Note: I don't know what else to say other than thank you for such a supportive response to this story, especially as we reach the end. I appreciate every single alert, favorite, and review, and I'm grateful for the kind words. We're near the end, one chapter/epilogue to go after this. Fair warning, there's a little physical "action" between a loving and committed couple in this chapter, but still well within the "T" rating. My beta, MioneAlterEgo deserves major kudos for turning these chapters around so quickly. Thanks, my friend. And thank you to everyone for reading and following along, and reviewing if you do. On with the show!


Kensi and Deeks arrived back at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica a full twenty-four hours after Trevor Stein had terrorized patients and civilians in a failed attempt to finish his mission to kill Robert Keppinger. Remarkably, the hospital showed almost no sign of the violence and terror from the day before.

After SWAT and LAPD made it to the roof, the hours of explaining their case and their circumventing federal jurisdiction that followed had been long and trying. There had been loud voices and confusion about Justin Griffin receiving medical attention at the hospital for his wounds while he was a suspect in a shooting. In addition to Justin's injuries, the General had to be attended to since his wound had re-opened, and Kensi's bullet graze needed stitches.

A call from Hetty to the LAPD chief of police had helped smooth the way, and Deeks had been grateful to see that Detective Kyle Porter had not been fired for assisting Deeks with getting inside the hospital since Kyle was able to provide some explanation about the NCIS presence at the hospital.

Hours after the standoff on the roof everyone had begun to relax. The police had collected statements and handed the aspects of the case related to Trevor Stein over the NCIS. Sam and Callen handled the NCIS side of things, including turning Doctor Walter Stein over to federal custody. Robert Keppinger had been settled back in his room, with Diane beside him. Cody and Rachel took Chase home, thankful to be back together as a family.

Justin Griffin had been admitted to the hospital for treatment of his bullet wound and overnight observation. Kensi had received her stitches and after a visit with her surrogate parents had let Deeks take her home.

Opening the door to their house in Malibu, Deeks had been struck by how comfortable it was to be there. It was their home, a place they'd made together. And standing in the doorway of one of the empty bedrooms, the one that faced west with a view of the ocean that he knew Hailey would love, Deeks had felt the safety and certainty of the place as a home for him and Kensi, for Hailey, and for their family.

With some aspects of the case still undecided, such as Justin's fate, and with the General still recovery at the hospital, they'd returned to Santa Monica the next morning. Deeks followed Kensi into the empty elevator, grinning with surprised delight as Kensi pressed the button for the fourth floor and turned to pin him to the wall before the doors had fully closed.

Kensi caged him in with her arms and body, pressing against him fully, a sly smile on her face as she tipped her head to the side. She studied him for a second, her hungry eyes drifting over his eyes, the line of his jaw and the shape of his mouth before she leaned in and kissed him, her lips demandingly fierce, her eyelids fluttering closed.

As tired as they'd been the previous evening upon getting home, there had been an insatiable drive to be together, skin-to-skin, breathing, moving and loving freely in a way they hadn't been able to be in far too long. The worry and tension from their case was gone, replaced with relief and need. They hadn't slept much the night before and as much release as they'd managed, the echo of that want and need rumbled through them both. Enough that the second they'd been alone again, Kensi hadn't quite been able to help herself. It was certainly want and need, but it was also just the joyful confirmation that they were still alive and together.

Kensi's hands glided down Deeks' chest, her fingers settling on the waistband of his jeans, seeking the bare skin of his stomach as she slipped them under his shirt. Deeks allowed one hand to settle high up on Kensi's side over her shirt, his thumb sliding under her breast, pressing and seeking the warmth of her skin. He brought his other hand to the nape of Kensi's neck, his fingers tangling in her hair, the cool and silky strands brushing against the back of his hand and arm making him shiver in awareness.

Deeks tried to take a deep breath and found the effort difficult as he gasped when Kensi's lips moved hungrily over his and the feel of her hands touching and pulling him close made him respond in kind. Knowing they would have to part in seconds as the elevator ascended to the fourth floor, Deeks let Kensi sink into him, lost himself in the insistent stroke of her tongue and the rising heat he could feel under his palm where he cupped the side of her face.

As the elevator slowed, Kensi reluctantly leaned back, still hemming him with her body, and Deeks let his hands drop to her waist, circling the curve of her hips with his palms. She'd never been physically blocking him, not really, but Deeks knew Kensi liked to be able to take control sometimes. And there was no way he could deny that he didn't enjoy it. Kensi as fiercely needy and grabbing him and kissing him nearly senseless was something he would never grow tired of. He was the only one who got to see her like that, needing him so badly she couldn't help herself. And it never failed to awe him.

"Now that you've managed to stir thing up, what are you going to do about it?" Deeks murmured, pointedly looking down at where her hips were pressed against his. Kensi's eyes turned dark and she grinned again, rocking her body forward once in a move that nearly made him see stars as he banged his head against the wall of the elevator, before she backed away, timing her retreat with the elevator doors sliding open to reveal a busy hallway on the fourth floor.

