this was supposed to be updated last week, but with being sick for several days and working on finishing things for Homecoming at school I've been delayed. I'm sorry it's been so long! hopefully y'all like this chapter! i don't own NCIS:LA but i do own the feels it manages to give me on a regular basis!

Chapter 29

"Rachel?" Deeks asked in disbelief.

The dark haired woman smiled in a way that made Deeks question what he'd ever seen in her. She looked like she usually did when she made an attempt to win Deeks back: short shorts, tank top, and makeup and hair done to perfection. The former detective could tell that whoever the man was Rachel had been seeing was taking care of her, she looked healthier than usual when she came back into his life.

All the anger and repulsion he felt for this woman came bubbling at the surface as she stood there, smiling as if she'd never done anything wrong. Deeks couldn't remember the last time he'd given Rachel a second thought, and now here she was, in the flesh.

"Hello, Marty." Rachel cooed, tilting her head and batting her eyes at him.

Deeks rolled his, it was an automatic respond he'd developed when dealing with her. Her voice, which used to be sweet and inviting to him once upon a time, was now uppity and irritating as all get out. The shaggy man could feel his partner grow tense beside him, and rubbed his hand up and down her back, hoping to soothe her.

Deeks wouldn't put it passed Kensi to jump Rachel in a heartbeat. And, as amusing as it would be, he felt it would be unwise for that to occur in such a public area.

He glanced over at Leo, who was still watching the dancers avidly -completely oblivious to the confrontation.

"Rachel, wh-what in the hell are you doing here?" Deeks inquired.

Rachel flipped her hair over her should and moved closer to him. Deeks couldn't help but smile a bit when he felt Kensi also move closer to him, almost possessively.

"I was wrong, Marty. I was so, so wrong. I can't believe I thought I could make it without you and without Leo in my life, but I really, really can't. I want him back. I want back in my favorite boys' lives. I want us back!" Rachel said, her tone, posture, and facial expression all screaming her fake-ness.

"Yeah, that was genuine." Kensi snorted beside him.

Deeks couldn't stop a chuckle as Rachel's eyebrows arched to her hair line, and her eyes narrowed. "Um, excuse you, but this is kinda a private conversation." She said.

"Which explains why it's happening in a very public, very crowded place." Kensi blinked, unamused by this woman and her antics.

"Marty, can we go somewhere? So we can talk? About us?" Rachel batted her eyes and grabbed Deeks' hand, electing to ignore Kensi completely.

Deeks quickly drew back, escaping her claws. There was only one woman he wanted to touch him now, and it sure as hell wasn't her. "Whoa, whoa, Rachel if you think that you can just waltz back here, and try to take back a life that is long gone, you've seriously lost your mind." He said, his tone firm and almost cold.

Rachel looked taken aback. "I...Marty I screwed up. Haven't you ever screwed up before? I know you've still got that big heart and surely you can forgive me." She sniffled dramatically.

"Forgive you? Eh, maybe in the sense of letting all the shit you've put me through go. But as far as letting you back into our lives? There's no way that is gonna happen." Deeks told her.

As Rachel stood there, trying to come up with something else to say, Deeks took the opportunity to continue. "You need to go, Rachel. Leo is happy. Happier than I ever remember him being. He's finally away from your stupid shit and all you're gonna do is get him all tangled up again!"

"Marty I get the feeling you're trying to get rid of me." The woman pouted.

Kensi rolled her eyes. "That exactly what he's trying to do, if you'd actually listen to what he's telling you."

"Listen, bitch! You can keep your ugly ass-" Rachel started, but was quickly interrupted.

"Hey! You will not talk to her like that." Deeks snapped, stepping into Kensi's path before she lunged at the woman.

"She doesn't get to talk to me like that! She doesn't know me!" Rachel yelled.

"I may not know you, and trust me I don't want to, but I do know Leo. I saw how upset he got whenever he thought of you. I wiped the tears off his face when he'd ask where you were, and why you didn't stay with him. You abandoned him. You do not get to play victim." Kensi said coolly.

