Hi all, Bluenet13 (Jess) here, on a pre-Christmas miracle we somehow managed to get this chapter done lol. We had a lot of fun writing it, and we hope you all enjoy reading it. Many thanks to everyone for the support for this story and the kind messages to the last chapter. Mulderette's surgery went well and she sends her thanks for all the positive thoughts. We will try to update again next weekend, but just in case we're not able to, know that we will be back in January. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

xxxxx

After breakfast, Kensi and Nell had tried to help Hetty clean out the kitchen, but she'd insisted it would be taken care of. Then their boss had ushered them outside, insisting they should take advantage of the time off to relax and get over their hangover before round two. Shrugging, both women had then walked outside towards the yard, finding some lounge chairs that were perfectly located under the mid-morning sun.

Closing her eyes, Kensi enjoyed the feeling of the sun on her face. The sensation reminding her of early weekend mornings when she sat on the sand watching her husband on the waves. A long-suffering sigh, however, drew her thoughts back to the present, and she opened her eyes to a pouting Nell. Phone dangling from her hand as she stared at the screen sadly.

"Are you okay?" Kensi asked, shifting so she could look directly at Nell.

"Yeah." Nell said not convincingly enough.

"Then why are you moping like a sad puppy." Kensi challenged, having a pretty good idea of what was wrong with her friend, just wanting her to voice it on her own.

"It's just…" Nell trailed off, her eyes on her phone, as if willing it to ring at that exact moment. "I wish Eric had called me." She opened up eventually.

Kensi smiled knowingly, patting her friend on the back. "Have you tried calling him?" She asked, already knowing the answer to that question.

Nell shook her head and sighed again, throwing the phone on the chair.

"You should call him." Kensi prompted, grabbing the phone and pushing it into her friend's hand.

"What if he doesn't want to talk?" Nell wondered out loud. "Deeks call you, but Eric didn't."

"Just call him, Nell." Kensi insisted. "We don't know the circumstances of either of the call or no-call."

"And it's better to never assume things, my dear." Hetty added, making both Nell and Kensi jump, as she had seemingly materialized out of nowhere. "So, go on, call Eric. Then you girls should go get ready. I want to get us a good table near the stage."

Hetty was then gone as randomly as she had shown up. Kensi and Nell both looking dumbstruck, as they stared at the space their boss had just occupied, before both women burst out laughing. Nell eventually sobering and sharing a look with Kensi before she got up from her chair, phone already by her ear.

As Nell stood at a solitary corner of the yard, waiting for her call to be picked up, she noticed Kensi still sitting in her chair. Her eyes now on her own phone, a longing, comfortable smile on her face. Nell then was the one to smirk knowingly, remembering that Kensi's screensaver was a picture of her wedding day. Sighing for a final time, she dialed again, secretly hoping to one day have with Eric what Kensi and Deeks had now.

xxxxx

Eric sighed for the third time and continued shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"Okay, I'll bite." Deeks muttered, seemingly to himself, but his sight was on the rearview mirror and directed at Eric. "What's wrong?"

"Wrong? What do you mean? Nothing's wrong." Eric mumbled, having felt his teammate's gaze on him.

"You keep sighing like a sad puppy and you're practically bouncing on your seat." Deeks explained, eyes on the road now.

Eric stayed silent for a moment, debating how honest he wanted to be. If it was only Deeks it would be easier, but he didn't feel as confident with the senior agents. "My phone's signal went off before I could text Nell." He eventually said sadly, before sighing yet again.

Deeks smiled knowingly, understanding how Eric felt. Also, secretly thankful he had placed that call to Kensi before leaving the hotel. "I would offer to go back but if the GPS signal is any indication, it would mean going back at least 20 miles."

"And no way we're doing that." Callen added from the back seat. He knew it would take them some time to reach their campsite and he also had a pretty good idea of what his partner considered an easy hike. So, the quicker they arrived, the better, for all of them. Even if Eric didn't realize it now.

