Chapter 3

Kensi quickly changed into the change of clothes the nurse had given her. She didn't even care about the fact that Nell was in the room. She just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. Once she changed, she filled out the discharge papers. She checked around the room to make sure she wasn't leaving anything behind, grabbed her bag of belongings, and left the room. Nell followed close behind. They stopped at the nurses' station before making their way to the ICU floor.

"Hi, ma'am. Can I help you?" One of the nurses asked from behind the desk outside of the ICU ward.

"Uh, my husband is here. He came in with a gunshot wound and was apparently taken here after surgery. I was just in L&D because I was in the same accident as him. I just got discharged. The nurse that discharged me said her boss said it would be fine if my daughter and I see my husband."

"Ok, well I'll need to check with my boss first. How old is your daughter?"

"3."

"Oh. Our policy is no child under the age of 10 is allowed in the ICU. We do that not only for the safety of the child and the mental wellbeing of the child, but also the health of our patients. Many of these patients are immunocompromised."

"I'm a federal agent. I can go get a court order from a judge saying my daughter and I are allowed to see my husband. Or you could go ask your boss and get us in."

"Right away, ma'am."

Once the nurse was gone, Kensi sat down in a chair across from the desk. She placed her bag next to her and dug our her phone. She had a few missed calls from Sam.

"Hey, Sam."

"Hey, Kens. We're in the cafeteria right now. We have Rose. Do you want to come get her or should we bring her to you?"

"Um, I can go get her. I'll be there in a minute."

Kensi didn't even bother waiting for an answer before she hung up.

"Nell, can you stay here and wait for the nurse to come back? I'm gonna go get Rose and then I'll come back." Kensi asked Nell.

"Sure." Nell answered.

Kensi made her way down to the cafeteria. She spotted Sam and Callen sitting at a table. Rose was sitting on Sam's lap. Kensi took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face before walking the rest of the way to the table.

"Mama!" Rose exclaimed, as she hopped off Sam's lap.

Kensi kneeled down to greet the small child.

"Hi baby. Mama missed you."

"Where's daddy?"

Kensi took a deep breath before answering. Keep it together, Kensi.

"Daddy got a booboo. The doctors here are trying to make him better. We're gonna go see him soon."

"Ok."

Kensi placed her bag on the table and dug around for some things in it. She first found her badge. She clipped it to the sweats she was wearing. She then found a small Ziplock bag with her wedding ring. She'd always keep it around her neck when she was at work. She carefully took the ring off the chain and slid it onto her finger. She then stuffed the chain in her pocket.

"Can you take this to Hetty? It needs to be cleaned. Tell her I'm sorry." Kensi asked, handing the bag to Callen. It now only contained her gun, her vest, and some of her tactical gear. "You can just put my gun in my desk."

"We got it, Kens. Go take care of our boy." Callen assured.

"I'll try."

"Here, take this. You should keep your strength up." Sam said, handing her a cup of coffee and a muffin.

"Thanks."

She took the offerings and stuffed the muffin in Rose's backpack. She put Rose's backpack on her back, before picking up Rose. She then picked up the coffee. She soon realized she wouldn't have a hand to press the elevator button. Sam noticed her struggling and took the coffee from her hand.

"I'll stay with you. Callen can take the stuff back to Hetty."

"Ok. Thanks Callen. I'll let you know anything when I find out." Kensi said, her words serving as a goodbye.

She and Sam made their way back up to the ICU.

"Hey, Nell. Did the nurse say anything?" Kensi asked, as she made her way back over to Nell. She set Rose down in the chair.

"She hasn't come back yet. Sorry."

Kensi sighed.

"It's ok."

Sam handed Kensi the coffee and then started a conversation with Nell. Kensi tuned them out as she stared at Rose. She looked so much like Deeks. She had the baby blues and the curly, messy hair. While her hair was darker than Deeks', it was still blonde. When she smiled, she looked exactly like her daddy. Kensi loved her daughter, but now it hurt a little to look at her.

"When are we gonna see daddy?" Rose asked.

"Soon, baby. Do you wanna color while we wait?"

Rose shook her head.

"Are you hungry?"

She shook her head again.

"Do you wanna play with Mama's phone?"

The toddler's face instantly brightened. She loved playing games on her Mama's phone.

Kensi dug her phone out of her pocket and handed it to Rose. Rose quickly found her favorite game and started playing. Kensi just sat there next to her, staring. She was so amazed by this amazing person she and Deeks had created. Rose was the best thing that had ever happened to Rose, even over getting married to Deeks. She loved Rose more than anything in the world.

"Hey, baby." Kensi said quietly, trying to get Rose's attention.

"Yeah?" Rose asked, without looking up from the phone.

"You're gonna be a big sister."

