Hey guys! Sorry for the major delay. Between school and writer's block it's been rough. Hope you enjoy this next chapter. I promise I'm going to finish this story eventually just bear with me =)

"Today's the day! Today's the day!"

"DEEKS! Shut up, please," Kensi struggled to keep the smile off her face as she scolded her partner who was currently bouncing up and down in his bed.

"I can't, Fern. I'm just that excited. I'm going home!"

"Yup. I know you're going home. I was there when the nurse told you."

"Yeah, but I'm going home." Deeks let out a joyful laugh. It felt good. He hadn't felt this happy in the week since his injuries.

A nurse walked in to see the detective's wide grin. She shook her head slightly at his lack of control.

"Mr. Deeks, I need you to hold still so I can show you how to properly place the sling for your collarbone and the brace for your leg." The man merely limited his bouncing to a lower speed, unable to keep still.

"Kens, I feel good as new! As if I could walk right out of here." Before either woman in the room could stop him, he swung his legs to the side of the bed and attempted to stand. Kensi was the fastest to react and grabbed her partner around the waist as his right leg gave out and the pain shot up into his thigh.

"Well, that was stupid wasn't it?" He questioned in defeat.

"Uh-huh," Kensi agreed with a smirk and nod of her head. Deeks seemed to think he was magically healed now that he was cleared to go home to finish recuperating.

"Remember that Hetty is the one that got you out of here early, Deeks, as long as we promised a babysitter for you 24/7." He scowled at her words.

"I don't need a babysitter, Kens."

"Well, considering you can't walk or use crutches because of your broken collarbone perhaps you do." Deeks let out an exasperated sigh clearly wanting his independence back. Slowly a mischievous grin spread over his face.

"Well Fern, if you're going to be my babysitter you're also going to have to give me baths and change my clothes." He winked while Kensi's face scrunched in disgust.

"Actually Mr. Deeks, it is highly likely that you will be unable to do both those actions on your own," the nurse decided to pipe in. Both partners' faces fell and a red burn crept up Deeks' neck.

"W-what? I can't even shower on my own. I mean I thought only getting rinsed in the sink was a thing you guys insisted on here, not in my own home! I literally haven't been fully clean in a week." Deeks' voice quieted in shame as he realized that he was nearly debilitated for the next few weeks because of that bastard, Crustoff.

"So nurse, what do you suggest? Just continue rinsing off or being like a child and have someone do it for me like you guys have been here? I'm a full grown man for crying out loud."

"Mr. Deeks, it is our jobs here to help you. Do not be ashamed of that. I know you want to be independent right now but honestly you could end up hurting yourself more. Your leg won't hold up in the shower and you can't get the pins in your collarbone wet so a shower is out of the equation even if you could place a seat in it. A bath is your only choice and with one hand and trying to keep part of your leg from being submerged it would be extremely difficult on your own," the nurse was becoming aggravated at her patient's stubbornness and it appeared in her harsh tone.

Kensi remained silent in the corner feeling her partner's pain. She would never want to have to be bathed by someone else. Not only is it uncomfortable but you lose all sense of autonomy. Her brain wracked itself for a plan: perhaps the guys would help, but even then Deeks' would be mortified. He already believes they find him the weak link and now he can't shower himself. She could do it but then that adds another layer to their "thing". It just seemed too inappropriate to help her handsome, muscular partner wash up. Kensi felt a slow burn fill her face as she shooed the ideas of a naked Deeks to the back of her mind. He was in pain about the situation and here she was lusting over him.

Get a grip, Kensi! She chastised herself, fully aware of Deeks' eyes on her. He had caught the pink tint to her cheeks and curiously tilted his head to the side similarly to Monty.

"Whatcha thinking there, Kensalina? Me all helpless in the tub?" He let out a laugh and Kensi couldn't control the rise of flames again as she stumbled out a less then convincing "In your dreams."

"All the time, sunshine," he naturally retorted but his gaze remained analyzing. God, why out of all the people in the world, did he have to read her best?

"Anyways, Mr. Deeks," the nurse continued, clearly offended by the partners' interruptive exchange, "you will need to find someone you feel comfortable with to bathe you and help you out around the house for the next few weeks. Perhaps a girlfriend or family member?"

"Neither of which I have," mumbled the Detective.

"I'm sorry?" the nurse questioned not understanding what Deeks' had said.

"I said, I don't have either. I don't have family or a girlfriend to do all this stupid stuff for me. Can I at least try on my own?"

"I would advise against it."

"I know you would, obviously," Deeks' growing frustration had returned.

"But I will not be there to stop you." The nurse finished. Deeks' turned his head to her finding his loophole. He would just go it alone, like he always had.

