Without a Trace

Disclaimer: I own nothing having to do with NCIS or NCIS:LA – just playing with my favorite characters.

Chapter 14

"Mr. Callen, it's been two weeks. Ms. Blye and Mr. Hanna need you to come home so we can get back to work," Hetty implored her senior agent.

Callen argued, "Hetty, I am not coming back to LA without Deeks."

"Listen to Henrietta. If Detective Deeks and Agent DiNozzo wanted your help don't you think they would have asked by now?" Granger asked before continuing, "Let me explain something to you, Agent Callen. Deeks knew the FBI and CGIS wanted to shut his op down before he and DiNozzo had a chance to set everything up. He was also told that you and DEA Agent Del Campo were in town right after you landed. The next morning the marina was blown up. Deeks has gone dark since then. He had been in contact with Gibbs' team every day up until that point. Deeks does not need you. Take the hint, Callen, and get your ass back here to LA. That is a direct order." Granger scowled into the screen.

Callen glared from Granger to Hetty on the screen in MTAC before turning to Gibbs and Director Vance, who stood and listened to the exchange. They said nothing to back him up. Gibbs grinned, that was all.

"Pack your bags, Agent Callen. Go home. As soon as we have news on them we will let you all know," Director Vance said calmly.

As badly as he disagreed, Callen knew he had to return to LA. There was nothing he could do here in DC. Whatever game Deeks was playing to keep him or the others from getting involved, the detective was winning. Callen had to admit it, Deeks was good. He got the feeling that as soon as he left DC Deeks would resurface.

"Fine. Deeks wins. I'll be on the next flight home." Callen declared.

"Good to know, Mr. Callen…good to know." Callen chuckled at the irony of Hetty using Deeks' words he so often spoke. He couldn't help but think she said them on purpose. He shook his head and turned to leave MTAC, Gibbs following him.

As soon as Callen and Gibbs were gone Hetty asked, "You've known all along where Mr. Deeks was, haven't you, Leon?"

Vance raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin on his face. "I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't know where all of my agents were, now would I, Henrietta?"

"Agents, Leon?" Hetty asked as a puzzled look came over her. "Is there something I should know?"

Director Vance smiled before glancing at and nodding to Granger, "We'll be in touch, Henrietta." Vance looked off screen and drew his hand across his neck. The screen in LA went black.

Hetty sighed and lowered her head, shaking it slightly. She looked up at Eric, "Call Ms. Blye and Mr. Hanna up, will you Mr. Beale?"

Eric jumped up and went to corral Sam and Kensi. Nell watched curiously as Granger and Hetty stood there, both silent for the time being. The operations manager did not like being kept out of the loop, which is exactly how she felt right now after hearing Vance's comment.

Hetty looked at the assistant director suspiciously. "Do you know what is going on with Mr. Deeks, Owen? I do not like surprises, you know that."

Granger didn't respond right away, he just stood there looking at Henrietta. Finally he sighed, a small grin on his face. "Let's wait for everyone to get up here and then I'll bring you all up to speed on Deeks' status."

A few moments later the door to ops slid open and Eric reappeared, Kensi and Sam in tow. Both agents had concerned looks on their faces. Hetty spoke quickly to alleviate their worries.

"Mr. Deeks is fine. Owen is about to give us a status update on him. Apparently there is more going on with him than we are aware of, isn't that right, Owen?" Hetty gave Granger a defiant glare, and then continued, "Also, Mr. Callen will be on the next flight back to LA."

Sam and Kensi glanced at each other, neither said anything. Both were anxious to hear what Granger had to say about Deeks, although they were happy to know Callen was on his way back.

The assistant director waited for everyone to settle into their spots before starting. "As you all know, Detective Deeks and Agent DiNozzo did survive the blast at the marina, along with who was later determined to be Niko Pellicci's wife, Allasyn. In fact, it was Deeks and Niko who were responsible for the fire. It was later determined that it was two of Niko's associates and Niko himself who were found in the rubble. They had been shot prior to the fire."

Sam interrupted, "How do you know that?" He asked, a confused look on his face. Kensi looked between Sam and Granger, very interested in any information that was to be divulged regarding her partner.

"Dr. Mallard, NCIS' chief medical examiner confirmed it. We also know that from the statements Deeks and DiNozzo gave Director Vance. According to them, Allasyn Pellicci shot her husband and the other two right after they entered the building that morning." Granger explained.