"Huh?" Rose asked, confused. This time she looked up.

"Mama's gonna have a baby."

"Where is the baby?"

"The baby's in Mama's tummy." Kensi said, placing an open palm on her lower stomach.

"Really?"

"Yeah, baby. Are you happy?"

"Yeah. Can I play Barbies with the baby?"

"Well, when the baby gets here, they'll be too little to play. But if you wait a few months, then you can totally play Barbies with the baby."

"Mama, when are we gonna see Daddy?" Rose asked, changing the subject.

"Soon, baby. I'm gonna go ask someone. I'll be right back. Stay right there, ok? Don't move."

"Ok, Mama." Rose agreed, turning back to the game.

Kensi stood up from the chair and tossed the half empty coffee cup in a nearby trash can. Kensi walked over to the nurses' station that now had a new nurse.

"Excuse me, I asked a nurse about 30 minutes ago about seeing my husband. She said she'd go ask her boss, and she hasn't come back yet." Kensi explained.

"Ok, what's your husband's name?" The nurse asked.

"Martin Deeks. He came in with a gunshot wound. He was moved to the ICU once he got out of surgery."

The nurse typed Deeks' name into the computer.

"I'm sorry, ma'am but I don't see your husband's name in the ICU log. I can see if he might be in the recovery ward."

"Ok." Kensi was confused. She'd been told Deeks was in the ICU.

The nurse typed in some things on the computer for a few moments before she look back at Kensi.

"It says here he's in the recovery ward."

"I was told he was here in the ICU. I'm confused. A nurse came down to me in L&D and told me he'd lost a lot of blood and almost died again on the table. She said the doctors weren't sure if he'd wake up. If he did, they weren't sure if he'd have permanent brain damage. Would he be in the recovery unit if he was that critical?"

"No, he would be in the ICU."

Kensi sighed. What the hell was going on?

"Ok, so what the hell is wrong with my husband?"

"I'm not sure, ma'am. I can call down to the recovery ward to make sure he's actually there."

"Yes. Please do that."

The nurse picked up the phone and started talking to someone. Kensi turned back around to face Sam and Nell.

"What's wrong, Kens?" Nell asked, seeing the expression on Kensi's face.

"Apparently, Deeks isn't in the ICU. He's in the normal recovery ward. The nurse is calling the recovery ward to see what's going on." Kensi responded.

"That's good, though, right? It means Deeks isn't as bad as we though."

"Yeah, I think so. I'm just really confused why that nurse told us what she did."

"Maybe she mixed up two different patients. It sucks, but it happens."

"Yeah I'm hoping that's what happened."

Kensi walked back over to the desk once she'd seen the nurse end the call.

"So, you're husband is in the recovery ward. I just confirmed with the on call doctor. Apparently, there was a mix up of patients. Some one came in right after your husband who also a gunshot wound and presented similarly. His name was Martin Decks. The nurse who checked on your husband's condition must've typed in the last name. Your husband's surgery went well. They were able to control the bleeding and he's now resting in recovery. The breathing tube was even taken out about 15 minutes ago. He's breathing on his own."

Kensi let out a breath she'd been unknowingly holding. Deeks was ok! Rose wasn't going to lose her father and she'd get to tell him she was going to be a big sister.

"Thank you so much. Can you tell me where the recovery ward is and what room he's in?"

"Recovery is on floor 4. He's in room 405."

"Thank you."

Kensi walked back over to Sam and Nell and explained everything the nurse said. Once everyone was clear on everything, Kensi gathered Rose's things, picked her up, and then started walking towards the closest elevator. Sam and Nell were following close behind.

They all made their way to the recovery ward and eventually found Deeks' room. Sam and Nell waited outside while Kensi and Rose carefully made their way into the room.

Kensi was slightly shocked by the sight she saw before her. Deeks was nearly two shades paler than normal. He was shirtless and had a giant bandage around his chest, much like the one he'd had when he got shot the first time. He had two IVs, one in each hand, most likely to replenish his water supply but also to help his body make more blood. He had a nasal cannula in his nose. He looked like hell and Kensi was unsure if Rose should see him that way. After a few moments of internal debate, Kensi decided Rose should stay outside with Sam and Nell. She quickly sent Rose out there and then closed the door again. She then walked over to the bed and sat down in the nearby chair.

Once she was seated, she carefully stroked Deeks' hand, trying to carefully wake him up. After about of minute stroking his hand, he started to stir.

"Baby. Wake up." Kensi said, sweetly.

Deeks groaned and then carefully opened his eyes.

"Hi. Welcome back." A smile instantly graced Kensi's face.

"Water." Deeks groaned out.

Kensi poured him a glass of water from the pitcher sitting on the beside table. He slowly sipped it and cleared his throat.

