Ted said "hey that pup is adorable and the kids love him and vice versa plus he's a hero. Anyone who

will take in a PTSD bomb dog and care for him can't be a bad person. We are all 100% with mom on this

(Kensi's eyebrows raised at the use of mom and they noticed it) so please sell it hard. And yes Em and I call

her mom-our choice-but she agreed. I'd call you sis if I thought you'd be ok with it."

Kensi thought and smiled "let me ease into that one. It's just strange. But I can't thank you enough. I

know that it will help him."

"One thing I gotta ask though" interrupted Mike. They all looked at him puzzled. "Are you a moaner like

your mom?" All except Kensi and her mom exploded in laughter. Those two turned bright red and then

finally joined in. This is gonna be fun thought Kensi behind bright red cheeks.

Going along "I'll try to keep Marty quiet at the appropriate moments." That brought a second round of

laughter and Kensi realized just how good it felt. This would be good for her also she thought. She really didn't

know Mike and the kids that well. (They also noticed the use of the plural moments)

After a few hours of small talk Kensi said "I need to go mom but can I leave the pups here. I'm gonna

be working the weekend to try and figure out who shot him. I also got to clean up a lot at my place and a little

at his. Then I gotta figure out how to act when we see each other. I've gone the new dress, hairdo, mani-peti

route in my mind but that's not us. My favorite time with him is at the beach and dinner at a little beach side

restaurant. We just aren't fancy people. Nell says all he wants is for me to jump in his arms, wrap my arms and

legs around him and plant one but that just doesn't feel right."

Em spoke up for the first time "based on everything I've heard I'm going with Nell. If I got it right he feels

like he let you down and cheated on you. He needs to know exactly how much bull shit that is. If I were to

imagine myself in that position with Jimmy and ask myself what I'd do. That is exactly what I'd do so go for it."

Kensi just smiled. "What about Jimmy (Em's husband) and Bree (Ted's wife) will they be ok with this"

she questioned.

"They are aware of everything and both felt it should just be us for a while. He will meet them at the

cookout next weekend but 7 new faces plus a new pup plus nerves about the woman he loves being ok with

him would be way over the top.

Kensi nodded, smiled and said "good, ah mom can I stay here this weekend? I'll go crazy sittin' around

by myself. I'll clean Marty and my places a little around work but at night I'll be a basket case."

Julia chuckled and replied "sure, I'd like the company. Might even help you clean a little. I'll be here

alone too as Mike heads out tomorrow and returns late next week. They sat around, talked and ate before Ted

and Em gathered the herd and headed out. Mike headed to bed, leaving Kensi and her mom to talk more.

Finally Kensi said "I gotta get going early in the morning. I'll text or call as I know what's going on."

"Ok but give me the key to your place. I'll start the digging out (air quotes) for ya" responded Julia.

The next day once they all had done what they were assigned to do. They met back at the Mission.

They hadn't found out much. Arkady was sure it wasn't any of Siderov's old organization as that had pretty

much scattered to join any of several other groups. Sam and Kensi had spent quite a bit of time with Bates

talking about who may have tried to kill him. They couldn't come up with anything solid but Bates did tell em he

would have all Deeks case files over the years available for her to pick up so he could review them. Bates

felt he could have them ready by late that day. Was she sure she wanted to haul that many files? Getting a

strange look from Kensi Bates said "Hey, the kids got skills-over 200 arrests. With the gang work he did we

might haul as many as 20 in at a time." Kensi smiled at Sam as they nodded, realizing just how good he was

and that didn't even count his NCIS workload.

As they were headed to the Mission, Kensi had a thought and sent Bates a text. Sam looked at her, a

puzzled look on his face. "Just a WAG (wild as guess)" she said. "Probably nothing but no stone unturned,

right?"

Since they had no real clues or leads they agreed to take Sunday off and be in early Monday. They had

a text from Nell. Steve will put Deeks on a plane furnished by Granger Monday nite. Actually SecNav's G-5- -you believe that! Anyway, there will be 3 active duty SEALS on the plane to act as guard while the plane is on the ground and as escorts/body guards in the air and after landing. They are even flying into Mugu so no one can get to him. He should be at the mission about 1:00 pm Tuesday. Nate is meeting him and will be here with him. Deeks said he felt like royalty!

G offered, "Should we do anything special for him guys? What do you think?"

It was Kensi who spoke first "no-not his style. He told me once he never celebrated holidays, reunions

or birthdays as they were excuses for his dad to get drunk and go off on him and or his mom. Then after I

forgot his birthday, he has been against any kind of celebration. I think just a heartfelt hug and welcome home.

Maybe a quick word or two. He'll be at moms for a few days and believe he will get a welcome home there.

Mom, 2 dogs, little kids, real family stuff. That's the day plan, I'll handle things at night." This was said with a

huge grin and an obvious twinkle in her eyes.

G and Sam both put their hands to their ears and said TMI, Kens, TMI!"

As she headed for her place they heard her laughing all the way out of the building.

The prodigal returns next chapter. You still with me? Let's hear it. We doing good or not?