Today's instalment – a little later than usual, on account of a busy day, rushing from meeting to meeting. Kensi and Deeks are still being very good and not going off in strops at one another (wonder how long that will last?) and Sam is tactful enough to give them some space. It's probably all too good to be true, isn't it?
Having lingered for so long in the gift-shop that the sales assistant was plainly starting to wonder if she should call security, Sam felt compelled to buy something. The rows of furry animals had little appeal for him, but there was just a chance that Kensi might like one. Not a very big chance, sure enough, but women did seem to have an inexplicable fondness for stuffed animals. One of his most successful Valentine's gifts to Denise had been a teddy bear holding a red plush heart. Not that he'd gone out and bought it: the bear had been an unwanted gift to Macy, who'd tossed it in the trash can, which luckily had been empty. Still, it was a nice enough bear, if you liked that sort of thing. Which Denise did. And it would have been a shame to let it be thrown out with the garbage. Plus, Sam had clear forgotten about it being Valentine's Day, so it seemed fortuitous. But it probably wasn't Kensi's style. Eventually, after much soul searching he settled for a wicker basket containing a selection of aroma therapy oils. At least Deeks could have some fun with those, just supposing they'd managed to patch things up.
Still, even after all the time he'd taken, Sam felt it was expedient to knock on the door and wait for a response before entering. There was no need to take unnecessary risks after all. Thankfully, Kensi and Deeks were just sitting at the window, and both were decently clothed. Even if Kensi did seem to have omitted to put on a bra. Sam prided himself on his observational skills. The best thing of all, as far as he was concerned, was the lack of tension in the air. They both seemed relaxed and happy. And then Sam caught the way Deeks was looking at Kensi and rapidly revised his first impression. He'd been wrong – there was still one hell of a lot of tension. Sexual tension, that was. And that was bad. Abdominal surgery wasn't something you just bounced back from in a couple of days. It looked like they were going to be in for an enforced fallow period. Mind you, the way Deeks' eyes lit up when he saw the scented body oils made Sam wonder. The kid could be remarkably inventive.
"That's really sweet of you Sam!" Kensi was genuinely touched by Sam's thoughtfulness.
"It's good to see you sitting up and looking better. Don't take too long in coming back, alright? It's not the same without you."
"Translation – Sam misses you," Deeks said helpfully. "Just a bit longer and we'll have him talking like a regular human being."
Kensi thumped him on the arm. "You need me back so I can keep him in check, don't you, Sam?"
"Well, there is that. But we do miss you." He bent down and kissed her on the cheek. "So get well soon. Or I might just be forced to teach your boyfriend a lesson about respect."
"Fiance." Deeks corrected as Kensi waggled her finger at him. "Don't tell me your observation skills are starting to slip?"
"I put it down to the stress of living with you and being exposed to your singing. Do you really know what you're letting yourself in for Kensi?"
"I could always ask Denise for some tips," she suggested sweetly, managing to stifle a yawn.
"We'd better get going." Deeks could remember how tired you could get after surgery. "Want me to help you back into bed?"
"Could you?" God, she hated feeling so helpless and having to rely on other people. But, on the other hand it was good have someone there to help her, who didn't have to be asked, who knew how she was feeling.
Sam suddenly remembered just how little she was wearing and hastily made his excuses. A couple of minutes later, Deeks emerged, a broad smile on his face.
"She said to tell you that you might want to me singing lessons as a wedding present. And also that Denise is to come over and visit once she gets home."
Now, there was a thought: Kensi and Denise together, exchanging stories, comparing notes. Sam was pretty sure his life wouldn't be worth living after that encounter. He'd successfully managed to keep his private and personal lives completely separate for years, but it looked that was all about to end. What would it take to persuade Denise not to reveal too much? Sam mused on this all the way back to the Mission, while Deeks sat beside him, grinning like an idiot and jiggling his legs in an incredibly annoying way that reminded Sam of his young son. It was only with great difficulty that he restrained himself from smacking the younger man on the knee and telling him to sit still and be a good boy.
Callen was sitting frowning at his PC screen when Sam and Deeks finally arrived around midday. He looked up and pushed his chair away from the desk. "How's Kensi doing?"
"Engaged and desperate to get out of the hospital," Sam said.
"While I'm working out if those two statements are related or just happen to be in one sentence by accident, we should go upstairs to Ops. Hetty said she wanted to see us as soon as you guys got back."
Deeks was already halfway up the stairs. "New case?" he asked hopefully, like some eager kid.
"He hasn't stopped bouncing around since we left the hospital. It was like driving with Tigger sitting shotgun."
Callen shot him a sympathetic look. "I know where we can get some Valium – we could always spike his coffee?" he said in an undertone, before raising his voice. "New case. Dead marine. And two more in serious condition. From the Wounded Warrior Battalion."