AN: I've been overwhelmed by the number of reviews, follows, and favorites the first chapter of this story has received; thank you all so much. I made several changes to this chapter after the first set of behind-the-scene pictures came out in an attempt to make the story spoiler-compliant. I stopped trying after that. Please let me know what you think. The next update should be Wednesday or Thursday.
Happy Labor Day to those in the US. Enjoy your three-day weekend, BBQs, and the kiddies going back to school if they haven't already!
"Kens, why don't you go inside and find us some food?" Callen suggested.
"Tired of watching me pace?"
"You're going to wear a trench in the sidewalk at the rate you're going." His back and one foot rested against the wall a distance away from a service entrance at the rear of a Mexican hospital. He wore a stolen set of hospital scrubs and to passers-by looked like a doctor taking a break. He had also managed to snatch a brace to stabilize his wrist.
Kensi stopped and leaned next to him. "It'll give us cover when Williams, Vasquez's men, the Federales, a member of the cartel, or any random sharp-eyed local recognizes us and tries to kill or capture us."
Callen had heard from Turk soon after they arrived at the hospital about the bounty on their heads. A small fortune to whoever brought them to Vasquez and Williams, dead or alive. He'd also learned how their savior managed to find them seemingly in the middle of nowhere. At Hetty's request, Turk had hidden trackers on the tactical gear he'd provided Sam and Callen.
Hearing the tone of pessimism Kensi hadn't tried to hide, Callen said, "As soon as Sam and Deeks are patched up, we'll get out of here and get them to a hospital in the States."
Kensi didn't bother to respond to her team leader. She turned her head away from him and closed her eyes. Bad move, she realized, because the memories rushed back.
She'd noticed Deeks seemed off from the time he woke in the SUV. She'd become increasingly worried about him as they escaped into the Mexican desert. Though he said nothing, Kensi believed his headache had worsened and that he was occasionally lightheaded, bordering on disoriented. By the time Deeks vomited and lost consciousness in the chopper, Sam was already on his way to Deeks and had reached him a second later. The former SEAL tilted Deeks' head, lifted an eyelid and announced with concern, "His pupil's blown." He then yelled to the pilot, "We got a possible TBI here. Get us to the nearest level one trauma center now!"
Then, as now, a shiver ran through Kensi. Sam soon decided they didn't have the time to get to a trauma center in the US when Deeks started seizing moments later. In less than ten minutes they were touching down on the helipad next to the nearest large hospital in Mexico, a team ready and waiting to whisk Deeks away from her. All Kensi could do was fill out the paperwork about allergies and past medical history and make up a cover story about how he had sustained his injuries.
That was more than three hours ago. In that time, she, Callen, and Turk had set up a rotation of sorts. It was Callen's turn to keep lookout at the back of the hospital while Turk remained near the front entrance. Kensi floated between them, the ER where Sam was, and the surgical floor where Deeks had been taken soon after their arrival. She could only hope the fact that it had been a few hours with no news was good news.
After she last snuck into his treatment bay in the ER, Sam revealed that his leg wound had been cleaned and stitched again, he had a mild concussion, and x-rays had confirmed Kensi's previous suspicion of a fractured rib. He wasn't being released until a bag of IV antibiotics was in him. Confident he was not in medical jeopardy, they had agreed someone would only take a walk through the emergency department periodically to check for people who might be on the lookout for them and covertly lay eyes on Sam to make sure he was alright. Once he was discharged, he would meet up with whoever was on watch at the back of the hospital.
"Kensi," Callen called gently, and she got the impression it wasn't his first attempt to get her attention. "I mean it. Go do another round. See what's going on with Turk, find out if there's any news on Deeks, make sure Sam hasn't torn up the ER, and then find a cafeteria. We'll switch positions after we eat."
She nodded and headed back in. Kensi hated the times she was assigned to stay in one place, knowing that Callen and Turk would be unable to get information on Deeks. As chaotic as it was when they first arrived at the hospital, Turk had the presence of mind, based on the knowledge of the bounty that he hadn't yet had the time to share, to suggest that Kensi alone accompany Deeks. He didn't know of their relationship but they were both in civilian clothes and he did know they'd be easier to spot if they were with two other people in tactical camo gear.
As far as the surgical staff knew, Deeks was her husband and she was behind the wheel when she accidentally drove off the road, rolling the car several times.
Deciding to visit the surgical ward first, Kensi took the long way to the nurses' station, making sure there was no one hoping to earn the bounty laying in wait for her. Finally making it to the desk, it was clear one of the nurses had been looking for her.
