Author's Notes: This took longer to write than I'd planned, but I was determined to get it up tonight. Thanks to my awesome friend G for helping me sort this out when the chapter decided to be difficult.


~ Ultimatum ~

Deeks remained very quite in the back seat of the taxi.

Kensi was at loss of what to do; he hadn't given her any proper information about where they were going or who they were running from. All she knew was, according to Deeks, the person they were on their way to see was a friend.

She didn't interrupt his somber moment, as she was unsure of what she could possibly say, so Kensi turned to stare through the glass of the taxi window.

Traffic passed by, then rows of houses.

She knew the OSP team would have received her "agent needs assistance" alert by now. To pass the time, though it wasn't a very long car trip, Kensi imagined what her team could be doing. She pictured Eric and Nell showing up at work first, then using their computers to locate her phone. By that time, Callen and Sam would have arrived. Kensi knew Hetty would be there too, likely already awaiting a report from Eric and Nell. They would surely discover her phone was at the wreck of her charred car. They'd likely try to contact Deeks. When he doesn't answer, they'd trace his phone – only to realise it lay beside her own.

Kensi didn't have to work out what happened next - not due to any degree of sureness, but because the taxi had come to a halt in a rather average neighbourhood.

Deeks didn't hesitate – the moment the taxi stopped, he got out and paid the driver. He was distant from Kensi, as they walked across the road. She tried to catch a glimpse of his face, but he moved too quickly. When they reached the small gate, Deeks looked towards the pale two-story house. Kensi noticed the lush green lawn, and unnatural amount of flowerbeds in every windowsill, whereas Deeks only had eyes for one window towards his right.

'Deeks?' Kensi spoke when he didn't move.

He acted as though he hadn't heard her, as he pushed open the gate and hurriedly led her towards the house. At the doorstep, he stopped without knocking and Kensi almost walked into him. Exhaling, Deeks finally turned around to face her again. Kensi stood firm, awaiting whatever he was going to reveal to her, and wished she could do something to ease the stress he was clearly trying to handle on his own.

'His name is Gabe.' Deeks said, indicating to the house. 'He helped me through some tough times. He can help us. He knows what we're up against, and I trust Gabe more than anyone.'

'Anyone?' Kensi repeated.

She tried to sound surprise, rather than reveal the sting his words delivered. She guarded her expression when he looked her over with a ghost of a smile. It wasn't his usual grin, but it was a start.

'More than most.' Deeks corrected himself.

He looked at his watch worriedly, then swerved around to raise his hand to knock on the door. Instead of his knuckles contacted with the wood, the door swung open to reveal a man older than his fifties. He was dark, with short black hair, and had a newly grown mustache.

The man said nothing, just stood there staring at Deeks.

Kensi could see the level of recognition in her partner's expression. Whoever this man was, Deeks not only knew him very well but it appeared to be mutual. Kensi took in his appearance again, seeing the way he stood tall and confident with the intimidating appearance of someone of high authority. The man looked tough, and yet his brown eyes showed a warmth that contradicted any visual judgments a person could make of him.

'Hey, Gabe.' Deeks said in a tone of voice that surprised Kensi. She couldn't remember ever hearing him use that soft, determined voice before. It made her very curious.

'Marty Deeks.' Gabe nodded with a smile. He reached and clasped Deeks' hand to shake it in a firm grip.

'I'm in trouble.' Deeks admitted, looking ashamed.

'It's happened, hasn't it?' Gabe sighed. 'He's out?'

'Yeah.' Deeks nodded. 'You told me, that if this happened again, to come to you. I know it's been years, but...I need your help.'

'Don't doubt my promise, son. We'll leave right away.' Gabe frowned, looking over at Kensi with a clear sign of distrust. 'Who's she?'

'Oh, uh...' Deeks glanced at Kensi, trying to work out what he could call her.

The truth was hard, and yet one variant of it wasn't.

'Kensi Blye. She's my partner.'