"That is so not fair," Deeks said dismally, his gaze riveted to the tantalizing sway of Kensi's hips as she walked ahead of him down the hall. Kensi shot him a glance over her shoulder, stopping to let him catch up. She caressed his jaw, her fingernails lightly scrapping his beard, and she kissed him quickly right next to his mouth, her warm breath brushing his cheek.

"You know I'll make it up to you," Kensi replied, her voice low and full of promise before she swiveled around to continue down the hall. With a grin, Deeks followed.

He couldn't even really be mad. Not after the day before. So much had almost gone wrong. People he loved had been in danger in ways he never would have imagined. Cody, Kensi, and he had voluntarily bought into a profession that put their lives in danger on a regular basis. But never in his wildest dreams would he have thought of the terrifying possibility of Rachel, Chase, Robert, and Diane at risk. It was sobering to think how close they'd come, and how lucky they were to have made it out unscathed as a whole. As a family.

And Deeks couldn't help but think about all the worrying he and Kensi had done about putting themselves in danger by being NCIS agents and as potentially parents one day, how in the end it hadn't mattered how careful Cody and Rachel had been about keeping their lives separate. They'd still found themselves in danger of losing everything most precious to them. It made Deeks think. All the careful planning in the world could mean nothing. Sometimes there wasn't a right choice. Sometimes there was just a best choice.

Coming up behind Kensi as she stopped in front of one of the patient rooms, he shoved his hands in his front pockets and frowned to himself. Aside from all the turbulent events of the last day, and the relief at having made it out alive, there was the lingering guilt he felt over rushing into the hospital while knowing that his sister was counting on him to come back to her.

Hailey had certainly never voiced her expectation that he be there for her, she was so used to being less important and nobody's priority, but he felt it. It was self-imposed and it bothered him that when faced with not a single straightforward good decision that he'd been forced to make a choice that put Hailey's future at risk, too. The thought itched at the back of his mind, that as a parent or caretaker his decisions would have to be made while looking through a different scope.

Kensi peeked into the room and Deeks followed her in when she moved forward, giving Justin Griffin a warm smile. Justin looked at Kensi and Deeks with relief, his gaze going past them to the two additional NCIS agents flanking the interior of the door and keeping watch over him.

Deeks rolled his eyes at Kensi, then turned to the agents and held his hands open and wide, a genial smile on his face. "How about you boys take a break? Walk around the building, get a mocha, flirt with the nurses. We got this."

Surprised when the agents left without further prodding, Deeks turned to smile proudly at Kensi. She raised an eyebrow and shook her head at him.

"'Flirt with the nurses'?"

"Hey, it's a time honored tradition," Deeks replied, and then quickly amended. "Not that I would engage in any such behavior at this point in my life. Or in the future. Or ever."

Kensi chuckled, then turned to Justin, frowning when she saw he was handcuffed to his hospital bed. Before she could ask how he was feeling, Justin hurriedly interrupted.

"Are they okay? Your family? I'm really sorry, I wasn't thinking yesterday. I got up on the roof and I saw he had guns pointed at all of you, at all of those people." Justin rushed on, so desperate to explain himself. "I couldn't let him hurt anyone else. It seems so stupid now. He could have gotten a shot off at any of you."

"Justin, it was a no-win situation by the time you got there. Trevor was seconds away from shooting General Keppinger. And Kensi and I will be forever grateful that you stopped him. Nobody else got hurt. And that was largely thanks to you," Deeks said.

He knew that they'd all played a role. As a civilian standing in the way, Rachel had made it difficult for Trevor to outright shoot the General. Kensi and Deeks had stalled him a few minutes by trying to talk Trevor down. And even though they certainly hadn't known it at the time and couldn't possibly guess at the outcome, those few minutes had been what were needed.

Justin shook his head, clearly not at ease with their gratitude. But Deeks noticed that his gaze seemed clearer, and he held his head up a little higher. Before, he'd been nearly beside himself with guilt over his involvement with Trevor Stein's plot. But he'd done something to fix the problem and pay his debt. And Deeks could appreciate Justin's need to balance the scales.

"What's going to happen to me?" Justin asked, gesturing to the handcuff, clearly resigned to his expected fate of incarceration.

Deeks exchanged an uncertain glance with Kensi. They hadn't heard further information on what NCIS was going to do to Justin. He hadn't committed a murder, but it was hard to deny that he was an accessory. Even if he'd been manipulated, Deeks knew justice didn't always factor in what was fair.

"Well—"

"You will be going home, Mr. Griffin."

Turning towards the doorway at the self assured voice that had interrupted Kensi, Deeks was startled to see Hetty there, her hands clasped as she entered the room to stand at the foot of Justin's bed. Justin glanced between Kensi and Deeks, and then to Hetty, who smiled kindly at him.