Suddenly, two little feet scampered over and into the middle of the confrontation. "Daddy! Did you see dat cwown do dat dance?" Leo giggled, oblivious to the tension around him. "And Mommy-" The boy stopped short when he saw Rachel standing there.

Rachel smirked proudly. "See! He's happy to see me!"

"Yeah, he's not actually referring to you." Kensi narrowed her eyes, tugging Leo closer to her.

Deeks watched as Kensi held Leo protectively against her, and the sight tugged at his heart; the woman he loved protecting his son like a momma bear would a little bear was something that made him love her even more than he did before.

And he didn't think that was even possible.

Leo looked confused, and almost nervous as he hid behind Kensi's leg. "Noo," He sniffled. "I not wanna go away." Leo said sadly, his little voice breaking Deeks' heart.

It was the same thing he said every time Rachel had taken Leo away; the same thing whenever Rachel told Deeks it was time for him to go.

But now the roles were reversed and Deeks sure as hell wasn't going to let this woman keep him and his son away ever again.

"No, buddy, you aren't goin' anywhere. I promise, little man." Deeks told the boy softly, reaching over and smoothing his hair down.

"Come here Leo! Momma wants to hold you!" Rachel said in an annoyingly fake peppy voice.

Leo mad a disapproving sound and buried his face in Kensi's leg, clutching her.

Rachel's green eyes flashed with anger as she switched her weight to her other hip. "Rachel you need to go now." Deeks told her.

"No! I'm not going anywhere until I have you and Leo back!" Rachel exclaimed.

"Noo! I wanna stay here with Daddy and Mommy!" Leo whimpered, little tears pooling in his eyes.

"Then come with me, Leo and we'll be together!" Rachel beamed.

"No! Not you, my Kens!" The boy said frustratedly.

Deeks quickly scooped Leo up into his arms and cradled him close. "You are staying right here with me and Kensi, buddy. I promise." He whispered softly. "Rachel. Stay away." He snapped at her, reaching for Kensi's hand and walking away.

Kensi tugged her hand back, standing in place; her partner quickly turned to see the heated glare she was throwing at Rachel.

"Kens..." Deeks said softly.

She stepped towards the woman and lowered her voice so only Rachel could hear. "You're not gonna get them back. You've already screwed that up beyond belief. So don't even try." Kensi said slowly, menacingly.

Rachel froze for a moment, before she shook it off in attempt to put a brave face on. "What are you gonna do, birch? How do you expect to keep them from me? They're my family. You're just warming Marty's bed, I'd bet. I don't see a ring on that finger. And I bet you're still at his apartment; it's not like you've gotten a place together. Right?" She inquired.

Kensi narrowed her eyes, but could offer up no rebuttal, making Rachel smirk. "See? You can't even deny it. You've got no real ties to them; unlike me. What you've gotten yourself to believe is that they're always gonna keep you around. What happens when you try to act like Leo's mother and he decides he doesn't like you anymore? What happens if Marty meets someone better suited for them? Or he decides you're no longer worth the effort. He's mentioned you to me before, and he always said that you were difficult." Rachel sneered.

Kensi froze and, despite her best efforts, the words began to swim around in her head. When had Deeks talked about her? Leo liked her enough, right? He wasn't going to just…not like her anymore. But then again, Leo didn't really like his biological mother anymore. And Deeks loved her, right?

Rachel looked extremely smug; she could tell Kensi was pondering what she'd said. "You don't know me. And you don't know anything about my relationship with Deeks. So I will say this again: you won't get them back, so don't bother." Kensi snapped, then turned on her heel and followed Deeks to the car.

Deeks could see the tension radiating off her in waves; steam was practically rolling out of her ears. "Kensi, are you alright?" He asked finally as they approached the car.

"I'm fine." She replied curtly.

Deeks arched an eyebrow. "Okay, yeah, I totally believe that. Hang on a second." He told her, opening the backseat door and quickly buckling Leo in.

"Daddy?" Leo asked softly.

Deeks looked at the little boy before he shut the door and offered a small smile. "Yeah, little man?"

"Is my Kens otay?" He whispered.

