I couldn't help it. I had to rewatch the scene three times over today then record it. It's just so...so...tacolicious and perfect! In the words of my AP lit teacher Mr. Howard, "They went home and played Twister." Lol. So I hope you like this little piece. I'm so doing holiday themed ones :)

Chapter 28: Going Home

"Ow, do you have to hit every bump on the road?" Deeks asked in pain.

"I'm not exactly trying to." Kensi replied. "We're almost there."

"Thank God. " Deeks replied. He squeezed his eyes shut and rode out the pain. It wasn't as bad as it had been the first day but he was nearing the end of the pills he had taken earlier and the pain always increased as time went on.

"Sorry." She apologized.

"It's not your fault Kens. Oh god. Has it been ten hours yet?"

"No. You're not due to take it for another hour or so."

He groaned. "God, my side is killing me. Why is it so cold outside?"

"Because it's the end of Novemeber."

"Yeah, so? We live in California. It's supposed to be warm."

"It's the sea breeze coming from the ocean that's cooling the land along with the jet stream if cold air coming from Alaska and Canada."

"Thanks Wikipedia. Oh!" He shouted a memory sparking in his mind.

"What?" Kensi asked.

"I have to call Ray and tell him our thing is working out." He said with a grin.

"That's right. First, you're getting in bed."

"Trying to take advantage of me?" He asked with a sly grin and an eyebrow raised.

Kensi just rolled her eyes. "That's not happening for a few weeks, get used to celibacy Marty. You're on bed rest for at least a week."

"And I wasn't already?" He questioned sarcastically.

"Thank God we're here." Kensi said a bit excited to finally be home. She went around to Deeks' side of the car and carefully helped him out. She wrapped an arm around him and grabbed his arm to drape around her neck.

"Ugh, why are there so many stairs?" He groaned, slowly trekking up. By the time they reached the door Deeks was exhausted and panting.

"Key's-"

"I know where it is." She replied grabbing it from Deeks' hiding spot. The door swung open and they carefully shuffled in admist the mess.

"You can set me down on the couch." He said breathlessly. Kensi eased him onto the couch lying down. "Oh God, that feels better."

"I'm going to go get the bags." Kensi said before disappearing out the door. Deeks carefully fixed his cat pillow behind his head and turned on the TV.

He found himself drifting off to the sound of Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. When Kensi walked in with his bag she sighed at the sight of him. She closed the door behind her quietly and set the bag down in his room. When she walked back in the living room she grabbed a blanket and draped it over Deeks' body. He snuggled into the pillow and sighed. Kensi smiled and sat on the arm of the couch and began playing with his hair. She brushed it out of his eyes but then found herself continuing to run her fingers through his hair and staring at his face.

She thought of how close she'd come to losing him. She hated the man that hurt him. He was a nobody too. No criminal record, nothing. Giles Cruickshank was just a carpenter from LA who had a problem with alcohol, and Kensi hated him.

Her partner had taken the brunt of the hit. They both had permanent injuries resulting from that man. She had TBI, Deeks was missing a kidney, and Giles? Well all he had was a few scratches and bruises. He had no permanent defect, no condition that would alter his personality, nothing that would put a limit on his life, but they both did.

To say she wasn't worried about herself would be a lie. She'd seen people with TBI and PTSD. She knew the statistics of lasting marriages for people with PTSD and TBI. She hoped she wouldn't be a statistic. She loved Deeks and didn't want her condition to change her to the point where he couldn't love her anymore. Because what was the point of living without love? She didn't want anyone else but Deeks to love her. She didn't want to change, didn't want to have TBI, didn't want to have to adjust to all the new changes.

Then there was Deeks. She knew with one less kidney he'd be thrown out of work for a lot of professions. Hell, the Army, let alone the Marines wouldn't give him a second thought with that sort of injury. But then she knew Hetty was different. She wouldn't decommission Deeks if he preformed at the same level as before. At least, she hoped he wouldn't be fired. Not when he'd only just become an agent. She didn't want to lose her partner. She didn't want to get to know anyone else the way she knew Deeks.

She sighed and kissed his forehead before getting up and going to the kitchen to make herself a sandwich for lunch.

XxxxXXxxxLoveStoryxxxXXxxxX

Deeks awoke in pain. He tried to withhold his cry but it escaped through his traitorous lips. He didn't want Kensi to see him in pain. He knew it hurt her to see him hurt.

Kensi came running in. "What's wrong honey?"

"Pain." He cried out through clenched teeth.

Kensi went into the bedroom and rummaged through his backpack until she managed to find the rattling orange bottle of pills. She took it out and ran back to Deeks. She popped out two of them and handed them to Deeks.

"I'll get some water." She said frantically running into the kitchen and grabbing a glass. She turned on the faucet but the water didn't fill up fast enough and she tapped her foot impatiently as Deeks cried out again. "Come on stupid water!" She said frustrated. Finally it filled and she rushed back into the room. She handed him the glass and watched as he threw the pills in his mouth and chugged down the glass of water.

"Oh God that hurts." Deeks said with pursed lips. "Thank you."

Kensi nodded and looked at him with concerned eyes. "I'll be okay Princess, it's just something we have to adjust to for now."

Kensi nodded. "I know."

"Why don't you come and lay beside me."

"I'm going to hurt you." She said worriedly.

"No, no. You'll be fine. I can turn on my side. See." He said demonstrating.

Kensi gave a sigh and relented.

"That's my girl." He murmured softly wrapping an arm around her waist. Kensi smiled and snuggled her back into him.

"I've missed this." She said softly.

"Me too." Deeks replied softly.

Kensi sighed and closed her eyes finally feeling at peace in Deeks' arms for the first time in a long while.

XxxxXXxxxLoveStoryxxxXXxxxX

Review please guys! Love to all! I can't believe we're nearing 500 reviews. I'm pretty sure I can continue this for at least another twenty chapters, minimum. I can't imagine what this story will have when it's finally done. Thanks for all your support.