Authors Note: Hey all! I'm so sorry for not updating in a while. School made me it's little bitch again... I already have tons of projects coming up so I might not update as often as I'd like. I promise I'll update when I can - I'll try to update at least once a week. Probably weekends.

For those of you who read my other story 'Survival' - I'll update in this week. (Probably Saturday)

Sorry of the little Cliffhanger I left you guys on and possible grammar/spelling errors in this chapter - Now without further ado...

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS: LA. Unfortunately I don't own the characters either... All credit goes to their rightful owners!

Chapter 9

Kensi's P.O.V

I can't recall a single time I've ever driven as fast as I was driving at this current moment. I had the gas pedal completely down. The rules of the road were insignificant compared to my son's safety.

I threw my partner brief, worried glances. He sat restless in the passenger seat. His feet continued to tap impatiently and he barely blinked. His eyes just kept focussing on the road ahead.

We pulled up in front of Jared's preschool in record time, ironically parking on the same spot as this morning. Deeks was out of the car before I even had the proper chance to stop. I chased after him not even bothering to lock the car. I just needed to know that Jared was alright first.

We reached the main office and entered, "We're here for Jared Deeks." My partner told the receptionist while trying hard to catch his breath. He wasn't physically fit to run like that anymore and I saw the frustrated look in his eyes. I gently put my hand on his back and stroked it soothingly.

"A friend called a few minutes ago and said we'll be picking him up." I continued and the lady watched both of us with furrowed eyebrows. I just wished she'd stop wasting time.

"What are your relations to the boy?" She asked hesitantly, continuing to studying us.

Deeks sighed, "We're his parents. Could you just please-"

"I'm going to need to see some credentials, I was told not to let anyone take him anywhere." She interrupted swiftly.

I reached into my back pocket and held out my badge, knowing that Deeks didn't have his anymore. "I'm agent Kensi Blye and this is my partner Marty Deeks; now if you'd please go get our son."

She nodded her head dubiously, obviously wondering about the different surnames. "Alright, he's waiting in one of the sick rooms. I'll go get him." She stated and rose from her chair. She vanished into a nearby hallway and came back seconds later holding Jared's little hand. He looked uncertain till his eyes met ours.

"Mommy? Daddy?" Jared beamed and ran towards us – both arms outstretched.

He hugged us around the legs. Deeks and I let out a sigh of relief in unison.

"Hey Jare, do you have all your stuff?" I asked him and he nodded energetically.

"Yeah, why you here so early?" He questioned curiously with his mouth hanging slightly agape.

Deeks crouched down beside him, "Well, we're taking you with us a little earlier than usual, okay?" He grinned, holding Jared's shoulders gently while pulling him into another hug. I smiled, I would never get used to seeing them like this – together.

Jared seemed pleased with the answer, "Okay!"

Deeks stood up and walked back to the receptionist, she was watching the entire event from her desk. "Did anything unusual happen here today?" He asked and the woman shook her head.

"Nothing interesting…" She paused and narrowed her eyes, "But – this might just be my own paranoia – there has been a suspicious van parked in front of the gate all day. I'm not sure if there's anyone inside of it but I've never seen it here before."

"Would you mind telling me exactly where this van is? Don't motion to it… Don't make any sort of scene that'll cause it to drive away." Deeks began, leaning his elbows onto the desk.

The woman leaned back, "Why exactly is this substantial?"

Deeks sighed. I could see him starting to get impatient from where I was standing with Jared.

"That boy is my son and he might be in trouble. Any information might help us reassure his safety."

The woman nodded slowly. "Alright, the window behind you… My two O' clock." She whispered loudly.

Deeks thanked her before turning back to me. "Stay here with him; I'll go check it out." He said calmly while walking away.

"Deeks…" I called, but he was already gone.

I turned back to Jared, I didn't want to leave him alone but I needed to go after his father. "Okay Jare-bear, I need you to wait here with this nice lady okay? I need to go to daddy. I'll be right back." I whispered while ruffling his hair.

