Really Gone

Kensi woke up the next morning and rolled over in the unfamiliar bed to see her photos lying on the bedside table. As the memories of the past few days flooded back into her memory she just wanted to close her eyes again and go back to how it was weeks before but she couldn't. With a groan, she pulled herself out of bed and went to take a shower. Little over half an hour later she was making her way down towards the dining room of the house where she was greeted with by cheerful Maria.

"Good morning dear. How are you feeling this morning?"

"Much better thank you, especially now I have some plans of where I am going to go."

"Well I'm glad. Now sit down and eat this up. I know you will try and tell me you can't take it but you need to eat so I have made you some lunch to take with you." Seeing Kensi open her mouth to protest she said "Please take it with you. I just want to make sure you and baby are well."

"If you are sure then thank you very much. You have done so much for me, it is very kind of you."

"Don't mention it. As I said I just want to help. I rang Alessandra this morning and she said she would love to help and she will expect you this evening so she will have a room prepared for your arrival so you have somewhere to stay."

"Thank you so much. Your family has done so much for me."

"You're welcome my dear. Please keep in contact and I hope you find what you need."

In the OPS Bullpen ...

As all the agents began to arrive in the bullpen, Hetty watched over Callen's team as they sat around in their space at their desks discussing something. Seeing they were all together and deciding she couldn't put it off anymore, Hetty picked up Kensi's letter and approached them but she stopped before they saw her as she heard the end of their conversation.

"I'm telling you there is something wrong with Kensi", Callen stated adamantly.

"Yeah, she's ill but I'm sure she'll get better", Eric said innocently.

"No you don't understand", Sam joined in "This is Kensi. Even when she's so tired she can barely keep her eyes open or when she has a really bad cold she still doesn't take time off and she definitely doesn't pass up an opportunity to go out." Nate just watched but didn't say anything.

Interrupting the conversation Hetty stepped into view and said "I may be able to help you with that." When she had all of their attention she proceeded to tell them why Kensi wasn't in. "Miss Blye has resigned from NCIS. She left a letter on my desk last night saying she is sorry but she has to leave and not to look for her."

"What!?" Callen exploded. "She can't do this. We have to find her. We need her back here."

"But we can't Mr Callen. She is no longer and NCIS agent so we have no reason to track her down especially as she has left us a message and she has asked us not to look for her. Do you want to betray her trust?"

"Do you want us just to forget about her then? I can't do that Hetty. Why has she left?" said Callen. Sam and Eric were too stunned to speak and Nate was trying to analyse Kensi's behaviour to see why she had left but he hadn't seen her enough recently to notice anything wrong.

"I don't know Mr Callen. I am not asking you to forget her but we have to respect her wishes and carry on", Hetty replied. After delivering her final message, Hetty turned and returned to her desk.

The four men looked at each other shocked and distraught at the news they had just been told. Unable to believe Kensi would really leave them, Callen stood up and began to make his way towards the doors and to his car. His partner followed him and jumped in the car with him quickly before Callen left.

"Where are we going?" Sam asked.

"To Kensi's place", Callen replied. "She can't be gone. She wouldn't leave us without a reason."

"But she asked us not to look for her", Sam said.

"She wouldn't say that unless there was something going on though would she. Anyway I'm not looking for her, I'm just going to her house."

"Fine but if Hetty finds out you are in so much trouble."

"I really don't care. I just want to make sure Kensi is ok."

"She really is your favourite agent isn't she."

"Yeah, don't take it personally."

"It's ok. I understand."

Just then they arrived in front of Kensi's house and jumped out of the car. Using the spare key Callen had for emergencies, they entered the house and began looking around. The house was empty apart from the furniture but sitting on the counter in the kitchen was a singular white envelope. Callen grabbed it quickly when he spotted it and pulled the letters out from inside. In Kensi's distinctive handwriting there was a letter addressed to each of them. Callen opened his letter and read what it said:

Callen

I know you want answers and I'm sorry but I can't give you any. I promise I am ok but I have to leave and you have to move on. Look after the others and yourself and try not to get yourself injured again. Again I promise I am fine and please respect my wish to be left alone. Look after yourself and I'll miss you all especially you.

Love Kensi x

Sadly he closed the letter, put it back in the envelope and slipped it in his pocket. Picking up the letters addressed to Nate and Eric he put them in the pocket as well and handed Sam his letter. They never did look in the bathroom bin where they would have found three pregnancy tests reading positive. Getting back in the car in silence, they began to drive back to the OPS headquarters.

Sam couldn't believe Kensi had left but the empty house and Callen's resigned expression showed it must be true. Looking down at the envelope in his hand he decided to read it there and then. He just wanted to make sure Kensi was ok. If she didn't want to be found she must have a reason and he would respect that. Opening the letter Sam read Kensi's writing:

Sam

I just want to start by saying I'm sorry but I had to leave. I have my reasons and I can't tell you but I want to say I am fine and you are going to have to move on. I won't forget you and I'll miss you. Please look after Callen and yourself and try not to get hurt.

Love Kensi x

Sam felt better reading Kensi's words and hearing directly from her, or as directly he could get, that she was fine made him sure that they should respect her wishes. Putting the letter away, he leaned back and wondered to himself where Kensi had gone and why. Figuring he would never get the answers he pushed the thoughts away and silently promised Kensi he would try and look after Callen for her.