Disclaimer – haven't said it in a few chapters so, just in case you were wondering, nope, still not mine. No matter how much I pretend otherwise, they still belong to CBS and Mr. Brennan.

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Chapter 72

It'd been a long two days. Deeks wanted out and, now that he knew that he was going to be released soon, he was restless and bored. He'd finally asked Moira one time too many if he couldn't go home sooner and she'd snapped, telling him that if he kept asking, she'd keep him here another day for each time he asked thereafter. He stopped asking. Luckily, there was a steady stream of visitors to keep him and Kensi from killing each other. Kip had been true to his word and had come to visit again, bringing a couple team mates with him.

Deeks had introduced his friend to his doctor and had seen the interest in Kip's eyes. Moira was a looker he realized as he made the introductions, her dark red hair, fair skin and green eyes that of the quintessentially Irish, even if she wasn't his type. His type was a tall, kick ass brunette with dark mismatched eyes. It hadn't helped Kip's ego to find out that Moira knew nothing about basketball and could care less. Truthfully, Deeks was happy that she didn't seem as interested in Kip as he was in her. He loved his friend with all his heart, but the man was a player and he wouldn't want to see the doc get hurt. She was too nice a person. What neither of them knew was that Moira was interested but that Caro, the basketball fanatic, had filled her in on his bad boy status. She wouldn't jump into anything but planned on keeping her options open, teasing him a little with her feigned disinterest until she got to know him better, protecting her heart. She'd been burned before and wasn't willing to walk into something without both eyes open. Meanwhile, it was kind of nice to have a good looking man drooling over her.

The night before Deeks was going to be sprung; Cassie and Paula came by and told him that they had news. They were both beside themselves with excitement and not a little anxiety. Kensi was excited to hear what it was, as the last time they'd hinted they had something to tell them, they'd refused to tell her when he wasn't awake to hear it at the same time.

"Okay you two, what's going on that has you both in a tizzy?" he asked.

Paula looked at Cassie and nodded her head. Together they looked at him and said "We're having a child and we want you and Kensi to be his godparents!"

"What? Oh my God! That's awesome and, of course I'll be the godfather! I'd be honored! How do you know it's a boy already?" Deeks replied, looking from one to the other, trying to figure out which one was pregnant as neither one of them was showing. Kensi was silent, in total shock.

Cassie laughed and said "We're adopting silly! His name is Aaron and he's five years old. His mom and dad were killed in a car accident about a little over a year ago and he has no other family. We met him at his foster home a few weeks ago and we both fell in love with him right away! He is so adorable. You're going to love him too!" Cassie pulled a picture of a young boy out of her bag and showed it to them. Both agreed that the boy was, in fact, adorable.

"I'm so proud of you two!" Deeks said. "You know you're going to be great moms, right?"

"We hope so. This isn't something either one of us ever thought we'd have but it's going to be a reality in about two months, once all the paperwork and home visits are done. We're both so happy, even if a little scared."

Deeks realized that Kensi hadn't said a word and turned to find her looking lost. "Kens?"

"I've never been anyone's godmother before! What do I need to do? What if he hates me?"

Cassie, Paula and Deeks burst into laughter at the plaintive tone in her voice. "Babe, you're going to be great and we can always call on your mom if we need to! Plus there's always Michelle. And Joelle, even if she doesn't have kids of her own, she's a grade school teacher; she knows how to handle them. We'll be fine, it's not like we're the ones adopting."

She blinked a couple times, realizing she had overreacted and added her congratulations to his, telling them that she, too, would be honored to be their child's godparent, tearing up as she said it. By the time the two women had left, they were already making plans for a party to welcome him to his new home. Kensi turned to Deeks to find him looking contemplative.

"What's going on in that head of yours?"

"It just seems like most of my friends are settling down, getting married and starting families. Chris and Cindy with L.C., Tara and David are engaged and I know they plan on starting a family right away, Cassie and Paula are married and now adopting. I'm starting to feel old, Kensi!"

She laughed at him and sat on the edge of the bed. She took his face in her hands and said "You'll never be old Deeks. You just aren't capable of it."

"And just what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

She leaned down and kissed him instead of replying and he soon forgot her words, his world narrowed only to the feel of her lips on his and her hands wondering over his body. Again, he wished with all his might that he was out of here and home where he could make good on her promises.

