Hi everyone, so i know i probably sound a little like a broken record but i do apologise for the delay in updating, i was all on schedule to update a week after the last chapter then my poor laptop died a very sad death. Long story short i lost everything on it and am now writing on a borrowed computer that has its own special quirks.

As ever, thankyou to everyone still reading, especially those that review, favorite etc, the feedback is invaluable. Hope you enjoy! xxx

Peter Bennett stared around the silent warehouse his sudden fury dissipating into the steady thrum or irritation. Stupid, idiotic Davidson, what did he think coming here would do? Now the weak bastard had made him so angry he'd lost control. The moron had actually agreed to meet him alone, too stupid to live really.

Bennett had lured him here to intimidate him, make sure he would keep his mouth shut, he'd not intended on killing him – after all bodies led to questions. It had never occurred to him that the previously compliant Davidson would not be easy to manipulate or scare into silence. Instead he had shown up here all defiant and proud, saying the things he had said. His only real course of action had become clear.

As the quiet rage built in him it was obvious Davidson couldn't be relied upon to keep his mouth shut, he would have to be dealt with. It was almost comical to Peter looking back on it, Davidson was too dense to realise he'd all but signed his own death warrant.

He breathed slowly and deeply, catching his breath after the effort of taking care of Davidson. It surprised him how hard the other man had fought, he'd even managed to land a few blows, perhaps he had found something worth fighting for after all.

Bennett did not regret the life he had taken, but it annoyed him that now he had this mess to clean up and the whole thing to cover up. It would take time he didn't have, NCIS would be all over this- all over him, if they found out Davidson was missing.

He needed something to buy him time to get rid of the evidence and come up with a plausible story. He would say he was with Anne, she would alibi him, she generally did whatever he said, which is why he kept her around.

Hastily wiping his hands on his jeans he dug into his pockets and pulled out his cell phone. Searching through his contacts he pondered which to call. He had men watching several of NCIS's people, he'd not been able to track all those he hoped for but he still had a few to choose from. What better distraction for NCIS than to lose one of their own. Finally making his selection he pressed the button and waited for his man to answer the call.

Kensi woke slowly from a peaceful sleep. Mind still foggy she blindly reached over to Deeks' side, patting the sheets, trying to find her shaggy partner.

Finding nothing but cold sheets she grudgingly opened her eyes, groaning when she found he had apparently been up for a while.

Great, she thought to herself, he's gonna be all 'It's about time, Sleeping Beauty', just what I need, another stupid nickname. Rolling her eyes at the thought yet another of what Deeks seemed to consider a term of endearment, she stretched out, enjoying the feeling on tired muscles.

Rolling out of bed she checked the time, still an hour or so before they would have to leave for work, on the bright side maybe Deeks had made breakfast for her again.

Mouth watering slightly at the idea, she walked out into the silent lounge room, petting Monty on the way to the kitchen. To her disappointed surprise Kensi found the kitchen empty, and upon further investigation, apart from her and Monty the house was deserted.

She was beginning to feel the first nervous tendrils of concern when she noticed his surfboard was also gone. Surfing, of course. Reassured she occupied herself with trying to work out Deeks' coffee maker, waiting for him to return.

Deeks lost track of time, losing himself to the rhythms of the ocean, effortlessly riding wave after wave and relishing in the cool water and salty spray.

Thrown back to reality by a sudden dumping he noticed how far above the horizon the sun had crept while he had been lost amongst the waves. Inwardly he sighed, not wanting to return to the real world just yet.

He shook his dripping blonde locks out of his eyes and smiled, a few more waves couldn't hurt right?

Paddling back out he saw the fishing boat he had noticed earlier, it really wasn't that far offshore, certainly swimming distance for someone confident in the water.

Concern furrowed his brow and he sat up on his board for a better look, there was smoke coming from the small craft.

Deeks' training kicked into gear instantly and as adrenaline thundered in his veins he paddled hard for the stricken vessel, he was closer to it than to land and people could be hurt. As he got closer he saw a figure waving at him, cries for help carried over the water's surface to his ears.

Finally reaching the boat he was helped aboard by a middle aged man, "Please, please help us! We borrowed this boat from a buddy now there's smoke coming from the engine."

Deeks tried to calm the man, "It's okay, it's going to be okay, is anyone hurt?"

The man looked panicked, "My brother he was trying to put out the fire but I think he got hurt, please you have to find him!"

"Where is he? If we can't take care of the fire we'll get to shore okay, but you need to stay calm" Deeks' mind was racing analysing his options, his priority was these people, if they could save the boat, fine, but he needed to get the civilians to safety.

The man who had helped him aboard led him to a small doorway that obviously led below, smoke was still billowing from the opening, and it was hard to see how the brother could be breathing down there. "He's down there, I-I couldn't get to him, please do something!"

"Okay, I'm gonna go get your brother, you see if you can't find a couple of life vests just in case we need to swim for shore. I have my board but it can't hurt"

Time was running out to get this guy some fresh air, making sure the first man was under control he took a deep breath and walked through the door way and down the short staircase. He had to crouch almost in half, partly because the ceiling was quite low, but mostly because the air was a little more breathable closer to the floor.

Moving as fast as possible in the darkness he felt his way around, he couldn't afford to waste air calling out to the man, besides, considering the size of the boat there couldn't be that much space to search.

Deeks stumbled slightly cursing the confusion the darkness and smoke brought. Regaining his footing he heard a noise from somewhere behind him, staring hard at where it had come from his eyes stung and he coughed on the thick smoke. He would have to go up for air soon if he didn't find something.

He decided on a last ditch effort to find the lost brother, dropping to his knees put his face right to the floor, trying for a last bit of breathable air.

Filling his lungs with air that, while far from clean, at least didn't make him choke, he spoke, voice a little rough from coughing "Hello? If you can hear me make a noise so I can find you". Deeks heard another sound, a low creaking and turned towards it hopeful he had found the lost brother alive.

Then everything went black.

What is it with me an cliffhangers? Really don't mean to be mean! Hope you enjoyed xxx