Hey guys! Wow, I was looking and there are so many wonderful reviews for this fic! Great big thank you to all of you guys for sticking with this and are excited for what's coming up! I'm really glad y'all liked the last chapter and I hope you guys like this one too!
Omg, can I just mention the episode tonight? It was SO sweet at the end! you can't not love them XD
Too bad I don't own...
Chapter 14
After Deeks had left, Leo cried for a while longer, until he'd tired himself out. Kensi had placed the little boy on the couch near the bullpen with a blanket and his lion to cuddle with, so he could rest peacefully.
Kensi's heart was absolutely aching, both for the little Deeks and the big Deeks. She sat at her desk, thinking about both of them and both of their reactions to this situation; especially her partner's. He'd been so upset about having to leave his son behind.
But Kensi thought there was something more to it. Something else about the case had upset Deeks, and he wasn't sharing it. Kensi knew Deeks had to have read through that file before he left. Something about it had added to the misery of having to leave Leo –and Kensi as well- and made the already bad situation, worse.
And she wanted to know what it was.
"Where you goin, Kens?" Sam asked as she got up from her desk quickly.
"I'll be right back." Kensi replied, walking out of the bullpen.
She quickly made her way up the stairs and into OPS, taking a breath to steady her emotions; Kensi was still a bit shaken up at having to say bye to Deeks and holding him while he cried. Not to mention holding Leo as he sobbed in her arms.
Nell and Eric were chatting quietly when she walked over to them at the center console, drawing their attention.
"Oh, hey Kensi." Eric smiled.
"What's up?" Nell inquired.
"I need you guys to do something for me." Kensi said, rubbing her hands together.
Nell straightened her posture and Eric grabbed his tablet, both preparing for whatever task their friend would throw at them.
"Of course, what can we do?" Eric asked.
"Yea, just name it, Kens." Nell added.
"I need you two to look up the LAPD case Deeks is on for me; I want you guys to find out anything you can about this case. Anything." Kensi explained.
The two techies glanced at each other. "Umm... yea, sure. Is there anything in particular you're looking for?" Eric asked.
Kensi sighed. "I'm not sure... I don't know what it is but I'm worried about this case he's on... maybe I'm just paranoid." She replied, scratching the back of her neck.
Nell shook her head and placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "Kensi, he's your partner. You're worried about him, and that's perfectly normal."
Kensi paused. Partners? Was that it? Yes, she acknowledged that's what she and Deeks were. But lately it felt like they were so much more.
And surprisingly to Kensi, that thought didn't scare her. What scared her was the thought of them staying just partners.
Nell watched the older woman carefully, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Kensi suddenly felt awkward and started shifting on her feet, feeling like the tiny woman could see right through her and read her mind.
"We'll dig up everything we can, and we'll let you know as soon as possible." Nell promised, smiling.
Kensi smiled back. "Thank you guys." She replied, and turned and walked away.
As soon as she walked out of OPS, Nell started hopping up and down, beaming.
"What's up with you?" Eric asked, smiling and laughing lightly.
"Kensi's worried about Deeks!" Nell said, as if it were obvious.
"Uh... well yea, but we all are." Eric replied, confused.
"No, but I mean she's worried; extra worried! Eric don't you see? She's finally coming around!" The tiny red head exclaimed.
"Coming around where?" He asked.
Nell groaned with annoyance. "My gosh, Eric, catch up!" She said, then turned to her computer, starting her search for anything to do with Deeks' case.
Leo woke up around lunch time, and walked into the bullpen; rubbing his eyes sleepily in one hand, while the other clutched his trusty lion as he made his way over to Kensi's desk.
"Daddy back yet?" He mumbled.
Kensi smiled sadly. "No, sweetie... I'm sorry, but Daddy won't be back for several days..."
"Boo..." Leo whimpered, raising his arms up to the woman.
Kensi smiled slightly and picked him up, holding him close to her. Sam and Callen watched her comfort the little boy for a few minutes, and exchanged smiles.
When Sam chuckled lightly, he drew Kensi's attention. "What?" She asked, a soft smile now gracing her face.
"Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it." Sam shook his head.
The woman quirked an eyebrow at him, but didn't push it any further. Callen smirked and Sam and the two shook their heads knowingly.