"My name is Henrietta Lange. And I just finished negotiating with Washington for your release. Due to a variety of extenuating circumstances no charges will be filed against you and you will be free to leave once you are recovered."

Justin's head sank back against his pillows, the shock clear on his face. Kensi took the key that Hetty held up as an offering and quickly unlocked Justin's handcuff, giving his hand a quick squeeze. Deeks watched Kensi, seeing from how she quickly blinked and smiled at Justin that she was nearly as relieved as he was. Deeks took a deep breath, satisfied that Justin wouldn't be blamed for a decisive part of the murders.

"Hetty, will he still retain all his veteran's benefits?" Kensi asked worriedly.

"Of course. In fact, Mr. Griffin's continued treatment is a condition of his release. There will be a probationary period and an NCIS agent will check in with you every few weeks. And I have requested that his doctor increase the number of required visits, and that some alternative PTSD treatments be made available to him," Hetty replied.

Justin could only stare in stunned silence, while Deeks traded glances with Kensi. Leave it to Hetty to take care of everything. And more. On paper Justin had seemed like a possible murder suspect. The truth had been infinitely more layered. Watching Kensi as she smiled sincerely at Justin, clearly pleased for him, Deeks was once again bowled over by her. By how she'd seen the kind of person Justin really was before any of them, how her compassion had connected her to him. And how she'd come to care so deeply and be so invested in the wellbeing of a man she hadn't known only weeks before. Deeks knew Kensi worried that her history of hurt associated with PTSD made her an ineffective agent. But he was convinced it did exactly the opposite.

"I don't know what to say," Justin stammered quietly.

In a rare showing of affection, Hetty came around to where Deeks stood next to the bed and took Justin's hand in hers, pressing her small hands around his, her touch gentle.

"Just say you'll go home, live your life well, and get the treatment that will help you," Hetty said simply.

Justin nodded eagerly. "I'll try."

"In the end that's all anyone can do." Hetty offered up a final smile and nod, releasing Justin before she left to provide information to the hospital staff for Justin's eventual release.

"I can really go home and put this all behind me," Justin said, wonder lightening his voice. He fixed his far off gaze on Kensi. "When can I go home?"

Kensi laughed. "Easy there, cowboy. Let's make sure you're on the mend first."

Reluctantly nodding, Justin sighed. "Yeah, okay. I just really want to get home now that I can go. I have a lot to explain to—to people. A lot to apologize for."

Easily thinking of Ronnie, the pretty barista who'd caught Justin's eye, Deeks grinned. "People, huh? This wouldn't have anything to do with someone who serves up a mean green tea soy latte, would it?"

Justin blushed and Deeks had to admit he couldn't find it in himself to tease the younger man further. Justin was so wholeheartedly shy, even ruled and made uncomfortable by his own emotions, that it almost seemed unfair to use that against him.

Changing the subject, Justin spoke softly. "What happened to Doctor Stein?"

"He's been arrested and placed in federal custody," Kensi replied gently. "He didn't admit to everything but we have enough evidence to charge him." Kensi paused, uncertainty making her turn to Deeks before she continued. "Justin, he's probably not going to serve much, if any, time in prison. At most he's guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and even that charge is going to be hard to make stick with Trevor Stein dead. He'll probably strike some kind of bargain, claiming he had no knowledge of what his son was doing, lose his license to practice, and be released."

Justin nodded slowly, his brow furrowing slightly. "I know what he did was wrong. And I feel betrayed over what he did to me. But he did help me, at least at first. And he's already lost so much."

Amazed, Deeks shook his head. "I think you're being awfully forgiving for a man who planned to frame you for being the mastermind behind ten murders," Deeks replied. Justin frowned, his eyes shadowed with loss.

"It's not that black and white for me. I can imagine what he lost. Or at least I can imagine what Trevor lost when his brother was killed. When Carlos was killed I didn't think I'd ever be able to see past that and be a whole person. And I'm not there yet, but Doctor Stein helped me when I didn't think that was possible. I'm grateful for that."

"Shades of gray," Kensi murmured, her eyes soft with understanding. Meeting her eyes with his, Justin nodded in agreement.

Noticing that Justin seemed to be tiring, Kensi suggested they would check back on him later. Outside in the hospital hallway, Deeks caught Kensi's elbow, sliding his fingers down her arm to tangle with her fingers. She turned to face him, curiosity in her lifted eyebrows.

"What did you mean by that? 'Shades of gray'?" Deeks asked. Tipping her head to her side, Kensi studied him.

"Just that it's almost never that clear cut. Things don't fit into easy boxes. Justin can't hate Doctor Stein for what he did to him because he did help him at one point. Hailey can't hate her mother because even with all those terrible words, she still loves her. Cody and me, not able to leave the hospital yesterday when we had a clear path out away from a gunman. Rachel standing in front of the General to protect him even while she has a husband and a son who need her," Kensi continued, quieting her voice and stepping close to Deeks, looping her arms around his neck. "You, charging into the hospital when it probably wasn't the most logical decision in the world."

