Chapter 7

Sidorov - Part 3

It had been four months since they last had any information on Sidorov, Sam was still on edge and not giving Deeks the time of day. Deeks tried to talk to him, offer support, anything. Sam was having none of it. Kensi watched with interest but also concern. She was baffled by Sam's behavior. She remembered the tension in Hetty's apartment in New York when they showed up, back from the "dead". He could not still be mad at them for what they did? They saved Nate. Shouldn't the ends justify the means? No one died, well technically they kinda did, but no one really died. Besides, Deeks was a valued member of this team, her partner and more importantly, her husband. She wouldn't have him disrespected.

Kensi found Deeks doing a weapons inventory in the armory. Everyone on the team had specific maintenance projects and this was his. He was deep into his task and didn't appear to hear her come in. She quietly came up behind him and just as she was about to surprise him . . .

"You know, you used to be better at sneaking up on me. Losing your touch there Sugarbear?" Deeks still had not moved. He just kept writing. But Kensi knew the smirk that was on his face without seeing it. The one she usually can't resist kissing off his face. But there are cameras in the armory so no sugar for her.

"You're just so clever aren't you, Detective?"

"That's Lieutenant to you missy."

"My apologies. You're just so clever aren't you Lieutenant?"

"And don't you forget it." Deeks wagged his finger at her as he turned around on his stool and leered at her affectionately. She stood there with a clipboard in her hand and was shifting uncomfortably back and forth between her feet. "Whatcha ya got there?"

"How would you describe the way we settle disagreements?"

"I apologize even when it's not my fault. Typical male-female, husband-wife dynamic. Why?"

"What's your greatest fear?"

"Quicksand. No, headhunters, actually. Headhunters and being buried up to my neck in an ant hill which headhunters do."

"So basically anything in a Tarzan movie?"

"Pretty much."

"Do you have recurring nightmares?"

"Just the one with Hetty and the burning monkey."

"What?"

"What? I thought everybody had that? I know Eric does. That's awkward."

Kensi just shook her head. "What other job would you be doing if you couldn't be in law enforcement?"

"Gigolo."

"Seriously?"

"School teacher."

"Really?"

"Who lives a double life as a gigolo. Why are you asking me all these questions?"

Kensi hesitates. Deeks knows her tells. She is hiding or embarrassed about something.

"It's just a partner survey."

"I didn't get one." Now she is really squirming. He needed to see what was on that clipboard. Quick as a jungle cat, he grabbed the board away from her. Kensi tried to grab it back. He looked at a question. "How would your partner describe the way you smell? What the . . .? This isn't from Hetty, this is . . . Cosmo? This isn't for 'partner' partners."

Kensi again tried to grab at the clipboard. Deeks blocked her attempts. He flipped through the pages and

found the first page of the survey. " Hold on. This is a marriage survey! Why are you looking at this? Is there something wrong that I don't know about? We're newlyweds. You should still be basking in the glow of my awesomeness."

Kensi rolled her eyes. She found the magazine at the hair salon and she was bored waiting for her appointment and started answering the questions. She was deliriously happy in her marriage to Deeks. She may have paused over the questions about kids and she really hoped he didn't see them. But he did. Deeks stopped and looked at her. The teasing was gone. Instead his eyes were full of love and hope that she might be starting to think about a family.

He put the clipboard down, reached out and grabbed her hips and pulled her to him. She automatically put her arms around his neck. Deeks cleared his throat. "Umm. Are you trying to tell me something?"

"No. I was bored, started answering the questions, realized we are perfect for each other. As for the questions about kids, I don't know yet." She leaned into him, her forehead touching his.

Deeks gave her a kiss. "I know we are not ready yet. But I can't wait for the tiny mutant ninja assassins to come. You are going to be a spectacular mom. And we will make this decision together. Partners, Couple, Twosome, remember?"

