Here's chapter 4. Ridiculously huge thanks to bookdiva, justareader07 and CoastalReader for everything they do. They are amazing people!

Deeks was resupplying the ambulance with Laura's help. It was a slow day, which for once he was grateful for. He hadn't been back to the hospital since he had talked to Kensi. He knew - thanks to Callen - that she had been released from the hospital that morning and Deeks couldn't figure out why he had felt a pang of sadness at that. He had made sure to keep himself busy since that day he had seen her, trying and failing to get her off of his mind.

Laura had noticed it, and even now, he had a faraway look in his eyes as he checked over the supplies.

"What's going on in that mind of yours, Deeks? Somewhere along the line I got used to the babble, and the absence of it is making me nervous." She threw a smile at him, and he sighed. Deeks knew this was coming, he was just surprised it hadn't been sooner.

"Just trying out something new." He winked at her and she shook her head at him.

"Nope. Lame excuses won't cut it." She sat down on the stretcher, watching him methodically count and put away and then start the process all over with something else. So she decided to try a different approach.

"How's Keisha?"

"Kensi."

Deeks turned and narrowed his eyes at her, a smile playing at his lips.

"I see what you're doing here, and you're really bad about being subtle." Laura just shrugged her shoulders.

"If I knew you wouldn't deflect, I'd just ask you straight out. Seeing as how you haven't said anything about her - at all - since that day, I'm having to be devious." She leaned back, letting her arms support her. "I'm just going to keep going until you tell me. Might as well make it as painless as possible."

"She's good I guess. Should be getting out of the hospital soon if everything healed up well."

"Should be, or already has?"

"Should be."

"You are a horrible liar sometimes." She stared at him, raising her eyebrows.

"How do you know?"

"Marriage makes you a mind reader. Maybe one of these days you'll find out." Her eyes had a sparkle to them and Deeks just smiled, shaking his head.

"Aren't tired of trying to play matchmaker?"

"With you? Never." He turned his back and started checking the gauze and basic first aid supplies. Rolling her eyes, Laura charged forward. "Look, I just want you to find someone, okay? You work overtime whenever you can, you go home and sleep, then you're back at it. You need a life outside of work. With someone you care about."

"I have a life. And Monty would be insulted right now."

"Going home to your dog - who is very cute, I'm not saying that - but he… just doesn't quite have the human feel to him, know what I mean?"

He hmmm'ed in response, and Laura decided he had had enough… for now.

"Just… if you think about her as much as I know you do, do something about it. Don't be a chicken shit, okay? Or I will step in, and trust me, you don't want that to happen." Deeks turned towards her, laughing.

"You know I have always wondered what it would be like to have an older sister… that I hated… and now I know." He looked at her, twinkle in his eyes.

Laura snorted at his response. She got up and moved passed him but not before playfully punching his arm. Deeks shrugged it off and laughed but his voice was serious when he called out to her.

"We'll see what happens. I'm not going to force anything. If it's meant to be, it will be."

"You're a walking cliche, you know that, little brother?" Laura called over her shoulder as Deeks shook his head, not even bothering with another response.

He wasn't going to tell her that he had already planned on talking to Callen in a few days if he still couldn't get her off of his mind. He was certain this was like a high school crush and would fade quickly, just like every other woman he had dated in the past.

That's it. It was an intense situation and my reaction to it - her - was just adrenaline that naturally turned into wanting to make sure the person I had helped save was okay. This is just a temporary feeling, one that is even now fading.

He scoffed at that. There was nothing about his reaction to her that was fading. He was going to have to figure something out.

"Callen, drop it. I'm grocery shopping by myself. It's something I've been doing for years now. I don't need help, okay? I appreciate the ride over here, but go do… something while I get my stuff. You've been with me constantly. I love you, but… just let me do this alone, okay?" Kensi looked into Callen's eyes, knowing she sounded harsh and he would see that she hadn't meant it that way. But for once, she wanted to do something by herself.

She had been out of the hospital for three days now, and Callen had been with her the entire time, making sure she didn't need anything. But there was a fine line between help and smother, and he was bordering smothering right now.

Callen just looked at her for a minute, a smile starting to form.

"Okay Kens. Go conquer the store. Text me when you are checking out and I will come get you, okay?"

Kensi sighed gratefully, smiling at him. "Thank you, Callen." He just nodded his head at her and she got out of the car, feeling free for the first time since the incident.

She made her mind think of something else, knowing that going back in time to that place wasn't a good idea. Her left arm was still in a sling, and she debated on the shopping carts. She needed more items than the small carry one allowed so she grabbed the regular cart, realizing immediately this was going to be a challenge. Steering a shopping cart with one hand was not the easiest thing to do.