One of Kensi's hands had drifted down to poke him gently in the stomach at her last sentence, her gaze pointed but her voice soft and appreciative.

"I had to. You know I had to," Deeks murmured, feeling the memory of the desperation he'd experienced the day before, but also the edge of guilt over how he'd barely thought about what was really the smart and reasonable decision.

"I know. Just like I can tell it's bothering you that you did that, now with Hailey in the picture," Kensi replied, tearing right into the heart of the matter with perception that made Deeks shake his head in amazement.

"How do you do that? How do you know me so well?" Deeks asked. Kensi smiled fondly, and then her eyes shifted to let him see a glimmer of guilt.

"I know because it bothers me, too. That I turned around and put myself in danger here while you were out there, while Hailey was out there. I know she needs you, but I want her to need me too," Kensi said quietly, hopefully. Deeks stared at Kensi, wondering at how she could ever imagine otherwise.

"Of course she needs you. She needs both of us. She needs us to be her family," Deeks said hurriedly, his voice allowing no argument. Kensi smiled widely, taking a step back and looping her arm through his as she propelled him down the hallway.

"Good, because she's getting both of us. And this whole crazy family we have," Kensi said wryly, pausing in the doorway to the room where Robert Keppinger had been re-admitted. Deeks grinned at the scene in front of him, the sight something he never could have imagined for himself five years earlier, but now one he couldn't fathom living without.

Robert was propped up in his hospital bed, Chase at his feet playing with plastic cars over the hills and valleys formed by his grandfather's legs under the blankets. Rachel was talking to her father-in-law, her face animated and her hands gesturing in the air as she told a story from work several weeks back. Robert watched his daughter-in-law with amusement and affection, chuckling as he enjoyed the narrator as much as the story.

Diane sat on the couch in the room, her knitting in her lap and her feet propped in Cody's lap. Her head was tilted back and her knitting largely forgotten as Cody massaged his mother's feet, his thumbs pressed expertly into her arches. Diane suddenly laughed, a giggle really, and tried to pull her feet away. Cody merely grinned and clamped his hands around her ankles, playfully holding her in place.

It was so easy, so caring, so domestic, and so comfortable. And when Rachel looked over and caught sight of them in the doorway she squealed and immediately ran over, hugging them tightly and only letting go long enough for Diane and Cody to do the same. There was a cacophony of noise, laughter, questions and answers that lasted long enough that the nursing staff came by to warn them to be quiet. And Deeks couldn't stop grinning, his face sore over the effort. It was all the love Deeks could imagine in a family, all the pure joy people could find in each other.

They did finally calm down, and settled back down around the room. Rachel went to sit next to Cody on the couch, falling against his side as his arm went easily around her shoulders. Cody automatically drew Rachel close and dropped a loving kiss to her forehead. Diane took the chair next to Robert's bed, smiling at her grandson and then her husband in turn. Deeks took an empty chair, crossing his ankles and stretching his legs out in front of him as Kensi perched herself next to Chase at the end of the General's bed, taking one of her nephew's cars and racing him over an imagined racetrack.

The silence didn't last for long as the General leveled a serious gaze at Kensi and Deeks one at a time. His voice was quiet, but the seriousness kept him calm and level. "I've already said this to Rachel and Cody, but I want you both to listen to me. I pray that nothing like yesterday ever happens again. But I don't want any of you ever putting yourselves in danger like you did. Not because of me."

Diane looked sadly stricken, Cody serious, Rachel exasperated, and Chase oblivious to it all. But it was Kensi's outburst that broke the stern mood.

"That's just dumb. Of course we would. And it would be because of you."

Deeks chuckled, watching with amusement as Kensi crossed her arms and turned around to shoot Robert an incredulous gaze, daring him to argue with her.

"Kensi—" Cody began, clearly struggling with the bonds of a dutiful son and a lifetime of following the chain of command, both at home and in the Marines.

"Oh, no, Cody. We're not going to be good little soldiers on this one. If my family is in trouble I'm going to do anything I can to save them," Kensi replied vehemently.

"Kensi, you need to weigh what's important," Robert said firmly.

"You. You are what is important. Just like everyone else in this room," Kensi replied stubbornly. "And I would do it again in a heartbeat."

Deeks straightened in his chair, recognizing the beginnings of a standoff when he saw one. If they'd been standing he had no doubt Kensi and Robert would be literally squaring off, toe-to-toe. Though it had only happened a few times, he'd seem some pretty spectacular stalemates between the General and Kensi. Diane said it was because they were so alike. Deeks had to agree.

