Deeks headed over to the office after meeting with Nate. He immediately spied Kensi, beautiful as ever. He was completely in love with this woman. He though back to the day he watched her stride into the MA gym. An undercover op, a then solo detective, hard ass, deflection of any feelings through humor to hide the pain. Their eyes met, locked when he walked over, questioning her questions. Unbeknownst to him, she was immediately stuck, smitten as Callen had said. Then just like that, he was plopped into their lives permanently, finding out that a partner can be trusted and turn into more. He remembered walking into OPS, immediately feeling unwanted. Deeks was used to that feeling, so he shrugged it off. Sam was the hardest to crack, and for some reason the one whose approval Deeks desired most. Sam and him had come along way, but it took a new set of brilliant veneer to finally crack the by the book Seal. After the initial partnership with Kensi became a growing thing, he worked slowly to break Sam. Sam's referral of calling Deeks "Temp", often stung deep to his core. He'd never let it show. He thought for a bit as Kensi approached him, snapping him from his trance. He supposed that would be a future conversation with Nate. That one, however, would be more positive as he finally dented the man's tough exterior.

"Hi baby," she walked up to him as alluring as ever.

"Hey."

"The guys are finishing up the case. Pretty easy day overall." She smiled. "How was yours?"

"Can't complain. Got to sit on the beach, so that was an awesome way to spend the morning."

"That's not what I meant, but."

He kissed her gently on her cheek. "You're cute."

Callen and Sam came back in. "Oh G, look who decided to come to work today."

"After, we solved the case of course, Sam. I think drinks are on Deeks tonight."

"You do realize I own the bar. Drinks have been on me since I bought the place."

"O, that earns a Touché," Callen smirked.

Deeks enjoyed when Callen used his words. He'd never say it out loud, but he knew it was Callen's way of approval. Callen rarely showed how he felt. His way of acceptance was different than most. Deeks knew this was one sign. When Kensi was injured, Callen stopped by one night with beers. Deeks had mentioned that he was staying at home. Deeks thought back with a grin.

"Hang on," Deeks groggily called to the door, confused who would be over at such an hour. It was around 10pm. It had been one of Kensi's rough days and she kicked Deeks out again. He was on his game at work, but the senior agent could tell his team member was off. After all, it was his job as leader of that team, to know when something was up. Deeks opened the door and felt like his jaw dropped a bit. Deeks had on several occasions attempted to get Callen to hang out for a guys night with no avail. Callen enjoyed taunting Deeks and would never oblige.

"Callen? Do we have a case?"

"Nope," he held up some beers. "Thought you could use a drink."

Deeks ran his hands through his mop, "sounds about right."

"I know I'm not as affectionate as Kensi, but I thought we could watch the highlights of the Lakers game."

"I'm down for that."

The men sat on the couch drinking in silence and watching the highlights. "Hey Callen," Deeks said looking at his team leader. "Thank you."

That day meant a lot to Deeks. He had to be strong for Kensi, but felt like he was falling apart at the seems. It really was what he needed.

"Deeks, babe, Earth to Deeks," Kensi brought him back to the present.

"I don't know, you feeling up to hanging out tonight baby?"

"I could be persuaded with you making me a smoothie, while you boys drink some beers."

He looked up from her stomach, "I was asking little man," he laughed.

"Don't be an idiot," she giggled back.

"One smoothie, then we call it a night."

"Perfect," she smiled her big tooth full grin.

The crew headed to the bar, as soon as Deeks served Kensi her smoothie, she took a few sips and started dosing off as the boy's chatted.

"I'm gonna miss this, " Callen actually spoke words of feelings.

"What was that G? You are showing emotion?"

"See this is why I don't share my feelings," Callen started.

"Oh this is why? Right G," Sam retorted.

"Hey, we haven't decided what our plans are gonna be after the baby is born. That's why we are taking the 12 weeks off to decide."

"Nonetheless, I don't say it enough, this has been an amazing run."

