The void between the Past and Present-

So. That was the events of the past five thousand years. How a man who died in two thousand nine hundred eighty-three B.C., lived to the year two thousand seventeen A.D. That was my journey. To be honest, after I defeat the guardian I have no idea what's going to happen next, and it scares me. Yeah, I know that I'll have Kensi and the gang, but for the first time in five thousand years I don't have a clue on what to do next. And Hetty isn't here to tell me what to do. Or more appropriately, to hold my hand. So are you ready? Ready for what comes next? I know I am. So here we go!

N.C.I.S. L.A.

Present day: Country side north of Glasgow, Scotland-

Larry took the first strike, and it was a powerful one, but I shrugged it off like it was nothing. Chuck, Kelli, and Larry stared in disbelief. Chuck and Kelli couldn't believe that I blocked a powerful attack with ease, and Larry realized that this wasn't going to be an easy duel. The power that I gain over the past five thousand years, plus that final boost I got from Hetty last week, put me beyond what Larry's power level. I know that, being the guardian, Larry has some fancy tricks that I haven't seen before. So I need to keep my guard up. From a technical stand point, Larry is the better dueler, but because Hetty has been grooming me for this moment for five thousand years, this fight is manageable.

I wasn't giving the fight much of my attention, and Larry disarmed me. Chuck and Kelli let out an audible gasp.

"Is the best that this generations has to offer?" Larry asked.

"That was just a warm up. The real fight begins now." I said, pull me coat off and drawing both of my kukris.

Larry didn't know what to make of me using my kukris. In theory, Larry has the advantage. His sword has a longer reach, but my dual kukris gives me more options to work with. Although, I've never been in a fight like this. A full length sword versus two machetes. This should be an interesting fight.

The duel had been going for ten minutes, even with my kukris, I still had the edge. I pushed Larry into the building, and Chuck and Kellin snuck in behind us.

"This is impossible. I should be able to defeat you. How are you beating me?" Larry asked.

"You been sleeping for ten thousand years. I've been active for the last five thousand years." I said.

"That doesn't explain how you're to surpass me." Larry said.

I deflected Larry's next blow, and then drove one of my kukris into his shoulder. We were close enough to the wall that the blade got lodged into it. Larry dropped his sword as let out an ungodly howl of pain that echoed throughout the structure. I drove my second kukri into his leg for good measure.

"Larry. Hey, Larry. I need you to hear my next words." I said, after Larry had finish screaming.

Larry takes a few moments to catch his breath, and then he says. "That name means nothing me."

"Maybe, maybe not. But you were once a man named Larry Basser. A woman by the name of Hetty Lange sends her regards." I said.

At that moment, we all heard an audible voice. "Ashono…Ashono MacLeod."

To think that—I don't know, the will of the Source. Now that's a crazy thought—would use the name I was born with, as opposed to the name that Hetty gave me. Guess it's all a moot point really. I thought

"Ashono MacLeod. You have defeated the guardian, and now you are faced with a choice. You can kill the guardian, and the cycle continues. Or you can spare the guardian, and become human. The choice is yours." The voice said.

Slay the guardian, and continue living as an immortal. Or spare the guardian, and live out the rest of my days with Kensi, Callen, Eric, Sam and his family, and Nell. If I was to kill the guardian, I would sleep for the next ten thousand years. There are too many unknowns that come with killing the guardian. I thought.

"I'm done with this." I said, and then walked away.

Larry Basser's body exploded into pieces, and disappeared from this plane of reality. As the parts disappeared I didn't stop to watch.

"Wise choice." the voice said, but I didn't even stop. I kept walking.

"What now?" Chuck asked, as he and Kelli ran to catch up to me.

"Soon we will become human again. At which point you have to make a choice" I said, stopping for only a moment.

I didn't even wait for a response. I turned and walked away.

"You want to head back to Glasgow together?" Kelli asked.

"I'm heading back stateside. If you have business elsewhere, this is goodbye." I said, stopping momentarily.

"Before you go I have a question to ask." Chuck said.

"What?" I asked.

"Why did the entity call you Ashono MacLeod?" Kelli asked.

"I thought your name was Deeks." Chuck said.

"When I died, which was over five thousand years ago, I was known by another name." I said, turning to look back at Chuck and Kelli. There was a moment of silence before I asked. "You two are hoping to have kids aren't you?"

"How'd you—"

"I was married before I became an immortal." I said.

"Will we ever see you again?" Chuck asked.

"Is there a reason for us to?" I asked.

"No." Chuck said.

"Then no. Go. Live a long life and have many babies." I said, and then disappeared into the woods.

I don't know when it happened—either while I was still in the source or some point after I left—but I had rejoined the ranks of the mortals. I don't know how it happened, but it did. I fell asleep on the flight back to the states, and the strangest thing happened. I had a dream, and in the dream were those who I've known that went on before me. I saw Hetty, Lara, even Ray was there—that was a surprise. Mirabella was there, and the least of who I was not expecting to see: my family.

