27A/N: Part of this story I had planned out before season seven started; you know which part I'm talking about when you see. I'm not exactly sure if I will do it justice, but I'll try to make it worth your while.
"Long time no see brother." I say to Nate.
"Long time no see indeed." Nate said.
I let Nate in and then shut the door. I had a few beers left over before I left L.A., so I offered one to Nate, which he accepted. We sat for a time, and drinking our beers in silence; then Nate spoke up.
"So what happened to cause this whole debacle?"
"That's a long story, but seeing as how we're not going anywhere might as well start from the beginning. It started when we went to Afghanistan last year to rescue Kensi. Hetty was communicating with Jack Simon, who was Kensi ex-fiancé. Jack was being hunted be C.I.A. operatives that orders to kill him on sight; so he contacted Hetty for help to get him out of the country. Instead, Hetty sent Kensi to give Jack a running start." I say.
"Why's that a problem?" Nate asked.
"About nine years prior Jack, for a lack of a better word, abandoned Kensi on Christmas morning. So when she saw Jack in the desert last year, Kensi walked off the base unarmed and surrendered herself to the Taliban to talk to Jack." I say.
"Something went wrong and it was a fight for survival?" Nate asked.
"Hetty sent the team, but gave Sam specific orders to cut me loose when I became a liability." I say.
"Then why did she send you in the first place?" Nate asked.
"This is Hetty we're talking about." I say. "She does whatever she thinks is good, even if it's bad move."
"Ain't that the truth?" Nate said.
"I was holding down the fort for about ten hours or more when Hetty calls for an update I didn't have one; she on other hand had a picture that looked like Kensi had be murdered." I say.
"What was your reaction to the picture?" Nate asked, skipping over the breach in protocol that Hetty made.
"I tried to waterboard the man that I was trying to get information out of." I say.
"Can't say that I didn't see that coming, but that's beside the point, what happened after you got back?" Nate asked.
"For a while I was able to live with myself." I say.
"But." Nate said.
"Three months after we got back I wasn't able to live with my actions, anymore." I say. "I asked Hetty if she had any therapist on speed dial."
"At least you sought help." Nate said.
"I was seeing a therapist for a few months, but I got in over my head." I say.
"Why?" Nate asked.
"The therapist said that I need to time off." I say.
"How is that bad?" Nate asked.
"Well the first night of the scheduled leave I was a local club. I met a very beautiful woman there." I say.
"Did Kensi find out?" Nate asked.
"Actually it turned out the woman was a person of interest in a case we were working." I say. "So Kensi found out anyways."
"She was okay with it?" Nate asked.
"We were at odds anyways. I don't know what was wrong with me, but I was almost feral at first." I say.
"Did everything straighten itself out?" Nate asked.
"Yeah; while the team was working the case that involved the woman, I stayed near her in case she had information that could help us." I say.
"What happened next?" Nate asked.
"The woman I was running with recently; was the daughter of the late ambassador to America from Afghanistan. The ambassador was playing for both sides: for the rebels and for the Taliban." I say.
"Probably the dumbest thing a man can do." Nate said.
"On top of that he was going to hand his daughter over to the Taliban, so they could have their ways with her." I say.
"Second most dumb thing." Nate says.
I chuckle and then continue.
"The ambassador was working with then State Senator Naomi Swanson to secure weapons for the rebels, but they wound up in the hands of the Taliban." I say.
"How did that happen?" Nate asked.
"The location of the meet for the weapons exchange was leaked to the Taliban." I say.
"How do you know?" Nate asked.
"About a month ago I was force to deliver those weapons because I tortured that man last year, and because I shot two of the ambassadors' guards." I say.
"So let me get this straight: Hetty sent you to deliver those weapons?" Nate asked.
"No, Director Vance did." I say.
"Not the brightest move on the director's part." Nate says.
"I'm pretty sure somebody made light of that; on top of being sent, I went in without formal back up from N.C.I.S., too." I say.
"How did you communicate with the people?" Nate asked.
"The ambassador's daughter, Tali, went along." I say.
"So you spent how many days being tortured by the Taliban?" Nate asked.
"Two days, I think." I say. "Hetty was in communication with Jack again, and he got in touch with the rebels to spring both Tali and I."
"Funny how that man was involved in two of the biggest incidents of the past year for you." Nate says.
"Tell me about it." I say, exasperated.
"What happened next?" Nate asked.
"After I recovered, Tali and I went to London and coordinated with Interpol to arrest the ambassador. From there Tali and I came back to America and she became the new ambassador to America." I say.
