Thanks to all who have been reading. Only 3-4 more chapters left. A special thanks to Stef, Ship and Donna for all the help and support. This has been an awesome project. Happy Fourth of July to my fellow patriots! Enjoy!
Chapter 36
Kensi and Deeks make their way back to the mission. They see people gathered around various TV sets as they make their way up to OPS. Eric and Nell are sitting at their computers, stunned. Nell looks at Kensi who nods her head to follow her. She then looks at Deeks who knows what she wants and agrees. Deeks sits down beside Eric as the girls leave.
Kensi drags Nell to a quiet spot on the Mezzanine. She can see that the analyst is upset. Nell can't help the tears that start falling. Kensi pulls her friend into a hug and joins her with her own tears. How could this op have gone so badly so quickly? The two friends sit down on a window seat.
"Kensi what are you and Deeks going to do about your wedding?" Nell is worried about her friends. She hopes their plans don't get interrupted by what happened today. She was happy to have helped Kensi while she and Deeks were undercover with phone calls to when questions came up regarding any of the arrangements that Kensi had started.
Kensi pauses. What are they going to do? She needs to talk to Deeks. "I don't know, Nell. I still need to get my head around what just happened. Let's go back to the guys and figure out what's going to happen tomorrow." As they re-enter OPS they overhear Deeks and Eric.
"So you have no idea where Hetty is?" Deeks is surprised. Why isn't she here figuring out their next move.
"I saw her leave the mission. She turned off her phone, her GPS is disabled. She's gone dark. Granger is dark also."
"Where's Sam?"
"Trying to get to see Callen but apparently he's refusing all visitors."
Deeks lets out a breath. Typical. Callen once again going rogue and shutting out his partner. He sees the girls come back in. He gives Eric a supportive squeeze on his shoulder. Deeks then gives Nell a hug. Kensi says goodnight to the two and together with her partner, leave OPS.
The ride to Deeks' place is made in silence. Kensi lets Deeks drive. She is exhausted. They are both lost in thought about what had played out. Kensi is brought out of her thoughts by her partner nudging her arm once the car is parked. She grabs his go bag and follows him in. Once the door is closed, Deeks grabs his fiancée into his arms and kisses her senseless. Kensi is staggered by it and a little confused. Deeks sees the confusion in her eyes.
"I just want to make it absolutely clear that you and I are getting married on May 25th. I am so angry at Callen right now I could spit, but he is not ruining what will be the best day of our lives." Kensi smiles at him. He always manages to cut to the chase and say what she needs to hear.
"Thank God. I was struggling with what we may have to do. Even Nell asked me about it. I'm just worried that my approved leave request will be cancelled."
"No way Princess, we are getting hitched. Truth be told, with Hetty and Granger gone, it may be easier for us to disappear with no one suspecting anything. Nell will know where we are and she will cover for us." He hugs her tight. No one is going to ruin this for them. "We will spend the next few days making sure all our paperwork is complete. We'll find out what is going to happen with Callen and check on Sam. And then you are going on your pre-approved long holiday weekend. Bates already approved my leave and sent the notification to Hetty. So I will be gone too. No sense my being around if you are going to be off." He gives her a kiss on her lips and then one on her shoulder and then one on her neck and was about place another kiss just under her ear, a/k/a her sweet spot, the one that always produces a shiver, when her head snaps up as she remembers another item to be taken care of. "We need to see my mom and let her know our plans."
Deeks just shrugs, he had assumed that was done already. "Okay, call her. Maybe do dinner tomorrow?"
Kensi nods in agreement. Just then, Kensi's stomach gives her away. Deeks chuckles, kisses her on the forehead and goes into the kitchen to start dinner. Kensi takes Monty for a quick walk. While out walking him, she calls her Mom to make plans for dinner. Julia suggests coming to her house and Kensi accepts. Once back in the house she joins Deeks in the kitchen. She can see how tired he is. An early evening is just what they need. Hopefully they will get a good night's sleep. And things will be clearer at work tomorrow. But she kinda doubts it.
The next morning Deeks and Kensi enter the mission and are greeted by a dark cloud of dread hanging over everyone. The normal happy buzz has been replaced by an eerie quiet as folks go about their business. The partners look at each other and sigh. Deeks gives Kensi's hand a quick squeeze and heads to his desk. No sign of Sam yet.
"Kens, let's just get done what we need to do and get out of here."
Kensi looks at her partner. She knows he's right. It is toxic in here. "What about Nell and Eric?"
Deeks sighs. There is a part of him that for a second thinks, every man for himself. He's not proud of those thoughts but he is not going to allow anything to interfere with his plans. Just as he is about to answer Kensi, Eric whistles at them to come up to OPS.
