Please see previous chapters for overall disclaimer, summary, spoilers, etc. NOTE: Beginning in Chapter 16 this story is rated M. This chapter is very tame, no M rated material.
Note: Thank you very much if you take the time to read, and if you take the time to review. Especially as this story winds down and things start to conclude it's very gratifying to know it has been enjoyed. You get mostly happy fluff from here on out as the aftermath of the undercover and hostage situation unfolds. For many of the characters it has been a long time coming and it has been fun to bring them here! There's still the Epilogue to come, hopefully next week. It's taking me longer than normal to write, not because I don't know how it's going to end, I think I'm just having a hard time saying goodbye to these characters and this particular world! But it will be coming soon, I promise. I've run out of ways to express my gratitude to my beta, MioneAlterEgo, so I'll just thanks :) You're amazing, my friend.
Thank you for reading! And if you feel inclined to review, I appreciate that you take the time to do so!
After the nearly nonstop rush of the past few hours and rescuing Nell and Rachel, the aftermath was both a relief and letdown. Kensi found it difficult to calm down, her heart would begin to race and then she would have to tell herself there was no danger to avoid, no bad guy to conquer, no friend or loved one to save.
Returning inside the warehouse and joining Sam and Callen, they found most of the cartel members dead. Callen had managed to handcuff two of the surviving men smart enough to surrender and Jesse had found Sam in the aftermath of the gunfire, offering himself up, as well as the laptop he'd snatched from the table when the bullets had started flying.
"I thought you might need it for evidence or something," Jesse mumbled. Kensi chose that moment to appear around Sam and despite the betrayal and lies, Jesse couldn't help his joyful grin as he saw her. Sam kept the cuffs on Jesse but Kensi still reached over to give him a hesitant hug, letting Jesse see the regret in her eyes. Even though it had been a part of her job she wished she hadn't had to lie to him.
But Jesse absolved her of any guilt with a quick shake of his head. "I get it now. There have been a lot of things I've done that were really wrong. But you and Marty helped my family when I didn't really have the right to ask for it."
Kensi smiled warmly at Jesse. "You did a lot right too. You helped us and you helped Nell and Rachel. We couldn't have saved them without you. And I won't forget that."
She kept her eyes steady and strong on Jesse, making him see the truth in her promise. Although Jesse looked as though he couldn't quite believe she would feel anything but disgust for him, the light of disbelief slowly faded to hope. Kensi looked at Deeks then, taking in his confirming nod. Jesse would have to pay for his crimes. But they might be able to help him, at least in some small measure.
It was Rachel's exclamation of Kensi's name that tore her away and Kensi turned from Jesse, the answering smile lifting her lips as she turned towards the sound of her friend's voice. Surprise lit her eyes as she caught sight of Cody carefully carrying Rachel in his arms, her leg bandaged from the bullet wound.
"She insisted," Cody said, cocking his head towards Rachel when Kensi gave him an incredulous look for even attempting to move Rachel when she was injured.
Rachel looked pale and exhausted but her face was full of relieved happiness at seeing her friend. Cody kept a firm grip under her knees and around her back as Rachel shot him a slightly exasperated look. "I can walk, really."
"You don't make it easy to play the fearless knight," Cody replied, his voice wry as he reluctantly set Rachel on her feet. He kept a steadying hand at her waist as Rachel swayed slightly, reaching forward to hug Kensi tightly. Rachel's sniffles in her ear prompted tears of her own and Kensi looked over Rachel's shoulder to meet Cody's eyes. He was watching Rachel with careful concern, his eyes locked on the back of her head. Kensi smiled at her brother gratefully, not sure she could ever thank him enough for taking care of her friend.
When Rachel finally released her enough so that she could look her in the eye, Rachel held up her index finger as if she were lecturing Kensi. "Okay, you're not allowed to do that to me again. Do not fake your death and not tell me you're faking your death! Friends don't do that to each other!"
Kensi felt the bubbling of laughter in her chest, cutting off the unexpected swell of emotions that came out a choked sob. Her next words were blurted out quietly and without her really thinking about how wistful they sounded. "You still want to be my friend? After all this? After everything knowing me has put you through?"