"Okay, okay, let's everybody take a deep breath," Rachel said calmly, getting up from the couch to stand between Robert and Kensi. She looked at the each in turn. "You're both a little right, and you know it. Just like you're both a little wrong. But there's never going to be the exact right answer to what happened yesterday. And in the end we all made it out safe and sound. Isn't that enough?"

Under Rachel's soft words and her imploring gaze the General relaxed slightly and Kensi nodded. She grinned then, turning them fully towards each other.

"Good! Now, hugs all around," Rachel commanded, stepping back and letting Kensi shift across the bed to slide into Robert's open arms.

Deeks watched Kensi and Robert hug, seeing no awkwardness between them. It had only been three years since they'd reconciled and there were still occasional moments where the two of them, so similar in temperament and sometimes uncertain with the strength of emotion for the people they loved, didn't quite know how to show the simple signs of affection. Like a hug, a hand held and squeezed, a kiss on the cheek. But for the first time, Deeks saw nothing but grateful tenderness and love. And his heart soared for Kensi, knowing how much Robert meant to her, and how she'd never really been able to say the words. Looking at them now, the words didn't seem important.

The murmurs of conversation around the room were low as Rachel came up next to Deeks' chair, settling a casual arm around his shoulders. She looked down at him, smiling conspiratorially.

"They sometimes don't see it, do they?" Rachel asked, looking around at the Keppingers, both born and adopted in. It was clear she expected him to know precisely what she was referring to. Always game, and knowing Rachel was something of an outsider to the family like he was, he leaned his head back to look at her.

"See what?"

"What this family is. That it's worth fighting for, doing stupid things over, taking some chances in order to protect. And what it means to be a part of that," Rachel replied simply. Deeks could only nod, her words resonating deep down, making sense of something that had caused him guilt and confusion up until that moment.

Finally, he managed to speak. "It means everything."

Rachel nodded sagely, giving Deeks a squeeze around the shoulders before she rejoined her husband. "Yes, it does."

Deeks sat quietly, his thoughts tumbling around, falling into place, and finally making sense. He'd done what he did the day before, rushing into a situation that could get him killed, and he'd done it for his family. Both the family in that hospital room, and his family several hundred miles north, in Half Moon Bay. He wanted Hailey to have what he had with Kensi and the Keppingers. He hadn't really understood what a family was until he met Kensi, made a family of sorts at NCIS. And it was being a part of that family, and being welcomed by Diane and eventually Cody and Robert, and being pulled in by Rachel that made him see what he could be. Husband, son, brother, uncle. Father.

His first shot at family had been a terrible experiment in everything family should never be. But he'd gotten a second chance. It wasn't one he'd ever thought he would get. He knew family wasn't supposed to be like Gordon and Brenda Brandel. Before Kensi he hadn't know what family could be. It was hard to know what you'd never had. But he finally saw it as a chance to be a part of something more powerful and bigger than he could ever be on his own. And he wanted Hailey to have that too.

Kensi came up next to Deeks, her eyes a little watery and bright with happy tears. He knew her defenses were down when she let him pull her down to his lap without a word of protest or a rolling of her eyes, letting him circle her waist with his arms. He perched his chin on Kensi's shoulder, nuzzling against her neck. Her arms went around him, hugging him close to her.

"I think I figured out why I had to get into the hospital yesterday, why I had to find you and everyone else," Deeks murmured. Kensi looked down at him, stroking his hair and inviting him to tell her.

"It wasn't just for all of you, though that was a driving force," Deeks admitted. "But I wanted all this for Hailey. I want her to have what I've found with this whole crazy, insane family. But not just that. I promised her you."

Kensi's already tearful eyes filled nearly to the brim and when her tears fell, they tracked down her cheeks and around her smile. She leaned into Deeks, kissing him gently. She didn't say anything, just kissed him and hugged him close, nearly overcome by his promise to his sister, and what it meant to include Kensi in that promise, so unquestionably and intricately entwined.

"You alright?" Deeks asked quietly into her ear. Kensi nodded silently, sniffing and wiping at her eyes as she pulled back just slightly so she could look at him, then around the room as her gaze lingered on each person of their family.

"Better than alright. But I'm glad the case is over. Now we can figure out what the future is going to hold for us," Kensi paused, her voice hesitant but curious. "Are you okay? What are you thinking?"

Deeks drew a deep breath, keeping his eyes on Kensi as he collected his thoughts, the conclusion he'd come to after the standoff on the roof the day before.

"I think I need to leave NCIS. I need to take that job with Cal's firm. It's a good opportunity. And it means I can be what Hailey needs. What our children will need," Deeks spoke quietly so only Kensi could hear. "I don't want to not be your partner anymore. But I know I'm leaving you in good hands."

Deeks looked over at Cody, knowing without a doubt that if anyone would protect Kensi as he would, it would be Cody. Just as he knew it wouldn't be easy for him to let go. He had no illusions that it would be simple to take a step back from law enforcement. He knew every day he would wonder where Kensi was and if she was safe. Being at her back, protecting her every step of the way was important to him, but it was even a little selfish in a way. Protecting her was in large part about making himself feel better. And there were other considerations he had to make now, less selfish ones.

