1996

Staring at himself in the full-length mirror of his mother's room, the blonde teenager pushed his hair backwards and then rearranged his black leather jacket until it fell right into place. Ripped dark jeans, old boots and black shades that covered his blue eyes, completing his outfit. Standing in place for a few extra minutes, he tied a dark blue bandana around his blonde locks and, once he was satisfied with his overall look, walked outside the room.

Reaching the main hall of his small house, he heard dishes clattering in the kitchen. Then the voice of his mother barely audible over the recently activated blender. "Where are you going, Martin?"

"Out." The teenager briskly responded before the front door was shut into place with a bang.

Exiting his house, young Marty Deeks was welcomed by the fiery red of the afternoon sky. The sunset marking a departing day and welcoming the shadows of the upcoming night. Walking down his street, he noticed the tombstones that decorated many of his neighbors' houses and the cheerful screams of the children who had started their trick-or-treating early.

A short bus ride later, and he was at the meet-up location. Arriving to the bus stop, he started looking around as he didn't instantly see his friend. It was a few moments later that he heard his name being called.

"Martin, ready for a night of fun?" Came the familiar voice from behind a darkened tree. Dressed in a similar leather jacket, Ray halfway stepped out and leaned his back onto the trunk, arms crossed and eyes closed, his messy hair slightly swaying with the wind. "I've got us a nice surprise." A spark on his eye, and mischievous grin spreading over his face.

"What are you talking about? I thought we were just doing the usual." Asked the younger boy as he remembered past Halloweens of watching scary movies until late at night and early morning trips to the grocery store to get the already discounted holiday candy.

"That's in the past, brother. Today will be a night to remember." The teenager explained, half his body still hidden behind the tree.

A doubtful expression came to Marty's face, but quickly turned into a grin mirroring his friend's, as Ray fully stepped into the street and walked to him, swathing his arm over his shoulder. "Come on, Martin. We deserve some fun. Now let's go."

Choosing not to respond, Marty allowed his friend to lead and only followed as they walked away from the bus stop and into a nearby neighborhood. Only stopping in front of an old, seemingly abandoned house, behind a similarly looking car.

Kneeling down, Ray reached back into the waistband of his jeans, pulling out a bended, metal hook. But before he had the chance to get into the car's lock, he felt a light hand on his shoulder. "What are you doing?" Marty asked in a shaky voice. "We never said anything about stealing… a car, much less."

"Not stealing man, just taking it for a ride." Ray beamed cheerfully, as he again tried to start working on the lock. The hand on his shoulder however, having moved to his wrist and keeping him in place. "What?" He asked trying to play dumb, but had no choice but to continue trying to persuade his friend, as his blonde raised eyebrows proved he wouldn't be easily convinced. "No one will find out, Marty. We will just take a ride around the neighborhood and return it to this same spot." Seeing his best friend still not on his side, he continued his arguments. "Plus, it's not stealing if we don't keep it… And no one will find out." He quickly added.

Still not convinced, but knowing Ray wouldn't pay attention to him, Marty took his hand off his friend's wrist and started walking away.

"Wait, where are you going?" Ray threw the hook to the floor and ran behind his friend, stepping into his path, as Marty just kept walking. "It's time to celebrate as adults, little brother. We're done with trick-or-treating."

Head turned sideways, Marty still looked unconvinced. "I don't see adults stealing on Halloween night." He said matter-of-factly.

"Don't be a smartass, Marty. Adults are too busy for that. And soon we will be too. We have to live… have fun, enjoy life, while we still can." He explained jauntily, voice rising at the end as if to emphasize his point. "Plus, we already agreed it's not stealing." He finished with a grin.

Remaining in place, Marty's body swayed left and right as his debating thoughts battled for control. Ray's continuous arguments filtering through as the older boy still tried to convince his best friend to join his adventure. "Ok." Marty eventually agreed, tired of his friend's insistence and not wanting to look like a little kid who still wanted to ask for candy.

Skipping back towards the car, Ray kneeled down and started working. Lock giving in quickly and door opening a few minutes later. Turning around with a new smirk, he got inside the 1987 Camaro and motioned for Marty to follow.

Adjusting himself inside the vehicle, Ray removed the plastic cover on the steering column, then located the harness connector, desired wire bundles, and battery and resumed his activities. Putting to test some abilities learned from newfound friends. His younger friend silently looking from the passenger seat as he wondered where had Ray learned to hotwire a car.

A few minutes later, a growl from the engine and Ray's celebrative fist onto the air, signaled that the car had successfully roared to life. Turning sideways, full on grin on his face, Ray winked, before he revved the engine a few times and then steered the car onto the street.