She leaned into him and kissed him back. Whatever happens for them happens. As long as they are together. She went in for another kiss but froze when the sound of someone clearing her throat stopped her. Kensi looked over to see Nell standing at the entrance to the armory.

Deeks head dropped. "Nellus interruptus AGAIN!"

Nell stood there and tried to look sorry, but she wasn't really. She also knew her friends weren't mad at her. Well, she knew Kensi wasn't. Deeks would probably tease her like he always did. But she was here for a reason. "Viktor Varlamov was murdered on the beach this morning."

Kensi and Deeks followed Nell out of the armory and up to OPS. Eric had video from the Venice Chess Park. There is only one angle to the murder so the perpetrator was not seen. Kensi was the first to ask, "You think this is related to Isaak Sidorov?

Nell relayed what background she had. "Sidorov thinks a rival mob boss, Anatoli Kirkin, hired Varlamov to assassinate him." It was probably the reason he left the country. The question now is, is he back? There are still the three nukes to find. Callen doled out assignments. The wonder twins were going to trace the feed to see who else was watching. Deeks and Kensi were to head to the morgue. Callen headed for the door. Kensi stopped him and asked where he's going. A very cryptic, "Going to see one Varlamov's poker buddies" was all she got.

Deeks hated dealing with dead bodies. He would rather have root canal. Kenis knew this and went out of her way to make him as squeamish as possible. When Kensi pulled back the sheet, they were greeted to a dead Varlamov with some sort of lettering carved into his forehead.

Deeks took out his phone to take a picture. "Wow! I believe that falls under adding insult to injury."

Kensi examined the left hand that was missing the middle finger. "What do you think this means?"

"Maybe he flipped off the wrong guy," was her husband's clever retort. His phone pinged with an answer from OPS. The letters are from the cyrillic alphabet, the letters are the english equivalent S-L-O-N. Is it the name of the person who killed Varlamov? Is it a message to anyone else coming for Sidorov? And the missing finger? Maybe it's all part of the same message? Kensi called Callen, gave him what they got and they headed out.

Kensi and Deeks were re-watching the video from the park. Varlamov was reading a letter that Deeks felt was set as a distraction by the killer. Nell joined them with a message from Callen. Siderov and his henchman Greshnev are back in the states. Kirkin may be next on his list. It also may mean there is a buyer for the nukes. Nell also let them know that Sam was having trouble reaching Michelle. Callen and Sam were heading to his house now. The junior partners would join them.

Well they were going to join them until Hetty stopped them. CIA agent Michael Snyder was on his way to the boatshed and needed to be "entertained" until Sam and Callen can get things under control with regards to Michelle and Sidorov's location. Deeks looked at his wife with that look in his eye that she knew meant mayhem would probably ensue. What scared her more was the matching glint in Hetty's eye.


To say that Agent Snyder was less than happy to see Kensi and Deeks and not Agent Hanna was an understatement. "I was very specific with Hetty when I told her I needed to see Hanna."

Kensi looked at her partner and with one glance decided to do their good cop/bad cop routine with Kensi being the good cop. "He's on assignment."

"What about his wife?"

Deeks had been "noisily" drinking from a plastic water bottle that included squeezing it to get maximum noise. "Michelle?"

"Does he have more than one?"

"I don't know. Does he?"

Deeks looked at Kensi. "I don't think so."

Snyder was getting agitated with the partners. "Cute. You two really think you can stall and keep me here all day?"

"I don't know. Can we?"

"How we doing so far? We're just trying to help you Agent Snyder."

Snyder dragged his hand over his face. "Officer Snyder, and you two can't help me. Actually, you," he said as he leered at Kensi, "Could probably help me."

Kensi feigned flattery. Deeks gave his wife kudos. "Nice" Deeks has seen all forms of flirtation hurled at his partner over the years. He has never worried once about her devotion to their partnership and more importantly their marriage. He was enjoying that Snyder had no idea about their status. He couldn't wait for the fun reveal. Snyder did what most folks do with Deeks, underestimate him. Snyder was about to be schooled by the king and queen of banter.