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The final day dawned bright and sunny. Moira came to visit and confirmed that he was healed enough to go home, removing a few more stitches that were ready to be taken out. That left only a few and she'd take them out at his follow up. While the doctor was with him, Kensi left to go back to their place to put together enough clothes for the two of them to spend some time at the Santa Barbara house. Hetty had told her to take as much time as they needed to make sure "our Mr. Deeks" was able to care for himself. She figured she had at least a week before having to go back to work. Luckily the injured leg was his left and he would be able to drive himself to his physical therapy and doctor's appointments once he had gained some of his strength back. He would be out of work for a bit longer than that, eventually coming back to desk duty until he was deemed fit enough to go back into the field. She would miss having her partner out there with her; she hated being the third wheel to Sam and Callen.

When asked, Laura had told her that Monty was welcome as well, so Kensi packed for him first. She threw his bed, dishes and food into the back of the Audi. She followed that up with Deeks's violin and guitar. She figured as long as he was going to be lazing around doing nothing, he could work on some music and, if it so happened that he wanted to, he could serenade her. She deliberately left his surf board and wetsuit where they were. If they were anywhere in the house, he would be tempted to go against doctor's orders and try to get in some surfing.

As she was packing for the two of them, haphazardly pulling things out of drawers and throwing them into the suitcases she had open on the bed, she found something that made her pause. She had been going through Deeks sock and underwear drawer, amazed at how neatly everything was put away, looking nothing like hers which was overflowing with bras, socks and underwear pushed in any old way, when she found a manila envelope with her name on it underneath everything. She pulled it out and fought with herself. Should she open it or not? After all, it was addressed to her in his handwriting. It looked and felt like it might just contain paperwork, not a letter or anything personal. Finally giving in to her curiosity, she opened it to find Deeks's will and some insurance papers. Reading through them, she was amazed to find that he'd made her his beneficiary. What really surprised her about that was the date, which was from before they'd even acknowledged that they had a "thing". It just reinforced to her how he has always had her back, even when it didn't involve work... and just how close it had come to fruition. She shook her head, not wanting to continue with this line of thought, desperate to get back the happy feelings of anticipation for a week at the beautiful house on the beach that she'd been feeling. She carefully put the papers back into the envelope and put it back where she'd found it. She stared at it a moment longer and then gently shut the drawer.

She finished packing, refusing to think of how close that paperwork had come to being necessary and pulled the suitcases down the stairs and into the living room, to find Monty waiting for her with his leash in his mouth, his tail wagging his whole body. He'd been home from the vet for several days and appeared to have no long term effects from his injuries. She still couldn't believe how he'd protected Nell. The sight of Deeks's furry best friend pushed the last of the gloomy thoughts out of her head and she knelt down to hug the dog in gratitude.

"You miss daddy don't you? Do you somehow know we're going to go get him? We're all going on a vacation baby, but you're going to have to be careful with daddy. No jumping on him until he's better. Can you do that for me?"

The dog looked up at her and woofed, the leash falling out of his mouth at her feet. She grabbed it and stood up. She took a last look around, knowing that if she'd forgotten anything any of them needed, she could just run to the store but obsessively running through things in her head anyway. She clipped the leash to Monty's collar, shut the door and threw the suitcases in the back with everything else. She got Monty into the backseat and buckled in. By the time she was ready to head back to the hospital, she felt like she'd run a race and was ready to head out to the paradise that was the Shelton's get away house.

When she walked into his room, he was dressed and ready to go. The cards and gifts he'd received were carefully packed away. The flowers that were still good were given out to other patients who could use some cheering up, along with the couple of balloons that still had air in them. Caro, Craig and Moira were with him, knowing that he was ready to go but also knowing that he was going to be missed. They had all exchanged numbers with him and extracted promises to stay in touch. Moira handed Kensi his medications and some instructions, as well as letting her know when his follow up with her was. As expected, he protested at having to be pushed out in a wheelchair. Moira simply asked if he'd like to stay then and he'd immediately levered himself into it and said to Kensi "Home Jane."

She laughed and said "There's someone waiting for you in the car, someone who missed you very much."

"Monty?"

"Yup, I asked and Laura said he'd be more than welcome to come with us."

"That's awesome! I can't wait to see him. Let's get this show on the road, Princess!"

