All characters in this story are property of NCIS: Los Angeles. I own nothing.

Finally, the team is heading out of the Mission, each to their own homes. Kensi's pretty tired.

Six months ago Hetty left without a word. That was pretty disruptive to the entire team. Kensi had additional issues to deal with, though, when Deeks announced a couple of weeks later that he was heading back to LAPD. Sure he had his reasons, but Kensi missed their workplace banter that made the hours of work seem like minutes. Now each work day seemed to drag on forever.

The two newbies she's tried out over the last five months have been fine agents. Sure either one of them could successfully get the job done, but there's no personal connection. And they just aren't as fun to be around as Deeks.

During the drive home, Kensi's mind is in a fog. She comes out of the fog as she parks the car, and by the time she's at the stairway of her apartment she's practically sprinting up the stairs. Turning the key, she enters her dark apartment.