Chapter 4 – Kensi Crashes

Kensi clutched her discharge paper in one hand and Deeks' hand with the other. He was surprised when she grabbed his hand. It seemed way too affectionate for kick-butt Kensi. But the whole day had been out of the ordinary.

"Where do you want to eat?" he asked.

"I feel like I cheated death today so I want to live dangerously."

Deeks looked skeptical. "Uh, huh. What does that mean exactly? You want to launch some RPGs in the desert?"

Kensi considered that for a moment. "That would be fun. I always wanted to see if I could handle one of those. Maybe after I try some fish tacos."

"What? You want fish tacos? You ridicule me for eating them."

"That's because you make those almost orgasmic sounds as you're stuffing them in your mouth. It's embarrassing."

Deeks pulled her to a halt. He tried not to smile. "Orgasmic? You're getting into deep waters there, Fern. The fish taco is sacred. But hey, if that's what you want, I'm more than happy to oblige. My favorite place is Fishy Freddy's."

Kensi looked pained. "See, even the name is cheesy. I'm not sure the health department inspects those places."

"You can get shredded cheese on yours, if you want. I like cheddar."

Kensi shook her head. "Lead on," she said as she offered him the car keys.

"You're sure?"

"About you driving or eating fish tacos?" she asked.

"Both."

"Yes, I'm sure . . . about both."

Kensi was full of surprises today. She made only a half-hearted protest about his choice of radio stations. As they drove, he caught her singing along in spite of herself. He smiled.

Twenty minutes later, they were seated at a slightly wobbly table on the patio at Fishy Freddy's. The sun shone brilliantly and there was a light breeze. From their vantage point, they could see a volleyball game in progress on the beach

The small interior was jammed with hungry patrons and only two empty tables remained on the patio. Between them was a basket of the famous tacos, a plate of curly fries, and two beers.

"See," said Deeks. "No one's keeling over from eating these, so dig in."

Kensi hesitated for a split-second. "I'm on it." She ate one slowly and methodically. "Not bad, but I need another one to give an accurate report."

"Sure thing," grinned Deeks. Kensi was a woman who enjoyed her food. He was glad she wasn't the type who ate two bites of a salad and proclaimed she was full.

Before they realized it, another basket of tacos was consumed along with more beers. Now Kensi was digging into a large bowl of vanilla bean ice cream with sprinkles on top. "Mmm. This is almost better than Rocky Road. Oh yeah."

"Who's sounding orgasmic now?" smirked Deeks.

Kensi paused with the spoon halfway to her mouth, a look of shock on her face.

Deeks finished his mint chocolate chip ice cream and pushed the bowl to the side. "Yeah, I wanted to get some clarification about what you said about Monty and me after the procedure." Sounds like I'm interviewing a suspect back at the boat shed, he thought.

He knew he was going out on a limb here, but he couldn't help himself. Kensi didn't open up to people easily, but he hoped she was past that now with him. He'd been thinking about it ever since they left the hospital, turning it over and over in his mind. He hoped to hell she didn't try to backpedal on it. In his experience, those little slip-ups usually rang true.

She polished off the last of her ice cream. He could tell she was trying to choose her words carefully. "Well, of course I love Monty. He's a great dog, even if he doesn't always obey. And of course I, uh, love you, too. In a partner, best friend sort of way. I mean, you don't always obey, either, but I tolerate you."

Too bad that numbing medicine didn't work on my tongue. And he's not buying that for a second, she thought.

Deeks grinned like an idiot. "Okay, just so we know where things stand. I wouldn't want to be in the dark and maybe commit a faux-pas."

"Didn't know you were familiar with the term."

Deeks laughed and signaled the waitress for the check. "Oh, I know I appear to be this handsome, suave, witty guy, but I've had my fair share of them."

Back in the car, Kensi punched the radio button for her favorite station, but she still let Deeks drive.

They listened to music as they drove to Kensi's apartment. As they had earlier, they continued to berate inconsiderate Los Angeles drivers. "And there's another one," said Deeks. "Where did these people learn to drive?"

He parked in Kensi's designated spot and followed her into the apartment. He figured he'd stay the night with her to make sure everything was okay. Really, there was no place he'd rather be.

They settled on the couch, shoulders touching. Deeks' arm rested along the back of the couch. "Want to watch some insipid TV?" he asked.

Kensi snorted. "Sure."