Rachel smiled as if it were the simplest question she would ever answer. "Of course. Some friendships are easy and you know they're meant to be. Even if you have to endure a little kidnapping and a gunshot wound. And yes, even I know how ridiculous that sounds. And I don't care."
Kensi hadn't really known what to say in response to Rachel's easy acceptance and she'd realized with wonder that Rachel didn't need or want an answer. Some things just were.
At that moment Deeks had come over, coming up to Rachel and giving her a gentle hug. He was careful as he pulled her close, turning his head to whisper in Rachel's ear. Kensi was talking with Nell, checking her over carefully and grateful her co-worker hadn't endured serious injuries, and she was far enough away she couldn't hear what Deeks said to Rachel. But it was enough to win him an embarrassed smile and blush from Rachel as she pulled back from his hug with a quick nod and a swipe at her eyes.
Interrupting the various reunions, Callen joined the group, his clear blue eyes full of satisfaction at a successful mission. He glanced at Kensi and then Deeks quickly, nodding towards the sliding door that led outside the warehouse.
"Local law enforcement and the paramedics will be here soon. Sam and I will stick around for the statements and clean up. Kens, why don't you and Cody make sure Deeks, Nell, and Rachel get checked out? We'll finish up here and meet up with you at the hospital in a couple hours."
A few minutes later the police arrived in half a dozen squad cars, followed by three ambulances, the paramedics quickly moving gurneys forward for Rachel, Deeks, and Nell.
The wave of déjà vu would have been amusing if she hadn't been worried for Deeks. Six months ago he'd been strapped to a gurney and loaded into an ambulance. A bullet wound was significantly more serious than the head wound he'd sustained all those months ago. And Kensi saw the exhaustion and pain starting to catch up with him, his skin pale beneath the usual healthy glow of his tan. The fact that he didn't object or struggle too strongly had her on immediate alert.
"I'm riding with him," Kensi said shortly, dismissing any argument the paramedics might have tried to offer. She glanced over to verify that Nell was being cared for and she saw that Cody was gently settling Rachel on a gurney so she could be loaded into the third ambulance. Rachel's earlier bravado seemed to have faded significantly and Kensi didn't miss how her hand painfully gripped Cody's forearm, or the gentle way he kept an arm around her, his other hand going up to brush back the hair on her forehead.
Kensi verified all three ambulances would be going to El Centro Regional Medical Center and passed that information along to Hetty and Eric, knowing they would immediately be on their way from Los Angeles.
Inside the ambulance with Deeks, Kensi refused the paramedic's attempts to check her over, insisting he make sure Deeks was fine. Deeks smiled at her fondly, shaking his head at the demanding tone of her voice. But she knew he had to be tired because he didn't offer a retort, simply took her hand when she reached for his, squeezing it tight.
Arriving at the hospital, Kensi was initially alarmed when the paramedics began to wheel Deeks past the emergency room and towards surgery. Quickening her pace to keep up with the gurney, she followed until a nurse stopped her just before the set of swinging doors that the paramedics pushed Deeks through, sweeping him from her sight.
"What's going on? Is he okay? He seemed fine in the ambulance," Kensi said frantically. He'd seemed fine, the blood had stopped and he'd been alert and himself.
The nurse was quick to lay a soothing hand on her upper arm. "He's okay. The paramedics were just concerned at the damage from the bullet wound. An orthopedic specialist is going to check him out to determine if he needs surgery."
Kensi nodded mutely, then tried to argue for being allowed in with Deeks. "Please, can't I be in there with him?"
The nurse looked sympathetic, but gave her a quick once over and shook her head. "I think we need to get you cleaned up and checked out first."
"I'm fine, there's nothing wrong with me," Kensi heard the forceful and defensive words as they left her mouth and she tried to swallow past the thick lump in her throat. She didn't feel fine, waiting in the hospital far away from Deeks and not able to see him, touch him, or reassure herself that he was safe. But the one person who could see past her bravado was the one person she wanted to get to.