She pushed him down the hall to the elevator, surprised at having to stop when one nurse or another came up to say good bye. For someone who was an awful patient, he always seemed to have the nurses wrapped around his little finger, female and male. She was further surprised when Caro, Craig and Moira got into the elevator with them. Apparently he was getting the royal treatment and would be accompanied all the way to the door. And, apparently, out to the car. All three never even paused when they hit the lobby, following Kensi out to the Audi, where they made much of Monty who was trying to turn himself inside out at the sight of Deeks. Craig helped him into the car and, when he was buckled in and ready to go, they went through another round of goodbyes. Kensi finally started the car, figuring they'd get the hint that it was time for them to get on the road. She pulled away, watching out of the corner of her eye as Deeks waved goodbye, all three of them standing there until they turned the corner and were out of sight.

The drive to Santa Barbara started out with Deeks talking a mile a minute and ended with him sound asleep by the time she pulled up the driveway. As soon as she stopped the car, the front door opened and the Sheltons, Neal and Agent Leary stepped out. Obviously the welcoming committee, she thought with a smile. She turned to wake him up and frowned. His hands were fisted on his thighs and his eyes were moving rapidly under his lids. As she undid her seatbelt, a low moan escaped him. She jumped out of the car and ran around the hood, knowing what was about to happen. She held up her hand to the group making their way down the path, stopping them in their tracks. She opened his door and gently placed her left hand on his face, he responded by throwing his head back, the cords in his neck standing out as he released a long, agonized scream.

Meaghan turned into her mother who immediately put her arms around her, feeling the trembling running through her daughter's body, trembling she wasn't even aware her own body was replicating. John put his arms around both of them and started to herd them back into the house. Neal started towards his friend as the scream started to fade away but Cheryl put her hand on his arm to stop him. He looked at her and she shook her head no. She nodded towards the house and he went reluctantly, turning back to watch what was going on in the car, worried about both of them. The door shut behind them, leaving Kensi and Deeks alone.

She sat precariously on the little room left on his seat and started talking to him. "Deeks. You're safe baby! No one is going to hurt you. McGonagle is dead; Hetty put a bullet in him and ended him. Robinson's in jail. Parks's organization is broken. Timmons has no one left to help him. Come on baby, open those beautiful blue eyes for me." She kept stroking his face, hoping he'd understand he was safe now. His eyes finally opened and he stared at her blankly, his breaths coming in short, desperate pants. She knew he wasn't fully awake yet and said "Wake up Deeks, you're okay. I'm here and I won't let anyone hurt you." In her head she added "ever again." She didn't say the words out loud as that was a promise she just wouldn't make to him, knowing that it could be broken at any time in their line of work. But it was a promise she could, and did, make to herself.

He blinked a couple times, coming awake bit by bit. He looked at her with sad eyes. "I didn't do it Kensi. I didn't give him what he wanted."

"Who? McGonagle? What did he want?"

"He wanted me to beg. He wanted me to scream and cry. I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction."

"Sometimes you are just too stubborn for your own good, you know that don't you?" She leaned in to kiss him. His hand went up to the back of her head and he deepened the kiss. She responded eagerly, blowing away the tattered remnants of his nightmare. He started thinking instead about what he wanted to do to her when they made it into the house and his body responded. He took her hand and placed it on his body, letting her know exactly what she was doing to him. Instead of responding in kind, she sighed against his lips and pulled back. "I'm afraid that will have to wait."

"Why?" He asked as he reached for her again.

She nodded towards the house. "We have company."

"Are you kidding me right now?"

"I wish I was but I saw them come out when we pulled up. At a minimum all the Sheltons, Neal and his girlfriend are here. I have no idea if there's anyone else inside." She put her forehead against his and sighed again. Straightening back up she said "They're here because they care about you and wanted to welcome you, to celebrate you finally being out of the hospital. Don't make them feel unwanted in their own home."

"Of course I won't. It makes me happy to know they wanted to be here for me." He groaned a little. "I just wish the timing were a little different." A thought occurred to him and he stared at her in horror. "Wait, you saw them? Does that mean…?"

"Yes, I'm sorry but they saw you experience the nightmare." She wished she could tell him otherwise but it was too late now.

He closed his eyes in embarrassment, momentarily debating on asking her to drive him back to L.A. He opened them again when he realized that would be the coward's way out and that he really had nothing to be ashamed of. He nodded at her and smiled. Monty picked that moment to thrust his head between the seats and lick the whole left side of Deeks's face. When his master had screamed, the dog had cowered in the back seat, having no visible enemy to attack to help. Hearing the normal tenor of the two human's voices again, he'd finally stopped shaking and reached out to kiss his human. Kensi said "Ewwww." and Deeks just laughed, the moment breaking any residual tension.