Deeks reached over and rubbed his thumb over the little boy's tear stained cheek. "Yeah, she's just a bit upset right now. Don't worry, I'll make it better." He told him softly, kissing the top of his head and shutting the door.

Kensi was waiting to get in the car with her arms crossed as Deeks looked her over. "Gimme the keys." She demanded. "I wanna drive."

"Yeah, no. That's not gonna happen." Deeks replied, leaning against the car.

Kensi rolled her eyes. "Whatever then, Deeks..." she sighed, moving to get in the car.

Deeks moved in front of her, a soft, concerned look on his face. "Kensalina come on, talk to me. What happened back there? What did she say to you?" He inquired.

"Just a bunch of crap, and I don't want to talk about it." The woman insisted.

The shaggy man sighed and tugged her towards him, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. "Please don't shut me out, Kensi. We both know that will only make things worse. Leo and I are worried about you." He told her softly.

"I'll be fine once we get to your apartment...I just...need to cool off, I think." Kensi told him, and the tone of her voice told Deeks that despite his efforts, she'd already shut down.

The way she'd said your apartment rang in his ears; normally she didn't refer to it as just his. It unsettled him, this slight change.

But as he searched her face and her eyes that now refused to meet his, Deeks knew pushing her to talk about anything right now would only end badly. So he released her and made his way to the driver's seat.

Leo fell asleep slowly that night, and it took Deeks three stories and holding the boy in his arms for almost two hours before those baby blue eyes finally started to drift shut.

"Daddy?" Leo mumbled sleepily.
"Yea, buddy?" Deeks inquired softly, patient as ever.

"Can my Kens still be my mommy? I lub her." Leo admitted.

Hugging his son closer, Deeks smiled. "I love her too, Leo. And don't worry, I won't let her get away from us. You know she loves us too, right?"

"Dats good, Daddy." The boy replied before his head started lolling over, and he fell asleep with a small smile on his face.

Deeks carefully extracted himself from the bed and placed a gentle kiss on the boy's head. "I won't let her get away." He whispered again, more to himself than to Leo.

Deeks let out a breath and quietly left the room, going to search for the woman herself. He checked the living room and the kitchen before realizing Kensi probably went to go curl up in the bed with her cute pouty-angry face.

"Kensi, you still awake?" Deeks called as he entered the bedroom, but he was met with silence. "Fern? Baby?" He called as he checked the bathroom. When Deeks saw she wasn't there, he started panic.

"No, Kensi..don't do this to me." Deeks said softly to himself, heading to the door.

The former detective opened the door and walked over to the railing, looking out at the well-lit parking lot. Next to his car was an empty spot-right where Kensi's car should've been.

Just warming Marty's bed.

You've got no real ties to them; unlike me.

Kensi wasn't sure why she was letting that bitch's words bother her so much; she shouldn't let someone like that get to her, she knew that. But the words Rachel has said struck something raw and vulnerable inside herself. That fear that she wouldn't be enough, that everyone would leave her.

Her mom had left her as a kid.

Jack had left her.

Who's to say Deeks wouldn't follow suit?

As she made another turn onto another random street, tears came to her eyes; she didn't want those words to be true; Kensi loved her life with Deeks and Leo, and she wanted it more than anything.

That was what scared her the most.

Deeks was sitting on the couch, nervously, running his fingers through his hair, his leg jumping anxiously. He wasn't sure what time Kensi had left, so he had no way to judge when she would be back. Deeks had tried calling her a few times, but she didn't answer.

It was getting late now, and Deeks' heart had taken permanent residence in his stomach. He had no idea what Rachel had said to Kensi, but knew whatever it was had to have been bad.

Of course Rachel would show up and try to ruin his life now that he had everything he'd ever wanted.

Suddenly, the door was being unlocked and Deeks' head shot up; relief flowing through his body as he watched Kensi walk in and lock the door behind her.

She looked a bit startled that Deeks was sitting there waiting for her. "Hey…" Kensi said hesitantly, throwing her keys on the coffee table and switching on her feet.

"Hey…" Deeks replied.

