At this point, there's no schedule to updating whatsoever. :O Hope you're all still following along. Thanks to those who have reviewed. You make my day!
Caroline: Sorry to hear you feel that way. The reason Grisha was finally able to say I love you was not because of her story. It was not because of what she went through with Kevin. It was because he realizes that she trusts him for who he is, not for who he pretends to be. Telling her about his job has been a huge hurdle from the beginning, because his job is what has cost him so many relationships in the past, and who was to say that she was going to stay? So now that his biggest secret is out, and she's told him what was for her the greatest leap of faith, he's understanding that the only way you can have a relationship is, if it's based on honesty. Dee has been very open about her feelings from the beginning; that's the way she is. Grisha is not an open book. He's getting there, but he's still a far cry from it. The conversation between them you read in the last chapter was about trust. And now that he's trusted her with his biggest secret and she's still here, that is why he said I love you. Because he doesn't have to be afraid of her running out on him anymore. Does that make sense?
Kensi put her phone down and looked at her fiancé. "Maybe we should go check on him."
Deeks looked up from scratching Monty behind his ears. "Are you that worried about him?"
She shrugged. "The tension was palpable when I left. And you know how not good he is with his emotions and telling her about the job is so important to him. I just want to make sure they're okay."
Knowing that Kensi was not usually this openly concerned, he got up and nodded. "Of course. Can we take Monty?"
"Worst case scenario is that one of us stays out on the terrace."
"Works for me." Taking Monty's leash, he followed Kensi out.
There was another girl standing behind the bar when Kensi entered Indulge. "Hi, are Ca… Grisha and Deja around?" His name needed some getting used to.
Keira shook her head and put her dishtowel down. "Deja took him back home. She's not here on a Saturday anyway."
"Thanks." One last look around and Kensi joined Deeks and Monty outside again. "They've gone back to his house. Let's make a pit stop there, then?"
Deeks nodded and followed her along. A while later, they were knocking on the door. Deeks let his gaze wonder over the front yard. "Is it me, or does it look cleaned up and trimmed out here?"
Kensi followed his gaze. "It does. It's a whole lot less of a jungle." When she heard the door, she turned back to the sound.
For a moment, the brunette seemed surprised and slightly guarded, until she seemed to recognize one of them. "Kensi, right?"
"Hi." Kensi had obviously not expected Deja to be the one opening the door. "I'm sorry to show up unannounced. Callen around as well?"
Deja stepped back to let them in. "Of course. Come on in." She smiled down at Monty. "Your dog?"
"This is Monty. He's usually over enthusiastic, so don't mind him." As she was talking, Kensi's eyes roamed the living room. Apparently, he'd made some changes. There was actually place to sit, now. "And this is my fiancé Marty Deeks. He's on the team, too."
Dee shook his hand. "Nice to meet you. It's nice to have faces by names, finally."
"Likewise," Deeks said. "I've heard a lot about you, but you know Callen… Awfully private and all."
"Make yourselves at home; he's upstairs, I'll go see if he's up yet."
That set an alarm off by the both of them. "You don't have to wake him on our behalf, if he's still resting," Kensi hurried to say. "We just wanted to make sure he was all right."
"Don't worry about it. Almost dinner time anyway, so he's going to have to wake up sooner or later." She paused for single moment. "Wanted to make sure I'd still be here, huh?"
Kensi didn't have time to respond as she disappeared up the stairs to the second floor. She turned to Deeks. "Something I said?"
"Nope. I think she's as sharp as a razor. She's got good people skills." Deeks looked around. "She's more gorgeous than he's let on."
"She is."
"More observant probably too."
"Probably."
"Great cook."
"Wouldn't know. Doesn't take much to be better than the two of us."
"There's actually place to sit here. Things." He studied the books on the shelves. "Cookbooks, novels, those grammar books Callen uses... Different languages as well."
They heard rummaging upstairs, and Deja came back down. "Give him a few moments to clean up," she winked. "I'm sorry about that comment. I'm actually excited that you're here. It's nice to know you two care enough to come and check on him."
Kensi had to admit she hadn't been completely wrong in her assumption that they were there to check that she still was, too. She hadn't expected to be called out on it, though. "We do. He's like my big brother. We really just wanted to see that he's all right."