Once inside OPS, Nell informs them that OSP is going offline temporarily while the director investigates what happened. The team is to finish up all after action reports and then they are free to leave but are to be available for any questions. Nell looks at Kensi. "I know you have been given approval for time off. The director assured me that all approved requests for time off are still valid. In fact, he thinks it will be good for all of us to be off to clear our heads. So no need to change any plans." Nell sees the relief on Kensi and Deeks' faces.
"What are you two going to be doing?"
"We have to organize all the video and transfer it to the Navy Yard. Agent McGee will be organizing things there." Eric chimed in. "I know Tim, he is a good guy. I trust him to do what's right with this."
Kensi nods in agreement. She remembers Tim from when he and Agent Gibbs were here on a case several years ago. Wow, so much has changed. Then she thinks of Macy. She misses her. Macy would be so proud of her. She is brought out of her thoughts when she feels a nudge from her partner.
"You ok Kens?"
"Yeah. Eric mentioning McGee reminded me of Macy." She took a quick breath to clear her head. Deeks put his hand on shoulder and gives it a squeeze.
"Ok Fern, let's get the paperwork done and get you outta here so you can get on your way to Pendleton to see your friends." Deeks winks at Nell and heads out of OPS.
The rest of the day is spent filing reports. Deeks moans repeatedly that he has double the work since LAPD needs copies also. There is still no word on Hetty, Callen, or Sam. The mood in OSP is settling down. People are just trying to not be noticed and do their work. At five, Kensi fires a paperclip at her partner's head.
"Let's go, Shaggy."
"Right behind you, Fern."
Kensi drops Deeks off at his place to change and so he can feed and walk Monty. Once at her place, she grabs a shower and changes into a peasant skirt, tank top and sandals. She leaves her hair down in deference to her fiancé's preference and applies a little more make-up than she normally wears during the work day. Earrings, a necklace and her most loved accessory, her engagement ring, complete her outfit. She is coming into the living room when her front door opens and in walks her partner.
"Hey beautiful, you ready?" Kensi smiles brightly at Deeks. He is wearing a light blue button down with tan khakis and loafers. She loves her new normal with Deeks. She is determined not to let the shitshow at work ruin their upcoming nuptials.
Deeks smiles at his fiancée and seems to be having similar thoughts as he considers that this is what normal folks look like as they go out for the evening.
Julia greets the couple warmly. It has been several weeks since she has seen them. She gets the couple some iced tea and they go sit on the patio. Julia and Kensi sit on a sofa, Deeks is in a chair opposite them. Kensi gives her bits and pieces that she can about their last OP. She also gently leads into what has been happening with wedding plans. The minute Kensi mentions Del Mar Beach, Julia tenses.
"Kensi, sweetheart, I thought you two would get married here in the back yard? I have been telling my friends at the club all about you two. They can't wait to meet you and Marty."
Deeks is watching his partner listen to his future mother-in-law lay out her plans for Kensi. He knows her well enough that there is going to be a problem. And he is smart enough to know to stay the hell out of it. Kensi, for her part, is trying very hard to listen with an open mind.
"Mom, I have all these plans made already and I didn't want to impose on you. Also, I have my heart set on Pendleton. It means a lot to be there with Daddy's friends. We've kept in touch over the years. I really didn't think it would be a problem." This is not how Kensi thought this conversation would go. She looks to Deeks and he smiles in support of her plans.
"If this is what you have already planned, I won't interfere. Just let me know when and I'll be there." Julia tries to sound convincing, but Kensi can see she is struggling. Julia gets up to head to the kitchen to finish dinner preparations. Deeks moves from where he is sitting to join Kensi on the sofa. He puts his arm around her shoulder and kisses the top of her head.
"Princess, don't worry about your mom. She just needs a chance to process all of this. I'm sure she will be there with bells on. I love the plans you have made and I don't want you to change a thing. Ok?" He kisses her again and gives her another squeeze. Kensi just sighs.
Dinner is relatively pleasant and the conversation stays away from wedding plans. Julia is going to Catalina with her friends this weekend. When she gets back, she would like to have a small party to introduce her friends to Kensi and Marty. Kensi is happy to accept and hopes this will help "fix" things with her mom.
Kensi is quiet the whole ride back to Deeks' place. He decides to let her be. This is way out of his wheelhouse. He recognizes that Kensi is still adjusting to life with her mother. But he can see how Julia's pushing about wanting input into their wedding would ruffle Kensi's feathers. Duck and cover is probably the best plan for him. He is brought out of his thoughts by his partner.
