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Cicatrize [SIK-uh-tryz]

To heal or become healed by the formation of scar tissue.

Kensi looked at her watch as she unlocked the door to Deeks' place. He had given her a key so that she could take care of Monty while Deeks was in the hospital after getting shot. And it was because the shooting Kensi was at his place at 7:15 in the morning. She wanted to make sure he was mixing up his routine. Which, by the sound of his shower going, it seemed like he was doing just that.

Kensi placed the donuts and coffee on the table and petted the head of the begging Monty. She and the dog had gotten close over the past few weeks, between Kensi feeding him and keeping Deeks company as he healed.

Speaking of Deeks, Kensi realized that she no longer heard the shower running. She looked up to see Deeks standing in the kitchen doorway, holding a gun and wearing nothing but a towel. Deeks put the gun down on the counter. "God, Kensi! Haven't you heard of knocking?"

"Haven't you heard of pants?"

"It's my place, I can wear whatever I want." Deeks replied with a stubborn look on his face.

Kensi laughed. "Go put some real clothes on, I brought breakfast."

As Deeks went to change, Kensi fed Monty and thought about the past few weeks.

It had been lonely at work without Deeks there. Though she wouldn't be willing to admit it, she missed having him there. Granted, she saw him pretty much every day after work, but it just wasn't the same. They didn't have the same banter as they did when they were out in the field. She was glad that he had been cleared to come back to work.

Deeks walked into the kitchen, wearing pants and an unbutton plaid shirt. Kensi couldn't help but notice the two scars from the bullets. The scars would have been smaller, but Deeks ripped his stitches open saving her.

Deeks noticed Kensi staring at him. "Like what you see?" he asked with a mischief glint in his eyes.

"Did it hurt?"

"Huh?"

"When you ripped your stitches open; did it hurt?"

Deeks was quiet for a moment before he answered. "Yes. It hurt liked hell. But it would have hurt even worse if something had happened to you."

Kensi gave him a small smile. "Then it was a good thing you were there to cover my back."

When Deeks didn't reply back, Kensi knew something was up. "Deeks?"

"If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have been there in the first place." Deeks blurted out.

"What?"

"If I hadn't been such an easy target, you would have never been in danger in the first place. It was MY fault."

"Deeks, they would have gotten to me eventually. Bad guys tend to be persistent." Kensi said, expecting a smile out of Deeks, but got nothing.

"If I had been more observant, if I changed up my routine, if I had done something differently, then things would have been fine."

"You don't know that."

Deeks next reply was so quiet, Kensi almost missed it. "When I figured out you were the target, I was terrified that I wouldn't reach you in time. I honestly didn't even notice the pain until I knew you were safe. That's when I allowed myself to think about my own well being."

Kensi didn't know what to say to this, so she did the first thing that came to mind. She took a step forward, wrapped her arms around Deeks and pulled him close to her. His response was to wrap his arms around her waist. He rested his head on the crook of her neck and Kensi in return rested hers on his shoulder.

They stood like that for a couple of minutes before Kensi pulled away (slightly reluctantly). "Bad things happens," she told him "If we constantly think of the 'what ifs' then we never move on and we never grow."

Deeks nodded, showing his understanding. "Doesn't make it any easier."

"I know. But that's why we all have each other- we understand and try to make things better as possible." Kensi then grabbed her donut. "I have to go, there some stuff I need to do before work. And just to warn you, Sam will be waiting for you, to make sure you have changed up your routine."

Deeks grinned at her. "What, he didn't know you were checking up on me?"

"Nope, because I am an expert at changing routines." Kensi replied with a similar grin.

"Well, thanks for the warning. I have a surprise in store for Sam." Deeks said. When he saw the look Kensi gave him, he laugh and said "Don't worry, it's nothing bad."

"Ok then. I guess I'll see you are work. And for God's sake, button up your shirt!" Kensi said. The sound of Deeks laughter followed her through the door and Kensi gave a small smile. She was going to do the best she could to help him heal. Because healing physically was the easy part. Mentally healing was going to be more of a challenge. But it was a challenge she was ready to take.

I've been wanting to write something about the after math of Deeks' shooting, but could never think of a plot. Fortunately, this word popped up and it seemed very fitting.

Usual drill- review if you like and happy reading!