He shifted his blue mismatched orbs to mine – one eye much darker than the other. "Can't I come?" He asked sticking out his bottom lip.

I shook my head and the receptionist led him away. Jared gazed over his shoulder; his eyes filled with the same uncertainty as before. I gave him a small smile before calmly strolling out of the office.

When I was far enough from Jared's sight I ran the rest of the way to catch up with Deeks. He was leaning against my car sneaking occasional glances of the black van that stood a few parking spots away from us.

I stopped right in front of him, "So, what's the verdict?" I asked simulating casual talk. If there was a person in that van and he was watching it would look like we were having a normal conversation. Well, hopefully.

Deeks feigned a chuckle, "The windows are tinted; I can't see a damn thing." He replied in a low tone, continuing to smile.

I nodded, "Someone doesn't want to be seen."

Deeks felt his pockets and let out a sigh. He turned his back to the van and met my gaze. "Can I borrow your phone?"

I reached into my pocket and handed it to him slowly. "What are you doing?"

"I'm sending the number plates to Eric, might as well try." He responded and handed the phone back moments later.

We heard an engine start up and I turned my gaze to the van. It was getting ready to drive off. Deeks spun around and began walking towards it. I sighed and followed him, flashing my badge to the van while motioning for it to stop.

The window opened on an inch and warning bells went off in my head. I immediately reached out, grabbed Deeks by the shoulder and pulled him behind a nearby parked car just as muffled bullets began to fly past us.

The tires screeched loudly as the van sped off. I turned to Deeks, his eyes were opened wide. "What exactly was that Deeks?" I shot through gritted teeth.

He didn't reply. "You can't run off like that without warning me!" I added and he met my bewildered gaze.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." He stood up and pulled me to my feet. "I don't know what I was expecting."

I opened my mouth but closed it as a familiar voice called from the exit of the building. Jared ran towards us with the receptionist lady running right behind him. "I'm sorry, I tried to stop him."

"It's alright. We were just leaving anyways." I told her and she nodded and left. The entire event clearly went unseen by her.

I walked Jared back to the car. "We'll be right back. Wait here." He nodded, climbed in and I returned to Deeks.

He sighed. "I can't find the bullets but I'm certain it was him – Gordon."

"We should report back to ops – Get Jared somewhere safe."

He studied me and bit his bottom lip, "We need to get you somewhere safe too. He knows about you… He knows that I- " He paused and met my gaze. "He knows how I feel about you Princess… He's going to come after both of you again." He dropped his gaze to the ground. "It's all my fault."

My expression softened. How could he possibly blame himself for his father's actions? I stepped closer to him and tilted his chin so his eyes met mine. "Don't do that."

He furrowed his eyebrows, "Do what?"

"Blame yourself. This isn't your fault Deeks."

He sighed, "Yes it is, if I just stayed- "

I shook my head, "If you just stayed? If you stayed you would never have known about Jared. He would never have gotten to meet you."

"He would have been safe."

"What makes you so sure about that? Gordon could have taken him at any time to antagonize you. The only difference is - now we can protect him. You can't possibly feel guilty about this Deeks." I paused and bit the inside of my cheek, "I-I love you and I'm so happy that you're back – so, don't you dare blame yourself."

He stared at me in awe before pulling me into a gentle, lingering kiss. "I'm sorry."

"Stop being sorry." I whispered and slowly pulled away. "Now let's get Jared and ourselves to ops." I turned around and started walking back to my car. My confession finally becoming clear in my mind.

"Hey, Kens." Deeks called suddenly and I gazed back over my shoulder expecting some sort of comment on what I said.

"Hmm?"

"If you weren't already aware of it – I love you too." He called giving me his characteristic grin.

I simply smiled and got into the car. He joined me moments later. "You think Hetty's going to execute me for breaking the one rule she set out?" He asked hesitantly while fastening his seatbelt.

I chuckled. "Oh you can count on it lover-boy."

