I tried to get it uploaded before the actual premiere, but I wasn't fast enough. Well here is the last chapter!

I can't even talk about the premiere yet because I need to see how things unfold before commenting...lol!

Thank you for following, reading, and reviewing! I appreciate it!

"Wake up, Princess. It's time to break me out of this place," Deeks stretched his hand as far as he could so his fingers brushed Kensi's hair out of her face.

Blinking her eyes open, Kensi stretched her arms above her head, "Sleeping in this chair was not my best idea."

Deeks let out a short laugh, "Hate to say I told you so, but…"

"Don't say it then. Plus I am the one 'breaking' you out of this place," Kensi stood up and stretched some more.

"Touche, now let's go," Deeks smiled up at her and winked.

Snorting out a laugh, Kensi walked to the door, "I will go get the paperwork. Don't even try getting out of that bed without a nurse present."

His smile slipped into a frown, "How did you know I was gonna try?"

"Let's call it partner's intuition," she rolled her eyes at him and went to the nurse's station.

Deeks felt like the discharge process took forever, but finally they said he was free to go…in a wheelchair. Letting his head fall back on the backrest, Deeks looked up at Kensi, who was preparing to push him to her car, "I can walk just fine."

Patting his head, Kensi talked slow for him, "I know, but let's just humor them and we can get out of here. Trust me I don't want to make a habit of pushing you around in a wheelchair."

"Fine, but be quick about it Nurse Kensilina," Deeks closed his eyes, "I will cherish this time of special treatment while I can."

"You are such a drama queen," Kensi parked him by the passenger door and unlocked the car. Once she had the door open, Kensi stood near Deeks ready to be of assistance if he needed it.

Bracing his hands on either side of the wheelchair, Deeks pushed himself up and took the two steps to the car. Quickly, pulling himself inside, he let out a breath and said, "See I'm fine."

Kensi nodded, but remained quiet shutting his door and hurrying the wheelchair back to the hospital entrance. She hated seeing Deeks so weak, but the doctor had assured her he would make a full recovery.

Arriving at his apartment, Kensi ran around the front of her car, but Deeks had already swung his door open and was struggling to get out before she made it. Leaning against the doorframe, Kensi said, "You know, it might be easier if you just let me help you."

"I wanted to do it on my own. My woman shouldn't have to help me get out of a car," he winked at her before focusing back at the ground and taking an unsteady step.

She ignored his argument and linked her arm through his elbow. Whispering close to his ear, "Maybe I like to help my man."

Wetting his lips, Deeks took a step forward, "Then by all means, carry me inside."

"You're a bit to heavy for me, but I will be here for you to lean on," Kensi felt him put a bit more of his weight on her and they continued to the stairs.

"It's all muscle, Fern," Deeks took the steps slowly.

Finally, at the door Kensi took his keys and unlocked his apartment, "Uh-huh, I've noticed."

Moving past her, Deeks eased onto the couch and closed his eyes, "Was that sarcasm?"

A soft smile played on her lips and Kensi leaned against the now closed door, "Actually, no."

Raising his eyebrows, Deeks opened his eyes and looked at her, "Compliment acknowledged, accepted, and appreciated."

Kensi nodded her head once, "Good. Now can I get you anything?" She disappeared down his hall to his bedroom gathering his pillow and blanket. His room was so clean and organized; Kensi stopped a minute to observe it. Propping the pillow against the arm of the couch, she knelt down and looked at him expectantly.

"Water..." Deeks couldn't pull his eyes away from hers even if he wanted to and he caught her hand in his bringing it to his lips and softly let go, "Please."

Clearing her throat, Kensi brought her hand back, "If you keep asking for things like that, then I'm going to forget what it is your asking for." He was way too sweet for his own good; he made her heart melt and her brain turn to mush. She stood up and hurried to get his water before she forgot her own name.

After he was settled as comfortable as possible on the couch, Kensi sat on the other end of the couch. Since Deeks was so weak, they spent the day watching movies and relaxing. Whenever Deeks needed anything, Kensi jumped to get it and he thanked her with a gentle touch. Around ten, Kensi noticed Deeks' blinks getting much longer, "Okay time for bed, will you be more comfortable out here or in your room?"

"Out here, you take my bed," Deeks mumbled into his pillow.

