I do not own the rights to the NCIS or NCIS:LA characters, only my own.

Carson was tied to the same chair Amanda had been just moments before. His head dropped to his chest. The leader pulled his head back realizing he wasn't breathing. "Whose bright idea was it to smack him in the face with the pipe? You fucking killed him." He said dropping Carson's head.

"He was trying to get away." Another man announced.

"No you idiot, he was trying to save that Bitch." He bellowed, pointing towards the room where they were holding Amanda and the others. "Our only other alternative is that fat old man and he's not going to say a word."

"What about wife?" The kid asked.

"You want to tie that old woman to a chair and rough her up for information? Be my guest. I'm not going that far. Take him back to the room and get me the old man."

Donna hovered over Amanda making sure she was alright. The door opened, flooding the room with blinding light; finally Donna was able to see the extent of Amanda's injuries. Carson's body was pulled in and dropped. His head smacking the ground echoed through the room, when he didn't make a sound, Amanda knew he was gone. The two men walked over to Glenn and pulled him to his feet. Donna instantly was on her feet begging for them not to hurt him. A large hand forcefully pushed backwards, landing hard on her side. Amanda heard the pop of her femur breaking.

Despite her own pain, Amanda scooted her way over to Dona's side trying to calm her down. She wailed uncontrollable, though Amanda wasn't sure if it was the pain from the broken hip or the fear over what they might do to her husband.

One of the men pounded on the heavy metal door and bellowed. "Shut that Bitch up or I'll put a bullet in her head!"

Immediately Amanda told Donna she had to stop. Her sobs softened and eventually stopped. "Check on Carson." Donna grunted.

"He's gone, I know it. He didn't make a noise when he hit the ground. He was gone the moment they hit him with the pipe." Amanda told her sullenly, fighting the tears.

Finally after what felt like an eternity, back-up arrived and they were ready to enter the warehouse. Callen and his team entered through the main entrance while two other teams entered through the back and side. After clearing the front portion of the building the second team called over the com that they had a group in the back office area. Callen and the team made their way to the back of the building and prepared themselves to enter the area. On the count of three, they blew through the doors just as the ring leader landed a blow to Glenn's chest.

"Nell, we're going to need paramedics." Callen called quickly as bullets flew in their direction.

From the cover of large pallets holding five foot rolls of metal sheeting, Callen and Sam returned fire. Two of the men went down, leaving at least six more. Kensi and Deeks took out two more. Suddenly the doors behind them swung open and they were taking fire from behind as well. Without anywhere to hide, Callen and Sam knelt with their back to the sheeting and returned fire. Bullets whizzed past their heads and ricocheted off the metal, bouncing off their heads, shoulders and arms singing their skin every time.

Callen shot one of the men in the shoulder and he fell back still firing his M-four. It's was chaos. Once all of the men were down, one of the teams cleared them of their weapons and assessed their injuries. Four were dead and six were wounded. Kensi checked Glenn, who was only battered and bruised. Once he was cut loose, he led them back to the vault where Donna, Amanda and Carson were.

Amanda and Donna heard the gunfire and prayed Glenn, Callen and the others weren't hurt. The door swung open and Callen rushed in followed by Glenn, Sam, Kensi and Deeks. Before anyone tried to pull Donna to her feet, Amanda told them hip was likely broken and that Carson was dead. Deeks stepped over to Carson's lifeless body and confirmed it.

Callen pulled Amanda into his arms and she gasped in pain. "I think it's just some broken ribs." She told him. Within minutes, the room was full of EMTs. Donna was loaded onto a gurney and hauled out to a waiting ambulance. Callen scooped Amanda up and carried her out to the main room so paramedics could evaluate her. As a precaution, they suggested a trip to the ER for x-rays and a possible MRI to make sure there were no internal injuries. Amanda stopped as the Coroner rolled a gurney with a body bag on it. She broke down; this was the second partner she'd lost in almost as many years.

Heart broken, she allowed Callen to help her out to the ambulance and told her he'd join her at the hospital as soon as he could. Amanda nodded and sat back against the gurney as the doors were closed and they departed. It was a short ride to the hospital and while the EMT was trying to strike up a conversation, Amanda sat silently. She refused to be wheeled into the ER and climbed out of the ambulance with the EMT following behind. Once he handed over her paperwork to one of the nurses, Amanda was led to a curtained exam area.