"You don't even look like you could help yourself."

Kensi made catfight sounds. Deeks acted duly offended. "Wow! Was I just insulted?" Kensi concurred. "Sounded pretty insulting to me. Definitely condescending."

"Almost disdainful."

"Borderline supercilious"

"Well I am super silly. So I guess you got me there. Point to Poindexter. High five." Deeks stood, offered a high-five to Snyder, who left him hanging. Deeks chuckled and kept walking. "See you later."

Snyder growled. "You're interfering with a federal investigation."

Kensi answered him sweetly, "But we are federal investigators." She batted her eyes at Snyder for affect.

Deeks, who had been rummaging in the fridge, turned back to his partner. "Wait a minute, now I'm confused. Who's on first?"

Snyder was getting frustrated. "Keep it up, but even that garden gnome you call a boss won't be able to save your asses if you screw the pooch on this one."

Kensi feigned confusion. "Garden gnomes, screwing of pooches...what world do you live in?"

"Hey, want to see me dislocate my wrist?" Deeks munched on a carrot stick in Snyder's face while Kensi smirked at the CIA officer.

Snyder just sighed.

The couple kept up the antics of stalling Snyder. Kensi thought she was going to lose it when Deeks, in all seriousness, she thought, asked Officer Snyder if he could join the CIA. Kensi told Snyder how gifted her partner was as an undercover operative, a master of disguise. He even was able to disguise himself as Margaret Thatcher no less. The two them got into a contest to see who could do the best "Maggie" impersonation. Snyder was not amused. And suddenly, neither were Kensi and Deeks when the door opened and in walked the man they were pretty sure they had arrested for killing Brent Bolten some time ago.

Deeks was first to find his voice. "What is he doing here?"

Callen was right behind him. "I found Snyder's name on his collar."

Kensi glared at Snyder. "Wait. He works for you?"

"Vostanik Sabatino." The man offered Deeks his hand. Deeks left him hanging. Sabatino tried to apologize for not revealing himself the last time they met. No one was buying it. They still didn't believe that Bolten's death was an accident. And then things got better when Callen told his two teammates that Granger wanted them to work with Snyder and Sabatino. Before Deeks could respond, Eric appeared onscreen.

He got a hit on computer activity at a local library branch that stopped just after Varlamov was killed. Callen then told them Sam was going back under cover as David Forman and Michelle as Quinn. The hope was that if Greshnev was back, Sidorov wouldn't be far behind. Snyder told Callen that they needed to be there when the meet happened but without "Sonny and Cher." Callen made sure that Snyder knew this was a joint operation and joint meant Deeks and Kensi would be with Snyder and Sabatino.


Once at the library, Kensi paired with Sabatino and together they went in to check out the computer system. Deeks stayed with Snyder. While Kensi copied a file to a thumbdrive, Sabatino gave Kensi the once over. She was used to this treatment from men. But Sabatino, much like Trent Kort, gave her the creeps. Must be a CIA thing. She got up to go see the librarian when Sabatino made his move.

"Cop or soldier?"

"Excuse me?"

"Your father. Was he law enforcement or military."

Kensi felt he was being intrusive. "Why?"

"Well it's just you carry yourself with a real confidence and authority."

Kensi stopped. "Are you hitting on me?"

Sabatino tried to look embarrassed but Kensi could tell he really wasn't. "No. Well maybe - - a little. Don't worry, I'm harmless. In this business? With our lives? Hell, I can't even keep a plant alive, let alone a relationship. Plus I wouldn't want to step in the middle of something."

"Something?" Damn it. Kensi was concerned. She and Deeks tried to keep their relationship a secret when they were in the field with other agencies. She wondered if the CIA officer already knew they were married. They thought Hetty had buried their marriage license again when OSP reopened, but how did Sabatino know about her father? She really didn't like the vibe she was getting from him and wished her partner was here. Kensi was brought out of thoughts by the officer.