Kensi was watching him, her eyes proud and full of admiration. Deeks hurried to continue, knowing that there had still been on the table the possibility that Kensi could take a desk job at NCIS away from active duty.

"But I'm not making this decision without you being okay with it. We're in this together," Deeks replied fervently. Kensi smiled softly.

"I know. And I know this makes sense. You have a responsibility to Hailey. We both do. And you doing this, it's just further proof that you're exactly the man I've always known you do be. Honest, caring, kind, and gallant," Kensi said fondly.

Deeks grinned. "Gallant, huh? Sounds like I should have a noble steed."

Kensi rolled her eyes. "Oh, yes. My knight in shining armor. Except you're more like my surfer in damp wetsuit."

Deeks threw his head back and laughed as Kensi grinned slyly at her own humor. He shook his head, wryly remarking, "I guess it's true you can't have it all."

"Oh, I think you absolutely can have it all. I do," Kensi said simply. Deeks could only smile with pleasure, Kensi's truthful words a window to her thoughts more than anything. His mind going back to his decision to leave NCIS, the calm he felt told him the decision was the right one, as did how quickly and easily he and Kensi had agreed to it. He knew there would be later discussions about when he would leave NCIS but those could wait. Right now their family and that immediate future took precedence.

"Are you scared?" Kensi asked, a little worry lighting her eyes. Considering her, Deeks cocked his head to the side.

"Scared of what?"

"Of being a big brother to Hailey. Of having kids. Of changing your career. It's a lot of stuff changing," Kensi said, chewing her bottom lip, her anxiety making her squirm a little in his lap. Deeks thought for a moment, and then shook his head.

"No, not at all. Maybe I should be. But this feels right. For me and you, for Hailey, and those possible future kids," Deeks said pointedly. He narrowed his eyes, realizing there was more to Kensi's question. Asking him if he was scared was really just a cover. "But are you scared?"

"I'm not sure. I guess I'm just worried that you'll regret it. Giving up your job as an agent. Being the main caretaker for our kids," Kensi halted, then finally rushed to finish her thought. "I don't want you to resent it. Resent me."

"I'm not going to resent it. And I could never resent you," Deeks said strongly.

"How can you be sure?" Kensi asked uncertainly. Deeks had a feeling he knew where Kensi's worry came from. Many of her relationships with the men in her life were rooted in not talking about things until they compounded and became problems near impossible to solve. But Deeks knew that would never be them. He just had to convince Kensi of that.

"I don't know, I just am. And hey, if things ever start to feel that way, for either of us, we'll talk about it. Alright?" Deeks said earnestly.

"Okay," Kensi nodded, some of her insecurities melting away. Quiet for another moment, Deeks nudged Kensi with his shoulder.

"I think we should get back to Half Moon Bay soon. I'd like to get Hailey and get back here as soon as possible."

"Can we do that? What about the custody ruling?" Kensi asked.

"I guess we need to figure out how to get that decided as quickly as possible. I don't want my mother to find ways to derail it," Deeks said, his thoughts clouding at the possible court battle ahead.

"Mr. Deeks."

Deeks turned, surprised to see Hetty in the doorway of Robert's room. Kensi slid from his lap, standing next to him as he approached Hetty. Deeks felt a chill go up his spine as Hetty's eyes stayed on him, her eyes compassionate and concerned.

"Hetty, what is it?" Kensi asked, immediately cluing in that something was wrong.

"Mr. Beale has had electronic tracking software in place to alert him if your mother made any movements out of Half Moon Bay. A short while ago he received word that Brenda Neal was ticketed just east of Reno, Nevada. The police report indicated she was speeding. And that the officer who pulled her over found her intoxicated husband in the passenger seat. William Neal was arrested for disorderly conduct and Mrs. Neal was detained."

Deeks felt his stomach drop, immediately puzzling over why his mother would be several hours away from Half Moon Bay, not to mention in another state. When realization hit he felt that drop in his stomach turn hollow. Looking at Hetty, the answer was in her knowing eyes.

"She was leaving, wasn't she?" Deeks asked quietly.

Hetty nodded. "It appears so. The police report indicated that the vehicle was full of household goods and a trailer full of furniture and belongings was attached."

"She just left?" Kensi asked, her eyes wide in shock. "What about Hailey?"

"She doesn't care about Hailey. This just proves it," Deeks said tightly. "Hetty—"

"Go, Mr. Deeks. You and Ms. Blye have the week off."

"Thank you, Hetty," Deeks said gratefully. Hetty nodded, turning to leave as quietly as she'd come. As Kensi and Deeks turned back to the Keppingers and explained what had happened, the response was instantaneous and supportive. Making their farewells, Deeks approached the General and shook his hand, leveling his gaze with Robert's.