"Wait, you mean to tell us Deeks hasn't been missing the last couple of weeks?" Kensi asked angrily.

Granger smirked, "Calm down Agent Blye. He stayed hidden while he and DiNozzo continued working their charm on Pellicci's wife and their contacts. The FBI and CGIS agreed to back off in exchange for running a joint op with Deeks and DiNozzo leading the charge. Their only condition was that they did not want who they saw as a rogue LAPD detective running the show. To that end, SECNAV and Director Vance waived training for Detective Deeks. Due to his time served as liaison for OSP, his contributions to the team in LA and his ability to close Gibbs' case in DC, among other things - he has been cleared and fully accepted as an agent with NCIS."

Granger let that sink in for a moment. Sam was beaming. Kensi had a surprised, albeit pleasant look on her face. Eric and Nell shared a knowing glance before turning their attention to Hetty. She stood there expressionless for a few seconds. Slowly, the corners of her mouth turned up into a full blown smile and her eyes twinkled.

"Finally, Mr. Deeks." She spoke softly as she clasped her hands to her chest.

"I'm happy for Deeks, but I'm confused. How did they keep G from getting involved – and how did Deeks know the FBI and CGIS agreed to a joint op?" Sam asked curiously.

The assistant director chuckled. "Well, it seems that Gibbs has taken a shine to Deeks, so he ran interference for him to keep Callen in the dark," Granger said, much to everyone's surprise.

Hetty shook her head in disbelief. "Oh my, Mr. Callen will not be happy with Jethro when he finds that out. He and Jethro go back many years."

Sam and Kensi both laughed. "Maybe we better not tell G that part," Sam joked. "But that still doesn't explain how Deeks knew about Fornell and Borin wanting to cooperate," Sam continued, looking to Granger for clarification.

"It was a couple days after the marina burned. Abby received a text from an unknown number on the phone Deeks had given her when he first went after Niko. Agent DiNozzo, Deeks and Abby all stayed in touch constantly, up until the marina explosion, anyway. They really did go off the grid the first couple days after the fire. Eventually Deeks wanted to let Abby know they were alright. He figured by then that Dr. Mallard would have figured out who the victims of the fire were and who was missing. By then Deeks had his op back on track. It was then that Fornell and Borin came on board."

"So where is Deeks now? When is he coming back? He is coming back, right?" Kensi asked, her stomach in knots. She was excited that Deeks was now NCIS and that LAPD would no longer be able to pull him away for undercover ops. Now she was worried he would stay in DC with Gibbs' team.

"He is still in DC at an undisclosed location. According to Director Vance they are close to closing the case. From what I'm told, they have uncovered a huge ring dealing in drugs, weapons and murder for hire. Some of the players are on the FBI's most wanted list. They are tickled pink. CGIS and DEA are both excited to have these guys out of commission, as well," Granger reported. He looked at Kensi, "I can't speak for Agent Deeks, Blye. I don't know what his plans are. Gibbs has made it clear he wants him on his team. Once this op is over Deeks knows he has a choice to make," the assistant director admitted.

Kensi could only nod, understanding that Deeks' skills would be highly sought after. She had to hope that her partner would decide to return to her, to the team.

Days later in DC, McGee, Bishop, and Gibbs sat at their desks. Abby stood by Tony's desk while Director Vance leaned against the railing above and looked down on his team. Dr. Mallard and Jimmy walked in and stood by McGee's desk. All of them watched the elevator door anxiously. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the door slid open. Agent Fornell stepped out, followed by Agent Borin. Abby could hardly contain her excitement, she bounced up and down like a little kid as Tony and Marty stepped off the elevator side by side. They smiled when they saw the team watching them. As McGee, Bishop and the others stood and clapped, Abby launched herself at the two men she had backed up via burn phone for the last several weeks.

"Oh my gosh! Tony, Marty...I'm so, so glad you guys are back safe!" She hugged them both tight.

"Hey, Abs, it's great to see you, too!" Tony exclaimed.

Marty gave her his crooked grin, "Abby, I can't thank you enough for what you did for me...for us." Marty glanced at Tony.