"Is he okay?" Kensi asked anxiously in fluent Spanish.
The woman smiled kindly and said, "Your husband was taken into the operating room immediately once the neurosurgeon arrived. Scans showed a small but growing subdural hematoma. Surgery is needed to relieve the pressure of the blood that was pooling between his brain and his skull in order to avoid permanent damage."
"Brain surgery?" Kensi said, stepping back a little in shock and hoping she had misunderstood since she wasn't as familiar with medical terms in the other language.
"The doctor will make holes in his skull to allow the blood to drain. They won't actually be operating on his brain."
"Is...is he going to be alright?"
"The bleeding was discovered and the pressure is being relieved relatively quickly after the presentation of symptoms, which is good. But it's too soon to tell what kind of damage may result. It also depends on where in the brain the bleeding is and where the blood is collecting." At Kensi's look, the nurse stressed, "It was a small bleed, and obviously a slow one, since he was conscious for some time after the accident, which is also good news. But we won't know anything more until the surgery is complete and he wakes up."
Kensi asked more questions before the nurse left. Ones she was afraid to hear the answers to, but asked anyway. Phrases like "traumatic brain injury" "cognitive impairments" "speech difficulties" "memory loss" "blindness" and "paralysis" swam through her consciousness as possible outcomes for a significant subdural hematoma. But hadn't the nurse said Deeks' was small? Was there such a thing as an insignificant brain bleed?
Making quick work of her check-ins with Turk and Sam, Kensi returned to Callen with updates. She had skipped the cafeteria because after her discussion with the nurse, she wasn't hungry.
"Go grab something for you and Turk," she said. "But leave me the phone. I want to call our mothers." Turk had handed Callen another sat phone before they separated upon arrival at the hospital. Hetty knew he'd located them, because she was the one feeding him the directions to where their trackers were.
"You think that's a good idea until we know something more? It's not like they can do anything."
The truth was Kensi wanted Roberta to pray for her son. She wanted her own mother to do the same. Kensi had always regretted not calling Dom's family when they had a lead on his whereabouts. Callen had said he would ask Nate to talk to them, but by the time he did it was too late. All they could have done was pray, she knew, but maybe that would have helped. She'd never know. But she wouldn't take that chance now. Not with Deeks' life in the balance.
"They need to know," Kensi insisted as she put out her hand for the phone.
It rang as Callen was about to give it to her. Neither of them recognized the number on the screen.
"Callen," he said when he answered it. Kensi watched his eyebrows lift in surprise as he turned to walk further away from her and the possibility of being overheard by passers-by, "Assistant Director, are you and Derrick safe?"
He turned back again when he reported, "Our exfil wasn't quite as smooth. The general and his men were waiting and hit us with some heavy firepower…We're at a hospital in Mexico. Kensi and I are fine, Sam's got a fractured rib, and Deeks…" Callen paused and glanced at his junior agent, "is in surgery. He has some bleeding on the brain." He listened again and then said, "We're not sure yet…yeah, hang on," before reluctantly handing the phone over to Kensi.
"Kensi, I'm sorry to hear that Detective Deeks has been hurt. I hope he makes a full recovery. I want to assure you that even though he had no business being in Mexico, I haven't processed his termination yet, so he'll still be covered for any injuries sustained in the course the rescue mission."
Kensi couldn't believe what she was hearing. Mosley had the gall to say that Deeks shouldn't have helped to rescue her son? Reining in her temper so she didn't say what she really wanted to, Kensi instead pointed out another inaccuracy in the EAD's statement. "Actually ma'am, this mission was off the books, remember? It had nothing to do with national security or the Department of the Navy. It was completely personal for you, so we'll all be lucky if the job covers our medical expenses."
In a haughty tone, Mosley said, "Well then, Henrietta can figure something out to make sure you're all taken care of. I've heard she's quite adept at…manipulating the facts to suit her, and her team's needs. I'm sure you can understand, I'll be taking some time off to spend with my son. She can contact me if need be."
"I'm sorry? We were nearly killed rescuing your son and now we're Hetty's mess to clean up? And Deeks had no business being there in the first place?" Kensi was having difficulty controlling her anger. "Let me tell you something, Executive Assistant Director Mosley. If he hadn't been there you wouldn't be with your son right now. Because Deeks was the one who came up with the idea that got us into the general's compound. Afteryou fired him for calling you out on your unprofessional and illegal behavior. After you had him escorted out of the mission and to our home by his own colleagues. After you wouldn't even let me speak his name in your presence. Deeks is the only reason you've got your son back and he's having holes drilled into his skull right now because he wanted to help you, even though you've made it clear from day one that you have no need for him or his skills."
