A/N: Just a piece before I go to bed. It's 3:07 AM in my time zone, so I apologize if it's not a good part. The title is randomly chosen during pressure. I'd like to remind everyone that I didn't intend for this to grow into a story; this is the result of my brain amusing itself. I tried throwing in a little Kensiness in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS: Los Angeles or any of its characters and contents.

Part 6: Blush

The night is thankfully long, and Kensi sleeps in. He skips his morning run, not sure if he is comfortable leaving Kensi alone. But he does begin his morning workout on the terrace, sweating by the time he hears stirring in the house. To the unaware, it would sound like a struggle or domestic feud, or even a robber, but he knows that it is the embodiment of Kensi's stubbornness. He dries the sweat off his face with his towel, then walks inside. In her bedroom, he finds Kensi, desperately clutching the bedcovers, her legs collapsing beneath her. He rushes to her, a motion he has done repeatedly in these past three days, and for the first time, her hands grasp for his body instead of shying away. He steadies her and she welcomes it. She does not allow him to carry her, but it is what he does until he puts her in the wheelchair. For the first time ever, she seems so frail and fragile.

"Breakfast?"

"I was going for the bathroom," she admits. He blushes instantly. It forces a smirk out of her. Had it been anybody else, or perhaps anytime else, he would have sent her a suggestive smile. Bedroom eyes.

Chewing back a too childish response, he strolls her into the bathroom, trying to keep professional. "Thanks, that's it for now," Kensi says.

"You sure –?"

" –Yeah."

"I could stay and help you.." Deeks suggest, but must quickly dodge a sponge coming his way. "Hey!"

And she even manages to push him out of the bathroom from the wheelchair. He tries not to think further of what she is doing, but realizes too late that he, too, needs to go to a bathroom to shower. Fearlessly, but aware of the risks, he knocks on the door, praying that she answers.

"Kens, s'okay if I go home to grab some stuff?"

He is about to repeat it when a muffed reply comes back through the door.

"Yeah. I'll be fine," his partner insists. Although he doesn't trust her not to do something foolish, he leaves her place to quickly shower and pick up some things, leaving the bag with a doughnut by the kitchen table.

Monty is glad to see him, wagging his tail a little more than usually, licking his master's face when he arrives, even if he smells like he could use a shower. He showers first, throwing the baggy clothes in his laundry basket before he dresses quickly and then grabs Monty's leash. Not that the dog needs it, but he doesn't have the time to fetch an unleashed Monty who is running aimlessly through the neighborhood. The mutt stares blamefully at him, but soon begins to sniff everything.

Deeks' hair is still damp from the shower by the time he arrives at the beach. It is dog-friendly, and he comes here to surf even if it's a bad place. Besides, he can't leave Monty by himself in the sand because the mutt goes reckless. And he doesn't trust him with random women. He comes here often, and Monty likes it.

Despite his occupation, Deeks likes having solid ground. Before getting the position as liaison with the NCIS Special Ops team, Monty, who was forcefully retired, provided him that. Routine, familiarity. Even as Max Gentry he had the memory of loving eyes and a wagging tail to keep him steady. Now he has his team to rely on, and he trusts them more than some of the LAPD. While not necessarily "his" team, he is a part of it. He belongs. The feeling Monty provided earlier has expended with his NCIS family. He hasn't been replaced, because as much as Sam tries to hide it, NCIS has also adopted Monty, never leaving anyone behind. Which is also why he hasn't told anybody there, not even Kensi, of their first meeting.

He smiles as he thinks of it, then remembers the solemn problems he must face afterwards. He and Hetty solely know of Kensi's condition. Nell might, but the red-haired analyst can keep a secret. After all, Hetty is grooming her (they all know that, but what for, they are clueless). He is not certain why, but Kensi does not want to show this side of her. He doesn't even know how he'll juggle aiding her with work. Can he even take time off from being a liaison? LAPD might grant him some time, but with Kensi "out", the NCIS Ops team will need all the help they've got. Besides, they will suspect. In a week's time, or less, they will visit her to see if she's okay, and they will discover not only that his with her, but also that she is in a wheelchair. Neither side will know how to react. The standoff's gonna be loathsome, but not because of the individuals. No, it is keeping the secret from them that will lead to problems. But it is Kensi's choice to keep quiet and he will follow her wishes if he can.

But he also knows that he'll have to meet in Mission Monday morning with some sort of explanation as to why he needs some days off. Now fact is, Kensi will need someone, and with her trust issues, and his, he won't let anyone aid her in her current, er, condition. Dr. Cho told him that she would gradually gain back her own life. The way he putted it sounded like the accident had taken some part of her life. What he meant is that Kensi will albeit slowly relearn how to do routines, chores, the simpler things..

The thought of physical therapy strikes him. He's completely forgotten about that. Dr. Cho kindly enough gave them a number to a physio-therapist who'd, supposedly, be able to handle Kensi's temper. Since their departure from the hospital, Kensi has slowly faded as she has accepted her condition. And suddenly he gets an idea.