CHAPTER NINE
Deeks glances at his watch every few minutes, frustrated at being kept away from Kenzi so long. He is waiting at the hospital, but with nothing to occupy his time, his mind turns to the case. Kenzi would be the first to agree that Schultz and Riley were bad news and they never would have been caught without her... but at what cost to her? Upon arriving at the medical clinic in Ramona, Kenzi was barely conscious. As soon as the seriousness of her injuries was determined, she was airlifted to the bigger trauma hospital in Escondido.
The others finally finished up the scene, arranged for the highway patrol to secure the overturned rig full of Navy GPS units until daylight when work could begin on uprighting the trailer and its cargo. Tired beyond words, Callen and Sam had to wait for the troopers to pull their somewhat battered car out of the ditch before they could leave. They were worried about Kenzi after learning from Deeks that she was airlifted to the bigger hospital. The drive is about an hour and neither says a word on the way, lost in their own thoughts.
Riley and Monk were transported back to LA by the state troopers on direct orders from Heddy. Apparently she wasn't taking any chances with these two. Not after she learned Ben Schultz had hanged himself in his jail cell shortly after Sam left him in the hands of the troopers there. It wasn't completely unexpected... being a former cop, and a dirty one at that; Schultz would not have survived in prison anyway.
Callen and Sam are just entering the family room where they were told Deeks was waiting and see his impatience. Deeks glances down at his watch and sighs impatiently; wondering what is taking so long. He jumps when Callen's voice invades his private thoughts.
"You know, staring at your watch won't make time pass quicker, Deeks."
"What was the last update on her condition?" Sam has the most medical knowledge from his time as a Navy Seal with combat medic training.
"She's in surgery. Broken ankle, broken jaw by her temple... not sure on the damage to her knee, but she's gonna have a scar."
"What about her head injury? Was there anything serious?" Sam sits beside his teammate and pumps him for information.
"Severe concussion from... get this... three different points of impact! I mean... WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED OUT THERE!?" Deeks jumps to his feet, pacing back and forth as his agitation and frustration boil up inside him. His hands are fisted as his eyes dart dangerously around the room, looking for something or someone to punch.
Sam and Callen exchange a glance, knowing their friend is blaming himself as much as them for not being there to protect her like they said they would. Callen tries to reason with him before they end up explaining why the room was trashed. He steps into the path of his anger and holds his ground until Deeks stops moving and looks up at him.
"She's gonna be all right, Deeks. She's a fighter."
"Really, Callen? Does that make it all okay that we weren't there for her!?"
"No, it doesn't make it all right... but you need to get that out of your head. Right now you need to be positive for her. She needs you, Deeks... now more than ever before."
Their eyes meet and he realizes Callen knows about the relationship between them. Deeks' eyes quickly dart over to Sam, who is seated nearby. "Did you...?"
"Nope. Callen pegged that one all on his own, my friend... but it was pretty obvious."
"Obvious?" Deeks is stunned because the only time he and Kenzi had displayed anything more than professionalism as partners was when they were alone. "Shit! Heddy did have that apartment wired, didn't she!?"
Both agents laugh at Deeks' sudden worried look; then shake their heads to dispel that particular theory. Callen drops his hand on Deeks' shoulder in a brotherly way and explains how they knew what was going on between their two team members.
"Deeks, we've been watching you and Kenzi dancing around this thing for months now."
"Never thought you two would do anything about it, but apparently that's changed."
"Wait! Whoa! You guys are just yanking my chain, right? You don't really know..." They were always picking on him as the newest member of the team and sometimes Deeks still had a hard time telling when they were kidding.
"Know what, Deeks? That you've been like a caged bear ever since Kenzi agreed to go in on this operation?"
"It was a dangerous mission... as you know... and look how it turned out!" He waves his hand at their surroundings.
"And you were way too eager to drive that rig back to town with Kenzi." Callen tips his head to the side, studying Deeks for a moment before he adds, "Did you do the sleeper test on the way?"
"Yea, 'cause Deeks didn't even bat an eye when Kenzi was standing there with her shirt hanging in shreds! That's a sight we both noticed right away, wasn't it Callen?"
"Yep... couldn't miss that. Deeks was pretty cool about it all... kinda like he's seen it before, huh?" He and Sam are having a good time bantering back and forth. Watching Deeks become more flustered by the minute.
"Guys! Come on... she was choking me out at the time! I wasn't really focused on her clothing!"
"No, but you sure were quick to offer up your t-shirt to her...?"
"... and Kenzi didn't even hesitate when you stripped for her." Sam points this out from his seat. "You done that before, Deeks?"
He stands there with his hands on his hips, flustered by the rapid fire questions that are hitting way to close to the truth. He knows he could deny it until they are all drop dead of old age, but these two would never let it go. So, in defense of his sanity... and to head off any problems with Kenzi later, he takes a deep breath and makes a stand against their interrogation.