"That's not the usual process for selecting the ambassador." Nate says.
"I know, and I don't care." I say.
"So what's the plan after you finish here?" Nate asked.
"Head back to L.A. to thank the therapist, and then to Georgia." I say.
"Why Georgia?" Nate askes.
"Because Director Vance got me signed up for the next class at Fletc down there." I say
"Took you long enough." Nate says.
"Shut up." I shot back, with a chuckle.
"Now I know why I was supposed to give you this." Nate said handing me and envelope.
"My plan ticket?" I ask.
The envelope has my name on it.
"Yep, or I guess that's what's in it." Nate says, as I'm opening the envelope.
And just as he said there was a plan ticket dated three months from now.
"Despite everything that has happened, how are you doing?" Nate asked.
"In spite of everything, I'm good." I say.
I have a feeling that I won't be able to go back to L.A. after I finish Fletc. I think.
Nate and I talk for a few more hours. When the sun began to set, Nate rose from his chair.
"Well it's been fun talking to you, but I need to leave. I have to catch a plane in a couple of hours." Nate says.
"Until next time." I say.
"Until next time." Nate says.
I walk Nate to the door, and then watch as my friend gets into his car, and the drives away. As I see Nate's car disappear over the horizon, I shut and lock the door. I make dinner, and then take a shower. After the shower, I get dressed and then I check my emails. I didn't have any, so I went to sleep.
N.C.I.S L.A.
Three months later-
I'm standing outside the familiar double doors I entered almost five months ago. I hesitate to knock on the door, but I rap my knocks against the door.
"Come in." I hear a muffled voice say from behind the door.
I open the door, and step into the office. She is just the way I remember her.
"Hello again." I say.
The blond looks up at me, and smiles.
"It's been a while Detective Deeks." Rachel says.
"Actually I resigned from the L.A.P.D.; I have to catch a flight out of L.A.X. in an hour to Georgia." I say.
"I've been helping your girlfriend." Rachel says.
I stare at her blankly. I didn't realize that I was dating anybody.
"Kensi Blye has been seeing me trying to cope with the consequences of her actions that drove you to the depths that brought you into my office." She says.
"That's good." I says.
"I have another session with her later today. Anything you want me to tell her?" She asks.
"Tell her that I love her, and that I will come back as soon as Director Vance will let me." I say.
Rachel walks over to me, and then gave me a kiss on my cheek.
"Good luck Deeks. If you ever need anything you have my number." Rachel says.
I give Rachel a kiss on the cheek, and then exit. That was the last time I saw Rachel.
I drop my car of at my house, and then ride a cab to L.A.X.; my flight was leaving forty minutes after I arrived at the airport.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Two and half months later: Glynco, Georgia-
"Agent Deeks!" A voice says.
I turn to look in direction of the voice, and to my surprise it was Director Vance.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit director?" I ask.
"First off, congratulations on graduating, and I heard you were in the top ten of this graduating class." Vance said.
"Top five." I say, trying not to brag.
"Hetty has an eye for talent." Vance said. "Secondly, and to the point, your first assignment is in Washington."
"D.C.?" I ask.
"Yes. My team has had a problem with smugglers, but nobody on my team has that particular skill set." He said.
Sweet I get to look like my usual self! I think.
"When do I start?" I ask.
"Plane leaves in an hour." He said.
"I'll be right back." I say.
I turn and rush off to my room. As I'm packing my bags, I grab the picture that Kensi sent me. It was the one with the four of us playing basketball, but it was just of the two of us and I had my arm around her shoulder. It brings a tear to my eye because I want nothing more than to be in Kensi arms right now, the fact that she hurt me is far from my mind; I just want my girlfriend back. I wipe the tear from my eye, and finish packing. I meet the director in the lobby, and then we jump in the black suv that was waiting outside. We head to the airport, and then get on a gulf stream heading for Washington. When we touch down in D.C. there was another suv waiting to take us to the Naval Yard. When we get to the Naval Yard I follow Vance into the main building, and then up to his team's office. When we get off the elevator I noticed the bull pen looked like ours back in L.A.; I see somebody recognize the director, and said a name. The team looked at us, and then stood up.
"Who's the new guy?" A man to my right asked when I stepped into the bull pen.
There are four people: two men on my right, and a man and a woman on my left. The man on the left looked older, with gray and white hairs on his head.
Definitely the leader of the group. I think.