"Can we hab lunch now, Kens?" Leo asked, his voice muffled against Kensi's neck.
"Of course we can! I'll tell you what, how about you and I go eat something, and then we'll bring back lunch for the rest of the team?" Kensi suggested.
"Can I hab chicky nuggets?" Leo asked sweetly.
"Sure you can." She replied with a smile.
"Yay!" Leo smiled, the first one since Deeks had left.
"Callen, Sam, we'll be back later." She told them.
"Bring us some food." Callen chuckled.
"Otay!" Leo called to the man as Kensi carried him out to her car.
Kensi had gotten the car seat out of her partner's car before he'd left, but as Leo climbed in and looked at her to buckle him in, she realized she had no clue how to work it; it wasn't like she'd ever needed one before.
"Uh..." Kensi trailed off, biting her lip as she attempted to figure out which buckle went where.
Leo giggled and swatted her hands away gently. "I do it, I do it." He told her.
Kensi laughed lightly but stopped immediately when she saw the little boy actually could do it; his tiny hands quickly snapped the buckles into place and he looked at her with a big grin on his face.
"I did it, Kens! I did it!" He exclaimed.
"Good job, Leo!" Kensi smiled, high fiving the boy.
"Tank you!" He giggled.
She crawled out of the backseat and shut the door, then slid into the driver's seat and started up the engine.
"Ok, bud, so where do you want these chicken nuggets from?" Kensi asked, pulling out of the mission and onto the road.
"Umm... can we go to Mac-nonalds pwease?" Leo asked politely, kicking his feet lightly and watching cars go by outside his window.
"Sure sweetie, we can go to McDonalds if you want." Kensi replied, correcting him softly.
Kensi was actually amazed at how well behaved the little boy was; she didn't mean any offense to Deeks, but he seemed like he'd be the more laid back type of parent. But he must be a really great dad, Kensi mused.
From what she'd seen he really was.
It made Kensi wonder what it was like before Deeks got custody; he said he didn't get to see Leo very much, and she wondered what it was like for Leo living with his mother.
"So, Leo do you like living here in LA?" Kensi asked.
"Oh yea! I lub libbin' wiff Daddy!" Leo replied excitedly.
"That's good, and I know Daddy loves you living with him too." She smiled.
"Mommy no wike libbin' wiff me. She say I loud and cwazy." Leo told her, very nonchalantly.
Kensi's face dropped and her hatred for this woman doubled. "Leo, you know you're not loud or crazy, right? You are so well behaved and I love being around you." She told him.
"Daddy sayed the same ting! Tank you, Kens." Leo smiled.
Kensi smiled when she thought of Deeks saying the same thing; sometimes they were more in sync than they realized. It made her heart flutter a bit, and ache at the same time because he wasn't there.
Pulling into McDonalds, Leo's face lit up as soon as he saw the huge indoor playground this particular restaurant had.
"Oh my gowsh! Kens, can I pway on dat? Pwease?" Leo begged as she pressed the easy release button on the car seat.
Kensi thought for a moment. "How about, you can play after you eat your food?" She suggested.
Leo's face contorted as he thought it over, sliding out of the backseat. "Can I pway before?" He asked.
She paused and shifted on her feet. "I really think you should wait so that way your food doesn't get cold. And I don't want you to play while I get the food because I can't watch you." Kensi told him calmly.
"Oh, otay." Leo nodded.
"Hold my hand." Kensi instructed, and the little boy immediately grabbed her hand as they crossed the parking lot and entered the fast food restaurant. They waited in line and when they got to the register she lifted him up onto her hip.
"Ok, Leo, what would you like?" She asked.
"Can I has da Happy Meal wiff chicky nuggets? And fwies!" Leo told her.
Kensi smiled and the girl behind the counter smiled too. "Oh my gosh he is SO CUTE!" The girl squealed.
"Thanks." Kensi replied, before giving the girl her order as well.
Leo was very good for Kensi, he sat at the table and ate his food happily. Kensi laughed as he made silly faces at her, and he laughed when she made them back. It was very natural between the two.
"Can I go pway now Kens?" Leo asked sweetly, pushing his empty box of nuggets away from him, and grabbing his Sprite cup.
