Author's Note: Thanks for all the positive feedback. I have never managed to keep a story going (well this is only my third attempt...) but I am very optimistic about this one having a happy ending.

Monty barely moved, just his eyes, tracking back and forth as Deeks paced in front of him, from one side of the room to the other, practically wearing a path in the carpet in front of the couch. Deeks, unlike the dog, was a mass of kinetic energy; he was muttering under his breath, his hands were moving as if he were gesticulating in a wild argument, even his curly hair quivered with the strength of his pent up anxiety. He glanced at his phone again, barely believing what he read.

"I'll be right there."

Kensi was bringing dinner over. She had no idea what Deeks was planning. This could easily turn very, very bad. A staccato knock on the door alerted Deeks to Kensi's arrival. Monty jumped up and ran to the door, wagging his tail.

"They were out of the foot longs, so I got you two regulars, and I splurged and got you those fried cheese things you love," Kensi was talking before he even had the door all the way open, handing him the bag of food as she kicked off her shoes.

"So what movie did you get?" She continued, not giving Deeks a chance to speak. She pulled two beers out of the refrigerator, handed him one, and settled herself onto the couch.

"Where's your dinner?" Deeks asked, confused.

"I'm fine," Kensi replied flippantly, hurrying on to try to guess what movie they were going to watch. "Is it a comedy? An old Western? No, no, I know. A black and white horror flick, right?"

"Kensi," Deeks stopped her. He held out one of the hot dogs. "Eat it."

"It's yours, you wanted '12 whole inches of greasy hot dog goodness'," Kensi pushed the food back toward Deeks.

"I was going to share that foot long wiener with you. You know, Lady and the Tramp style."

"Did you just say wiener?"

"I did." Deeks smiled, still holding the hot dog up in the air. Suddenly, his eyes flashed with mischief and he used his free hand to tickle Kensi, just enough to get her to open her mouth so he could shove the end of the bun between her lips.

"Score!" He shouted as Kensi sputtered crumbs, now holding the hot dog in her hand.

"You've got something there," Deeks reached toward Kensi's chin, using his thumb to swipe the offending piece of bread free. His breath hitched as he felt her warm breath on his fingers, and he pulled his hand back quickly, unsure if she had noticed. He looked up, and for the first time since Afghanistan, caught her looking at him. That brief moment of eye contact spoke volumes. Deeks could see her struggling, fighting the urge to look away before succumbing. She could see the depth of his love in those eyes, and in that accidental glimpse, she knew that her mental ghosts were liars. There was no way this Deeks would ever hurt her. But it was too much, because she couldn't shake the images, the twisted false memories, the nightmares. So she tore her eyes away and focused on the hot dog in her hand.

Kensi sighed and took a bite. "Happy?"

"No, but I'm getting there."

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He wasn't sure how it had happened, but he was afraid to breath in case the barest movement of his chest would startle her awake. Kensi was sleeping. Not just sleeping, drooling. On his shoulder. So the movie was a bit boring, but he wasn't going to turn it off. Kensi needed to sleep. So he continued watching, absentmindedly starting to rub circles on Kensi's back. She made a happy little sound, and snuggled further into him, her arm wrapping around his chest. Again he froze, afraid to breath, afraid of what would happen when she woke up. She had spent most of the evening avoiding looking at him. He had spent most of the evening just trying to get her to feel relaxed in his presence. He wasn't sure if she would be relieved, scared, angry, or happy when she woke up in his arms. He was praying for the latter.

The movie ended, the screen went black. Kensi slept on. Deeks' eyelids grew heavy as he watched his partner sleep, and before he knew it, he fell asleep, too, his cheek resting on Kensi's head.

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The next morning, Kensi and Deeks walked into work together. Kensi was eating a donut. And smiling. And wearing the same shirt as yesterday. Callen and Sam looked at each other, silently having a conversation that went something like this. They spent the night together. There is no way. She's smiling. And eating. Maybe she ran out of clean laundry. Kensi herself interrupted the silent conversation by publicly thanking Deeks for allowing her to sleep on his couch.

"Just the couch?" Callen couldn't help asking, smiling at Sam.

Kensi rolled her eyes. "Seriously, guys? You all know what happened in Afghanistan." And all the gaiety in the room evaporated.

"We're sorry," Sam started.

"Don't be," Kensi answered. "You want me to get better? We're going to have to quit avoiding the elephant in the room."

"Wise words, Miss Blye," Hetty spoke from behind, startling them all. "Perhaps you four would like an afternoon of privacy in the boat shed? Mr. Getz will be there at noon so you can all discuss the 'elephant' together."

And then Hetty was gone like the ninja spy she was.

"Wait, you haven't spoken to Nate yet?" Deeks asked Kensi.

"No," she answered. "Didn't think I needed to. Hetty reassigned me without it."

"You wouldn't have told him the truth anyway," Callen stated, "Would you?"

"No," Kensi replied, "Not then, I would have lied to get back in the field."

"What's different now?" Sam asked.

"Lying isn't working."

"No, Miss Blye, it doesn't."

Everyone looked around at the sound of Hetty's voice, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"That lady is creepy," Deeks stated.