"This is the new recruit who just graduated from Fletc, and is assisting with our recent case with the smugglers." Vance said. "Go ahead and introduce yourself."
I step forward, and eye the team.
"My name is Martin Deeks, but you all can call me Deeks, I'm usual based out of L.A., but the director called me in for my expertise that will assist you in closing the case." I say.
"And what is that?" The older gentleman asked.
"Can I get a name from all for you, so I know who I'm talking to?" I ask.
"To your left is Probationary Agent Ellie Bishop, on your right is Agent Anthony DiNozzo. Across from me is Agent Timothy McGee. And I'm Senior Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs." Gibbs said.
"Pleasure is all mine." I say to Gibbs. "And the answer to your question Gibbs, is that excel at undercover work."
"This ought to be interesting." Tony muttered.
I roll my eyes, as Vance stared at Tony. Then some Goth chick came walking into the bull pen, wearing an outrageous outfit.
"Who's the new guy." The woman asked.
"I'm Agent Martin Deeks, but you can call me Deeks. I'm guessing that getup you're wearing isn't standard N.C.I.S. attire?" I ask.
"No it's not, but I get the job done. And the name is Abby Sciuto." Abby said, holding out her hand.
"You remind me of Eric," I said, as I shook her hand.
"Eric Beale?" Abby squeaked.
Everybody in the bull pen jumped back at Abby's outburst. I nodded my head yes.
"How is Eric doing?" Abby asked, with childlike glee.
"I don't know. I haven't talked to him in over five months." I say. "Can anybody tell me what we have on the group?"
"Down to business. I like you." Tony says, and then brought up the information up on the plasma.
I feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me as I listen and watch as the group goes over the evidence they had recovered so far. I know the type of people that I'm going to be dealing with; I'm used to their type.
"Do you have a plan?" Tim asked.
"Yeah." I say. "Do we have a time, and place for the meet?"
"Tonight, at five." Tony said.
I turn and look at the clock, it was four thirty.
"If I'm going to do this we better leave now." I say
Gibbs tells Tony and McGee to get me to the location, and the three of us tear out of the bull pen, making a bee line for the garage. We barely make the meet location, and just as the other group was arriving. The vehicle formation looks familiar, and one of the cars models even looks familiar. Just as the first guy steps out I realize why.
"Hang back." I tell Tony and McGee.
"What?" Tony asks.
"Did I stutter?" I ask.
"Gibbs would not like us doing that." McGee protested.
"And who brought me in on this operation?" I ask.
"Director Vance." Tony says.
"As I said, hang back." I say, and then step out of the car.
Tony and McGee were watching as I approached the group.
"I hope me he knows what he's doing." McGee said.
"Tell me about it. Gibbs is going to kill us-" Tony started to say, but stopped in mid-sentence.
They saw me hug the guy who led the group. We talked for about twenty minutes, and then I followed the group and got into their suvs. Just as we were pulling away I sent McGee a text message.
"Deeks told us to head back. Also said that he would make contact when he could." McGee said.
"Gibbs is going to kill us." Tony said.
McGee started the engine and headed back to the Naval Yard.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
"Where's Deeks?" Gibbs asked, as Tony and McGee walked into the bull pen.
McGee showed Gibbs.
"Want to explain why the two of you are here, and Deeks is out with the smugglers?" Gibbs asked.
At that time a cell phone started to ring. Everybody looked around until Gibbs realized that it was his phone ringing.
"Gibbs." He said, answering his phone.
"Your agents are standing in front of you because they would have blown my cover, and would've gotten the three of us killed." I say.
"Deeks." Gibbs hissed.
"I have a date, a time, and a place for a meet." I say "And when I get back I will explain why I left them behind."
"How soon until you get back?" Gibbs asked.
"Ten minutes, tops." I say.
"See you then." Gibbs said, and then hung up the phone.
"So what did Deeks have to say for himself?" Vance asked, walking into the bull pen.
"Said that he has a place for the meet, a day, and a time." Gibbs said.
"In an hour?" Ellie asked, in shocked amazement staring at the clock.
"Who did what in hour?" Abby asked.
"Deeks got in with the smugglers, and set up meet." McGee said.
"That's no surprise." Abby said.
"Why?" Vance asked.
"This why?" Abby said.
Abby took the remote off of McGee's desk, and then brought up the photo she had found. There were six people in the picture, but one person in particular stood out.
"Is that?" McGee asked, taking the remote from Abby blowing up the picture.
"Agent Deeks?" Ellie asked.