"Yeah between you and your partner."

"Between me and my . . ." Ok she'd had enough of this guy. Normally she wouldn't reveal herself but they have a job to do and not much time to do it. "Look, Deeks is more than my partner. He's my husband and we work really well together. We have a great life with jobs we love. So if you could just back off a bit, I would appreciate it."

Sabatino just stared at her. "You and Deeks? Really?"

"Me and Deeks. Really." Kensi smiled remembering a time when she had asked that very question. "Deeks, really?" She actually questioned if that was the best they could do? She came to learn that he was the absolute best she could do and she loved him with all her heart. Kensi suddenly realized that the CIA officer was staring at her. She glared at him in a type of warning. Sabatino took a half step back and nodded in a sort of apology. Kensi nodded back and went back to her task.

Meanwhile outside, Snyder was trying to pay Deeks back for the dog and pony show he suffered through in the boatshed. He thought he knew how to get under Shaggy's skin. If he could just get Deeks to shut up.

"Does CIA have mind control machines?"

"I wish."

"Who shot JFK?"

"Lee Harvey Oswald"

"Who else? You don't even know do you? Are their aliens in area 51?"

"No" Snyder looked away from Deeks with a half a smile on his face.

Deeks noticed. "What? You're smiling. That's a tell. That means there's aliens in Area 51. I knew it!"

"I'm smiling out of the irony that while I'm sitting out here, stuck, listening to your incessant babble . . ."

"Why thank you."

"My partner is up there hitting on your smoking hot partner."

Deeks chuckled to himself. He knew Sabatino probably was leering at Kensi. He's seen it all before. As for Snyder's smugness, he had the ultimate surprise for him. "Yeah well, doesn't really matter, he can hit on her all he wants. The fact of the matter is, she is a stone cold fox. Emphasis on stone cold."

Snyder is not deterred. "Well just be happy that she's your partner and not your girlfriend." Snyder then gave Deeks his best lear.

Deeks looked back at him and smiled. "You're right, she's not my girlfriend. She's my wife, asshole. She is beautiful, strong, deadly and let me tell you something I don't normally share with strangers: smoking hot doesn't even begin to describe her. The things she does to me when we're in bed, would set your hair on fire. So let Sabatino take his best shot. I trust my wife and actually feel sorry for your partner. She will make very sure he doesn't hit on her again." Deeks leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes and listened to Snyder huff in frustration for being bested by the shaggy detective. Point to Poindexter indeed.

Back in the library, Sabatino was still reeling with embarrassment for getting busted for hitting on a married woman. Kensi was doing nothing to ease his discomfort. She was turning to go outside when she literally bumped into her partner. She then did something she never does in the field unless it's part of a cover. She put her arms around Deeks neck and kissed him. A very startled husband pulled back and looked at his wife.

"Hi-i-i-i-i!"

"Hi."

"What was that for? Not that I'm complaining. Wait a minute, let me guess. He hit on you didn't he?" Deeks then looked over his wife's head towards Sabatino. "How come he's still upright? You going soft on me Kensalina?" He then did what every Neanderthal male does, grabbed his woman closer to his body and growled at the the other male. Sabatino, who spoke male fluently, backed away.

Kensi normally didn't like to appear weak or needing protection, but in this instance, with this jerk, she was very happy to allow her husband to have his moment. And maybe she found him pretty hot while he was doing it too. Her husband had never felt threatened by the men Kensi comes in contact with. He was secure in his own skin as it related to her badass self. It's what attracted her to him. Most of the men she met weren't comfortable with her job or "confidence" as Sabatino put it and tried to change her. Deeks never had. So she was happy to let him go all caveman over her. Especially towards a jerk like Sabatino.

