It became a routine of sorts; Kensi checked in at OPS (or didn't depending on how late or early she'd been working with Deeks), and then headed either to Max's apartment or the warehouse.
Watching Deeks navigate his role was endlessly fascinating and, sometimes unnerving. He really did become a completely different person when he pulled on the Max persona. The entire time Kensi was played Bella, she was still fully aware that she was Kensi. She wasn't so sure Deeks experienced the same thing.
She watched him now from the sideline, as he orchestrated everything, completely confident.
"If Big Mike doesn't like it, he can come talk to me," Deeks said in response to Jose reporting a "client's" grievances.
"I don't know boss. He seems pretty mad. He goes loco when he doesn't get his way"
"Don't worry about. I'll go see him and talk him down." Patting him on the shoulder, Deeks gave Jose a reassuring nod.
Kensi frowned; Deeks' easy camaraderie with the men made it difficult to remember that they were criminals. She knew a large part of that was due to Deeks' influence.
Although Max Gentry had developed a reputation as a dangerous and often unpredictable man, from what she'd heard, he wasn't unnecessarily cruel. He also managed to keep the gang check enough of the time to avoid undue violence and death.
"It's ok, lady, Max can handle it," someone said, interrupting Kensi's musings. Kensi stiffened, realizing she'd been watching Deeks for an unknown amount of time, turning to face the young man who had spoken.
Pitch—she'd never learned his real name or the meaning behind his nickname—was a skinny kid of maybe 19 or 20. He had unruly brown curls, and skittish hazel eyes. She'd noticed he regarded Max with the utmost respect, eagerly taking on any task he was given and defending him even when it wasn't in his best interest.
"Should I be worried?" Kensi tossed back at him, managing to sound unconcerned. Pitch shrugged, rocking back and forth on his feet with his typical aimless energy.
"Big Mike has a temper." Pitch glanced around and leaned closer to Kensi. "I heard Mike shot a guy once for disagreeing with him. Kensi's eyes widened momentarily.
"That doesn't exactly reassure me, Pitch."
"Oh, no, but Max knows how to calm him down. He's real good at giving compliments and all that," Pitch said eagerly. He shrugged, suddenly a little sullen. "Or at least that's what I heard. I ain't got to go with before."
"Well, from the little bit I know about Big Mike at this point, that sounds like a good thing," Kensi told him.
She was sure Deeks wanted to keep relatively young and innocent Pitch far away from the more dangerous influences. It was completely ridiculous, but she found herself thinking the same. There was still hope for him.
"Hey, I'm tough," Pitch objected, anger and hurt glittering in his eyes.
"I'm sure you are, but as you said, this man is dangerous and I don't think Mr. Gentry would like it if you died. You're too valuable." Knowing she'd crossed a boundary that the real Bella Melendez never would, Kensi straightened her shoulders. "You should get back to work."
"Yes, ma'am."
As Pitch scurried off, Kensi went in search of Deeks, who had disappeared while she was occupied. She found him in his small office at the back of the warehouse with a stack of bills on the desk in front of him. He looked up as she reached the threshold, all business, focused on his current task.
"Oh good, I was hoping to talk to you before I left. Close the door."
Kensi closed it, slouching against the doorframe.
"You're going to talk to Big Mike now?"
"It's best not to give Mike more time to think. Tends to make him angrier." Deeks replied.
"You mean the kind of angry that leads to him shooting people without provocation?" Kensi retorted, folding her arms.
"I see you've been talking to Pitch." Deeks sat back in his chair with a sigh.
"Yes. I'm glad he did. He told me this Mike guy is volatile and dangerous."
"Ok, first of all, the story about Mike is highly embellished at this point. Secondly, he can be dangerous, like anybody in this game—hhh"
"Is this supposed to make me feel better about you going to talk to him? Cause you're completely failing," Kensi said. Deeks pressed his lips together and nodded.
"I was going to say, fortunately, I know what makes him tick."
"And what's that."
Deeks slapped the wad of money on the desk and briefly lifted a flask from his pocket. "Money and booze."
"That's a terrible idea." Kensi pinched the bridge of her nose, but Deeks didn't seem bothered by her lack of faith. In fact, he seemed purposely calm.
"Bella, I've done this before. It works. Mike likes to get his way, blow off some steam, and then drink someone else's alcohol."
"Well, I'm definitely coming with," she told him, folding her arms, and squaring her chin stubbornly. As she anticipated, Deeks immediately shook his head.
"Not a chance." Kensi opened her mouth to object, but before she could get a word out, he added, "Mike doesn't do well with surprises. He'd freak out if I brought a stranger with me, especially when he's already upset."
"I can handle it," Kensi said, eyes flashing with sudden anger.
"I'm sure you can. This has nothing to do with your abilities." Deeks glanced towards the closed door, and got up, stopping less than a foot from Kensi.
"I'd like to minimize any chance of injuries," he said, lowering his voice. "That's going to be a lot harder if there are unknown variables." Kensi continued to glare at him. "Besides, I have some names for you to give to your techie wizard people. Eric and Nell, right?"
Kensi nodded reluctantly. "Sending it to them should take seconds."
"Uh yeah, not so much." Deeks grimaced, holding up a folded piece of paper. "The names are hand written and nearly illegible. Somebody needs to transcribe them."
"Fantastic," Kensi sighed, snatching the paper from his hand. "I will do this, but if you're gone for more than two hours, I'm shaking Pitch down for the address and coming to find you."
"I can agree to those terms," Deeks said. He tucked the money into one of his pockets, and squeezed her shoulder, heading for the door. "Oh, and it's probably a good idea if you stay in here while you work. Jose's coming with me and Frankie's in a foul mood."
"As opposed to his normal cheery personality," she muttered. Deeks snorted, already halfway out the door. She grasped his elbow before he disappeared completely. "Hey, be careful. Ok?"
Deeks just flashed a grin and winked.
Half an hour later, Kensi had transcribed exactly four names and wasn't swearing under her breath, and the letters blurred together. As she pored over the list, the door swung open, and she looked up to Frankie standing in the doorway, scowling down at her.
"Max is gone," Kensi informed him coolly, discreetly tucking the paper into her pocket.
"Oh, I know," he said, mouth twisting into a smile that was far more unnerving than his anger.
"Aren't you supposed to be running things while he's gone?"
"Yeah. And as the boss, I decided it was time everybody took a little break." He slipped inside, closing the door behind him, and blocking it with his body. "So, it's just the two of us."
A/N: Thanks to anyone who's still following this story after so long! And yes, another cliffhanger of sorts. My deepest apologies.