I don't own NCIS Los Angeles! My native language is Dutch and I'm dyslectic so sorry for any mistakes. Thank you for the reviews, alerts and favorites!

See, I don't always make you wait an entire month (still feel awful about it!). My day sucked so I hope that if your day sucked, this makes it a little tiny bit better! Enjoy

Chapter 31

'Narah! Get out of your bed now!' Kensi yelled in the direction of the teenager's room once again. 'Shower and breakfast! Now! We leave in half an hour!' Contently she heard the door open and footsteps on the floor. Soon Narah appeared in the view. She looked very tired and her hair and pajamas were all messed. Kensi put the plate down.

'Bad night?' she asked and Narah shrugged.

'I do not feel so good,' she answered and Kensi sighed. She walked over to the girl and stroked her head.

'You can't miss another day of school, sweetie,' she told her. 'I'm sorry…Just go to school and if you keep feeling bad, you can ask Julia to pick you up, okay?' Narah nodded and dragged herself to the bathroom. Kensi watched her walk away and texted her mother, telling her that Narah might be calling her to pick her up earlier. Then she drank the last bit of her coffee and knocked on the bathroom door.

'Narah, shower time is over!' she said through the door. 'Come and eat your breakfast.' The shower was turned off and Kensi walked to the living room to sit on the couch, waiting for Narah. Monty walked over and put his head on her knee. Kensi scratched the dog behind his ear.

'I don't feel like eating breakfast,' Narah said as she walked in, fully dressed and with brushed hair.

'Try to eat some yogurt or fruit instead, then,' Kensi suggested. 'You have to eat something before going to school.' Narah plumped down on the chair. Kensi walked over and put her hand on Narah's forehead.

'What are you doing?' Narah asked confused.

'Umm…checking your temperature,' Kensi answered as she took her hand away. 'Your forehead doesn't feel warm…so that's supposed to mean you do not have a fever…'

'How did you come up with that?' Narah asked. 'I just came out of the shower…I don't think there would be any use feeling my forehead…you have a thermometer to check someone's temperature.' Kensi smiled.

'Well I do not have one…' she told her, 'and I'm sure that if Deeks had one, I have no idea where he would have put it.' Narah's head turned a little sad when Kensi mentioned Deeks' name and Kensi took a deep breath.

'Deeks is fine,' she said and Narah nodded.

'I just miss him.'

'I miss him too, Narah…now grab an apple because we have to go before we arrive late at school and work!'

During the day Kensi kept checking her phone to see if either Narah or Julia had tried to call her. She had to admit she was worried about Narah, and if she was able to, she would have kept Narah at home. But schooldays were important and Narah already missed a lot. And then they had a meeting with Social Services later on the day. Today they would both be interviewed about…probably everything. Kensi was nervous. This was the moment she could screw up. She would rather be put in a shooting than trying to answer questions. If only she had just an easy job.

'Kensi, I do not think you can miss a call,' Sam noted as she grabbed her phone once again. 'You have been checking it every three minutes.' Kensi sighed.

'Expecting a call?' Callen asked.

'I hope not,' she answered. 'It's just…Narah wasn't feeling so good this morning and I still sent her to school. I told her to call Julia if it became too much.'

'Probably just a little school sick,' Sam told her. 'It happens. Usually when they are at school, they feel a lot better.' Kensi nodded with a weak smile and she opened her email. It had become a habit, even though she knew there would be no new e-mails. But it felt good to look and feel the excitement of the very small possibility there was one. Over the week they had gotten an email from Deeks almost every day. Finally they had some contact with him again. Usually the emails were short and said the same each time, but it was contact and that was what counted for her and Narah.

'Will you pretty, pretty, please with a cherry on the top, go with me to the mall after school?' Emily begged, practically on her knees. Narah couldn't help but laugh, even though she wasn't really feeling like going to mall. But then again it had been a while since she and Emily had some alone time.

'I will have to ask…' Narah couldn't finish her sentence before she had a squealing Emily in her ear.

'Thank you!' Emily said and she hugged Narah. 'My mom said I could only go if I went with someone…so I wouldn't come home with junk…like I have money for junk.' Money…Narah realized she didn't have any money. Usually if she needed something like clothes, Deeks and Kensi bought it for her. She didn't have her own money. It was strange to realize that. It was the first time she went to the mall with Emily when she was actual being taken care of, and still she had no money for her own. Maybe she could borrow some money from Julia, when she would come to pick her up.

'We will have to convince Julia,' Narah said and Emily nodded. 'But she will probably be okay with it, and might even bring us to the mall.' Emily squealed again and Narah started to laugh again. It would be nice spending some more time with Emily.

'Oh God, please don't tell me you have a mall date with Emily,' Ivan joked when he joined their table. 'That squeal can only mean shopping time.'

'It's just some very much needed girl time,' Emily smiled.

'I feel for you,' Ivan said to Narah, eyes twinkling.

'I will survive,' Narah told him. 'In some way…' Emily playfully hit her arm.