"I'm fine." Grisha managed some sort of smile as he struggled with his sling. "Dee…"
"Yeah, I got it." Dee moved to his side, tugging at his sling to get it into place. "Painkillers worked out again?"
"Something like that."
She cupped his cheek and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "Why don't you guys sit down somewhere so you can catch up? Can I get you anything to drink?"
Marty eyed his friend. "Are you sure you're up for it? We don't have to stay, we just wanted…"
"Deeks, I'm fine. It's really good to see you. And I know for sure Dee would be slightly insulted if you don't stay."
Rolling her eyes, Dee nodded. "He's sort of right. Have you eaten yet?"
"No, but…"
Grisha laughed. "Oh, now you're totally staying. She will be insulted if you don't." He turned to Dee. "Out back? Iced tea?"
"Iced tea okay with you?" Dee was already two steps into the kitchen. "Out back will be perfect. Do I bring water for Monty as well?"
Taking a moment to process what was happening, Marty grinned. "Kens, we're being bullied into staying. Might as well make the most of it. Iced tea would be great and Monty would love some water."
They followed Grisha outside to the garden. Kensi blinked. "I'm sorry… Who are you and what have you done to my friend?"
Slowly dropping himself in a chair, Grisha shook his head at her. "I do evolve, you know. You haven't been around to see it all, but life's good. She's great. She's here."
Kensi took in the scenery out back. There had obviously been some landscaping done. New tiling, in the back a pergola with lounge chairs under it, pots and plants filled with herbs and vegetables, and even a grill. Although the garden wasn't huge, it all fit perfectly and looked inviting and cozy. "When did this happen? If I didn't know better, you're putting down roots and actually enjoying it."
"Maybe." He wasn't committing to anything yet. "Most of it is Dee, though. She insisted on an outdoor grill and planting herbs."
Dee, who was within earshot, chuckled. "He's saying that as if he didn't like that idea. You're the one who said we needed to do something with the yard. I only gave suggestions." She put a trade with iced tea and bruschetta on the table. "I'll be right back with Monty's water."
Marty silently watched as Grisha's eyes followed her retreating form. Judging by their body language, Kensi had worried about nothing. They were at ease with each other, their bodies inching towards each other when they were close. The way Grisha's eyes followed her everywhere.
She came back with a bowl, bottle of water and his pills. Silently, she dropped in the chair next to Grisha and handed him the pills, screwing the cap off the bottle. "I have to say, it's nice to finally meet some others on his team. I can't tell you how grateful I am that he has people watching over him."
Kensi's eyes traveled between them, still a bit unsure about this whole domestic side of Grisha she was witnessing. "Most of it is Sam, but we try to keep each other safe," she said.
"Still. It's great to have names with faces now. He's been telling me some of it, and I've met Hetty, but until now, you've been only names. Having faces always works better for remembering," she added, filling glasses.
That was a surprise. "You've met Hetty?"
"We had her over for dinner a while back. She seems lovely, if you stay on her good side. Don't think I want to find out what it's like on her bad side."
Marty laughed. "No, you don't. Tiny as she is, she can do more damage than an earthquake and hurricane combined when need be."
"I figured." Dee leaned back into her chair. "Guys, do try the bruschetta. It's a new recipe, and if I go back to work on Sunday, I need an unbiased opinion."
"My opinion not unbiased anymore?"
Affectionately, she patted his knee. "Hate to say it babe, but no, not entirely. You'll eat anything I put in front of you."
Giving up, Grisha shrugged. "Fine."
They talked about his injury and nothing in particular until Dee rose a few moments later. "I need to do the last few things for dinner, do stay here. I'll be done in a little while." Her eyes traveled to her boyfriend. "You still comfortable? You need anything?"
He shook his head. "You'll spoil me rotten with attention if you keep this up, babe."
Lifting one shoulder, she squeezed his hand. "Somebody has to. Be back in a little bit." With one last wink, she disappeared inside.
When she was out of earshot, Grisha turned to their guests. "Okay guys, spill. She knows you're sitting on eggshells here. She's a better people reader than I am, by far. What is it?"
Marty and Kensi exchanged looks. "Hetty approved of her?"
"Yeah."
"You've told her about the job?"
"Everything that isn't classified."
Marty blew his breath out. "Wow."
