The car ride back to OPS was comfortably quiet and Kensi dozed off to the sound of Deeks humming along with his favorite station. Deeks pulled into headquarters' garage and turned to glance at Kensi. He was about to reach over to wake her when he pulled his hand back. It was only on rare occasions he got the privilege of seeing his partner completely serene. Her usually wrinkle between her brow was soft and absent as her breathing became steady and deep.

She is so beautiful, smiled Deeks to himself. For a few moments longer he watched his partner undisturbed until his phone began to ring, which startled her sleeping figure back to life.

"Deeks."

"Hey, are you guys back yet? We ran a trace on Sarah McCormick. She appears to be heading up the coast. Maybe trying to get to a friend's or family. Sam and I are going to try to tail her. Go on home and we will keep you posted. Nothing more you can do for now until we can get her to safety. She may know more than she is telling us."

"Okay, thanks. We will keep our phones on us."

Deeks glanced over at a sleepy Kensi who gave him a questioning look.

"Looks like we get to go home for the time being, Princess."

"But what about Sarah?" asked Kensi completely unfazed by the nickname.

"Callen and Sam are chasing her up the coast. They need us rested but on alert should they need us. Told us to get some sleep." Kensi just nodded the wear of the day crashing down on her. She rested her head against the window and closed her eyes again. Deeks took this as a sign to drive her home.

As they pulled into Kensi's driveway, Deeks wondered how he was getting home. He could always take the SRX and pick Kensi up when the guys called, but he wasn't too sure on how she would react to the suggestion.

Deeks climbed out of the driver's seat and went to Kensi's side. As he opened her door he became aware that she was still sleeping, head tilted back against the head rest. He reached over her lap to undo the seat belt, but was quickly sent reeling as she grasped his wrist and twisted hard.

"Owwww, Kens. It's me!" With a bashful look Kensi released her partner's arm.

"Sorry. I guess I just didn't know where I was for a second there." Deeks continued to rub his wrist and gave her a playful pout.

"Wanna make it up to me? I accept a beer with my partner as payment."

Kensi staggered out of the car still half-asleep. Deeks walked with her up to the door and used his key to unlock the door. They had traded a few months ago in case a problem arose. Kensi smiled and invited him in.

"Fine, but only one, Deeks. I'm tired."

"Yeah, I can tell by the way you drunkenly made it to your door," Deeks laughed.

A half-hearted glare was the only response and it proved how worn out Kensi actually was. Deeks reached into the fridge and grabbed two beers as Kensi plopped down on her couch and immediately tucked her feet beneath her, laying her head on the armrest.

Deeks sat on the far end of the couch and sipped his beer as he handed his partner the other.

"Long day, huh? I mean two trips all the way to Pendleton and we still have close to zilch on this case."

A mumble "uh huh" was emitted from the exhausted Kensi.

"Kens, I can leave so you can get some rest," Deeks stated as he hurriedly finished off his beer.

"No, it's ok. I can stay awake." For some reason Deeks found that hard to believe. He took Kensi's hand and she unfolded herself into a standing position leaning heavily on her partner. Slowly they walked towards her room where Deeks lied her down on her bed and pulled the covers over her.

"Hey, is it ok if I use your car to get home?"

Kensi rolled over and patted the bed beside her replying, "Just stay here Deeks. If they call us in then it'll be quicker if we are together anyways."

"Are you sure? I mean I could at least take the couch…" Deeks trailed off, half-heartedly arguing his case knowing fully well that a few hours of sleep in a bed would be much better than one on the small couch.

"We are adults. Come on. Just get some sleep." And with that Kensi slid off her jeans from under the covers and fell asleep, leaving Deeks in a position in which he had never found himself before. His beautiful partner had just offered up half her bed to him and he wasn't sure if he could handle it. What if he rolled and touched her? He may lose an arm or a leg, or worse. He cringed at the thought. But yet again she had a point. They were adults and he could control himself for one night, right? He hoped that was true as he too pulled off his jeans and climbed into bed careful not to disturb his sleeping partner.

Sleep took over almost immediately.

