Kensi spent the next two weeks recuperating. Realistically, she didn't need quite that long, but had encouraged her to take the time, and for once, she listened.

Instead of counting down every second until she could get back in the field, Kensi found herself enjoying the time off for a change. The first few days were uncomfortable and even painful, but after that, she went for long walks and spent the afternoon with Rosa when she got home from school.

Thanks to Callen and Sam, Deeks also made it home earlier than usual most evenings, which meant they all had time together as a family. It was nice. Better than nice. For the first time in years, Kensi felt settled in a way that didn't leave her looking for more; she no longer craved the constant danger and action.

The night before she was supposed to return from medical leave, she and Deeks were cleaning up in the kitchen after dinner.

"Hey, why don't you go relax, I got the rest of this," Deeks suggested, wiping down the counters.

"Baby, I love how much you want to take care of me, but I'm not going to be immobile for at least a few more months," she reminded him gently.

Deeks smiled self-deprecatingly. Setting the rag to the side, he encircled her waist with his arms tugging her into him. "I know. You're just doing all the work with growing the Pastry Babies, so it only seems fair that I make up for it somewhere else."

"You do," Kensi assured him. "In so many ways. You don't have to do it all."

"I'll try to remember that." He kissed her cheek, his eyes filled with a warmth that felt like home. "So, you ready to be back at work tomorrow?"

"Actually, no." Deeks' eyebrows raised at her admission. She shrugged. "You know how we talked about me maybe taking a few more weeks off?"

He nodded. She inhaled shallowly through her nose, fiddling with his shirt collar. "I think I might want even longer. Or to put fieldwork on hold for a while," she said.

Deeks had remained silent, the only change in his expression a slight widening of his eyes.

"So, what do you think about that?"

"Are you sure it's what you really want?"

"Absolutely," she said adamantly. "Getting abducted and not knowing if I would ever see you or Rosa again, if the twins—" her throat tightened and she shrugged. "It put a lot of things in perspective for me. Nothing matters more than this." She took his hand and laid it over her stomach, just ever so slightly bigger, and pressed her other hand to his chest.

His eyes filled with tears and he kissed her, his arms firm yet gentle around her.


"I'll see you in a little bit," Kensi told Deeks, squeezing his hand as they parted ways in the bullpen. It felt odd to be back, almost wrong in a way even though she hadn't been gone that long.

Now she just had to meet with Kilbride. He hadn't been pleased when he found out they failed to report her kidnapping until after she was recovered. Fortunately, Sam and Callen had accepted the brunt of his ire, and Deeks had offered to quit on the spot if Kilbride had an issue with his conduct. Kensi had smiled at Deeks' retelling of that moment.

She walked up Kilbride's office, and knocked on the door. He opened the door himself, his lips pursing when he saw her.

"Hm. I thought I'd be receiving a visit from you soon," he grumbled. He gestured for her to come in and shut the door again.

"It's good to see you too, Admiral," she said, and he smiled wryly, perching on the edge of his desk. "It's good to see you back. I hope you're well."

"On the mend," Kensi allowed. She felt that absurd urge to ramble that still overcame her occasionally in times of stress. Instead, she steadied herself. "Sir, I know my leave is supposed to end as of today, but I'd like to extend it."

Kilbride's expression shifted to one of concern. "Were your injuries more extensive than you originally thought? Your pregnancy—"

"No, we're all very healthy," Kensi spoke up quickly, resting her hand on her lower abdomen out of habit. "I'd like to keep it that way." She looked just past him, remembering the moments when she didn't know for sure that the twins weren't hurt, stumbling through the woods, fighting off a man intent on capturing her by any means. She shuddered and breathed in deeply, squaring her chin. "I have two little lives I need to protect. Being kidnapped made me realize how quickly they could be taken from me."

"Agent Blye, every day and case is not going to end with an abduction," Kilbride said, his voice turning a little stern.

"Maybe not, but there are always guns, and bombs, and every other calamity we regularly face every day. I'd convinced myself that I could handle all of that until I was farther along in my pregnancy, but I was wrong. I never want to feel like that again with my babies."

"Well, that is certainly hard to argue with," he commented. "Are you certain this isn't just the result of your fear talking? You might change your mind later."

"I have a family to think of and I don't want to put this job before them anymore," Kensi explained simply.

"So is this your official resignation then?"

"No. At least not for now. I've requested an extension to my leave. I might return to fieldwork, or I might pursue another career."

Kilbride nodded, then to her surprise, extended a hand. His grip was firm, if brief as he shook her hand. "This agency will certainly feel your absence. I wish you luck in whatever you choose."

"Thank you, sir," Kensi said, offering a final nod before she turned for the door. As she walked back down the stairs, she felt a heaviness lift from her shoulders with every step. She stopped on the first landing, staring down into the bullpen. Deeks sat his desk, head bent over his laptop.

There was her past and her future in one place.

"C'mon, let's go see dad," she murmured, pressing lightly over her bump.