Sometimes you need some convincing from the top
THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE
"I am just about to get blown to pieces by 3 guys with guns when this guy steps in as a sign twirler. He is flipping this sign around, wearing a fanny pack, and goes on and on about how he can raise this place's business." Kensi continued, leaving everyone laughing and one embarrassed Detective sitting next to her.
"And you conveniently forget to mention that I drew my weapon soon after that." Deeks replied.
"That is because nothing came of it. You got captured too and it was up to Sam and Callen to save us."
She said.
"I really wish you would have had a picture of that." Abby said.
"Sorry, Abby. That was a 'you had to have been there' moment." Deeks said.
Director Vance walked into the bullpen and looked at the Agents. They were all sitting around after a hard day's work, which included needing Kensi and Deeks to come in from LA for some assistance.
"Good work, all of you. SECNAV is happy, which makes me happy." He said.
"It's what we do, Director" DiNozzo said.
"Especially you two. Hetty wasn't lying when she said we could make good use of you." He said to Kensi and Deeks.
"Always a pleasure to help out, sir." Deeks said. Kensi nodded in agreement.
"I've got you both booked on a flight that will leave in two hours and I'm having your things picked up from the hotel. We will get you home before dinner." Vance said.
"Appreciate it, sir." Kensi said.
"Detective, if I can have a moment of your time in my office?" Vance said.
"Me? Uh…sure." Deeks was caught off guard.
Vance walked up the stairs with Deeks in tow.
"Wow, he is so busted." Bishop said.
"Ya think?" Gibbs said.
Vance and Deeks stepped into his office and Vance closed the door after him.
"Have a seat." He said, waving to the conference table.
"Uh. Yes, sir." Deeks said as he sat down.
"Would you like a drink?" Vance said walking to his liquor cabnet.
"Just some water would be fine." Deeks said.
Vance fixed them both up drinks. He walked over and handed Deeks his before sitting down.
"Uh, Am I in trouble?" Deeks said.
"Now why would you think that, Detective?" Vance said, smoothing out his shirt and tie.
"Not every day a LAPD cop gets asked into the office of the Director of a Federal Agency."
"True, but you aren't just a run of the mill cop, now are you?" Vance said, taking a drink.
"Point taken." Deeks said.
"Truth is, Detective, I make it a point to connect with each of my agents one on one as much as I can. Out of all of them I encounter regularly you are the only one I haven't yet." Vance said.
"Well, I'm not one of your Agents." Deeks reminded him.
"You could be, if you would just sign that damned paper Hetty gave you." Vance said with a slight grin.
"You know about that?" Deeks said.
"Of course I do. It's my job to know. Part of the reason why I asked specifically for you and Kensi was because of what we are doing right now. I want to talk to you about why you are holding back." Vance said, leaning against the table and intertwining his fingers.
"In the 6 years since you started working regularly with OSP not once have I seen a misconduct report, an official complaint, or any sort of negative feedback cross my desk. In face quite the opposite. Your file is impeccable. You have achieved raving reviews from personnel both inside the agency and outside. One Talia DeCampo from the DEA said you were one of the few people she has worked with that she would consider as a partner. And given her track record of working alone that is high praise."
"Yea, I don't think Kensi would go for that." Deeks chuckled.
"No, no she wouldn't. Hell hath no fury like a female partner scorned." Vance said.
"I know you have told Dr Getz many times that you feel like you don't belong. You are just a cop in an Agent's world. But I can tell that you belong here, Detective. We want you here." Vance said.
"You're right. I don't feel like I belong. I never had any plans to become some Super Special Agent. I became a cop because I wanted to help people." Deeks said.
"An honorable goal if any. I know you have had a rough time lately. The events with Siderov, Kensi being reassigned to Afganistan, Thapa's death. I know that those have affected you deeply. But I can tell you that regardless of whatever happens. You will always have a home here in NCIS. Think about it on the flight home for me." Vance said.
"Yes sir." Deeks said.
"You are a good man, Detective. You will make a hell of an Agent." Vance said, finishing off his drink,
"Thank you, sir." Deeks said as he finished off his.
"Now, go socialize. Your ride to the airport should be here soon." Vance said
"Thank you sir." Deeks stood up.
Vance stood and stuck out his hand. "Think about what I said, Detective."
Deeks took it and shook it. "I will." He said as he walked out the door.
"Sshhh. Here he comes!" Abby said.
Deeks walked down the stairs and returned to his place in the Bullpen.
"Relax guys. I'm in once piece" He said.
Kensi bumped her hip against him. "On a scale of 1 to Hetty, how bad was that chewing out?" She said, smiling.
"Negative 12" Deeks said, smiling back at her.
"You serious? What did he want?" Kensi asked.
"Just to talk to me a bit. Nothing major" Deeks said.
Kensi checked her watch. "Ride should be here any minute." She said.
Deeks reached down into his back and grabbed a small package.
"Hetty wanted me to give you this, Dr. Mallard." Deeks said as he walked over to Ducky.
"Please, Martin, call me Ducky" He said, taking the package.
"Ok, Ducky. She said that she knew you liked Afgani blends so she came across this one and wanted to send it to you." He said.
He opened the package to find a small burlap sack of tea leaves from Afganistan.
"Yes. Well you tell her that the next time she is in DC that she must stop by. It is bad form to not share tea given as a gift with the person who gave it." He said.
"I will tell her that. It was a pleasure working with you." Deeks said as he stuck his hand out.
"Pleasure was all mine. I hope you return soon." Ducky said, shaking his hand.
They each took turns saying goodbye to the team. Palmer had promised to visit LA some time, Bishop talked about taking her husband there, McGee gave them some games to take to Eric, DiNozzo gave them a DVD to watch on the flight home, Abby gave them both hugs and made them promise to come back. Then Deeks stepped up to Gibbs.
"It was an honor working with you, Sir." Deeks said as he stuck his hand out.
"Don't call me, Sir. I work for a living." Gibbs said, shaking his hand.
Gibbs smiled. "You did good, Deeks."
"Thank you, Gibbs." He replied.
"Don't let this one get too bothersome, Kensi." Gibbs said.
"Never, Gibbs." Kensi replied, smiling.
The agent that was going to drive them to the airport stepped up to the Bullpen.
"Mr. Deeks, Miss Blye. I have your things and we are ready to go." He said.
"See you all soon." Kensi said as they waved good bye and walked toward the elevators.
"So what did Vance really want you for?" Kensi said.
"Just to talk, really. Nothing important." He said, as they got on the elevator.
"I am ready for the LA heat. It is way too cold here in DC" Deeks said.
"Wuss." Kensi said, playfully punching him in the shoulder.
Im back temprorarly. Ive been working on a major project that allowed me to focus on something other then NCIS LA so it allowed my batteries to recharge. Updates are going to be more sporatic as The Hunter Saga is now my top prioroity. I have about 3 episodes including this one right now but nothing after that. Unfortuanately this also means that the sequel to Hell to Heaven has been put on an indefinite hold. I really want to finish it because I like the story I have but it's really hard for me to write case based storylines.
This episode came out of my interest in more crossovers like we had at the beginning of the series. And again I play on Deeks' reasoning for not joining NCIS which I think would be an awesome storyline to see play out if/when they finally decide to go through with it. Hope you like it. Thanks for Reading, Reviewing, Following, Favoriting, and just plain putting up with it. More to come