Chapter 18

Deeks was lying down on his stretcher, moaning and groaning, when Carla approached with the ER doctor.

"Mr. Deeks, I'm Dr. Wagner. The radiologist has identified one stone in your left ureter, the tube leading from the kidney to the bladder. It's about half-way down. We can send you home with pain meds and a urine strainer or we can start an IV and try to flush it down sooner."

No position was comfortable and Deeks twisted and turned restlessly. Kensi took his hand to offer comfort. "What do you want to do?"

Another spasm hit him. "Uh, I . . . I don't know."

"I think we should stay here," said Kensi finally. "He'll be insufferable at home."

Dr. Wagner smiled. "That's what my wife would say, too. Very well, Carla will get you set up. I'll check back with you later."

"Okay, Marty. Show me that good vein," said Carla as she gathered supplies. Deeks stuck out his right arm. "Wow, that's a pipeline."

"Don't hurt me, Carla. I'm already in enough pain."

"Like you law enforcement folks say, copy that."

A short time later, the IV was flowing and the pain medicine had kicked in. Deeks was sleeping while Kensi stared anxiously at him. She had no experience being a caregiver, unless you counted the pet turtle she had when she was six. She was more accustomed to dealing with weapons and ammo and bad dudes.

But I can do this. After all, it's for Deeks.

Carla opened the curtain a little but stopped when she noticed Kensi straightening Deeks' sheet and pulling it up. Then she gently rubbed his forehead and pushed the hair out of his eyes. Carla nodded in approval.

This one's good for him. Big improvement over that bimbo he was dating a few months back.

Kensi pulled out her phone. She needed to let Callen and Sam know what was going on.

"Kens, talk to me," said Callen. He and Sam were returning from an early morning run.

"I'm in the E.R."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm fine; Deeks, not so much."

"What? Did you finally get a belly-full of his shenanigans and hurt him?" laughed Sam.

"Oh, he's hurting all right. He has a kidney stone."

Sam's tone immediately changed as he was assailed by an unpleasant memory. "Oh man. Been there, done that and got the tee shirt. I was so grouchy I thought Michelle was going to divorce me before I passed that sucker. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy."

"Even Arkady?" asked Callen with a smirk.

"It's about fifty-fifty for that snake."

"Okay, stay with Deeks and keep us posted," said Callen to Kensi. He disconnected and looked at Sam. "You mean to tell me a big, bad ex-Navy SEAL wimped out?"

Sam narrowed his eyes at him. "See if I have any sympathy for you if you ever have a kidney stone. That's something guaranteed to make a grown man cry."

"Duly noted."

The hustle and bustle of the E.R. floated around Kensi as she sat by Deeks' side. Several car accident victims were brought in as well as an elderly woman with a possible heart attack.

Carla stuck her head in. "How's our patient?"

"Seems to be okay at the moment," said Kensi. "At least he's not talking my ear off."

As soon as she said that, Deeks rolled over and sat up. "How long was I out?"

"A good while," said Kensi. "How do you feel?"

"Like my bladder is about to burst. Where's that strainer?" He glanced at the small bedside table.

"Here you go," said Carla and thrust it into his hand. "Do you feel like walking to the bathroom? It's only a few steps."

"Yeah, I got this."

"Hey Carla, does CCU have a bed yet for that patient?" someone called out from the desk.

"Don't know. I'll have to call them again."

"We're good," said Kensi. "I'll help him over there."

"Can you do me a favor?" asked Kensi when they reached the bathroom.

"What?"

"Tie the back of this gown. Or do you want the whole E. R. to see your butt hanging out?"

"No. Only you. Thought you might appreciate the view," said Deeks with a touch of his usual sass.

"Someone's feeling better. Now get in there before I kick your butt," huffed Kensi. She shut the door firmly behind him and leaned her back against the wall.

A couple minutes later, she heard a flush and the door opened. "Success! Kensi, look."

Kensi was horrified. "I'll pass."

"Hah! Good one. I'm the one who passed . . . a kidney stone! Come on, look at it. Kensi! Aren't you a little curious?"

"No. Stop it! That's gross," she gasped and tried to ease away.

"No, it's not. Don't be chicken."

"You're not going to let up, are you?"

"Of course not," he smiled.

Finally, she ventured a peek. The stone was barely a speck in the strainer. "That's it? That little thing caused all this uproar?"

"I know, right? Hard to believe," agreed Deeks.

"Hard to believe that's what got me out of bed before dawn."

"Yeah that and your concern for your awesome partner." Suddenly, he grabbed the door handle. "Whoa."

"What's wrong?"

"Dizzy."

"Don't you fall out on me," she said. She took his arm with one hand and the IV pole with the other and guided him back to the stretcher. "I'm gonna find Carla."

"You should take it easy the rest of the day," said Carla as she took out the IV. "And stay hydrated."

"Yes, ma'am. Don't want a repeat performance even though I do love your smiling face."

"Always a smooth talker, aren't you?" she laughed. "You can get dressed while I finish your discharge paperwork."

"Great." Deeks shucked off his gown and reached for his jeans.

"You couldn't wait for me to step away?" asked Kensi.

"Why? What's the big deal? You could just squeeze your eyes shut if you don't want to check me out," grinned Deeks.

Kensi gave up a sigh and turned her back. "My e-mail is what needs checking out."

I've already checked you out, Marty Deeks. And it's a damn fine view.