An:/
Okay here it is, the final offical chapter of this story! There will be a small epilouge after this chapter, just so you know :)
Thank you to everyone who had supported this story by reading it, subscribing, reviewing and everything it else, it means alot!
I really hope you have all enjoyed this story, that it has kept you on the edge of your seat, not been clique but rather enjoyable! I have really enjoyed writing this story, so I hope you have enjoyed reading it.
I have another story that I am hoping to publish not long after the epilouge, so don't forget to look for it.
Anyway here we go last chapter :D
Thanks again.
Lottie
Dislcaimer; last one for this story...
Previously; Watching as the man stood and turned with his gun, Deeks rolled over completely and pulled the trigger, firing two shots, as a third rang out.
"Back up has arrived" Eric informed brightly, swivelling in his chair, bringing up a map on the screen, so that Hetty could have a better look.
"And we have visuals" Nell added, bringing up three different camera angles, from the small cameras attached to the rescue teams helmets.
Hetty nodded her eyes resting on the screen, her left hand resting on her chin. The arrival of the backup teams, initiated the long awaited retrieval of her team members, in which they had no knowledge about their current condition.
Everyone in Ops watched the footage of the pouring rain and howling wind, illuminated on the camera by the street lamp light and the night vision lens. The weather looked daunting, adding another variable into the task of retrieval. Watching as the cameras began to approach the darken tree line, Hetty sighed; both with relief and concern.
"Connect me to Mr. Callen" Hetty requested politely, growing anxious with anticipation. Eric nodded at heading, hitting a key on the keyboard, commencing the connection.
Callen hung up the phone as the conversation with Hetty ended and returned to Sam's side. He had been notifying her of the extraction strategy in forced, the precaution they were taking and the main objectives and regions being searched first. Unwillingly Callen also reported the continuing gunfire they had been hearing, that was making even the retrieval team nervous. Tightening his back pack, as he had at the start of the day, Sam turned to Callen.
"Are you ready to do this?" Sam asked.
"Let's get them back" Callen confirmed, nodding at Captain North, who was checking the final arrangements, wanting to ensure his teams safety. Callen and Sam had been sure to notify North of all the dangers they had faced in their short exposure to the Hunter's Valley and wanted the men to be prepared for anything, for this criminal was armed and most certainly dangerous.
Callen grimaced against the down pour of rain and prepared himself for the obstacles they may or may not have to face in the next several hours. Sam nodded at Callen once again and it was with a blow of North's piercing whistle, that thirty men, including Sam and Callen, entered the forest, in hopes of closing in on Kensi and Deeks.
Kensi stood in the deep, mud filled hole she had fallen into, unable to escape its clutches and now in some serious emotionally fuelled shock. It was as though all her emotions had been triggered at once by the sound of gun fire and now her brain had no logical way of organising what she was feeling. The gunshots had echoed through the forest but nothing had been heard of since, a deadly silence had encased it.
"Deeks?" Kensi tried sounding hoarse, her throat raw with emotion. There was no reply; just the continuing sound of pouring rain and howling wind.
"Marty" Kensi tried again, almost pleading, looking for any sign on life at the edge of the hole. A small splutter was heard, followed by a familiar grown.
"Marty" Kensi called loudly, hoping to rouse a response from her partner.
"Kens" Deeks finally replied grudgingly sticking his head over the edge of the hole with all the effort his body could muster, his muddy hair flopping into his eyes.
"Are you okay?" Kensi asked trying to reach for Deeks. Deeks groaned and nodded. He was okay for the most part, he was alive, but man he was in some serious pain.
"And the guy?" Kensi prompted wanting to know if they were now safe or still apart of the hunting game he had initiated.
Deeks wheezed and rolled on his side looking over at the man, whose body was now slumped against a tree trunk, a bullet through his head and one in his heart.
"Dead" Deeks confirmed, sharing a sigh of relief with Kensi. Kensi and Deeks felt an instant wave of relief fill their bodies, for now they knew they were safe from the 'hunter' and the only thing now, they had to survive was the weather. Noticeably relaxing the two stared at each other in the torch light for several moments, neither speaking a word.
Deeks finally relented, sighing and closing his eyes. "Kens, I don't know how to get you out of here" He honestly admitted, approaching the topic that both he and Kensi had been avoiding. Deeks knew he wouldn't be able to hoist her out, not with his current injuries and there was zero chance of Kensi scaling the mud slicked walls with the injuries she had endured to her legs.