Deeks had come into the library so that he could check on his partner and to fill them in on the new intel he had. "Sam is following Greshnev and Eric is going to talk us in so I thought I should come in and let you two know." Kensi knew why he came in and normally she would be upset but she was actually relieved. She touched Deeks' cheek to acknowledge the gesture and assure him that she was fine, now. And together they headed back out. Deeks stayed with Snyder while Kensi and Sabatino headed for her car. Deeks gave the CIA officer one more glare and Sabatino nodded back assuring him there would be no other advances towards Mrs. Deeks.


In the boatshed, Deeks and Kensi were in the common area reviewing photographs while their CIA counterparts, Snyder and Sabatino, were holed up in interrogation appearing to be in deep discussion. The images were on the plasma but as a professional courtesy, the sound was muted.

Deeks was pacing. Kensi let him be, while she hunched over the photos spread on the table. She knew he thought better when he was moving around. He came to a stop next to his partner.

"Well we are obviously missing something."

"What does Sidorov want?"

"He wants Quinn to kill his rival, Kirkin, so he can come back and sell the nukes that he stole."

Kensi suddenly stands up straight. "That's it!"

"I mean the broad strokes, yeah, that's it."

"No. That's how we get Sidorov and Greshnev."

"Okay, this going to be hard to believe, but I am not exactly following the Kensi logic train. Apparently it doesn't make any stops in my neighborhood. But that's okay, because if you have a plan, I am sure it's brilliant because you are brilliant and I love you."

Before Deeks could get closer to her, Snyder and Sabatino came into the common area. Kensi spoke first. "We have a plan."

"We do?" Deeks didn't mean to say that outloud.

Snyder looked at the two partners. He was still a bit miffed that he couldn't tell they were married and he was definitely still pissed about the earlier charade they pulled on him. "Let's hear it."

"We kill Kirkin."

The two officers looked at each other and then back at Kensi and Deeks. Sabatino started to mock Kensi but suddenly heard a low sound emanating from her husband. Sabatino decided to allow Kensi to further explain her plan.

The plan was to not "really" kill Kirkin. Just make it look that Quinn had. They needed to find him quickly and get him to agree. He was a rival of Sidorov and if it meant he could get his hands on those nukes, he would probably cooperate. Sabatino knew Kirkin liked to do business at a spa that the Russian mob was known to frequent.

Kensi texted Callen. Deeks asked what else anyone knew about Kirkin. Snyder offered that he liked blondes. Kensi shrugged, she'd worn wigs before. Just as she was about to leave, Snyder got an amused look on his face. Sabatino told Kensi it wouldn't matter what color her hair was. She was not his type. Both Snyder and Sabatino turned in tandem and looked at the only blonde in the room.

Deeks eyes went wide."No! Really? Come on!"


Kensi was sitting in a black SUV in downtown Los Angeles. The wonder twins were able to confirm that Kirkin was in the spa. Sabatino hopped into the passenger seat. Snyder was watching the back entrance. Kensi was nervous about Deeks being inside alone save an earwig and not much else. Literally.

"Deeks can you hear me?"

"Wow."

"Deeks. Say something. Are you there? Deeks?"

"Uh yeah. I can hear you."

"What are you wearing?"

"That's not funny. It's like a gulag water park in here."

"Oh please. How many times have I had to go undercover with a low-cut blouse and a high-cut skirt?"

"Both of which are more than what I'm wearing right now." Deeks walked past some patrons. "How you doing? Good to see you."

"Oh really!"

Deeks was about to answer her when a huge sweaty guy walked past him. Only he didn't quite clear Deeks' space. He was treated to a wet body rubbing against him.

Kensi laughed at the gagging sound she could hear her partner make.

Deeks continued to look for Kirkin when he spotted him in the pool surrounded by even bigger men. After he let Kensi know that he saw Kirkin, he took a big breath, dropped his towels and slid into the pool. As he made his way toward his subject, the goons started toward him. Kirkin had not missed Deeks getting into the pool. In fact, his plan was to have his men take him back to a private room he kept for business and other meetings. He was looking forward to finding out more about the blonde god that was coming towards him.

