I know, nasty place to break a chapter, but the plot bunnies are on steroid laced carrots and they demanded it. Enjoy, there is a quick epilogue at the end of this so this is the last chapter. As I stated this is more Deeks back story than shot em up, put em the hospital. I hope you enjoyed it and that u see this as a possibility. Let me know.

Raising his voice he growled "You really want to know what happened, I'll tell you. I wanted to keep that dream alive. The difference between A's and B's was the time I found to spend with my wife-yes you. As little as it was, it was all I could give you. I was sleeping 4 or 5 hours a night and working 2 jobs myself, remember. I wasn't and I'm still not into the money. It's about doing right and justice and fairness and most of all living with my conscious. Money isn't important. Family, loyalty, being able to look in the mirror at the end of the day. Those are important. Knowing the person you are with cares about you, not who you are or what/who you know or the balance in your check book. I maybe have a soft spot in my heart but yours is a piggy bank that will never be full. Misery is the only thing you love. For me, it's knowing I have people who care about me when I'm down and hold me up. I found that. All you found was a hollowness and bitterness driven by greed. You are incapable of loving someone to the point you would take a bullet for them. What you should know is that feeling is the most exhilarating and freeing feeling in the world. It means the other person knows you would do that for them. The people I work with fill that bill. We would and have taken that bullet for each other-gladly and I found someone who feels the same way."

At that last comment Judy actually felt a pang of jealousy and quietly asked "you found someone? What's she like?" The 'audience looked at each other wondering how Deeks was gonna handle this.

Pausing, then looking at the camera, he turned back to face Judy saying "yea I did. I'm in here only because she was right when she told me she knew I needed to have this conversation so I had closure. Now I know why you kept my kid away from me and why the IA investigation. Greed. She is the antithesis of that. She is exasperating, demanding, bold, always wanting to be in charge at work. But she is also absolutely the most beautiful creature God ever put on this planet. All she wants is someone who knows when to get out of the way and follow, when to stand beside her and when to step in front of her to protect her. She is the most amazing woman I have ever met in my life and SHE. CARES. ABOUT. ME. I am the guy that gets to see the soft, giggly, lacy little girl inside. I have the best of all worlds. I get be her partner at work and at home. I get to go home to her and put my head beside hers every night. She cares if I'm ok or not and if I'm not she just holds me till I am. Some nights I just lay there and just watch her breath and thank whoever matches people for making me the luckiest man alive. When things get tough, no matter where I am, all I need is the image of those big round eyes and that smile-the special one she has just for me- and the world is back on track and I. AM. HOME.-Anywhere on the planet. And the biggest thing about her is that of all the good lookin', successful, nice guys in the world she settled on some goofy character that spent his childhood practicing to be a punching bag. You explain how that happens cause I can't." And with that confession Deeks just looked down.

As Deeks started to leave the room, planning to go out to the pier the 3 agents and Deeks heard Judy say "wow, I wish you would have looked at me like you did when you talked about her. Maybe I would have learned. The originals are in Versey's safe. His wife can get them for you." At that point Deeks just kept walking.

Walking into the outer area he came face to face with a group of wide eyed people who just stared at him. Deeks just stared back and then walked out to the pier and sat on the edge. "A-a H-Hetty" stuttered Kensi between sobs, "how does this affect us?"

"Child I have already filled in the director and had this conversation with him. He wasn't thrilled but he also said that he lost a great agent because of Gibbs rigid enforcement of the policy. Ziva and Tony were a great team. Then he went on but so are Kensi and Deeks. Almost as good as G and Sam. Tell em to keep it out of the work space and I don't care what they do off the clock." Then, after a pause she added "besides child why do you think I matched him up with you? Do you realize how good a team you 2 are, cause everyone else does. You had best marry that man quick."

Kensi then looked towards the door Deeks went out when Sam put a hand on her shoulder and said "I think I need to handle this one Kens. Pretty sure he's a mess right now." As Sam headed out he heard Granger, of all people, say "agent Blye, I agree, you better damn well marry that man." With that Kensi looked at all of them for a minute and then stomped into the room and sat down across from Judy.