A reality show came on and they watched it for a while. "Really? Someone thought this was entertainment?" said Deeks. "That's twenty minutes of our lives we'll never get back."

Kensi yawned. "I know. This is more annoying than all those stupid drivers." She took the remote and clicked off the TV. Her head slid down onto Deeks' shoulder.

"Been a hell of a day, hasn't it?" he said.

Kensi sighed. "Understatement of the century."

"It was like we were at Six Flags on the 'Emotional Rollercoaster'." He sighed heavily. " Man, am I glad we got off that ride." Deeks realized now how these 'girl things' could exact a toll on their men, too. He silently vowed to always be supportive of Kensi. They were a damn good team, both at work and in life.

"No argument there," agreed Kensi.

A few moments passed. Kensi's eyes were closed and Deeks thought she'd gone to sleep. Suddenly, she spoke.

"This was one of the worst, and best, days of my life."

"Yeah?" This intrigued Deeks immensely.

"The worst because I was afraid it might be, you know, more than a cyst and . . ."

Deeks pulled her closer. "Go on."

". . . the best because you were there with me. You can't imagine how much I appreciate that. You . . . you are the best partner and I know I'm not always gracious."

Deeks was awestruck. "Is this Kensi Blye apologizing?"

"I suppose it is."

"Not necessary. I'm your 'better half,' remember?"

Kensi snorted and jabbed his arm.

"Watch it, Fern!" He stretched out more on the couch and shifted Kensi to lie in front of him.

"Mmm," murmured Kensi. "So nice."

Kensi would probably fall asleep now, but Deeks was still reeling from what she'd admitted. The best because you were there with me . . . you are the best partner.

He switched the TV on again, this time to the 11 p.m. news. Mainly, he wanted some background noise, but also he prayed there wouldn't be some crisis that demanded their return to the Mission tonight. They were both too emotionally wound up right now.

The news ended and nothing jumped out at Deeks. It was the usual traffic accidents, political squabbles, and smog index weather reports.

"Uh, Kens?"

She stirred. "Yeah?"

"My back's getting a kink."

She roused herself and sat up. "Sorry. I gotta pee anyway." She padded toward the bathroom.

The toilet flushed, but Kensi did not return to the living room. She probably went to bed, he thought. He decided to get comfortable, too. A while back, he had taken over the bottom drawer of Kensi's dresser. After he cleared out her old tee shirts and socks with holes, he stashed some of his tee shirts, pajama pants, socks, and underwear there. His emergency kit. It came in handy since he often slept over. Kensi didn't seem to mind, although she did argue a bit about tossing out some of her ripped tee shirts. My Fern is a pack rat. Something we need to work on.

As he passed the bathroom, he got the shock of his life. As if today hadn't been shocking enough. Kensi was standing topless in front of the mirror, examining her left breast. Her pink bra was discarded on the floor.

Naturally, he saw her in the reflection. "Oh my God, Kensi! I'm sorry. I thought you'd gone to bed and I was gonna . . . sorry! I didn't mean to intrude." He quickly turned his back.

She didn't yell or do anything. Then Deeks realized she was crying. "It's . . . it's okay, Deeks. I was so . . . I was so scared today." Then her emotional dam broke and she was bawling in earnest.

Like a lot of guys, Deeks hated it when women cried. He could deal with yelling and threats and throwing of pots and pans, but tears were on a whole different level. Then he remembered his vow to always be supportive. He took a deep breath and braced himself.

He turned and found her facing him. Her breasts were perfect, just like she was perfect. The left one was beginning to bruise a little and there was irritation where the bandaid had been. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. "I couldn't have made it today without you," she said between sobs.

He stepped toward her and wrapped his arms around her, careful not to crush her against his chest. He gently massaged her back and eased her head onto his shoulder. "I was scared, too," he admitted. "And Kensi, I'm honored and humbled that you let me share something so . . . personal, so intimate. You know I'd do anything for you." He meant every word and felt himself tearing up, too.

They embraced for a long time. Deeks continued to rub her back and offered encouraging words. "You held it together like a champ today. I'm so proud of you. You showed that stupid cyst who was boss."

Finally, the sobbing ended. He moved her over to sit on the edge of the tub and knelt in front of her. "Hey, you needed to let that out. You can't keep everything bottled up inside. It's like a volcano – sooner or later it blows."

"I know," she said as she bit her bottom lip. Deeks pushed her hair out of her face and pressed a kiss to her forehead. He got up, ran the washcloth under the cold water, and gently rubbed her face.

