ALE Chap 10
Don't Ask Me Why
Kensi helped Marty to the bathroom and he took a quick shower then changed into a tee shirt and shorts while she waited outside the door.
After a light dinner, they settled down in the living room to watch TV for a while.
"I heard you." his eyes never wavered from the television screen.
"What?" Kensi glanced at him nervously.
"I heard you," avoiding her eyes, he scraped at the empty jello cup, "talking to me when I was unconscious."
Kensi blushed, recalling the times she had kissed his hand, and eventually his clean shaven cheek. "Really?"
"I don't think I would have made it back it if it hadn't been for everyone telling me I could."
Self-conscious, Kensi ducked her head, "You did it though and that's pretty amazing."
A few moments of awkward silence followed and then he asked, "Do you want to watch Dancing with the Stars?'
Kensi grinned, "I love Dancing with the Stars! I didn't know you liked it, though."
"There's a lot you don't know about me, partner." he gave her a lecherous grin.
"And some things I'd rather not know." she teased.
Four hours of mind-numbing television later, Deeks asked her to make a run to the store to get him some Gatorade.
"I'm sick of juice and sprite," he complained, "Any more of it and I will throw up."
Kensi wrinkled her nose at the prospect, "Is there any particular flavor you'd like?"
"Whatever kind they have is fine."
He followed her to the door, "Check for tails, anyone following you or paying too much attention to you." he cautioned her.
Kensi started to laugh, and then realized he was being completely serious. "Okay."
When she returned, he met her at the door, gun in hand. He looked carefully up and down the street, then shut the door and bolted it.
The store had been small and the selection of flavors few but Marty was satisfied. He cracked open one bottle and drank the warm liquid directly from the container.
Kensi shook her head, "I guess you really were thirsty."
When he set the bottle down it was half empty, "Yeah. I think I'll let the others get cold before I drink them."
They were watching the evening news when Kensi caught him yawning.
"Time for bed, come on." She held her hands out to help him up from the couch.
He grinned.
Kensi's eyes narrowed, "Down boy, you're sleeping in the bed alone."
He crossed his arms, pouting.
"I don't want to sleep in the bedroom. I've spent the last three weeks in a bed."
"Suit yourself," she grumbled. "I'll take the bed." Kensi brought a pillow and light blanket from the hall closet.
"Besides, I'm not tired."
She could tell by looking that he was, but she wasn't going to argue with him.
"Well I am." she tucked the pillow behind him and spread the blanket over his legs. "You don't have to sleep, just lay back and be quiet so I can, okay?"
He settled back on the couch, making certain that his gun was within easy reach.
She picked up the remote to turn off the TV and he protested.
"Please? Please leave it on. I promise I'll keep the volume low."
Kensi handed him the remote. "Okay."
She hung her blouse and slacks in the closet. Callen hadn't packed any clothes for her so she pulled on one of Deeks' tees and a pair of his pajama pants. The shirt hung on her but the pants fit surprisingly well.
She opened the door and called to him, "If you need anything, yell."
"Okay." he answered. "Make sure your window is closed and locked .Good night."
Kensi rolled her eyes, "I will. Good night." she left the door half open and turned out the light.
The sheets were cool and smelled faintly of cedar. She fell asleep quickly.
She woke, disoriented in the unfamiliar room. Kensi reached for the alarm clock, it was four-twenty in the morning. A sound from the living room brought her to her feet. Awake now, she slid her gun from under the pillow and crept down the hall.
Light from the TV bathed the room in fuzzy blue-white.
Deeks was moving restlessly on the couch, talking in his sleep. His hands were clutching the light blanket she'd covered him with.
Kensi hurried to him and crouched beside him.
"I don't know." he mumbled, "I don't… please…" he sucked in a deep breath like a man half drowned and sat up suddenly.
"Deeks?" she said softly, "It's all right, you just had a bad dream. You're okay."
He was still gasping, fighting off the last vestiges of the nightmare. Kensi put her hand on his arm, squeezing gently to let him know that she was there but he didn't react. She put her other hand on his cheek, feeling the rough stubble that was growing back now that he wasn't shaving.
Deeks turned and looked at her his eyes were wild and dark with fright "Kensi." he sighed.
"It was just a bad dream." she repeated.
"I…" his eyes focused on her and he smiled crookedly, "I'm thirsty."
She smiled back, "Gatorade?"
"Please."
She didn't miss the shudder that racked him as she got to her feet.
Kensi open the refrigerator, removed a bottle and poured some of the blue liquid into a tall glass and took it to him.
"Thanks." he said, taking the glass with a trembling hand. He took a few sips and then set the glass on the table.
"You okay now?" she asked.
He looked at her with a puzzled frown, "You're in my pants."