"What happened?" He asked, his voice still raspy.

"You were shot."

"How? I don't remember anything after us in the car."

"The victim's 14 year old daughter turned out to be the murderer. When we got to the house, we found her standing over her father with a gun in hand. She'd shot him in the head. Obviously, she ran. We chased after her, and then while we were running, she turned around and shot you."

"Wow. So am I gonna be, like, ok?"

"I'm not sure. I haven't talked to the doctor yet."

"Are you ok? You didn't get hurt, right?"

"I'm good, babe."

"Why do I feel like there's something you're not telling me?"

"There isn't. I'm just still reeling from today's events. There was apparently a mix up. The nurse from the ICU accidentally told me another patient's condition. Apparently he also had a GSW and his name was Martin Decks. The nurse told me you might not wake up and if you did, you might have brain damage. I started preparing myself to say goodbye. I'm relieved that you're ok, but I'm still kind of in shock, I think. It's just, a lot has happened today."

"I'm sure I'll be ok, babe."

"I know."

Unsure of what else to say, Kensi leaned between forehead against his and breathed out an 'I love you.' They then shared a sweet kiss before Kensi went to get the doctor.

Kensi was able to get the doctor and the two walked back to Deeks' room.

"It's good to see you awake, Mr. Deeks. My name is Dr. Alana Ramirez. I'm the on call physician for recovery right now."

"Nice to meet you, doc. Will I be ok?" Deeks spoke before Kensi could.

"You came in with a GSW to the lower lower right abdomen. The bullet travelled through your abdomen and nicked your abdominal aorta and part of your bowel. We were able to completely remove the bullet and repair all of the damage. Your prognosis is promising. You'll need about 4-6 weeks of recovery, and I recommend at least another month of desk duty."

"How did the bullet penetrate my vest? I was wearing one, right?" Deeks asked, confused.

"I'm not sure, but the bullet isn't one I've ever seen before. Maybe it was some type of armor piercing round. I've only read about them during a short unit on weapons in med school."

"Ok. We'll need that bullet for our investigation." Kensi said.

"Investigation?"

"Yes. My husband and I are federal agents for NCIS. He was shot by someone we're investigating."

"Oh. I'll have a nurse bring you the bullet."

"Thank you."

"If you don't have anymore questions, I have some other patients that I need to see."

"Thank you so much, doc. If you ever feel in the mood for a drink, we own a bar. You could have free drinks for life." Deeks thanked the doctor.

"You're welcome and maybe I'll take you up on that someday."

With that, the doctor left the room.

"So, I'm assuming you didn't call my mom, based on the fact that she's not here." Deeks said his wife.

"I haven't called her yet, but I have a good reason. A reason I will explain once our daughter's in here." Kensi gave as an answer.

"Wait, Kens-" Kensi had already left the room.

Kensi went back out to the hall where Sam, Nell, and Rose were.

"Ok, baby. It's time to see daddy. How about we tell him what I told you, ok?" Kensi told her daughter, carefully picking her up.

"Ok, mama." Rose said.

Kensi and Rose went back to Deeks' room, and Deeks' face immediately lit up when he saw Rose.

"Hi, daddy." Rose said, struggling to get out of Kensi's arms.

Kensi carefully set her daughter down and walked over to the bed.

"Hi, baby. Daddy missed you."

"I missed you too, daddy." Rose said, trying to give her father a hug.

Kensi, seeing Deeks' longing for their daughter, picked Rose up and placed her on the bed. Deeks and Rose shared a proper hug, and Kensi rubbed Rose's back.

"Ok, Rose. I think it's time to tell daddy what mama told you." Kensi said, waiting a few moments for the adorable duo to share a hug.

"Mama said she's gonna have a baby." Rose told her father.

"What?" Deeks said, a confused smile plastered on his face. He looked up to Kensi to confirm.

"It's true." Kensi said, placing her hand on her lower abdomen, while plastering a watery smile on her face.

"Are you serious? We're have a baby?" Deeks asked, as if saying it any louder would make it disappear.

"Yeah. That's actually why your mom isn't here. When I came to the hospital, I was trying to find you. Before I could get to you, I passed out in the lobby. I was taken to the ER and given fluids. The doctor ran some tests. The pregnancy test came back positive. I'm only about 4 weeks. I was taken up to L&D. The baby and I are both ok. So, I was a little too preoccupied to call your mom."

"I guess our efforts weren't completely useless." Deeks said, referring to all of the sex they'd had.

"I guess they weren't."

"I love you, Kensi. And I love our beautiful daughter and our soon-to-be-child too."

"I love you too. And I love our beautiful family. Who knew that day at the ice skating rink would lead to all of this?"