Ten minutes later she was cussing life. She had hit two people with the shopping cart and had only managed a tenth of her shopping. She glanced in her cart and sighed. Four boxes of Twinkies and a loaf of bread was all she had to show. Starting to get frustrated, she grabbed the handle and pushed the basket forward suddenly, trying to turn it at the same time. The basket, however, didn't move as she intended and the force in which she had originally pushed caused the basket to hit a display, the towering boxes of cereal crashing down around her.

"Son of a bitch!" Kensi's voice rang out over the sound of falling boxes and she leaned over, laying her head on the handle of the basket.

"I think there's a better way to get cereal." Kensi's head snapped up, recognizing the voice as the one that haunted her dreams.

"What do you want, Deeks?" Her voice had a hard edge to it, but she had unshed tears in her eyes. He smiled at her, his eyes kind, trying to convey to her that it was okay before shrugging his shoulders.

"Thought I would help with cleanup on aisle four." He walked to the front of his basket and started picking up the boxes and putting them back as they were. Kensi, feeling bad for her harsh words, started leaning down to help, but only being able to get one box at a time was going to take her forever.

"So, is this how you normally meet guys?" He glanced at her, eyes twinkling and she nodded her head.

"It's so sexy to make a mess and have someone else clean it up. Figured if a guy was willing to clean it up while I watch, he might have a shot at a date later."

Deeks' eyebrows shot up, but before he could retort, an employee walked up and cleared his throat, taking Kensi's place and beginning the process of putting the cereal back the way it was.

It only took about five minutes, and Kensi stood there the entire time watching the two guys clean up the mess she had made. And all because she was too stubborn to let Callen help her. But in her defense, she had really needed some alone time, to do something normal and mundane that, instead of making her feel better, was bringing her to the brink of hysterics. And once again Deeks saved her mind from going wild. He had a habit of sneaking into her thoughts when she least expected it. Damn him and those blue eyes… wait, where did that come from?

Once all the cereal was placed back in its original stack, Kensi sighed in relief. Deeks had been watching the range of emotions on her face while he helped the guy clean up, and his heart went out to her. He understood wanting to do something for yourself, no matter how menial, and that sometimes even the simplest tasks were too much too soon.

"So, you were saying about sexy men cleaning up messes and getting dates?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her and she put her finger up to her lips, pretending to think.

"Well, the clerk seemed a little young, not really my type. Eh, oh well. Maybe next time." Kensi smirked at him and attempted to turn and walk away with the basket, but the basket had other ideas and she ended up hitting Deeks with it, who let out a yelp.

"Oh my God, Deeks. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" Deeks was rubbing his thigh where the cart had struck him.

"Geez, Kensi. I hope your actual driving skills aren't this bad. Wait a second, you didn't drive here today, did you? Because if so, I don't know how you made it in one piece. Or more accurately, how you didn't end up injuring someone else along the way. You didn't do a hit and run did you?" By now, his eyes held a sparkle and she knew he was messing with her.

"You're hilarious. For your information, no I did not drive. Callen did." Hearing the other man's name, Deeks started looking around, now wondering why he wasn't here helping her.

Kensi saw the questioning look in his eyes and answered it. "I made him go somewhere else. I wanted to do something by myself, because really, who knew pushing a basket with one hand was going to be this hard?"

Deeks nodded his head at her, understanding now. "Okay, I'm going to let you in on a little secret, but only because I value my life as well as the other patrons here and I don't feel like working right now." He took a step forward, taking her good arm and moving her to the side of the basket, making her hand take it. He hadn't meant anything by the move, but now that he was standing this close to her, touching her, he couldn't seem to make himself move. He knew he was risking life and limb but he had heard the slight hitch in her breath when his skin met hers and he smiled inwardly, glad he wasn't the only one affected.

"If you pull the basket from the side instead of pushing from the front, you'll have more control." His voice was soft, and Kensi couldn't help the goose bumps that followed. She turned her head and looked at him, their eyes locking together. Time stopped for a minute, each of them being unable to look away. The electrical current running from his hand where it was on her arm almost too much to bear.

A little boy ran by, his arms out and making an airplane noise, snapping them both out of the moment. Deeks took a step back, bringing his hand with him, leaving them both a little breathless.

"So uh, yeah." He glanced around, suddenly uncomfortable, when his eyes landed on the objects she had already put in the basket.

"Really? Four boxes?" His eyes flicked to hers, amusement showing. Kensi had the grace to look a little embarrassed, but only for a second before she narrowed her eyes at him.

"It has to last me for two weeks, until I get cleared to drive." If Deeks had been drinking something, he was sure it would have come out of his nose at that point.

"Four boxes for two weeks?! You don't think that's a bit excessive?" His eyebrows shot up as he looked between the Twinkies and her.

"Nah. I'll get ice cream, too, so I will be fine." Deeks could tell that Kensi was completely serious and he felt his blood sugar rising just thinking about it. Instead of saying anything, he just shook his head at her, smiling. Kensi shrugged her shoulders and turned, pulling the basket with her. Damn, this is a lot easier than trying to push the basket.

