A/N: Thanks to everyone who read the last couple chapters. If you haven't heard yet, there's been issues with email notifications, so I might have missed some and I'm not able to reply to them directly.
Even after Nell leaves the room, Deeks doesn't immediately make the call. He twirls his phone between his thumb and forefinger, debating if he really wants to disturb Kensi, even though he knows Nell's right. Kensi likely won't see it as an imposition.
With a sigh, he pulls up Kensi's number, and pushes the call icon before he can talk himself out of it. It rings a few times before he's greeted by a muffled staticky sound, loud music, and voices.
"Deeks, don't tell me you're checking up on me," Kensi says, her tone just a little more buoyant than normal, letting him know that she's had a drink or two.
"Hey Kens," he clears his throat, glancing at the wall without really seeing it. "I wish it was only that."
"What's going on?" She's instantly more serious, and the noise fades slightly, making him think she's moved to somewhere more isolated.
"Sylvia showed up outside your apartment tonight. She was waiting for me—"
"What the hell?!" Kensi bursts out. "Deeks—"
"Nothing happened," Deeks cuts in, before she can assume the worst. "I was on the phone with Nell at the time, so she rushed a squad car over, and they took Sylvia in." He purposely leaves out the part about the kiss—just remembering it brings a foul taste to his mouth. He's sure it will come out at some point, but it's not essential for Kensi to know right now.
"So, you're ok? She didn't hurt you?" Kensi checks, and she sounds calm enough, if pissed.
"No, she didn't get a chance."
"Well, at least that's something." She muttered something additional under her breath he doesn't quite catch. "That's ridiculous. I knew this would happen when they let her out on bail."
"Hey, take a breath. I'm ok," he tells her, and hears Kensi inhale audibly. "Look, I didn't want to ruin your night, but Nell thought I should call you—"
"And she was right. I'm headed home as soon as I can find a ride."
"Kensi, you don't need to do that."
"Do you really think I'd enjoy myself now?" Kensi asks. There's a mutter of voices again; Deeks thinks she might be making excuses to her friends. "Besides, you're not always the most reliable narrator. I want to compare stories with Nell."
"I don't need a keeper, Kensi," he sighs, his irritation coming through more strongly than he intended.
"Sorry." She pauses, uncharacteristically hesitant when she speaks again. "I know that, Deeks. At least let me check in on you. For my own peace of mind."
"Yeah, I can probably handle that. I really am sorry about interrupting your night."
"It's fine, Deeks," Kensi assures him. "I'm kind of pushing the age limit for staying out late and getting drunk anyway. I'll be back soon, ok?"
"Ok." He hangs up, slumping into the couch, and drags both hands through his hair.
Deeks is waiting for her in the living room with a glass of water and a basket of mini pretzels on the table. While waiting for cab and on the drive over, she'd had enough time to calm down, so she doesn't inadvertently unload her anger at Sylvia onto Deeks.
"Hey," he says quietly, leaning forward. The TV's turned on to some home improvement program, but so low she wonders if he was actually watching.
She gives him a quick once over, hoping it's not too obvious. There aren't any obvious new marks on top of the lingering cuts and bruises, so she figures he wasn't underplaying the incident with Sylvia. He seems subdued though.
"Hey. Did Nell leave?"
"Yeah, I figured I shouldn't completely ruin her date night," he responds with a shrug. "She left some spaghetti and breadsticks in the kitchen though. You hungry?"
She is actually. Between catching up with the girls, and then Deeks call, she hadn't really eaten much besides some soggy fries. Her instinct is to press Deeks for a full recounting of his encounter with Sylvia, but she remembers his comment earlier.
Instead, Kensi sits beside him, and grabs one of the pretzels, washing it down with some water. She makes her way through a few more before Deeks breaks the silence.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you," he says, leaning forward. "You didn't deserve that." He doesn't make excuses, even though he's well within his right.
"It's ok. I know I can be overbearing sometimes, and a little invasive when I'm concerned." She raises an eyebrow, waiting for a teasing comment. When it doesn't come, she nudges his shoulder. "I think you get a free pass after today. Just don't make a habit of it."
"I won't." And she hears the promise in his voice. He settles a little lower, balancing his forearms on his thighs. "She kissed me," he says abruptly.
"What?" Kensi gasps, choking on a bite of pretzel. "Who, Sylvia?"
Deeks nods once, looking deeply uncomfortable.
"Oh my god. What did you do?"
"I pushed her away." His shoulders twitch like he's fighting off a shudder.
"It's lucky I wasn't there, because I wouldn't have been that nice," Kensi grumbles. It may be the remnants of alcohol talking, but she has the urge to match herself down to the holding cells and knock some sense into Sylvia.
"Not sure I would have stopped you if you were," Deeks says to her surprise. When Kensi raises an eyebrow at him, he lifts his chin, vaguely defiant underneath the lingering melancholy.
"Are you ok? I mean, I know it's not the same as violence, but this must have been jarring. Especially after last time."
"It definitely wasn't the most pleasant experience," he agrees. "I thought the worst when I first saw her. And then after everything was over, I had a small panic attack, but I worked through it and…I'm ok."
"Are you sure about that?" Kensi asks. Once again, she holds herself back from demanding details, waiting for him to tell her what he needs.
He sucks a soft breath between his teeth, squinting towards the ceiling. "Once again, not entirely. I'm just ready for it all to be done. I'm done giving her second chances and worrying about what happens to her.
"Wow." Kensi is silent for a few moments. She honestly didn't think Deeks would ever get to this point. She'd noticed his building anger towards Sylvia, but thought he'd always hold a lingering affection, or at least compassion for her. "Good."
Deeks chuckles at that. "Somehow I figured you'd feel that way," he comments, rolling his neck with an audible crack. "Don't get me wrong, I'm still not looking to be petty, but I'm also not going to conceal anything she's done."
"I call that progress," Kensi decides, squeezing Deeks' forearm. "I'm proud of you." Her stomach chooses that moment to rumble, and Deeks snorts, his shoulders lightly shaking.
"Go one, get some food," he encourages her once his chuckles subside.
"Are you going to join me?"
"Nah, I already ate, and I need to call my lawyer. Yet again."
Kensi wrinkles her nose in sympathy. "I don't envy you that. Someday this will be over though."
"Yeah. Someday," Deeks echoes softly.
A/N: Apologies if Deeks seems a little rude to Kensi in this one. It occurred to me that after so much upheaval and lack of control in his life, Deeks might snap just a little. Even though Kensi and Nell have the very best intentions.