Welcome to the Deeks' No Name Bar. I'm Max and with Muderette we will be your hosts. We're not sure what this will be but we hope you will enjoy it. Thanks to Mulderette for saying yes and for our friends for not telling us to not do it. Enjoy!

Better Angels

"Helluva day," Sam stated as he drove in the directions of Deeks' bar.

"I don't even know how Kens did what she did," Callen stated, his eyes on the passing scenery outside as he thought about how one's life could be gone in the blink of an eye. It was a scary thought. He didn't envy the way David Sarraf had died. It was too slow and drawn out for him. When his time came, he wanted it to be quick. Ideally, he wouldn't even know what had happened. He forced away the negative thoughts as he realized Sam was talking and turned his attention back to his partner.

"She's a strong woman, G," Sam said. "Always has been."

"I know," Callen said, "Still couldn't have been easy though…"

"No," Sam said, nodding in agreement. "I'm sure it wasn't." He pulled the Challenger up in front of the bar.

"You want to come in for a bit?" Callen asked.

"To your apartment or the bar?"

"What do you think?" Callen asked with a smirk. "I'll buy you a beer."

So, do you actually pay for beers here, G?" Sam asked with a grin as they headed into the bar.

Callen glared at his partner, "Are you implying that I steal drinks? If I'm offered a drink, I'll take it, but if I'm just stopping by, I pay for my drinks. If I come home late and the bar is empty, I'll always leave money if I decide to have a drink."

"Whoa, buddy...I was kidding," Sam said.

Callen sighed, looking sheepish. "So...what should we say to Deeks' mom?" he asked as they walked over to the bar. "I don't want to upset her."

"You know her better than I do," Sam said. "Do what you think is right."

"Well, I know I'm not telling her that Deeks almost got killed today," Callen stated. "That would not be good."

"No, that wouldn't be good," Sam agreed.

"What wouldn't be good? Roberta asked as she walked over to the bar. "Tough day at the office?"

Callen looked at Sam and then "carefully" recounted their day concentrating more on Kensi's day than her son's. Roberta stood between the two agents and just listened. She was learning to be better about that. Roberta came to realize that this bar was not only her son's future but was a refuge for his team. Which was typical. Martin was a protector, always had been. He had protected her and now Kensi and by extension this team. She patted Callen on the shoulder. "I know just what to do." Roberta excused herself and went back to the kitchen.

Callen and Sam sat quietly chatting and a short time later, Roberta came back carrying two plates. She carefully placed them in front of the partners.

"You didn't have to do that," Sam said, giving her a grateful smile.

"Don't be silly," Roberta said. "No more trouble to feed a couple more people."

"Thanks," Callen said as he hungrily dug into the meal.

A very tired Deeks and Kensi finally made their way to the bar. Deeks talked Kensi into going for no other reason than his mom texted him and said she had cooked dinner for them. He convinced her that a hot meal, and a glass of wine would help them unwind and maybe help forget about how horrible the day was for just a bit, and then they could go home to bed. Kensi just kept nodding numbly and allowed her partner to take care of her.

Roberta brought two plates and placed them in front of her son and practically daughter-in-law. She then pulled Kensi into a tight hug, rubbing her back, no words needed. Kensi melted into Roberta's arms. Deeks watched as his mother did what any mother would do and loved her for it. She then turned to her son and put her arms around him, kissed his head and again no words. Sometimes they just weren't necessary.

When conversation finally started it wasn't about the day but about them. It was if they needed to affirm the love they shared for each other. They were family and knew each other well. "Remember when" were followed by tales of cases past. Tales told out of school were always a favorite and were just what was needed. Roberta stayed in the shadows and listened to this part of her son's life that she had missed. She understood why, because her son was so protective of people. Especially the ones he held close to him. But it was nice to see and hear the camaraderie.

"I guess I'm going to head out," Sam said, after a while, deciding to leave Kensi and Deeks give them a bit of alone time.

Callen took a cue from his partner and stood up. "I'll walk you out. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Have a good night."

As much as Roberta wanted to stay and talk to them about what had happened today she was startled by the emotional upset that Kensi seemed to in. She had always admired her strength and knew that was what attracted her Martin. Kensi gave as good as got and was the soulmate her son deserved. But this was something else. She watched as her son quietly talked to his love. Gentle touches, a little teasing and slowly Kensi started to relax. She decided that that three was a crowd tonight, they will talk another time. Roberta quietly approached them.

"I'm going say good night if that's okay by you Martin? Can you lock up?"

"Sure Mama, thanks for dinner it was perfect." Deeks reached out to hug his mother tight and placed a kiss on her cheek. She then leaned over to Kensi.

"Good night sweetie. Love you both." Roberta hugged Kensi tight and kissed her head.

"Thanks for dinner Bertie. Love you too." She then kissed her check and watched as she headed out the door.

Deeks had watched as Kensi slowly lightened up. She had eaten the dinner his mom prepared, all of it, and had one glass of wine down and was nursing a second. He will never stop being amazed by her tenacity and strength. It was ironic that today they seemed to swap their partnership dynamic. He was usually the emotional one, Kensi all action. But today, Kensi was the emotional support to David and he was chasing the bad guys. But that was the beauty of their partnership. They were two halves of a whole that could be interchanged as the need fit.

But he also sensed a change in his fiancée. Kensi knew Deeks had been slowly working on an exit strategy. The fight in the garage before the Mexico debacle reaffirmed the gap between them. But David's dying words to her reminded her of the very words she spoke to Deeks when she proposed to him. She had forgotten that she knew time was fleeting. Her accident should have solidified those thoughts but instead, she panicked and reverted back to "Bad-ass Blye" and pushed through her rehab. But there was a cost. She had pushed Deeks away for a time and it took some time for them to get their footing back until the argument in the garage and once again, the partners were at odds.

The Kensi that threw herself into his arms, was different. She held onto him as if she was drowning and that actually frightened him. Where was his fierce warrioress? Deeks held her tight and gave her all the comfort he could but he sensed that a change had happened and if it was the change he hoped it was, he was heartened that maybe there was a light at the end of their tunnel. They would get out together and start their forever.

They loved each other and in the end that was what mattered.