A/N: We return for a brief sojourn into the FLETC saga.
***
Your Own Worst Enemy
Deeks rolled his head, stretching his neck as a fifteen-minute mock interrogation video ended. As the screen turned black, Instructor Reczick flipped on the lights, briefly blinding everyone, then walked back to the front of the class.
Three weeks into the advanced interrogation, they’d moved on from studying techniques and rules to more practical application. It was pretty much all review for Deeks, but he usually enjoyed the opportunity to role play. And pick apart the various videos.
“Alright, what is the first mistake the Agent made in this example?” Reczick asked, pacing to the left while he waited for a response. A female cadet, Dakota, raised her hand, successfully providing the answer. A few more questions later, Reczick pointed to Deeks.
“Our resident legal expert. Any glaring mistakes that would invalidate this interrogation?”
“Well, he did ignore the suspect’s request for a lawyer, but somehow I’m guessing that’s not what you’re going for,” Deeks replied. Around him, the room had gone quiet, most of the class’s attention glued to him, as had become increasingly frequent. At first, the attention seemed to come from a morbid curiosity, but now they seemed genuinely interested in what he had to say. “I’d also say that the prolonged amount of time the suspect sat in isolation, not to mention threatening the welfare of his family, would make a good case for coercion.”
“Excellent.” Reczick nodded to Deeks approvingly before moving on. Half an hour later after the video had been throughly dissected, Reczick announced a five minute break before they would break into small groups of two or three.
Deeks took the opportunity to send Kensi a quick text. Based on their phone call this morning, she’d be too busy to respond until later, but he liked to rest thought out the day when he could. It was a poor replacement, but the closest they could get to their usual banter.
God, he missed her.
“Well, look at you showing off again,” a scathing voice interrupted Deeks mid-text. He looked up slowly to find Alan standing next to his desk, shaking his head in apparent disgust.
“I beg your pardon?” Deeks said neutrally.
“You just had to showboat, didn’t you. Let everyone see the big lawyer on campus.”
“I’m not sure what you what from me here. Did you expect me to give the wrong answer?” Deeks asked. He was legitimately confused by the younger guy’s response. Since the day they met, Alan Porter seemed set on hating Deeks, no matter how much he kept to himself. Or tried to help when Alan was clearly flailing.
“You didn’t have to answer it so perfectly.”
Setting his pencil to the side, Deeks braced his arms forearms on the table, turning to face Alan directly. It occurred to him how young Alan looked despite his twenty six years.
“Alan, did it ever occur to you that I’m under a lot of scrutiny here? I have a history with NCIS and experience that the most of you don’t, which means the instructors are expecting me to perform at a higher level than the average cadet. I’m supposed to know how to perform an interrogation because I’ve been in law enforcement for a decade and a half. I’m not showing off or trying to one-up you or anyone else. I’m just trying to survive. Just like every other person in this cohort.”
Deeks pause to let the words sink in; Alan’s eyebrows furrowed briefly, and for a second, but then he snorted dismissively.
“Yeah, it’s easy for you to say when you’re a teacher’s pet. You run around everywhere with your little study group hanging onto your every word, idolizing you,” Alan sneered. Even though it wasn’t the first time he’d expressed his dislike, Deeks was a little taken aback by the pure vitriol Alan threw at him.
“Hey Porter, good to see you socializing for one,” Reczick said loudly, coming up behind Alan. “Why don’t you pair up with Deeks? It’ll be good practice for you.”
“Yeah right,” Alan muttered at the suggestion and walked away.
“I don’t think he’s a morning person,” Deeks commented glibly, drawing an almost-smirk out of Reczick.
“Hmm. Some people just don’t know how to help themselves,” he sighed. He patted Deeks on the shoulder. “C’mon, you can practice with me.”
Deeks took another look in Alan’s direction. He didn’t need the guy to love him, but it would certainly make life a lot easier.