Kensi could tell the nurse wasn't completely buying it, the kindness in her eyes overwhelming Kensi. She bit her lip, slightly humiliated by the rising swell of emotions that threatened to release in tears down her face. She felt her shoulders sag in defeat and the nurse put a comforting arm around her back, steering her towards an examination room, closing the door behind them.
"Tell you what: If you let me help you get cleaned up and promise to let a doctor look at you later, I'll get you in to see your friend, alright?"
Knowing she would agree to any bargain that got her closer to Deeks, Kensi nodded and allowed the nurse to help her clean and bandage the new injuries she'd sustained in her fight with Derek Smith. By the time the nurse finally deemed her relatively healthy more than thirty minutes had passed. Kensi grew more and more anxious for information about Deeks and the nurse left her waiting outside the surgery wing to find out where Deeks was.
Kensi turned several tight circles, pacing and staring at the gray and blue linoleum. The pacing felt like the only thing keeping her emotions in check and Kensi felt her concern beginning to bubble to the surface again. She thought quickly of Nell and Rachel, wanting to check on them too. But she worried about leaving the area where Deeks was.
"Kensi!"
Kensi turned quickly as her brother called her name. Cody's expression was tinged with worry and Kensi immediately swallowed, suddenly fearful for Nell and Rachel. Nell had seemed okay overall. But Rachel had been shot, even if it had seemed like a relatively minor wound.
Cody's face broke out into a slight smile and Kensi immediately relaxed. When they were younger she'd been able to use Cody as an emotional gauge for most situations. He was one of the most calm and levelheaded people she knew. She realized, letting him pull her close for a quick hug, how much she'd missed him in the last ten years. She'd counted on him as an older brother and had come to depend on him so quickly back then.
"Is Deeks okay?" Cody asked as he squeezed her tight. The words were a rumble in his chest and under her ear and Kensi pulled back to look up at Cody, shrugging helplessly.
"They said he was fine but they needed to have an orthopedic specialist look at him. A nurse was going to check and let me know but she's been gone awhile," Kensi said worriedly, looking around. Cody straightened quickly and hooked a thumb back towards the main information desk.
"I made friends with some of the hospital staff. Let me see what I can find out," Cody replied, his tone full of confidence. Kensi shook her head in amazement, wondering how he'd accomplished that so quickly. Another thought sprang to her mind and she grabbed Cody's arm before he could leave.
"Nell and Rachel, are they—"
"They're fine. Nell's being bandaged up and they took Rachel in to get her patched up. They'll both make full recoveries though Rachel needs to take it easy and she's probably going to need some physical therapy," Cody reported quickly. Kensi's eyes narrowed as she caught the hint of something in Cody's voice when he talked about Rachel. Something that sounded like concern and caring beyond that of a casual acquaintance.
"And I'll just bet you'd be happy to help her with her physical therapy."
Cody's widening eyes told Kensi he hadn't been prepared for her to see right through him so easily. He hid his reaction well, adopting an innocent expression and shrugging casually. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Kensi released a quick huff of laughter, letting the humor take over from her worry for a few seconds. She shook her head fondly. "Keppinger, you're not fooling anyone. Least of all me."
She chuckled to herself as Cody seemed to decide retreat was better than trying to argue with her. She watched as he leaned over the information desk, smiling and chatting with the nurse. After a few minutes he returned, throwing her a reassuring smile as he approached.
"He's fine. They've got him in surgery. He should be out in an hour or two. They were concerned about nerve damage to his shoulder so they took him right in. They're moving Rachel to a room, why don't we go see her and check on Nell?"
Kensi hesitated, not wanting to be far from wherever Deeks might be. "But what if he gets out, how we will know—"
"I gave them your cell phone number. They'll call as soon as he's out of surgery."
Pausing again, Kensi suddenly had another thought and pulled out her phone. "I should call Hetty and fill her in—"
"Already done, Kens. She and Eric are on their way, should be here in about an hour. Come on, let's go check on your friends," Cody replied, dismissing any further arguments she might have had. And knowing that she did want to see for herself that Nell and Rachel were okay, she nodded and let Cody drape an arm around her shoulders as he guided her towards the recovery rooms. She let her brother calm her, let herself depend on him.
