A/N- This is my first attempt at fan fiction, and i haven't written anything in several years. But i am a HUGE fan of the show and a lot of the stories i read here by a lot of talented writers. Anyway, i had this story bouncing around in my head for a while now, and as many will know, the only sure way to get it out of your head is to write it down. So i busted out my laptop out of mothballs and I did so. The story is complete, i'll update it every 2-3 days. Nice Deeks whump, it made me cry writing it, hopefully it will make you too. ;)

Lt. Bates sits at his desk, pouring over roster changes and officer evaluations, when one of the last cops he would have expected to see, strolls calmly through his door.

"Deeks" he says, eyeing the other man up and down. "Been a while."

Detective Marty Deeks, LAPD liaison officer for the NCIS Los Angeles branch, sidles over to one of the vacant chairs across from Bates, and sits down. Typical Deeks, thinks Bates, several days worth of shag on his face, and a long mop of golden hair that looks like the wind combed it on his way in. He was also wearing typical Deeks garb, a green and white plaid shirt, leather jacket and torn, faded jeans.

"Hey Bates," replies Deeks, "how's things?"

Bates declines to answer, choosing instead to eye the younger man a bit more. Years of experience conducting interrogations during his stint in the military, taught him a thing or two about reading people, and something was definitely not right with the Detective sitting before him. Nevertheless, Bates opts to avoid cutting to the chase, choosing instead to allow Deeks to get to the reason for his visit in his own time.

Dropping his pen, he raises his arms, cupping the back of his head with interlaced fingers, while leaning a bit back in his chair. "Same old shit," he says, "you know how it goes."

Deeks smiles at this, giving a brief nod of his head, his eyes then falling to the floor.

"So what's going on Deeks? Slummin' it? I didn't think you would get tired of life in the big leagues so soon." Bates smiles at that statement, not just because he can never resist a dig at Deeks, who has been a thorn in his side more times than he cares to count. But also because he realizes that he decided to cut to the chase after all. Maybe it was for the best, since Deeks has the ability to dither with the best of them.

Deeks raises his eyes to once again meet the Lieutenant's own. And the look of complete seriousness Bates sees in his Detective sends an alarm blaring through his mind.

"Deeks?" he says, unsure of how to continue.

A half smirk appears on Deeks face, but doesn't touch his eyes. It isn't even in the same zip code as his eyes, thinks Bates.

"Hit the nail on the head Lieutenant," he replies. "I'm here to tender my resignation with the LAPD."

Bates eyes widen at Deeks declaration, and his eyes follow the man as he watches him stand up, reach into his leather jacket and fish out a series of pages, stapled together and folded into a square to fit neatly into his lining pocket. Deeks then tosses the folded papers onto Bates desk, and draws his badge, gun and identification, putting them onto the desk as well.

Bates eyes Deeks for several more seconds. There is a fierce intensity and determination in the man's eyes that tells him this is no joke. But there is something more there as well, hidden deep within the ocean blue depths of his eyes that seems to almost have the feel of desperation, or need. It's a look so faint that Bates doubts that anyone without his skills of reading people would pick up on it. Nevertheless, it's there, he's sure of it.

Breaking eye contact, Bates picks up the folded documents on his desk, and begins to unfold and look through them. His eyebrow raises in interest as he immediately notices the professional detail in the filling out of the forms. Looking once again at Deeks he asks "What's going on here Deeks? It's clear to me that you didn't fill these out yourself. Is that little ninja lady trying to poach you from me once and for all?" Inwardly, if Bates had a choice, he'd like to keep Deeks as one of his Detectives. The man was an asset he didn't want to lose, having undercover skills on par with the best in the LAPD. But given the other choice, he would rather see Deeks leave the LAPD in order to officially join NCIS, than see him throw it all away, for some other reason altogether.

Not even cracking a smile, Deeks just slowly shakes his head. "No, nothin' like that," he says, "my reasons for leaving are my own business."

Putting the forms back onto his desk, Bates shakes his head. "I can't just let you leave Deeks, tell me what's going on. You're a good cop, I'll help you out if I can. Are you having problems at NCIS? I can re-assign you back with the LAPD if that's the case, you don't need to-."

Deeks is already shaking his head even more fervently as Bates continues on. "Bates…no, it is what it is, just let me do this. Please."

That previously spied subtle look of desperation found in Deeks eyes, has definitely grown stronger now, and the look has put Bates on edge. It's apparent Deeks has something seriously bothering him, but its equally apparent that the man doesn't wish to share. He stares for a long minute into the younger man's eyes, trying to discern everything that he sees there. Finally he gives out a long sigh, running the fingers of his right hand through his hair and rising to his feet. "I can't stop you from resigning Marty. It's your life, it's your choice. But if there's something going on with you, know that I'm here to help, if you need it."

It's obvious in Deeks eyes that Bates' use of his first name – something he has never done – does not go unnoticed, and it serves to hit home the sincerity of the offer, as Bates hoped it would. Deeks eyes shift to the window then, and go out of focus as he seems to consider the offer laid before him. But just as quickly, the steely determination returns as he once more meets the Lieutenant's gaze, and Bates knows that he's failed to reach the man.

"Thanks Lieutenant, thanks for everything," Deeks says, and with that, he turns around and walks out the door.