19 Hours After

7.30 a.m.
Hospital

Kensi opens her eyes, slowly, and tries to adjust to the bright lights coming from the open window. For some reason, this doesn't seem much different from the day before. She's lying on a bed, she can feel Deeks' hand in hers and the sun is coming through the window.

But, after a few short seconds, the pain hits her and the events from the past hours come rushing back to her, making her realize she's in the hospital. When her eyes finally cooperate and she manages to focus on something, she finds those bright blue eyes she adores so much staring right at her.

Her throat feels a bit weird because she's been a long time without talking, but she manages to break the silence between them. "Am I dead?"

Deeks shakes his head with a small smile on his face and kisses her forehead. "No, you're not dead. You're in the hospital and you're going to be okay."

She attempts to give him a small smile too but the pain keeps cursing through her veins, starting in her stomach and going from there. "It hurts…"

He nods and sits on the chair next to the bed, not letting go of her hand. "I know it does but they're giving you some good drugs to help with that."

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, the pain slowly starts vanishing until she can finally say something other than a complaint. "You're here."

He frowns, not sure if she's high or if she is just surprised. Still, there's something he needs to know. "Do you remember what you told me right before you closed your eyes and scared the crap out of us?"

Part of him is pretty sure she's going to say she doesn't remember, even if she does. But Kensi manages to surprise him. She doesn't even try to lie to him. "I told you that you're already in, if I remember correctly."

He gets up to keep better eye-contact. "Did you mean that or as it one of those things you say when you think you're going to die?"

Kensi squeezes his hand and manages to smile, looking into his hopeful eyes. "Marty, I meant it. I should have told you this before. I trust you with everything, including my heart."

He smiles brightly and nods. "I know you do, princess. It's okay. I just needed to hear you say it."

She can't help but match his contagious large smile. "Is this the part where you say you'll never leave me?"

Deeks seems thoughtful for a moment but ends up shaking his head, the playful glint in his eyes betraying the seriousness in his face. "No, this is the part where I kiss you senseless, keeping in mind that we're in a hospital."

Kensi nods. "By all means, go ahead and do it. I won't tell anyone."

Without hesitating, Deeks leans down and kisses her for the first time, not even caring that they're in a hospital room. All that matters is that he's finally doing it. He's finally kissing her after spending days, weeks and months wanting to. And it's better than all his fantasies combined.

However, someone interrupts them. Callen enters the room and clears his throat loudly and they break apart. Sam is right behind him, smirking.

"Deeks, the girl is in the hospital! Show some respect!"

Sam nods and walks to Kensi's bed. "Yeah, at least wait until she's out of here…"

Callen walks to the other side of the bed and kisses her forehead. "How are you, Kenz?"

She smiles at him to assure him she's feeling better. Everyone knows how much Callen worries about his little sister. "It hurts but I'm okay. How is your thing with Nell?"

He frowns, though he shouldn't be very surprised. "How did you know about that?"

She shakes her head as if disappointed in him. "Please, give me some credit. You spent the morning avoiding looking at her and she spent the morning looking at you like as if you'd kicked her."

He smiles and nods. "We're good, don't worry."

Kensi turns serious once again and looks him in the eye. "If you ever do anything to hurt her, I'll personally cut your balls off and hand them to her in a tray."

He knows how serious she is about protecting Nell. The two girls developed a great friendship and Kensi sees Nell has the little sister she never had. "I know you will, Kensi, but I will try my best to be good with her."

Sam chooses that moment to remind Callen and Kensi that they're not alone in the room, jumping into the conversation but directing his words towards Deeks. "And you, keep in mind that we would do anything for Kensi. Do I need to say more, Deeks?"

Deeks turns serious too and nods. "I would do anything for her too, Sam. I'm not going to hurt her in any way, not if I can help it."

Kensi yawns then and they all look at her, worried. She smiles as her eyes start closing. "Guys, I really appreciate you coming over to visit me before work but I would like to rest if that's okay with you."

Callen kisses her cheek before starting to walk away. "We'll come by to visit you after work. Deeks, you have permission to stay with her during the day as long as you promise you will leave and get some sleep at night."

Deeks shakes his head, taking his place by her bed. "Thank you, Callen, but I don't want to leave her here alone."

Callen cuts him off. "I will stay with her. Now, I'll see you guys later today. Be good and keep in mind that you're in a hospital."

Sam throws one last comment before following his partner out of the door, with a smirk on his face. "Be good and keep your clothes on."

Deeks climbs on the bed next to her, as carefully as possible, and she snuggles closer to him. Soon, she's asleep and he's not far behind.

It's sad that it took one bullet to make her admit how much she trusts him and for them to get together but everything worked out great. Now, they know everything will be just fine.

After all, they have each other.

The end

Thank you so much for all the support and reviews on this story.
Even though I'm slightly busy right now, I have a new story ready to post and I hope to post it before the beginning of December.
I would love to know what you feel about this chapter and the whole story.

Love,
Sarah