A bang echoed trough the sudden and tense silence of the warehouse. A second one followed within seconds. There was silence for a seconds until the shrill scream of Kensi filled the room. "DEEKS!" She ran like she had seldom run in her life. She dropped to her knees and leaned over Deeks. Her heart racing and she burst into sweat. That couldn't be true. It couldn't end this way. Not this way and not today.

With pressure she pressed her hands to the wound that had gotten into his chest. Too much, there was too much blood. She shouted at him. "Don't you dare die on me, Marty. I said stay with me, it's gonna be alright. You have to fight. Promise me you will fight, please." Her voice became a whisper at the last words. She knew he couldn't promise what he couldn't keep.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A piercing hot pain lurched through his shoulder but that wasn't the reason he broke out in sweat. The weapon in his hand had fallen to the ground with a bang. The scream. This terrible, pain-filled cry kept ringing in his head over and over again. It felt like hours for him but it were only seconds. Seconds that could decide about death and life. His legs. He felt his body going lead-heavy and then they gave away.

The voices around him grew louder but he just couldn't understand what they were saying. The hand on his shoulder felt familiar. Sam! The voices became clearer and finally he looked at Sam. The worry was clear written over his face. A joke! He should make a joke to put the worry out of Sams eyes. Slowly he opened his mouth but nothing came out. Sam gently supported him. "It went trough and trough. Everything will be alright okay? Do not worry. Deeks will be okay, too. Certainly."

His mind was foggy and be needed much time to understand the meaning of the words. Too long. Slowly Callen understood what Sam told him. A bullet. Nothing bad, everything will be okay. He is going to survive it. But suddenly the last words made sense. His breath quickened. Deeks! What about his? He himself was shot and it was just one shot, wasn't it? Confused Callen stared at Sam. "The sniper?" He croaked.

Sam tightened his grip on the still bleeding bullet wound in Callens shoulder. "Died. I shot him." Callens head ached from the fall. But when Sam fired the second shot then why was Deeks shot? Painfully he shook Sam and turned around. He hadn't been prepared for the picture that was offered to him. There lay Deeks with closed eyes. Kensi leaned over him, breathing heavily and sobbing. The huge red spot on Deeks chest looked out of place and it was out of place! it did not belong there and Callens blood froze in his veins.

He crept closer to Deeks on all fours. He put his left hand on Deeks neck. A pulse. He could feel a very weak but steddy pulse. The words stuck in his throat but Kensi spoke in his place. Her voice was trembling and she struggled to find the right words.

"Please, keep your eyes open for me Deeks. I love you and you can't just go now. We still have plans and you have Monty. You can't do this to us. Please open your beautiful eyes for me." Deeks eyes slowly opened ad Kensis tears mingled with tears of relief. "Thank you." , she whispered. "The ambulance is coming soon. Hold on Deeks. Just a few more minutes."

Deeks started to say something but he was caught in an unpleasant cough. "Psst. Easy, you don't have to talk now. Save your power. You must fight." Callen nodded while a tear poured down his cheek.

Deeks shook his head barely noticeable. "I have to! Kensi I love you so much! Never forget that. You're the best thing that happened to me in my whole life. It is my honour to be your partner not just for school. Thank you for everything. Take care of yourself and the boys!"

Again he was shaken by coughing and he grimaced in pain as Kensi stroked his dirty forehead carefully. "I love you too. More than anything else in my life." She started to sob and Callen pressed on the wound for her. Deeks faintly turned his head in Sams direction. Sam had hugged Kensi and gently stroked her back.

He cleared his throat slightly and spoke to Sam. "It was a honour to work with you. Watch out for Callen and Kensi, they need you even when they won't admit it. I love you too buddy." Sam nodded to him. "The honour was all mine buddy." When Deeks turned to Callen he shook his head. "No, you will not say it because you won't die, understood? I survived five shots to my chest. So fight."

Deeks smiled briefly. "I'm fighting buddy but let me say it anyway. THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT, OKAY? and it was never your fault not then and not now. But please take care of yourself and Kensi. It will get better in the end and when it's not good than it's not the end. Remember this. It was a honour to be part of your family and it was great to work with you. I learned a lot from you. Keep the joy in you heart buddy. No need to cry! We will see again."

Callen whipped the tears from his face. "It's a honour to have you in my team and in my family. You saved my butt a lot of times. Thanks." Deeks nodded again but this time he was weaker. Suddenly he closed his eyes. Kensi moved frantically towards him. "Deeks! Deeeeeeks!"

Callen leaned back. The adrenaline had escaped his body and now he felt the pain. It went from his shoulder trough his upper body but the pain inside his chest was much worse. He felt as if his lungs were contracting and the air was running out. Black dots were dancing trough his field of vision. Sam realized how weak Callen was and caught him before he was unconscious.

Rescue workers had made their way to the small group. The wait had finally come to an end. It had been like hours to the four team members. But it was late. Too late?