"Agent Blye, I'm going to overlook your insolence because you're upset over your fiancé's injuries and because I promised to repay you for your actions on my behalf. Consider it your repayment in full that you still have your job." The EAD's voice was cool, but Kensi could hear the restraint.
"Are you kidding me?" Furious because Deeks might not be her fiancé any more, Kensi was done with restraint. "Here's something that won't be overlooked. If Deeks suffers any kind of permanent damage, or if he…doesn't survive, that will be on you. Just like Hidoko's death is your fault." Realizing she was about to step over a line that would surely cost her job no matter what her boss had just said, Kensi barely managed to bite back her next comment, which would have promised—okay threatened—to make it her life's work to burn down Mosley's career if Deeks died. Focusing on holding her tongue, it took Kensi a moment or two to realize Mosley hadn't responded. Looking at the phone's display, she discovered that the call had ended.
She raised her arm to throw the device but Callen grabbed her wrist. Kensi had forgotten he was there. "Believe me, I get it, but this is the only phone we have right now." He took it from her and continued, "Deeks usually throws chairs, by the way."
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "If there was one here, I probably would have." Kensi paused for beat and asked, "When did Deeks ever throw a chair?"
"When Ferris had you. The Wonder Twins showed me and Sam the video from the boatshed. He threw a chair across the room and then told Hetty it was on her if anything happened to you." Callen gave Kensi a small smile as he slowly shook his head, "You two are quite the pair."
Kensi hid her cringe. Who knew what she and Deeks were anymore? "If I promise not to break it, will you trust me with the phone so I can call our moms?"
Callen looked hesitant to leave, but ultimately agreed to give Kensi some privacy for her conversations. Once alone, Kensi slid down the wall. She rested her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. She drew in a few calming breaths, reminding herself that she still had a job to do and couldn't afford to break down during or after her calls.
Two hours later, Kensi was seated at Deeks' bedside, his hand held tightly in hers.
While Kensi had been on the phone with their mothers, Sam was released. He'd located a closet of donated clothes for the indigent or people whose clothing had been ruined and counted himself fortunate to find clothes that while they didn't fit well, saved him from having to wear his patient's gowns. After exchanging updates with her, Sam had relieved Kensi of her place in the rotation and told her to stay with Deeks and consider herself his protection detail when he came out of surgery. That happened about thirty minutes ago.
She listened to the steady beeps and checked the monitors periodically for any changes. Deeks was unconscious and was expected to remain that way for anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the extent of the damage his brain sustained. That didn't stop Kensi from frequently squeezing and rubbing Deeks' hand, sometimes followed by standing up to kiss his cheek and whispered in his ear, "Baby I'm here. Please wake up."
His head was bandaged in two places, but most of his hair was still there. This both surprised and relieved Kensi when she first saw him after surgery. It surprised her because when she thought of an operation on the head, she assumed the entire scalp would need to be clean-shaven. She was relieved because she knew Deeks would have been upset to find the glorious Viking mane that he loved and was so proud of was gone. From under one of the bandages came the thin catheter that allowed the blood to drain from between his skull and his brain.
The hospital phone on his bedside table rang, startling Kensi. Assuming it was Callen or Sam, but just in case it wasn't, she picked it up and answered, "¿Bueno?"
"Miss Blye." The voice was soft but distinct. "How is he?"
She cleared her throat before attempting to answer. "We won't know until he wakes up."
"Sounds sadly familiar," Hetty said.
Kensi didn't know what else to say. "Have you spoken to Callen?"
"Yes. I told him I would be arranging for the safe return of my team. It sounds like a medical transport will be necessary."
"If they'll even discharge him. Deeks is stable, but in critical condition."
"You let me worry about that, Ms. Blye. Please tell Mr. Deeks that if he is not conscious by the time he arrives in Los Angeles, his mother and I will be at his bedside repeating a chorus of 'Martins' until he wakes up."
Kensi smiled. "I will," she assured her boss.
"And make sure you eat what Mr. Callen brought you," she said before hanging up.
As if on cue, the team leader breezed through the door, a doctor's white coat now over his scrubs. Callen handed a paper bag to her, saying, "The enchiladas from the truck across the street are really good."
"Smells good," she lied. "Thanks."
"I take it Hetty told you she's working on getting us home."
She nodded. "If Deeks isn't well enough to travel, you and Sam should go."
"That's not happening."
"It's not safe for the four of us to be in one place."