The nurse took Amanda's vitals quickly and asked how she was feeling. After giving her only the information she asked for, Amanda asked about Donna and Glenn. A familiar voice floated over from the next bed. "Dona's been taken up to surgery and they insist I get looked at even though I've been telling them I'm fine." Glenn said and pulled back the curtain between them.

The nurse glared at him and tried to pull the curtain back, but Glenn had a death grip on it. The nurse huffed. "Fine, but it's going to have to be closed when the doctor comes in to examine her ribs."

Once the nurse was gone, Glenn slipped off the bed and walked over to Amanda. "I'm sorry about your partner."

Amanda fought back the tears and shook her head. "He was a good man. He's the second partner I've lost. I don't know if I can do this anymore."

"You're damn good at what you do, Amanda. It would be a shame if you let something like this stop you." Glenn said with his hand on her shoulder.

"He's dead because of me, Glenn." She whispered. "He was trying to protect me."

"As a partner should, I'm sure you would've done the same thing."

They heard a commotion outside the curtained area and the curtain separated, Callen stepped in. "Are you okay?" He asked them.

Both nodded. Amanda burst into tears and grasped his neck. "He's dead because he was trying to protect me. They hit him in the face with a pipe as they drug me out. They had pictures of you and Chrissy. They had pictures of everyone. They started asking me who everyone was. I told them you and Kensi were married, Chrissy was your daughter and we were having an affair."

Callen laughed and Amanda smacked him. "It was the only think I could think of at the moment."

"You did fine. As soon as the survivors are out of surgery and coherent enough to be questioned, we're going to find out who the hell they are and what they wanted." He assured her.

When the doctor came in, Glenn returned to his bed and the curtain was drawn. Amanda had a few cracked or broken ribs and a mild concussion. With a few days off, the doctor figured she'd be good as new in a couple weeks, but suggested seeing her own physician the following week. Glenn was released and he headed up to the Surgical waiting room, before Callen and Amanda headed back to the mission, they stopped up to check on him and were pleased to find him surrounded by his family.

Amanda gingerly lowered herself into the seat across from Hetty as Callen handed over the doctor's orders. Hetty read over them and looked at her over the rim of her glasses. "Have you picked up your prescriptions?"

"Not yet, we'll do that on the way home." Callen told her.

"The Director has asked Deputy Director Granger to notify Carson's wife. I want you home re-cooperating, not worrying about your partner or the cases here. Two weeks, make an appointment to see your physician as soon as possible."

Amanda shifted in the chair and grimaced as pain shot through her side. "I can't call and offer my condolences?"

"In a day or two." Hetty nodded. "Would you like me to schedule a visit with Mr. Getz? This is the second partner you've lost."

Callen looked at Amanda, "Talking to Nate might help."

Amanda shrugged. "I don't know. I'm in too much pain to think right now."

Hetty nodded and looked at Callen. "Take her home. Make sure Madison and Heather will be there with her." Callen stood and helped Amanda up before she walked off towards the bullpen for her bag. "Mr. Callen, if her emotional state should change, call me immediately. I can already see how difficult this is going to be on her. If need be, I'll have Nate pay her a visit next week."

Callen looked back at Amanda before he spoke. "Give her a couple days; she was like this after John too."

"Keep an eye on her, Mr. Callen. Day or night, call me if her mood changes." Hetty instructed before he walked away.

Amanda was talking with Kensi and Logan when Callen walked in and took her bag from her. "If you need anything or need to talk, call me." Kensi said with a gentle hug. "These things happen for a reason and we never understand why."

Amanda nodded and walked out of the bullpen with Callen at her side. She was quiet on the ride to the pharmacy and sat in the car while Callen went in. Every few minutes he'd text her asking if she was okay, if she needed or wanted anything. Each time, he got no response. When he walked out of the pharmacy thirty minutes later, Amanda was leaning against the passenger door with a cigarette hanging from her lips and four or five cigarette butts sitting at her feet. Callen walked around to the passenger side to make sure she was okay. Amanda dropped the cigarette, stomped it out and bent to pick up the litter.

"Do you want me to get those for you?" He asked.

"No, Babe, I've got it. A little pain reminds me I'm still alive." She said with a sad smile as she walked to the trash can.

