#one wrong move

A/N: Hey there! It just so happens I had this half written when you sent in your ask. Here you go. Thanks for asking!

***

One Wrong Move, Part 7

Kensi walked back to to Deeks’ room—he’d been switched to one with a higher level of containment—with trepidation. Her last glimpse of him, he’d been covered in medical equipment, and unconscious. The doctor said Deeks was conscious now, but who knew what condition he was in otherwise.

Thankfully, when she walked in, it wasn’t nearly as bad as she’d anticipated. A nasal cannula partially obstructed his face and he had a new IV placed in the back of his other hand. Worry about further seizures and what would happen if the new medication didn’t work filled her.

Deeks was alive, she reminded herself, and that was something to be grateful for. Grabbing a mask from station set up outside the room, she pressed the entrance button, waiting until the door made a click and buzzing noise.

Deeks turned his head slowly in response to the door opening, the corner of his mouth lifting in a glimmer of a smile.

“Hey baby.”

“Hey.” He lifted his hand briefly, the movement slow and uncoordinated. His face was flushed, eyes heavy, and he looked completely exhausted. “This is not my week,” he muttered.

“I’m so sorry, Deeks.”

“Feels like the time my mom gave me a shot of bourbon and cold medicine,” he said slowly.

“They have you on the good stuff then.” Joking felt good. Normal. At least in their world.

“Mm. Supposed to relax me and bring my—” he waved his finger in the air near his head. “Bring my temp down.”

“Did they tell you what happened?”

“Doctor said some kind of seizure. Never had one of those before. Wouldn’t recommend,” he said with a tired sigh.

“Yeah. It was pretty scary, but they said it was probably the preventative medication. They’re going to try a different one instead,” she explained. She didn’t want to tell him too much and risk upsetting him. Then again, he didn’t seem capable of getting agitated at the moment with whatever medication he was on.

“Now I feel really special. Hope it works.”

“Me too.” Kensi wiped away a tear that threatened to spill down her cheek, and he gestured her closer with a lazy wave of his hand, movement hampered by the IV.

“Hey, c’mere.”

Taking his hand, she let him “pull” her close enough she could have climbed into bed with him. She settled on leaning on the arm rail, cradling his hand in both of hers, and focused on the familiar lines and crevices along the skin.

“It’s going be ok,” he whispered, sounding the most coherent he had since she walked in the room.

“I keep trying to tell myself that,” she said, unable to stop her breath from hitching, or another tear from slipping out. “It’s hard though.”

“It’s gotta be. I have my favorite Ladybird by my side and we’ve got so much more life together.” He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, the simple gesture reassuring. “I’m not leaving you yet, Kensi Blye.”

CIRCE!!!

And....

day fifty-three:  sweet

***

One Wrong Move, Part 12

Hurry up, they’re going to be here soon,” Sam urged Nell along.

“I’m just putting the rest of the candles on,” she responded, carefully arranging blue candles on top of a small white cake with writing across the top. A larger, extravagantly decorated cake sat beside it.

“You don’t need that many. It’s a welcome back party, not his birthday.”

Nell turned just long enough to glare at him. “When you almost die from an extremely infectious disease and spend weeks in the hospital, you get candles on your cake.”

“Hey, I actually did get an infectious disease,” Callen objected. “I don’t even remember what happened until I woke up. You didn’t throw me a party then.”

“That’s because you threatened to resign if we did,” Eric reminded him.

“Did you really do that?” Fatima wondered.

“No.”

“He had an envelope with his name and the date on it,” Sam corrected.

“It was empty,” Callen said dryly.

“Ok, it’s ready. Now we just need our resident surfing liaison.” Stepping back from the table, Nell surveyed the cakes and decorations. Maybe it was overkill, but after everything that happened in the last couple months, she’d felt the need to celebrate the relatively positive outcomes.

She exhaled softly, remembering comforting Kensi in the hospital and assuring her Deeks would be fine. When in reality none of them knew that for sure.