Deeks was totally skeeved by being in a pool with water that was hotter than any bath he had shared with Kensi, but filled with naked guys. Naked, hairy, tattooed guys. He waded his way through the water toward Kirkin. He knew exactly when Kirkin saw him and, oh dear lord, Kirkin looked appreciatively at him. Like really appreciatively. Deeks swallowed hard and moved forward. As Deeks got closer to Kirkin his path was blocked by a large tattooed man.

Kensi listened to her partner try and babble his way past the guy. "How you doing? Like your tattoos. I mean, I don't, I don't, I 'like' like your tattoos, I just mean that I appreciate their artistic merit because I myself was thinking of getting a tattoo, you know, like a unicorn, except for, like a really bad-ass unicorn that's like breathing fire and he's got nunchucks and stuff. I just thought it would be a good idea. Okay, I'm just going to go."

Deeks made a move to get around the large gatekeeper who turned to follow him closely - - very closely. Deeks turned back to him and politely asked for some space. Would not want any unwanted underwater contact. He finally was face to face with Kirkin, who gave him the once over, several times. A smile started across his lips and Deeks wanted to be anywhere but where he was, but there was a job to do.

"I'm Detective Marty Deeks, L.A.P.D., but I'm currently working for N.C.I.S."

"You're a little out of your neighborhood, right?"

"Not to mention my comfort zone."

"What do you want?"

"This is gonna sound funny, but we actually want to kill you. Just let me explain - -"

Kirkin raised an eyebrow in surprise, which signaled his two goons to play "dunk the cop" with Deeks. Kensi suddenly heard static over the comms.

"Deeks? Deeks can you hear me?"

"Marco?"

Kensi jumped out of the SUV with Sabatino right behind her. Just as she reached the side entrance, out popped her partner. He looked like a drowned rat and she was never so happy to see him in her life. She resisted the urge to hug him, especially with the CIA officer standing close by. Instead she asked what happened.

"Kirkin's in. He'll do it.

Sabatino congratulated him. Deeks was actually touched.

Kensi wanted answers."I was trying to call you. Are you okay?"

"I just feel really dirty. Maybe I just need a hug. Just a little snuggle session with my wife."

"What are you . . . . Ugh! Ewww. It's like hugging Monty after he's had a bath."

While Deeks was hugging Kensi, he glanced over to Sabatino and winked at him, reminding him of what's his. Sabatino nodded at yet another reminder of his social misstep. Kensi called Callen to prep Michelle, then all three headed back to the boatshed.


Michelle was to take out Kirkin in the lobby bar at a downtown hotel. Deeks was set up as bartender, Kensi was positioned to capture the event on her phone. Everyone in the bar was either N.C.I.S. or L.A.P.D. Deeks checked in with Kirkin by asking if he could get him anything else. Kirkin just gave Deeks an appreciative once over with his eyes. Deeks sighed and walked away. He had a new appreciation for what his wife went through when she was the bait on undercover ops.

Kensi saw the interaction and could not resist hassling her partner. "Did Kirkin just wink at you?"

"Yeah, that's his way of letting me know he's ready."

"Un-huh" Kensi smirked at him.

Deeks wanted to kiss that smirk right off her mouth. And he was about to say so when he saw Quinn walk into the bar. She stopped right in front of him. "Can I get you a drink?"

"Vodka soda please."

"Okay."

"Where's your restroom?"

"All the way down on the right." Which was right where Kirkin was. Quinn looked over. Saw her mark and started walking straight toward him. She then pulled her gun and shot the Russian three times. Chaos ensued. Kensi recorded everything. Quinn kept walking, right out the back of the hotel. Just as planned, except for the part where Sam had escaped from his holding cell at LAPD that Hetty had arranged to keep him safe from Sidorov. Just once she wished her agents would stick to the plan. Hopefully the next phase will go as planned.