Callen held the car door open for her as she walked back. Before she got in, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you."

Callen kissed her forehead. "I love you too, Mandy. It's going to be okay."

"I wish I could believe you." She said with her palm on his cheek before she got in the car and he closed the door.

Amanda took a pain pill and went right to bed. Chrissy kept wandering into the room, wanting to spend some time with Amanda, but she couldn't climb up on the bed. Callen came in and asked Amanda if she wanted some company. When she didn't answer, he scooped Chrissy up and shooed Lil out. Callen checked on her several times before he joined her for the night. Amanda didn't stir until three the next morning when she got up to take another pain pill.

She slept through Callen's alarm three hours later. He leaned over her sleeping body and kissed her before he left for work. Madison and Heather both checked on her throughout the morning, but she didn't get up until almost one that afternoon. Amanda walked into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee before she loaded up on another pain pill and showered. Feeling a little more human, Amanda was sitting on the couch with Chrissy when Callen came home that night.

"How are you feeling?" He asked as he leaned over the back of the couch. Chrissy reached up and pointed at him, Callen nibbled on her pudgy fingers.

"I've been better, Honey." Amanda told him, her head resting on his forearm.

"Did Heather make dinner?" He asked as he walked towards the kitchen.

"Yeah, she's at least set something out to thaw, why?" Amanda asked pulling herself off the couch with Chrissy in her arms.

Callen took her form Amanda and knocked on the door to Heather and Madison's room. "Hey G, how was your day?" Heather asked when she opened the door and stepped out.

"Good, have you started dinner?"

"No, I was just about to start it." She replied looking at her watch.

"Good don't, Kensi and Deeks are bringing pizza over." He said looking at Amanda.

She smiled faintly. "That's nice of them."

Amanda walked back to the couch and sat down, staring into nothing. Callen and Heather stood in the kitchen talking quietly. He asked how she thought Amanda was doing and she relayed that she'd just gotten up for the day at one. She thought Amanda's chief complaint was the pain more than anything else. Callen nodded and pulled the front door open before Kensi or Deeks could ring the bell. They set the pizzas on the table and walked over to check on Amanda.

"How are you doing?" Kensi asked.

Amanda gave her the smallest of smiles. "I'm hanging in there."

"Are you hungry?" Deeks asked sitting next to her on the couch.

"Not right now, thank you." Amanda said with her voice devoid of emotion.

Kensi looked back at Callen; he shrugged and waved her over. "She'll eat when she's ready, let's not push her."

Kensi nodded and helped herself to a couple slices of pizza after Callen handed her a plate. Once Kensi was back in the living room, Deeks got up and got himself some. Callen brought Chrissy over to the coffee table and got her eating before he got himself some pizza. Once Amanda smelled the pizza, she got herself some and joined the conversation between bites. Callen was optimistic at that point that she'd pull through this like she had before.

When he returned to work the following morning, he was happy to report that Amanda was eating again and took part in the conversation when Kensi and Deeks stopped by. Hetty smiled, but still worried and called Nate as Callen went to the bullpen. An hour later, Nate pulled up in front of the house. He was pleased to see that Amanda herself opened the door and even greeted him with a warm, genuine smile. They talked for well over an hour. By the end of the conversation he reported to Hetty that she would be fine once her injuries heeled.

Dr. Cranston stopped her and looked at her watch. Amanda had been talking for almost two hours. Amanda sat there, wanting to tell her more. "Let me ask you this." Dr. Cranston said. "Did you truly bounce back after losing another partner or were you just telling everyone what you thought they wanted to hear?"

Without even thinking, Amanda began answering the question. "I can't say I was okay with it, but I made peace with it. It was hard and probably why the position is vacant again. I feel cursed and I'm so thankful G and I have never been partners."

Dr. Cranston smiled. "But you are partners. Not at work, but in your marriage. Your husband is still standing, by your side I might add."

"Yes," Amanda admitted with a smile. "He's been by my side through a lot, from the death of my best friend to a motorcycle accident and everything in between."

"You've lost a lot of people over the years haven't you?"

"Hasn't everyone?" Amanda asked. "I lost my paternal grandmother when I was five, my grandfather remarried and they both passed away within a year of each other in nineteen ninety-one and ninety-two. My mother's parents died in ninety-four and two thousand. I thought my fiancé died during a deployment in Iraq. My best friend in two thousand ten, his father while I was pregnant with Chrissy, our neighbor shortly after her birth, two partners and my father last year."