"What did daddy do?" Jared asked curiously.

"He made your nanna Hetty angry."

The boy gasped in the backseat, "Good luck daddy."

Deeks' P.O.V

When we reached the bullpen Jared was ecstatic. He ran over to Callen and Sam with a huge grin plastered on his face. They must have just gotten back because Sam was just about to throw down his car keys.

"Uncle Callen and Sam!" Jared smiled and hugged each of them.

Sam grinned and ruffled the boy's hair. It seemed like people had a tendency to do that. I vaguely remember people doing the same to me when I was around that age. Must be the dashing, shaggy hair...

"Wow there little man, you're growing up way too fast!" Sam chuckled and picked him up. "Don't you agree G?"

Callen laughed. "Yeah, before we know it he's going to be taller than us."

Jared giggled and attempted to escape from Sam's hold.

I approached them. "Well you know - he does take after his father." I stated with a rather large grin.

Callen shot me a smug look, "Luckily he's smart like his mother. Isn't that right Jared?"

Jared wiggled himself free from Sam's grasp and ran back to me. "Daddy is smart too." He stated matter-of-factly, folding his arms over his chest.

I grinned and mirrored the boy's stance. "You can't turn my own son against me."

Sam chuckled studying us. "He's got you there G."

"Fine, fair enough. Where is Kensi?" Callen asked, holding up his hands in surrender.

I rubbed the nape of my neck, "She went to talk to Hetty... Uh- Where is Buys?"

Both of them chuckled. "You scared Deeks?" Sam asked narrowing his eyes.

I cleared my throat. "No – Maybe… Buys?" I asked again, hopefully.

Callen rolled his eyes and finally answered my topic changing question, "I think he's in a job interview – since he's leaving soon."

I nodded, thankful for the switch of discussion. I sat down by my desk and Jared jumped onto my lap. He studied the rest of the building and pointed, "Who's that daddy?"

I turned to where he was pointing and let out a sigh. Of course. "Jare go wait with uncle Sam and Callen okay? Daddy needs to speak to a few people."

Kensi's P.O.V.

I sat opposite to Hetty. I had just finished informing her of our findings.

"Miss Blye, I'm sure you're aware that sending Jared back to preschool would be unwise for now," She paused. "I think he should stay here at ops during the day. He'll be safe and surrounded by fellow agents and team members."

I nodded, "That would be great. Deeks will be able to keep an eye on him to."

"Uh-huh." Hetty sighed. "That is of course if Mr. Deeks starts taking our agreement seriously." She added and leaned back in her chair. "I'll let him off the hook this time giving what the circumstances were - but make sure it never happens again Miss Blye."

"Will do Hetty." I replied with a smile.

She returned it, "As for you and your family's safety during the night; I'll arrange for surveillance."

"I don't know how to thank you Hetty."

"Don't Miss Blye; I'm doing it because you're family."

I continued to smile. I would never be able to thank her enough for everything she's done for me. I stood up slowly, "I'll go check what the rest of the team is up to."

"Go ahead; let me know if anyone finds anything of importance – Make a stop at Eric if you can?"

I nodded and left.

When I walked into the bullpen I saw both Callen and Sam pacing around. Jared was sitting by Nell in one of the corners. I studied the rest of the room for my partner – eventually coming up empty.

I walked over to where they were pacing. "What's wrong? Where's Deeks?" I asked and Sam met my worried gaze.

"Hetty wasn't kidding when she said LAPD is persistent… They arrived a few minutes ago and demanded to speak with Deeks." Sam responded while clutching his fists. "I don't trust them."

I gritted my teeth. "I'm going in. There is no way they're going to be in a room alone with him. Where?"

Callen pointed to one of the old gathering rooms. I turned on my heels and began marching to the door. Couldn't they just give him some time.

I hope that was alright! Next chapter will be the LAPD interviewing Deeks and so...

Thanks for reading and please review / fave / follow! I love reading what you guys have to say!

xxx

-Tc