A/N: Takes place immediately following the events of "Spoils of War". This one has been a long time coming because (obviously) I see this as a pivotal moment in Kensi and Deeks' relationship. I have some theories about what happens between the two of them off-screen between this episode and where we are currently in season 6 which will be revealed as I post chapters. I've done a lot of editing on this fic and I'm still tweaking it to be where I want. Anywho, enjoy!

Kensi collapsed against his body, sobbing, and Deeks pulled her in as tightly as he dared. He'd pictured this moment, their reunion, a thousand times but never had he pictured this; both of them broken, falling to pieces, half a world away from home. He'd imagined relief and happiness, not the anguish he felt in the depths of his soul or the haunted look in her eyes. She was thin, he could feel her bones even beneath her thick sweater and it made him sick to his stomach. What had they done to her?

Deeks took a breath. She needed him to be strong right now so he checked his feelings and forced himself to focus only on her. Pulling away he took a close look at his partner. Her eyes were sunken into her skull, her face pale, and she trembled beneath his touch. "What uh, what did the doctor say?" he asked.

She'd been whisked off to the medical tent as soon as the chopper landed and he hadn't yet gotten a full report. "He uh, he said I'm dehydrated and malnourished," Kensi's voice broke a little. "But I'm good to travel."

"That's good," Deeks said, letting out a breath. "That's good. Do you…want to go get something to eat?"

She nodded and they began their walk to the mess. She tripped over her feet and stumbled. Deeks instinctively reached for her, grasping her arm. "Okay?" he asked.

Kensi nodded but he continued to hold onto her until they reached the tent. It was crowded and loud and Deeks could tell his partner felt uncomfortable. He spotted Sam and Callen and steered her toward their table. "Hey you found it!" Callen said pleasantly. The two of them already had plates full of food and were clearly very content with the situation as Deeks and Kensi sat down.

"You hungry?" Sam asked. "Line's right over there. They pulled out all the stop today."

"I'll go," Deeks offered, starting to rise.

Kensi reached over and gripped his sleeve. Deeks met her gaze and saw the unrest there. Sam did too. "Hey, you two just sit down relax, all right? It's been a long day. I got it," Sam stood and Deeks sank back into his chair.

Kensi released his sleeve but she still sat hunched, nervous and it made his heart ache. She was a shadow of her former self and it was exceptionally unsettling.

"Nell and Eric are going to be thrilled to have you back," Callen told her. "We've missed you around Ops. It's not the same without you there."

Kensi tried to smile. "I missed you guys too."

"Not as much as we missed you," Sam said as he returned, plates in hand. "Somebody needs to keep Deeks in check."

"Thanks a lot pal," Deeks shot back, but it was more of a reflex than an actual retort. He was too exhausted to come up with anything better.

"Take it easy with the food Kens," Sam warned. "Your stomach's gonna be a mess for awhile."

She nodded and took a small bite of what he'd placed in front of her. "Just think, this time tomorrow you'll be eating at your kitchen table," Callen told her.

"If you can find it," Sam joked. "Fair warning Kens, somebody was cleaning up your desk while you were away."

Kensi glanced at her partner, who shrugged. "I still have everything. It's just more organized," he told her, searching her eyes for a sign of life.

"It's fine," Kensi said softly.

"You say it's fine now but you haven't seen it," Callen told her. "There are separate boxes for you incoming and outgoing mail now."

Kensi's hand covered her mouth and she gagged. "Kensi?" Deeks asked.

"I-" she wretched again and Deeks pulled her up from the table.

"Come here," he pulled her outside where she emptied the few bites she'd eaten onto the ground, gasping and choking.

Deeks hovered helplessly by her side. It was several long minutes before she straightened and by that time Sam and Callen had joined them. "I'm sorry," she croaked.

"Hey, it's okay," Deeks told her.

"We should get you back to medical," Callen said.

"No!" Kensi cried. "No, I can't. Deeks," she looked up at him, her eyes glassy, "I just want to go home."

"Kens-"

"Please," she was begging and he couldn't take it.

"Okay," he said softly. "Okay."

"Deeks-" Callen started to protest.

"She doesn't want it," Deeks snapped, past the point of caring that he was yelling at his boss. He was going to do whatever Kensi wanted. She deserved that much from him. "She'll be fine."

An hour later they were boarding a plane. Kensi fumbled with the straps on her seat, her hands shaking too badly to pull them tight. "I got it," Deeks said quietly, making sure they were snug before strapping himself in next to her.

"Thanks," she whispered as Sam and Callen joined them.

"You ready?" Callen asked.

Kensi managed a timid smile and a nod. "We'll be right over here if you need us," Sam nodded at two seats a little further down the row.

The hatch began to close and Sam and Callen took their seats. The engines started and Deeks felt his partner tense. He reached for her hand, no longer caring who saw. She rested her head against his shoulder and a tear slipped down her cheek. Deeks rested his chin on top of her head and tried to hold back his own tears. "Let's go home."

A/N: The end of this episode just killed me. Kensi was SO vulnerable and so we're going to see quite a bit more of that side of her as the story progresses. Because I've never been kidnapped but I can imagine you don't come back from that quickly. And Deeks didn't exactly have an easy time of things either. I think he saw how far he was willing to go for her and it scared him. Which means lots of fun emotions to play with here! Any and all thoughts are welcome!