"Awe, it was my pleasure. Thank you for trusting me to help, Agent Deeks." Abby smiled as she said it, holding up her hand for a high-five. Deeks slapped her hand and held it as he looked her in the eyes, trying to convey to her his genuine appreciation for her help. She teared up, understanding the meaning behind his look and touch.

McGee walked up and shook Tony's hand. "It's good to have you back, Tony."

"Thanks, Tim. Its good to be back," Tony smiled.

Abby had let go of Deeks finally and stepped back so McGee could talk to him.

"Marty, good to see you again. Great job out there," McGee said as he shook Deeks' hand.

Deeks smiled at him. "Thanks, good to see you, too."

Ellie had been speaking with Tony as Abby and McGee kept Deeks busy. Now she stepped up to Deeks and held out her hand awkwardly. He looked down at her and took her hand, a smile on his face. "Hi, Ellie Bishop," he said.

Bishop grinned, "Hi, Marty Deeks. Um...I'm glad you guys are alive," she started off. Marty looked at her, not following her. "We, uh...at first, we thought you and Tony were...you know, in the fire," she explained. "I want to apologize." She blushed.

Deeks looked at her, tilting his head in wonder. "Apologize? For what?" He asked, genuinely confused.

"I may or may not have called Kensi and delivered your message like I promised. Yeah...um, I did. Like I said...we thought-"

Deeks cut her off with a laugh. "It's okay. Really. Yeah, okay...well this will be awkward when I show up in LA, huh?" He cracked.

Everybody spent time congratulating Deeks and DiNozzo on a job well done. The FBI, CGIS and DEA, along with NCIS had brought down one of the biggest rings on the east coast, with several highly hunted suspects now behind bars. Gibbs sat at his desk, allowing his agents to visit and enjoy the moment. Fornell and Borin approached him.

"Those two make quite a team, Gibbs." Fornell pointed at Tony and Deeks.

Borin added, "Any chance Deeks would be interested in a position with CGIS?"

Gibbs shook his head, "Nah, I think Marty will head back to LA."

"What the hell, Jethro? You don't want him?" Fornell asked incredulously.

"I didn't say that, Tobias," Gibbs stated, knowing Deeks would go home.

Eventually Fornell and Borin said their goodbyes and left. The team were still chatting by Tony's desk. Gibbs watched them, a slight grin on his face. He glanced up and noticed Vance still standing at the railing. Leon saw that Gibbs was looking his way. Their eyes locked. Vance smiled and nodded his head once before turning and heading back to his office. Gibbs chuckled as he reached in his drawer and pulled out his keys. It was time to call it a day.

The next morning Gibbs returned to find his team whole again. McGee and Bishop sat at their desks. Tony sat at his, furiously scrolling through weeks of email. Deeks stood next to Gibbs' desk, his bag sitting at his feet. Director Vance was on his way down. Abby came up from behind Deeks to stand next to him.

"Hey, boss," Tony called out. Gibbs nodded at him and smiled.

Jethro walked up to Deeks. Marty looked at him, a smirk on his face. Gibbs sat his coffee down on his desk. Deeks held out his hand. Gibbs took it. "The offer still stands...Agent Marty Deeks."

Deeks' eyes lit up and he laughed, then he got a serious look on his face. "Thanks, Gibbs. I really need to get back to LA - but thank you. For everything."

Gibbs nodded and patted Deeks on the shoulder. "Take care, Marty," he said before taking a seat at his desk.

Abby pulled Deeks into another hug. "I'm going to miss you, Agent Martin Andrew Deeks. Don't be a stranger!"

Marty looked at her, "I promise, Abs. You either. My offer for surfing lessons still stands," he told her, a grin on his face.

"I'm going to hold you to that, mister." She pointed at him. He waved to her as she turned to go back to her lab.

McGee stood and reached across his desk, shaking Deeks hand. "It's been a pleasure to work with you, Marty. We're all going to miss you here."

"Likewise, Tim. If it hadn't been for you and Abs I don't know how we would have pulled it off." Deeks claimed.

Marty turned to find Director Vance standing there. He smiled at the director and extended his hand. Vance grabbed it and shook, but didn't let go. The director placed his other hand on Deeks' shoulder and squeezed. "Welcome aboard, Agent Deeks. We hate to see you leave DC, but I'm glad you are officially ours now. I took care of the details with Lieutenant Bates at LAPD. Needless to say, he was not happy, but he understood."