Squinting at him, Kensi tried to determine if he was being honest or not, but couldn't tell with his eyes closed, "Fine, but if you're lying I will punch you."

Deeks grinned, "You have excellent bedside manner. My sheets are clean so don't worry."

Kensi covered him with his blanket and kissed his forehead softly, "I'm not worried about the sheets, Marty."

"Okay, you really do have excellent bedside manner," Deeks smirked at her and squeezed her hand as a thank you.

Flipping off the light, Kensi said, "Good night Deeks."

"Good night, Princess."

Kensi jolted straight up in bed trying to orient herself with her surroundings. Looking around the room, she remembered she was staying with Deeks until he recovered. Now the question was what had woken her up, a scream? She needed to check on her partner.

Padding on the hard wood floors in her socks, Kensi walked quietly to the hall hoping the scream had only been her imagination and Deeks was peacefully sleeping. If he was sleeping soundly, she didn't want to bother him. When she reached the doorway of his bedroom, a scream ripped through the silent night and Kensi sprinted to the living room.

Heart pounding, Kensi assessed the situation ready to grab her gun if necessary. Instead of seeing Deeks writhing in pain or an unwelcome guest, she saw Deeks still asleep. His head was turning back and forth against the pillow and his fists were clenching the blanket so tight his knuckles were white. Deeks' face contorted with pain and fear and another scream tore through him.

With the sound, Kensi felt like her heart was being stabbed. It was a terrible sound. Hearing her strong, capable partner reduced to screaming with such pain and torture caused anger to course through Kensi's veins. How could she help him fight the demons in his own head? She wasn't sure if she should wake him or just leave him alone.

As another scream elicited from him that trailed into a whimper, Kensi knew she could not leave him in his nightmare. Dropping to the floor next to him, Kensi reached out tentatively placing her hand on his bicep and spoke quietly, "Deeks, it's okay." He continued to squirm caught in his dream and his lips moved without any sound. Speaking a bit louder, Kensi tried to force a calm, gentle tone she didn't exactly feel, "They can't hurt you anymore." When Deeks still showed no signs of waking and another whimper escaped. Her heart ached for him. How could she wake him up and not scare him more?

Remembering when she found him in that awful warehouse, Kensi moved her hand to his hair and began to smooth it methodically to one side, never letting her touch be anything but soft. Then she eased onto the couch next to him and said, "Marty, you can wake up now."

At the same time his eyes flew open, Deeks sat straight up and grabbed onto Kensi's throat with his hand. His eyes were glossy with the confusion of sleep and a nightmare that had been very real two days ago. Swallowing against the pressure he was applying to her throat, Kensi tried to soothe, but it sounded more like a croak, "It's me, Deeks. Everything is okay."

Realization dawned on him and the cloud lifted from his eyes. Snatching his hand back, Deeks shook his head back and forth, "Kens…" he swallowed once, twice, "I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you?" His voice shook with adrenaline and fear.

Afraid to touch him still, Kensi whispered, "No, no, Deeks, you could never hurt me."

"But I was holding onto your throat," Deeks blinked quickly trying to keep the panic at bay, "I didn't know what was happening. I didn't know who you were."

"I knew you wouldn't hurt me as long as I could talk to you," Kensi reached tentatively toward him brushing the scruff on his jawline with her fingertips. Blinking back tears, Kensi said, "I had to get you out of there."

Cold sweat coated Deeks' forehead and his shirt clung to his chest. His eyes were stormy with fear and the turmoil from the past days' experiences. Kensi went to the bathroom for a cool rag leaving Deeks to collect himself without her watching.

Deeks scrubbed his hands over his face careful not to rub to hard over his mouth. He was attempting to wean himself off the pain meds and that was probably why the nightmare hadn't started until tonight.

Walking quietly into the room, Kensi pressed the cool cloth to Deeks head and he closed his eyes swallowing hard against all the emotions warring inside him.

Kensi used her fingers to brush his hair off his face whispering, "It's okay now, Deeks."

Quietly, Deeks cleared his throat, "I know it is. I just gotta get my head to believe it."

"We will, it'll just take time," Kensi placed her lips against his temple, "Do you think you can fall back asleep?"

"Don't know if I want to," Deeks muttered looking over at Kensi ashamedly.

Kensi smiled softly at him, "Late night movie it is."

