Author's Notes: Writing a chapter in a few hours then uploading it is not something I could stand, because I like long chapters and engaging in a ton of careful pickiness. However, my friend inspired me to give this a try: write less, update more. I will write a chapter then update it, likely only a few days apart at most. I can't guarantee it'll be as good as I hope, with less time spent perfecting it, but I'm going to give this a try! I haven't forgotten about "Left Behind" for those who read it. I work on it whenever I have free time and I promise there's an update in the future. This fic was inspired by a video I made called "Densi - Running Away" and is added to YouTube (link in profile), which was inspired by the promo for episode 5x09 "Recovery".

Warning: If you're not up to date on season 5, this story will contain a considerable amount of spoilers. Also, this story will contain the most romance I've written in a single story in a long time. Kensi and Deeks are at the very center of this entire story, along with 2 other characters who will be revealed next chapter.

~ Disruption ~

It wasn't supposed to happen, but it did.

She hadn't intended to stay all night, but she had.

Kensi wished she could honestly say she was too tired to drive back to her empty, dark apartment. She wanted to argue that Deeks was far too persuasive in requesting her to stay for another movie, but it would be a lie. He hadn't even remained awake through the first movie, to which Kensi should have tucked a blanket over him and left.

Instead of following her usual rules and routines in place to protect herself from the dangers of getting too close, Kensi leaned back against the sofa to watch Deeks peacefully sleep beside her. She'd been doing it a lot in the past month, just lying next to her partner to watch over him as he rested. She'd convinced herself that maybe with enough familiarly it would become less risky.

Deep down, she knew familiarly itself was a huge risk.

Kensi was always relieved when Deeks never questioned her long visits. If he had, she wouldn't be able to explain to him why they kept happening. She was protective of him since his traumatic ordeal many months back, and she ached at night thinking he might be staying up unable to sleep – or worse, enduring nightmares her presence might quell. The core truth in it all was how much she just wanted to be near him. Kensi lay there inhaling his scent, watching the mesmerising rise and fall of his chest, and reminded herself once again how close she'd came to losing him. It wasn't something one could easily overcome, especially not with how many important people in her life she'd already lost.

When the sunshine broke through the curtains above them, it wasn't Kensi who lay awake watching her partner with a smile. Deeks blinked awake and was met with her calmly restful face. Her hair had fallen over her cheek, and he resisted the urge to brush the strands behind her ear.

That morning wasn't meant to be different, but it was.

He had never woken before her, until that early Saturday morning. He didn't waste time wondering why she had overslept on his couch, rather than busy herself with watching TV until he woke and she could leave to get ready for work. Maybe because it was a Saturday and they didn't need to work, unless called in? Maybe it had something to do with the fact she'd never been there on a Saturday morning before. She'd been careful, he'd noticed, but this morning was certainly a welcome change.

Deeks wished he could ask her why she stayed so many nights, and remained in the morning until he was awake. He couldn't, though, because he knew Kensi better than anyone. Since kissing her months ago, Deeks knew asking her questions like that did not get him answers. At first it as frustrating, not knowing how she perceived the personal change in their partnership, but then she started staying over on random nights with one excuse or another. He worried, if he pushed again, those nights would once again be spent with him sitting restlessly in his dark living room. He didn't have as much trouble sleeping as he had before returning to work, but he couldn't deny his slumber was much calmer when she was there beside him. Even on the nights she stayed, then left just before midnight.

It was those rare few nights when she stayed until morning that Deeks slept the best.

'Kens?' He whispered, sliding upright on the couch.

He didn't want to interrupt the moment.

Deeks didn't want to be the one to disrupt the expression on her face that could only be observed when she was sleeping. It was his favourite of her expressions, apart from her wonderful smile. It was the face of someone who was content, and he liked to think it had more to do with his presence than a comfortable night's rest.

'Kens?' He tried again, brushing her hair behind her ear as he'd wanted to.

Deeks knew if he didn't wake her, he'd have to accept full blame for her missing out on her biggest guilty pleasure. It was never his fault, not directly, but Kensi didn't see it that way. There was a doughnut she wanted every morning she stayed over at his place, and Kensi would fight through any crowd to get it. Deeks could do nothing more than stand by and feel sympathetic for any poor old lady or businessman who got in her way.

'What?' Kensi grumbled.

She sleepily opened her eyes and looked around, then focused her brown gaze on Deeks' smug smile.

'Morning, Sunshine.' He said brightly, earning himself a daggered glare in return.

Kensi didn't answer him, as she stretched and stood from the couch. She tried to ignore his smirk, and turned her wrist to look at the time. Kensi gasped and snatched her keys from the table. Scurrying around the space of the living room, to gather anything else she'd brought with her, Kensi tried to fix her hair by combing it with her fingers.

'Ugh, really?' Deeks grumbled, not wanting to move. 'How is that doughnut so different from any other doughnut?'