"You go get that girl and bring her home," Robert said sternly, his tired eyes flashing as he thought of another young girl who had been seemingly left without much of a family. The General glanced at Kensi, then leveled his eyes back to Deeks.

"We will. Thank you, sir," Deeks replied, a little overcome by the unyielding strength of support the Keppingers had for Hailey when they didn't even know her. But they knew him and accepted her without a second thought.

Kensi led him from the room and towards the elevator catching Deeks' hand in hers, her steady calm penetrating his wildly careening thoughts of how alone Hailey would feel upon hearing that her mother had left, abandoning her. He worried for how hurt she would be. He worried about being enough to try and help her heal after what their mother had done. And he worried about the legal limitations that might stop him from getting custody of Hailey.

"Hey, Marty, it's okay. We're going to go get her and bring her back. And we're not leaving her until we can. Got it?"

Taking her confidence and standing up straight, Deeks nodded. They were walking down the hallway to leave and Deeks suddenly turned to the right, dragging Kensi along with him. Pausing back at Justin Griffin's room, Deeks knocked on the doorframe, catching their former suspect's attention.

"Justin, are you up for a road trip?"


It was barely past opening when Kensi and Deeks parked in front of the coffee house in Half Moon Bay, Justin peering out nervously from the back seat, his eyes riveted on the figure moving around inside.

Ronnie flicked on lights, unlocked the front door, and prepared the espresso machine for her first customer. Which, considering it was barely past five in the morning on a weekday in a sleepy small town, probably would be a little while off.

Kensi glanced back at Justin from the front seat, giving him an encouraging smile. "What are you waiting for?"

Justin laughed nervously. "I don't know. Courage?"

Her eyes softened. "Justin, you have plenty of that. She's going to be very happy to see you."

Justin looked as though he wanted to argue with her, but Kensi knew she was right. She remembered Ronnie's temper and concern for Justin, and her absolute conviction that he wasn't a murderer. And Ronnie had been right. She'd seen good in Justin and that had been an instinct grounded in truth.

Kensi looked over at Deeks, seeing him check his phone for the time. It had been a long drive overnight north from Los Angeles. They'd left late in the evening after an afternoon spent securing custody of Hailey. Calvin Carter, Deeks' soon-to-be employer, had assisted with filing the motions and getting a hearing with a sympathetic judge whom he played golf with. Deeks had been willing to bend the system and use whatever connections Cal had if it meant getting his sister in his care. And it had worked. Deeks had full custody of Hailey.

It had been late the evening before when Deeks called Detective Maya Lopez and told her they were on their way to pick up Hailey. He'd made her promise not to tell Hailey their mother had left town, but Maya had agreed to meet them down on the beach in an hour. Apparently Maya had promised Hailey she would take her there so she could draw the sunrise. Eager to get home, Justin had checked himself out of the hospital the evening before and had gladly taken the ride Deeks and Kensi offered.

"Justin," Kensi said, catching his attention. "Ronnie has been worrying about you for days. Go and see her. Tell her what has been going on."

Kensi's commanding words seemed to provide Justin with the strength he needed and he nodded, exiting the car. He leaned back in, looking at both agents in turn.

"Thank you," he said earnestly. Without another word, Justin strode towards the café, entering the front door and pausing just inside. Kensi saw the furry shadow of a dog as Oscar raced to him, turning a happy circle around his owner.

Even from the car Kensi could see the relieved and happy smile on Ronnie's face. She came from behind the counter, forgetting the pastries she'd been stacking in the display cabinet. And she ran to Justin, throwing her arms around him. Justin staggered a little but quickly held on, burying his face in Ronnie's shoulder. There were probably words spoken, but Kensi knew she would never know what they were.

Turning the key in the car's ignition, she glanced over at Deeks, seeing his satisfied smile as he took in the sight of their one time suspect, finally capturing a little happiness in his life. Kensi knew there would be a long road ahead for Justin, and that it would probably be rough at times. But she felt okay with leaving him there. He had Ronnie and he would get treatment. He could live his life now. And it would be a better life than before.

Kensi turned the steering wheel away and allowed one last glance into the café. And the sight of Justin kissing Ronnie, his arms holding her close and her arms wrapped around his neck was the last glimpse of the former Marine and coffee barista that she saw.

They drove by the Neals' house to verify that Brenda and Bill had vacated for good. The house was empty except for a few odds and ends that hadn't been worth packing. It had the air of the abandoned and forgotten in a hurry. Deeks had looked grim, but merely shook his head in disappointed understanding.

Turning towards the beach, they arrived with time to spare. Taking a seat on the sand, Deeks pulled her down next to him, his body heat keeping her warm from the cool summer morning air. Kensi watched the tide begin to roll in, creeping up the sand closer and closer to where they sat. She listened to the comforting sound of the gentle breeze, the water coming closer, then fading away. That ebb and flow of the waves reminded Kensi that as constant as something like the ocean seemed, it was always changing.