"What about you and Anna? Gonna start you own little Russian assassination team anytime soon," Deeks questioned.

"It's been discussed. After ATF set her up on the undercover mission in prison, she's been a little hesitant about staying in. They didn't protect her enough, which landed her in the hospital. It could have been so much worse."

"Arkady could adopt you," Deeks chuckled. "Hell, I still wish he'd adopt me."

"I don't know G, it's bad enough we're gonna have a little Deeks running around, I don't think I can handle another lone wolf."

"Well, I'm not such a lone wolf anymore now am I."

The men laughed and enjoyed their evening. It had been a long time, but Deeks knew he belonged with this team. He was so thankful to Hetty for bringing him here. Each one of them fit together perfectly. Their jagged pieces became one over the years. Each rounded out a bit by the other.

The men toasted as Kensi stirred a bit.

"You should probably get her home," Callen informed.

"She's gonna be pissed she missed sentimental Callen."

"She'll live," He smirked. "Now take her home, I'll clean up before I head upstairs."

"Ok, but don't drink all my beers. Those are for paying customers."

"You got it. Night Deeks."

He woke Kensi, who insisted she was fine, but finally gave in, as she knew she was exhausted.

As Deeks drove her home, he thought about his homework from Nate. He glanced over at his sleepy wife, while at a stoplight. He loved everything about her. When he got her home, Kensi crawled into bed.

"Come keep me warm," she whined a bit.

"I'm coming," he crawled in and put his arms around her. She didn't need his protection, but he provided it to her anyway. She nuzzled into him and fell back asleep.

She was so brave and strong in everything she did. She came back from the impossible. He watched her fight demons, fight being paralyzed and in a coma, fight a crazy man attempting to cut her leg off. He knew instantly. The thing he loved above anything else, was that she was not weak. When he was Max, he preyed on weak women, ones he could control. Deeks didn't want that. He would never be able to control Kensi. Kensi was her own person, strong headed and stubborn. A woman who knew what she wanted and knew what she had to do to get it. He admired that about her. As much as he loved his mother, she was weak when she was with his father. Kensi had stood up to Deeks in many occasions when he was, in her words, being an idiot. She also compromised in many occasions. She was the one who was bravest first to suggest they go all in, she was also not going to allow Deeks to force her giving up her job before she was ready. Even if that wasn't what he meant to do, it's what she took it as.

"What if we don't have kids, Deeks?"

"What do you mean what if we don't have kids, like we can't have them or you don't want them?"

"I don't know, but there's many reasons it doesn't happen for some people. And if we don't have kids then I'm gonna wanna stay in this job."

Then of all the idiotic things he could mutter out, "I don't think we should be getting married."

And the hurt he then saw in her eyes; The pain he felt in his own chest; The words she said stung, but the ones he replied cut. And then the rocket hit. And through her braveness and strength she carried him through the 100 degree desert. His words didn't matter, she was going to stand up to him and show him he was wrong.

He knew when he woke up in that hospital bed, her still by his side, that she was so much stronger than him, that she was the one who saved him from his demons. He knew there was no one else on the planet that could do that for him. No one could save him from who he could have been, but her. No words needed to be said. The discussion on the rooftop was not needed to be rehashed or discussed again. Only the words they said to each other, promising to give each other everything they had in this life, was more than enough. They kept that promise, living ever day for each other, loving each other the only way they could.

He kept thinking, he realized why Nate wanted him to figure out the one thing he loved about Kensi most. Deeks pinpointing Kensi's strength as the thing he loved most, made him realize he could never become his father as long as he had her. Without her, he may have faltered, he may have become more like him, but Kensi, she would never allow that. Even if he found himself on the other side of that table because of her, she'd find a way To bring him back. She'd keep fighting til she did, just like when he was in jail. Even though she figured out he killed Boyle, she brought him back. She understood and supported him. He finally dozed off, sleeping the first peaceful nights in weeks, but he knew he still had a long way to go.