A/N - The finale to this story arc took longer to write than I thought. I just couldn't seem to get it right. Still not sure if I did but it's done! Let me know what you think!

Thanks to honus47 for reviewing!

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Chapter 34

Kensi pulled up to the Shelton's at 10 AM sharp the next morning. She wasn't surprised when the front door opened and Neal came out to help her with the equipment. She had a feeling that, if Laura knew where Deeks was, so did he. She smiled at him and he looked everywhere but at her. Now she had her answer.

"Good morning Neal!"

"Uh, yeah, good morning Kensi. I'll just take this to the back. Everyone's here." Neal wasn't quite sure what to make of the fact that Kensi seemed so chipper this morning. He'd expected her to be either down or angry. Mrs. Shelton had told him how hard Kensi had tried to get out of holding class today. His boss had been quite proud of how she'd coerced the federal agent into coming. He hoped everything worked out the way they'd planned. He led the way to the backyard. The girls hadn't yet been told it was going to be just Kensi this morning. Neither of them missed the fact that, while greeting her politely, every one of them was looking past them, searching for the man that made all their young hearts flutter. Disappointment was written all over their faces when told that Deeks wasn't going to be here today. Kensi wasn't sure whether to feel miffed that she wasn't good enough or proud that Deeks had such an impact on them.

The class went well, if somewhat more lackluster than normal. When Deeks was here, there was no shortage of volunteers to be the victim or the bad guy. Today, it seemed like only Meaghan or Val volunteered. By the end of the session, Kensi was tired and just wanted to see Laura, who had yet to put in an appearance. While she was packing up, Meaghan approached her. Other than Val, the other girls had already headed home.

"Kensi, where was Marty?"

Kensi looked at her, not really sure what Laura knew and what she might have told her daughter. "He had some things to do today Meaghan. Don't worry; he'll be here next week." She hoped she was telling the girl the truth.

Meaghan crossed her arms across her chest and tried to stare her down, doing her best Laura Shelton imitation. "You guys had a fight, didn't you?"

Kensi was surprised at how perceptive Meaghan was. "What makes you say that?"

"You're not yourself. He's not here." Meaghan said. Deflating a little, she admitted "And I overheard mom and Neal talking. What's going on?" Valerie had joined them and was listening avidly. While both she and Meaghan had major crushes on the detective, they thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between the two and didn't want to see it fall apart.

"Ok, yes, we had a fight." Kensi admitted.

Meaghan reached out and patted her on the arm. "It'll be alright Kensi. He loves you and you love him. You'll work it out. You two are just like my mom and dad, meant to be together no matter what. Don't worry, everyone has fights, you just have to say you're sorry!" She said it with such confidence that Kensi couldn't help but smile. She realized that Meaghan's words sounded naïve and simplistic but, wasn't that usually the best way? Simple? Not really knowing what to say, she just reached out and pulled Meaghan into a hug. The girl hugged her back, hard.

Pulling back a little, Meaghan wrinkled her nose and said "Ew, you need a shower." Kensi's mouth dropped open and then she started to laugh. It was that way that Laura found them when she came out into the backyard. She'd been waiting for the class to end and the girls to leave so that she could feel Kensi out. The woman was her friend but Marty, Marty was coming close to taking Perry's place in her life. If she had to choose a side, she knew whose side that would be. She frowned to find the woman laughing with her daughter. She was supposed to be distraught and missing Marty, not laughing like she didn't have a care in the world. She marched out to put the next part of her plan into action.

"Hi Kensi! Sorry I missed class but I had some things to work on for a committee meeting on Monday. How did things go?"

"Things went fine Laura. We missed you though." Kensi looked Laura right in the eye, silently telling her she didn't buy her excuse for missing class for a moment. Laura looked momentarily taken aback and then smiled. She knew there was a reason why she liked this woman so much. She really hoped that her feelings for Marty were as strong and deep as she thought.

