Title: Season 10 Scenarios Chapter 4

Summary: This is a series of short scenarios to explore what might happen at the beginning of season 10. So, this is the disagreement I couldn't figure out how to fit into the last chapter. Turns out it's a lot easier if you just throw the characters into the middle of it. It just wouldn't leave me alone and I had to put it out into the world, so it's very rough. It also incorporates some of the spoilers or possible spoilers we've gotten here in the U.S. so far. WARNING Major Spoilers for Season 10.

Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS LA or any of the characters. I simply enjoy writing about them in this forum.

Rating: T

Season 10 Scenarios

Chapter 4

"Hidoko's dead Kensi! She's dead! I have brain damage! And, you want to go back?" he exclaims angrily pacing their living room.

"I...I...just..." she stumbles because she knows it's crazy and she doesn't know how to explain how her heart is torn in two by this. "Will you come sit down Deeks?" she requests softly, trying to calm him as she is worried about how angry he is and what effect that may have on his recovery.

"No," he replies flatly, running his hands through his hair. "When is enough enough Kens? Maybe you weren't as effected by Michelle's death, but that was the straw for me."

"Don't paint me as unfeeling Deeks," she literally stands her ground stopping him mid-pace as she stands in front of him.

"I'm not! I'm just trying to explain to you how I feel!" He throws up his arms in exasperation.

Simultaneously she continues with growing fire and emotion, "You're not the only one the paramedics had to pull off Michelle when they arrived." She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes to regain control of her emotions as she shares, "Sam's going back and he's going to need someone to watch his back. He's family. I can't leave him out there alone." She wipes her damp hands on her jeans as she retakes her seat on the couch.

He turns toward the window and blows out a few deep breaths of his own as he composes what he wants to say to her next. As he turns back to her and walks toward the couch, he sighs, "I get that, and I love that about you, but when do we come first Kens?" he asks holding out his hands upturned emphasizing the question with his body movements as he sits a foot or so away from her on the couch.

"I don't know Deeks," she replies looking down at her hands. "You're my partner and my family and you've always come first for me, but Hetty, Callen, Sam, Eric, Nell, and everyone else are my family too. I don't know how to leave them when I know I can be in there helping. Also, I do this to keep people safe, but I also do it for the people who no longer can: Dom, Renko, Hunter, Granger, Hidoko, Michelle, my dad. I think a big part of me knows that when I let NCIS go, it will be letting another link I had to my dad go," she admits. His hands have found their way around hers giving her the courage to look up into his eyes as she asks, "Are you going to leave if I stay?"

There's at least a full minute of uncomfortable silence before Deeks states cautiously yet firmly, "If we stay in, you have to be able to put us first."

"I know, none of this would have gone down the way it did if I had followed you home that night and we had talked. I should have, I'm sorry. I always look to you and respect your opinion and decisions on the tough cases, and I didn't this time because I was upset, which was reckless. I promise I'll be a better listener when it comes to our safety, and that we'll talk about the implications and possible ramifications of each case on us from now on." She rubs her thumb over the back of his hand as silence fills the room again. "Wait, did you say if we stay in?" she questions as a small smile flirts with her lips and a brightness fills her eyes.

"I'm not going to go out like this. I want to go out on my own terms," he says with pride. "That being said. I don't want to do this forever. It's okay to let someone else do this job Kens. It's okay to move on." He reaches up and caresses her cheek hoping that if he starts planting the seeds now, someday soon she'll be ready.

She knows in her head that he's right, and has increasing hope that her heart will catch up.

Okay, so this really is the last chapter in this series LOL. Like I said, I just had to put it out there before tomorrow, so it is a really rough draft. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed. Your words and encouragement always inspire me to be better.