Hello my darlings I would like to thank Petunia3116, LKK (Guest), I Feel Possessed, elsje1967 and raspberry dreams for the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.
So firstly I would like to say that I am moving house at the end of the month and then starting a new job, so the updates for all my stories may be a bit sporadic throughout July and August. Just giving you a heads up.
Anyway, enough of that. This is the last chapter in season 2, episode 17 'Personal'. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS: LA.
Deeks woke to a darkened hospital room. He winched at the pain that was radiating from his injuries, and tried to move his hand so he could call a nurse, or give himself some more of the lovely pain killing drugs they had him on. But as he tried to pull his left hand towards him he found he couldn't, there was something trapping it. His first worry was that he had somehow damaged himself even more by running after G to save his life. But when he turned to look at his hand he found that that was not the case. Instead his hand was trapped by another one on top of it, followed by a sleeping head. Deeks smiled at the sight as he carefully moved his right hand to run it across G's short hair. He looked so peaceful while he was a sleep. It was then that it hit him. This was the first time he had ever seen G this way. The first time he had woken to find the man he loved still slumbering. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the sight. Couldn't stop his fingers mapping across G's face which was seemed so relaxed, from ghosting across the small smile that was on his lips. In fact he would have happily stayed there, watching his man sleep for hours, if it hadn't been for a cough that sounded from his other side. Turning he saw Hetty sitting there, obviously waiting for them to wake.
"Hey Hetty. Sorry I haven't actually ever seen him sleep before." He said smiling at her as he let his hand drop away from the sleeping man.
"He doesn't do it often." Hetty replied a smile on her own lips as her eyes travelled to her sleeping boy. When she had arrived she had found the sight of the sleeping men adorable, and as such had decided to let them have their rest. Though the fact that Callen had stayed asleep even when she entered the room did tell her something about how safe he felt with Marty at his side. It told her everything she needed to know about her boy, about the trust he had for his man.
"Don't I know it. Why are you here, Hetty?" Deeks asked curiously. He had expected her to be doing… well whatever it was she did when they closed a case.
"I came to see you." Hetty answered simply her smile widening at how her words seemed to make something shine in Marty's eyes. Make it seem as if he was pleased that she felt the need to see him. Though why he would doubt that she had no idea.
"I'm fine Hetty. You don't have to worry about me." Deeks replied not being able to hide the warmth those words made him feel. They were something family would say, and as much as he loved his mom, he much preferred having Hetty by his side right then. He didn't think he could deal with the worry and the intensity his mom would bring to the room if she ever found out he had been shot. Luckily it was unlikely that she would.
"Well actually Mr Deeks, it is my job to do so. And on that note I have a couple of issues I think need addressing." Hetty responded moving to pull a folder from her side and opening it. Time to address the issues that had come up during this case.
"And they are?" Deeks asked, carefully pulling himself up into a sitting position while trying not to move the bed. He didn't want to wake G if he could help it.
"Firstly you have no next of kin listed. That needs to be rectified ASAP, if you would." Hetty stated staring into his eyes wanting to see who he was going to suggest. And if he couldn't think of anyone she had a couple of names she wanted him to put down.
At that Deeks nodded before turning his head back to the sleeping man. He had been meaning to talk to G about this, but surely if he had asked him to move in with him, then the idea of him being his next of kin was a forgone conclusion right? G wouldn't say no would he? No, he couldn't see that happening. Therefore he turned back to Hetty and said the name of his next of kin. "G Callen."
"And if he was also hurt? It is always good to have more than one." Hetty responded smiling to herself at how he had said one of the names she had in mind. Now time to get him to put the other down too.
"I don't know." Deeks replied to that with a frown on his face. What if the whole team was hurt, who would be the one the doctors coordinated with in concern to his care?
"If I may make a suggestion. Lange, Henrietta." Hetty said in her usual calm tone, though she was hoping he would agree. He was the man her boy loved after all. She wanted to be there for the both of them if she ever had to be, and she knew that Callen would trust her to make the right decisions with respect to any care Marty Deeks required.
"Sounds good." Deeks nodded smiling his usual wide sunny smile at the idea. He had known since Christmas that he was part of their family, but to have it confirmed in this way, to have it official like this, it made something good settle inside him. He had found his place with the man he loved and the woman he thought of as his mom. Yeah, that was good, very good.
"Excellent. Now next you will need to move out of your apartment. I can arrange for a safe house for you until you find somewhere suitable-" Hetty started to say only to be interrupted by Deeks.
"No need. I already have a place."
"You do?" Hetty asked her eyebrow raising at that. He had been in hospital, so how had he found somewhere to live while lying in bed? Of course his reply answered that question for her very effectively.
"Yeah, thought I'd move in with my slightly overprotective boyfriend." Deeks responded watching to see how Hetty would feel about him and G living together, if she would be all right with it. They hadn't told anyone else there plans, or at least he hadn't, and he really wanted to make sure that their friends and family would be okay with it. Would be happy that they had decided to take this step in their relationship.