'It's not just a doughnut.' Kensi scolded, waiting impatiently by the front door for him to drag himself off the couch.

'It is the jam? The cream? The cinnamon? What?' Deeks continued, reluctantly getting to up save himself a punch in the arm. He passed through the living room, to his bedroom, and fished around for something to wear.

'It's got custard filling, and is sprinkled with cinnamon, but that's what makes it outstanding.' Kensi said, knowing she had to wait long enough for Deeks to get ready for the day. Except it was a Saturday, so she wasn't sure what would happen once they picked up breakfast – maybe head to her place so she could properly prepare for the day?

What exactly did Deeks do on most weekends?

'Then what?' Deeks asked, re-emerging to join her.

He followed her outside to her car, and got into the passenger side. He turned to look at her, wondering how his simple question had provoked a cautious expression on her face. He had a strangely hopeful suspicion that maybe, somehow, it wasn't the doughnut itself that made it outstanding.

'I don't know.' Kensi answered, sharing straight ahead as she gripped the steering wheel. 'It's just...special.'

She started the engine, unable to remind him she only got that particular doughnut on the mornings she woke at his side. It was special because it was theirs. He never got a bite of it, but Deeks was at her side while she drove to her favourite little bakery in the heart of Los Angeles. He remained waiting for her by the door while she ordered it, watching her with that smirk of his she wished she didn't secret like. And afterwards, they went to get breakfast, together. He was always sitting across from her while she ate that special doughnut.

It was their routine, their moment, and not just his or hers.

Kensi knew she was being silly, and rolled her eyes at her paths her mind had been treading through lately, but she couldn't help it. When Deeks had kissed her, it stirred something inside of her that she couldn't quite figure out. She'd been trying to understand it for months, but it was just as confusing as it had been in the moment. She'd cared about Deeks for years, if she was even the slightest bit honest to herself, yet there was something about the kiss she couldn't comprehend.

Even when she'd kissed him while undercover, despite the lie of it being only that, the feeling still swirling through the pit of her stomach had not been so overwhelmingly powerful.

Deeks watched Kensi for a moment, seeing her tense posture and firm expression. He turned away and hid a smile. He knew what was special about that doughnut, now he'd seen how edgy she was when he'd questioned it. Before he could consider how accustomed to the routine he'd become, Deeks narrowed his eyes at the closed glove compartment in from of him. A pale blue sticky note had been stuck to it, with the time 7:30AM written on it. He frowned and pulled it loose, wondering who had put it there - it wasn't written Kensi's handwriting.

'What's that?' Kensi creased her eyebrows at the object, taking her eyes off the road for mere seconds.

Deeks turned it over, looking for clues, and paled at the writing on the back. He raised his watch to check the time, and inhaled a sharp breath.

'Stop the car.' Deeks said suddenly.

'What?'

'Stop the car!' He raised his voice, then jerked forward when the car came to an abrupt halt. 'Get out.'

'Deeks?' Kensi, had she not detected the borderline panic in his tone, would be been solely irritated by his order to get out of her own car. Confused, but knowing he wasn't mucking around, Kensi obeyed. She hoped the never see that look on his face again, when he'd read the back of the note. It was an expression of terror and hurt.

They each jumped out of the car, and ran around to pair up in front of it. He checked his watch again and grabbed her elbow to tug her away. Kensi saw the time written on the note, which had somehow ended up in her car overnight, and guessed what was going to happen next. She turned and followed him to hurry away from the vehicle, which was parked on the side of the road near a mass of busy morning traffic.

They stood near the edge, but quite a safe enough distance away. Uncertainty marked their features, until a resounding BOOM blasted them off their feet. They each slid backwards down the slope of the hill beside the road. The blast of the fiery red explosion was all they could see as the pair tumbled backwards. Kensi caught herself in time, resting on her hands and knees, while Deeks landed in an ungraceful heap beside her.

'You okay?' She checked, looking in his direction.

He groaned and shifted into sitting position, which was the only response she would get from Deeks for the moment. Alarm marked her features, as Kensi was shocked to have her car blown up drastically enough to bring traffic to a panicked halt. Sirens were already wailing, as people yelled and cars screeched to avoid the sudden eruption of chaos.

Debris fell around what was left of her car, and black smoke clouded up the sky. If they had been inside the car, a mere minute sooner, Kensi was convinced they'd have remained there until the coroner could remove them.

'Deeks, what the hell?' Kensi turned to him.

'I know.' Deeks exhaled, wincing, and stood.

He offered her his hand, and she accepted. Allowing him pull her to her feet, if only for something solid to grab onto, Kensi dusted off her jeans and fixed him with a demanding look. He handed her the note. The exact time of the explosion was scrawled on one side. Flipping it over, Kensi saw the words "I warned you this isn't over. 13" written on the back. This is what had panicked Deeks, and it unsettled her to realise that for everything he'd been through lately, it still hadn't ended. She doubted the two were related, but her fierce protectiveness of Deeks reared its merciless head once again.

