A/N: Here is the third and final chapter,sorry it took so long to post but real life, college student life especially, always seems to get in the way,Also my medical knowledge is limited so if I got any procedures wrong please excuse the technicalities,also this is not betaed and I've done my best,anywho enjoy.
-Pessi . Rom
Thanks to : LostForeverInHisEyes,noro, SofiaCullen22,TXJ,Ava, NcisLAgirl and TVchick08 for reviewing the previous chapter,I appreciate it. Also thanks to anyone who didn't review but have added me or this story to a favorite or alert list I appreciate your interest.
They Always Leave
Chapter : Three
"Are you here for Kensi Blye?" The doctor asked addressing the group.
"Yes we are." Hetty said.
"Is she ok?" Nate asked.
"I'm afraid there were some complications..." The doctor said.
''What do you mean by complications?'' Nate asked worry and fear written all over his face.
'' Although we were able to remove all fragments of the bullet, Ms. Blye stopped breathing. We were able to resuscitate, but until she regains consciousness, we wont know if there was any permanent damage.'' The doctor said.
'' So what happens now?'' Hetty said. The others were too shocked to speak.
''All we can do is wait until she regains consciousness.'' The doctor said.
''Can I see her?'' Nate asked, different emotions running over him.
''Are you immediate family?'' The doctor asked.
'No,but...'' Nate began,but Hetty cut him off.
''He's her fiancee.'' Hetty blurted out,much to everyone's surprise including her own. But she couldn't stand to see one of her people in pain and knew Nate would want to be there right by her side until she awoke.
''Then yes, he can. I'm afraid the rest of you will have to wait until shes out of recovery.'' The doctor said then walked away.
''What was that?'' Nate said turning to Hetty even after two years, Hetty still surprised him, when it really did seem like she knew everything.
'' Well it worked didn't it.'' Hetty said,in that indignant tone of hers.
''Yes...'' Nate begin,but Hetty cut him of
"Then why are you still standing there, go in and see her!" Hetty said shaking her head at the psychologist, for someone who was supposed to be observant, he could be so clueless at times.
"Right,thank you." Nate said then found a nurse. The nurse then showed Nate to Kensi's room. He walked down a long hallway till he reached her hospital room.
He walked in and paused mid step at the sight of her. She was lying in the bed clearly unconscious,with a small ventilator,which the nurse told him, was merely a precaution ,and assured him that it looked worse than it was.
Her arm was bandaged,where the second bullet had grazed her, and there was a bigger set of bandages on her abdomen. She looked pale,much lighter,then her already light brown skin. Even her lips lacked their usual pinkish tint.
He walked over to the bed, and kissed her forehead,flashing back to this morning,when he'd made the very same gesture. But then she was just sleeping, and she was safe and healthy, not physically broken and hurt.
He pulled up a chair,and gently placed her right hand in his, the other held an IV that was no doubt pumping her with fluids, and antibiotics to prevent infection.
"You should talk to her, she should be able to hear you,even if she's unconscious." The nurse said patting him gently on the back before leaving.
"Hey, Zee,its Nate...I just want you to know that I'm here with you,I love you, and I'm not going anywhere,even after you wake up." Nate said then kissed the top of her hands. He then sat there quietly watching her chest rise and fall and listening to the steady beat of her heart.
48 Hours Later
The first thing her conscious mind felt was pain,at first it seemed to come from one part of her body, then she registered it in another area of her body. The second thing she noticed, was the feeling of unfamiliarity of her surroundings,through her non-visual senses.
She moved her eyelids,which felt very heavy, and after much concentration she was able to open one, then the other. Her vision was blurry at first, then things gradually came into focus.
She saw a hand on top of hers and followed it to see who it belonged to. She looked up and saw Nate asleep in a chair pulled up against the bed, she realized she was in. His hair was messy and she could see lots of stubble on his face.
She looked around the room some more, and realized she was in a hospital room. She didn't want to wake her sleeping boyfriend, and quickly found the call button, summoning a nurse to the room.
"Shh..." Kensi managed to say with a dry throat to the nurse who entered the room. The nurse quickly brought over some ice chips, which Kensi happily took. She cleared her throat, then whispered to the nurse.
"I don't want to wake him, but can you tell me why I'm in the hospital?" Kensi asked.
"You don't remember...maybe I should get the doctor." The nurse said.
"No, I just...ow." Kensi said, when she shifted in the bed. Then it all came back, the OP with Peters...something had gone wrong.
"That bastard shot me!" Kensi suddenly said as the memories flooded back.
"Excuse me?" The nurse said looking confused and worried.
"Can you just get the doctor,I think I pulled a stitch or something." Kensi said noticing that blood was beginning to appear on her abdomen bandage.
The nurse rushed out of the room, in search of a doctor. Nate started to stir next to her,in the hospital chair. He shifted in his seat then sat upright, and to his surprise Kensi was looking at him.
''Hey,Doc.'' Kensi said giving him a small smile, it would have been bigger, but she was in a bit of pain.
It took him a second to realize she was really awake and that he wasn't dreaming,but before he could say anything,or do anything, a doctor came in and started examining her. After the doctors exam , deeming her fine and redressing the bandage on her abdomen, Kensi turned and spoke to Nate.
''You gonna stand there,silent all day?'' She asked bit of sarcasm in her voice.
''No,I'm just...really happy you're awake.'' Nate said coming closer to the bed. He wanted to pull her into his arms,but dismissed the thought,when he remembered her injuries so he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her gently,but with tender passion.
''Wow,maybe I should get shot more often,if you're gonna kiss me like that.'' Kensi said with a smirk.