She turned her head, seeing him trying to nonchalantly follow her. Instead of saying anything, she grabbed what she needed on this aisle and continued on, Deeks always a few steps behind her but never making eye contact with her. She finally stopped and turned to face him head on.

"Stalking is illegal, you know that right?" She put her hand on her hip for effect but she couldn't keep the smile off her face when he started turning around dramatically, looking behind him for someone else.

"Oh, are you talking to me?"

"Deeks, what could you possibly need regarding feminine products? Unless… "

Suddenly Deeks realized what aisle they had made it to. He had been placing random things in his basket as he watched her, wanting to make sure she didn't need any help with anything.

"I can assure you I am not a female." He blushed a little before he caught onto her meaning. "And… okay, you know what? No, I don't need anything this particular aisle. And I have no idea what's in my cart right now. I just wanted to make sure all the other displays were safe since you were on the move. I'd hate for the clerk to have to clean up another mess." He smirked at her, quickly turning to laughter when she threw a package of pads at him.

"Do what you want, it's a free country. Just don't try bumper baskets right now. I'm in no condition to play."

Deeks' eyes widened at her comment and he grinned. "So that means when the shoulder is healed you will participate in bumper baskets?"

"Guess we will have to wait and see, huh?" She turned, the fact that she was flirting making her cheeks flushed, and got what she needed before walking on. Deeks continued to follow her, occasionally picking something up. This time, however, they made small talk while Kensi got what she needed. Twenty minutes later, she texted Callen to let him know she was in the checkout line.

"Do you have any idea what you're about to pay money for?" She glanced in his basket, and the assortment of batteries, pink rubber gloves, mac and cheese and… "Deeks, why do you have nail polish?"

"You never know when one will need," he looked down at the color, "hot pink nail polish. Just sayin."

"Are you really going to buy all that nonsense that you don't need?" She was starting to feel bad for him, which was weird. He was a nice guy who helped her clean up her mess, and if he had been anyone else, she was sure she would have kicked his ass by now. She didn't need two arms to know how to take someone down to their knees. But with him, she found it amusing, and a little touching, that he had wanted to make sure she didn't need any more help. She shook her head a little to clear it, and looked back at him.

"Nope. Once you leave, I'll sort the cart and get the stuff I need. And I know you didn't want any other help, and I didn't have to try and pretend to be grocery shopping, but I just wanted to make sure."

"Thank, Deeks. Really. That was very sweet, even though you didn't have to do it."

He helped her unload her basket, making comments about the amount of sugar treats and Kensi just rolled her eyes at him. He had left his basket next to the check out and proceeded to push it outside for her once she had paid.

Callen pulled up to curb then, popping the trunk to his car. His sunglasses were tinted, but Kensi and Deeks could feel like questioning, if not amused, look he was giving them.

"Mario Andretti here took out a cereal box display," Deeks fessed up, laughing at the look of almost horror on Callen's face.

"Kens, really?"

"It was an accident, geez! I don't want to hear it, either, Callen. I'm not the one spending the day at Defensive Driving." She tilted her head at him and he was smart enough not to retort. The woman did have a point.

Once all the bags were in the car, Kensi turned towards Deeks again while Callen got in the car.

"I guess I'll see you around then, huh?" She brought her good hand up and shielded her eyes against the sun as she looked at him. "Thanks for your help."

"Absolutely. And let me know when you're ready for bumper baskets." She smiled at him, which Deeks returned. She didn't know what else to say, so she just nodded her head at him and turned, getting in the car.

After putting on her seatbelt she heard Deeks tap Callen's side of the window. Curious to what Deeks may want, Callen glanced at Kensi before he rolled down the window.

"What's up Deeks?"

"Oh nothing figured I would give you something before both of you leave." Amusement played on his face as he handed a business card to Callen.

Callen raised his eyebrows in question. "Why would I need your business card? Did you forget I already have your number?"

Deeks looked over caught Kensi's gaze, smiling mischievously at her. "Oh, you know, for emergencies because with the amount of sugar Kensi bought I feel like I will be getting a call soon for a patient who went into a diabetic coma."

He winked at Kensi when he said it, watching a small blush cross her cheeks. Callen snorted at hearing that, muttering something along the lines of "dude has a death wish", but he pocketed the card nonetheless.

"You're a real comedian aren't you?" Her glare did nothing to him as he just laughed out loud with Callen joining him. "Just drive," she humph'ed facing the other way, not letting Deeks she the small smile she was trying to contain.

Deeks stood there and watched as the car drove away. He was usually a lot more smooth when it came to women - he couldn't get a read on her and it left him flustered - but he had made up for it and now the ball was in her court. And while he had no idea how or when he was going to see her again, he knew it was only a matter of time. He started whistling as he walked back into the store, smiling.

AN - so... you made it this far, now it's time to leave a review and let me know what you thought of it. :)