A/N: WOW! I now have 26 emails in my inbox concerning this story. Reviews, story alerts, author alerts, favorite story, favorite authors, et cetera. I am beyond pleased. Which is why I'm asking you to let me know if there's anything you'd like to appear in this story. Questions, scenes you'd like to reference..
I apologize for the bad title of this part. Couldn't think of anything better.
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS: Los Angeles or any of its characters and content.
Part 3: Blackmail
How he manages to convince his partner that he is driving her home is a wonder he'll never even believe himself, but the next day, he has troubles not smiling at the stubborn expression going the wheelchair's way. One of the many nurses have transported it to Kensi's room while she took a nap. Surely, Kensi would have protested if she'd been awake. Either way, she tries four times to get out of her bed without help before Dr. Cho is called. Deeks arrives few minutes after to a red-headed Kensi Blye, furious about her choice. Both her legs have been set in a cast, rendering her hilariously helpless.
The wheelchair is defeat embodied for Kensi Marie Blye. Deeks is certain of it, and he gets the nurses talked out of the room while Dr. Cho patiently explains his hard-headed partner the necessity. It gives Deeks some time to actually scan the fearsome piece of hospital equipment.
The utensil is black, utterly impersonal and into its sides have been inked: BELONGS TO L.A. GENERAL HOSPITAL – RETURN SOONEST POSSIBLE. By the looks of the stern nurse that left it in his care, they mean it quite serious. The seat looks barely comfortable, as it is a vinyl-upholstered pad in its dashing blackness. Huh. It has two push handles in the back, four wheels (two large ones with aluminum handrims, and two smaller caster wheels at the footrests) and is manually propelled. The monstrous piece of equipment reminds Deeks of old people and he has a hard time imagining Kensi in one.
For the first time, the word disability comes to mind. But if he has to convince Kensi to be transported in one (or, knowing her stubborn independency, use one), he has to believe and visualize it himself. Not that it'd make the task easier. He knows that Kensi recognizes the irony too. She would rather be confined to a bed than to a wheelchair.
"Miss Blye, you do realize that with both your legs temporarily unusable –!" Deeks recognizes the fear in Dr. Cho's voice. Knowing Kensi, she has probably threatened him if he comes near her. Logic and reason are powerful tools, but not necessarily wise ones when dealing with Kensi and persuasion.
"Kensi," Deeks breathes, shaking his head. "You're either going or staying here. If not by that one–" – he points in the wheelchair's direction – " –then I'm gonna throw you over my shoulder and drag you to the car. It'll be painful and highly humiliating but either way, if you're going, it's not on these long, broken legs of yours."
Where other women might have cried and called him a selfish, insensitive jerk, Deeks knows that Kensi is reasonable. Since the doctor's words haven't worked, he is trying the more direct approach. She may hate him for it, but it's the way. He knows that Dr. Cho would argue if he hadn't already tried more subtler approaches. Plus, he can almost sense Kensi climbing the walls – figuratively speaking. She does not like hospitals. But, he also knows that the pain won't be hers alone if Kensi chooses option B. She will kick and scream like the daughter of a marine she is.
The woman in questions gawks at him for a moment, then sighs dramatically and rolls her eyes, motioning that she has declared her own disability, allowing the wheelchair to win. "Doesn't mean I have to like it," she hisses as he drives the lightweight wheelchair to the bedside.
Dr. Cho hesitantly helps her into the wheelchair. It'd be a shame to summon more nurses. It'd definitely dismay Kensi. And, as Dr. Cho has stated himself, Kensi needs rest, not temperamental outbursts. It may prove harder than assumed. Deeks cannot help by notice Kensi wincing beneath her breath as they move her to the chair.
It does look weird, and awkward. The fact that he is touching a cast upon Kensi's skin is peculiar. He tries not to think of it. Kensi is more uncomfortable, as she cannot move her legs freely as she is used to. Deeks listens and observes as a nurse is summoned and instructs the two in how to use the utensil properly. Kensi's temper flares during so, but she does not like the child-like helplessness.
"I have written a recommendation for a physical therapist near Santa Monica pier. She is very good and due to the special circumstances, you'll find her great," Cho says, mostly to Deeks while Kensi protests at being pushed though she is hardly getting anywhere by herself with the handrims. The nurse by her side is insisting that it'll come naturally after a few days, even weeks until she has built the right muscles.
"That's great. Can we discharge her now?" Deeks asks.
"If you can get her to the nurse station without.." Cho trails off, insinuating Kensi's bad temper. Even on pain killers, she is temperamental. He won't go near those handles if he doesn't have to, and Deeks understands. Kensi gritters her teeth when Deeks does so, her expression murderous.
"Ease down, Fern, it's temporary," he reminds her, hoping it will make him at her mercy. He has the papers with arrangements and schedules in one hand that is also leading the left handle.
"At least you have a skill in your undercover work arsenal that Callen and Sam don't posses," Deeks whispers in her ear as he bows down. It seems to calm her some.
Your favorite moment so far?