Very sorry for the long delay in the posting of Chapter 9, the flu took me down hard. Thank you for your patience and encouragement, hopefully it was worth the wait. Thank you again for all of the reviews, favs, etc. they are appreciated more then you know and are the reason I am committed to finishing this story. Two chapters to go, both are pretty much ready to go. The ending of this chapter is for SunnyCitrus10. :)
Friday Night- Late in the Evening
The team casually sat around a long bar table with a pitcher of beer in the middle. Sam and Callen were sitting at one end of the table with Kensi and deeks at the other. Nell and Eric sat in the middle with Hetty and Nate perched on bar stools along the edge. The conversation had flowed easily through the evening as the team teased one another mercilessly and had consumed several pitchers of beer.
"Super Bowl, baby," Nell blurted out, holding her glass in the air, while Eric snickered at her drunken statement out of seemingly nowhere.
"San Francisco was robbed," Sam responded with a frown. "Refs jobbed them."
"Ravens all the way," Callen argued as Sam rolled his eyes. "Your just mas because you lost $50 to me."
"Gambling?" Hetty asked with a raised brow.
"Its only gambling when its not a sure thing. The Niners are whiners and had no chance," Callen added looking at Sam whose eyes had narrowed warningly.
"So what about that 30 minute power outage?" Eric through out distracting the older team. "Still wonder what caused it."
"Probably the hot halftime show," Deeks answered with a leer and then a grunt of pain as Kensi elbowed him in the ribs. The rest of the team shook their head in agreement.
"Seriously, a great game and all you noticed was the women?" Kensi asked teasingly as she looked around the the table. "Men," she said with a laugh.
"Commercials," Hetty added with a smile. "I watch for the commercials."
"The players butts aren't to bad either," Nell added in a serious tone as Eric choked on the beer he was drinking and the entire team broke out in laughter at the slightly intoxicated tech.
"In the end, the Ravens played as a team and came away with the win," Nate said causing the team to continue laughing.
"Only you would psychoanalyze the teams," Callen added.
"Mr. Getz is correct though. A team is only as good as the sum of its parts," Hetty said seiously as she looked over at Kensi and then allowed her eyes to land on each member of her team. "Losing one piece has lasting effects."
"We've definitely lost some good ones," Sam said with a sad smile as they all nodded in agreement and a moment of silence fell around the table. Sam and Callen's eyes met in silent communication before giving one another a slight nod and turning back to the table who were now looking at them expectantly.
"For our fallen comrades," Callen said holding up his glass as each of the team members followed suit.
"For Macy- her dedication and commitment to this nation was unparalled, without her OSP would not be in existence," Nate saidas he remembered Hetty's vibrant predecessor.
"For Dom," Kensi started her voice breaking. "A computer geek with the heart of a giant. Much to young to have left us. Losing you taught me the importance of partners and having each others back. I will always remember."
"For Moe," Sam added his voice full of suppressed emotion. "You reminded us of the importance of family- blood or not. You will always be a brother in my heart."
"For Hunter," Hetty said quietly. "A life full of secrets, but always with one truth. Freedom. The day we lost you a hole was left in my heart."
"For Renko," Callen added meeting Hetty's eyes in a moment of shared sorrow. "That day we lost not only a sister but a brother. Your humor and dedication will forever be missed."
"For our lost brothers and sisters," Deeks added softly.
"For those that paved the way before us," Eric saluted.
"Too family," Nell finished as they all clinked their cups in memory.
"We must remember to celebrate the good times as well," Hetty reminded the team gently.
"There has been some crazy moments, haven't there?" Sam reflected with a laugh.
"Almost been blown up nine or ten times," Deeks added.
"Actaully may have been eleven," Nell added helpfully. "We keep track," she said as Kensi snorted inelegantly.
"You stopped a bad guy with your face and fell in the canal," Kensi snickered.
"All right, enough about my misadventures," Deeks laughed as he reached over and tickled Kensi side. "How many times have Sam and Callen kicked each other's ass for a case?"
"I lost count," Sam said.
"Seventeen...seventeen times," Callen stated firmly
"How do you remember that?"
"I'm the one bloody and stuffed in the trunk," Callen said with a chuckle.
"I hold back," Sam defended.
"Mmm, hmmm."
"How about Charlene?" Deeks asked teasingly remembering a Crazy Sam last year. Nell and Eric looked at each other before breaking into laughter.
"There was nothing funny about Charlene," Sam said as he glared at the young tech duo who quickly became silent. "I still do not understand how the wonder twins over there could not locate her."
"Hey now, I found you Parker Pony didn't I?" Eric asked with a grin.
"Yep, kept me from having to blame Uncle G over there,"
"Always Uncle G's fault," Callen said laughing. "Last time she painted my nails- fingers and toes."
"This place has never been dull," Kensi said in amusement as she watched the senior partners continue to bicker.
"So not to be a fuddy duddy, but I need to get going," Nate interrupted. "My flight leaves early tomorrow."
"So soon," Nell said in dismay.
"Yep, I was lucky enough to get assigned bringing a package back to DC," he said looking pointedly at Kensi.
"I'm the package?" kensi asked. "Your escorting me back to DC?