"Sure, have fun. We'll have to leave in a little bit but you've got plenty of time to play first." Kensi smiled.
"Yay!" Leo exclaimed, and ran towards the playground, slipping his sandals off and running around with the other kids.
Kensi enjoyed watching Leo play; he was giggling and smiling and having a lot of fun. It tugged at her heart, and she swore she got just a little more attached every time he called her 'Kens'.
"Watch me Kens!" Leo called, climbing up towards the biggest slide.
"Be careful!" She called back, watching as he slid down on his belly.
Really Kensi? She could almost hear Deeks say. You get shot at on a daily basis, not to mention all the explosions you're around, and you're telling him to be careful on a slide?
Kensi could practically see the grin he'd be throwing at her as well, and more than anything Kensi just wanted him here. He's supposed to be here when Leo's being adorable.
She checked her phone, and sent a quick text to Nell.
Did you guys find anything yet? Kensi inquired.
A few moments later her phone buzzed with a responding message from Nell.
Not yet. The LAPD is very reluctant to give us any information, so we'll just have to get the info w/out permission :)
Kensi chuckled. Thank you! Keep me posted.
Of course!
She sighed and slipped her phone back inside her pocket, and looked up just in time to see Leo get shoved to the ground by a bigger boy –probably at least four years older than Leo.
Oh hell no. Kensi thought.
Anger flared inside her and she stormed over there. "Excuse you, that is not acceptable. You do not just push people around, especially kids that are younger than you, do you hear me?" Kensi snapped, pulling a tearful Leo into her arms.
The boy who'd shoved Leo on his way to go up to the slide again, was a chunky kid that looked like he loved trouble.
But getting in trouble with Kensi Blye was enough to throw off anybody, the boy's eyes grew wide as he took a step back from her.
"He was in my way!" The boy retorted.
"I don't care. You do not push people, especially not my Leo." Kensi growled.
"I do whatever I want! I'll push him again if I wanna!" The boy shouted.
"Yea? Well I'm a cop, and I can take you to jail for that." Kensi snapped, pulling out her badge.
The boy gasped and Leo's eyes grew big. "Ooh, you go to jail." Leo told the bigger boy.
"MOMMA!" The boy yelled.
Suddenly, a blonde bimbo strutted over and glared at Kensi. "Is there a reason you're snappin' at my son?" She asked, looking her up and down disgustedly.
Kensi arched an eyebrow. "Actually yes. I was telling him that pushing people was not ok. Apparently something you've yet to teach him, seeing as how he just pushed my poor Leo here for no reason."
"He was in the way, Momma!" The boy whined.
"Well your kid was in the way." The blonde shrugged, placing her hands on her hips.
"Listen, Barbie, your kid better leave mine alone or we're gonna have some big problems." Kensi growled.
Apparently the blonde wasn't too dumb to understand a threat by someone who could –and would- kick her ass. "C'mon Teddy, let's go." The woman said quickly, grabbing her son's hand and stormed out.
Kensi rolled her eyes before dropping to her knees and pulling Leo into her arms. "Are you ok, baby boy?" She asked.
"Yea..." Leo frowned, hugging her.
"I'm sorry. Some people are mean." Kensi whispered.
"You make the mean people go away! Like a super hewo." Leo smiled.
Kensi nodded. "So do you wanna play some more, or do you wanna head back to work now?" She asked.
"I wanna go down slide one more time." Leo told her.
"Alright. How about I wait right at the end for you, and I'll take a picture to show Daddy when he gets back." Kensi smiled.
"Oh yea!" Leo said excitedly, turning and quickly climbing back up to the slide.
Kensi moved towards the end of the slide and got her phone camera ready. She could hear his adorable giggles as he made his way down the slide and quickly snapped several pictures of him when he slid down to the end.
"Awesome! Was that fun?" She asked as Leo ran over to her.
"Oh yea!" Leo nodded.
"I'm glad." Kensi replied, brushing some of his blonde curls away from his face. "Let's roll then." She told him.
"Otay!" Leo agreed.
"Well I guess the bad guys took a day off today." Callen chuckled as the team packed up their things to get ready to go home for the day.
"Except the ones Deeks has to take care off..." Kensi sighed, glancing back towards Hetty's desk where Leo was coloring a picture for her.