It was as they passed through the emergency room section of the hospital that Kensi saw Nell, her cuts covered in bandages and her eyes worn, taking a bag of prescriptions from a nurse and signing forms for her treatment. Kensi rushed up to Nell, touching her on the shoulder lightly. Nell turned and gave her a tired smile.
"Kensi, I'm so glad you're okay. Rachel and I were so worried after they took you away," Nell said. Kensi shook her head.
"I'm so sorry for how all that happened. I shouldn't have tried to escape—"
"No, Kensi, you did exactly what you had to. It was the right decision to try and get us all out. And in the end it all worked out," Nell replied softly, even while her voice was full of strong conviction. Kensi nodded silently, knowing that although Nell and Rachel might have absolved her she still blamed herself in some measure for what they'd had to endure. Operationally it might have been the right choice. But personal and emotional feelings were always harder to reconcile against the logic of a reasonable and sound mission.
"Have you heard from Eric? Is he on his way?" Nell asked curiously, her eyes anxious and her voice longing.
"Hetty and Eric will be here soon. Come on, Nell, let's get you sitting down and resting until they get here," Cody's reply was gentle as he pulled Nell around to his other side, putting an arm around her as well. Keeping her distracted, Cody asked Nell about what the doctor had said and if she needed any prescriptions filled or other treatment before leaving. Kensi was grateful for the easy way that Cody filled the silence and kept her and Nell focused away from their worry for their loved ones.
Navigating through the hospital hallways and asking questions along the way, Cody finally steered them towards a private recovery room. Peeking her head in, Kensi was rewarded with the sight of Rachel, alive and smiling, sitting upright in a hospital bed. Rachel beckoned them in, her grin widening at the sight of Nell and then Cody as they followed Kensi in the room. Nell sank gratefully into a chair on one side of the bed and Kensi sat on the opposite side.
Just as Cody was about to sit, his cell phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he grimaced, then smiled apologetically at Kensi as he answered it.
"This is Major Cody Keppinger." The pause on the phone was long enough that Kensi could hear the yelling from across the room. Cody's brown eyes turned serious and he gave Kensi a brief nod before he ducked out of the room, his response formal as he spoke. "Yes, sir. I understand you aren't pleased with the interference in your command—"
Kensi watched Cody go, concern gnawing at the edge of her consciousness. Although Hetty might have managed to manipulate Cody's transfer it didn't sound like his commanding officer was pleased at the change. Turning back to Nell and Rachel, Kensi saw Rachel watching Cody as he left, her green eyes intently focused on him. When she caught Rachel's eyes with her own, Kensi noticed how quickly Rachel seemed to tuck away her concern, centering her attention back on Kensi.
"Where's Marty?" Rachel asked. Kensi mustered up a smile.
"In surgery for his shoulder. He should be okay," She said the words in part to reassure herself as much as Rachel. He'd been shot before and he'd been fine. But they hadn't been then what they were now. Kensi was coming to appreciate the difficult line she and Deeks would have to continue to balance in their line of work. It wasn't just enough to work together and have each other's backs. When something did happen the fear was tenfold.
Rachel was quiet for a moment, studying her hands where they were folded in her lap. When she finally spoke she looked up to meet Nell's knowing eyes before she turned to speak to Kensi. "It was hard being held by those men. But you know, the second we realized Jesse was trying to help and that Marty and your team were on your way and would do everything you could to get us out, it became easier. But before that, when we thought you were dead—"
Rachel's voice broke off and she quickly wiped away at a stray tear as it tried to escape down her cheek. She looked up at Kensi, her bright green eyes shining. "I've never really lost friends before. Hearing that you were gone was the hardest thing I've ever heard. But knowing what you went through to survive? How did you manage that?"
Kensi lifted a shoulder self-consciously. Survival in the moments of fear and loss rarely formed a solid thought. Trying to stay alive hadn't been something she'd consciously done. "I just knew what I had to live for. And what I needed to get back to. I wasn't entirely sure I was going to live. But I knew I wanted to."