"We're only about five minutes away." Sam said, joining the conversation for the first time as he directed Deeks towards their exit. "Eric, I'm sure Nell will understand." He added as an afterthought, smiling to himself as he remembered when his and Michelle's relationship had been in that phase of new love, as it was now for Eric and Nell.

Eric just pouted and sat back down on his seat. Quietly continuing to stare at his screen from the corner of his eye, hoping a miraculous bar would appear, signaling enough connection for his text to go through.

"Park in one of those spots." Sam said, pointing to a lot close to the trail.

Deeks just nodded, noticing the little screen near his steering wheel signaled a big drop in temperature compared to the last time he checked. But thinking nothing of it, he assumed it was just the higher elevation and continued following Sam's directions.

No one said anything after that. All four teammates silently getting out of the car and moving to the back to get their stuff.

"There's cabins?" Eric breathed out, pointing to a sign next to the trail, a hopeful look on his eyes.

"We're not staying on the cabins." Sam said, even as he nodded. "We came here to go camping and that means sleeping on the woods."

"Yes, Father Nature." Eric grunted under his breath, making Deeks and Callen chuckle at the new nickname that G had created for his partner.

Sam just rolled his eyes and took a threatening step towards Eric, who just yelped and ran back to the truck, muttering something about having forgotten a bag.

"Don't scare him out." Callen admonished his partner. "Remember you have the upper hand here, but we will still need his brains when we're back on the field working cases."

Deeks chuckled, enjoying the team's banter, and thinking that maybe this trip would end up being a success. Even, as he thought back to Eric's comment and mentally filed the information, along with the knowledge of the places that he had seen at the town.

xxxxx

It didn't take the boys long to gather all their supplies together and soon enough they finally started on their hike. Callen and Sam taking the lead with Deeks and Eric directly behind them.

"It's pretty cold, isn't it?" Callen asked eventually, as they walked along.

"It's not that cold, G," Sam muttered, choosing to keep his attention on the trail. "I didn't think you were that fragile."

"I'm not," Callen stated, setting his jaw and deciding not to address the issue any further, especially not to Sam.

Sam just rolled his eyes, but still made a mental note to check the temperature on his compass whenever his teammates weren't looking.

xxxxx

"Callen's right. It is cold," Eric whispered to Deeks, as they walked farther back from the senior partners.

"You want to tell Sam that?" Deeks asked. "If he won't listen to Callen, he's definitely not going to listen to us."

Deeks, himself, couldn't help his daydreaming about being out on the water in Sam's boat, with Kensi in her bikini. That would have been his idea of a perfect little vacation. However, guilt immediately set in upon letting his thoughts travel in that direction.

Maybe the ex-Seal just needed this. For a long time now, Sam had only taken family trips or the occasional weekend escapades with his wife except when the team was on the job. But then all that had been taken from him, with his wife passing and his kids moving away. He and Kensi still felt badly about Michelle's untimely demise and they both had their own sense of responsibility regarding what had happened. If only, it was one of those simple phrases that held a hell of a lot more meaning than what the words by themselves meant.

xxxxx

Roberta had been ecstatic when Kensi had called to invite her to Karaoke night with Hetty and Nell. She'd then frowned wondering how her daughter-in-law had gotten her son to agree to that particular outing. Her explanation coming soon enough as Kensi had explained that Deeks was away for the weekend. Roberta had visible raised her eyebrows at that. Not particularly surprised that Deeks hadn't called to inform him of the trip himself, Roberta already used to her son volunteering little information on his own. But she'd been more than a little surprised when Kensi told her he was out camping with the rest of their team, both women knowing that their boy wasn't one for the outdoors, especially when they involved the woods and not a beach.

That's how Roberta now found herself getting dressed in front of the mirror. A few outfits already discarded over her bed as she continued looking for the perfect look. Once that was done, the mother grabbed her brush and began mock singing, following along to the song that currently played on her iPhone. Her joking promptly turned into her own private concert as Roberta started warming up her vocals in preparation for the show that would come later that day.

xxxxx

"I'm hungry." Eric said, after they'd been hiking for about an hour. His feet also hurt, but he didn't dare to voice that particular thought, knowing the teasing that would take place.