"Excuse me?" she asked with a trace of indignation in her voice.
His expression was humorous, "You're wearing my clothes."
"Oh. Well yeah," she stuttered, flushing, "For some reason, Callen didn't pack anything for me except my slippers."
He tilted his head and smiled, "You look good in my clothes."
Kensi laughed, trying to cover her embarrassment.
Deeks struggled to get off of the couch, "I gotta go."
"Go where?
"Bathroom."
"I'll help you." she offered, holding out a hand.
He waved her off and made it to his feet without assistance, "I can go pee by myself, thanks,"
On shaky legs, he walked slowly to the bathroom, leaning on the wall as he went down the hall.
He returned a few minutes later on more steady feet and dropped back down on the couch, "Did I wake you up?"
"I don't know." she answered, "I woke up and looked at the clock then I heard something. When I came in here, you were talking in your sleep."
He grumbled something she didn't understand got up and shuffled into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. He stood staring at the meager contents for a moment then closed the door and came back to the living room.
"I don't think I can get back to sleep, is there a pack of cards in this place?"
Kensi dug a pack of cards out of the table between the chair and couch and handed it to him.
"I think I'll run back to my place, take a shower and get a change of clothes. Will you be alright by yourself for a couple of hours?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm good." he opened the cards and dropped onto the couch. "Bring me some coffee when you come back?"
"Sure." she headed for the kitchen door and the garage beyond. "Call my cell if you need anything."
Kensi drove home, keeping an eye out for cars that seemed to stay with her. "I'm getting as paranoid as he is." she grumbled to herself.
She took a shower, washed her hair and changed into a pair of jeans and a white polo shirt. Kensi packed a small overnight bag with a few essentials, then locked up and headed out.
On the way back to the safe house, she stopped at the drive thru and got two breakfast burritos and two large coffees.
When she got back, Marty held the door open just wide enough for her to slip through. She set the breakfast items on the counter and took her bag to the bedroom and set it on the bed.
When she came back to the kitchen, Deeks had set the table, removed the burritos from their paper covers and placed them on the plates.
"Thank you." she said, taking a seat.
"Thank you," he said, sitting down across from her.
Kensi dug into her breakfast, she had half her burrito consumed when she noticed that he had stopped eating.
"Is something wrong? You don't like it?"
"No, no it's okay…"
"I can fix you something else."
"Kensi it's fine, I'm just not very hungry." he unrolled his burrito and picked at the filling. He ate the egg and the sausage, leaving the cheese and vegetables on the tortilla.
Kensi eyed him worriedly.
He hardly touched his coffee, which was strange for a guy who normally drank huge cups of the caffeinated beverage.
"Would you please stop staring at me like I'm going to suddenly burst into flames." he groused.
"Sorry." She concentrated on her plate, finishing her breakfast and her coffee.
When they were done, he cleared the table, thanking her for picking up breakfast.
"It was a good burrito," he said, "I'm just not feeling very hungry, that's all."
Kensi washed the dishes; he dried them and put them back in the cabinet. It made her smile that they were having such a domestic moment together.
"What?' he asked, noticing her grinning at him.
"It's just…" she held back a laugh, "us..."
"Like we've been doing this forever." he finished.
XxXxX
At nine o'clock the doorbell rang. Marty held his pistol by his leg while Kensi opened the door.
"Mornin' all." Dr. Lassiter said, stepping inside. His grey eyes didn't miss Deeks holstering his pistol in the waistband of his pants.
Kensi busied herself in the bedroom, putting away her clothes. When that small task was complete she went to the kitchen.
Dr. Vin's exam of him was more thorough this time. He listened to his heart and lungs, checked his eyes, ears and throat and pressed on his nail beds to check capillary refill.
"Pulse is a little slower than I like." he drawled, "But your respiration is deep and normal. Your color is good and you're talkin' fine."
"Blah, blah, blah." Marty laughed.
"How's your appetite?"
"I'm not real hungry," Marty admitted, "Kensi's trying to get me to eat more."
Vin nodded, "That's not unusual. No nausea, vomiting or stomach pain?"
"Nope."
"Good. Are you stayin' hydrated?"
Deeks held up a half empty bottle of Gatorade.
Vin nodded, "That's better for you than the juice or soda pop. Any problems going to the bathroom?"
"Just getting there."
"Exercise, but take it easy." he warned, "Try to do too much and you'll end up back in the hospital, like it or not."
Vin held his hands up, palms facing Marty, "Push against my hands."
Deeks did and the doctor smiled, "You're getting stronger. Mama and the twins said to tell you hello and that they will come see you as soon as they can."
Marty looked pleased, "Tell them I miss them."
"You aren't going to be up to any Muhammad 'greetings' for a while, so best not even try it." Dr. Vin cautioned.
