Hey everyone!

I actually managed to update sooner than I thought I would be able to.
Enjoy!

One week to Thanksgiving

When Deeks got into work the next morning he met Sam and Callen in the parking lot.

"Morning guys.", said Deeks.

"Morning Deeks",they answered in unison.

"How is Soph doing?"asked G.

"She's alright. Spending lots of time over at Jasmine's with Chris. They're already doing Christmas stuff. Some german tradition."

Sam could hear the sadness and guilt in his team mate's voice. Being a father himself he knew the feeling. They spent much more time at work than with their family and while his children still have their mother, Sophia didn't have anyone besides Deeks.

"Why don't you take a week off or two and take her on vacation? Maybe even to Germany since it seems to fascinate her so much" Sam suggested.

Deeks looked at him and seemed to be deep in thought. He didn't speak again until they made their way into the bullpen.

"Yeah maybe. Thanks Sam."

They dropped their bags next to their desks and sat down before they noticed the envelopes on their desk. They exchanged looks before each of them opened their letter.

"It's an invitation" stated G.

"For Thanksgiving dinner at Agent Dearing's place", added Sam, "and she even invited Michelle and the kids."

Both man looked up as Deeks remained silent. He looked at the invitation and then put it in a drawer and without saying anything started on his paper work. The partners exchanged worried looks. Both thinking the same. If Dearing invited Michelle and Sam's kids, she also probably invited Kensi and Sophia...

Eric and Nell came running down the stairs, each holding an invitation. Sam and Callen looked up at them and just shook their heads. They seemed to understand, looked at Deeks before turning around and heading back upstairs. G looked over at Hetty's desk and sure enough there was another one of those envelopes. Seems like Agent Dearing invited the whole team. Of course they couldn't really decline it. Deeks just had to deal with it. Callen just wondered if Deeks would go the easy way (just declining the invitation) or the harder way (accepting and explaining about Kensi).

It was not even quite dawn yet and he still made his way through the woods. He wanted to have an early start so he could hunt for a longer time. It was an unusual warm night/morning for Montana. Not that he complained or anything, it was still cold just not as freezing cold for which he was grateful. His tree stand came into view and he was glad that he invested in a wooden box rahter than just a seat. At least it kept the wind and rain out.

Starting to climb up the ladder he was already thinking about the deer that he would hopefully shoot and then eat for dinner. He almost had the shock of his life as he opened the door and found that there was already someone in his box, curled up under the blanket he always left there.

He reached out and poked the bundle under the blanket. Nothing happened. He poked again a little harder this time. Still nothing. So he slowly stepped inside trying not to step on the apparently unconscious person. It was pretty cramped in there but he manged and knelt down next to where he assumed the persons head to be and carefully lifted the blankets.

What he saw made him gasp and sick to the stomach. A brunette woman's face, pale and covered in bruises , cuts and scratches, her lips blue-ish. He quickly checked her pulse which was barely there. Her skin ice cold to his touch. It was very clear to him that she needed help NOW. He just hope he could bring her to a hospital in time since his truck was a mile away and even then the nearest hospital was over an hour away...

He picked her up and noticed that she was way to light for it to be healthy. Trying not to fall he climbed down the ladder and made his way through the woods back to his truck.

It's been two days since she invited the team and almost everyone hat accepted, everyone but Agent Deeks who hadn't responded at all. She looked over at him from her desk. For the first time since she started working she actually noticed the wedding band on his finger. It was a simple golden band.

She stood up and walked over to his desk, standing in front of it she shortly thought about how to start this. At least the two older Agents weren't there. She went with the polite way.

"I'm sorry to bother you Agent Deeks but since Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away I need to know if you and your family are coming to my dinner or not. So I can plan how much food I need to buy."

He didn't answer her but just let out a sigh as if he had expected her to come and ask him. He seemed to think for a moment and the responded in a quiet voice.

"How can I accept and invitation from someone while having no clue what her first name is?"

"Claire."

"Huh?" He looked up at her surprised.

"My name. It's Claire. Claire Adena Dearing. So now that that is out of the way you and your family are coming?"

She smiled at him and saw him thinking once again. Apparently he couldn't come up with another excuse.

"Alright. Me and my daughter are coming."

"Why is your wife not coming? I would love to meet her."

"Because she's dead."

So that's it for now. I try to update as soon as possible but since my family is coming from Germany I probably wont have too much time over the next 3 weeks. Hope you understand.