A/N: This came to me after reading & hearing the possible spoilers for the season finale. I highly doubt it will happen this way, but I had to write it down. This is definitely AU after The Frozen Lake. Bold Italics are Deeks' thoughts.

Disclaimer: Don't own NCIS LA or any characters

Main Sick Bay

USS Seahawk (CVN-70)

Somewhere in the Indian Ocean

She stood in the hatch of the sick bay, just watching. There wasn't a lot of privacy in the sick bay of a Nimitz class carrier, but somehow the sick bay attendants had created, at the very least the illusion of it, in the far back corner. The occupants of the bed were sleeping comfortably, but it was the man sitting in the chair that had her full attention at the moment.

She knew that he had only left his partner's side twice since the chaos of four days ago. Once to get cleaned up, and to make three calls, one back to Afghanistan, to inform Mr. Hanna, and by proxy Mr. Callen, where things where at. The next had been to Mrs. Feldman, to ease a mother's fear. The final call had been to OPS to inform his supervisor, she who stood watching him, of the mission's success. He had learned from Ms. Jones, that his supervisor had flown out to DC not long after they had left for the mission, and thus didn't have to talk to her right then. Perhaps if he had known she was not there, OPS would not have been the last call he had made.

The second time he had left, no had been forced from the bed side, was to have his own physical wounds be attended. He been shot in the biceps of his left arm, a through and through, as well as a deep graze along the right thigh. There also were cuts, some apparently from a very sharp knife, as well as various bumps and bruises. All in all it was nothing that wouldn't heal over time. His emotional wounds however, she wasn't sure about anymore, and she was partly, no heavily to blame for that. Reaching into her pocket to double check that a piece of paper was still there, she steeled herself and began her approach.

"Congratulations Mr. Deeks" He didn't jump or flinch, or even turn around to face her.

"On what Hetty? A successful rescue? A completed OP? Or the fact I am the father of the first girl born aboard a US Navy carrier? A daughter who I didn't even know existed until four days ago?" The words were soft, but the bitterness, hurt and anger rang out like the bells of St. Peters.

"I made some mistakes Mr. Deeks and for that I am truly sorry."

"For the love of" the words were hissed, and rising in volume. With a visible effort, Deeks grabbed some mediocre of control, and continued quietly, gently even. "Don't, just don't. You sent Kensi off on some wild goose chase of a suicide mission and wouldn't even let her say goodbye. Not to mention her condition at the time."

"I assure you Mr. Deeks, that had I known Ms. Blye was pregnant at the time, things would have been different."

"Really?" the sarcasm literally dripped and puddled on the floor. "Then why was she wasn't pulled off of the mission when Kensi informed you? She couldn't tell me, because of quote, unquote security" Again the hurt, anger and bitterness showed through "But you learned she was pregnant during this mission. I have come to expect this kind of shit from Granger, but from you?"

The words stung for they were true. "It was decided that Ms. Blye's condition would be an asset to help her accomplish the mission."

"Assest? Assest?" For the first time he spun in his chair to face her. "You're talking about my partner, in everything, and our child. They are not just pawns on a damn board for a game of chess. And who's fucking idea was it to have the pregnant hormonal woman kill her ex-fiance?"

"Mine Mr. Deeks. She was the only who could possibly get close to him, and when I was informed of the situation, it simply became another tool to throw the White Ghost off balance."

Deeks jaw dropped, and he just stared at her for what seemed an eternity. "What SOCCOM was busy? You couldn't just Hellfire his ass from a fuckin drone?" Then he spun around to look at the bed again. "Just go away Lange." The use of her last name hurt more than she thought it would. "Why are you even here?"

"To inform you that there will be repercussions from this incident"

"Well no shit Sherlock."

"I have already tendered by my final resignation to Director Vance. I find myself questioning the choices I have made over the last year. I feel that my closeness to you and your teammates, and my refusal to acknowledge them led to this unfortunate circumstance. In addition I have spoken to him about Mr. Granger's and Mr. Sabatino's actions during the mission. I have also informed the Director, that Mr. Callen and Mr. Hanna had my full support when they smuggled you into Afghanistan and inserted you into a highly classified mission, despite you still being a LAPD detective, and not a NCIS agent. I also approved the after action reports from both of them. It should keep what happened from having a negative impact, should you decide to finally join NCIS. However there are still some questions concerning how Mr. Granger received his wound when you killed Mr. Sabatino? It was a through and through in the Gluteus Maximus, I believe."

"Ricochet." She could hear the satisfaction in his voice, and a shiver swept down her spine. For the first time Hetty was truly glad she was not in that village and cave network when her team went in to rescue their missing member. She knew that only that only three people knew what truly happened in the room where the White Ghost had met his end. And she truly doubted that Ms. Blye and Granger really were aware of Sabatino being the mole until Deeks had gunned him down to save Kensi.

"Very well Mr. Deeks, I will leave alone you with this." She reached into her pocket and pulled out the piece of paper from within. "Here are the names of the two Navy Corpsmen aling with the pilots who got Ms. Blye here in time for your daughter to be born in decent medical facilities. Knowing you, I am sure you would like to thank them personally. May I at least ask her name?" Receiving no response, and not even sure she deserved one, a sigh escaped her lips and she turned and strode towards the hatch.