"I'm glad you did," Rachel replied softly, reaching out a hand for Kensi to take. Kensi took it hesitantly, that kind of open and warm affection between female friends still a new concept. Rachel reached for Nell's hand too and Kensi watched the looks the two women shared. It looked as though she wasn't the only person emerging from their ordeal with a new friend.
It wasn't much later when Kensi heard Eric's voice outside the room, calling for Nell and becoming increasingly urgent the closer he got. The blush that rose over Nell's cheeks and the smile that warmed her face and lit her eyes wiped away any doubt Kensi might have had about their romantic relationship.
Nell was on her feet and walking towards the door, Kensi following close behind. Kensi stayed in the doorway of Rachel's room, hanging back but still curious enough to watch Nell and Eric's reunion.
When Eric finally caught sight of Nell the way his worried face melted into absolute joy and relief tugged at Kensi's heart. Nell's quick walk was almost a run as she went to Eric, her arms going around his shoulders as his went around her waist. They stood in the middle of the hospital corridor, completely oblivious to the traffic of people and hospital equipment circling around them as they both closed their eyes. Kensi finally backed away, the last image one of Eric reaching up to cradle the back of Nell's head, his head turning to tenderly kiss the side of her head.
She sat back down next to Rachel, who nodded towards the doorway. "Eric found Nell?" Kensi nodded, not surprised that Rachel knew personal information about Nell that she hadn't even had confirmation of. Two days of captivity lent itself well to bonding people together.
Thinking back to the afternoon's events, Kensi remembered something she'd been wondering and wanting to ask Rachel. "What did Marty say to you? Back at the warehouse?"
Rachel smiled softly. "He thanked me. For caring about you enough to try and beat up two men twice my size. He said you need people who see you for who you are and love you for that."
Not trusting herself to speak in a steady voice, Kensi could only stare back at Rachel. It shouldn't have surprised her that Deeks knew what she needed when she couldn't even really pinpoint it. She'd spent so much of the last ten years running from her past, keeping people away, and building up walls. And now she was faced with the complete destruction of those fortifications. It was daunting and a little scary to consider how much her world had altered in such a short period of time.
Being alone was certainly lonely. But trusting people to be your friends, to be your family, that was just as terrifying. But where being alone had very little risk, it also had no reward. Taking a chance and taking a risk on people could bring rewards she'd long thought lost to her. Friends, family, love. And she could thank her shaggy surfer for being the one to ignite that change.
After several more minutes Nell and Eric ventured back into the room, Eric holding Nell close as though he wasn't about to let her out of his sight any time soon. It wasn't long before Nell began to tire and Eric suggested they head back to Los Angeles. Nell leaned over to hug Rachel and Kensi pulled Eric to the side.
"Thanks for everything, Eric. We couldn't have all made it through today without you," Kensi said adamantly. She knew sometimes Eric didn't feel as connected to the team when he was sitting back in Ops. But there was no way they could function without him. Eric glanced quickly at Nell, then offered Kensi a lopsided grin.
"Thank you for what you did. It was a team effort."
Kensi nodded in agreement, her voice a quiet murmur. "It certainly was."
Nell and Eric left then, exchanging greetings with Cody as he reentered the room. Kensi watched Cody closely, noticing the slight tension in his shoulders. It wasn't something he wore often. Cody was one of the most calm and easygoing people she knew. And she watched as that tension seemed to melt away as Cody gave Rachel a smile, sitting down next to Kensi at her bedside.
Kensi was considering some good-natured teasing about how relationships starting under intense circumstances never lasting when her phone rang. Hearing the news that Deeks was out of surgery and being moved to a private room, her heart began to race. Rachel was quick to verbally push her towards the door.
"Go, go, see how Marty is. Come back and tell us later. I'm sure Cody will keep me company," Rachel replied, a mischievous smile lifting her lips. Kensi gave them both a quick wave as she left the room, backtracking her earlier path. Although running wore her out more than she wanted to admit, Kensi pushed on, deftly weaving and dodging around gurneys and wheelchairs until she was back at the main information desk.