For the next few minutes, the teenagers simply drove around the neighborhood. Reveling in the freedom and excitement of rolled-down windows and no adult supervision. Oceanic breeze making their unruly hairs even messier, and LL Cool J's Doin It the only sound in the car as it blasted from the speakers. Ray following the song word by word, Marty wishing to go back to his rock station and wondering when had Ray stopped listening to their loved Twisted Sister and Pearl Jam and started listening to whatever that was.

"See, Marty! This is what I was talking about." Ray screamed cheerfully, as his hand banged against the side of the car and a new grin appeared on his features. "Now for some extra excitement…" He added and then started chuckling as one hand left the steering wheel and moved to pull his backpack from the backseat. "Second compartment, big map, red lines." He directed.

Marty did as ordered, his curiosity battling the inherent nerves brought upon by what they were doing. "Yeah?" He inquired when he had located and unfolded the map over his knees.

"What do you think we do with a map, Martin?" Ray asked with a laugh. "Guide me to the point I marked. I even drew you those red lines to make it easier." He explained as he pointed to said lines.

"But… this place is too far away… Technically, outside LA. You said we would only drive around the neighborhood and return the car." Marty said in a strong voice, attempting to sound less nervous than he felt.

"Come on, brother. It's Malibu! All the cool people go there." Ray started on the new arguments. "And we have a car today. Our mothers don't have time to take us there and you know how much time and money it would take to ride the bus!" The teenager continued, choosing to ignore he had already agreed to meet some other friends there. Knowing that Marty wasn't one to follow the crowd or enjoy partaking in any kind of drinking. "And there's some killer waves in there… I'm sure we can find someone to lend you a board for a short ride…" He added as a last resort, wiggling his eyebrows conspiratorially.

"But…" Marty started, still sounding doubtful, but promptly stopped as Ray parked the car abruptly. Then pointed to the side where a group of little trick-or-treaters had just rushed passed their car, their overwhelmed parents chasing behind them from a few feet away. "Are you still a little boy, Martin? Do you want to go ask for candy? Should we call your mommy and dadd…" Ray stopped midsentence and his eyes softened as he realized what he was about to say.

Looking outside his window at a little boy dressed in a Scream mask and his two friends battling with Jedi lightsabers, Marty thought back to the childhood he never had. The boys' laughs and the crashing sound of the swords reminding him of the innocence that had been stolen from him. Looking back down to the map still unfolded over his knees, words spoken by his young self resonated on his mind. As he remembered begging his parents to take him to Malibu, along with all the excuses that had been given, and the echoed pain of the fists that had followed his requests. Daddy wasn't there anymore, and mommy was too busy. So now it was his time to make his own destiny.

"Let's go." Marty said trying to sound harsh. An attempted blank expression on his face, but the sadness still shining through his darkened blue eyes. And, as he started giving Ray the directions to the beach, one of his hands discreetly moved to wipe away a lone tear that had managed to escape.

The next half hour went by quickly. The two best friends joking around and enjoying the moment, until the car suddenly stopped a few neighborhoods away. Ray instantly panicking as he recognized it hadn't been his fault. And Marty just patiently waiting for his friend to restart the car again.

"What are you waiting for? Start the car already so we can keep going and get back soon." Marty turned sideways to stare at his friend. His own panic starting when he noticed Ray's scared expression. His friend usually brave and never allowing fear to slip through. "Ray… what's going on? Marty asked again, voice shaky this time around.

"I'm not sure… Car just stopped…"

"Well, can't you turn it back on? Like you did before?" Marty wondered, trying to keep his composure, but the fear starting to get the better of him.

"I… I can't. It's not what I did, something… something is wrong with the car." Ray explained, his words now also sounding insecure. "Not out of gas, already checked… Must… must be something with the engine. I could try to fix it." He continued, now trying to steal his nerves and sound stronger.

"I told you this was a bad idea, man… Now we're gonna get in trouble." Marty rebuked, tone a mix of anger towards Ray and disappointment on himself.

"No, we won't. I will fix this." Ray then opened his door and stepped outside, turning around to pull the handle and open the hood. But before he had the chance to move again, a siren started from behind and the red and blue lights of the police cruiser became visible a couple streets back.

Marty opened his mouth to say something, anything… to tell a joke… or find some good reason why that police car was there, but Ray's pale face and the car parking behind them confirmed his worst fears. Then, the police officer walking towards them bringing his worst nightmare back to life as his mind flashed back to the night he had shot his father and the blue and red blinking lights that were forever seared onto his mind.

"Boys, please exit the vehicle." The cop directed when he was close enough to be heard. "This car was reported stolen by its owner. Please exit the vehicle with your hands raised."

Thanks for reading and hopefully sharing your thoughts about it. This is the first of a couple of stories dealing with Deeks before NCIS, the second and final chapter is already written and I will update it soon.