She placed her hand over his. "Thank you . . . for everything."

"You're welcome," he smiled. The emotional storm had passed and Deeks was once again aware of Kensi's topless state, although she seemed oblivious.

"Uh, you want a tee shirt to sleep in or those little pajama things?"

"A tee shirt is good."

He went to the bedroom and found one lying on the foot of the bed. In fact, it was one of his old LAPD tee shirts. He smiled.

He returned to the bathroom and handed it to her. "Are you good because I was gonna . . . "

"You're not leaving, are you?" The panic was evident in Kensi's voice.

"No, of course not, honey." The endearment slipped out almost without Deeks realizing it. "I was gonna lock the deadbolt and change my clothes, that's all."

"Oh, thank goodness," she sighed.

He secured the deadbolt and turned out the living room lamp. When he came back, Kensi was leaving the bathroom. "Better?" he asked.

"Much better." He put his arm around her shoulder and guided her to the bed. He turned back the comforter and she crawled in on the right side. Since their house-sitting operation in the suburbs, whenever they shared a bed, the left side was his. As long as he was close to Kensi, he didn't mind which side he slept on.

Quickly, he stripped down to his boxers. He was beyond exhausted. For once, he ignored his OCD tendencies and left his clothes in a pile on the floor. He didn't even bother with his pajama pants tonight.

Kensi was lying on her right side. "I'm a little sore. I can't sleep on my left side tonight," she said.

Deeks rolled onto his left side, facing her. "This is nice. We can have pillow talk."

Neither spoke for several minutes. Then Kensi broke the silence. "It's okay, you know."

"What's okay?"

"That you saw not only one, but both my boobs."

Deeks blew out a breath. "Thank goodness. Because at the hospital I felt like a gigantic dweeb trying not look at it, because it was like, so out there! You know what I mean?"

Kensi laughed. "Totally. Now if Callen or Sam had been there, well, awkward."

"Totally," agreed Deeks. "Perfect."

"Excuse me?"

"Your boobs are perfect." He paused. "You aren't going to hit me, are you? Or call me a sexist pig?"

Kensi chuckled. "No, I'll just say 'thank you'." However, if you tell Sam or Callen I may have to . . ."

The rest of the sentence was cut off by her cell ringing. It was on the nightstand by Deeks, who picked it up. "Speak of the devil, it's Callen. You wanna answer it?"

"You answer it."

"Kensi's phone," he said.

"Cute. How is she?"

"Good. It was no big deal," said Deeks.

"Easy for you to say," said Kensi.

Then Deeks launched into a play-by-play about the procedure. "It turned out to be only a cyst, but it was a gigantic one, the size of the Grand Canyon. The doctor stuck a needle the size of a harpoon in it and sucked it dry." He paused to make a slurping sound. "Then they slapped a bandaid on it and released her to my custody."

"What am I, your prisoner?" asked Kensi.

"Then we had some fish tacos, I drove her home, and put her to bed."

"She let you drive her car?" asked an incredulous Callen.

"I know. Can you believe that?"

"Honestly, Deeks. Did you have to make it sound like a horror movie?" protested Kensi. She tried to kick him under the covers. Her foot connected with his bare shin.

"Where are your pajamas?" she shrieked.

"I don't always wear pajamas to bed."

Kensi gasped and slapped her hand over his mouth.

"Guys, too much information," said Callen. He and Sam exchanged a look. They were in Sam's Charger leaving the Staples Center after a Lakers game. "Yep, everything's normal," said Sam.

"Okay, I'll let you two get back to your pillow talk . . . or whatever."

"Well, you know with Kensi sometimes it's more like pillow arguing."

Goodnight, Deeks, Kensi."

"Goodnight, Callen. And thanks for checking on Kensalina."

Deeks laid the phone down. "That went well."

"Seriously? Now they'll think we're sleeping together," huffed Kensi.

Deeks yawned. "I, for one, am ready for some sleep. Aren't you, Fern?"

"Yes. And for the record, I do enjoy sleeping with you."

"I already knew that," he said smugly.

"Goodnight, Deeks."

"Goodnight, princess."

THE END

Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed, especially those who weren't sure about the title. I used that title to get your attention and it worked! That shows you can't judge a story by the title alone. I'm in healthcare and have had cyst aspirations myself so I felt qualified to write this story. Your comments are greatly appreciated.