As she stood for several minutes waiting, Kensi realized it wasn't really fear and worry that had propelled her nearly breakneck run through the hospital. Deeks had been just as badly hurt in the past. Logically she knew he was fine and he would fully recover. But it was the realization that their undercover assignment, everything that had been hanging over them and casting a pale shadow of waiting and putting their possible future together on hold, it was all gone. She finally wasn't scared or worried. She was filled with jittery anxiety to see what the future would bring for her and Deeks.
They'd thought about it and even talked about it. But while they'd both been invested in their relationship and steady on the course of what it meant to be together above and beyond as partners, it would still be a whole new paradigm for them. It was uncertain and a bit overwhelming. But in all the best possible ways.
Kensi privately grinned, amazed that she'd somehow managed to become an optimist when it came to Deeks. She wasn't too certain about many things in life. Being let down and left behind wasn't something she could let go of right away. But she felt like she might be able to start. It started with Deeks, was threaded in the family they had at NCIS, and ended in the still somewhat nebulous relationship she had with her surrogate family. And it was still a wonderfully messy work in progress.
"Ms. Blye."
Kensi spun quickly as she heard Hetty's voice, noting the relief that passed over the older woman's face. Hetty approached her and reached out to squeeze her arm quickly, the tactile gesture not lost on Kensi as atypical of Hetty. But it was a gesture full of comfort and relief. Hetty pulled Kensi away to sit in a pair of hard plastic chairs to the side.
"They are moving Mr. Deeks to a private room. I'm assured that the nurse will come back here to get you once he's settled. The doctors said he'll make a full recovery," Hetty reported. Kensi nodded gratefully, not bothering to ask how Hetty had gotten the information that would normally only be available to a family member. She knew Hetty was listed as Deeks' next of kin.
They sat quietly for a few minutes and Kensi found her mind wandering back to the choices she and Deeks had made during their undercover assignment and the mission of the last few days. She recognized how the line between them in their partnership had been blurred. And while she'd felt confident in most of the decisions they'd made, despite her regrets about Nell and Rachel's suffering, she couldn't help but wonder what Hetty was thinking.
They'd done their best to keep their emotions in check but had it been enough? Would they still be allowed to stay together as partners? Kensi knew it wouldn't change who they were as more than partners but she also didn't want anyone else watching her back. And she didn't like the idea of anyone else regularly looking out for Deeks except her.
"Hetty, has there been any fallout from our assignment?" Kensi asked hesitantly. Hetty looked at Kensi carefully, as always keeping her thoughts carefully guarded. It was an odd question, one Kensi had never ventured to ask Hetty before. The team usually left the politics of their missions for Hetty to deal with in her subtle and effective way. But Kensi couldn't leave it alone and couldn't leave it to chance or guessing.
Hetty took a steady breath, glanced away from Kensi briefly, then brought her truthful gaze back to meet Kensi's eyes. "It has been a trying week, Ms. Blye. You and Mr. Deeks handled yourselves better than anyone could have expected."
Sensing the careful wording and slight hedging, Kensi shifted in her seat impatiently. She couldn't help her need to push for a solid answer. Her future with Deeks as her partner was at stake. "But Hetty, what does this all mean? For our partnership, for Marty as an agent?"
Hetty's face finally broke out in a kind smile, her eyes twinkling and dismissing any reservations Kensi might have had that Hetty hadn't known what she was getting at all along.
"It means nothing has changed," Hetty assured her, patting Kensi's forearm. "I have no reservations about your partnership and whatever else you may choose to be with Mr. Deeks. And neither does Mr. Callen. You both showed that when it counted you could balance the needs of the mission with who you both innately are, together and separately. Nobody could ask for more."
Pausing once again, Kensi met Hetty's eyes and gave her a wide smile. Hetty's phone rang and she answered, leaving Kensi to watch her in silence for a few moments. The faith Hetty had in her people was something Kensi had never taken for granted but she'd also never really thought about it in depth. But now she could see it for the unwavering loyalty that it was. And in the world of lies they sometimes found themselves, it was precious and rare.