"Yes, and the flight leaves at 9," he said with a warm smile as he stood and put on his coat. "I'm glad I got a chance to be here tonight."
"Time for me to head out as well," Hetty said as she stood up. The rest of the team nodded in reluctant agreement as they began to gather up their belongings and one by one they approached Kensi.
"See you in the morning," Nate said with a wink as he stood to the side. Sam was first to approach and quickly pulled her into a bear hug.
"Sempre fi," he simply said as he pulled away.
"Sempre fi," Kensi returned her voice breaking.
"Remember your training," Callen said as he pulled back from a tight hug and she nodded up at him in agreement. She reached up and whispered, "keep him safe," in his ear. He gave her a quick nod in understanding. Eric and Nell each gave her a quick hug.
"Going to miss you, Kens," Nell said her voice breaking.
"Hey now, none of that," Kensi teased tearfully. "Besides you and Eric will always be able to find me."
"Won't be the same. No more drunken..." she started as they both fell into helpless laughter remember their girls night out. They girls shared another quick hug as Eric began pulling Nell towards the door. Hetty stood to the side patiently.
"Remember, keep your heart open," she finally said as she reached out and grabbed both of her hands and squeezed. "You will always have a place on my team if you choose to come home."
"Thank you for everything," Kensi said with her eyes full of tears.
"Its been an honor Miss Blye," she said seiously before she turned and walked regally from the bar with Kensi and Deeks staring after her.
"Ready to go home?" Deeks finally asked as she nodded her head tearfully. "Your chariot awaits," he said as he led her outside into the night.
In the Car
Deeks and Kensi drove towards her house in silence, each deep in their own thoughts. Finally Deeks glanced over at her as they were pulling in front of her driveway.
"Kind of strange, huh?" he finally asked.
"More like surreal," she answered quietly, her head down.
"We're not partners anymore," he said watching her silently.
"Nope," she answered sadly. "But still friends, right?" she asked a moment later finally looking up at him.
"Always," he quickly answered as he reached over and grabbed her hand.
"Thank you," Kensi said softly.
"For what?" he asked puzzled.
"Always having my back," she responded seriously. "Putting up with me. Being my best friend. Not hating me," her voice finally breaking.
"Could never," he said looking down at their hands entwined. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Hey, you've put up with me too," he teased gently.
"Not sure if I can do this..." she finally said.
"Kens," Deeks said as he reached over and grabbed her chin forcing her to look at him. "You can not only do this, but your going to own this. Your Wonder Woman, remember? Your smart, strong, sexy as hell and your going to kick ass and take names." Kensi began to chuckle softly.
Wonder Woman, huh?"
"Yup," he said with a laugh as he reluctantly pulled back. "Suppose its time to get you inside." He got out of the car and escorted her to the door.
"Do you need help tomorrow?" Deeks asked leaning against the door.
"No, movers will be here at 7 and take care of all of it."
"A ride to the airport?" he asked trying to prolong leaving.
"Nate will pick me up in the morning," she answered softly as she unlocked her door. "Do you want to come inside for awhile?" she asked.
"Probably not a good idea," Deeks answered honestly. "This is hard..."
"Yeah, I don't really have any furniture right now." she interrupted rushingly, her eyes begging for understanding.
He smiled gently at her before he reached over and wrapped his arms around her and gave her a long hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist and they held each other for a couple of long moments. His eyes drifted shut in pain before he pulled away.
"Goodbye, Fern," he murmured softly before he kissed her forehead and turned to leave, "Be safe."
"Marty," Kensi called out, her voice breaking. He stopped and turned to look at her as she squeezed her eyes shut tightly. "I.." she started as he continued to silently watch her. Finally she took two steps forward and stopped directly in front of him, looking into his pain filled eyes that matched the agony she felt.
Kensi wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down towards hers. She reached up and softly pressed her lips against his. For a moment he stood perfectly still before groaning softly and wrapping one of his arms around her waist while the other tangled itself in her hair holding her close. He softly nipped her bottom lip asking for entrance as Kensi opened her mouth with a low moan. Deeks deepened the kiss that quickly became hot and urgent, as their tongues danced with one another madly.
He pulled himself back slightly as Kensi's hands clutched his shirt desperately as they fought to catch their breath. He gazed into her passion filled eyes and graoned as his lips again found hers and they began a timeless dance of give and take. Deeks hand slip under the back of her shirt, caressing her soft skin.
"Come in," she whispered against his lips, cutting through his passion filled hazed as he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers.
"I can't," he finally responded.
"I don't understand...we're not partners anymore?" she asked in confusion as they each struggled to regain control. Deeks slowly untangled himself from her arms, grabbed her hands and looked down at her softly.
"You mean too much for me to ever be able to settle for just goodbye sex," he said seriously as he softly stroked her cheek.
"But..."
"Goodbye, Kensi," his voice broke as he pressed his against hers one final time and turned and walked towards his car. Kensi watched him drive away before allowing the tears to fall freely.
"Goodbye, Deeks," she murmured into the darkness.
Next Chapter will wrap up lose ends leading into the final chapter. Both are written, and lots of reviews will definitely encourage me to get them posted sooner rather then later. Tomorrow or Friday? what do you think?