"We can go another hour before stopping." Sam stated, having already felt the cold Callen had mentioned before, and wanting to reach their destination soon so they could set up. But he preferred to stay quiet about that and just guide his teammates towards shelter without actually worrying them. He had checked the forecast before leaving LA, so there was no reason for that.

Deeks said nothing and Callen glanced behind him to Eric who appeared miserable. "I could use something to eat myself." Callen agreed. "Let's just take a short break."

Sam sighed, but nodded as the men put their equipment down and took a seat on the ground. He then searched through his pack and pulled out four protein bars, passing them out to his companions. "These are great for protein and energy," he said as he opened his own bar and took a bite. "Also, really tasty."

Callen took a bite of his bar and almost choked. He quickly swallowed down some water from his canteen. "What the heck, Sam. What are these things made of, sandpaper?"

"These are five-star rated on Amazon, G. They most certainly are not made of sandpaper." Sam said, swallowing hard and trying not to make a face that would support Callen's complaint.

"Whatever happened to roasting hot dogs on the open fire." Deeks asked, privately agreeing with Callen's assessment of the supposed treat.

That's not happening on this trip, Sam stated. "We'll be catching our own prey."

"What?" Eric squealed, looking horrified at the prospect. Callen and Deeks didn't look all too thrilled either.

"Really, Sam?" Callen challenged dubiously. "We never did that before. All we did was fish and I know for a fact that we didn't bring any fishing equipment."

"First time for everything, G." Sam said with a smile. "Come on guys. We've got a few more hours to go and then we can set up camp."

xxxxx

"Can we play a game?" Eric asked shyly, his tone hopeful at the same time. Wanting to add some fun to their hike and needing to forget about the prospect of catching their own food. Secretly also wondering if he could survive the next few days off wild berries alone.

"We're not kids, Beale." Callen said amused, the innocence his teammate somehow still carried, never failing to surprise him.

"It's just to pass the time." Eric muttered dejectedly, continuing his walk in silence.

Deeks winced in sympathy but failed to open his mouth. He always enjoyed a good ramble, but he had a big enough sense of self-preservation to know when it was better to stay silent.

"I can think of one object that I'm seeing, and you guys can guess what it is. Who wants to go first?" Eric proposed cheerfully after a few minutes.

"Eric, we're not 10." Sam stated, without sparing a glance back.

"What about Never Have I Ever?" Eric offered next.

"We're not in college either." Deeks joined in. Secretly thinking back to his high school and undergrad days. "And we've no alcohol." He added under his breath. Wishing he was at the bar, or that he had brought some hard liquor to get him out of his misery.

For what felt like the millionth time on this trip, Eric pouted as he fell farther behind and focused instead on the views around him.

"See, this is what camping is all about." Sam began when they reached a particularly nice overlook. "We don't need games to pass the time, the hike, the views, nature, all that should be our entertainment. We don't need a distraction from that." He tried to explain, moving his hands around and pointing towards a tall oak.

Eric's first instinct was to roll his eyes, but as he stared at the view, he couldn't ignore the beauty of it. "I'm glad you're enjoying it, Sam." He said honestly. "And it really is a nice view. Very peaceful."

"You don't get moments like this on the city, too many lights, too many noises." Sam continued, his words on the present, but his mind evidently elsewhere.

"Can we take a picture?" Deeks asked tentatively, grabbing his phone from his pocket.

"You don't need to ask that, Deeks. You can take all the pictures you want." Sam answered in confusion.

"I didn't mean of the view. I meant, one of us together." Deeks said shyly. "It's in fact a very nice view and even better when enjoyed with friends."

Sam's eyes softened at that, realizing that maybe he had been a bit harsh with his teammates. Seeing that they were trying their best to enjoy this trip, and that he wasn't really making it easy for them.

"Get over here." Sam called to Eric and Callen, as they all got closer to Deeks.

Stretching his arm, Deeks smirked towards the camera as he took the selfie, realizing that all his teammates were smiling honestly for the first time on this trip.