Hanging up the phone and rising to her feet, Hetty turned to Kensi. "That was Mr. Callen. The local authorities have asked me to stop by to further explain our involvement. And I believe I have some paperwork to process for Mr. Deeks back in Los Angeles. I don't want to see either of you in the office for work for at least a week, perhaps longer, depending on Mr. Deeks' recovery."
Kensi nodded quickly at Hetty's command, for once not wanting to argue. A week of quiet and relaxation with Deeks sounded like the most welcome suggestion she could imagine. Hetty had stood to leave, even walked a few steps down the hall, when she turned back around, giving Kensi an enigmatic smile.
"I must confess, Ms. Blye, that although I sensed you and Mr. Deeks would be ideal partners, I didn't anticipate how well matched you would be. This is one unexpected outcome I'm pleased to have had a hand in."
Kensi felt the blush rising to her face at Hetty's words, somehow knowing that would be as close as Hetty would come to verbally admitting she knew Kensi and Deeks were romantically involved. The understanding was there and Hetty didn't need her to confirm it. Nodding her thanks, Kensi watched Hetty leave the hospital. Hearing her name called aloud, she rose to meet the nurse who walked over towards her.
"Kensi Blye? Someone is very impatient to see you," the nurse said wryly, shaking her head in the way that told Kensi that Deeks was being his usual pestering self. She followed the nurse through a labyrinth of hospital hallways to a recovery room she was pretty sure was a floor above Rachel's. The nurse left her in the hallway and Kensi was about to peek around the doorframe when she heard Deeks' voice, loudly insistent.
"Could you please check on my partner? Her name's Kensi Blye, brunette, 5'9" with these long legs to die for and an amazing—wait, you don't need to know that. She's probably in the waiting area and I don't want her to worry."
Kensi laughed quietly to herself, finally stepping into the room and letting her eyes drift over Deeks once quickly before he saw her. He looked much better cleaned up, the scrapes and cuts bandaged, propped up in bed though still looking slightly uncomfortable in the hospital setting. And his shoulder was carefully wrapped, the white bandages bright against his tan skin. The color stood out and Kensi was pleased to see that. It meant he wasn't as pale as she'd seen him before, suffering from shock and loss of blood.
When Deeks finally saw her, his face lit up with a lopsided smile and he reached out with his right hand to motion her over. Kensi moved to his side at the same instant, threading her fingers with his and sidling up to the hospital bed as close as the railing would allow. The nurse who had been adjusting Deeks' I.V. gave Kensi a grateful smile.
"I'm glad you're here. He was so worried about you."
"Was he?" Kensi murmured, giving Deeks a pointed look. She saw the blush rise to his face and as he cleared his throat nonchalantly her grin widened. "And here I thought that was my job."
Deeks was watching her closely as she reached up to place her hand on his neck, her thumb stroking lightly across the line of his jaw. She felt the warmth of his skin, the scruff of his beard, and the pulse of his life under her fingers and something in her chest felt instantly lighter. Even though she'd convinced herself not to be worried and that he was fine, seeing the proof helped make any lingering concerns vanish.
The nurse left and Deeks allowed a furtive look at the doorway before he released her hand and began tugging at the hospital bed railing. Kensi looked on in astonishment, placing a hand on his chest to stop his hurried movements.
"What are you doing?" she asked incredulously.
"Trying to put this railing down so you can hop up here with me."
Kensi laughed at his frustrated tone, pushing aside his hands and finding the correct lever to turn so she could lower the railing. If a nurse or a doctor walked in she wondered if they would get a stern lecture. But as Deeks slid over to make room, his hands going around her waist to pull her close, she couldn't make herself care at the possible embarrassment.
Deeks winced as he jostled his shoulder and Kensi murmured lowly in sympathy, letting him settle back down more comfortably before she allowed some of her weight against him. She nudged her head next to his on the pillow, unable to stop the smile that spread over her face as Deeks turned his head towards her, his nose bumping hers. She allowed her free arm to reach around his waist, keeping her arm draped over him and hugging him gently close.
