We are coming to the end of this story… it's been fun to write though. This chapter is about Deeks and Kensi's road trip. Many thanks to everyone who's taken the time to read and review – you've all been totally amazing!

Disclaimer: no NCISLA is not mine.

Silent Secrets

Chapter 13

Deeks and Kensi were driving to the hostel to meet Sharni to tell her the news about her newly discovered past and family. Deeks had called Sharni's real family to tell them of her existence and torturous life living with Paul, Stacy and Glen Nichols. Sharni's real mother, Louise Conden was thrilled to hear Sharni was alive but truly horrified when Deeks revealed her abuse and kidnapping from the Nichols family. Louise couldn't wait to be reunited with her long lost daughter and was busy tidying her house in anticipation of Deeks bringing Sharni to her soon.

"Marty, Kensi thanks for the heads-up phone call about Sharni a little while ago. Wow, what a discovery after all these years. And to think you actually knew her Marty… how amazing!" greeted Ellie at the front door.

"I know Ellie…it blows my mind thinking about it. Is Sharni around?" Deeks smiled.

"In her room. I haven't told her about the discovery. I thought you might like to do that seeing as though you knew her when you were a kid. Come on…I'll take you to see her"

Arriving at Sharni's room, Deeks quietly rapped on the open door and peeked his head around the corner.

"Hi Sharni…can Kensi and I come in?"

"Hi Marty, sure come in" smiled Sharni, pleased to see the two agents again.

Deeks and Sharni sat on the bed, while Kensi took a seat in the corner chair in the little room. Ellie had thought it better to give Sharni a private room while she recuperated from her ordeals and began counselling every day. She was coping well and she would soon be able to start her life again away from the dangers she previously faced alone.

"I have some big news Sharni. Do you remember anything from when you were about six years old and you were playing in the front yard of a house?"

Sharni frowned, thinking back all those years, "Yeah, I remember playing marbles with a boy in the yard. I don't think it was my house though I think it was someone else's. Why?"

"That young boy was me Sharni. I was playing in the yard with you that day when someone snatched you from the yard and drove off with you"

"That boy was you Marty?" gasped Sharni.

"We were neighbours. We used to play all the time in each other's yards. That day Paul Nichols grabbed you from the yard when I had my head down playing. You screamed and I chased after you but Paul pushed me to the ground as he threw you into the van. I'm so sorry Sharni"

"Oh god Marty! How could I not remember being kidnapped?"

"Paul and Stacy kidnapped you and because you were so young, they virtually brainwashed you to believe you were their daughter. They miscarried a baby girl and Stacy was desperate for a daughter. That's the reason they took you. Your real name is Sharni Conden and your real mother Louise Conden is alive and wants to meet you. She also told me you have a younger brother that you have never met. Kensi and I can take you to meet her if you feel up to it" said Deeks.

"When can we leave?" Sharni asked.

Kensi stood up from her chair and smiled, "We can leave right now. Pack your bags Sharni"

As Kensi and Deeks had already packed their small bags and put them in the car earlier, they helped Sharni to pack her things and made their way to Kensi's SUV outside. To Sharni, the drive to San Diego seemed like it was a long drive to the other side of the country however it was only a few hours away. The closer they drove to the city the more nervous and anxious Sharni felt. She felt apprehensive about the meeting with Louise but knew this was the fresh start she was longing for.

They arrived at the little house in a quiet suburban street and parked just outside. Deeks clasped Sharni's hand as they walked up the path to the front door. Her hands were trembling but Deeks' reassuring hold kept her calm. Kensi pushed the doorbell and the wooden door opened to reveal Sharni's mother, Louise standing with a smile and welcoming arms.

"Oh Sharni! Oh my darling daughter. I've missed you so much. I have always hoped you were alive and I would get to see you again. Now you're here", Louise said rushing to pull Sharni into a warm embrace. "Come let's all go sit in the living room and there's someone I want you to meet Sharni"

The two agents and Sharni followed Louise into the French inspired decorated room and saw Sharni's unknown younger brother sitting on the sofa, waiting for them.