"For the record-I am the woman he was talking about. Also for the record, THANK. YOU. He is the most amazing, warm, caring, attentive man I have ever met. He is the only one I have ever met that I don't have to "be" someone with. Just me- - -and him. And because you are just a greedy stupid bitch, you sent him to me. I will spend my life making up for what you did to him and thanking you for the best gift I ever got." Then she got up and walked around the table and stared at Judy who was starting to stand. Continuing she said "you don't deserve anyone like that." Then Kensi threw a straight right that decked Judy and walked out with a huge grin on her face. In the outer area was heard "Mr. Beale?" "Deleting as we speak Hetty."

Outside Sam approached Deeks and made sure he knew he was there before putting a hand on his shoulder as Deeks stood up. "Well said man, well said. Sounds a lot like me talking about Michelle. But don't ever think you aren't worthy of her Marty. She's at least as lucky as you and don't forget that." All the emotions of the last few months exploded in Deeks. He looked at Sam and fell to his knees and sobbed as bad as Kensi was inside on G's shoulder. "It's over my brother" Sam whispered as he put a hand on each of Deeks shoulders. Then he knelt down and just held him.

Finally Deeks looked at Sam and said "how is this gonna go down with Hetty and Granger. Am I gonna have to go back to LAPD? Not sure I want to do that after all this."

Chuckling Sam said "The answer is simple-Hetty has the papers with her and your new badge in her pocket. Vance is all smiles. Bates gets Montoya, we get Versey, Kensi nailed Judy with a right and you get the girl. Sounds like the perfect ending to me probie." Then with Sam's arm around him they walked back in. Deeks needed to get it all over with.

Walking in he looked at Hetty who simply slid an open folder in front of him and handed him a pen. A minute later, handing him a new badge she smiled and said "welcome home agent Deeks. Take good care of your partner-she will certainly take good care of you." Everyone hugged or fist bumped him-even Granger. Kensi watched all this from just off to the side having asked to 'freshen up' after her time on G's shoulder.

After everyone had said something she walked up to Deeks and while staring straight into his eyes said "Hetty?" Getting a big grin and nod, Kensi launched herself at Deeks, arms and legs wrapping around him. "Welcome agent Deeks" and then she planted a kiss that would melt stone.

EPILOGUE

1 month later Deeks got official notice all charges were dropped but by then he had already signed on as an NCIS agent. Lance had asked him to respect the fact that Adam looked to him as a father. He agreed to let Deeks visit with and get to know Adam and maybe down the road they would deal with it. But with all that had happened they (including Kensi who was part of the discussion and would be in the boy's life with Deeks) agreed he didn't need any more disruptions and emotional trauma in his life for a while. Deeks offered to help pay for any therapy and Lance roared with laughter. "Marty I got insurance up the ass and money to burn. You take care of yourself and that woman and let this play out. I give you my word it will work out over time. I'll see to it."

Deeks had the closure he needed and all could tell a weight was lifted. Kensi finally admitted to all just how much she cared about Deeks and they were better than ever on and off the job.

One night after a particularly tough case (abducted children, abuse etc.) the team was out celebrating the win. All 8 of them (Hetty and Granger even!) when Deeks looked at Kensi and simply said "Since I have already laid bare my feelings the only thing left is to say I love you dearly and would you marry me?" As he said that a little blue box appeared on the table. Kensi didn't hesitate and second before screaming "yes again I say you damn betcha". As they were admiring the ring and congratulating Deeks their waitress arrived with champagne.

Raising her glass Hetty simply said "to 2 of the best people I know who have finally found each other and a love that will last till the stars go dark." That got a chorus of amens.

Fade to black. So there it is. Told you it would be different but I wanted Deeks to open up and get some closure. I just watched an early season 2 episode and even there Deeks made a reference that could lead you to believe he had a wife or kid or both in his past-or at least a younger sibling. Anyway, we shall see. Let me know what you think as this is kind of radically different from most stories posted.