The worry and concern was gone, replaced by a pleasant fluttering feeling in her stomach. It was a foreign sensation, something she hadn't allowed herself to even consider in years. It was the kind of wide-eyed wonder and anticipation she hadn't felt since she was fifteen. The world had lost a bit of its color when her father died. But in a way she wasn't sure she could ever explain it since they really were opposites in so many ways, Deeks brought new color into her world. It was a different sort of color but similar in all the ways that mattered.
They lay quietly for a few minutes, Kensi kept her eyes focused on his blue eyes and the affectionate and familiar smile she would never get tired of seeing him direct her way. Early on it had bothered her how Deeks looked at her. Like he saw things she didn't want him to see, like he thought things she didn't think he had a right to think. But his persistence and steady caring had eventually changed her mind.
She'd thought she was close to Callen and Sam, thought they knew more about her than most people. And before Deeks she had been as close to them as anyone in her life. But even the closeness she shared with Callen and Sam as teammates hadn't been enough for Deeks. Sometime early on in their partnership Deeks had decided he wasn't satisfied with what she'd grudgingly offered. His demands had seemed unreasonable and intrusive at the time. But now Kensi couldn't imagine what she might have lost out on if Deeks hadn't been as annoyingly tenacious as he was.
"Everyone's okay?" Deeks asked quietly. Kensi nodded.
"Yeah. Nell went home with Eric. She's banged up but fine. They patched Rachel up and she's here somewhere. Cody's taking care of her."
"I bet he is," Deeks said knowingly. Kensi laughed and smiled in return.
"I saw that too. I wonder what might happen there."
Deeks shrugged, then picked up her hand, playing with her fingers. "Anything is possible. They actually seem to be pretty similar people in their personalities. And like does love like."
Kensi pondered over the words, the same words he's said to her months ago in a coffee shop in the Valley, referring to Eric and Nell. And she remembered her optimistic and slightly out of character response, her hopeful defense of feelings for Deeks that even then ran deep but she'd struggled with what to do with them.
Anything is possible.
"And people who are dissimilar can be good together, too," Kensi whispered in return. Deeks looked up from where he'd been watching her fingers tangle with his, letting the warm touch of her skin and pressure of her palm against his serve to comfort and calm. Recognition dawned in his eyes and the slow and satisfied smile he gave her told her he remembered.
Deeks leaned over, his mouth warm against hers. Kensi smiled against his lips, letting him languidly kiss her until her toes curled almost painfully inside the confines of her leather boots. With his uninjured arm, Deeks stroked a hand around her neck and over her hair, brushing several loose strands behind her ear. His touch was reverent and tender, reassuring her as much as it seemed to him.
She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand, the surging wave of emotion making it almost physically hard to breathe. She could never have imagined from their inauspicious meeting in that West L.A. gym almost two years earlier how important he would become to her, how essential he was now.
When she opened her eyes she found Deeks looking at her curiously, seemingly unable to resist the questions and his need to know.
"So what happens now?"
Kensi shook her head in amazement. "Aren't you impatient? I think we've handled enough for today. We caught a bunch of bank robbers, solved the FBI's case for them, took care of a murderer and rapist, closed down a drug cartel, rescued our friends, and you managed to get shot."
Deeks looked off to the side thoughtfully, considering her list of their day's successes and near misses. But then he glanced back at her, a playful grin lifting his lips and his eyes dancing with irresistible excitement. Kensi couldn't help but smile back. He sensed it too, everything ahead of them. The incredible possibility of the unknown.
"So what happens now?" Deeks repeated, almost teasing and daring her to explain, describe, or categorize. Even when that might have normally been her usual response, to apply logic to something uncharted and unplanned, she felt no urge when it came to defining their future.
It was a little like a tantalizing story. She knew enough about the plot to know the characters and what could happen. And she was fascinated by the possibility of what surprises might unfold. But ultimately where the story would go was a complete mystery.
"I don't know. And I think that's kind of amazing."
It wasn't the end of the story. It was just the beginning.
Epilogue still to come!