'Hey, we will have tons of fun!' she said, acting strictly. Then she turned to Ivan. 'You can come along…it would be nice to have a bag carrier.'

'I would rather die,' Ivan told her and he stuck his tongue out to her. All three started to laugh and got some warning looks from the teacher supervising the room. Friends were a good thing to have, Narah thought as she looked at her two best friends.

Narah sat on the very uncomfortable chair in the waiting room. Why were those chairs so uncomfortable? She kept glancing at the door which Kensi had entered from the interview. They would want to talk to Narah as well, so Narah was stuck waiting till they came for her. She didn't get why a place where children came and went they did not have any magazines for children. There was no way she was interested in the economic changes of the day.

'So what did you do to get called into the office?' the boy next to her asked with a joking smile on his face.

'I managed to get adopted,' she answered him and the boy raised his eyebrows.

'Yay for you…' he said sarcastically. 'They always promise adoption, but never grant it…it is a strange world with this Social Service. Not very social at all.'

'What do you know about it?'

'Oh, been almost adopted three times now…but each time there was a reason why they changed their minds or got rejected. Luckily I have only two more years before I can get away from their hold and figure out my own thing, like I have always done.' Narah looked at him. He was wearing baggy jeans and a very loosely fit T-shirt, leaning in the chair like he didn't have a care in the world. She used to sit like that when she was sent into this room, waiting for the next address to live. It was like you were only nervous when you had gotten the chance to get away from the system. Only then you had a reason to be stressed.

'Narah, if you could follow me?' a woman asked. Narah remembered that her name was Sophia. She had talked with her before. Narah nodded at her and got up from her chair. Before walking off, she turned to the boy.

'My parents will not change their mind,' she told him and the boy shrugged.

'Keep believing that, girly,' he told her.

'How have you and Mister Deeks experienced taking care of Narah?' Miss Rooney asked. 'Much trouble?'

'Well we took her in under difficult circumstances,' Kensi answered. 'So it has not been always easy, but when it comes to the taking care, it hasn't been much trouble. Narah does have things she has to deal with. But we try to help her with everything.' Miss Rooney nodded and it seemed like a content nod.

'During the house visit you told me that you have been looking for a new place to live; has there been progress in the search?'

'Umm…we found a place we loved but before we could do an offer…the house was sold to another family. So we're still looking for a place to live. But living in Deeks' apartment is good enough for the time being…at least I think.' Miss Rooney smiled reassuring at her.

'Could you tell me a little bit more about your daily routine?' she asked and Kensi took a moment to think about it.

'Well in the morning either Deeks or I make breakfast ready while the other wakes up Narah,' she started to tell. 'We bring her to school together and then go to work, together since we're partners. My mother picks her up after school and Narah stays there till we finish working. Depending on the day we eat dinner at my mother's or at Deeks' place.' Miss Rooney nodded and Kensi wished she replied to the answers she was giving. Instead of writing them down.

'I do have a question about your work,' Miss Rooney said and some fear rose in Kensi. 'I received the documents from your boss and I was wondering about the risks with the job…'

'Being in law enforcement is not the safest job, I'm not denying that,' Kensi answered. 'But we do whatever we can to come home to Narah every day. We're trying to make the world a safer place for her to live in. She has been in contact with our line of work…as you're aware of. We have a great team behind us…' As she took a moment to take a breath, she saw Miss Rooney smile.

'Miss Blye, I am sure you do whatever to get back home to Narah,' the woman said. 'It is very clear to me that you care about Narah. But what I'm concerned about is what's going to happen to Narah when you do not succeed in coming home safely?'

'I asked my mother to take care of Narah when something happens to me and Deeks. And she agreed on taking care of Narah.'

'Your mother, Julia Feldmen,' Miss Rooney asked and Kensi nodded. 'Is it true that you hadn't had contact with her for fifteen years until about a year ago?'

'That is correct,' Kensi answered. 'But my mother and I have reconnection and our relationship is strong. She also cares about Narah a lot.' Once again Miss Rooney nodded and she wrote something down.

'I read that in your mother's reference letter,' she said and Kensi smiled a little. 'All the reference letters were positive towards you and Mister Deeks. That you were starting, but good parents to Narah.'

It took the day too long to get to eight o'clock. Kensi sat by herself in the apartment, next to the computer, waiting for the last half hour to pass. Narah had gone back to Emily's place after the meeting with Social Services, hopefully enjoying herself. Narah had told Kensi she had gone to the mall with her friends. The mall…not a place where Kensi had pictured Narah wanting to spend a day. But as long she was with friends and having fun, it was okay with her. And she was having a great time. Or so it seemed when she had asked Kensi if she could stay a little longer at Emily's place. Kensi wondered if Narah had actually forgotten about their eight o'clock ritual. Maybe it was because the girl was used to not seeing the ones she cared about. Maybe it was a defend system kicking in. So Kensi sat alone in front of the computer, waiting for the moment she could access her account and see Deeks' email. Even Monty seemed to know about the ritual as he lay down on the floor beside her as eight o'clock came closer.