"Look, I know that first hurdle of telling her about the job was a big one, but once I had that out of the way, everything else came easier. Not easy, but easier."
Another look passed between them. "She seems really great."
"She is." He shifted in his seat. "Stay for dinner. Get to know her. Don't interrogate her, she's not a suspect, she's an ally. And for heaven's sake, be yourselves. I'm still the same guy you work with. That hasn't changed."
"Says the guy who didn't own furniture until a few months back," Kensi shot back. "Seriously? When did all this happen? You actually went furniture shopping? You have a furnished garden now, too? Your house is more 'done' than ours is."
"You want the grand tour?"
"There's a grand tour available?"
"Hey, as long as Dee is in the kitchen, there's time before dinner." He pushed himself up out of his chair and groaned. "Sometimes I think that getting shot didn't hurt as much as a broken shoulder does."
Marty told Monty to stay put, but the mutt, who was lying somewhere in the shade, didn't even think about moving. He was comfortable just where he was.
Grisha took them through the house: the living room where they'd come in, the kitchen with its lovely smells, the dining room where Dee was setting the table. Then upstairs, the bedroom with its sky blue painted walls, and the two undesignated rooms, which were for storage, as far as they needed it. And the whole time, he was talking about 'we' and 'us', with a happy and content expression on his face.
"Grisha?"
They were standing in the hall, when Dee called from downstairs. Immediately, his attention shifted from their guests to where she was. "What is it?"
"Dinner is ready when you are?"
"On our way."
Marty looked from Kensi to Grisha and back. "Hold on. You actually have a first name now?"
Slightly confused, Grisha started to nod, then grinned. "You haven't told him?"
Kensi shook her head. "I figured you needed to tell him yourself."
Holding out his hand to Marty, he smiled. Confused, Marty took it. "Grisha Callen. Great to meet you."
Before Marty had registered what he was doing, he'd wrapped his arms carefully around Grisha and hugged him. "He has a name! After all these years, he has a name!"
"Marty! Careful!" Kensi tried to let Marty go of his friend. "You're hurting him!"
Finally, the two men let go of each other. Dee, who'd come rushing up the stairs, leaned against the railing, arms crossed, concern in her eyes. "Everything okay?"
Grisha turned to her, a huge smile on his face. "Marty just found out what my first name is."
Her eyes narrowed at his words; then something clicked. "You haven't told your co-workers what your name is?"
"I didn't know until a few weeks before we met."
Her facial expression didn't tell their guests what she thought of those words, but Grisha could see it in her eyes. "There's a story there that you're going to tell me over dinner. Come on, everything is getting cold."
Dinner passed with ease conversation; about Dee, about how Kensi and Marty had met, about how Grisha had finally found out his name. After dinner treats consisted of homemade éclairs and Snicker doodles. If Dee hadn't won Kensi over with her personality yet, the treats would've made the difference.
The easy banter between Grisha and Dee wasn't lost on both agents, who were still silently observing. Dee was nothing but loving and affectionate towards him, and it made him be the same to her. By the end of the night, as they were walking to their car, both agents were put at ease that Dee was here to stay.
Marty wrapped his arm around Kensi's shoulder. "What do you think?"
"She's even more awesome than I thought she was going to be."
That, coming from Kensi, meant a lot. "Yeah, I'm guessing she's a keeper."
"I hope so. I've never seen him so comfortable with someone before. Not even with Joelle. He's so…" She struggled to find the word.
"Loved," Marty added. "He's loved and I think that for the first time in his life, he's letting himself be loved."
Opening the car door to let Monty in, Kensi thought about those words. "You're right. He's told her everything. He's even letting her have a say in what he's doing with the house, decoration wise. In all the time he was dating Joelle, I don't think Joelle even had seen the house. Deja is practically living there."
Marty agreed. "I don't think she's going to move out again, when he gets better." He chuckled. "If we don't hurry, he might be married before we are."
Kensi stuck her tongue out at him. "Nah, he won't go that fast. Let him share his house first, that is a big step as it is for him." She turned the key and started the engine.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"Sam still doesn't know any of it."
The words rang in her ears. Sam still doesn't know any of it. Silently, she squeezed Marty's hand, at a loss for words. Marty squeezed back, saying out loud what she was thinking. "Yeah, I'm honored, too, Kens."