Everything in him wanted to just sweep her into his arms and beg her to never leave like that again. But Deeks didn't want her to freak out on him and run again; irritation at how deeply he was at her mercy in this situation. He didn't even know what had her so upset. Deeks felt like he was dealing with a wild animal, trying to get close but having to go so slowly to keep it calm.

When Kensi didn't make a move to offer any sort of explanation whatsoever, Deeks spoke again. "Are you…are you okay now?" He inquired

"I'm f-"

"Please don't say fine. You know I know what that means." Deeks told her, letting out a large breath.

A small smile appeared on her face, and Deeks couldn't help but smile slightly back; her smile was infectious and he couldn't help it, despite his slight exasperation.

"I went for a drive. I needed to think." Kensi told him.
"What about?" Deeks inquired immediately.

"Rachel said some things that hit a nerve in me…. I know that It's stupid, but I can't help how much it go to me." She sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"Kensalina, I'm sure whatever it was Rachel said was just complete bullshit intended to get a rise out of you."

"It worked." Kensi said, frustrated.

"Please tell me what happened." Deeks pleaded, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Kensi sighed, angrily, before she looked away. "She pointed out the fact that I, unlike her, have no actual ties to you and Leo; that I was just warming your bed until you decided you didn't want me anymore." She admitted; the weight of the words and how much they'd truly bothered Kensi clear on her face.

Deeks' jaw dropped, shocked; not as much about what Rachel had said, but that Kensi was so bothered by it.

He stepped closer to her, reaching for her, but she slipped from Deeks' grasp. "You've no actual ties to us?" The man whispered in disbelief. "Is that what you actually think Kensi?" He asked.

Kensi said nothing, just stood there looking like she might cry or hit him.
Or both.

"How about how Leo wants you to be his mother? Not Rachel. You. What about how much I need you here?" Deeks asked.

"But it's nothing to really stand on! I could upset Leo one day and he could decide that he doesn't want me in his life. Then where would I stand with you, Deeks? You could-" Kensi argued, but was interrupted.

"No." He said firmly.
"No what?" Kensi asked, startled slightly.

"No. Do not say something about how I might not need you anymore, Kensi. Don't go there." Deeks told her tightly.

"But Deeks it's possible! And I don't know what I'd do if that happens!" Kensi exclaimed, turning away.

Deeks shook his head and moved towards her, wrapping his arms around her. He smiled as he felt her melt into his embrace without thinking about it; it was her natural reaction to his touch.

"Kensi Blye, you stubborn, hard-headed woman. I will always need you I have always needed you. Leo needs you, and that's not going to chance. You want a tie to us? Leo's love for you. Need something more? How about my love for you? Because that is stronger than anything I know."

Deeks buried his face in her hair and tightened his arms around her; almost as if to squeeze his words into her so she's see once and for all how he felt. Deeks loved this woman more than almost anything; second only to his love for Leo. He needed her to understand that.

"You scared the absolute hell out of me when I realized you weren't here. I didn't know where you'd gone; you just weren't there when I looked for you." He confessed into her hair.

"I'm sorry, I just… Deeks I want this, so bad. You, me and Leo. I can't lose this, I can't go back to being a one woman team." Kensi told him.

"You haven't been since you met me, Fern." Deeks smiled against her hair line, pulling a small laugh out of her.

"I'm just scared; Rachel is his mother." Kensi replied.

"And you are his mommy. You are the one he wants, the one that kisses his boo-boos and cuddles him when he's afraid; you're the one he pouts for when you're not here. Before today, I can't remember the last time Leo's even mentioned her." Deeks told her confidently.

"Which by the way, same goes for me. Rachel has not crossed my mind in I don't know how long. You are the one I want with us, Kensi. Any idea that crazy woman has about getting me and Leo back is absolutely not going to happen. I love you." He added.

"Thank you, Deeks. I love you too." She whispered softly.

Deeks grinned; he'd never get tired of hearing her say those words. "I can feel you grinning." Kensi said knowingly.

"I can't help it, Blye; you just have that effect on me."