"He'll be ok, Kensi. Deeks is a good cop." Sam said seriously.
Kensi looked up at him, shocked. She didn't think she'd ever hear Sam compliment her partner like that. "Wait, I'm sorry... what was that?" Kensi asked, a smile twitching on her lips.
Sam rubbed a hand over his face. "He's a pain in the ass and he's irritating as hell. But Deeks is a good cop and he's good out in the field. I'm sure he can handle this LAPD case." Sam admitted.
"How'd those words taste?" Callen smirked.
His partner rolled his eyes. "Oh shut up..."
"Well, I'm sure Deeks would love to hear you say that." Kensi said teasingly.
"Oh please, he won't hear me say it." Sam chuckled.
Kensi and Callen laughed loudly at that, and Leo came running into the bullpen.
"Are you habin' fun wiffout me?" He pouted.
"Absolutely not." Kensi smiled.
"We can hab fun now! I here." Leo exclaimed.
The adults all chuckled at that. "We'll have to have fun another day, Leo. I've gotta head home, little guy." Sam smiled.
"Yea, so do I. But we'll see you tomorrow." Callen told the little boy.
"Oh. Otay..." Leo pouted.
"We'll see you tomorrow, Kensi. Bye Leo!" Sam called as the two senior agents started walking out.
"Wait!" Leo exclaimed, his little feat running after them.
The two turned and looked at the little boy, small smiles on both of their faces.
"What's up?" Callen asked.
"I had to tell you bye!" Leo said dramatically.
Leo stuck his little fist out towards Callen. "I habed fun wiff you Callen!" He smiled.
Callen smiled back at the little boy and fist bumped him. "Yea, me too."
"Buh-bye big guy!" Leo grinned, turning to Sam with his little fist.
Sam regarded the little boy for a moment, a soft look in his eyes. "See you later, little guy." He replied, first bumping him.
Leo waved at them as they turned and walked away.
"Leo, you ready to go?" Kensi called after him.
"No wait! NELLY!" The boy yelled, running up the stairs to OPS.
"Don't run on the stairs!" She called after him, chuckling lightly.
"So, what were you thinking about?" Callen asked as the two chuckled at Kensi.
"That Deeks has a really good kid; must be a good dad too." Sam replied.
Callen nodded and they two walked out of the mission for the day.
As Kensi was driving, she was debating about where she and Leo should stay.
"Hey, um... Leo, would you rather stay at my house or do you want us to stay at your house?" Kensi asked finally.
Leo titled his head and thought for a moment. "Does you hab toys?" He inquired.
"Um... well, no." She replied.
"I hab toys. And Montee." Leo replied very seriously.
Kensi chuckled. "Well, we could always take your toys to my house if you'd want; Monty too." She suggested.
"But what if... what if my daddy comes back? He would come to my home!" Leo gasped.
Kensi frowned sadly and gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. "Leo, sweetie... Daddy's gonna be gone for several days... maybe even a few weeks..." She explained.
Leo was quiet for a while. "Because he's a super hewo?" He asked softly.
"Because he's a superhero; he wants to make the world safe for you. Daddy will be back soon, I know it." Kensi replied.
Kensi didn't know when she'd started referring to Deeks as "Daddy" to Leo like she was a part of their little family. She didn't even think about it, it just came naturally.
Just like sticking up for Leo at McDonalds.
Just like how much she cared about Leo.
"Will he miss me?" Leo asked quietly, his lower lip jutting out.
Kensi looked at him in the rear view mirror, and her heart melted at the look on his little face. She knew Deeks was missing him a lot; there was no doubt in her mind of that.
"Of course he does, Leo. Daddy loves you so much and I know that he's missing you a lot." Kensi told the boy confidently.
"I miss Daddy..." Leo sniffled.
"I know sweetie..." Kensi sighed sadly, pulling up to Deeks' apartment building.
She turned the car off and unbuckled her seat belt, turning around to face him.
"He will be back as soon as he can. And until then, me you will have a lot of fun together; and with Callen and Sam, Nell and Eric, and Hetty wanna have fun with us and help us out too!" Kensi told him, trying to uplift his spirits.
"Why do all them wanna help?" Leo asked.