A ringing was heard from across the room as Kensi woke and gave a low groan. Must be Callen or Sam, she thought. She rolled over and was surprised when she hit a warm body. Then she remembered the night before where she offered Deeks to stay at her place. She was in such close proximity to him that she could smell his shampoo and slightly oceany scent from yesterday's surfing adventure. Kensi took a deep breath, inhaling the comforting aroma.

If it hadn't been for the incessant ringing Kensi would have continued to snuggle into her partner's warmth all while secretly hoping he wouldn't wake up. Yesterday had been hard on their partnership…friendship? Heck she didn't know what to call it these days but she didn't want to make it worse by having him find her cuddled into his heat. But the phone had to be answered so she softly climbed out of bed hoping she didn't wake Deeks.

"Hello," she whispered.

"Kensi?" the voice on the other side sounded confused.

"Yeah Sam. What's up?"

"Why are you answering for Deeks?"

Kensi glanced at the phone she was holding and cursed.

"No reason. You got something for us?"

"Ummm, yeah," Sam still seemed a little baffled, "We found Sarah, but haven't been able to make contact with her. She seems nervous and jumpy. Always scanning her surroundings. She seems to be following orders of some kind, with very distinct instructions so we asked Eric to trace her recent calls. Looks like Crustoff is in control again."

"Shit," Kensi cursed.

"Yeah, shit is exactly right."

"So what's the game plan?"

"You and Deeks are going to tail her since she won't recognize your faces and G and I will be your back-up. Luckily Crustoff has her staying here. Get Deeks and head to Santa Monica Pier. She's been walking up and down it for a few hours. Looks like she's waiting for something."

"Sam, it's 4:30 in the morning. How are Deeks and I supposed to follow her without looking suspicious? Especially on a pier where nothing is open yet?"

"Looks like you're on your own for that. Sorry, Kens," with that Sam hung up.

Kensi turned back to Deeks' sleeping form, reluctant to wake him. They had only been asleep a few hours and he looked so peaceful lying there. Deeks may have always been the light-hearted one on the team but occasionally he got a haunted look, but here sleeping he looked as if his whole world was right. The fact that he was content and at home in her bed enough to fully relax made a smile work its way across Kensi's face.

"I can hear you thinking about my sexy body being in your bed, Fern." Kensi jumped a bit at the sound of Deeks voice, gravelly from disuse.

"Sexy. Pshhh," Kensi retorted, but the blush creeping its way up her neck gave away her true thoughts. She was glad to be concealed by the darkness of early morning.

Deeks rolled over and smiled genuinely at Kensi, before getting up," I assume that was a 'get your ass here now' phone call?"

"Sounds about right, partner." Deeks stretched revealing a small sliver of toned stomach to Kensi and she had to quickly avert her eyes to keep from staring. Deeks eyes shifted to her and widened a bit. She soon realized she was standing in front of her partner in nothing but a shirt and underwear and reached for the jeans she had tossed the night before. Hastily pulling them on in order to escape the awkwardness that had settled between the two, she said, "We are to be at Santa Monica ASAP. Apparently Crustoff has Sarah in his control and she has been there pacing for hours. We are to keep tabs on her until we find out what she is doing."

"It's 4:30. Kinda hard to keep tabs on a person when nobody else is around to blend in with."

"My thoughts exactly." Suddenly she had an idea of a pretty good cover, "Hey Deeks, how would you like to go surfing this glorious morning?"

Deeks smiled and replied, "Me? I'll surf and you can watch my luscious and agile body from up on the peer. Good plan, Kensalina."

"Glad to help," Kensi laughed. The morning had started off well between the two of them and she hoped the day would continue just as smoothly.

Kensi and Deeks stopped by his house for him to grab his board and wetsuit. Thankfully an elderly neighbor had taken Monty last night when she didn't see Deeks come home. It was a good system they had set up. Deeks rushed back down to Kensi's car since they needed to make it to the pier as quickly as they could. Thankfully LA traffic wasn't horrible at five in the morning and they made it there in record time.