"And does said boyfriend agree?" Hetty asked, not because she thought for a minute that Marty had just decided to move in with Callen without talking to him about it, but more because she couldn't quite believe that Callen had agreed. That Callen was willing to take such a major step forwards.
"It was actually his idea." Deeks replied smugly. He knew what she was thinking, hell he was still surprised by the idea himself. I mean this was the guy who ran when he thought they were getting too serious, and he was the one who wanted them to live together. But then again, this was also the man who had finally told him out loud that he loved him. Had said the words he wasn't sure he would ever hear. So maybe it wasn't so surprising after all.
"Well then. It seems I have all I need here. Get some more rest, Marty." Hetty responded leaning forwards to squeeze his free hand as she stood. It seemed her boy didn't need any prompting then. Good.
"Will do. Bye, Hetty." Deeks replied returning the squeeze.
"Goodbye Mr Deeks, Mr Callen." Hetty said turning to make her way out the door with a smirk on her face. Because while she knew Marty believed Callen was still asleep, she was under no such illusion.
"Bye, Hetty." Callen mumbled not lifting his head to look at the woman.
"Hey, when did you wake up?" Deeks asked turning his eyes from the departing figure and towards the man he had believed had been sleeping.
At that Callen lifted his head and smiled at the man he loved. He was going to ask which time, but decided not to because he knew Marty had been asleep the last time. You see he had woken earlier when Hetty had arrived, but realising who it was and that Marty was safe with her he had allowed himself to drift off once more. Therefore he simply answered the question, though he did add on one of his own.
"When you started talking. Speaking of which, I'm your next of kin?"
"If you want to be…" Deeks replied suddenly feeling that maybe he should have spoken to G about it before he had made his decision. He didn't want to force him into the position after all.
"I do. Tomorrow I'll add you to mine as well." Callen stated firmly, removing any unsure thoughts from Deeks mind.
"Sounds good." Deeks agreed smiling with love shining out of his eyes.
"Yeah." Callen replied returning the look and the affection tenfold. But as they sat there starting at each other Callen remembered how he had nearly lost this man. This prefect, beautiful, gorgeous man. And how it had all been his fault. Oh sure he had heard from Sam that the guy who had organised all this was a terrorist they had dealt with before, when Marty had first started working with the team, but that didn't make it any less his fault. He should have made sure Marty didn't follow a routine, he should have made sure that he was properly trained in the trade craft they all lived by. It was his responsibility to do that, and not just as Marty's partner, but as his team leader. He should have done everything in his power to make sure Marty was safe, and not fall into complicity and happiness at being with him. He had put his feelings before the safety of the man he loved and that was something he would never forgive himself for. With that he realised there was something else he needed to say to the man in the bed who had been shot because of him. "Marty, I'm sorry. I was the target, I put you in danger. I'm not going to let that happen again."
"G, it's the job. We all have enemies." Deeks replied reaching for the older man's hand as he stared into his eyes, wishing he could will G to believe him. But he doubted he would. He could see the guilt lurking already and he knew that it was going to take more than just words to remove it. It would take time and some serious conversations and no doubt he was going to be subjected to intensive training. From both Sam and G. He wasn't sure which would be worse in all honesty. Superspy or SEAL training, it really was a toss of the coin. Of course only one of them he could make forget what they were doing with kisses, so there was that.
"I just, I don't think I could cope if anything happened to you." Callen responded looking down at the hand that had reached out to him, causing him to thread the fingers of both his own through Marty's so that they enclosed it. No he really didn't know what he would do if he lost the man he had finally allowed himself to open his heart to completely.
"I feel the same. So we're just gonna have to make sure nothing ever does, right?" Deeks replied gently moving his hand so that he could cause G to look him in the eyes. They were both in the same position here. They both did dangerous jobs, but they had also both known what they were getting into. Well maybe he had more than G, but he knew his lover was not stupid enough not to realise the risk.
"Right. And if we don't I'm sure Sam will." Callen responded smiling at the blue eyes looking at him with nothing other than the deepest love. He had to wonder what he had done to get Marty. Because god knew he certainly didn't deserve him.
At that Deeks chuckled though he also rolled his eyes as he said "Fantastic." But at least the air was lighter now. G was not brooding anymore, and that was definitely a good thing in Deeks mind. Therefore he changed the conversation to the only one who could ever compete in his heart with G for his love. "You'd better go, Monty will need one of us home tonight."
"No he won't. I arranged with Steve that Sam look after him while you're in here." Callen replied smiling widely as his eyes twinkled with mischief.
"And Sam agreed?" Deeks asked, because he knew as well as G did how Sam felt about their dog. He wasn't Monty's biggest fan after all.
"I can be very persuasive you know." Callen replied his smile becoming a smirk as he remembered just how he had manged that one. Mainly with extensive forms of manipulation. He knew exactly which of Sam's buttons to press.
"You asked him in front of Kam didn't you?" Deeks said seeing the look and deducing how it was that G had gotten his partner to agree. He knew Sam's daughter loved Monty, and it would be just like G to make sure she was there when he asked Sam to look after him.
