"Now what do we think we're doing here?" Deeks asked the bean plant he was trying to untangle from an over enthusiastic cucumber vine. "Come on, that's just not polite."

"Should I be worried that you're talking to the produce?"

Deeks looked over his shoulder, smiling as Sam approached. It reminded him of not so long ago when Sam had come, with his lifesaving offer.

"Only if they start talking back," Deeks replied. He tossed his gardening gloves to the side. "Can I interest you in a cheeky cucumber or some slightly mature wax beans?"

"Maybe later," Sam said wryly. "Looks like everything's flourishing."

"Yeah, it got a little out of hand while I was convalescing." He gave Sam a once over. They'd gotten together a few times since Deeks' release from the hospital, but they'd both been surprisingly between follow up appointments, therapy (for Deeks), and catching up on everything that went to the wayside in the last month. "You look good, man."

"You too." Holding out an arm, Sam tugged Deeks in for a firm hug. E squeezed Deeks extra hard once, then stepped back with an approving nod. "Good to see you with some meat back on your bones and some color in your skin. You been back out on the water yet?"

"Just to wade. I got a couple more weeks before I can fully submerge this thing." Deeks pointed towards his scar and shrugged regretfully. "I can't wait."

"You'll get there," Sam assured him. "Though if you get eaten by a shark and waste my good kidney, I will kill you."

"I'll be careful. What about you? Did you have a good trip with Kam and Aiden?"

"I did. Though Kam spent the entire time worrying over me. Wouldn't let me cook or clean a thing."

"Sounds familiar," Deeks said with a soft grin, gesturing for Sam to follow him into the house. "They're just glad we're ok."

"I know. And I'm grateful, but in terms of recoveries, this one is way down on the list. I didn't nearly bleed out, wasn't poisoned or shot." Sam made a face as he listed off previous injuries.

"You didn't tell Kam that, did you?" Deeks imagined the youngest Hanna would show just how terrifying she could be if pushed.

"Oh hell no. She'd never let me out of her sight again."

"Sounds about right. So, when do you go back to the office?" Deeks asked. He grabbed a couple glasses and filled them with iced tea from the fridge, handing one to Sam.

"A couple more weeks. Kilbride is making me take the full medical leave before he'll discuss anything with me," Sam explained. "I've had some offers from other agencies. I'm gonna see what all my options are before I make any decisions."

A frisson of guilt ran through Deeks at the reminder that Sam had essentially given up his career for him. He pushed it down, knowing that Sam had no interest in apologies or pity.

"I think I'd like to do something involving teaching. Maybe I'll look into becoming an adjunct law professor. Or maybe they'll let me back into FLETC," Deeks said.

"Either one would be lucky to have you," Sam told him, then offered a teasing smirk. "Though I'm not sure some of us are brave enough to take on any recruits you'd train. The legal debates alone would be ridiculous."

"Oh, for sure. It would be a requirement." Chuckling along with Sam, Deeks traced a bead of condensation sliding down the side of his glass. . "I know you keep saying it's not necessary, but I appreciate everything you've given up for me," he said. "You've literally given me a second chance at life."

Sam accepted the words with a nod and a gentle smile.

"That's what brothers do for each other."

"To brothers," Deeks echoed, holding up his half-empty glass. Sam clinked their glasses together.