Even the darkest of shadows yields to the light

SHADOWS BEGONE

Los Angeles Police Department Hearing Room 101

The mummer in the room died down when the panel of 5 came from the other room and took their seats. Everyone returned to their seats waiting for the proceedings to continue. Deeks stole a quick look back and was glad to see the entire team from OSP, as well as Director Vance, seated in the room with him.

"Back on the Record." He spoke into the mike. "This hearing is now in session. Detective Martin Andrew Deeks, please rise." The senior panel member, the Deputy Chief of Police spoke.

Deeks stood up, smoothing his dress uniform out. He snapped to attention, the outside of him stoic but the inside of him was pure chaos.

"This panel has listened to 4 days worth of testimony in regards to your conduct as a Detective of the Los Angeles Police Department. Your service to this city and state has been nothing short of exemplary. Coupled with your time as Liaison to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and you have had a storied carrier, especially for someone who started so late. To be frank, Detective, LAPD is damn lucky to have an officer like you. The evidence for your character is overwhelming. When you have the Director of a Federal Agency vouch for you it turns heads. And the evidence of your so called "corruption" is woefully inadequate and left this panel questioning the facts behind this so called evidence." The man spoke.

Deeks couldn't see but there were numerous smiles behind him.

"Therefore this panel has made the following recommendations. I will read them verbatim. Martin Andrew Deeks has displayed courage and bravery well beyond the call of duty. The allegations against him are completely and totally unfounded. This panel recommends the immediate actions. One: Immediate reinstatement of rank and privilege in LAPD. Two: Resumption of duties to NCIS. Three: Awarding the Police Distinguished Service Medal to Detective Deeks for acts that until today were unknown to LAPD.

This panel also extends Detective Deeks the apology of both its members and of the entire LAPD for the treatment that he has endured during this process." The Chief read off. He set the paper down and looked at Deeks

"Detective, do you have anything else you would like to add?" He asked.

"No sir" Deeks replied.

"Very well. This hearing is adjourned" He said, tapping the gavel. The room started to empty as Deeks finally let the breath he was holding out as the team came up to him. Kensi almost bowled him over with a hug, kissing him gently. She let go just in time for Nell to grab him in a hug as well.

Deeks threw an arm around Kensi's shoulder as he shook Sam, Callen, Granger and Vance's hands.

"It's over." He said.

Hetty walked up to him and took his hand.

"Indeed it is, Mr Deeks." She said with a smile.

"Thanks for believing in me, Hetty." He said.

"I will always back my people, always." She said.

"I don't know about you guys but I think this calls for a celebration." Sam said, wrapping an arm around Michelle.

"Not going to argue there" Eric replied.

"I got a few things to take care of. I'll see you guys back at the mission." Deeks said. Everyone started to leave leaving Hetty and Deeks in an empty room.

"How are you feeling?" Hetty asked him.

"Like I want to crawl under a rock for a month." Deeks said, running his hand through his hair.

"A month maybe too long but I can arrange for you to have a week or two rest and relaxation." Hetty said, giving him a smile.

"I might just take you up on that." Deeks said as he picked up his briefcase.

"I take it you have a meeting with Lt. Bates?" Hetty asked.

Deeks grinned sheepishly. "Of course you of all people would know." He said.

"Wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't" Hetty said. "See you back at the mission." She said as they parted ways in the hallway.

Office of Lieutenant Roger Bates

Deeks lightly knocked on the door.

"Come in" The voice responded.

Deeks opened the door and stepped inside. Bates was standing, still in his dress uniform, staring out the window.

"You know when you helped us out with that mole issue years ago I said you didn't belong at NCIS. You remember that?" Bates said as he turned and looked at Deeks.

"I do." Deeks said.

"I meant it. I was pissed. That woman stealing my best undercover cop from under me? There were so many times I wanted to terminate your Liaison status and get you back but the more and more I read your reports the more and more I thought they could use you more than me. After what I heard over the past 4 days I now see I was incredibly wrong. You don't belong here, Marty. You belong there, with them." Bates said.

"If Rivera had her way the only place I would belong is San Quentin" Deeks said.

"I had my suspicions but she has a lot of friends at IAB that stonewalled me. I swear I never saw this coming." Bates said.

"I know, sir." Deeks said.

"I'm just glad it is over. IA is now looking into her. Seems her last few investigations went over the line." He said, stepping up to his desk.

"I often wondered when I came into work if today was going to be the day. Would today be the day Marty finally shows up with that letter of his?" He said.