"How could she think that she can just assume that our wedding would be in her backyard!"
So much for duck and cover.
"Kens, I think she may be trying to make up for lost time with one swing. I don't think she is trying to upset you. I think if you two just sit down, hear each other out. Maybe there is a compromise?" Kensi just glares at him.
"Or not." He knows a lost cause when he sees one. He just wants to get home, change out of his nicer clothes into a pair of shorts and tee shirt and have a beer, or three, maybe five. His fiancée needs to let it go for tonight. He may have an idea or two how to help her to do just that.
The next day at OSP brought more of the same. No new cases and endless paperwork. Sam is still not back. No news of Hetty. However, Owen Granger is back. He has Kensi working on some DOD training. When Kensi suggests that Deeks work with her, the assistant director informs her that this is for agents only. Kensi just sighs and decides to keep her opinions to herself for now. She will talk with Deeks about this new development tonight.
When she comes back to the bullpen, she sees Deeks engrossed in something on his laptop. She knows his various "reading" faces. Whatever it is he is reading is not good. She decides to wait for him to finish. When Deeks pounds his fist on his desk, she assumes he's finished reading.
"Son of a bitch!"
"Deeks?"
"Internal Affairs is opening an investigation into Janvier's shooting. They want to know why I didn't inform them of Callen's plan. I had no idea he was going to shoot the guy. If I had known I would have stopped him." Deeks runs his hands over his face. This is not what he wants happening so close to their wedding. "I need to go downtown and talk to Bates and find out what is going on. I'll call you when I know anything." He gathers up his stuff and heads out.
Kensi thinks she should go with him and as she starts to get up from her desk, Granger enters the bullpen. He has more training for her do. He doesn't even ask where Deeks is. Something is up. She needs to get some time alone with Nell. Maybe she can find out what is going on. She nods at Granger and follows him to the gym.
An angry Deeks arrives at Lt. Bates' office. As he flops in a seat in front of his desk, Bates chuckles. "What did you do now kid? You piss off your partner again?" Bates' smile dims when he sees how upset Deeks really is.
"You tell me. I get an email from IA informing me that I am being investigated regarding the Janvier shooting. Apparently they think that I was in on Callen's plan to pull the trigger." Deeks looks at Bates for help.
"What? This is the first I am hearing about this. What did your union rep, Frank Torres, say?"
"Same as you. He has no idea why IA is interested. The shooting has to do with NCIS. I explained everything in my report to you. Lou, it doesn't make sense." Suddenly Deeks pauses. "Quinn. His friends are coming after me for what happened with the Fisk case." It all makes sense in one regard, but Deeks gets a sense there is also pressure coming from another source. He thinks back to Granger's attitude, or lack of attitude, towards him. Deeks wonders if Granger might be trying to cancel the liaison program with Hetty gone. Bates brings Deeks out of his thoughts.
"Deeks, let me poke around here and have Torres do the same. I read your report. You acted appropriately. Callen clearly went rogue. Lay low. You have your vacation time coming up. Do yourself a favor and disappear. Touch base with me when you get back." Bates stands, offers his hand to Deeks.
"You're probably right. I'll see you when I get back." Deeks shakes Bates' hand and heads out. Once in his car, he calls Kensi, assures her things are ok. More like trying to convince himself but he doesn't want her worrying so close to the wedding. He offers to pick up dinner and Monty and come to her place.
When the door opens, Monty races in followed by his owner. Kensi hurries to the door, takes the packages from him and goes to the kitchen. She then grabs his hands and drags him to the couch.
"Whoa Princess! A little eager for all this?" Deeks waves his hands around himself. Kensi glares at him.
"What did Bates say?"
"He doesn't know what is going on. Neither does Frank Torres. Bates will look into things. He told me to lay low, enjoy my vacation and check in when I get back. That is what I intend to do. I have big plans for my time off."
"Oh yeah? Anything I should know about?" She starts working her fingers along his ribs. Deeks yelps. She keeps tickling him. He strikes back and soon they are rolling around on the couch, giggling, kissing and tickling each other. She decides to table the discussion of Granger for another time. There is enough stress at work. Home needs to be a stress-free zone.
Deeks pulls back and looks into Kensi's beautiful eyes. In one week, she is going to be his wife. Nothing is going to get in the way of their plans. Deeks is brought out of his thoughts by the distinct sounds of Kensi's stomach growling.
"Someone's about to get hangry! I better go feed the beast!" With that he stands up, grabs his fiancée's hand and leads her to the kitchen. Everything will be fine. They can do this.
They are a team.
Couple, partner, twosome - soon to be husband and wife.
TBC