They stood silently for a moment before Deeks smirked. "And hey, if you need more proof Leo and I don't want you to go, we can always run off and get married tomorrow. Then you'd be absolutely stuck with us."

Kensi froze for a minute, before relaxing and laughing. "You don't wanna marry me." She told him.

"You sure about that?" Deeks replied in a husky tone.
"I…" She trailed off, unsure of what to say.

"Don't worry. I wasn't serious about going tomorrow. And please, give me a little credit. I'm more romantic than just throwing out a proposal." Deeks smirked.

"You just think you're so smooth, don't you?" Kensi teased, melting against his body again.

Deeks chuckled, releasing her from his embrace and tugged her towards their bedroom. "Mhmm, considering you've been in my bed –in my arms- for weeks, I think I'm smooth enough." He said, throwing a wink at her.

"Oh please." She rolled her eyes, but was unable to keep the grin off her face.

"See? Already pleading for me." He said cheekily.

Kensi laughed. "Whatever, you know it's always you pleading for me."

"Oh yeah?" Deeks asked before picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder.

Kensi laughed again and Deeks playfully slapped her ass. "Shh, woman. We've got a little one sleeping!" He teased.

"You're the one that can't keep quiet!" She replied as he shut the door.

Deeks carefully tossed her on the bed, making giggles erupt from her. "Just keep quiet, my love." He said softly, grinning from ear to ear as he crawled onto the bed after hre.

Kensi's eyes softened at the way he was looking at her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Kiss me." She whispered.

Deeks eyes sparkled even in the mostly dark room. "Mm, as you wish." He whispered back before dropping his lips to meet hers.

For once Kensi awoke before Deeks did. She was turned on her side with him spooning her –his arm wrapped around her waist. Kensi rubbed a hand over her face and smiled softly.

Her left hand laying on the bed caught her eye, and she stared hard at her ring finger. Before she could stop herself, Kensi started to wonder what it'd be like if Deeks' ring really was on her finger.

And, to her surprise, Kensi didn't panic at the thought. The thought of being engaged –of being married- to Deeks didn't stress her out, or really even worry her. If anything, it excited her.

"You're thinking too hard." Deeks' sleepy voice broke through the silence as he buried his nose into her hair, holding her tighter to him.

Kensi smiled and rubbed her hand up and down the arm wrapped around her. "Well, some of us like to use our brains." She teased him.

Deeks chuckled softly and tugged at her, making her turn to face him. "Well I prefer other activities whilst lying in bed." He smirked, kissing her softly.

As they pulled away, Deeks studied her. "So what's on your mind so early, baby?" He inquired.

Kensi paused for a moment, before deciding to share her revelation. "I think my inger seems a bit…bare." She told him, wiggling her left hand at him.

Deeks' eyes widened and Kensi had to stifle a laugh. Then, a slow grin grew on his face as he propped himself up on his elbow. "Really? Hmm…we'll have to do something to fix that soon." He told her, his shining as he looked at her.

Kensi felt her face heat up at the look on his face; this thing they had was intense, and she didn't mind it a bit.

Sometimes she just needed reassurance.

Suddenly, the apartment filled with Monty's bark and Leo's laughter as they made their way around; then a little fist was banging on the closed door. "Mommy! Daddy! Montee and me is hungwee!" Leo yelled through the door.

The partners laughed as they heard the boy attempting to operate the door knob that was just barely in his height's reach.

"Our cuddle time has been cut short, Fern." Deeks smiled at her.
"That's okay. We'll make up for it another time." Kensi grinned at him, getting off the bed and moving to slip on a pair of sweatpants.

"And here I was enjoying that view." Deeks teased.
"What is it with you and seeing me in just one of your shirts?" Kensi inquired, smiling.

Deeks chuckled and slipped a pair of his own sweats over his boxers. "It's an attractive view. Which, you always are." He smiled at her.

Kensi shook her head, blushing, and shoved at him. "Go feed your kid." She told him.
"I believe he called for both of his parents." Deeks grinned back at her.

Kensi smiled.

hope you liked it! :]

xox