Dr. Cranston sat back in awe. "That's a lot on people, Amanda."

Amanda shrugged. "No one's life is without death."

"True." She said with a nod. "That's six people within the last six or seven years."

Amanda nodded. "It is what it is. I've done my best to pick up and move on, except for my Dad."

"You had a close relationship with him?"

Amanda smiled. "The best. I feel so lost without him. He always had something good to say when I needed it. If I needed advice on something he was always there and if he wasn't, George was. George was my best friend's father and Dad's best friend."

Dr. Cranston looked at her watch again. "How long are you in town for?"

"The rest of the week, we're headed back to California over the weekend."

"I'm out of town the rest of the week at a conference. I'd like to have you speak to the Operational Psychologist there at the LA office."

"You're not going to recommend my reinstatement at this time are you?" Amanda asked already knowing the answer.

Dr. Cranston shook her head. "I'm sorry, not at this time. I want to be sure you're in the right frame of mind before you go back to field work. Have you and your husband discussed marriage counseling?"

"We've talked about it, but haven't pursued it yet. We will check into it when we get back."

"I think it will help."

"Do you think I'll ever be fit for duty?"

"Yes, it's just going to take time. You've been through a lot in the last few years and I'm sure there are underlying issues that you will find are the root cause of the problems. Don't worry, if you stick with it, you should be back at work shortly after the baby's born."

"I hope so." Amanda said pulling herself off the couch, following Dr. Cranston down the stairs.

Callen looked up and smiled when he saw them. "So what's the verdict?"

"I'm recommending weekly visits with Dr. Getz for a few months. I would like the two of you to participate in counseling together."

Callen nodded. "Anything to get back to where we were and figure out what happened."

"Good. I'll contact Nate and make the arrangements. Enjoy the rest of your time here." She said shaking Amanda's hand before she went to find Director Vance.

"How is she?" Leon asked when Dr. Cranston walked in.

"She's got a long road ahead of her. It's going to be tough, but she'll be good in a few months. I'm handing her file off to Nate Getz there in LA." She said sitting in one of the chairs across from him.

"She'll be able to return to field work?" He asked. "You're sure?"

"Yes Leon, she'll be fine. As long as she see's Nate on a regular basis she should be ready to go back to work shortly after the baby is born. She's open and honest."

"It would be a shame to lose her. She's one of the best Agent's we've got."

"I gathered that. The fact that you refused her resignation and put her on leave speaks volumes."

Leon sat back with an ear to ear grin. "You're leaving this afternoon aren't you?"

She nodded and looked at her watch. "In fact I should be heading to the airport."

"I'll walk you out." The Director offered, hoping Callen and Amanda were still in the building. "If Amanda would like to work a desk as an analyst, would you let her?"

She thought about it for a few moments. "I wouldn't advise it. Talk to Nate in a month and see what he thinks."

He nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

After talking with Gibbs and the other for a while longer, Callen could see how tired Amanda was and suggested they head back to the hotel. After agreeing to meet them for dinner later that evening, Callen let Amanda out to the car.

"So what did you and Dr. Cranston talk about?" He asked looking at her for a second before looking back at the road.

"She wanted me to tell her about a time when things were good between us. So I started off telling her about Chrissy's second birthday."

"Which of course led into telling her about Carson?"

Amanda nodded. "Yeah, I didn't get a chance to finish telling her the whole story. I think she stopped me before I could get to his memorial service."

"Are you okay after all of that?" He asked looking at her while stopped at a red light.

Tears filled her eyes. "I've tried so hard to convince myself that I was okay after losing my second partner. I guess I'm really not. It hurts just as much now as it did then."

Callen listened as Amanda talked, by the time they pulled up at the valet she had cried and dried her tears several times. He offered something to eat, but she silently shook her head and headed towards the bank of elevators. With his hand on the small of her back, he pressed the button calling one of the elevators. Amanda sighed when they stepped in and leaned against the wall of the elevator. Callen looked back at her after pressing their floor number.

"You look like you could use a nap." He said with a warm smile.

"You don't mind do you?" She asked, still somewhat uncomfortable and apprehensive.