"Thank you, sir," Deeks nodded. Vance nodded back, gave his hand and shoulder a final squeeze and then let go.

"Have a safe trip back to LA, Agent Deeks," the director offered as he turned to head back to his office. He walked past Tony's desk and smiled at DiNozzo as he went by.

Ellie Bishop came up to Deeks and surprised him by giving him a hug. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Marty. Congrats on becoming an agent," she said as she stepped back from him.

"Thank you, Ellie. It was nice meeting you, too. And thanks... you know, for thinking we had died and making that call," he teased. She blushed as she stepped back to her desk. "You know I'm not gonna let you live that down, right?" He continued. She sat down and just grinned at him.

Deeks took a few steps as Tony stood and came out from behind his desk. The two men stood face to face. They looked at each other, neither sure what to say. They had been through hell and back over the last few weeks. Granted, neither suffered any major injuries - but their lives had been at risk every second they were undercover - much of it done by the seat of their pants. They had done and seen things they weren't proud of. It was nothing that they hadn't done before - but to work so closely with someone you were not familiar with put a great deal of strain on them. The level of trust that they built over their time together was undeniable and unbreakable. Tony stuck his hand out. Deeks looked down at it and then took it in his. He looked back to Tony. Tony pulled him into a hug.

"It was an honor to work with you, Marty. Welcome to NCIS," Tony said softly as he stepped back and looked at Deeks. "Thank you." Tony let go of Marty's hand.

Deeks looked at him, unclear on why DiNozzo had thanked him.

"What...what are you thanking me for, Tony?" Deeks asked.

Tony chuckled, but then got serious again. "For being a great partner. For showing me how a real undercover agent works. For getting us back here not only alive, but in one piece." Tony explained.

Deeks shook his head. "No, Tony. Thank you... for all the same reasons, and more." Tony smiled. Deeks turned to everyone, noticing they had all been paying attention to their exchange. "Thank all of you, actually," Deeks said, a serious look on his face. "Thanks for accepting me and making me feel welcome right from the very start. I won't forget it." The team all smiled at him. Deeks nodded. "I have a plane to catch, guys. Take care."

He walked to the elevator, as the door slid open he looked back one last time and waved before stepping out of sight.

Kensi sat on her couch, a cold beer on the coffee table and a tub of Rocky Road in her lap. She grabbed her remote and switched the channel. The new season of America's Next Top Model, her favorite show, started in a few minutes. She wasn't as excited about it as she usually was. Her partner should be there to watch it with her. She took a bite of ice cream, remembering all the times she and Deeks had wagered on which model would win. She sighed and took another bite. Even her ice cream didn't taste as good as it should. She sat the tub down on the table next to her beer. She sat back and stared at the TV. Suddenly there was a knock at her door. It startled her and she jumped. She looked at the door, wondering if she had imagined it. Nope, there it was again, a little more forceful than the first time. She hopped off the couch and went to the door. She peeked out the blinds, what she saw made her gasp. She threw the door open.

"Deeks? Oh my God, Deeks! What are...what are you doing here?" She stared at him in awe.

Deeks checked his watch. "Well, Princess, America's Next Top Model starts in two minutes. You didn't think I'd miss it, did you?" He deadpanned. He tilted his head to one side, waiting for her reply. He was confused when he noticed the tears welling up in her eyes. "Kens? Are you okay? What's uh...what's wrong?" He knew he had taken her by surprise showing up like this, but he was expecting name calling and a good punch to the shoulder - not tears.

Kensi stood there looking at her partner. He was actually standing there on her doorstep. She was fighting to control the tears she felt building. As soon as she heard him say 'Kens' and saw the concerned look on his face, she couldn't hold them back. She reached out to him, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close.

"Deeks," she said as she laid her head on his chest.

Deeks held her close, enjoying the embrace, but still worried at her reaction to him. His concern only grew as he felt her start to shake in his arms. Kensi was full on sobbing into his chest.

"Hey, hey, hey. Kens, you're scaring me. What's wrong?" He whispered as he began rubbing her back, trying to calm her. She continued to cry. He could feel his shirt getting wet from her tears.

"Kensi, please. Is everything okay?" He begged as he continued to rub circles on her back.

He held her until she stopped crying. He heard her sniffle and she released her hold on him and tried to step back. Deeks didn't want to let her go, but let loose of her so he could look her in the eyes. She wiped her nose on her sleeve and then dabbed at her eyes. She looked up at him and shook her head.

