Leaving Town

Kensi drove and drove until it was late and the sun was beginning to set. Knowing she had to stop overnight, Kensi spotted a nice looking bed and breakfast at the side of the rode and stopped at it. The owner, a lovely lady called Maria, welcomed Kensi in and insisted on feeding her, saying she looked tired and hungry and she could bet Kensi hadn't eaten all day. Guiltily Kensi nodded the affirmative and Maria said "In your condition you really should eat dear."

"What do you mean?" Kensi said worriedly "How do you know?"

"I know when a lady is pregnant just looking at her and I am sure you are pregnant dear. Are you ok? You seem worried."

"I didn't want anyone to know. I got pregnant after a one night stand with a man I can't remember the name of and if people know they look at me differently like they are ashamed of me. You won't tell anyone will you?" Kensi said, not knowing why she was telling all this to a woman she barely knew but she felt friendly.

"Of course I won't my dear. You shouldn't be ashamed of yourself, people won't know unless you tell them so just tell them you are a single mother and don't tell them anything else. For all they know the father could have abandoned you but they won't know so they can't judge you. I am sure there are many other young women just like you who have had the same thing happen to them so you aren't alone. Do you have any family you are going to stay with?" Maria told Kensi, saddened that the young woman in front of her thought less of herself because she had made a mistake that had resulted in a beautiful gift.

"No, my father died when I was 15 and I haven't seen my mother for 15 years since she left my father for another man. I don't have any family or anywhere to go. I was hoping to find somewhere nice to settle down so I could give my child a better life. Do you know anywhere?"

"Oh you poor dear. Well my cousin, Alessandra, owns a bed and breakfast near San Francisco in a very nice neighbourhood. She could help you find a house and job there, there are good nurseries and schools around and it's near the beach. What do you think?"

"That sounds lovely thank you. Do you think she would mind?"

"Oh no, of course not. She would love to help you."

"If you could give me some names and directions then I will head there tomorrow."

"Ok, well you get a good night sleep and then I will make sure you are well fed tomorrow morning and give you the directions."

With a thank you, Kensi headed up to her room and settled down. From her bag she drew some pictures and stared at them. The first was of her late father in his uniform, smiling at the camera proudly. The second was of a younger Kensi on her father's shoulders smiling broadly and toothily at the camera. The next was a picture of her mother of whom Kensi looked very alike and the last was a picture of the team, taken when Dom was still alive. Kensi stared at the faces of her team, at Callen, Sam, the late Dom, Hetty, Nate, Eric and herself. They all looked so happy and carefree. She wondered whether they would look for her when they found out she had gone. She knew they wouldn't be able to trace her by her car or her credit cards as she had changed both but if they searched for her name it wouldn't be hard to find her. Setting the pictures down on her bedside table, she changed for bed, tucked herself in and fell asleep dreaming of the family she had lost and the ones she had left behind.

Meanwhile ...

Callen, Sam, Eric and Nate were sat at a table in their favourite bar waiting for Hetty to join them. Both Sam and Callen were thinking about their previous conversation with Kensi and they were worried about her.

"Hey guys", Callen began "Do you think Kensi is alright? I mean Sam and I went to see her earlier today and she turned down going out. She never passes up an opportunity to go out."

"I'm sure she just wasn't feeling well Mr Callen", came Hetty's voice from behind them. All four jumped and turned around to see their small leader staring at them.

"But Hetty", Sam said "She didn't even seem that ill but she had taken time off work and she didn't want to come out with us."

"Yeah, that doesn't sound like Kensi", Eric agreed.

"Appearances are deceptive Mr Hanna", Hetty replied as she sat down. Nate observed the whole conversation and could tell that something was wrong with Kensi and that Hetty knew what that something was but he hadn't figured out what that something was. He decided to press Hetty for details the next day and enjoy tonight as Hetty changed the conversation almost seamlessly leaving Sam and Callen unsure about what was going on. Deciding that they wouldn't get any more information out of Hetty at that moment, they tried to forget their worries and enjoy themselves but the niggling feeling of worry remained. Eric was just confused. It was clear to him that everyone was worried about Kensi, and he had to admit that it didn't sound like her, but he was still unsure why and why people kept giving each other odd looks.

"Computers are so much simpler", Eric thought as he shook his thoughts away and tried to enjoy an evening away from work.

All attempted to enjoy the evening and make it seem as normal as possible but without Kensi there it seemed strange and quiet and the boys hoped she would be back to normal soon. Hetty hoped Kensi was alright and would keep her promise to contact Hetty to let her know where she was and if she was alright. They all left earlier that evening and went home to bed to continue their thoughts.