''Don't joke about that...'' Nate said in a serious tone,leave it to Kensi to joke about being shot, right after awakening from a coma.
''Sorry...'' Kensi said realizing it was way too soon to be joking about that. The doctor had told her she'd been unconscious for nearly two days, she knew Nate must have been out of his mind. Because she knew she'd be, if anything like that ever happened to him.
She reached out and grasped his hand in hers,looking into her eyes as he looked back into hers, she cleared her throat and begin to speak.
''Nate, I need to...'' Kensi said with a serious tone,but she was interrupted by a knock on the open door. She turned and saw a nurse.
''Sorry to interrupt,but you have some visitors.'' The nurse said. Kensi and Nate turned to see Sam, Callen and the rest of the team,who entered the room.
''Hey guys.'' Kensi said giving them another weak smile.
''Good to see you awake,Kens.'' Callen said handing her some get well balloons. He looked just as tired and disheveled as Nate.
''I'm gonna grab a cup of coffee, I'll be right back.'' Nate said kissing her forehead.
''OK..'' Kensi said, a little confused at his abrupt exit. She didn't miss the look between Callen and Nate, as Nate exited the room.
''How are you feeling?'' Hetty asked.
''Like I got shot...very sore.''Kensi said to Hetty.
Sam and Eric chimed in as well telling her they were glad she was ok. And at her insistence updating her on the status of the case and details she didn't remember about the shooting. Gradually they left,with only Callen remaining and no sign of Nate.
''So whats up with you and Nate?'' Kensi asked,after the others left.
''What are you talking about?'' Callen said playing it off.
'' He practically ran out of here,when you showed up,obviously something happened, while I was incapacitated." Kensi said.
'' Nothing happened.'' Nate said walking back into the room.
'' Long line at the coffee vending machine?'' Kensi said with an eyebrow raised.
''Sorry,got an unexpected phone call.'' Nate said.
''Everything ok?'' Kensi asked .
''Yeah.'' Nate said but not convincingly.
''So will one of you tell me whats going on? And don't say 'nothing' I know you're both lying.'' Kensi asked again referring to the obvious tension between Nate and Callen.
'' He blames me for you getting shot.'' Callen said.
''I never said that!'' Nate said.
''You didn't have to,it was obvious!'' Callen said referring to the silent treatment he'd received from Nate since Kensi had gotten out of surgery.
Not to mention the fact that Nate had tried to keep Callen from seeing Kensi. Luckily Hetty had stepped in and mediated between the two.
''Wait,what? Nate,why would you blame Callen, Peters is the one who shot me.'' Kensi said confused.
''That bastard almost killed you,but Callen was supposed to have your back...'' Nate said clearly upset as he thought back to seeing her physically hurt.
''Nate,I'm ok,it takes more than that to take me down. It wasn't Callen's fault,sometimes an OP goes wrong,you know that. You're not gonna lose me, if that's what you're really worried about.'Kensi said looking into his eyes.
''I should go...'' Callen said seeing that they might want to talk alone.
''Thanks for coming.'' Kensi said taking her eyes off Nate's and focusing on Callen, who'd walked closer to her hospital bed.
''Make sure you get some rest.'' Callen said kissing her cheek.
''Callen?'' Nate said,walking over to the agent,before he exited the room.
''Yeah.'' Callen said wondering what the psychologist had to say.
''You were right, I did blame you... I'm sorry.'' Nate said realizing just how irrational he'd been, not to mention the projection of his fear of losing Kensi.
''It's ok Nate,if I was in your shoes...probably would have felt the same way.'' Callen said nodding at the psychologist before exiting the room and leaving the couple alone.
''So...'' Kensi said when Nate turned to face her.
''So...''Nate said right back knowing she wanted to say something to him.
''You were right, I was scared when you asked me to marry you.'' Kensi began.
''Scared of what?'' Nate asked,but he was sure he already knew the answer to that question.
''Well of losing you,but I never thought about you losing me. And I realized that we can lose each other at anytime,but that doesn't mean we shouldn't take the chance to take that next step, out of fear. There's no one else I want to be with, to have in my future,no matter how long it lasts,but you.'' Kensi said entangling her fingers in his.
''So,what exactly are you saying?'' Nate asked, not wanting to assume where she was going.
'' Take out the ring, and ask me again.'' Kensi said letting go of his hand.
''Ring? How do you know I have it with me.'' Nate asked surprised.
''Because just like you know me, better than you know yourself, I know you. And I know you'd want to keep it close for when I said yes.'' Kensi said with a smirk.
''This isn't as romantic as the first time,but...'' Nate said pulling the ring out of its box in his pocket and getting down on one knee.
''Kensi Blye,will you marry me?''Nate asked.
''Yes.'' Kensi said without hesitation.
A huge grin appeared on Nate's face as he slid the ring on her finger. He couldn't believe she'd said yes. Sure he knew she'd come around eventually, but he had been so happy that she was alright, that,that would have been enough for him, the fact that she was alive and well.
"This would be the part, where you kiss me." Kensi said, shaking him out of his thoughts, a smirk on her face.
Nate got up off his knees, and moved closer to her. Kensi pulled him down, and their lips met in a passionate kiss,but not too passionate given her injuries. They broke apart a few minutes later.
"I love you." Nate said grin still on his face.
"Love you too,Doc." Kensi said.
She'd been so afraid,but that fear was gone. Sure they'd always left her in the past,but she wasn't willing to miss out on a life with Nate,because the men of her past. He was her present, her future and that's all that mattered.
A/n: That's it hoped y'all like it, I should have the epilogue up soon,no promises of when that will be so just keep a look out through the alert system,thanks for reading, a review/constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.
-Pessi . Rom