Beside her, Eric slipped his hand in hers, and offered a smile of encouragement. Yeah, they all needed this.

***

Deeks watched the familiar scenery go by as Kensi drove them to work. Ge’s spent a lot of time considering if he really wanted to return to NCIS. He’d spent a good part of the last couple years doing everything he could convince Kensi to leave. Honestly, she was the main reason he’d stayed at all after Mexico.

This time around, It felt a little bit like he was getting a second chance. Make that a thirty-ninth chance. Whatever the reason, the thought of leaving NCIS and this job altogether didn’t feel right. Not now at least. So, here he was with Kensi by his side, heading back into the fray.

“You got the first day jitters?” Kensi asked, eyeing him teasingly, though he heard the underlying care in her voice.

He waited until she pulled into the parking lot before answering. “Nope. I’m just thinking about how perspective’s change. What about you? How’s my Kensalina doing?”

She looked out the window, in the direction of the mission house, her demeanor a little more conflicted than his. As it had been since his return home.

“I’m good,” she said finally. “I’m happy I get to have you by my side again.“

“Oh, Sam and Callen didn’t do it for you?” he joked.

Kensi kissed him loudly on the cheek. “They’re no Marty Deeks.”

Together, they walked into the mission, and as they reached the bullpen, Deeks registered several blue streamers hanging from the entrance. A second later, the rest of the team shouted,

“Welcome back!”

Nell broke away from the group to give him a tight hug. “Hey, we missed you. I’m glad you’re back,” she said.

“Thanks. Though I did see you like two days ago,” he pointed out.

“Don’t ruin the moment,” she mumbled, stepping back. He eyed the decoration and then arched an eyebrow at Kensi.

“Did you know about this?”

“I had no idea. Scout’s honor.” Kensi made the accompanying salute and then held up both hands, denying any culpability.

“It was all Nell,” Sam explained, smirking. “Now come blow out your candles before it gets all over the cake.”

“That’s very thoughtful.” He followed Nell over to the table set up with two cakes and more decorations. “Do I make a wish?”

“How about that this is the last time any of us encounter highly contagious and deadly diseases?” Callen suggested, and Deeks chuckled.

“Works for me.”

He dutifully blew out the candles, stepping to the side as Nell started slicing pieces of cake. Eric came over and gave an elaborate bow.

“Welcome back, my friend.”

“Glad to be back,” Deeks said, accepting the plate of cake Callen passed his way.

“Ooh, I’m gonna grab a side piece with lots of icing,” Kensi told him, giving his arm a pat before she hurried off.

“Looking good, Deeks. Though a little on the skinny side,” Sam observed. “Since you’re officially cleared for all activities, we’re taking you out for a steak dinner. Gotta get your weight back up.”

Deeks tilted his head. “I don’t know if I should be touched or offended.”

“Who cares, Sam’s paying,” Callen said, nudging Sam.

“We’re paying.” Sam gestured between them.

Grinning at the wonderful familiarity of it all, Deeks joined in on the teasing. “So if I order the wagyu…”

“I have been craving some wagyu.” Callen nodded.

“And Kensi will want to come along of course,” Deeks added.

“Don’t make me regret this,” Sam warned.

“Ok, what if I get just a dry aged ribeye?”

Rolling his eyes, Sam walked away, Callen following after him with a barrage of steak suggestions.

“It’s almost like you never were gone, huh?” Kensi observed, leaning against while she ate a frosting coated slice of cake.

“Pretty much.” He wrapped an arm around Kensi’s waist. “This is why I came back, you know. This team, you, what we have here.”

“And you make it whole.” Resting her head on his shoulder, she held him tighter, and together they basked in the moment.

***

***

Over the next several days, Deeks slowly improved. He had a few small temperature spikes, but he didn’t have any more seizures or new symptoms. Every day that passed without signs or symptoms of disease, Kensi breathed a little more easily.

