She was scared. Beyond that. It was just one of those things, he knew because she had told him.

One night, way too long, and way too in love even then ago.-

"What are you afraid of?"

"Big Easter bunnies."

"I'm serious."

And she had relented.

"Lasers, and beam… and being stuck in one place without being able to fight for what you want."

"And you, Deeks?"

And as much as he wanted to pretend not to have heard her, and walked out right then without telling her, because he knew he would regret it. He didn't. He told her an answer that she probably wouldn't have expected but all the same, if he was going to tell, he wouldn't tell her a lie, he couldn't. Not to her.

"I'm scared… that… that one day I won't be there to catch a bullet for you, to take the anger of someone else's wrath, and I'm scared one day I won't be there to protect you."

He had seen her standing there. And he had told them that she was standing still because she was waiting for them. But it was a lie. She had a look that he had never seen her wear before, because she wasn't scared of anything. But right now she was in her room of nightmares for her. And he saw right through it all and that is the reason it hurt the most. Not only can he see right through it all and see all the pain it's causing her. He had sworn to himself, he wouldn't let her be scared of anything, he would protect her, and now there she was in her own personal hell. And he was standing here in his own fear, because his hell had come alive too, he couldn't protect her, right now at least. But he would find her, and he would protect her. And above all he would tell her how he felt, and never let her out of his sights again.

He hadn't lied to her he wasn't sure he should've done that, he was positive, because above all he would do anything for her.

And he had planned it out a millisecond before they hit the ground should he land on top or bottom, which would cause less hurt to her? Yes, he had planned out the entire thing because of one thing.

"Kensi? I think I discovered something. I think I have fallen for you, harder than I have fallen for anyone else before."

"Deeks… I think this is the only time I will ever say that I agree with you. And think so too."

And far away in the distance two men fist bumped because that's how they roll.