"Well, the team... we're all like one big family. And family helps family." Kensi explained softly, before getting out of the car and helping the little boy out of his car seat.
"Are dey my family too?" He asked, grabbing her hand as they walked upstairs to Deeks' apartment.
"Well, you see... Daddy and you... you guys are related, you're a family that way." Kensi started to explained.
"Bu- but you in our fam-wee too!" Leo objected.
Kensi froze in front of Deeks' door as his words bounced around in her head.
Leo counted her as part of his family.
Tears threatened her eyes as she turned and dropped to Leo's eye level; she tugged the boy into her arms and kissed his head, holding him tight.
"Thank you, sweetie. That was very sweet of you to say that." She said quietly.
"You welcome." Leo replied, even though he didn't fully understand how much his words had meant to the woman.
Kensi continued with her explanation in an attempt to stop the tears from spilling onto her face. "Um... so yea, but you see Callen, Sam, Eric, Nell, and Hetty are our friends; we have each other's backs and we trust each other, and we care a lot about each other. So that makes us a different kind of family. They care about you a lot too, Leo." She told him.
"I wike dem. And Nelly pwetty." Leo giggled.
Kensi chuckled; his crush on Nell was absolutely adorable. "Well I know for a fact they like you too."
Leo giggled again and Kensi stood up, fishing the key out of her pocket; Deeks had given it to her months ago, claiming it was "for emergencies".
But he'd said it with a wink so Kensi was pretty sure their definitions of emergencies were different.
Monty lifted his head up when the door opened and –seeing who was coming inside- immediately ran to them.
"Monteee!" Leo exclaimed, wrapping his arms around the dog.
Monty barked happily, and looked up at Kensi. He stepped towards her and nudged her legs with his nose, before looking at her and tilting his head; almost as if to ask "Where is my daddy?".
"Deeks is gone for a while, Monty. He's got an assignment for LAPD." Kensi said, not letting herself feel ridiculous for talking to the dog like a person.
Monty whimpered and walked with Leo to the couch, both of them laying down and getting comfortable. Kensi stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, looking around and shoving her hands in her pockets.
"Leo are you hungry?" Kensi asked.
"Yea!" Leo nodded, crawling off the couch and walking into the kitchen; Monty right on his heels.
He and the dog were practically inseparable.
Kensi opened the refrigerator and paused; she had absolutely no idea what to do for dinner. She bit her lip as she glanced over the contents of the inside, before shutting the door again.
She blew out a breath and looked around, before her eyes landed on a sheet of paper stuck to the refrigerator. Kensi immediately smiled as she noticed Deeks' handwriting, and read the first part of the note labeled FOOD.
Leo likes pizza rolls, there's a big box in the freezer; all you gotta do is microwave them. Think you can handle that Fern?
Kensi rolled her eyes but laughed lightly nonetheless.
He also likes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, with no crust. Chicken noodle soup (it has to be the kind with stars, no exceptions) is also a good choice. If you're feeling adventurous and risky, Leo's also a big fan of tacos and spaghetti.
Please don't burn down my kitchen, Princess! Be back soon, -D
She could feel the grin Deeks undoubtedly had on his face when he wrote that; he just had to jab at her cooking abilities.
Or more like the lack thereof.
Kensi realized that Deeks must've took the time after he'd left the mission to come here and give her notes with little tips on them. She had to admit, she was very grateful for it. This would help her a lot.
She glanced back up at the refrigerator to find that he'd also left a sort of schedule; when Deeks normally got Leo up, when Leo would eat, take a bath, and finally go to sleep. Tips on how to help Leo go to sleep if he was feeling rebellious. TV shows that Leo liked and were parentally approved. Kensi breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that she wouldn't have to figure that all out on her own.
She chuckled when she saw at the bottom of the schedule in big, bold letters SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
"Leo! Do you want pizza rolls, chicken noodle soup, or peanut butter and jelly?" Kensi called.
As Leo replied that he wanted pizza rolls, Kensi smiled. Maybe this won't be so hard after all, she thought.
After the day he'd had, Leo was very ready to go to bed. Kensi had no problem getting him a bath, and getting him into bed that night. As he crawled under the covers, cuddling his blanket and lion close, he smiled at Kensi.