Deeks hopped out of the SRX and untied his board and hauled it to the sand. There he pulled his wetsuit up and over his shoulder from its previous position around his hips. Kensi attempted to look away but was ensnared by the ripple of the muscles in his back as he guided his arms into the suit. God, he was sexy. Deeks was hyperaware of Kensi's stares but pretended not to notice in order for the moment to continue.

Turning around to face her Deeks said, "All right Kens, I'll be down here surfing and you can wander up to the pier pretending to watch from above. Find Sarah and keep an eye on her. Maybe Crustoff will show up and this will be an easy close to a case. Catch him, see if he'll confess to the murder or at least know who is involved. Easy peezy lemon squeezy."

"Did you really just say that?" Kensi asked with a bellowing laugh.

"Sho did."

"Oh my gosh Deeks stop. You are soooo not cool," but Kensi couldn't control her laughter as she bent over at the waist hugging her sides. Deeks loved that he could pull this reaction from the ever put-together Kensi Marie Blye.

"Well, go on lover-girl and watch as your man pulls out his best tricks," Deeks gave a now slightly sobered Kensi a pat on the butt and headed off into the waves with his board. Kensi just shook her heard in amusement. Now to go find Sarah McCormick, she thought.

Once Kensi was up on the pier spotting Sarah was easy. She could see the pregnant women from her position by the railing, pretending to watch Deeks. Kensi would cautiously glance toward Sarah every few minutes to keep track of her but had to admit watching Deeks riding the perfect waves was a lot more entertaining. The grace and power in which he surfed showed he had truly mastered the art. His body was stable yet strong as he repeatedly rode out the waves. Kensi could tell even from her spot high above the Deeks was smiling and enjoying every moment of this op. It wasn't often he could use his surfing skills while on the job.

A little over an hour had passed when a dark van pulled into a parking spot near the entrance of the pier. Kensi saw Sarah's eyes flash up as the headlights lit the area. Deeks had also noticed the car and decided to head into shore knowing Kensi would be needing back-up.

Five men exited the vehicle and made their way down the walkway toward Sarah. As they passed Kensi the one appearing to be in charged stopped.

"May want to scram now, princess. Wouldn't want a pretty little thing like you to get hurt in these kinds of situations." His words sent chills down Kensi's spine and she let them show in order to play her part. She then took off toward Deeks on the beach pretending to flee.

The men continued on their path toward Sarah, obviously pleased with being able to scare Kensi away. Kensi reached Deeks.

"Definitely Crustoff. Recognized him from his pictures. He has four goons with him. Couldn't tell if they were carrying. We better get up there fast in order to maintain control of the situation. I'll call in Sam and Callen for back-up as you get dressed. Deeks nodded and began to peel his wetsuit off and towel dry his hair. He had grabbed his extra go-bag from his apartment that morning and changed into some dry clothes, placing his gun at his back and badge on his waist. Both he and Kensi placed comms in their ears.

"The guys are on their way in now, Deeks," Kensi murmured.

"Got it." With that exchange the two silently made their way back to the pier to get visual on Sarah. Since the men wouldn't recognize Deeks he was the one to make his way casually toward Sarah to see if he could hear anything being said and process the possible threats to the young woman. Kensi stayed back and waited for back-up.

"Now you do what I tell you or the baby will not survive," Crustoff hissed at a cowering Sarah.

"But I-I can't. I d-don't have the access. You killed Randy didn't you?" Sarah cried loudly obviously scared but willing to fight a little.

"Sure did, bitch. He wouldn't agree to my plan even after I threatened you and the baby. Well he almost did but couldn't follow through, poor bastard. He sent you away for the weekend of the meet to try and protect you. Ha, what good that did! Tried to fight. Tried to get help, but I silenced him long before he had the chance," Crustoff sneered wildly. " All I wanted was a few measly weapons and he couldn't pull through. I did the hard part…sneaking onto a fucking military base and he still couldn't do it. Too 'honorable' to betray his country. Too bad it looks like he left his problems for you to deal with, sweetheart." Crustoff reached for Sarah's face to caress with calloused fingers but she pulled away sharply.