I see my children, but it was Kenzie who approached. I want to speak, but I couldn't. Kenzie put her index finger to my lips, and shook her head. Kenzie leaned in and kissed, and then I was shook awake.

"Hello sir. We're landing at Dulles Airport." The flight attendant said.

"That was fast." I said, and then looked out the window.

If I had to guess when Kenzie—You know what. I don't want to guess. I'm human, and that's all that matters. I get up from my chair, reach for the overhead—and then I remembered that I came back empty handed. As I'm clearing customs, and get to where my connecting flight was I see that I have ten hours to kill before my next flight leaves. I decide to rent a car and head to the Naval Yard.

I get to the Naval Yard, and badge myself through. As I'm parking, I hear. "Agent Deeks."

I turned to see Director Vance, and Gibbs. I don't really care to talk to Gibbs, but I will if I have to. I thought.

Vance told Gibbs that he would catch up, and Gibbs and both shared a look.

"Director." I said, as I approach Director Vance.

"So tell me Agent Deeks, is everything finished?" Vance asked.

"Yes. Everything is finally finished." I said.

"How long have you been on this little errand for Hetty?" Vance asked.

"Five thousand years." I said.

"Any other details I need to be made aware of?" Vance asked, letting out a whistle.

"No. That business has be put to bed." I said.

"Just wondering, but do you know how long that business has been going on?" Vance asked.

"I don't have a clue. Hetty has been around for ten thousand years, so longer than ten thousand years." I said.

"Hold on just a moment." Vance said, and then walked away. I standing next to a picnic table watching Vance as he ran back to his car. When he returned, I saw him holding a saw package and a small bag to carry it in.

"I made a mistake in not giving this to Hetty before she died. I won't make that mistake again." Vance said.

"If you would have given that to Hetty, she wouldn't have been able to enjoy it. But don't worry, I'll make sure it gets to her. Anything I need to be aware of back home?" I asked.

"The new person in charge is Assistant Director Shay Mosley, and you two are going to butt heads. A lot." Vance said.

"How did she make it to the rank of A.D.?" I asked.

"Not my call." Vance said.

"Thanks for the heads up." I said, and then head back to my car.

I head back to the airport, and wait out the rest of my lay over.

N.C.I.S. L.A.

Flight back to L.A.-

I could only think of one thing on my flight back home. Only one thought dominate my mind: what was the Hetty of this cycle—the one who was supposed to be alive at this moment—was like. It never dawned on me that I could run into Hetty's doppelganger at any point and time. I'm guessing it was by Hetty's design that we never met. If memory serves me the package that I was given by Director Vance was a scarf that he never gave Hetty. When I give her the gift, Hetty's is just going to stare at me wondering why I'm giving this gift to her. But that's a bridge I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

N.C.I.S. L.A.

Our house-

Kensi, after having a long day at work, practically crawled into the house. Kensi took her shoes off at the door, and walked over to the end table and placed her gun and badge on the table. Kensi promised herself a long, hot shower and margaritas after the long day, but she missed it. Kensi had got punched in the nose earlier, and her sense of smell is off. But now that Kensi has been in the house for a moment she smells the food. Judging by the scent it's still fresh. Bought with the last thirty minutes. Kensi walks over to the table, and see a six pack of beer and take out from our favorite fast food joint. Kensi sense someone walk up behind her, but didn't have the energy to put up a fight. When Kensi turned around she saw me reach out with both hands and pull her into a long slow kiss.

"It's about time." Kensi said, after breaking the kiss.

"Sorry I'm late. The flight…from…Scotland…to…California…was…longer than expect." I said, between kisses.

We made out standing next to the dining room table. I stopped for a moment, and stared at Kensi.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing." I said, which was a lie. I got down on and pulled out a little blue case.

Kensi started to tear up, and said "Yes."

"Okay." I said, not even going to acknowledge that I didn't get to ask the question.

"I choose you. And I'll choose you over and over. Without pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat. I'll keep choosing you. I choose you five thousand plus years ago, and I'm choosing you now." she said, with tears in her eyes.

I know I heard her correctly, but I don't know if it's Kensi talking or if it's Kenzie talking. I open the box pull the ring out, and place it on Kensi ring finger. I stood up and we kiss again, and then sit down to eat the food.

After dinner, we take this reunion to the bedroom and spend the rest of the night in bed. In the morning, I wake to Kensi caressing my pecks.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" I asked.

"Yes." she said without hesitation.

"Good to know. What's happened since I left?" I asked.

"Michelle died." she said, without hesitation.

There was a moment of silence as I let the words sink in. "How's the big guy handling it?" I asked.

"Sam's been M.I.A. for a while." she said.

"Man's gotta grieve in his own way." I said.

"It was rough, but we made it through the case." she said.

"Do we have an active case?" I asked.

"No." she said.

"Good, come here." I said, reaching in for a kiss.

"Yes sir." Kensi said, and we kissed.

I rolled over onto Kensi, and we spent the morning bed.