"Hope Faith Deeks. Her name is Hope Faith. And Hetty, it will happen, just don't expect me to forgive you right now. I just need time to get my head wrapped around all this."

"Understood Mr. Deeks." She continued on, until a thought struck her and for the first time in what felt like forever a smile started to curve on Heinretta Lange's lips. "Oh and Mr. Deeks? Remember that the Captain of a US Naval vessel has certain legal binding powers at sea. I suggest you use them."

Little Ninja Mindfucking Bitch. Part of me knew it was the exhaustion and the emotional roller coaster the last year had been, but deep down I was still angry. No not angry, enraged was the better word for it. I was mad, hurt and bitter at Hetty, Granger, and yes even Kensi. Kensi wouldn't have gone through with this had I been there to have her back, especially since I would have been able to stop her once I knew she was pregnant. No kidding that there would have been a conflict of interest.

A father, I AM A FATHER! I want to shout at the top of my lungs from the joy and wonder I feel. I want to do a dance right here. Except if there is one thing I am sure about right now, it's that you don't want to wake a sleeping baby. And that is part of the problem, I have so many damn thoughts and feelings running through my head right now, I am not sure about anything. The throbbing of my wounds weren't helping all that much either.

The last week is blurry at times, a hazy grey surrounding the memories, I barely remember the flight over. While others stand out in such crystal clarity, that I could cut myself on the razors edge.

The shock I felt when I entered the room to hear Kensi tell Jack that what she had now was so much better than anything she had with him, right before she put a bullet between his eyes. The recoil of the trusted Beretta felt good in my hand, as I stopped Sabatino from harming or worse killing both, Kensi or Granger. The look on the faces of Sam, Callen and the two Navy Corpsmen when they realized the lady in US Military combat gear was just shy of 36 weeks pregnant. Though to be honest those looks probably have nothing on my face, when Kens said the baby was mine.

I am just sitting there staring at the two of them. Kensi, was sleeping comfortably, but the toll of the last eight plus months is plainly evident of her face. Our daughter bundled up in the smallest blanket they could find aboard a carrier snuggled against her chest. Our daughter, OUR daughter, I still am amazed that I have a kid, with Kensi even more so. Hetty was right, I do want to personally thank those guys who moved heaven and earth to get Kensi here before Hope was born.

The doc had told me that arrangements were being made to get supplies for Hope. After all prior to her, babies weren't all that high of a priority for a carrier battle group. It would probably a few weeks before we left the Seahawk. Nobody seem to think a newborn should be subjected to the stresses of a catapult launched aircraft, and it would be a few weeks before we would be close enough to helo to Diego Garcia.

Hope whimpered and squirmed a little, but settled right back down. Unfortunately it was enough to wake Kensi. Beautiful mismatched eyes blinked open, looked at our daughter, then looked up at me.

"Hey."

"Hey"

"When was the last time you slept?"

"I'm fine Kens. Just got a lot on my mind right now."

That patented glare speared me. "You wouldn't let me get away with that crap. Seriously when was the last time you had any sleep?"

" Last Tuesday I think."

"Really?" the droll tone started to bring a smile to my lips.

"Would you believe it's a love story, then?" Pain, guilt and shame literally flooded her eyes. Well crap, nice job genius. Here she is trying to recover from Hell and you just guilt trip her."Look I really missed you, didn't know what was going on over here, and then I heard about the decapitations, and let's just say Monty might just be in the best health he has ever been from all the walks."

"Deeks, … I know I said… I would… work on talking to you, and you have been more than patient, so here goes. I am so sorry I chose the mission over us and her. I should have insisted on being replaced. I should have told Granger and Hetty to shove it up their collective asses. We still have a lot talking to do but it's a start, isn't?"

"Yeah, yeah it is."

Shifting slowly and quietly, so as not to disturb Hope, as well as probably being sore as all hell, she patted the space beside her. "Come here then and lay down. Your girls need you here beside them." I am not going to lie, my heart skipped more than a beat when Kens said your girls.

I moved over, and laid down, trying not to wince as pressure was put on the knife cuts on my back. "A little hard to deny we have a thing, now isn't?"

"Yeah it might be a tad bit difficult."

"So one night is all it took, huh, told you I am a super stud."

"Deeks, honestly."

"Too soon huh?"

"Ya think?"

"It may be too soon, but Kens I love you."

"Uhh, I love you too Deeks." A small blush crept up her cheeks, and I swear I heard mumble "stupid hormones." "Are we okay?"

"We will be. We'll figure it out together."

"We always do."

And then I calmed down, I knew it wasn't going to be smooth sailing all the time, but we would figure it out as we went. My mind was allowing me to sleep. I was drifting off to the smells of sunsine, gunpowder, and clean baby girl.

"Deeks, did you really shoot Granger in the ass?"

Thanks for reading. I have some other ideas where to go from here. If you would like to read more let me know. Will most likely be a collection of one shots, such as the phone calls, what really happened in the room with Granger & Deeks discussing it, etc.