"Yes and no." Abby said. "Yes, that is Deeks; no because this was when he was back with the L.A.P.D. five years ago."
"So that would explain why he wanted us to hang back." McGee said.
"Deeks told you not to get out of the car?" Gibbs asked.
"That's right." I said, entering the bull pen.
Everybody turned and looked at me. They probably weren't expecting me to take the stairs.
"Who's the man in charge?" Vance asked.
"Diego Santoro. He's low level enforcer, but he can take us to the guy in charge around here." I say.
"When is the meet set for?" Gibbs asked.
"Saturday, twelve thirty, at the Lincoln Memorial." I say.
"What do we need to bring?" Tony asked.
I looked at Gibbs and smiled.
"I will only need Gibbs." I say with a smile.
"Why me?" Gibbs asks.
"You'll see." I say, with a smile on my face.
I was about to walk out, when Abby zipped by the rest of the team and walked me out. McGee just stared as Abby was walking me out.
"It'll be alright Magoo." Tony said.
The team rounded up their gear, and left for the day. Two hours later I found myself at the bar with Abby, and she is hyper active. Just a little more eccentric than Eric.
"So what made you become an agent?" Abby asked.
"I made the jump because I was outgunned, and outclassed." I say.
"You blew this case open in an hour, and it took the rest of the team three weeks to get to this point." Abby said.
"I was in Afghanistan last year and I tried to torture a man." I said.
Abby gasped in horror at my admission. She took a few sips of her drink before speaking again.
"What happened?" Abby said.
"What drove me to commit that atrocity?" I ask.
Abby nodded, with bated breath.
"The Taliban had Kensi in their custody. Something cause them to attack her. They took a picture of her that made it look like she had been killed." I say.
"What happened after that?" Abby asked.
"Three months after we came back from Afghanistan I couldn't live with my actions from the mission, so I sought out help." I say.
"What happened, next?" Abby asked.
"For time constraints, I got sucked into a suicide mission put into play from the top." I say.
"Director Vance?" Abby asked.
I nod my head.
"And you thought it was a good idea to sign on with the people that nearly got you killed?" Abby asked.
"Somethings never change; not only that I have nowhere to go." I say.
Abby gets up and gives me a kiss on the cheek, and then walks out. I was about to finish my beer, when McGee sits down.
"Can I get you anything?" I ask.
"A beer." McGee says.
I chuckle, and then order two more beers.
"I'm not exactly sure why you came to see me McGee, but if it's about Abby your girl is safe from me." I say.
"Why?" He asks.
"Ever been to L.A. branch where I work?" I ask.
"Yeah." McGee says.
"Then you have meet Kensi Blye." I say.
"Yeah, but that was a long time ago." McGee says.
"Trust me, Kensi is fiercely protective of her territory." I say.
"Never mind." McGee says.
McGee and I finish our beers, and then McGee gives me a lift back to my place; where Tony is waiting for me.
"Tony." I say.
"How did you get hooked up with N.C.I.S.?" Tony asked.
"Hetty saw how I operated; able to think on my feet and help the team with connections that I had already developed." I say.
"How did you develop these connections?" He asked.
"How else, by building them. You would know if you weren't stuck behind a desk, you would have done the same thing." I say.
"We don't have that luxury." Tony says.
"Well we don't have a choice. A connection in place is the difference between a successful operation, and a dead agent." I say.
"I have to ask you a serious question." Tone said, pulling out his pone.
Great here comes the bad clothing habits jokes. I think.
"Where did Hetty find you; playing drums for a folk band?" Tony asked, showing me a picture from three years ago.
I look at Tony and noticed that his suit isn't on par.
"How about I put it this way: you don't comment on how I dress when I'm back home, and I won't have to insult your taste of suits that are one size to small." I say.
Tony looks down at his clothes, and then back up at me. Tony put his phone away, and then goes home. I wake up the next day, and then remember that there isn't an ocean here. So I go running. I have to put on a few layers seeing as how it's colder here than it is back home. As I'm out I see Ellie at a café getting something to eat. So I stop in and see how she's doing.
"Hey Ellie." I say.
"Hey Deeks. Want a cookie?" Ellie asked.
"Ah, no thank you. I just stopped to see how you were doing." I say.
"I'm doing great, though I'm impressed that you were able to get us in with the smugglers as quick as you did." Ellie said.
"Just like you have your connections in the federal government, I have my connections with the scum of the earth." I say.
"What would have happened if Tony and McGee would have helped the other day?" She asked.
