After a first few brutal days, where Deeks seemed to be in constant pain, in addition to constantly being poked and examined by a team of doctors, things improved significantly. Since he didn't show signs of rejection or infection, they removed several of the tubes that kept him bed bound and he was allowed brief walks—Sam had been released after only one day, much to Deeks' regret. He'd looked forward to causing minor mischief with his former teammate.
Physical activity brought its own pain and challenges, but Deeks was just happy to be up and about. Even if some of that time was spent in mandatory PT sessions.
In the end, Deeks was released from the hospital after eight days, along with a dizzying list of guidelines, medications, diet recommendations, and symptoms to be on watch for as he recovered.
Two weeks later, Deeks and Kensi had settled into a fairly steady routine. She was still on family and medical leave, which meant she could assist Deeks with any of his needs. Though at this point, he could manage most of his upkeep by himself.
Mostly, Deeks was enjoying the ability to resume normal activities, albeit at a slower and less impressive pace.
Today, Kensi helped him move their set of weights and other exercise equipment outside for his daily modified workout session. With the sun beating down on him, he'd worked up a sweat within a few minutes, and stripped off his shirt. He'd have to watch that he didn't burn after being inside so much the last year, but for now it felt amazing.
Halfway through a set of arm curls, he caught Kensi watching him from her spot on their wicker loveseat. The book she'd been reading lay abandoned in one hand. He followed her gaze down to his abdomen.
A scar about four inches long stretched from just above his pelvis to his lower abdomen at an angle. Underneath the hard layer of surgical glue, he could see the remnants of dried blood and the raised edges of relatively fresh scar tissue.
"I guess I'm not going to be winning any beauty contests, huh?" he said wryly, gesturing to himself with a sweeping motion. Kensi looked momentarily embarrassed at having been caught staring, but got over it quickly.
"Don't be ridiculous. You're gorgeous," she insisted, turning a couple pages in the book.
"I'm skinny, I'm pale, I can barely lift 10 pounds, and I have a new scar to top it all off."
"And I still think you're the sexiest man alive," Kensi told him firmly. She slid off the loveseat, leaving the book on the cushion, and crossed over to him hands on her hips. "I love everything about you, including that scar." She stopped directly in front of him, curling one hand around the back of his neck and cupping his cheek with the other. "You will get your strength and your tan back, but even if you didn't, I would still love you."
"You're pretty amazing," he whispered, brushing her hair back from her temple.
"I know." Grinning, Kensi pressed her lips to his. Deeks dropped one hand to the top of her back, drawing her closer. He moaned softly as the kiss deepened, warmth that had nothing to do with the sun sparking across his skin.
Kensi pulled back with a gasp, licking her bottom lip. She ran her hands down his chest with a regretful sigh.
"Why'd you stop?"
"I don't think sex is on your doctor-approved activities list," she pointed out. Deeks pouted.
"Maybe not, but I bet we could find something to do that would be equally fun." He raised his eyebrows suggestively and ran his eyes down the length of Kensi's body.
"Let's give it a couple more weeks." Kensi patted his chest, fingers lingering for a few extra seconds.
"If you insist," he sighed dramatically.
"I do. Ok, I'm going to get your afternoon medication and lunch," she said.
"I think I can manage walking to the kitchen and making a sandwich."
"I know you can, but you don't have to." Kissing him one more time, very quickly, she headed for the back door. "Don't even think about moving that equipment without me!"
Shaking his head in fond exasperation at Kensi's scolding, sitting down on the edge of his yoga mat. He still had a long way to go in his recovery, but his future already looked so much better than it had a few months ago.
A/N: I didn't want to get into all the details of organ transplant and recovery in this fic. However, I did want to specify for anyone who isn't familiar, that organ transplants come with the possibility of lifelong complications, one of those being the risk of the body rejecting the transplant organ. As such, recipients have to take anti-rejection medication for the rest of their lives and take other precautions.
Again, I didn't want to get into all of that, because as always I think Kensi and Deeks deserve a break and the chance to be happy after everything I've put them through. I think there will be just a chapter or two more after this.