"You know what? NO, she has not worn my shirts before. NO, I have not stripped for her before... unless you count the time we had to be scrubbed down in the decontamination tent last year. NO, we did not test out the sleeper compartment on the drive back to LA. And NO, I was not... well, maybe I was a little apprehensive about Kenzi taking this assignment, but that's only because I know what truckers are like."
Sam and Callen exchange another smirk as they realize he conveniently forgot to deny one of their allegations. Sam finally stands up and comes to face his flustered friend, putting him in full interrogation mode.
"You forgot to deny the part about seeing Kenzi naked before, Deeks. What's up with that?"
"I... no... I... well..." His eyes dart from one man to the next and realizes the truth... if Kenzi's kiss up there hadn't given it away, they had a pretty good idea already. He honestly doesn't want to lie about his relationship, no matter how new it is. He sighs as a grin slowly spreads across his face and finally admits, "Well... not completely naked... but that was only because I was too worried about Heddy having that place bugged."
His two tormentors share another glance at the cost of their friend; playing on his not all too unjustified fears that their boss knew everything they did somehow. "Hhmm... maybe she did."
"Guess we'll find out when we get back to the office."
They return to their seats signaling the conversation is officially over and leaving Deeks standing there in the middle of the room. He now has a new worry on his mind, but their tactic worked because he is sufficiently distracted from his earlier anger over the outcome of the mission.
Deeks stops with his hand on the door, almost afraid to see her in this condition. Then with a deep breath he finally pushes the door open and steps inside. The room is dimly lit and it takes a moment for his eyes to adjust. He hears the beep and hum of monitors around her bed, but his eyes are riveted to the woman lying there. She looks so small and frail lying there. She is as pale as the sheets covering her, except for the raw, red cuts and abrasions on her skin. He slowly walks towards her, moving silently so he won't disturb her sleep.
He takes a moment to examine every inch of her now… noting her bandaged head, the sling holding her left leg up, the bandages on her knee and the heavy cast on her foot. It looks as if there isn't one inch of her that isn't injured in some way. He hesitantly leans closer, bending down to place a tender kiss on her brow. His caress is feather light, but as he draws back he sees her eyes flutter open. It takes her a moment to focus on him, but then a tired smile brightens her face and she doesn't look quite so pale.
He smiles back as he leans on the side rail and whispers, "God, I thought you were dead."
"You keep saying that. I guess I did it again."
"Did what?"
"You told me never to worry you like that again… I'm sorry."
"I'm the one who should be apologizing, Kenz… I wasn't there for you."
"Hey, aren't you supposed to kiss me after you say… God, I thought you were dead?"
"I wasn't supposed to do it last time… it just kinda happened." He smiles, happy she still has her sense of humor.
"Uh-huh... come here." She uses her free hand to grab his shirt front and pull him closer.
He leans carefully over her as he kisses her gently several times, as if he is afraid of hurting her. She curls her other hand up around his neck, trailing her IV line in the process. She urges him closer, but when her lips part to deepen the kiss, she moans in pain. He jerks back, afraid he hurt her, as she frowns at the pain in her jaw. She gently rubs the swollen area and then sighs in frustration as her eyes meet his again.
"Guess that'll have to wait... jaw hurts too much."
"Behave yourself, woman. Doctor said you have a broken jaw, broken ankle and a shredded knee not to mention three subdural bleeds in your head. You're in no condition to... "
"Wanna bet? You give me a few minutes and I'll find some way to make room for you in this bed."
"Believe me… I'd find a way myself if Callen, Sam and Heddy weren't all standing outside that door."
She tries to laugh, but then groans in pain again. He gently kisses her nose and is about to pull back when she reaches up to guide his mouth back to hers. He allows her to draw him in for one last gentle kiss, but then reluctantly pulls back as he pulls her blanket a little higher under her chin. He winks at her and teases, "How is it you even look good in a hospital gown?"
"Yea, right. I can just imagine what I look like right now." Her hand comes up to flutter over the bandage surrounding her head.
"Believe me… you're the most beautiful thing in the world to me, Kenzi. Cuts, bruises, cast and all."
He reaches out to tenderly brush her hair back from her cheek as the door behind him finally opens to admit the others. Sam and Callen had convinced Heddy to give Deeks a moment alone with her, but her impatience to make sure Kenzi was all right finally won out. As they step up to the bed, Kenzi quickly blinks away the sudden tears that Deeks' sweet words brought on. He gives her a private wink and then steps back.
With his characteristic class clown attitude, Deeks gives a dramatic sweep of his hand across Kenzi's bed and announces, "Come one! Come all! Only one dollar to see the miracle woman with the hardest head in all the kingdom!"