"We all might have been killed and our corpses hung from the Lincoln Memorial." I say.
"Say no more." She says. "I see you later."
"Bye." I say, and then head back out and started running again.
At nine thirty I showed up to a busy bull pen, so I step off to the side and tried to call Kensi.
"Agent Deeks." A voice said.
I turn to see Director Vance waving me up to him. I drop my gear in the bull pen and head up to the director. When I meet up with him, we step into a room called M.T.A.C., and when I look inside I see it's the equivalent of ops back home.
"Who's that good looking man?" A voice shouted.
"It's not Deeks." Another voice said.
"That man's to clean to be Deeks." A third voice said.
"Ha. Ha." I say to my team back in Los Angeles.
"Looking good Mr. Deeks." Hetty said.
"Thank you Hetty." I say. "What's the purpose of this meeting? It can't be for us to backslap for good ol' time sakes?"
"Diego Santoro is a famous man." Eric said.
"I could have told you that." I say, flatly.
"Well after your meeting tomorrow, he plans on leaving the country." Nell said.
"Actually you have a ten hour window to arrest Diego before he leaves the country." I say.
"Why?" Callen asked.
"The guy that runs the ring that Diego works in will be meeting up with him before leaving." I say.
"After the meeting tomorrow get as far away from the scene as possibly." Vance said to me.
"Not a problem." I say.
I stand in silence as I wait for Hetty and Director Vance finish talking. The day drags on because I want to get on with the meet and move on to the next assignment. The meet comes and goes, and I fall back to the designated location for pick up. After the first assignment is complete Vance said that he wants me to hang around here for a little while. Then one night three months after I started working in D.C. Gibbs and I are out drinking beers.
"So how do you like working here in D.C.?" Gibbs asked.
"It's nice break from the norm, but that's about it." I say.
"How are you getting along with the team?" Gibbs asked.
"I get along with everybody, especially Abby and Ducky." I say. "Tony is okay, but he is starting to become an annoyance."
Gibbs nods his head, and takes a swig of his beer.
"Goofy question, but why two b's?" I asked.
"That's how it was spelled." Gibbs says.
"Any jokes about it?" I ask, smiling as I take a swig of my beer.
"A joke back in the day was that the second b stood for bastard." Gibbs said, and then took a drink.
I almost spit my beer out, but I kept it down. I start laughing after I swallow my beer. Gibbs and I were out for the rest of the night relaxing. I can see Callen and Gibbs being partners back in the day. After we finished our last beer, I pay the tab and then head home. Gibbs on the other hand went back to the Naval Yard.
"What's the word Gibbs?" Vance asked.
"Deeks is good here, but it's time to cut him loose." Gibbs says.
"Apparently the team back in L.A. is working a nice case, and could use Deeks help." Vance said.
"You got the necessary paper work ready?" Gibbs asks.
Vance hands the envelope to Gibbs, and then returns to his paper work. Gibbs leaves for the night.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
There's pounding on my door at three o'clock in the morning. I drag myself out of bed, and then groggily make my way to see who it is.
"Gibbs." I say.
"Pack your bags Agent Deeks, your assistance is needed elsewhere." Gibbs said.
Next thing I know I'm on the back of a cargo plane headed for Camp Pendleton. When the plane lands a few hours later, I'm greeted by my boss.
"Hetty." I say approaching my boss.
"Mr. Deeks. It seems that your arrival is most timely." Hetty said.
"Most timely, or just time for me to come home?" I ask.
"We don't have any pressing case at the moment, so you can go home and relax." Hetty says.
"Don't have to tell me twice." I say.
N.C.I.S. L.A.
Sixteen hours later-
Kensi was crawling into her home after a long assignment. She had stripped off her shirt and was walking into the bathroom, when she saw a silhouette in her bathroom mirror. Kensi drew her sidearm, and pointed it at the intruder when she spun around.
"Whoa! Can you at least finish taking that off before you shoot me?" I ask.
"Deeks?" Kensi asks in shocked amazement.
"I told you I would be back Fern." I say.
I take a bow, and smile back at my girlfriend. Needless to say there was a lot of making out before we drifted off to sleep.
A/N: I felt that it was a good place to end the story here. An update on my stories: Lord Nikon is almost finished, but there is definitely a sequel; the story that is set in both medieval and modern times is in the works just have to start writing it, and the second chapter of Man and Machine will be post next. Sorry for the long wait, but I have another crowd that I have to write for, too.