'She can't come with us.' Gabe stated 'It's not safe.'

Kensi was about to object, and demand to know who this guy thought he was, but surprise hit her when it was Deeks who answered first.

'She has to.' Deeks stated. 'She's my partner, Gabe. I need her to back me up. I need her.'

Kensi's irritation faltered at his words.

She stared at him when he spoke, though his confession continued to ring through her mind when he finished. Kensi had tried to cheer him up and help him get back on track after his traumatic ordeal months ago, and she knew he felt more for her than words had revealed, and yet him openly saying he needed her was not something Kensi had expected to hear.

A part of her was envious of Deeks for being able to communicate those meaningful things with such conviction, when she could barely grasp anything so profound in her own mind.

'I hope she's as good a shot as you are.' Gabe said to Deeks, while watching Kensi.

'I'm better.' Kensi remarked boldly.

Gabe laughed at her words, while Deeks watched her with a meaningful smile.

'I like her.' Gabe approved and moved to re-enter his house. 'But it's not going to be easy.' He added while checking the living room for something. Snatching car keys from a nearby bowl, he faced Deeks again with a serious expression.

'What happened?'

'He blew up her car.' Deeks answered, trying to keep his gaze from wandering around the room.

He swallowed, and looked downwards instead. It was the same wooden floor, as if it hadn't aged a single day.

'Left this.'

Deeks got out the note he'd found in Kensi's car moments before the explosion. Gabe didn't touch it, but read what was said and shook his head with concern. Kensi stood just inside the room, leaning against the door-frame, while the pair conversed. Gabe asked Deeks a few direct questions about the events, all while moving around the room to grab items.

Deeks glanced at Kensi and was surprised by how quiet she was. He had expected her to be on a tirade by now; demanding answers until she felt well-informed and prepared for what was next. He met her stubbornly patient gaze, and realised she was holding back out of respect for him.

She was trusting him, just like he'd asked her to.

Gabe bent on his knees and pulled a duffel bag from underneath the large sofa. Standing, he exhaled and looked at Kensi again.

'Marty, you know she can't come with you.'

'There has to be a way to make this work.' Deeks sounded almost panicked, but adamantly tried to keep himself together. He reminded himself he was in control, that he wasn't going to fall apart this time. He couldn't.

Kensi did not like how odd the situation was. Deeks didn't beg, he didn't panic, and he most certainly didn't buckle under the pressure he'd only been under for less than an hour. It made her further anxious about who or what they were up against, if it could change his composure so severely in such a short period of time.

'She's your work partner.' Gabe shook his head again. 'It's not close enough. Not even a best friend would work. She can't come.'

'What if...' Deeks paused, fidgeting on the spot. 'What if we were together? Engaged?'

'What?' Kensi gasped. She inhaled a sharp breath of nervousness.

Oddly enough, her attempt to conceal her reaction soothed Gabe's distrust of her in a way only his eyes revealed.

'That's a lot to ask of anyone.' Gabe stared at Kensi now, as if speaking only to her. 'It would be an act you'd both have to maintain, all hours of the day.'

'Is it the only way?' Kensi pressed.

She saw Gabe nod, and Deeks look away, and knew the answer without either of them needing to confirm it.

'If I say no, who will have my partner's back?' She tried to crack a smile, but failed. 'Who else will keep you out of trouble, Deeks? I'm in.'

'You'll do this, for me?' Deeks stared at her.

'Of course.' Kensi nodded, managing a genuine smile this time.

She wanted to say she'd do anything for him, but the words wouldn't form in her throat. A smile would have to be enough for now. The way he watched her, however, Kensi wondered if maybe this time he understood regardless.

'Do you still have that box I asked you to keep safe for me?' Deeks turned to Gabe.

'Yeah.' Gabe headed into another room, giving Deeks the chance to look at Kensi to show his gratitude.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Gabe returned with a small wooden box.

Deeks accepted it and flipped open the catch. He tried not to look at the photographs inside,instead he fished around for a tiny object.

