the FBI asking him to return for what sounded like a highly dangerous mission.
"Yes, yes, my belated congratulations to you and Agent Blye," the FBI director added on hastily. "Though I'm sure they could spare you for a few weeks for a good cause."
"With all due respect, why not use another, active agent? There's half a dozen that come to mind right now." He didn't envy anyone who was tasked with the job.
"Your persona, Max Gentry, would be a perfect fit for this role," the Director explained, and Deeks' lip curled at the mention of an alias he'd come to hate. "And, to be perfectly honest, you're the best agent for the job. You fit the profile, you have the skills, and you know to speak to these kinds of people. After reading through your file, I don't know that I've seen a better operator when it comes to undercover roles. It's truly impressive."
"You can cut down on the flattery, Director," Deeks said, now without any politeness. "I know my talents. I was good at my job. When it was my job. Now I'm a father, husband, and lawyer and I'd like to think I'm pretty fantastic at those too. I'm not prepared to jeopardize any of that."
There was a moment of silence over the phone, and Deeks wondered if he'd stunned the Director by not immediately capitulating.
"I'm not sure you understand the gravity of the situation. These are children, like your twins. Imagine someone taking them in a few years. Or your wife," the Director pressed, his tone telling Deeks he knew exactly what he was doing. Deeks flinched at the mention of the twins and Kensi. "You've dealt with this before. Do you think you'll be able to sleep knowing that these kids are out there, being sold and abused? That they may never see their families again?"
Deeks clenched his jaw, beyond angry at the blatant manipulation, and even more so that the Director was right. When there were kids involved, hell when there was anyone vulnerable being mistreated, he found it hard to stand idly by.
"I'm going to need more details before I commit to anything," Deeks decided reluctantly. He hated himself for giving, almost as much as he was quickly growing to dislike the Director.
"Of course, Investigator." He could almost hear the SECNAV's satisfaction through the phone.
"Let me be perfectly clear; I still don't like this. My priority is my family and if I don't think that your operation is sound and capable of actually shutting down this trafficking ring as well as saving the victims, then I will not be a part of it," Deeks said firmly. "I won't be used as a pawn in some game or to gain you a gold star."
"We understand," Vance replied before the Director could. "I think that's a perfectly reasonable request given the importance of the case. Rest assured that I will be involved every step of the way should you decide to assist us."
"Yes, we appreciate that, Leon," the Director replied, not sounding too pleased by at all. "We'll expect your decision in two days, Deeks."
"Right. Now if you'll excuse me, it's getting late and I have a hungry family waiting."
"Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule," Vance said, and he actually sounded like he meant it. "Tell Ms. Blye hello for me."
"Sure thing." A moment later, the call was over, and Deeks carelessly set his phone to the side. Turning to face the counter, he braced his elbows on the surface, burying his face in his hands.
What the hell had he gotten himself into?
A/N: I couldn't confirm who the current NCIS director is, so I just went with Vance before I went crazy searching for answers.