He tried to move when he saw it coming, but she was too fast. She punched him in the shoulder. Hard.

"Ahhh! Damn it, Fern! That hurt," he cried out. He rubbed where she had landed the punch. It really did hurt. He smiled at her.

"You disappear without a word for a month and then show up like nothing happened? Really, Deeks?" She asked, exasperated that he would even ask what was wrong. "You big idiot!" She punched him again, not as hard this time.

"There's the Kensi I was expecting," he laughed. His eyes sparkled as he stared into hers.

She crossed her arms and looked at him, mock disgust on her face. "You're unbelievable! You know that, right?"

"Maybe. Okay, yeah...I am. But you love me anyway, admit it," he grinned at her. Knowing that she knew he had confessed his love for her to Ellie, he wanted to see what she would say.

Her mouth dropped open. She closed it again, a slight grin appearing. "You're a jerk, Deeks."

He continued to stand there with a big smile on his face. She couldn't look away from those blue eyes. Damn those eyes, she thought. She sighed, then took a breath. She was about to speak, but he beat her to it.

"I love you," he declared.

"Wha...uh...what did you just say?" She was dumbfounded.

"Kensi Marie Blye, I love you. Completely. I'm yours, Kens," he said softly.

She smiled up at him, her heart soaring in her chest at his words. "I love you, too...Marty."

"Good! Now that we have that out of the way, the show has started and our ice cream is melting." He stepped past her and headed for the fridge.

She shut the door, a huge smile on her face.

Sam and Callen were at their desks. Sam and Kensi had brought Callen up to speed on Deeks' status once he returned. Callen was pissed at first, but eventually Sam had made him see the light. The team hadn't heard about the case being closed in DC yet. The only people who knew Deeks had arrived back in LA the night before were Hetty and Granger - and Kensi, of course.

Callen realized Kensi was running a bit later than usual. "I wonder where Kensi is this morning."

Sam glanced to her desk and shrugged. Before he could make a comment they both heard her talking with someone down the hall. She laughed at something that was said, neither able to make out what it was. They both were shocked to see Kensi appear holding hands with Deeks.

Deeks stood there between Sam and Kensi's desks. Kensi let his hand go slowly and sat down. She smiled at Callen and Sam. Deeks didn't say anything.

Sam jumped up. "Deeks! Damn, are you a sight for sore eyes. How you been, man?" Sam crushed Deeks in a bear hug and clapped him on the back. "Glad to see you back. You are back, right? You're not just visiting?" Sam asked, a concerned look on his face.

Deeks chuckled. "I'm back, Sam."

Sam nodded and stepped away, looking back to his partner.

Callen was standing at his desk. Deeks looked to Kensi. She gave him a reassuring smile. Callen approached Deeks and held out his hand. Deeks just stared at him and, for a moment, Callen was afraid he was going to deny him. Slowly Deeks reached out and shook the man's hand. Callen pulled him into a hug and then stepped back, releasing his grip on Deeks.

"Welcome back, Agent Deeks."

Nobody said a word, unsure of what was going through Deeks' mind at the reception Callen had given him.

Deeks threw his head back and smiled, "Okay, so that just happened!"

Callen looked at Sam and shook his head, a smile a mile wide on his face.

A whistle pierced the air. Everyone looked to Eric who had appeared on the stairs. "Deeks! Good to see you, dude!"

Deeks nodded at him. "Thanks, Eric. Nice to see you, too."

Eric stood there staring down at the team. He looked over his shoulder up to Ops and back to them. "Uh, guys? The whistle? Case on deck, come on!" He motioned for them and ran back up in the direction he had come.

Kensi pushed her chair back and stood up. She headed for the stairs, Deeks right beside her. Sam and Callen followed. Hetty and Granger watched the team disappear up the stairs. She picked up her cup of tea and smiled at the assistant director. He grinned back, something he seemed to be doing more often.

"So, Henrietta, now that Deeks is an agent you know he's going to expect his own car."

She was just lifting her cup to her lips when the comment Granger made registered. She jerked her head in his direction, letting her hand holding the cup drop back to the saucer on her desk, her eyes wide.

"Oh, bugger."

THE END

Author's note: Thanks to all who have read and commented on this story.