Deeks was puttering around in the back yard (yep, he'd been reduced to a putter) when someone tapped at the gate, and Sam let himself through. He looked around at the garden which Deeks had devoted significant amount of spare time to, just for something to do.

"Looks good. The cucumbers are coming along," he observed.

"Thanks. I finally got rid of the powdery mildew so they're flourishing." Deeks set his hoe to the side, pausing a beat before he asked, "Shouldn't you be at work?"

"I took a half day."

"Sam Hanna taking time off? I would ask if someone's dying, but that, uh, seems in poor taste."

Sam shook his head. "Only you Deeks."

"So, what's going on?" Deeks pressed. "Cause I'm pretty sure you're not here for some heirloom tomatoes."

"No, I'm not." He gestured to the patio. "Let's have a seat. I got something we gotta talk about."

Deeks set the gardening tools to the side, following after Sam reluctantly. He supposed he should have expected another lecture since it had only been a few days since the last one. Though at this point, he wasn't sure what the topic would revolve around. As much as it annoyed him, he'd behaved himself recently, though that was mostly due to necessity.

Deeks eased himself into a chair, ruffling his sweat-matted hair. "So let me guess. It's reckless to keep pushing myself so hard. I need to focus on getting better and let the rest of you pick up the slack," he rattled off on a slightly sing-song way.

"That's all good advice," Sam said calmly. "But not what I was going to say." He leaned forward, rubbing his hands together in an uncharacteristically uncertain gesture. "I got a call from the Living Donor Advocate today." He spread his hands wide. "I'm a match."

"What?" Deeks breathed.

Sam grinned, shaking his head like he knew what Deeks was thinking. "Surprised me too. Who'd have thought I'd be a good organ match for a self-described descendent of Vikings?"

"Sam, that's, that's…" Deeks broke off, completely speechless. Seeing his struggle, Sam reached over and squeezed his knee. When Deeks looked up, his expression was sympathetic.

"Hey, you ok? I know it's a lot to take in."

"That's for sure. I'd didn't really think anyone would be a match. Um…what did Kensi say?" He imagined her relief at the news.

"I didn't tell her yet. I wanted to tell you first. Figured you could have the honor of telling Kensi," Sam said.

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to give you time to think about all of this. I know you have reservations about accepting a donation from one of us—"

"Yeah, because it has the potential to affect the rest of your life," Deeks interrupted. It was infuriating how everyone dismissed his concerns so easily. "Donating a kidney almost certainly means no more fieldwork, complications during the surgery, not to mention short and long term health risks. Do you really think I feel comfortable asking that of any of you?"

"I'd do it for you in a heartbeat," Sam responded without pause. "I know any of us would if we could."

"So you'd be ok with an early retirement as a field agent and months of down time while you recuperate? Maybe more." He'd promised Kensi he would consider any viable matches, but it went against his very core to accept such a huge sacrifice.

"Yes. As soon as a transplant was put on the table, I started thinking about what I would do. I've made my peace with it. Now it's your turn to do the same," Sam told him, no judgment in his voice. "I can't begin to know what you've gone through during all this, but I think we all consider one less kidney a small sacrifice to keep you with us longer."

Deeks inhaled heavily, emotions suddenly at the forefront again. He blamed the damn medications for making him cry at the drop of a hat.

"We've lost enough people, brother."

"Damn it," Deeks whispered, tears suddenly pricking against his eyes. Sam leaned forward, wrapping Deeks in a comforting hug.

"Hey, it's going to be alright. We got this," he murmured in Deeks ear. "And you're going to be a lot more awesome because you'll have a little piece of Sam Hanna floating around inside you."

Deeks snorted at that, squeezing back as Sam ruffled his hair affectionately.

"Thanks, man."

"Any time." Standing up from the table, Sam gestured to the gate. "I'll let you think this over before Kensi gets home."

A/N: So, did I surprise any of you with Sam being the match? I don't know why, but it just seemed right.