A sunny afternoon on Venice beach. Shops were open, folks were walking, jogging, riding. At a local park pickup basketball games were being played. Quinn entered the court space and headed across to a half wall to sit and watch. Snyder and Sabatino, wearing basketball shorts and tees, looking woefully out of place, stood along the sidelines. Callen was tucked into a small shop but he could see the court and where Quinn was sitting.

Sidorov and Greshnev joined her. Sidorov was giddy as he showed Quinn the replay of her handiwork. Callen was watching but something was off. He then noticed Greshnev as he clocked the two CIA officers. Callen warned them that they may have been made. Greshnev leaned into Sidorov and then grabbed Quinn and left. Callen yelled for Snyder and Sabatino to stop Greshnev. Sidorov opened fire and took down Snyder. He then carjacked a jeep from the beach patrol and drove off.

Callen chased after Quinn. The senior agent almost caught up to them when he heard gunshots. Callen ran faster and as he came around the corner into an alley he saw Greshnev fall. Callen then looked past the body to see his partner with his gun drawn. Sam went to his wife and hugged her tight. Callen sighed, that was just too close.


Back at the boatshed, Kensi and Deeks sat quietly while Sabatino was on the phone at a far corner of the room. All of them knew the risks of the job everyday. Snyder getting killed was not the outcome any of them expected nor wanted. The two junior agents were also feeling a bit guilty about their behavior today. Yes, Hetty asked them to stall the CIA and they chose to have some fun at Snyder's expense. But in the end, they were all officers of the law and deserved to be respected.

Sabatino finished his call and returned to their side of the room. After a moment of awkwardness Kensi asked, "Did Snyder have a family?"

"Divorced. No kids. Goes with the territory I guess." Sabatino winced the moment he said that as he looked at the married agents. "I think you two are quite a team. I wish you well. Really, I do." With that Sabatino shook their hands and left.

Deeks had been watching Kensi the whole time and knew something was up. His wife was normally one of the strongest people in the room. But when she asked about Snyder's family, he knew she was rattled.

"Promise me you'll never do that," she said.

"What's that?"

"Get yourself killed."

"Well the good news for you is that I have a natural aversion to death so . . . "

Kensi turned towards her partner. Deeks' heart stopped at the haunted look in her eyes. "Oh my God, come here." Deeks pulled his wife to him and hugged her tight. They faced death every day. He remembered sitting in a hospital room in Germany begging her to wake up. Kensi had her scare when he was shot, but his life was not in dire straights then. Snyder's shooting upset her big time. He wanted to cheer her up. "If I'm killed in the line of duty, you do me a favor?"

Kensi swallowed hard at the thought of having to fill whatever request he was going to ask. "Yeah."

"Cryogenically freeze me and put me in our living room." It took every bit of undercover skill he had to ask that with a straight face.

"What on earth would I do with your dead frozen body in our living room?"

"You're right. I guess our bedroom is much more intimate." He waggled his eyebrows at her. She pushed away from him. But mission accomplished, she was smiling again. He pulled her back to him, lifted her chin up and kissed her with everything he could pour into it. He hated when she was scared. He never wanted to be the one who scared her or hurt her. They were a great team. They would get through this, the way they always did, together.

Kensi gave him one more kiss, pulled away and headed toward the door. "I'll meet you in the car."

As she was walking out, Deeks remembered something and called after her, "You smell like sunshine - -" He heard the door close "- - and gunpowder." He smiled and thought to himself. Two of my favorite things."

Deeks paused as he thought of all the things that are his wife and how undeserving he felt to be her husband. He sighed because he knew the job was not done. Sidorov was out there with three nukes and had to be stopped. Deeks then headed towards the door, turned off the lights and left the boatshed.

Tomorrow was another day.