"Eben dough I miss Daddy, I wike you taking care of me, Kens." Leo told her.
Kensi smiled at him and brushed the hair out of his face. "Well I'm glad. I wasn't sure how good I'd be at this." She admitted.
"You gweat!" Leo smiled, before yawning.
"Alright, time for you to go to sleep." Kensi smiled softly.
"Kens, where you gonna sweep?" The little boy asked.
She paused. "Um... I don't know, I guess I'll just sleep on the couch." She replied.
Leo shook his head. "No, you sweep in Daddy's room." He told her.
"I'm not sure if he'll like that..." Kensi laughed lightly.
"He will; he say you smell pwetty. And he shared his ice cweam wiff you." Leo replied.
Kensi grinned. "Oh well, when you put it that way, I can't say no, right?." She laughed.
"Wight." He nodded.
"Good night, Leo." She said, turning to walk to the door.
"Wait!" Leo exclaimed.
Kensi immediately turned. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"You not gib me good night snuggles!" Leo pouted.
She chuckled and walked back to him. "How could I forget?"
Leo raised his arms to her and Kensi bent down, hugging him tightly before kissing his cheek. "Better?" She asked.
Leo placed a tiny kiss on her cheek before laying back down, smiling. "Yup!" He replied.
"Good night. I'll be in Daddy's room if you need me." She told him.
"Night- night Kens." Leo replied, closing his eyes.
Kensi smiled and walked out, deciding to leave the door open in case he needed her or needed to get up in the night. She made her way down the hall and stood awkwardly in Deeks' room.
The first thing she noticed was the smell; it wasn't bad. Actually it was the opposite.
It smelled just like him.
Salt water and kind of musky.
Kensi smiled as she moved farther into the room, when she realized she'd forgotten pajamas. She had clothes for the next day, hairbrush and toothbrush, and all the necessities for getting ready in her go bag, but she didn't have pajamas.
Looking around, Kensi decided she could just borrow some of Deeks' clothes.
If he didn't like it, oh well.
The woman noticed a pair of gray sweatpants and a dark blue LAPD shirt folded on the bed; Kensi figured it must've been what he'd worn to bed the previous night.
Picking up the shirt, Kensi smelled it and her smile grew wider; the shirt really smelled like Deeks, and it calmed her nerves and comforted her.
Kensi quietly slipped on the clothes and crawled into bed; on the right side of course. Turning to adjust the alarm on the clock on the nightstand, Kensi gasped at what she saw.
Next to the clock on the nightstand was a picture of her and Deeks. There was also one with Leo, but the other picture captured her attention.
Kensi remembered when it was taken, the team was goofing off one night after a long case and Nell had demanded pictures of the team to put in her new frames. She's pulled out her camera and everyone took turns making silly faces and smiling, everyone laughing and looking relaxed.
What Kensi didn't remember was the picture itself being taken; her and Deeks were smiling and Deeks had an arm wrapped around Kensi's waist, attempting to draw her into him. Kensi had been caught off guard and went into his arms before she'd known what was happening.
The picture had perfectly captured Deeks holding Kensi in his arms, looking at each other and laughing lightly. Nell must've snapped the picture while they weren't paying attention.
Kensi smiled softly and made a note to have a copy made of that for herself; it was a really great picture, and her heart fluttered at the fact that Deeks had not only kept the copy out where he could see it, but he'd framed it, and put it on his nightstand with the picture of Leo.
It made her miss him more; Kensi just wanted to hug him in that moment. The picture and the fact that he had it there was so sweet and Kensi fell a little bit more for him in that moment.
She didn't think it was possible.
Kensi Blye wasn't sure when it happened, but somehow along the way she'd fallen for Marty Deeks.
And surprising, Kensi thought as she rolled over and snuggled into the covers, it didn't scare her.
And the only place it made her want to run was to him.
i'm so exhausted! haha but i refused to go to bed until i finished this! leave me some lovely reviews to wake up to? you guys are so awesome :] no flames please! I hope you guys like Kensi taking caring of Leo, and she's finally coming around with her feelings for Deeks! whoop whoop! haha, can you tell i'm tired?
i'll try to post more soon! ta-ta for now :]
xox