Kensi sighed and sat back down on the floor of the muddy hole, reliving some of the pain in her leg. Kensi closed her eyes and lent her head against the sodden wall. "I know Deeks"
She knew she was stuck there, but for how long was the question. They hadn't contacted Ops in God knows how long, so they had no idea of when any sort of rescue would be arriving. The only thing preventing Kensi from becoming completely helpless was the knowledge that they were now safe from their own personal maniac and that Deeks was here with her.
"I'm sorry Kens" Deeks whispered sincerely. Kensi smiled faintly up at Deeks, eyes glistening brightly.
"I know Marty"
After the small exchange, they sat in silence once again, each thinking about various things they could try to get Kensi out her situation. It wasn't long before they both came up empty handed, resulting in Kensi remaining in the coffin sized hole, for what could be hours or days. Not thinking about himself but instead about his partner, Deeks decided to do something that actually surprised Kensi. Without a care for his own personal safety, Deeks lowered himself into the deep hole, dropping to the ground with a heavy thud, causing Deeks to wince with pain.
Kensi looked at Deeks astounded. "Why did you do that Deeks?" Kensi asked awestruck.
"You jump, I jump remember?" Deeks grinned, quoting Kensi's favourite movie.
Kensi lowered her eyes and smiled brightly, trying to fight back a blush that was creeping into her cheeks.
Sitting down next to Kensi, Deeks put his arms around Kensi, pulling her into his chest, so close that she could feel his heart beat through his shirt and then kissed her on the top her head. Kensi wrapped her arms around Deeks protectively, resting her head just above his heart, causing Deeks to smile softly.
Subconsciously Deeks started stroking Kensi's arm, staring off into space, as they sat in a comfortable silence, embracing one another.
Kensi's eyelids became heavy, fluttering as she tried to fight against the overwhelming feeling of sleep. Deeks noticed this and smiled to himself; even with herself Kensi was stubborn.
"Sleep Kens, it's safe now" Deeks soothed, continuing to stroke her arm, as the rain continued to fall.
Kensi didn't respond to Deeks, but instead relaxed fully into Deeks arms, sighing contently as she embraced her sleep. Deeks kissed Kensi on the top of her head again, than leant his head against the mud slick wall, looking up at the sky, they were safe and now all they had to do was wait.
Kensi awoke and it was no longer dark, nor was it raining, but rather that sun was shining through the tree tops, giving a new life to the surrounding forest. Closing her eyes against the sun, Kensi moved closer to Deeks, pressing against him as though he was a life line. Deeks felt the subtle move of Kensi and started to awake.
"Kens…" Deeks breathed out his eyes fluttering with sleep.
"Marty" Kensi confirmed rubbing her hand on his stomach. Deeks opened his eyes fully and began to groan, as the pain of the previous day's events returned.
"Are you alright?" Kensi questioned pulling away from Deeks to scrutinize him, now noticing the full brunt of her own pain.
"I think a trip to the hospital would be nice" Deeks half smiled, trying to readjust his position and become comfortable again. Every muscle and bone in his body ached or burned with pain. His head pounded and throbbed and his vision was blurring, and Kensi was no better, her leg felt as though some was impaling it with hot daggers.
Kensi smiled softly "That actually sounds good"
"Did I hear that right? Kensi Blye agreeing to go to the hospital" Deeks joked, groaning and spluttering as he tried to chuckle.
Kensi rolled her eyes slightly and gave Deeks a knowing look. "You're lucky you look so pathetic right now or I'd beat on you" Kensi threatened half-heartedly.
Deeks pretended to pout before shooting back a retort. "You didn't seem to mind my pathetic abilities last night"
Kensi didn't respond but instead looked at Deeks closely, taking in every feature of his face, becoming somewhat serious again.
"Thank you for everything Marty" Kensi whispered sincerely, her eyes glistening with raw emotion. Deeks had saved her life countless times the day before, and times before that, he was what a partner was supposed to be, plus so much more and for that Kensi was more than grateful for.
Deeks smiled softly placing a piece of wayward hair behind Kensi's ear "Anytime Kens"
Kensi smiled tenderly at Deeks leaning in closer, placing a soft and warm kiss on Deeks cheek, that caused Deeks to blush. Over the past two days, he had seen Kensi at her most vulnerable moments, and this display of affection by Kensi was unfamiliar yet comforting, something he could get used to.
Kensi pulled back, her eyes still bright and wanting; a sight that Deeks had only seen several times before.
Deeks placed a comforting hand on Kensi's cheek, his thumb gently circling a graze that had ripped her flesh. Kensi closed her eyes at the sensation, still smiling slightly at Deeks. When Deeks removed his hand, Kensi opened her eyes and found Deeks deep blue eyes staring powerfully at her.
The partners stared at one another intensely for several moments, before unknowingly moving in closer to one another, becoming only inches apart. Kensi took a sharp intake of breath as she felt Deeks warmth breath on her neck.