My Fern

So relieved to hear each time that you girls are doing okay. That is what get me

through each day. That is all that matters to me. Time is passing. Soon I will be

seeing you two again. Soon I will be able to hold you again. I promise you that.

As always, I love and miss you two!

A smile was glued on Kensi's face. Each night she dreamed about the moment she could hold Deeks again. Really be with him again. Days took so long to pass without him around her. While she was writing a reply to tell him about the meeting with Social Services, her phone started to vibrate. Expecting it to be Narah, she answered it. But it was not the call she wanted nor expected. After the phone call ended, she called Julia, with her heart beating rapidly.

'Kensi, why are you calling? I thought…'

'Mom, I need you to pick up Narah from Emily's place and bring her to Pacific Beach Medical, right now!'

'Oh God…did something happen to Marty?'

'Mom…can you just pick her up?'

'Of course, but Kensi…'

'I got to go!' Kensi quickly hung up and as she hurried over to her car, she called Hetty to tell her the news as well.

Kensi was pacing back and forth in the waiting area of the hospital. They were still working on him. She still couldn't see him. She turned around when she heard her name being called and she saw Julia hurrying towards her, followed by Narah. Julia pulled her immediately into a hug and Kensi had to fight her tears.

'He's going to be okay,' Julia whispered softly in her ear while stroking her hair. As Julia released her, she looked at her. 'Have they told you anything yet?' Kensi shook her head and she looked at Narah who was standing like a lost girl in front of her. Kensi pulled her close against her and held her.

'They are still working on him…and Bates still has to come,' she told Julia. 'Callen and Sam are on their way as well…but…no one is telling me anything…' Julia stroked her hair again.

'He will be okay, sweetie,' she assured her. 'Marty is a strong guy and…'

'Kensi, what happened?!' Callen asked as soon as he walked into the waiting area with Hetty and Sam. Kensi ran a hand through her hair.

'I don't know…' she stumbled. 'No one can tell me anything and…'

'We will ask around,' Sam told her and he gently squeezed her arm before heading towards the nurses' station. Hetty was already on her phone, involved in what seemed like an angrily conversation. Kensi turned her head towards the door, wanting a doctor to come out and tell her Deeks would be okay. He had to be okay. It didn't take long before a doctor finally walked towards them.

'Family of Mister Aberdeen?' he asked.

'I'm his girlfriend and his next of kin,' Kensi told the doctor and he nodded.

'I'm doctor Jacobs and I'm the one who treated Mister Aberdeen when he was brought into the ER,' he started to tell. 'Mister Aberdeen sustained a concussion and several cracked ribs. For the beating he received, he is a lucky man. It could have been a lot worse. He is still unconscious but we expect him to wake up soon.'

'Can we see him?' Kensi asked worried.

'Yes you can,' doctor Jacobs answer, 'but for now only two at the time.' Kensi turned to her mother and team, who all nodded. She glanced down at Narah, whose gaze was fixated on the doctor. She nodded at the doctor and followed him with Narah by her side.

'Here is his room,' doctor Jacobs said and he opened at the door. Narah stopped in her tracks when they saw Deeks lying in the hospital bed, with his eyes closed.

'It's okay,' Kensi whispered at Narah but the girl started to shake her head. Before Kensi could say anything else, Narah's eyes rolled back and the girl fell down.

Narah felt soft taps against her cheeks and a hand holding her own hand. She slowly opened her eyes, blinked a few times and Kensi's concerned face appeared in front of her. When she looked to her side, doctor Jacobs smiled weakly at her.

'Welcome back,' he said to her. Kensi helped her sit up and Narah looked at her.

'What happened?' she asked.

'You fainted when you saw Deeks,' Kensi answered while she stroked her hair. 'It was a bit too much for you…' Narah's eyes shifted from Kensi's face to Deeks' bed.

'Do you think you can stand up?' doctor Jacobs and Narah nodded. 'Okay, carefully.' With the support of Kensi and doctor Jacobs, Narah was soon standing on her feet again. Kensi grabbed a chair so Narah could sit down next to the bed, looking at a sleeping Deeks. Thinking about the fact she actually fainted in front of Kensi and the doctor. She actually felt ashamed about it. She never fainted before and especially not in front of anyone.

'I have to go, but if you have any question you just page me,' doctor Jacobs said and Narah looked up at him. 'Take it easy; stay in the chair, but I think you will be fine. The emotions probably got a little bit too much.' He smiled reassuring and left the room.

'Are you sure you're feeling okay?' Kensi asked worried while she crouched down next to her.

'Yeah, I feel okay,' Narah answered her. 'I think I got a little too emotional…like the doctor said. It was just a shock seeing him.' They both turned their head to Deeks, who had a couple of bruises and cuts on his face and arms. Kensi stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head.

TBC.

So Deeks is back...kinda...