"Sharni, this is Joshua your brother" said Louise as they all sat down alongside.

"Hi Sharni, it's nice to meet you. Mom's told me about you. She's missed you so much" said Joshua, nervously holding out his hand for her to shake.

"It's amazing to meet you Joshua. I'm sorry I didn't know about you before now" an embarrassed Sharni said.

"Don't be upset about that. I'm just sorry those people kidnapped you and did those horrible things to you. We did everything to try to find you Sharni I promise" wept Louise.

"I know. Can you believe that Marty and I used to play together in the yard?" asked Sharni.

"I recognise his face now from looking at him. He still has that cheeky smile from when he was young. Oh speaking of Marty I have a few photos of the two of you from back then" said Louise as she reached into her pocket and pulled out the pictures and passed them to Deeks and Sharni.

Deeks gave a little laugh as he looked at the photographs. Louise was right he did have a cheeky smile as he remembered those fleeting moments of when he could just be a little kid playing with a friend, having fun. In between his father's moments of yelling and abusing him, those times with Sharni were the best times he ever remembered having. He looked across at Sharni who in her own mind may have been thinking similarly. Although her own childhood with her family was caring and loving, she had often seen the results of Gordon Brandel's handiwork on Deeks for herself and wondered how Marty could be so fun to play with.

Sharni handed the photos for Kensi to look at and she laughed as she recognised the young boy as the same blond, shaggy haired Deeks who was now her partner.

"You haven't changed at all Deeks. You still had the shaggy hair even back then!" she chuckled.

"Yeah okay Kensi, no need to embarrass me" Deeks admonished. "We should probably get going though Kens. Let Sharni and her family catch up properly"

Kensi nodded in agreement, "There's certainly a lot of catching up to do alright. Sharni it was so nice to be able to do this for you" as she warmly hugged her.

"Thank you Kensi. Please take care of Marty. He helped me get here today" replied Sharni.

"I will. I promise". Deeks waited until they broke apart before holding his arms wide for Sharni to come into.

"Marty Deeks. I will never forget what you've done for me. You've given me this fresh start with my mom and brother. I will always remember you" as she kissed him on the cheek and hugged him close.

"I'm so happy for you Sharni. You deserve this happiness" said Deeks.

"You deserve happiness too Marty" she whispered. "I've seen the way you look at Kensi. You love her don't you?"

"I do love her Sharni. Hopefully I get my happy ending with Kensi like you have with your mom and Joshua today" Deeks whispered back.

Deeks was oblivious that Kensi, being a skilled lip reader had read every word that Deeks had admitted to Sharni just then. Kensi promised that she would make sure from now on she would treat Deeks better and give themselves the best chance of the love and happiness that they both deserved.

Deeks and Kensi drove to the motel they had checked into earlier on arrival in San Diego. Sharni had called him to say that Louise had insisted she move into the house with her brother and was once again grateful for all they had done. So Deeks fixed up the bill for Sharni's room and walked up the stairs to he and Kensi's room where his partner was waiting for him.

"Kensi? I'm back. Sharni called me, everything's great with her. Kensi?" Deeks called out.

Kensi appeared around the corner from the ensuite wearing nothing but her robe. She smiled as Deeks eyebrows shot up in surprise and mouth gaped open as she slowly let the robe drop from her shoulders. She slowly walked over to him and wrapped her hands around the back of his neck, brushing her naked body up close to him. Her lips reached up to his, swallowing his lips with hers.

"You told Sharni you loved me. Is that true Deeks?" she whispered in his ear.

"I have always loved you Kensi Blye. From the very first time I saw you in the MMA gym I have wanted you"

"Deeks?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you too. Now do I have to be the only one standing here naked?" asked Kensi.