'Here.' Deeks approached Kensi and held out a ring to her. 'She'll believe our act with this. It was my grandmother's.'

'Oh, Deeks, I couldn't...'

Kensi stared at the engagement ring. It glittered in the ray of sunlight peeking through the curtains to their left. The silver band and diamond were simple, yet she struggled to take her eyes off it. She exhaled, and clutched the item carefully. Kensi slipped it onto her finger, and wasn't sure what to think about how perfectly it fit her, as though it was designed for her hand.

'We have to go.' Gabe declared. 'We've wasted enough time. Come on.' He led the way outside, making sure to lock the door on his way out.

'What's her name?' Deeks asked.

'I don't know. I haven't spoken to her in a few years.' Gabe said. 'I still check up on her, like I promised, but I've had no contact in a while. She's moved back.'

'Who?' Kensi asked, looking up from the ring. 'And who put that bomb in my car? What's going on?' She finally questioned, unable to hold it in any longer. Kensi wasn't sure what was being discussed or how anything was playing out around her, and she hated it.

They group stood near the doorstep, where Gabe turned to fix Deeks with an alarmed expression.

'You haven't told her?'

'I didn't-' Deeks hesitated. 'I didn't want her to worry. I thought it was over.'

Kensi glared at Deeks and knew he wasn't being entirely truthful. Hurt seared through her, mingled with annoyance, as she thought that maybe it had little to do with worry on his part, but lack of trust on hers? Did he not trust her with the information? It related to his past, and normally she didn't pry, but after everything she had shared with him – about her father, Jack, and her mother – Kensi felt cheated.

Right when she thought they were getting closer, making some progress, something would reawaken her realisation of how far apart they still were.

Deeks avoided looking at Kensi, whereas she crossed her arms over her chest to glare in his direction. His only reassurance was that she never went to leave, nor took back her decision to have his back. She was still trusting him, though Deeks feared it was going to wear thin if she didn't get some answers soon.

Luckily, Gabe sensed this too.

'Ms Blye, when Marty was young he got mixed up in some trouble he hadn't asked for.' Gabe said, while Deeks looked away. 'He made one man very angry. That man vowed, no matter what it took, he would get his revenge. Marty and I spent years putting him behind bars until we finally succeeded.'

'Now he's out?' Kensi guessed. She remembered Deeks saying something about a man being out of prison. 'That's who blew up my car?'

'Yes.' Gabe nodded. 'He will hurt those closest to Marty, unless we go to a safe location. If you were to leave, right now, you will not be a target.'

'I'm not going anywhere.' Kensi remained strong to her choice. 'My partner needs me, so that's where I'll be. I don't care about the risk.' She could feel Deeks staring at her, but didn't dare to look in his direction.

'Kens...' Deeks stepped in. 'Gabe has a safe house we can stay in, but there's someone else we need to protect. Someone close to me. She can't ever know our...Engagement, isn't real.'

'Who?' Kensi asked. 'And we've played a married couple before.'

'This isn't some random bad guy.' Deeks hissed. 'She's my mother. I can't protect her if she knows the truth. She won't listen, and she won't come with us. She doesn't trust strangers, not even my friends.'

Kensi listened to his words, and didn't initially understand what the big deal was.

They had to lie to his mother, and keep up appearances of being together – even if she was worried about the emotional impact it might have on their "thing", it all came down to Deeks needing her. The cautiousness reverberating from Gabe, to her, showed signs of doubt in her ability to do this. Yet, the look in Deeks' eyes were far more believing.

He was right, though. They weren't just fooling criminals this time, but someone close to Deeks. Someone who, Kensi assumed, knew Deeks so well that the cover would need constant work and attention to maintain. Even so, she would still be exactly who she was and Deeks would still be Deeks, but they would be engaged. She reminded herself the ring wasn't about an intent to marry her, or being the simplest cover, it was what Deeks thought was the only way to protect his mother with her by his side. He wanted to save his mother, and Kensi was reminded of her desperation when asking Deeks to protect her own mother.