The doctors still wanted to keep Deeks for monitoring until the period of possible contraction completely passed, so the hospital would be their home for at least a couple more weeks. It would still be a long haul, and Deeks would likely be on medical leave for sometime after he was released, but finally there was light at the end of the tunnel.

One morning, Kensi came back from grabbing a snack to find Deeks unhooked from all but one IV and sitting up in a chair. When he saw Kensi, he grinned at nearly full force, his obvious delight at being free infectious.

“Hey, look, I’m almost human again,” he said, presenting his tube free arm.

“Oh my god,” Kensi said, rushing towards him. “I would have stayed if I knew they were going to take them out.”

“Eh, it was fine. Apparently my numbers look good enough the doctor wants to see how I do with less intervention. Though now they’re going to go back to giving some of the medication by injection.” He made a face.

“I’ll hold your hand through every shot,” she promised and Deeks smiled more gently.

“Best wife ever.”

“Do you need anything? I saw some soup downstairs.”

“I’ll pass on the soup, but maybe you could help me wash my hair?” he requested, picking at a few matted curls. “It’s almost worse than Artie level.”

“It’s not quite that bad,” Kensi disagreed, remembering the time Deeks had added some kind of concoction to his hair to add an authentic smell and look. “Though we’re probably in the danger zone. Do you want to walk to the bathroom or ride?”

“Walk,” Deeks said firmly. With Kensi standing by just in case, they made it to the bathroom and she set up a chair by the sink so he could lean back.

Kensi spent the next fifteen minutes thoroughly cleaning and conditioning Deeks’, enjoying the intimacy of the act. She then dried his hair as best she could with one of the hospital issue towels. He looked much more like himself with clean, slightly damp curls around his temples and forehead.

“Thanks,” he murmured as Kensi helped him back to the chair. He sat down with a heavy sigh, the ordeal having clearly exhausted him.

“I will clean your hair anytime,” she promised. “Though hopefully the next time, we’re in a shower together and there are fewer doctors around.”

He chuckled breathily, taking her hand and lightly holding it against his chest.

“That sounds amazing.”

Nodding, Kensi covered a huge yawn, suddenly pretty tired herself.

“Hey, why don’t you go home for a little bit?” Deeks suggested.

“Deeks, I’m not leaving you here alone.”

“Kens, I will be fine,” he insisted, bringing her hand up to his mouth as if he was about to kiss it, but stopping just short of contact. “I’m probably just going to sleep for the rest of the day. Please go home and get some rest in a real bed, take a shower, eat food that doesn’t come in a package or a warming tray.

“A shower. Are you trying to tell me we’re past the danger point?” Kensi joked. She had been making do with clothes from her go-bag and washing up in a sink the staff let her use.

“Well, now that you mention it…” Deeks trailed off with a grin. “I’ll be ok on my own for a few hours.”

“Ok, but you text me the second anything changes.” She held up a finger in warning and Deeks used his free hand to cross his heart.

***

One Wrong Move, Part 11

Deeks rolled onto his side, keeping his eyes closed as the sun coming through the open curtains warmed his skin. Beside him, Kensi shifted around until her face pressed into his back. He’d never take this for granted again.

Laying in his own bed instead a hard hospital bed and sharing it with Kensi for the whole night rather than a few stolen moments before a nurse inevitably kicked her out felt like a special felt like a special privilege. As did being able to walk around without an IV pole or constant monitoring. Three weeks after leaving the hospitals, he was still cherishing all the little moments.

Something about this experience had struck him particularly hard. Maybe it was the prolonged fear of possible infection and all the other unknowns. Most of his other injuries and brushes with death had been more straightforward.

His phone alarm blaring signaled the end of the early morning peace, and he finally opened his eyes, sighing with mild regret.

“Ugh,” Kensi groaned, her mouth moving against his back. “It can’t be time to get up yet.”

“Unfortunately,” he said. He carefully turned onto his other side, welcoming Kensi into his arms. She kissed his shoulder, her eyes still hazy with sleep.

