A/N: Here is chapter 30...Oh and we still don't own anything related to the show.

Much to the frustration of the team, the lab was backed up that evening and not even Hetty's pull was speeding things up faster than they were going now. So with nothing to do but wait, everyone was sent home for some much needed rest. Deeks had to grudgingly admit that it would be nice to have the kids home and in their own beds so even if things didn't feel normal for the adults, the kids could have a some of that normalcy.

Once home, each kid had a small snack and then in utter exhaustion crashed in their own beds for the night. After Deeks had laid Isla down in her crib he walked back down the hall and saw Kensi's silhouette in the doorway to the boys' room. He slowly came up behind her before wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder as she watched the boys sleep.

"They'll be okay," Deeks said softly so as not to wake the boys.

"I know, but I can't imagine if it had been one of them that was taken," Kensi whispered, her voice choking up with emotion that she had barely kept in check through the day. "This is why I never wanted to love anyone again after Jack. Loving someone is giving them the power to tear your heart and life to shreds whether they mean to or not. If I lost one of them – or you, I don't think I could ever be whole again." She leaned back into his embrace and fought back the impending tears.

Deeks heart wrenched in pain for her but he wasn't sure how he could make it better. They had dangerous jobs that either could lose their lives during and the world was a dangerous place even for kids these days. This case was proof of that. There were no guarantees in life that they would all make it out the other end in one piece and together, but he'd be damned if he didn't fight for that with all his being. He loved this woman and these children with everything he had and he would never give up on them. And then it popped into his head…

"Marry me," he whispered close to her ear and felt her tense.

"What?" Kensi's voice was barely loud enough to hear.

"I know a piece of paper and a ring won't bring any more guarantees into our lives than we already have, but I never want to spend another moment without you by my side and I want these kids to know that I'm never going anywhere," Deeks tried not to babble, but his heart was racing and his words rang with truth. "I can't live my life without you, Kensi Marie Blye."

Kensi turned her head back and up, twisting her body in his so she could look into his eyes. He was completely serious and it sent a thrill through her. Were they ready for that kind of step?

"I – uh don't have a ring or anything," Deeks looked abashed and downward, "but – "

"Yes," Kensi interrupted him and then smiled brightly.

Deeks' head shot back up and he stared at her in shock. "Really? You're sure?"

"Deeeeeeeeeks," Kensi half whined. "You're not supposed to ask if I'm sure. Of course I'm sure."

Deeks' face brightened and he leaned down to capture her lips with his in an urgent and passionate kiss.

"Mmmm, maybe we should move this somewhere else," Kensi chuckled as they broke for air.

"Yes, mam," Deeks said before giving her one last kiss and then lifting her up bridal style to carry her the few feet to their bedroom.

KDKDKDKDKDKDKDKDKD

Everyone slept in until eight the next morning and when Deeks woke up and saw the time he nearly jolted out of bed, but realized he was being weighed down by a fast asleep and very naked partner whose body was only concealed by a thin sheet. A very large part of him wanted to stay in this bed with her for a while longer, but he knew the silence wouldn't last long and he didn't want the kids running in on them in such a compromising and naked position. Leaning over the short distance to his partner he kissed her awake until she moaned and arched her body into his.

"Hey now, we need to get up before the kids come in and see us," Deeks chuckled under his breath, already finding it hard to deny her.

With a sigh, she pulled back some to look into his eyes. "Anything from OSP?"

"Not yet," Deeks' face darkened some. "I'll text in while you get ready though."

Kensi nodded and pulled the sheet tighter around her and moved to get up and get ready. Deeks quickly grabbed a pair of pajama pants and grabbed his phone to shoot off a text to Callen to see if anything had come in through the night. While he waited for a response he peaked in on Isla to see her sitting up in her crib and looking more awake than himself.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Deeks cooed as he reached in to lift her up and out of the crib. The toddler cuddled into his chest and stuck her thumb into her mouth. "Want some breakfast?"

She nodded tiredly and he carried her down the hall and into the boys' room. Both were still fast asleep, so Deeks left them to go down stairs and start in on breakfast.

"How about you watch some cartoons while I make everyone French toast and bacon?" Deeks asked the girl. "Wait… do you even like French toast?" His voice was teasing and she quickly nodded with wide eyes. "Alright, then you sit tight here and I'll fix us all up some."

Deeks set her on the floor and set the TV to show some cartoon that looked age appropriate while he made his way to the kitchen several feet away and began preparations for breakfast. Just before he was about to put the bacon on his phone beeped at him, letting him know he'd gotten a text.

Labs went well. Got a lead, but we don't need you two yet. Will call when we do.

This was a time where Callen's straight to the point messages were actually pretty nice. He got back to breakfast and just as he'd finished the first batch, Kensi came down the stairs herding the remaining two boys who were still in their pj's and looking pretty groggy. Between him and Kensi they managed to set the table, get the kids to sit at the table, and finish making the food so they could all eat at once. After a few bites, the boys seemed to wake up more and chatter soon filled the dining room.

"So what are we do'n today?" Elijah asked after a mouthful of bacon.

Kensi and Deeks shared a miserable look but before they could say anything Will spoke up.

"You should keep looking for those boys," he said in a serious voice.

The partners nodded gravely.

"After we do though, I say we all go down to the boardwalk to the fair so we can play games and go on some of the rides," Deeks suggested, looking between the kids in hopes they would cheer up some.

"YEAH!" Elijah was the first to throw a fist into the air in excitement and the other two joined in with vigorous agreements.

Kensi gave Deeks' thigh a gentle squeeze of appreciation for the idea before smiling and continuing to finish her own plate. She couldn't have picked out anyone better than the man beside her to help raise these three kids.

After they had all finished up eating, Deeks' phone rang and he saw that it was Callen.

"I think it's time to head in," Deeks said to Kensi before answering the phone.

"Alright boys, let's get you dressed for the day, huh?" Kensi ushered the boys up the stairs and carried Isla on her hip as Deeks took the call. By the time Kensi had gotten all the kids dressed, Deeks was just finishing getting ready himself. "I'll top off their bags if you can get breakfast cleaned up," Kensi offered, slinging the half empty kids' bags over her shoulder.

"K," Deeks agreed and skipped down the stairs to quickly throw dishes into the dishwasher and wipe the syrup from the table. "Ready?"

"Yep!" Kensi came down the stairs with three bags and three kids and they were out the door in seconds.