"I'm going to have a cocktail by the pool, would you care to join me?" Laura asked. Kensi smiled and nodded, following Laura to the poolside bar. Meaghan and Val called out goodbyes and went off to do whatever they had planned for the rest of their Saturday.

Deciding on a preemptive strike, Kensi said "Where's Deeks, Laura? I know you know."

Laura smiled. "Yes, I know where he is." She didn't elaborate, instead asking "Do you want to tell me your side of the story?"

Kensi swallowed; surprised that Laura was even talking to her if she knew what the fight was about. Deciding to be honest, she told Laura exactly what had happened.

Laura tilted her head at her and said "Why, Kensi? Why would you think that of him?"

"He didn't let me explain. I didn't think that of him…I thought that of me. I haven't had the best track record when it comes to the men in my life. They all leave at some point or another. What if it's me? He's the best thing that ever happened to me and I got myself all wound up when he started talking about when he was a father. We never talked about it so I worried, just for a bit, that he was talking about another life, with another woman. One who was more suited to have a family with. I know I'm a good agent, better than average in fact. I'll put my skills up against the best of them, male or female. But, in my personal life? Sometimes I feel like I'm just doomed to fail." She paused. "He shares some of the blame for our current situation too. He did what he knows I hate most, he walked away. He didn't tell me where he was going, didn't respond when I texted him. He could have been hurt or dead for all I knew."

Laura nodded, indicating that she understood. Out of left field she said "I never asked you before, how did you two meet for the first time?"

Kensi's face lit up with a smile. "We met undercover. He was under for LAPD and I was under for NCIS. He was my number one suspect and he was just plain suspicious of me. Sam and Callen saw right away that I was attracted to him. I remember I said I was stuck on him as a suspect and Callen said stuck, smitten, whatever. Sam even commented on his baby blues and fluffy hair. We were both stunned when we found out we were working on two different cases but both at the same place. We didn't exactly cooperate with each other. That case led to my agency creating a Liaison Officer position to work as a go between for NCIS and LAPD. Deeks was the one they selected and he ended up being my partner."

"When did you guys finally get together?"

"We both fought it. At first neither one of us trusted the other, but that changed with time. Eventually we built a really strong partnership that grew into a wonderful friendship and then into something so much more. Finally, I couldn't fight it anymore and told him I wanted to be bold with him, to go all in and he kissed me right in front of everyone. I love him more than I've ever loved anyone in my life. He's also my best friend. He knows me so well. That's why I can't understand why he reacted the way he did, why he didn't let me explain!"

Laura smiled. Kensi had confirmed what Laura had hoped, the woman truly loved Marty and she deserved to know where he was so that they could work this out. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. She pushed it across the table to Kensi who took it and opened it. It was an address in Santa Barbara. She looked up at Laura with a question on her face. Laura nodded and stood up. Kensi stood up as well. They stared at each other and Laura opened her arms. Kensi walked into them for a hug. Letting her go, Laura said "You both need to open up about how you feel and, more importantly, why. If you hide things from each other, how can you know how deep your words can cut? Marty told me some things that he should have told you a long time ago. Make him tell you. You need to do the same. Be honest. You'll find your way. Now go!"

Kensi hugged her again and headed out to the car, not even noticing Neal opening the door for her. Neal watched her go and then looked out into the backyard to see his boss watching. He held up his hands with a motion to ask what had happened and was surprised when he saw his boss give two thumbs up; she was really starting to loosen up. He laughed and closed the door.

Kensi went home and showered. She decided to approach this in the same way she would an operation with him as the mark, not knowing how close her thoughts were to Deeks's when they had been tasked with protecting the Sheltons and he had had to get Meaghan to respond to him. She still had his go bag and would take it with her, only it wouldn't be packed with the clothes he had taken to Boston. She smiled when she thought about the look on his face when he opened it. She got into the car and pointed it to Santa Barbara.