Brushing a curl off his temple, Kensi smiled at him, her features soft and equally warm as the sun. Her fingers trailed across his temple and cupped the back of his neck, pulling him closer for a deep kiss.

“Good morning to you too,” he joked.

Still smiling, she settled with her arms around his neck.

“How are feeling?”

“Fantastic.” He rested a hand low on her back, drawing them closer together. “It’s a beautiful morning and I’m lying in bed with the most gorgeous, amazing woman in the world.”

“Well, thank you for the compliment, but I was actually referring to going back to work today,” she explained. “You been out for over a month and…with everything that happened, I’d understand if you were hesitant.

Deeks didn’t answer right away: he’d considered how it would feel and if he even wanted to come back yet. Surprisingly, he didn’t feel particularly anxious or reluctant about it.

“Good,” he said, then added when Kensi gave him a look. “Honestly, Kens. I might leave dealing with infectious disease to Sam and Callen for a while, but uh, I’m ready. I mean, I’ve fixed pretty much everything I can in the house and if I run any more, I might have to sign up for a marathon. It’s time.”

“I’ll certainly be keeping you close for a while,” she said, snuggling into his chest.

“We should probably get up,” Deeks sighed a little while later. “You know how Sam feels about punctuality.”

A/N: Hi there! Thanks for asking. Here you go!

Also thanks, to @fancypiratewonderland for requesting this as well.

***

One Wrong Move, Part 8

Kensi spent the rest of the day by Deeks’ side, only leaving when the medical team needed to perform more tests. Deeks drifted in and out of sleep, sometimes waking suddenly, saying strange things, apparently caught between dream and reality.

The first time it happened, Kensi was in the middle of answering an email when Deeks sat up, as much as he could, desperately looking around the room.

“Where’s the baby?” he asked, desperation in his voice. Kensi stumbled over an answer, stunned by the question.

“There’s no baby, Deeks,” she said eventually, which only increased his agitation.

“No, Kensi, you have to find him. Find the baby.” He grasped her hand, eyes begging her to help.

“Ok, I will. I’ll go get help. Just stay here, ok?” She squeezed his hand, rushing into the outer and flagging down a nurse from the nursing station. “Hi, I think Deeks is having hallucinations. He’s-he’s talking about things that aren’t there and I’m worried—”

“I’ll come check him right now,” one of the nurses interrupted.

When they walked back in, Deeks was asleep again, his head lolled to the side. The nurse quickly checked his heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen, and checked the other monitors in the room.

“He’s stable Miss Blye. I know it’s unnerving, but sometimes with high fevers and sickness, hallucinations can happen. He could also just be having very vivid dreams,” the nurse assured Kensi.

Kensi wasn’t sure she found that all that reassuring, but nodded anyway. Deeks didn’t seem in distress; or at least no more distress than before.

“Ok. Thank you. I’m sorry for panicking.”

“It’s alright.” The nurse placed her stethoscope around the back of her neck. “It’s better to be overcautious in situations like this than be sorry. I’ll have the doctor stop by in a little bit to double check.”

“Thank you,” Kensi repeated softly, leaning over Deeks’ bed as the nurse returned to her post. She caressed his cheek, feeling the heat that still emanated off his skin. “You gotta stop scaring me like this, baby.”

Of course, Deeks didn’t answer, and she took up her place beside his bed again.

As promised, one of the doctors on Deeks’ team came in and looked him over, ultimately agreeing with the nurse’s assessment. Deeks was stable and his symptoms weren’t of concern at this time.

After the fifth time of Deeks walking up, this time mumbling about dolphins eating his surfboard, he finally fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Somewhere around midnight, Kensi drifted off too, Deeks’ left hand cupped in hers. She dreamed about paddling out on the ocean on a warm sunny morning, no concerns in the world.

Kensi woke to someone squeezing her hand, and blinked in the low light of the hospital room. A second later, she realized Deeks was awake, his hairline visibly damp and the deep flush on his cheeks lighter.