She smiled back and got out of the car. He unbuckled his seatbelt and followed. As they were getting Monty out of the back, the front door opened and everyone piled out again. They approached slowly, not sure how to react until Deeks turned and opened his arms to Meaghan. The teenager ran to him and threw her arms around him saying "I'm so glad you're finally here, Uncle Marty!"

He hugged her close and said "It's good to be here, Meggie."

She leaned back in his arms and said "That's the first time you've given me a nickname. I was starting to feel left out!"

"Can't let my favorite niece feel left out! Just… don't let Kamran know I said that, she'd sic Sam on me!"

She laughed and leaned in to hug him again, then stepped back to allow everyone else to greet him.

Laura stepped up and put her arms around him. "I'm so glad to see you up and about, little brother."

He returned the hug and said "Me too, sis, me too!" They smiled at each other and she stepped out of his arms. He turned to John and said "I heard that you got Naval Intelligence involved in the search and rescue, John. I don't know how to thank you!" He reached out a hand.

"You thanked me by getting out alive. It's good to see you Marty!" and Admiral John Shelton shocked Detective Martin Deeks by pulling him into a hug of his own. Deeks hesitated, mostly from surprise, and then hugged him back. They stepped away from each other, both looking vaguely embarrassed.

Neal was next, pulling him into a bro hug and saying "It's about time! I have someone I want to introduce you to." He stepped back and put a hand out to Cheryl, who took it. "Marty, this is FBI Agent Cheryl Leary."

Deeks has been looking forward to meeting this woman. He'd been a little concerned at hearing how quickly the two had entered a relationship but he carefully watched the way they looked at each other and saw only mutual love and affection. Neal was going to be just fine. He grinned at Cheryl and she felt her heart bump. She was already seeing why so many people had been concerned about him; she'd only just met him and was already willing to do whatever it took to keep him safe. She smiled and held out her hand. He swept her into a hug, saying "Welcome to the family Cheryl! If things don't work out with butler boy over there, I know a couple nice, single NCIS agents."

She grinned up at him as Neal punched him lightly in the arm and said "Hey! That's my girl you're offering to set up there, dude." They all laughed and any worries they'd had about how to treat him were gone.

The men moved around to the back of the Audi and started to unload it. Deeks went to help and was firmly, but gently, told no. He groused a little and stood by watching as they pulled the suitcases and doggie items out. When Neal reached in one last time and pulled out the instrument cases, he turned and looked at Kensi with a quirked eyebrow.

"What?" She asked defensively. "I thought it would help you to relax."

"Oh really? And if I happened to play some of your favorite songs?"

"Well, that would just be an added bonus!"

"Uh huh. I notice that neither my board nor wetsuit made it into the car!"

"You know Moira said no surfing."

"But she also said I could go out and sit on the water, as long as I didn't overdo it."

"Hmmpf, we all know how that would end up, don't we?"

"Kensi…."

Laura laughed "Moira warned me too! No surfing for you!"

"She's an evil woman." He pouted.

Kensi tapped him gently on the shoulder. "You know that isn't true. She just wants you to get better as quickly as possible and not do anything that could set you back. And that's something we're all on board with." She crossed her arms over her chest and mock glared at him. The rest took up position behind her and mimicked her stance. Deeks looked at them and felt a wave of love sweep over him. They were all here for him; they all wanted to protect him. He smiled and gave in graciously.

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A/N – Thanks to OhBuddy66 for pretty much writing the section on Kensi finding Deeks's insurance papers and will. I only tweaked it at little to let it flow in with what was going on around it.

A/N2 – Thanks to Khept for suggesting he recover by the water.

A/N 3 – Thanks, as always, to honus47 for reading my chapters and finding my errors. Anything left is all on me!

A/N 4 – I am close to ending this story, but not this story world. I am thinking one more chapter, maybe two for this story arc and then new stories will be posted under different titles. I have wonderful prompts I still want to pursue from honus47, OhBuddy66, Phantom1s, yellowcallalily, Khept and several guest reviewers! If you think I might have missed one you sent me, PM me! I'm keeping a notebook with each person's name and suggestions, but I think I might have missed a couple. Keep new ones coming, the Sheltons aren't going anywhere soon (I hope)!