Deeks rubbed his forehead with a wry smile. "Okay.
"Now, why don't you get dressed so you can take a lap around the back yard?" he said.
Marty got up without help and walked down the hall. Dr. Lassiter watched him until he disappeared into the bedroom.
Dr. Lassiter joined Kensi in the kitchen.
He fixed a steely-eyed gaze on her. "Now you tell me, how is he doing?" he asked softly.
Kensi folded her arms and spoke softly. "Truthfully, I'm worried about him. He's really paranoid, convinced that someone is out to get him. He pulls his gun out every time the doorbell rings and he won't go outside without checking to see if there's anyone lurking around. Do you think he might be brain damaged or something?"
Vin shook his head slowly with a tight smile, "Marty's got his problems but brain damage ain't one of 'em."
Kensi was silent for a moment, her lips compressed into a frown. "So what do you think it is?"
"Can't say for sure, but I know what it isn't. It's not paranoia. Look how relaxed he is right now. Paranoia would have him hyper vigilant constantly. He genuinely believes someone attacked him."
"The nurses said he just had a bad dream and that no one had been in his room."
"No one that they saw. I noticed some bruising starting to show on his chest," he put his fist on the center of his chest, "right here. It's deep tissue bruising with some dermal abrasion. An old school method for checkin' to see if someone is fakin' being unconscious is to rub your knuckles hard on the sternum, the pain can be excruciating."
He glanced back at the hallway, "It's a possibility that someone did that to him and it may have been the reason he woke up."
"So you think someone really did attack him?" Kensi sighed and crossed her arms.
"I think you need to get him out of here. Staying cooped up in this house ain't doin' him no good."
"Are you sure he's up to it? He's only been conscious for a day."
"I wouldn't recommend letting him drive during a car chase, but physically he's fine." the doctor assured her, "It'd give him something to do, keep his mind busy. Someone could keep an eye on him and if he gets tired, send him to bed."
Kensi thought for a moment, "I'll have to ask my boss."
Dr. Vin smiled, dug a pair of suckers out of his bag and laid them on the counter. "If your boss gives you any guff, have her call me."
"Her?" Kensi asked, raising a brow. "How do you know my boss is a woman?"
"Mama told me about your Ms. Lange." He opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. "She sounds like someone I know. Call me if you need anything, I can meet you wherever you like. Oh, I almost forgot, Mama and the twins are coming by to see him," he checked his watch, "in about twenty minutes and I have a date with a golf ball. 'bye, Kensi." he closed the door behind him.
Deeks came into the kitchen; he was dressed in shorts and a tee shirt.
"So how do you feel about heading in to the office with me today?" Kensi asked.
"Really?" he looked as though he thought she were teasing him, "You'd let me go with you?"
"Dr. Lassiter seemed to think it would be good for you."
"What did Hetty say?"
"I didn't ask her, I'm asking you."
Marty reached for the green sucker. "So if I want to, I can?"
Kensi smiled, "If you want to."
"But what about my clothes?"
"Eric dresses like that all the time and I'm sure Hetty will loan you something if she doesn't care for what you're wearing. Dr. Lassiter said Mama and the twins will be here in about twenty minutes, would you mind not pointing a gun at them?"
He took his gun out and put it in the drawer. "There. Happy?"
"Yes," she said, and picked up the other sucker, unwrapping it and popping it into her mouth.
XxXxX
Fifteen minutes later a dark blue sedan pulled up in the driveway. The driver got out and opened the rear door. A short, delicate negro woman in a mint green pantsuit got out.
The twins were dressed in matching black suits and pale blue shirts with darker blue ties. Alvin's expression was grim but Muhammad looked almost joyful.
Mama Chang led them into the house.
"Kensi." Alvin nodded to the agent as he stepped inside.
Muhammad gave Kensi a quick hug and a peck on the cheek, "Where is Zack?"
"Remember what I told you;" Mama Chang laid a dainty hand on her son's arm, "Be gentle." the older woman gave Kensi a smile, "He's very excited that Zack is out of the hospital."
"Zack!" he called, spotting the man in the living room. He rushed over and picked the detective up off his feet.
"I greet you gentle." Muhammad said, touching his forehead to Marty's without the usual force.
"Thanks, big guy." said Marty breathlessly, "Now, could you put me down?"
Muhammad tenderly lowered him back to the floor.
Mama Chang threw her arms around Marty and hugged him tight.
"You're too skinny." she scolded.
"You always say that." Deeks protested.
"It is always true." she laid a hand on his cheek, "You're getting scruffy again."
"I hate shaving."
"You look younger without the beard." she said with a wry smile.
"I look like a kid without the beard."