"Funny face." Eric screamed happily, sticking his tongue out. Deeks was the first to follow, then Callen and more reluctantly also Sam.

"Kensi and Nell will love these." Deeks said proudly after checking them out, showing the pictures to his teammates.

"I wish we had signal to send them now." Eric said sadly.

Sam clapped the younger man on the shoulder and grinned sympathetically. "They will get to see them soon enough, man. We will just have to make sure to take more pictures to show them."

Seeing Eric nod with a comfortable smile was all the proof Sam needed to know this could still be a great trip.

"Eric, I'm thinking of an object now. Want to take the first guess?" Sam asked eventually, after the team had resumed their walk.

"Hmm, is it something found in nature?" Eric beamed as his eyes said a silent thank you to Sam.

With Callen and Deeks joining in the game, the next couple of hours were spent in between absurd questions, crazy imagined objects and a lot of team banter. With all four men sincerely enjoying the trip and the time spent together, with no bad guys shooting at them or worlds that needed saving.

xxxxx

A few hours later, just when the men began giving up hope that this hike would ever end, Sam stopped, a wide grin on his face. "Here we are." he stated proudly.

"A cabin?" Callen said.

"Oh sweet!" Eric suddenly felt about a thousand times better as all his miseries seemed to slip away. "Really?"

"It's not much." Sam said. "But there's a fireplace inside, a cookstove and a bedroom with three cots. I'm good with sleeping on the floor." He knew from past experience that he did not do well with cots. He much preferred the floor where he could stretch out to his heart's content. "We'll go inside after dinner. I'm sure you three are starving. I know I am. A dinner by the campfire is the perfect way to end the day."

"Uh...don't we have to catch prey?" Callen asked his partner tentatively.

Sam gave G a friendly slap on the back. "Come on, I was just messing with you guys. I have food."

"You have food?" Deeks asked, hopeful, but still dubious, as he studied Sam's pack and belongings. Although he carried more than the others, it didn't appear as if he had that much in the way of sustenance.

"Oh ye of little faith." Sam said as he placed his things on the ground and began rummaging through his pack once again. "Ta da!"

The other three men looked at the two packets which Sam produced, both labeled lasagna and each supposedly containing two servings.

"Are they good?" Eric asked, already immensely relieved that he wasn't going to have to kill and skin cute little animals on this trip. The thought of it had seriously made his stomach queasy.

"They're very good." Sam assured him. "I mean, not restaurant quality good, but they will suit our needs perfectly and I got a lot of variety, even some desserts."

"They couldn't have been cheap." Deeks commented knowingly. Since opening the bar, he had come to realize a whole lot about food and packaging and the costs of items. The packets Sam held in his hands had definitely not been cheap. "We can contribute to the food fund, Sam."

Sam shook his head, smiling. "No worries, Deeks. I've got this trip. I know it might not seem like it, but I really want you guys to have a good time. And you already contribute enough every time we meet at the bar."

"How come we never brought these?" Callen asked.

"Because, our trips served a different purpose, G. I just wanted to get you out into the great outdoors, teach you to enjoy fishing, bond with Aiden, stuff like that. Not to mention, this kind of food has improved drastically over the years."

Callen nodded. There was no doubt that he had enjoyed the time spent with Sam alone or with Sam and Aiden. Being out in the wilderness had never been something he'd had the opportunity to experience as a child. He'd appreciated Sam including him in such trips.

"Okay guys, I'm going to get a quick fire going, add some boiling water to these babies and you'll be in for a treat."

xxxxx

"Well you're a real tough cookie with a long history

Of breaking little hearts like the one in me

Before I put another notch in my lipstick case

You better make sure you put me in my place

Hit me with your best shot

C'mon, hit me with your best shot

Hit me with your best shot

Fire away"

Bertie was up on stage, dancing wildly and belting out the lyrics to Pat Benatar's song "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." Nell was giggling as she sipped her drink, Kensi was laughing to the point of snorting and Hetty looked amazed.

"Deeks' mother is quite the wild woman," Hetty observed.