"Do. Not. Touch. Me."

"Oooh, the Marine's wife has got some spunk. Wanna show me more of that later?" Crustoff laughed and his men joined in, clearly enjoying the fear they had placed in the woman. They each took turns passing her around and groping her small frame. Deeks had had enough.

"Kens, I've got Crustoff where we need him. He has already admitted to murder and blackmail. Is back-up ready?" Silence was the only response heard through the earwig. "Kensi, are you there?" Deeks quickly checked behind him but it was too dark to make out the end of the pier.

Guess I'm in this alone for now. Little did he know that Kensi had heard every word but her mic didn't seem to be working.

"Shit!" she screamed. Deeks was going to go in there without back-up. Sam and Callen hadn't arrived yet and she had lost any way to communicate that to Deeks. He was going on blind trust that she would have his back.

Kensi started to make her way down the pier slowly toward the gathering mass when she suddenly heard a scream and a flash of gunfire. Suddenly she had whipped out her gun and sprinted down toward the fight.

Deeks had made the first move. He flashed his badge at the group and identified himself. Crustoff didn't take too kindly to the interruption and quickly pulled a gun to Sarah's head while holding her under his arm. His goons all pulled weapons of their own on Deeks.

Come on Kensi. A little help. He soon realized what a bad position he had put himself in. It was unlikely he had any back up since the comms weren't functioning properly and he had a trapped pregnant woman and four guns pointed at his head.

Think Deeks. Think, he chastised. First priority: Sarah. Second: stay alive and capture Crustoff. A lot easier said than done.

"Alright, calm down. Calm down. Everybody just lower your weapons. I don't want to make a scene. Just hand the woman over to me and put the weapons down. Maybe I can cut you a deal."

Crustoff just laughed and grasped Sarah around the throat tighter, fear very obvious in her blue eyes.

"Cut us a deal? Ha. Why do you think we would want or are going to need said deals, detective? And don't you fellows always have back-up. Where are they?" Crustoff clearly was enjoying the vulnerability that Deeks had placed on himself.

"Fine. If you want to do this the hard way we can do this the hard way." Deeks quickly fired several rounds into the first two henchmen before anyone else could take any shots. Crustoff seemed unfazed by the death of his men and stood still all the while holding the gun to Sarah's head. The other two men didn't take as kindly to the kills, however, and shot back at Deeks. Not to Deeks' surprise, all the shots went wide and he was able to fire off two more rounds that took out the last of the men.

"You are a very good shot, Detective. Are you sure you do not wish to join my team instead? I guarantee you that the pay is much heftier."

"No thanks. I'm good," spat Deeks as he leveled his gun back at Crustoff.

"As you wish. You still have a problem though, Detective."

"Yeah. You."

"Aw. Very good, Detective. You shoot me I kill her."

Deeks really hoped that Kensi was on her way and would be able to save his sorry ass from the predicament he now faced. As if God was answering a prayer she came up behind him weapon ready.

"NCIS. Drop the weapon and release the woman."

"Uh uh uh. I don't think so. She is worth too much to me."

Deeks and Kensi shared a look and silently created a plan. Deeks would charge Crustoff hopefully throwing him off enough to release Sarah to the waiting Kensi. Kensi would provide his backup and try to shoot Crustoff as soon as Sarah was clear from danger. It was a good plan…if it worked.

Suddenly Deeks threw himself at Crustoff who in turn tossed Sarah aside as planned. Kensi gather the trembling woman and pulled her back from the ongoing fight. Kensi steadied her gun but was unable to get an accurate shot. Deeks kept getting in the way throughout the struggle.

"Deeks back away. I can get a shot," Kensi shouted into the chaos. Deeks turned toward her momentarily releasing hold of Crustoff's hand which held his weapon. He tried to back away but was too slow. Kensi got off two kill shots into Crustoff's center mass but not before he had the chance to fire his own.

Kensi thought the man's shots had gone wide until she saw the disbelief and pain in her partner's eyes as he dropped to the walkway below him.