"I'm not sure you heard what the chopper pilot said, but we're south of Sinaloa here. I think it's a safe bet that Williams and Vasquez are looking for us closer to the border, not farther away."
"They've got eyes and ears everywhere Callen, you know that. Plenty of helpful citizens would be more than happy to collect the bounty, too. To be honest, I can't believe an attempt hasn't been made on us since we got here."
"Which is why Sam and I are taking turns keeping watch on this floor until we're on our way back to LA. Together." Callen stared Kensi down, practically daring the junior agent to argue any more.
"Where's Turk?" she asked instead.
"Sent him home. We don't need him linked to us if we're discovered. Plus he can get more info for us there. Everyone is where they need to be right now."
Kensi turned back to Deeks and laid her hand on his once more. She heard Callen say, "Eat that," as he left.
It was just before midnight when an American neurologist entered the room and introduced himself as Dr. Licari, a friend of Miss Lange's. He reviewed Deeks' chart and examined him before declaring that the patient was healthy enough to be transferred to a US hospital aboard an appropriately equipped medical transport. Which he happened to have flown down on at the behest of their mutual friend.
Kensi and the doctor signed several hospital forms and a short ambulance ride later, the team was airborne again. All three conscious team members slept for the two-hour flight to LAX. Upon learning that Kensi and Callen hadn't been seen by a doctor after the accident, Licari insisted that they visit the ER when they arrived at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center while he made sure Deeks was settled in a room.
Like Sam, each was diagnosed with a mild concussion and multiple contusions of various severities. In addition, Kensi's eardrum was punctured and Callen's wrist was badly sprained, requiring nothing more than the splint he'd filched.
Kensi woke slowly, a little stiff but relatively well rested. She glanced at her watch without lifting her head from next to Deeks' hip. Just after seven in the morning.
She'd slept better than she thought she would for the remainder of the night while hunched over in a chair, her head on Deeks' mattress, his hand in hers. She supposed it had something to do with the fact that they were back in Los Angeles and there was a cadre of NCIS agents assigned protective detail at the hospital as a precaution. As Callen had pointed out when they first saw them, there was no telling how far Williams' and the general's connections went and there was no sense in taking unnecessary risks while Deeks couldn't defend himself.
Licari would come by in the evening, he promised. The nursing staff would contact him should Deeks' condition deteriorate, but he had told Kensi the doctors in Mexico were correct in their assessment. He would likely wake up on his own within the next day or two.
"How's our favorite detective?" Kensi heard from behind her, and she jumped slightly, automatically on alert and ready to protect her partner even as she recognized the voice. Sitting in a chair in a corner was Hetty.
"Deeks will be sorry he missed hearing you call him that," Kensi said. "How long have you been here?"
"Long enough to see that you needed your rest. You might want to sleep with your good ear up next time, though, if you're going to startle like that."
Kensi touched her left ear. "It's still a little tender for that." Hetty's comment told Kensi that her boss had the full report on her injuries. She guessed Callen had something to do with that.
"It's good to see you both, Ms. Blye. Ms. Jones, Mr. Beale, and I were very worried about you all until contact was reestablished."
"Thank you for getting us home so fast, Hetty. The reason I was able to sleep at all is because we're here and safe."
"I haven't spoken with Dr. Licari since last night before he left Los Angeles. What does he say about Mr. Deeks' condition?"
Kensi told her what she knew and Hetty walked to the the other side of Deeks' bed.
Hetty took his free hand and said, "I'll tell you what I told Ms. Blye when she was in a similar situation. We need you with us, Mr. Deeks. It is time to wake up. Why don't you squeeze my hand now." When nothing happened, she repeated the command, but again he was still. "Cheeky bastard," Hetty muttered, smiling fondly. "Alright then, you rest. But I'll be back tomorrow. With your mother," she winked at Kensi.
They were quiet for a while, each woman thinking about the man in the bed. Hetty finally broke the silence with, "I have your phone for you, and Mr. Deeks' as well."
Taking them and tucking her own in her back pocket, Kensi said, "Thanks. I'll be able to text our moms updates now."
"And remain in contact with Mr. Deeks' medical team," Hetty said.
"Why would I need a phone for that? It's not like I'll be cleared for field work before he wakes up, so I'll be here most of the time."
"I'm afraid I need you on a plane for New York tonight," she said.
"New York!" Kensi practically shouted. Casting a quick glance at Deeks, she lowered her voice, "Hetty, what are you talking about?"