"Maybe." Callen agreed causing them both to chuckle before they fell into a comfortable silence. It wasn't until Callen saw Marty yawn wide that he spoke again. "Get some rest, Marty. I will be here when you wake up, and I might even see if I can find you some more Jell-O."
"I knew there was a reason I loved you." Deeks mumbled, his eyes already falling closed though whether that was due to his need to sleep of the drugs he wasn't sure.
"What my Jell-O procuring abilities?" Callen asked gently moving so he could stroke Marty's hair away from his face and run his fingers though the soft blond tendrils.
"Among other things, yeah." Marty answered opening one eye and giving G a smirk for his sassy response.
Callen just shook his head at that before he replied quietly "I love you too. Now sleep."
Smiling Deeks did just that. Callen stayed leaning forwards watching the man he loved until he heard his breathing even out and saw his muscles relax. He then sat back, though he made sure he kept hold of Marty's hand. There was no way he was letting go of him right then. Even if he was safe now, Callen still needed the physical contact to remind him he hadn't lost the most important person in life, again. That the one he loved was still with him. And thinking that Callen knew he was going to do everything possible to make sure he stayed that way.
The next morning Callen left Deeks to his breakfast and made his way to the mission, taking a quick stop at his house to have a shower and change his clothes. He knew he needed to write up his report on the shooting, but as soon as he entered he made his way to Hetty's office. He wanted to make sure Marty was on his next of kin list ASAP. The report could wait in his mind.
"Ah, Mr Callen, just who I wanted to speak to." Hetty said as he approached her desk, suddenly making him wonder if he had made the right decision and if there was any way he could leave now without it looking obvious.
"Why?" He asked cautiously realising he had no choice but to sit opposite her and find out just what it was she wanted to talk to him about.
"I believe we need to have another conversation about the consequences of misappropriation of government equipment." Hetty replied folding her hands on her desk and giving him a stern stare which always made him squirm. It reminded him too much of all the times she had told him off as a teenager. Though it was less a telling off and more a conversation about how disappointed she was in him. He had hated those with a passion.
"Hetty I-" He started to say, wondering if he could bluff his way out of this. Maybe pretend he had no idea what she was talking about, but no. He couldn't do that. He couldn't get Nell into any more trouble. He would own up to what he had done, he had to. After all she already knew there would be no point in lying. But before he could say anything more Hetty raised her hand, effectively silencing him so that she could speak.
"No, Mr Callen. I cannot let this go. I warned you one. I have decided that a week's suspension should teach you the error of your ways." She stated in her no nonsense, don't argue with me voice. The one Callen always ignored.
"What? Hetty come on-" He started to say. He couldn't be forced not to work for a week. What was he going to do? It was so unfair that she would make him do this.
"I will not be swayed. I do not want to see you anywhere near this building for a whole seven days. Is that clear?" Hetty interrupted glaring at him for all she was worth letting him know that there was no chance he would get out of this one.
"And what am I supposed to do in that time?" Callen grumbled crossing his arms as he glared right back. He hated having to take time off, he never knew what to do with himself, and he got so damn bored.
"I imagine you have a rather busy schedule, what with Mr Deeks moving into your home. Plus he will be released from hospital in a couple days if I am not mistaken. Surely he will need some help when he gets home. Therefore I believe the time will fly by." Hetty answered a twinkle appearing in her eyes as she watched Callen's face morph from disgruntled to wide-eyed realisation. Yes she had it all planned. I mean she couldn't just give him time off without notice, but she could suspend him for his behaviour. It would have the same result after all.
At her words Callen's mind started whirling. He realised that this was Hetty's plan all along. Give him time to get Marty settled in his house and to be with him while he recovered. But did she really have to put a suspension on his file to do it? Why couldn't he take some of his holiday? He had enough of it. With that in mind he spoke.
"Okay yes, I was going to ask for the time off, but-"
"I will not change my mind, Mr Callen. You are on suspension. So go." Hetty said over him, though there was a smile on her lips that Callen saw. He guessed she had her reasons and he really should stop questioning them. She was giving him the time off he wanted, and it wasn't like he really cared about what was in his file. He didn't want career progression after all, he was quite happy where he was.
"Fine, I'm gone. But first can you add Marty as one of my next of kin please?" He replied with a nod and a smile of his own.
"But Mr Callen, he is already there." Hetty answered smugly. She had known after Mr Deeks had put Callen down as his next of kin that her boy would do the same. Therefore she had filed the paperwork at the same time.
"I'll see you in a week Hetty." Callen replied with a shake of his head as he stood. Sometimes he couldn't believe her, but he had to give her credit. She did know him very well. And hey, now he could go to the hospital rather than writing his damn report. That was definitely better in his mind.
"Indeed you will. Oh the team has the next two days off, if you need help moving." Hetty responded as she turned back to her paperwork. Well her boy couldn't do it all himself now could he? She was sure he could find use for Sam, Kensi, Eric and Nell. And if they helped he would have to tell them what was happening, the perfect solution all round if she did say so herself.