"Really, Mr. Deeks. I don't think Ms. Blye appreciates your sense of humor at a time like this." Heddy places her hand on his stomach and gently pushes him back further so she can get up close to Kenzi's side. She would never admit it, but Kenzi holds a special place in her heart and she has been very worried about her. "Kenzi, how are you feeling, dear?"
"Fine. I'm good, Heddy, really." Kenzi now has to blink back fresh tears as she sees the honest concern from her boss.
Heddy takes her hand and pats it gently, saying more than any words could do. Then to lighten the mood, she gives her one of her famous finger wags and adds, "I guess I'll have to keep you on a shorter leash for a while."
"What? Not chaining me to my desk, are you?" They all knew there was nothing Kenzi hated more than being restricted from active work duty.
"Maybe… but until you're cleared..."
"I volunteer to keep an eye on her for you, Heddy." Deeks is a little too quick to volunteer.
Heddy stares up at him for several seconds as she suddenly sees the reason for Sam and Callen's request to let him see Kenzi first. The others are all watching in suspense, wondering what her reaction will be, but when she speaks it takes them all by surprise.
"Mr. Deeks… what a wonderful idea. I was just wondering who we could get to stay with Ms. Blye during her recuperation."
"Oh, uhm... stay with her? Yea, I can do that... I guess... I mean, if that's all right with Kenzi?" His eyes dart to hers and the twinkle there tells him she is enjoying his discomfort at being pinned by Heddy's sharp intellect once more.
"I'm only thinking of her well being, Mr. Deeks... as I am sure you are? Ms. Blye won't be able to drive or do much walking for a while, according to the doctor. She'll need someone... reliable to help her?"
"Yea Deeks, you know... wait on her hand and foot, jump every time she needs a drink of water... sponge baths..." Sam can't hide his amusement when the implications of his suggestion become clear to Deeks.
"Well, yea... water. I can do that. Driving, no problem. Sponge baths... wow, I may have to do a few practice runs to make sure I got that one down." He arches a brow playfully at the woman lying in the bed and is happy to see the blush on her cheeks has almost returned her normal color.
Deeks stayed in Escondido to be with Kenzi while she is hospitalized, but that left him without transportation when Callen and Sam head back to LA to wrap up the case. Three days later, when they finally hear Kenzi is cleared to go home, Callen and Sam drive down to pick up their teammates. When they arrive at the hospital, they find Kenzi up hobbling around impatiently on her crutches. Deeks is sitting on the edge of her bed, trying to reason with her, but Kenzi's agitation is compounded by Doctor Swangai's reluctance to hurry her discharge paperwork along.
When the two newcomers enter her room she is grumbling to an exasperated Deeks, "I know they're dead by now."
"I beg your pardon!? We are not dead… we're just late." Callen announces their presence.
"My house plants, Callen. I'm sure they're all just shriveled up little twigs by now."
"House plants? You worry about your house plants?" Sam teases her until he sees the warning from Deeks as he shakes his head discreetly.
"Well, I wouldn't worry too much, Kenz. It looks like you got plenty of new plants here to replace them with." Callen takes the diplomatic road and waves his hand to indicate the many plants filling her room.
"And how am I supposed to get these home? Did you guys bring the MTAC van?"
"Uhm, no... but we did bring the Tahoe... for your leg. Besides, there are about two dozen more on your desk at work." Sam offers this as a consolation, knowing they don't have room for all the plants in the car.
"Really?" For the first time since their arrival she smiles.
"Looks like a jungle... I swear. Every day more show up."
While the doctor is finishing the release papers Callen and Sam begin shuffling a few of the plants she really wants to keep. The Tahoe has plenty of room and would let her keep her leg straight and comfortable on the long ride home. Kenzi is still pacing impatiently on her crutches, swinging the metal supports dangerously close to Deeks' feet each time.
When they are alone, Deeks stops her frantic pacing by putting his arms on her hips and turning her, crutches and all until she is standing before him. His soothing voice helps to ease her tension.
"Relax, Kenz… you're supposed to be taking it easy, remember?"
"I'm tired of this place. I want my own home, my own bed with my own stuff." He finds her pouting tone strangely seductive.
"And we're gonna get you there... the bed part, I mean. Just as soon as the doctor waves that green flag."
"I like the sound of that... the bed part... unless you're completely turned off by my grouchy old woman act?"
"Grouchy maybe, but not an old woman by a long shot. Come on, I bet we can get a head start towards the elevators."
He kisses her lightly and stands up before her, bringing their bodies into close contact for a moment. He then turns her towards the door and carries her bag as she slowly maneuvers her crutches beside him. Deeks was right, and as they approach the nurses desk a young nurse steps forward to have her sign the last of the papers before they leave. With that done, they head for the elevators and the ride back to Los Angeles.