Soon after Callen and Sam left, Deeks arrived back closely followed by Hetty. "How are you feeling Miss Blye?" she questioned with a smile as she noticed Kensi take Deeks hand in hers as he approached her bedside. Either she didn't realise she was doing it, or she just didn't care about trying to hide her feelings anymore, whatever the reason Hetty was quietly pleased.

"I'm feeling much better today, thanks Hetty" Kensi smiled back at her.

"I see you and Mr Deeks have finally stopped beating around the bush" Hetty grinned.

Kensi and Deeks weren't sure what to say, how to explain to her what had happened between the two of them. But what came next shocked the both of them.

"Well it's about bloody time, I'm happy for you both"

Huge smiles spread across Kensi and Deeks faces, accompanied by a feeling of relief. "Hetty we were planning on telling you, it.. it just happened right before the case and..". Deeks was cut off before he could finish trying to explain.

"Mr Deeks, there is no need to explain, in fact I have been expecting this for quite some time now, I'm surprised you two held it in as long as you did" Hetty laughed with a reassuring smile.

"It means a lot to us that we have your blessing, and we promise we won't let it interfere with our partnership at all" Kensi told the lady she regarded as family, as she gave Deeks hand a squeeze.

"I trust that the two of you can keep things professional" Hetty replied. "Oh and I don't want to see either of you back at work till at least next Monday, and Miss Blye, it will be light duties for you my dear".

Kensi agreed, knowing full well that she would never win that argument with the fierce yet very caring Henrietta Lange. She knew Hetty had her best interests at heart, and although she wasn't one to take it easy when people told her to she was willing to let it slide this time. She had just been shot after all.

As she turned to leave she added "You take care of her Mr Deeks" "Oh, and Miss Blye… do Mr Callen and Mr Hanna know about this?" she asked waving her hand in their direction.

Kensi cringed and hesitated for a moment. She hadn't had time to tell Deeks that the guys had come by last night and what they had seen. "Uhh… yeah they do, apparently they visited last night, Deeks and I were asleep, so I had a little explaining to do when they dropped in earlier" Kensi laughed.

"What!" Deeks said almost yelling in a slight panic.

"And that's my cue to leave, goodbye Miss Blye, Mr Deeks" Hetty said as she disappeared through the curtain.

"Bye Hetty" they both replied.

"That's it… My life is over" Deeks sighed as he put his scruffy face in his hands.

"You're such a baby! Callen and Sam are cool with it" Kensi laughed at her partner.

"Are you sure? Did they actually say that to you? Coz I get the feeling that those guys would like to physically harm or at least threaten any guy you date" Deeks rambled on.

"Why would they do that?" Kensi asked looking somewhat puzzled.

"Kens, they're practically your big brothers… and coz that's what I would want to do too" he grinned.

She sat there looking into his gorgeous ocean blue eyes for a moment, a little impressed that he would do that just because he wanted to protect her. She couldn't help thinking that it was also because he would be a little jealous if she dated any other guy.

Deeks hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should say anything more. Afraid that if he revealed just how much he cared for her it might scare her away. He had only just managed to break down the walls that so heavily surrounded her cautious heart. The last thing he wanted to do was make her retreat and hide herself away behind those walls again.

"Marty?" she whispered as she gave his hand a squeeze snapping him out of his deep train of thought, worried by the conflicted look on his face.

"Kens, if I'm being one hundred percent honest with you here, it killed me to know that you were dating anyone. No guy on this earth is deserving enough of you. And really, I didn't want you to be with any of those guys, coz I wanted you to be with me. Just like Callen and Sam, I would've kicked any guys ass if they hurt you… because Kensi you deserve to be treated like a princess and I would never dream of hurting you" Deeks smiled almost shyly, slightly embarrassed about admitting all of this to her.

Kensi was slightly shocked at his admission, but she also felt very happy inside. Like these words were what she had been waiting to hear from someone for so long now. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest as she searched her mind for the words to express her feelings for him.

"Marty… I…you…" she sighed, not able to find the words she needed to say.

"It's ok Kens, just relax, it's only me just say what you feel. You don't have to be afraid, you never have to be afraid with me, I love you… I think I have all along" Deeks whispered to her.

"I love you too Deeks, you're all I ever wanted… and needed in a man. You make me feel so safe. I haven't felt that since… since before my Dad died. I never want to be without you, I know I don't say it or show it enough but I care for you so much Deeks. So much that my heart hurts when we are apart" Kensi blurted out, a little shocked at herself for pouring out all her feelings to him like that. It was not like Kensi at all. She was always so closed off and good at hiding her emotions.

"Kens, you are the most amazing woman I have ever known, I know how hard it is for you to open up like you just did, so I want you to know that it makes me love you so much more to know that you are willing to let me in" Deeks smiled as he climbed up onto the bed with her pulling her into a warm and loving embrace. The sweet smell of her skin was so intoxicating. He wished they could stay that way forever…