A/N: Even though I've written the heck out of one-shots for "Mother", I still had to go with it for the season 11 countdown. It was a highlight of the season for me. Countdown day 3.
"Agh," Deeks groaned, hissing between his teeth as he peeled his shirt over his head. He'd been planning on showering once they got home, but by the time he dragged himself up to the bedroom, he was too exhausted to bother.
About halfway up his back, he felt something catch and he suddenly couldn't move without intense pain radiating throughout his entire left side. Panting lightly, he tried to wrangle the shirt off while moving as little as possible, but only succeeded in getting it bunched up on one shoulder.
"Oh my god, baby!" Kensi gasped behind him, making him jerk and hiss again at the resulting flare of pain. "You're back."
"How bad is it?" he asked. He had to stand slightly hunched with one shoulder raised higher than the other to keep discomfort tolerable.
"You have a massive bruise," she answered. A second later, he felt her fingers ghost over his skin. Even though she was barely touching him, it felt like sandpaper, and he clenched his jaw to hold back making a sound. "You're neck's a little singed."
"Yeah, I kind of figured that out. Better than being in a million pieces I guess."
Kensi's hand stuttered on his back, and she was silent for several moments. When she spoke again, her voice sounded subdued.
"Here, let's get this off you." Moving around to face him, she carefully helped tug his shirt over his arms and head. "Oh, you've got another bruise on your stomach," she added, pressing her fingers to the spot.
This time couldn't contain his shout as she unintentionally prodded his ribs. He hunched in on himself, panting against the pain. His vision tunneled slightly, and he suddenly felt clammy and sick.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Kensi chanted, hands dancing over his shoulders, then arms as she tried to find some part of him that wasn't injured. She guided him towards the bed, gently pushed him down.
"It's ok," he managed faintly, lifting his head once he could see clearly. She stood over him, worry in her eyes. "I think this is ok." He gestured to the corner of his mouth, and Kensi made an incredulous sound.
"Deeks."
"I'm serious." He grinned weakly. With a roll of her eyes, Kensi leaned forward and brushed her mouth over his.
"You should have told me you were hurt," she said with a lightly reproving look. She smoothed his hair, sweaty and grimy thanks to the stress of the day and then his door surfing, back from his forehead. "You might have a broken rib, or internal bleeding or—"
"I know," he interrupted softly. "I honestly didn't realize how bad it was until we got to the mission. After everything today, I just wanted to come home with you." He tilted his head with a playful grin. Or the best he could manage right now. "Maybe get started on those babies."
"Oh, baby. I love you so much," Kensi murmured, a touch of reluctant humor in her eyes now. "And we will start on those babies and everything else just as soon as I'm not in danger of breaking you."
"Wouldn't be the worst way to go," Deeks joked. He sighed and rested his head against hers. "I love you too, Kensi Blye. And I'm glad we didn't die today."