'Thirteen?' Kensi looked at Deeks for answers.

She was shaken by how pale his face was, as Deeks stared unfocused to the distance.

'Deeks?' She gripped his wrist.

'It's a B. It's how he...We have to go.' Deeks tried to keep his voice steady, but his insides were far from calm. The impact of the explosion was no longer his biggest concern - he knew what came next, and it would be much worse.

'Whoa, Deeks, what's going on?' Kensi was confused. She didn't understand why he was so worried, or how something they frequently witness in their line of work could unhinge him so easily

'Who sent this?'

'It doesn't matter.' Deeks dismissed her questioning. He stumbled as he went to ascend the slope a distance from the charred skeleton of the car.

'Doesn't matter? They blew up my car!' Kensi growled, indicating to what was left of it. 'Someone put a bomb in my car, and you're saying it doesn't matter? Deeks!' Kensi snapped at him, though her anger was directed elsewhere.

He didn't seem to have heard her.

Kensi lunged forward and grabbed his wrist again, yanking it to swerve him around enough to face her. Standing in his direct line of sight, she forced him to meet her gaze. She stared into his blue orbs, demanding answers, and was surprised how unfocused his gaze was before he concentrated on her own.

'Years ago, I made a mistake. I crossed the wrong person and now he's back to collect.' Deeks hurriedly spoke, waving his hand for a taxi. 'He went to prison, but I'm guessing he's out. We have to go somewhere safe. I have to stay away.'

'We need to call NCIS.' Kensi released him to fumble for the phone in her pocket, but never had the chance to initiate the call.

Deeks reached to grasp the hand she'd moved towards her phone. His touch was so gentle, as he linked his fingers through hers, that Kensi couldn't move. Her heart began to race, and her breath hitched slightly, as she looked into his vulnerable blue eyes.

In the space of twenty minutes, Kensi had become so unsettled it made her want to flee from the point they'd now arrived at. From leaving his place, to the explosion, and now the look he cast into her soul that could never be denied as anything less than emotions she was not ready to deal with. Their contact spread a flush of heat up her arm, electrifying her senses, and yet numbing her mind. Kensi tried to pull away, but couldn't. His vulnerability was the not same as when he'd kissed her months ago; it was one of begging and fear.

Kensi knew, seconds before he spoke, that whatever he asked of her...She was going to do everything she could to help him.

'When you wanted me to protect your mother, back when you were going after the man who murdered your father, you asked me to trust you.' Deeks began. 'You asked me to protect your mother, and promised me you'd come back to me. Now, I'm asking you to trust me. Kens, I'm asking you to have my back on this.'

'Okay.' Kensi nodded without consideration. 'What do you want me to do?'

'We can't contact NCIS.' Deeks sighed, still holding her hand intimately within his own. 'We could compromise their entire unit. We can't risk it. They'll figure out this was your car, and they'll try to find us. We'll leave breadcrumbs, but we have to be careful. We will be watched the moment I return a message.'

'Who is behind this?' Kensi pressed, aching to stand closer to him. 'Why you?'

'We don't have time.' Deeks looked away, slipping his hand from hers.

She felt a chill course through her; regretting the broken contact.

Kensi knew protecting the Special Ops team and location was important, but that's not why she returned her phone to her pocket. With the look in his eyes, and the soft touch of his hand, Kensi would do anything for Deeks in that moment. It scared her. He has always had her back, followed her wherever the danger led them, and remained at her side when she needed him most. Kensi felt she had to prove that she would do the same for him.

And she would, but she wasn't sure if Deeks knew just how much.

'What's our next move?' Kensi asked, wanting a plan of action.

'We need help. We can't be tracked.' Deeks looked around, frowning as a taxi finally came to his summoning. 'We have to toss our phones. Initiate that "agent needs assistance" alert thing, then toss it.' He instructed, getting out his own phone.

Deeks chucked it towards the charred car, and watched as Kensi typed in the assistance code, then sent the phone flying to join his.

They got into the back seat of the taxi, ignoring the protests of the impatient driver.

Kensi stared through the window to take in the ruined sight of her car, while Deeks gave the driver directions to a house on the other side of town. She felt a nudge at her shoulder and looked over at him. He stared back at her, his eyes speaking louder than words.

She saw his apology, gratitude, and trust.

'You're my partner.' Kensi offered him a determined smile. 'I've got your back.'

Deep inside, Kensi knew he had her heart as well, but that was a truth she was not prepared to share.

For now, she would let him believe it was loyalty and friendship that bound her to whatever mission he was about to embark on without the assistance of NCIS. Maybe, one day, he would finally know the truth. And, maybe, one day, Kensi could finally admit it to him, and to herself. But whatever happened next, Kensi was determined to be there for him - just as he has been there for her more times than she could count.

She hadn't meant to fall in love, but she had.

Author's Notes: Feedback would be very much appreciated.