"The timing is unfortunate, but the FBI team responsible for locating the men behind the Patton Project have had a break in the case. There is a multi-agency task force being formed and your participation is requested. It is for an indefinite amount of time, but I'm sure your teammates and mothers will be happy to keep an eye on your partner."
Kensi said, "I'm not leaving this hospital unless it's by Deeks' side. You need to explain that I'm not available right now."
"I'm sorry, Agent Blye, but that's not possible. Special Agent Monroe, whom you met in Colorado, is putting together the task force. He was so impressed by you and your actions that day that he personally spoke to Director Vance on the matter. The director and SecNav were more than happy to offer your services. In addition to enhancing interagency cooperation, the involvement of one of our own in this very important group would be quite the feather in NCIS's cap. Yours as well, I'm sure I needn't remind you. And given your recent…conversation with the EAD, this might just be a most opportune assignment for you."
It didn't take long for Hetty to hear about her blow-up with Mosley, Kensi thought. She stood and whispered harshly, "Deeks just had holes drilled in his head because his brain is bleeding! The doctors can't tell me for sure when he's going to regain consciousness or if he'll be alright when he does. He was the first thing I saw when I came out of my coma, Hetty. I'm damned sure going to be here when he wakes up. There has to be something you can do to get me out of this."
"Do not forget what this group almost did, Agent Blye. They took over two missile launch control centers and very nearly fired more than fifty nuclear warheads at several predominately Muslim countries. This is a matter of utmost national security, and it is also your job, as inconvenient as it may be right now. I am sorry, Kensi," Hetty repeated, placing her hand on her junior agent's arm.
Kensi stared at the floor for what seemed like an eternity, thoughts racing. She deflated as she sat down and faced Deeks again, her back to her boss. "I'm sorry too, Hetty," she said as she pulled out her cell phone, swiped a few times, and then began tapping.
The operations manager watched her agent, saddened. She was about to speak when Kensi said, "You'll have my formal letter of resignation as soon as Deeks wakes up. Until then, an email will have to do."
Hetty nodded and silently walked out of the room. Several moments later she returned with a go-bag to find Kensi tossing her phone next to Deeks' on his tray table and placing her head in her hand. "How do you feel, Ms. Blye?" she asked.
"I'll be okay once I know Deeks will be," Kensi said, annoyed at the older woman's continued presence and ridiculous question.
"Let me be more specific. How does it feel to have quit the job you love?"
What the hell? Kensi thought as she turned to look in shock at her former boss. "I couldn't care less about NCIS right now, Hetty!" she snapped. "Deeks could die or have brain damage because we went on a mission that we shouldn't have been on. He tried to tell me that. He and Callen both knew this wasn't a case for us, but Sam and I wanted to go, so we all went. Deeks came, even though he was fired, because he's my partner, and he wanted to have my back." Her eyes were shiny with tears, but Kensi's anger at herself kept them from falling.
Hetty said kindly, "Remember this moment when the time really does come to leave NCIS."
Kensi was getting frustrated with the conversation. "Didn't you hear me? I just resigned."
Hetty put her hand on Kensi's shoulder and shook her head slowly. "I will be deleting that email without opening it, Agent Blye. There are no new leads on the Patton Project and there is no task-force. Please forgive me, dear. I was merely trying to make it easier for you when you decide to hang up your gun one day. I know that's been a struggle for you and Mr. Deeks lately."
Kensi narrowed her eyes in confusion until realization hit. "The security cameras in the parking garage," she said.
Hetty nodded, "That lipreading program Mr. Beale found was most helpful in giving me an idea of what your discussion was about."
Kensi didn't know if she wanted to laugh, cry, or throw her chair across the room. She settled on asking, "Does this mean you agree with Deeks that this should be my last mission?"
"No, of course not. Not until you're ready."
"It might not matter. You obviously know about my phone call with Mosley; I probably don't have a job to come back to anyway."
"EAD Mosely will be fortunate if she has a position with NCIS after her recent actions," Hetty said. "I'm sure your job, as well as Mr. Deeks', will be waiting for you when you are both recovered."
Kensi's face fell. "I doubt Deeks will want his back."
"Events like this tend to make us reconsider decisions made in the heat of the moment, Ms. Blye," Hetty said sagely. "I'll be going now. Ms. Jones filled your go-bag with several days' worth of clothes for you and something for Mr. Deeks to wear when he is discharged." She pointed to the bag on the floor and turned to leave. "Oh, I almost forgot. I thought you might like this as well," Hetty said as she reached into an inner jacket pocket and pulled out Kensi's engagement ring.
Now her face brightened like the diamonds on the ring as Kensi slid it back on her finger.