How could she ever think of turning him down?

'Okay.' Kensi nodded.

'Okay.' Deeks repeated with an exhale of relief. 'Are you sure you're ready to meet my mother, Darling?'

There was a hint of his usual tease this time, which made the situation feel more familiar to Kensi. He was giving her something she was used to, and she could easily resort to. Regardless, she merely rolled her eyes and allowed Gabe to lead the way towards the street.

Deeks followed them, but paused near the gate.

He glanced over his shoulder at Gabe's house with a contemplative expression. He remembered being eleven and standing exactly where he was in that moment. He'd looked at the house, knowing a police officer lived there, and yet was too scared to take a step further. He'd passed the house every day on his way home from school, and on every single one of those days Deeks had asked himself if maybe there was one person he could trust - maybe that man could save him?

Now, many years later, there he stood.

The situations were so similar, but this time Deeks had Kensi alongside him.

And his mother would be too.

Deeks hadn't seen her in years, fearful of ever disappointing her. The last time he had seen his mother, she'd been saddened by his update on his life. He'd made her proud by becoming a lawyer, but when he turned away from it she worried yet again. She had hoped the next time he saw her he would have some wonderful news to give her about his life. He knew there was no other way to get his mother to believe him when he said they had to leave for her safety, unless he gave her something she couldn't refuse. He worried because he had no idea how his partner would handle the situation. He couldn't even mention what happened between them, with the kiss, without her freaking out on him.

In a rain of bullets, he knew she'd have his back, but in matters of the heart...He had no clue where they stood.

'Deeks?' Kensi wondered why he'd stopped.

'Yeah.' He turned and joined her side.

Deeks saw Gabe walking a bit ahead, since his mother only lived down the end of the street, and dread began to fill him.

'You good?' Kensi checked while they walked, side-by-side, and noticed how odd he was acting.

He'd been acting rather strange since the explosion, actually.

Deeks didn't speak.

He continued to walk a familiar path, and kept his eyes trained on Gabe, but his hand instinctively moved towards Kensi's. She was startled to feel his touch against the back of her hand, the one with the ring, and looked over at his troubled face. Whatever was going on in his mind, in that moment, was clearly painful for him. She begun to wonder how long it had been since he'd seen his mother, what she was like, and how Gabe fitted into the small circle of trust Deeks had formed. She glanced at her hand, seeing the ring shining there, and decided no amount of fear she had for stepping outside of her protective walls was worth letting Deeks suffer if he needed her.

And he did need her – he'd said so.

'It's okay.' Kensi said, sliding her hand into his. 'I've got your back, Deeks.' She reminded him, giving his hand a squeeze.

She felt his hand grip hers, once again spreading a warm sensation through her fingertips and up her arm. She hoped things would make more sense once they got to the safe house, but for now she was going to focus solely on Deeks. Kensi was going to be there for him, even if it meant stepping into a role she never thought she'd ever have to face again.

'I never told you, because...' Deeks swallowed, as he broke the quietness, and forced himself to continue. 'I was in a dark place back then. I wanted to pretend it never happened. That's why I never mentioned it; that's why I never told you. I just wanted it to be over.'

Kensi bit her lip, trying to think of something reassuring to say, but knew he still hadn't told her the exact details. She didn't know what was going on, but his brief confession assured her that maybe he just needed more time to find the right words. Like she did, when it came to their "thing".

Whatever it was, she trusted he would help her understand when he was ready to share it.

'How many times have I told you?' Gabe intervened, standing beside a pale lawn that led to a slightly tattered wooden house. 'You can't run from this, Marty.'

'Where are we?' Kensi wondered, looking over at the house in dire need of a fresh coat of paint and some extra nails.

'A place I never wanted to see again.' Deeks said deeply. His blue gaze fixated on the house he'd never truly got to call home. 'It's where everything started. This is where I grew up. This is where I shot my father.'