A/N: A post-A Long Time Coming fic. I took inspiration from Deeks' comment about Rountree needing dental work. I mentioned that of all people, Deeks had earned the right to make such a comment.


"Hey Fatima, you need to give your statement," Deeks said, popping his head into Rountree's little cubicle within the emergency department.

Rountree reclined in the standard hospital cot, a bloodied ice pack concealing half of his face. Fatima sat on the only chair in the room, squeezed as tightly to his side as she could be. She hadn't left him since finding him several hours ago.

"I'm not leaving," Fatima responded, setting her chin stubbornly. Her hand clenched around Rountree's, a protective glint in her eye.

Rountree squeezed back, and said something, words distorted by the ice pack. And likely the damage underneath.

"No, I'm not going anywhere until I know your safe and in your own bed."

"Fatima, I'll take good care of him. I promise." Deeks gave her a solemn nod. If Kensi was in Rountree's place, he'd have hard time stepping away too.

Rountree gave her an encouraging nudge, and after another look at Deeks, Fatima reluctantly rose.

"Fine." She jabbed a finger at Deeks. "But if anything changes, you let me know right away."

"Absolutely," Deeks promised. He waited until she was out of sight to take her place, though not as closely as Fatima had. "Hey."

"Hey." Rountree mumbled. He turned his head a little, keeping his chin lowered, but not enough to hide his swollen and bruised eye socket.

"How you doing, man?"

"I'll live."

He could drop it, like Rountree clearly wanted him too. Deeks had seen the look in his eyes when he thought no one was watching. He tried to put up a good front for Fatima, joking and assuring he was ok. It was clear he was struggling though.

Pursing his lips, Deeks leaned a little closer, dropping his voice.

"You don't have to put on a brave face for me. How bad is it?"

In lieu of answering, Rountree lifted the pack, slowly turning his head so the light shone over the majority of his face. His lower jaw and lip had swollen to twice their normal size, dried and fresh blood mixing together to create a gruesome sight. The swelling and bruising would probably be even worse tomorrow.

"I think a couple of my teeth are loose," Rountree admitted, words slurred and distinctly distorted. "Lost one."

"Damn," Deeks muttered. He felt just a hint of phantom pain in the left side of his jaw. Pushing past it, Deeks offered Rountree a comforting smile. "I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but this will heal."

"I don't know man." Rountree swallowed thickly, blinking rapidly. He gazed up towards the lights, his breath suddenly uneven. "I thought I was going to die for real this time. They suffocated me, man. And no matter what I said, she just kept hitting me. I could feel my teeth shifting, and blood filling my mouth—" He broke off suddenly, chest heaving. "How do I get past that?"

"Devin, hey. Devin, take a breath. Through your nose," Deeks coached gently. Rountree took several deep breaths with his eyes closed. When he opened them again, he looked more in control again. "I get it."

"You do?" Rountree asked softly. He winced, pressing the ice pack to his mouth again. A look of sudden understanding flashed across his face as he realized that Deeks wasn't feeding him platitudes. "When?"

"The Sidorov case."

"I remember hearing about that." He absentmindedly brushed his fingers over his jaw. "You guys got pretty messed up."

"Yeah, it was rough," Deeks agreed. "The point is, I remember what it's like for every breath, every time I clenched my teeth without thinking and I flashed back to that day.

"You think it will be like that for me?" Rountree whispered.

"I hope not. But in the case that it does, you should know that there are a lot of people watching out for you. Don't pull away from them."

"Sounds like you're talking from experience."

Deeks huffed a humorless laugh. "I shut myself off from everyone, Kensi, the whole team, for a while. It was the very worst thing I coiled have done, but I was too deep in my own head and pain to even begin to know how to reach out. Thank god Kensi actually came to my apartment and basically insisted on staying."

"Heh, sounds kind of like Fatima. She keeps saying she's not leaving me alone," Rountree said.

"Good. Partners are supposed be the people we trust and count on most," Deeks told him. He paused, hoping he wasn't truly overstepping a boundary here. He didn't want Rountree to be yet another statistic though; victim to the battle through mentality.

"And, if you ever need to talk, somebody to listen, or just to be there, I'm only a text or a call away," he added. "Whatever you need."

Rountree nodded, eyes shiny, and he reached to grasp Deeks' hand, shaking as he squeezed tightly.

"Oh, and I also know the number of a really good oral surgeon. I think I can get you a family discount."

Rountree let out a startled laugh, immediately wincing. He glanced down at the now melted ice pack and tossed it to the side.

"Thanks, Deeks."


A/N: This isn't to imply that Fatima isn't a capable partner, or anything like that. Simply that Deeks has been in a similar position, especially with consideration of dental trauma.