Deeks chuckled. Even LAPD knew about the folder now.

"It's time, Marty." Bates said.

Deeks set his case on the desk, opened it, and pulled out the folder. He opened it, removed a single page and handed it to Bates.

"You know this screws with your Medal right? Cant award you a Medal if you aren't LAPD." Bates said, waving the paper with an eyebrow raised.

Deeks nodded.

"If that is the way it's got to be." Bates shrugged as he filed the letter away.

Deeks removed his badge and handed it to Bates. He went to unclip his gun when Bates raised his hand.

"I've already spoke with your Director. You can keep the weapon." Bates said. Deeks got a smile.

"Go get changed and I'll walk you out." Bates said. Deeks closed the case, nodded and stepped out of the office and went the locker room to change out of his uniform.

20 minutes later Deeks came out in street clothes. Bates stood there waiting for him. When Deeks looked he realized that all the officers had formed a path from the locker room to the door.

"Attention!" Bates yelled out. All the officers snapped to attention.

Deeks started to walk the path, Bates following behind him. When they reached the front door Deeks turned to face Bates.

"I'm losing a hell of a Detective, but for what they get I can live with it. Good Luck, Marty." Bates said, sticking his hand out. Deeks took it and shook it before turning and exiting the building.

"Dismissed!" Bates yelled out.

NCIS Mission

Deeks pulled open the door and walked in to see a large crowd all standing in the center area. A few tables of snacks were laid out and a large banner was hanging saying "Welcome Back, Deeks!". As Deeks made his way to the center area the room erupted in applause. Deeks, embarrassed, grinned as he walked up to Vance, Granger, and Hetty.

"Detective Deeks, Welcome back." Vance said as he shook his hand.

"Good to be back, sir. But I'm Detective no more." Deeks replied.

A few people looked surprised but over all this was not a big shocker. Most of the team seemed excited because they all had a feel about what was coming next.

"If that is the case I think you have something for me?" Vance asked.

"I do." Deeks pulled the folder out and handed it to him.

"Everything appears to be in order. Good thing I came prepared." Vance said as Granger handed him a box and a piece of paper.

Hetty took a remote and pressed a button. Three big screens came on with some very familiar faces.

From Abby's Lab the entire MCRT team gathered. The second screen showed the RED Team somewhere in South Carolina and on the final screen in the NOLA office stood The Agents and as a pleasant surprise Dr. Wade and Sebastian.

"What?" Deeks asked, surprised.

"Did you seriously think we would miss this?" LaSalle asked him.

"He's right, Marty." Bishop said, eliciting a nod from everyone.

"Ok, then. I'm ready." Deeks said as he turned back to Vance.

Vance read from the paper. "Martin Andrew Deeks. By the authority of the Secretary of the Navy, in recognition to your years of service to NCIS as Los Angeles Police Department Liaison Officer I, Leon Vance, Director of the Naval Criminal Investigate Service, do hereby name you a full NCIS Agent, with all privilege and duties that come with. Signed NCIS Director Leon Vance, NCIS Assistant Director Owen Granger, and NCIS Office of Special Projects Operations Manager Henrietta Lange." Vance said as he opened the box, revealing a new NCIS ID and Badge.

"Welcome, officially, to NCIS, Agent Deeks." Vance said as he handed the box to Deeks.

Deeks took the box and shook Vance's hand. "I won't let you down, sir."

"You haven't yet. No reason to worry about that now." Vance said with a smile.

The building erupted in applause as well as in the DC and LA offices as well as the RED Trailer.

The team came up to congratulate him. "Does this mean we can call him Probie now?" Sam asked with a chuckle.

"Unfortunately for you, Mr. Hannah, no. Agent Deeks is a full fledged Agent. No Probationary period required." Hetty said.

Sam made a sour face but quickly returned to a smile as he pulled Deeks into a hug. "So proud of you, man." He said.

"Thanks, Sam. Means a lot to me"

"Now, what say we get this party started?" Hetty said as drinks were passed out and everyone toasted to their newest agent.

When I said the events of Sold Out never really worked entirely for me the big thing was making Bates the bad guy. I never really saw him as it, just a man set in his ways. So I decided to make up for it with this episode.

Congratulations to Hooiser65. You are the 100th reviewer for Tales from the Mission. And your Prize is my undying admiration for sticking with me.

This episode should break the 80k view mark

Thanks you for Reading, Reviewing, Favoriteing, and Following.