A/N:

That's it.

I quit!

No more.

I'm done.

It stops here.

I'm going to stop rewriting this monster every time the writers use something I was going to use in this. I don't care if it looks like I'm drafting off their ideas.

I Am Going To Finish This !

Thanks so very much for all the encouragement, you are all the most excellent readers and reviewers EVER!

This chapter is a little short, I am having trouble weaving this together with the following ones and I wanted to give you something for your patience (and for being able to boot me in the butt). More will follow, hopefully in the next three days or so.

Part-time job 16 hours a week, fifty mile round trips with gas at $3.45 and going up is killing me tho.

Chapter 5 Warning Signs

XxXxXx

Kenzi slipped into the room, it was just after five p.m.

Mama C had smiled, given her a quick hug and packed up her knitting in a small carpet bag.

"I have some people to talk to this evening. Call me if there's any change?" the tiny woman asked.

"I will." Kensi promised.

She pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down. Reaching through the bedrail, she covered his right hand with hers, his skin felt warm.

Gently she rubbed her thumb across the back of his hand, humming a lullaby she'd learned as a child.

She recalled from something that she'd read or perhaps heard on television that people in comas could hear and feel and that sometimes that the sound of friendly voices or touch could help them find their way back to consciousness.

"Come back to me partner." she whispered.

It was strange to be in the same room with Marty and it to be so still and quiet. Although it wasn't truly quiet – the machines made sounds, soft beeping, clicks and the rhythmic hissing of the ventilator that breathed for him.

His chest rose and fell in the unnaturally even respirations set by the machine that kept him alive.

She slumped back in the chair, watching him and finding herself matching him breath for breath. It felt strange, uncomfortable even, to breathe so deeply and evenly and she couldn't keep it up. Her eyes drifted closed.

"What are you doing, Kensi?" Marty asked.

Her eyes snapped open.

"Wake up sleepyhead, no time to lay around." he teased

She sat up, "You're awake!"

"Of course I am. I can't very well solve this case while I'm lying in bed, can I?" He sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

"Where's my other shoe?" he asked.

"Same and G found it. It's probably in the closet. I'll get it." Kensi retrieved his loafers, pants and shirt.

Kensi turned her back while he got dressed, blushing when he laughed.

He wobbled a bit as he stood and she steadied him, a frown of concern tightened her lips.

"Are you sure you should be out of bed? What did the doctor say?"

Marty smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling mischievously, "I'm good."

She opened the door and he followed her out, not one of the nursing staff paid the slightest bit of attention to them.

"Don't you have to sign some papers to be released? Aren't they supposed to wheel you out to the car?" Kensi asked as the boarded the elevator.

"Boy, you are just full of questions aren't you?" He frowned at her, "Too bad you aren't asking the right ones."

"What are you talking about?" the doors opened on the lobby and she held out her hand, barring him from getting off the elevator. "What right questions?"

He stepped around her and out into the lobby. "It's important, Kensi. Think about it, you already know the answer."

The door started to close and she pushed it back. "I know what? Deeks!"

He started out the entrance doors, into the glaring sunshine that blinded her.

"Where are you going?" she demanded.

"You have to let me go." he stopped suddenly at the edge of the sunlight as though he'd run into an invisible wall. He turned back toward her; shoulders slumped, looking unhappy, "I don't want to stay here. Don't let them make me stay here Kensi, please. Just let me go."

"NO!" The elevator doors slid closed and she pounded on them, "Deeks!"

She awoke with a start. The room was dark, the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, she'd been asleep for hours. Deeks still lay in the bed, he hadn't woken - she'd dreamed it all.

Kensi felt a bubble of misery rise in her chest and she wiped the tears with heels of her hands. She pulled her legs up, wrapped her arms around her knees and wished with all her heart that he would wake up right now. She'd give anything to hear him say something annoying, something cocky, something all Marty Deeks.

A nurse stepped into the room, her soft soled shoes making little sound on the cold white tiles. She checked the machines that surrounded the bed and made notes in the chart she carried.

Seeing Kensi awake she smiled and asked, "Can I get you a cup of coffee?"

Kensi shook her head and smiled ruefully, "Thank you, but no. I better get going," she checked her watch, "I have to be at work in three hours."

"Doctor Crandle will be making rounds at seven; you can check on Mr. Deeks around nine and see what the doctor has to say."

"Thanks, I'll do that." she felt the buzz of her phone, stepped into the hallway and answered it.

"Sam, what's up?"

"Kensi, before you leave the hospital, check Deeks for any injuries that he might have gotten from fighting with Lansing."

"Okay."

Sam hesitated, "Any news?"

"Nothing yet, he's still comatose but the nurse said Dr. Crandle will be in to check on him again at seven. We can call back after nine and get an update on his condition then."

"We can all meet back at the hospital after briefing this morning. Are you okay? You sound kind of strange."

She sniffed, "I slept in a hospital chair last night." the dream still lay heavy on her heart. "Not exactly conductive to a good night's sleep."

"You want to take a couple hours to crash in your own bed?" Sam asked, concern evident in his tone of voice. "I'm sure Hetty would understand."

"No, I'll be okay. Listen, I'm going to check Marty and then I'll be in. I'll see you in Ops in an hour."

"Okay."

Kensi went back in, passing the nurse with an apologetic smile, "I have to make a note of his injuries for our reports."

The nurse nodded and left.

Kensi picked up Marty's left hand, examining the knuckles, no cuts or bruises from throwing a punch. Nothing on the edges from a chopping blow but there was some developing bruising on the heel of his right hand.

She lifted the sheets at the bottom of the bed and checked the detective's feet. A large, fresh bruise decorated the heel of his right foot but his left was clean. There were no marks on his shins, just the typical nodule growths of a serious surfer.

Kensi tucked the sheet back under his feet, glanced at his face and gasped.

Marty's eyes were open.

"I'll be right back! I have to tell the nurse you're awake!" She was laughing as she flew out into the hall, rushing to the nurse's station.