It wasn't long before a happy bark alerted them and Monty came upon them, nearly climbing into Kensi's lap in joy. Kensi smiled and petted the dog, watching as Deeks stood to meet his sister, who was running across the sand towards them.

It warmed Kensi's heart how Hailey dropped her backpack, no doubt filled with art supplies, on the sand and hugged Deeks close, her arms around his waist, burrowing into his chest. He held her gently, a hand coming up to cover her head, holding her close, protecting her.

Hailey grinned at him as she pulled back, and glanced around him to Kensi, looking at her shyly.

"You're back so soon. Does this mean your case is done?" Hailey asked. Deeks nodded. Hailey bit her lip, her eyes turning a little worried. "What does that mean now? Are we leaving?" There was a long pause, and then Hailey couldn't seem to help but ask. "What about mom? Can I see her?"

Deeks looked so pained, so uncertain how to respond, that Kensi had to come to his rescue. She patted at the spot next to her, indicating Hailey should sit.

"I know we sort of met before, but I'm Kensi, your brother's fiancée. Thank you for taking such good care of Monty while we were gone," Kensi said softly, knowing she was delaying the inevitable, but wanting to give Deeks a few minutes to figure out what he wanted to say.

Hailey blushed and shrugged. "He was easy to take care of. The hard part was keeping the people food away from him."

Kensi laughed easily, not at all fooled by Monty's innocent eyes. "Yeah, he's kind of sneaky, even in his old age."

Deeks had sat down opposite them, forming a small triangle. He tentatively reached out, taking Hailey's hand in his. Hailey had been laughing with Kensi, but she easily caught on to Deeks' somber mood and she quieted, watching him cautiously.

"Hailey, I don't know how to say this except to say it," Deeks took a deep breath. "Mom left. She and her husband packed up sometime in the last day or so and they're gone."

Hailey had gone still and was completely silent, her head dropped down so her eyes fixed on some infinitesimal speck of sand in front of her. Kensi worriedly watched her, seeing out of the corner of her eye how Hailey's hand tightened on Deeks'. And taking a chance, taking a leap, Kensi reached out and slipped her hand around Hailey's, her instinct rewarded when Hailey's hand gripped hers tightly in return.

"I'm sorry, Little Sister. I wish I didn't have to tell you," Deeks said softly, his entire attention focused on Hailey.

"She left. Everybody leaves," Hailey said sniffling brokenly. Kensi's heart broke for Hailey, and for Deeks, who could only struggle to say the right thing. Kensi nodded to Deeks, trying to tell him to just tell Hailey the truth. The truth came from the heart, and Kensi knew Deeks couldn't go wrong with that.

Deeks continued on, trying to get through to her. "I know I left. And I know piled on top of mom leaving that there's probably nothing I can say to make you believe me. But I'm going to try anyway. Hailey, I will always do everything I can to come back. Always. If I leave for a little while, whether it's to work or the store, or a trip, or to surf, it's temporary. But I'll be back."

"Promise?" Hailey whispered the question, her head still bowed.

"I said I would never lie to you. And you'll see that Kensi and I kind of have that rule. We never lie. Not about the little stuff like who drank the last of the milk or who vacuumed the carpet, and not the big stuff either. So when I say that I'll do everything I can, I can promise that. But nobody has the ability to control the whole world," Deeks stopped, offering a tentative smile. "All I can say is I won't lie. And I'll tell you whatever you want to know."

Hailey finally looked up, tears swimming in her brown eyes as she looked at her brother. Kensi saw that she seemed scared, that emotion stronger than the hurt pulsing from her.

"Do you really want me to come with you, with you and Kensi?" she asked quietly. Deeks' answer was out almost before Hailey could finish asking her question.

"I do. We absolutely do."

Kensi spoke up, squeezing Hailey's hand. "We both do. Hailey, we want to take you home with us. We're a family."

Hailey looked uncertain at the word "family" and Kensi couldn't blame her. Like Deeks when Kensi had first met him, Hailey didn't really know what that meant. And it was up to Kensi and Deeks to help her see what that could be. Kensi knew it wouldn't happen all at once. The kinds of wounds Hailey had scarred over badly. But Kensi and Deeks had determination on their side.

"We're a family?" Hailey asked.

Kensi looked over at Deeks, seeing the easy answer in his face. It wasn't exactly conventional how they'd all made it to where they were. But there was only one answer that made absolute sense and was undeniably true.

"Yes, we are," Kensi affirmed, letting Hailey see the conviction and truth in her eyes. Hailey's brown eyes shifted to Kensi, then to her brother. Her question was soft and searching.

"Promise?"

Kensi felt Deeks' hand in hers, completing the connected circle of the three of them, his fingers lacing with hers. She didn't have to look at him and kept her steady eyes on Hailey as she spoke, Deeks' voice joining hers.

"Promise."


To be continued