"She sure is, Hetty," Kensi said, trying to get herself under control. "She'd have to be to have Deeks as a son. I just wish Deeks was here to see her." She knew he'd be horrified. It would be hysterical.

Nell nodded with a small sigh. "At least Deeks called you. Even if he isn't here." She was unable to keep her sadness hidden. She had expected Eric to call and by the time she had finally gotten past her own pride and called him, it had been too late. He'd been out of range and she hadn't been able to reach him.

"I'm sure Eric meant to call you," Kensi put her arm around Nell's small frame and pulled her in for a hug. "The time must have gotten away from him. I know he'll get in touch with you as soon as he can. You know that boy is crazy about you."

Before Nell could respond, Bertie came up to the table. "Well, how was I, girls?" She smiled in delight when Hetty, Kensi and Nell applauded enthusiastically. "I was good, wasn't I?" Bertie sat down next to Hetty and took a swig of the beer in front of her. "So, what did I miss?"

"Nothing," Nell said quickly.

"Nell is just feeling a little bit down because Eric didn't call her from the road." Kensi explained.

"No need for that," Bertie said. "The number of times I've seen the two of you in the bar, it's plain as the cute little nose on your face, he is over the moon for you."

"Yeah?" Nell asked, with a small smile.

"Oh Miss Jones, there is no question how Eric feels about you," Hetty said, entering the conversation. "It's been obvious to me for a very long time. You have no need to worry."

"Really?" Nell asked hopefully.

"Most certainly," Hetty responded, "You shouldn't give it another thought. But now, I'm up next and you are about to hear a rendition of "Natural Woman," that you won't soon forget."

Kensi, Nell and Bertie clapped in appreciation as Hetty got up from her seat and made her way to the stage. They knew they would be in for quite a treat.

xxxxx

"Sam, my man, you do not lie. This has been one fine dinner." Deeks was lazily holding his marshmallow on a stick as he toasted it over the crackling flames of the campfire Sam had built. The dinner packets had been good, but the marshmallows, Hershey bars and graham crackers Sam had surprised them with, had topped off the meal perfectly.

"Who doesn't love, Smores," Eric stated as he sandwiched his freshly toasted marshmallow along with a piece of chocolate between two graham crackers. "Oh my God, so good," he exclaimed after he took a bite of the oozing chocolate treat.

Callen licked his lips in anticipation of tasting his own treat. "Thanks for doing all this, Sam. We're having a great time."

Sam nodded, a quiet smile on his face. This was the way he'd wanted the trip to go. His friends were relaxing now, knowing he wasn't leading them into some kind of crazy death hike. He had to admit, he'd enjoyed messing with them a little bit, but now all was well. They were going to have a great time.

xxxxx

Eager to take a turn on stage, Kensi and Nell made their way over to where the Karaoke books listing the songs were.

"This has been a really fun night," Bertie said. "I appreciate you inviting me."

"Of course we'd invite you," Hetty said, smiling. "I'm very glad you could come. I know Kensi loves you like family."

Bertie's eyes traveled to Kensi with a faint smile on her lips. "Kensi is a treasure. I can't imagine Martin ever having found anyone more well suited for him. He loves her so much, as do I. He deserved to find a love like that. I'm so glad I was able to see it." Her eyes began to fill with tears which she quickly blinked back. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"No need to be sorry," Hetty said as she reached across the table and patted Bertie's hand gently. "You've done a wonderful job with Martin. You can be proud."

Bertie shook her head. "I have so many regrets...so many things I wish I'd done differently…"

"That kind of thinking doesn't help anyone," Hetty said. "You need to focus on all the good you did for him. I know how much he loves you. He's a good boy and a lot of that comes from you.

"Thank you, Hetty," Bertie said, giving Hetty an appreciative smile.

Both women looked up as Kensi and Nell took the stage, both with care-free and happy smiles on their faces. Hetty nodded her head in time as Kensi and Nell began to belt out the lyrics to "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Bertie was using her phone to record the performance on video. Martin and Eric would definitely love this.