As Kensi was about to react, Deeks pulled back and looked up at the top of the open hole. "Do you hear that?" Deeks asked, looking back down at Kensi. Kensi strained her ears and picked up on what Deeks was hearing, voices. The previous moment forgotten, Kensi and Deeks shared a knowing look with one another; the rescue team had arrived. Deeks used his remaining strength to call loudly.
"Callen! Sam! Over here!" Deeks called, who was quickly followed up by Kensi. The voices they could hear become louder and more excited, now accompanied by heavy footsteps. It wasn't long before the familiar faces of Sam and Callen were peering over the top of the hole.
"Are you guys alright?" Sam called concerned with the way they looked. The agent and detective were raggedly sitting at the bottom of a poorly constructed hole, covered in mud, blood and what looked like remnants of paint, holding one another protectively and not seeming to care that the senior agents had seen it.
"Just happy to see you Sam" Deeks responded.
"You too Huckleberry" Sam smirked.
After the quick conversation, Sam and Callen were moved aside so the retrieval team could get to Kensi and Deeks assess their injuries and treat them as best they could before removing them from the hole. Both Kensi and Deeks breathed a sigh of relief when they saw a man in a rescue uniform being lowered into the hole. They were now in safe hands.
Heavy breathing mixed with hushed voices greeted Kensi when she finally awoke again. After the backup had been able to remove both Kensi and Deeks from the death trap hole in the ground and safely make it out of the forest, the partners had practically passed out with exhaustion.
They were dehydrated, starved and injured, increasing the fatigue and decreasing their pain tolerance. Almost instantaneously the pair had been loaded into separate ambulances, headed straight for the nearest hospital. It had been during this trip Kensi had fallen asleep and it was only now she was waking up.
A small slender hand reached for hers, as her eyes began to flutter in the dim light.
"Kensi" Came Hetty's coarse voice.
"Marty…" Kensi whispered not fully comprehending what was happening.
Sam and Callen shared a knowing look, smirking at one another. They had seen the way Kensi and Deeks had been holding one another when discovered and the concerned looks they had sent between themselves as they were being extracted from the forest. It was obvious they cared, though they'd never admit it, but hearing Kensi whisper Deeks name so affectionately confirmed it, just as the way Deeks had, when he asked for Kensi when he had awoken.
Sam shot a look at Deeks, who was lying peacefully in the bed next to Kensi's, having woken up hours before, eyes closed but now with a small smile, that had crept onto his lips at the sound of his name.
"Mr. Deeks is safe, my dear. How are you feeling?" Hetty softly replied.
"My leg…" Kensi wheezed out, opening her eyes fully, taking in the crisp hospital room. Deeks turned his head on his pillow at the sound of Kensi's voice, watching her reaction carefully.
"Some minor damage, but all has been repaired now, but you will be on crutches for the next month…" Hetty informed, adding in the last part lightly. Kensi groaned causing Deeks to chuckle which in turn caused him to choke and splutter loudly.
Sam moved to his side, helping the detective sit forward and drink some water. Kensi turned to face Deeks and smiled softly at his presence, who smiled in return as he lay back down against the soft, cool pillows. Kensi noticed the bruised and bandaged upper torso of Deeks that wasn't covered by his sheets and turned to Hetty.
"How long are we here for?" Kensi questioned.
"One more overnight stay and you shall be released. The doctors are watching closely for infection in both of you, hence the antibiotics and IV fluids, but with a majority of the injuries not being life threating you will be free to leave." Hetty kindly explained. With that news Kensi notably relaxed into her pillows, sighing slightly.
"Come gentleman, we shall let these two rest" Hetty prompted rising from the chair, she was sitting in. Sam and Callen nodded saying goodbye to both Kensi and Deeks.
"Mr. Callen will be here tomorrow to pick you both up unless there are any complications." Hetty informed, before bidding the pair farewell. Callen slid the glass door of the room shut, causing Deeks and Kensi to both let out a low breath. After several moments of relieved silence, Deeks turned again to Kensi.
"You good Kens?" Deeks asked. Kensi smiled softly at Deeks and nodded slightly. Deeks let out another low breath, as though a burden had been lifted from his chest.
"You?" Kensi questioned staring at Deeks chest as it heaved as Deeks breathed deeply.
"Yeah Kens, I'm good."
And with that the partners continued to stare contently at one another in the silence, happy with knowing that the other was safe, staring until they both fell victim to the exhaustion, embracing their sleep with tender smiles on their lips.
An:/
And there we go, all chapters complete.
I really hope that everyone enjoyed it.
Apologises for any OOC...
Let me know what you think!