Alvin step forward, hands clasped behind his back, "It's good to see you up and around." a mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I guess I won't need to borrow music from the booth?"
"Better not." Marty warned.
"We can't stay long; you've got to be going." Mama said.
Marty's eyebrows raised, "Me? Going where?"
She gave him an inscrutable look, "I know you, Zack Donavan," she said with just the slightest accent on his undercover name. "You won't stay locked up in this house very long, you've got to be out there," she waved a hand, "getting into things." she smiled.
"I'm glad to see you." Marty said.
"When you feel up to it, I want you to come home for dinner." she poked him gently. "You've lost weight you needed to keep."
Marty rolled his eyes; his weight was a long standing argument between them.
"I saw that," Mama scolded. "Don't you be arguing with me."
Deeks looked at Kensi for help and she just shrugged.
"Don't look at me," Kensi said. "I'm staying out of this."
"I promise I'll come for dinner as soon as I can." he conceded.
Mama nodded, "Don't make me send the hounds after you," she looked at Alvin, "We'd better go so Zack can get going too."
"Yes, Mama." Muhammad shook hands with Marty and Kensi, "Goodbye, we see you at dinner soon."
Alvin nodded to Kensi, "It was nice to see you again."
"And you." Kensi replied, walking the trio to the door.
Deeks stood behind her, waved to the others as they got into the car. He locked the door as soon as Kensi closed it.
"Why does Alvin always have his hand in his pocket or behind his back?" Kensi asked, taking a seat in the recliner. "Is it some kind of gangster thing?"
Deeks looked thoughtful for a moment, "Did you know that Muhammad was a professor of mathematics at USC? He taught calculus and quantum mechanics." Marty sat on the couch and picked at the hem on his shorts.
"Alvin talked Muhammad into taking the summer off to be a bodyguard for Damon Sharpe. Sharpe like the idea of having a matched set of bodyguard - his twin dogs as he called them."
Kensi could detect a slight quaver in his voice as he spoke. Deeks still carried scars both mental and physical from his confrontation with the now deceased drug dealer Damon Sharpe.
"Not one person got past them; they made a pretty scary pair." Deeks continued. "No one dared to mess with Damon Sharpe as long as the twins were around. It was two weeks before school started back up when some rival of Sharpe's came around, did a drive by in the parking lot of the club and ripped the twins to shreds."
Marty's fingers twisted the fabric. "Muhammad was shot three times in the head; Alvin took one in his chest, left hand and wrist. Both of them nearly died and Sharpe…" his voice cracked, "Sharpe wasn't even scratched."
Deeks shook his head, "He didn't visit them in the hospital or even offer to help with the medical bills. He just walked away like they were nothing, disposable."
Marty's shoulders tensed and he was silent for several minutes. "Muhammad was in a medically induced coma for a week while they waited for the swelling in his brain to go down enough that that they could see how much damage had been done. They told Mama that he would probably not survive and even if he did he wouldn't be able to do anything for himself again. Mama Chang sold everything she had, cashed out her retirement and brought in the best doctors she could find to take care of him."
Kensi leaned closer to Deeks, her eyes soft. "What about Alvin?"
"His left hand was messed up pretty bad, they wanted to amputate it but he wouldn't let them. He has a lot of nerve and tendon damage in it; sometimes he can't hold onto things. The scars are pretty ugly."
"So that's why he'd always hiding his hand? The scars?"
"Yeah."
"Why doesn't he just have some cosmetic surgery done on it? They can do some pretty amazing things with making scars almost invisible."
"He won't." Deeks looked up at her and his eyes were dark and damp, "I think he wants to keep the scars to remind him that it was his fault."
"His fault that someone shot them?"
"His fault that someone shot his brother." Deeks sat back, tilting his head and staring at the ceiling. "Alvin talked Muhammad into taking the job. He feels responsible for Muhammad losing everything."
"Oh." said Kensi. She didn't like the sudden tension in the air, "So, how about we head on in? It's still early, I bet we can find something to keep you out of trouble," she grinned, "at least for a little while."
Deeks got up and Kensi noticed for the first time that he was wearing the flip flops Callen had packed.
"They go better with the shorts," he explained with a grin.
ZZZzzzzzzz
Violet Eternity, Liz-Beth520, grs4ever, Jena, and pyps - Thank you for all the encouragement!
BlueEyes44, Darcy Foster and my lucky charm Penelope the Perky Penguin – Thank you for sticking with me!
amblue36 – You are the best! Thank you for nudging the muse and keeping me going!
To everyone who has read and reviewed – YOU are my inspiration, THANKS!
Elegant Agony is still waiting for my beta to get back to me – I hope I haven't scared her off…
To learn more about the Changs and Damon Sharpe, read my other story Past Presence.