Hi everyone! Almost 3 months since my last update, i'll be amazed and extremely grateful if anyone out there is still reading this story.
I've had a, lets say challenging, few months, hence the delay in updating but hopefully things are looking up.
That said, i'd like to dedicate this chapter, indeed this story, to anyone who loves someone not capable of loving them back, speaks for those unable to speak for themselves and fights for those who either cannot or will not fight for their own lives.
Ok, on with the story, hope you enjoy xxx
That evening Kensi and Deeks found themselves once again resting comfortably on Deeks' couch, bellies full after burgers, beer and cookies and cream ice-cream that Kensi had unsurprisingly managed to steal the vast majority of.
"How is it that we always seem to end up watching some ridiculously sappy chick-flick?" Deeks asked Kensi as his attention began to wander.
Kensi barely looked up, clearly completely entrenched in the classic boy-meets-girl story playing out on screen. "My choice in movies is the one thing I don't hear you complain about Deeks," a small smile tugged the side of her mouth, "Honestly I'm starting to think you actualy like the girly movies partner".
Deeks huffed out a disbelieving laugh and decided 'Operation distract and annoy Kensi' was a go. Acting as innocently as he was capable of, Deeks rose from the lounge as if to go get more beers and instead waited until she was once again engrossed in the movie before making his move.
Feet silent on the carpeted floor he snuck up behind her, noticing the remote resting next to her hand on the arm of her seat. Steal the remote and change the channel to something more interesting, that was the plan.
He moved cat-like and darted out his hand to snatch the remote control. As his fingers closed around the black plastic Deeks was so impressed with his speed that he was already celebrating his victory in his head when Kensi's hand darted out and latched firmly onto his wrist. Shit! Was all his had time to think before he was tumbling, quite literally head over heels, over the back of the couch and onto the floor at Kensi's feet.
She looked down at him, one eyebrow raised questioningly. Deeks ran through his options, no convincing lies came to him, besides she would probably just see straight through it anyway. "Ow?" He tried for the sympathy card. "Geez Kens, just trying to ... uh... change the ...remote batteries?" It was quite possibly the worst lie he had ever come up with but it still sounded better than 'I was bored so I decided to annoy you for fun' so he went with it.
Kensi's eyebrows rose even further "Really? That's the story you're going with?" Deeks figured sticking with it was the safest option considering her reaction to his attempted theft of his own remote. "Um, yep, that's exactly what happened. Then you go all psycho-ninja on me and I end up on my own living room floor, over-reaction Kens!"
Kensi rolled her eyes at his dramatic groaning as he sat up. "Here you big baby", she took his hand to help him back up onto the couch, eyes narrowing when she noticed him wince.
"Deeks?" she kept hold of his hand and pulled it gently towards herself to get a better look. Examining the cuts, skinned knuckles and already colourful bruises she grimaced and glared at her partner, now sitting once again beside her on the couch.
"What happened?" she demanded, now examining his other hand. Despite the anger in her voice she was being surprisingly gentle and for a moment he was lost the sensation of her fingers, softly probing now for broken bones.
"It's nothing, and I'm pretty sure nothing's broken, its fine" Kensi looked up from his hands, glaring at him in a way that he would have found terrifying a couple of years ago.
"Fine?" she questioned, "Really? It's not nothing Deeks, what happened?"
"It really is nothing. I just got into it with the heavy bag today and apparently I should have stopped a little earlier than I did. I really am sure nothings broken, see?" He wiggled his fingers for her and made a fist to show no bones were broken. Unfortunately clenching his hands into fists like that made a few of the cuts on his knuckles reopen.
Kensi watched his hands start to bleed and rolled her eyes again clearly frustrated. Grabbing his wrist she dragged him off the couch and down the hallway into his bathroom muttering to herself. Occasionally words like 'Men!' and 'Fine?' drifted back to him as he allowed himself to be towed. Protesting now would undoubtedly be more painful than just doing what she said, it generally was.
Deeks sat on the closed toilet seat while she washed and treated his hands in silence. He watched her work, he couldn't help himself.
She was angry with him, he could tell and for some reason that only made her more adorable to him. Her hair fell in waves over her shoulders, dark eyes focused on her task, her brow furrowed in concentration and teeth catching her bottom lip absentmindedly.
Kensi was his partner and so much more, he couldn't deny he wanted her; a growing part of him didn't want to deny it anymore. All he would have to do would be to lean forward, close the distance between them and...
"You're an idiot Deeks" Kensi's voice woke him from his dangerous daydream. "I leave you alone for a couple of hours, you could have really hurt yourself, why?" Kensi finished tending to his hands and stared down at him angrily.
"I wasn't really thinking, I –"
"That's right you weren't thinking" she cut him off backing away slightly so she was closer to the door, crossing her arms over her chest. "You could have broken something, how do you think you're going to stay on the case if you can't carry a weapon?"
Deeks looked down, he knew she was over reacting purely out of concern for him, just as he knew if he called her out on it she would run. "I'm sorry okay Kens? I didn't even realise I was hurt, I was so angry. I didn't think it was a big deal but I should have mentioned it."
Kensi looked mollified but still didn't speak, she seemed to be considering him. "C'mon Kens, I didn't mean to hurt myself, it was just the only way I knew to deal, you know?"
Kensi looked up at him finally and spoke "Yeah, I guess I do know. I'm sorry I went off at you, I just- don't do it again okay? I need you in one piece." Deeks seriously considered making a joke then but decided it really wasn't the moment so settled on a smile and a firm "Deal" before following Kensi back out into the living room.
In the early hours of the morning, while Kensi and Deeks were cosily snuggled sound asleep in bed, across town Joshua Davidson lay awake in his tiny one bedroom apartment.
He hadn't stopped shaking since he left his interview with NCIS earlier that day, he wasn't sure if it was because he had managed to not have a drink, because of the memories the interview had forced to the surface or because he was entering rehab the next morning.
He was scared, it had been a long time since Joshua had had to live without the numbing alcohol and he wasn't sure if he could handle life without it. But amongst the fear, for the first time since that overheard conversation all those years ago, there was hope. There was a glimmer of hope that maybe he could do it, get sober and actually start living instead of simply breathing.
That Detective, that Marty Deeks had made good on his promise to help him, he'd told him that he mattered. Tears gathered silently in the darkness and ran down the sides of his face before disappearing into his pillow; it had been so long since he felt like someone might give a damn if he lived or died.
He felt he owed it to Deeks to throw everything he had into making the most of the second chance he'd been given, then maybe one day Joshua could look in the mirror and see the worthwhile human being that Deeks saw.
Joshua woke early the next day despite managing barely a few hours of sleep. He knew what he had to do, to have any hope of recovery he wanted to confront the man that caused all this pain. First he made a quick call to an old buddy, still serving in the core, to ask a favour. All he wanted was a phone number. He'd meet with Bennett, say what he needed to say and be back in time for his ride to rehab. Ten minutes later he left his apartment, leaving his phone behind him in his haste.
Oh dear, hope Joshua is ok ;) Let me know if your still reading ? xxx