With one crutch in hand for "short distances" and a wheelchair tucked neatly in the trunk of Kensi's SRX, Deeks' was on his way home for the first time in a week. He was excited to leave the hospital but the knot in his stomach reminded him that he was still helpless.

"So now that you're going home, what are you most excited to do?" Kensi tried to fill the awkward silence engulfing the vehicle but failed.

"Umm, seeing Monty, I guess. And sleeping in my own bed. I would say taking a nice long shower but obviously that can't happen." Her partner sighed and tilted his head against the window.

"You know, Deeks, I am willing to help if you need anything. You just have to ask 'cause I don't want to overstep my boundaries."

That got a laugh from Deeks, "Ok. First, when have you ever been concerned about boundaries," at that Kensi mentally inputted, Trust me I set very high boundaries with you, we just always manage to cross them.

Deeks' continued without knowledge of her inner monologue, "And second, did my beautiful partner just offer to bathe me? I knew you could resist my luscious locks and toned bod, Kens." He laughed turning everything into a joke as a protective instinct.

"Deeks, I don't want to see you suffer," Kensi said very seriously. "We could ask the guys to help you out if you feel more comfortable…"

"Wait, wait, wait! You seriously expect me to want Sam or Callen to bathe me. No freaking way! Uh-uh." Deeks furiously shook his head side to side.

"Well, then who would you feel most comfortable with. The nurse said you can't do it on your own."

"And what does that nurse know about me, Kens? Nothing. I've been doing things on my own since I was a kid. I think I can handle a shower."

"Are you sure you can't think of anyone? Maybe Eric?"

"Kensi, I know you're trying here, but honestly I want to just do this on my own." She gave a small nod, knowing she wasn't going to change his mind, but also feeling a little hurt that he was pushing her away again.

The two pulled into Deek's apartment complex and Kensi began to unload the wheelchair.

"Leave it, Kens. I'm not going to use it."

"Deeks, you have to."

"There's no point. I can't use it in my apartment. There isn't enough space. Plus hauling it up three flights of stairs would be just about the biggest pain in the ass."

"Ok. Are you just going to try to use the crutch then?"

"Yup." Deeks had already placed the crutch's foot on the ground outside the car and was swinging his legs out.

"Want any help?" Kensi automatically asked and her partner just shot her a glance. She put her hands up in surrender and her eyes held a silent apology.

Slowly he moved to rest his weight onto the crutch but was slightly off balance having to use it on the same side as his injured leg. Deeks managed his way to the stairs that would lead three flights up to his small apartment. He was already worn out and his muscles stiff from a week in bed and the thought of the stairs made him groan.

"It's alright, partner. Take your time." Kensi gave him a reassuring smile and Deeks felt a little bit of comfort return to him. At least Kensi wasn't cracking jokes about the situation like the guys would have been.

"Thanks, Kens."

Together, they very slowly climbed the stairs, resting at each landing. Deeks had a sheen of sweat covering his brow and began to stumble more the further along they went. Kensi had to grip his arm to stabilize him on a couple of occasions but he just tossed her a thankful smile and pressed on.

Finally, they reached his faded blue door. Deeks patted his pockets looking for his keys.

"I've got 'em," Kensi said reaching to unlock the door. As soon as it was open a crack, Monty sprang out and attacked his daddy, unfortunately knocking Deeks to the ground before Kensi could react.

"Shiiiit." Deeks bellowed and Kensi prayed the neighbors didn't hear. Monty continued to lick Deeks' face and bounce excitedly.

"Hey, bud. You need to get off daddy, okay? I love you too, but seriously…Kensi!"

"I've got him." Kensi grabbed Monty's collar and pulled him off her partner and shooed him back inside. Reaching down for Deeks she noticed his eyes were moist. The pain from the fall must have really shaken him up.

"Are you okay?" She questioned as she hauled him to his feet.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just wasn't expecting to get knocked on my ass by my dog." Deeks chuckled, but Kensi could see him biting back the pain.

Once inside, Kensi led Deeks to the couch and handed him the remote.

"Make sure to prop your leg up." Deeks nodded and began packing pillows under his foot on the coffee table.

"Do you need anything?" Kensi was reluctant to leave but wanted to allow her partner his space.

"No." Kensi turned to leave but Deeks called to her, "Kensi. I just—just um, thank you. You have been really great this week."

"It's what partners are there for…partner."

Actually, I think it's way beyond partners, Deeks kept to himself.

"Well, as a thank you, do you want to do movie night and take-out? Just something normal?"

Kensi's face lit up with a smile that her partner liked to think was especially for him. "I would love that Deeks. As long as you pay for the food," she laughed.

"Anything for you, Princess."