The following day was spent very similarly to the one before, but Kensi insisted Deeks go on a walk, "Around the neighborhood or on the beach, its your call?"

"Beach," Deeks groaned, "I should have guessed you would be such a mean nurse."

Kensi slapped his shoulder, "It's for your own good, now let's go."

That night Kensi said good night and went to his room anxiously wondering if his dreams would again be haunted.

Close to three in the morning a scream pierced the air and Kensi was out of be and running down the hall before silence returned. Deeks was frantically twisting on the couch, arching his back and kicking his legs against the restraints of the blankets. His face was pushing into his pillow like he was trying to get away from someone and a moan escaped him before another scream split from his throat.

Risking Deeks not recognizing her again, Kensi rushed to his side and put her hands on his arms kneeling down next to the couch, "Deeks, wake up. It's just a dream."

Deeks' eyes flew open and his breath whooshed from him. Sitting straight up, Deeks looked directly in Kensi's brown eyes and he put his palm against her cheek.

Her brow wrinkled in question wondering if he was okay, but she couldn't resist leaning into his touch. Slipping his arms over her shoulders, Deeks sunk onto the ground next to her and pulled her into his chest. Cradling her neck in the crook of his right arm, his other arm kept her against him.

Taken aback, Kensi sat still for a second before relaxing into him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and felt tears threatening her eyes. Being held by Deeks was the best feeling, Kensi had ever experienced. Laying her cheek against his shoulder, Kensi held onto him a little tighter and let a few tears escape.

Holding her to him, Deeks felt the tears rolling down his own cheeks. They cried for what they had been through, they cried for the victims they saw every case, they cried for the job that would never end, they cried for the things they had seen, they cried for the time they had lost. Kensi cried for the pain and torture Deeks had had to endure. Deeks cried for the emotions and things Kensi had had to face without him or because of him. And they cried for themselves because life was not easy.

After what seemed like hours, both of their tears slowed and they remained in each other's arms. Eventually Kensi lifted her head and Deeks moved his hand back to her cheek where he slid his thumb back and forth against her cheek. Kensi brought her hands gently to his face and wiped the traces of tears away careful not to hurt his mouth or bruised eye. Unable to break eye contact with Kensi's beautiful eyes, Deeks leaned closer to her and captured her lips beneath his. Winding his fingers through her hair, Deeks deepened the kiss, not caring about the pain. Melting into him, Kensi returned his kiss running her fingers through his curly hair and stopping them at the nape of his neck.

Putting an inch of space between them, Deeks framed Kensi's face with his palms, "I couldn't wait any longer," his voice was heavy with emotion.

"I'm glad," Kensi's voice was deeper than normal but laced with hope, "Do you wanna talk about anything?"

Deeks leaned his back against the base of his couch, "Tonight, I was protecting you not Michelle," he paused to swallow and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, "they wouldn't believe me no matter how hard I tried to convince them and they started to torture you too, but you just kept smiling at me."

Moving next to him, Kensi put her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arm through his moving her thumb soothingly against his bicep, "You would save me, I know that."

His voice quiet fighting tears, Deeks whispered, "I never want you to go through that."

Hit with the realization of everything Deeks had endured, Kensi choked back more tears as well, "I can't even imagine what you went through. It makes me sick," she took a fortifying breath, "but you made it because you are the strongest man I know."

"I don't think I am, Princess," Deeks flopped his head back against the couch's seat cushion. His throat worked against the lump inside.

Lifting her head off his shoulder, Kensi looked at him, "You are. You just have to heal and then you will be the BA LAPD liaison you were before just stronger." With a light touch, Kensi placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth, "You should probably talk to someone, maybe Nate?"

Deeks returned her gaze feeling like her touch was going to heal his body, but he had to figure something out for his head so he could be the man she believed he was, "Probably. Would…uh, would you come with me?"

Her thumb stilled against his arm and she nodded slowly, "I want to be by your side. As long as you don't think I will make it worse."

"You can only make me better," Deeks kissed her jaw.

Love turned her eyes a shade of dark chocolate and she whispered, "Have I told you that I'm very glad you are alive?"

Smiling softly, Deeks answered quietly in her ear, "I can't seem to remember, you can tell me again, it's my new favorite thing to hear…well from you."

Returning his smile, Kensi put her mouth over his and kissed him gently, but passionately, "How is that for communication?"