Callen stepped the two or three steps across the elevator and stood in front of her. "Of course I don't mind, are you going to mind if I lay with you?"

Amanda smiled. "I was hoping you were going to offer."

They didn't even bother changing before they got into bed. Amanda lay on her side facing Callen. He pulled her close and kissed her softly before she nestled in close and drifted off to sleep. It was an hour before he fell asleep himself. Before he did, he watched her eyes flitter, wondering what she was dreaming about.

When Amanda woke, she found her head on his chest. They'd only been back together a few days and while she wanted nothing more than to be with him again, both were guarded and cautious. He inhaled deeply as his hands moved to her stomach as the baby kicked and moved. Amanda brought her hand to his holding it still hoping he would be able to feel the tiny flutters.

"Is he kicking?" He asked softly.

"He? Why are you so sure it's a boy this time?"

"I never told you and I'm sure it's fine to talk about it now since you're already pregnant. Remember when I was kidnapped while you were pregnant with Chrissy and I somehow knew it was a girl?" He asked.

Amanda nodded and gave him an odd look. "Where are you going with this? How did you know we were having a girl?"

"George and Chris." He told her and watched the tears fill her eyes. "They were there with me, helped me freak that guy out so I could try to get away."

"They also told you we'd be having a boy?"

"They said it'd be a few years away, but yes, they said the next would be a boy and I'm not going to doubt them." He told her as he brushed a few straw locks of blonde hair behind her ear.

"I wonder if they like having Dad with them." She asked sullenly.

"I'm sure they're causing as much trouble as they can get away with." He laughed and looked at the smile forming on her lips. Those lips, even though he'd just kissed those lips hours earlier, he needed to again and before she could say anything, he kissed her deeply.

It had been months since he'd kissed her like that. Chills ran down her spine and back up again as his tongue swirled with hers. A luscious heat washed over her and her heart raced. Without another thought, she was unbuttoning his shirt and pushing it off his shoulders. It had been nearly five months since they'd been together. Callen ran his hands down her back and pulled her right leg up as he pressed himself into her. It was awkward and they fumbled as they took off their clothes, but once they found their groove, it was like the best of times.

Slowly, he brought her to one climax after another, as she dug her nails into his back. The next time they looked at the clock, it was seven and their phones dances across the table across the room. Callen groaned as he pulled himself from Amanda's embrace and grabbed their phones.

"I'm sorry Jethro, we overslept." He said and winked at Amanda.

"I kind of figured that's what happened. You guys want to try for another night?"

"No, if you guys can wait another ten minutes or so, we'll meet you."

"There's a restaurant in your hotel, right?" Gibbs asked.

"Yeah, you want to meet us there?"

"Sure, see you in about twenty." Gibbs said and hung up.

Amanda moaned and tossed the covers back before she pulled herself to a sitting position and looked around the floor for her clothes. Callen tossed her the bra and shirt he's tossed on his side of the bed as she found her pants and underwear. Amanda was struggling to tie the strings at the back of the shirt, so Callen laughed and walked up behind her taking the strings from her.

"Let me know if it's too tight." He told her as he tied it for her.

"That's fine, thank you." She told him and turned to face him. "Let me fix your collar."

Once they looked presentable they headed towards the elevator and stepped off just as Gibbs, Tony, Tim and Abbey stepped through the doors into the lobby. The six walked to the hostess podium and waited to be seated. Abbey and Amanda talked about the pregnancy while Callen and the men talked about the first of the preseason football games that were due to start later that week. Once seated, a server took their drink order and left to fill it. Having been more involved in their conversations, the server was mildly put out when they asked for a few more minutes.

Callen and Amanda stood in the lobby saying their goodbyes. As Gibbs and the others left, they headed back to their room and called to check on Chrissy. Just before they ended the call, Roxi got back on the phone.

"I thought you should know that I got a call from Mom this morning, they're headed back from Boston Thursday morning."

"Damn it." Amanda sighed. "Don't tell them anything about the baby, please. She's going to be furious that she wasn't one of the first to know."

"She's going to know something's up when Chrissy and Lil are here. What do you want me to tell her?"

"Just that G and I had to go back East to meet with the Director."

"How did it go, do you still have your job?"

"I do, but after the baby's born and after some counseling." Amanda told her.

"Alright, I'll let you go, you sound tired. I'll call you after Mom and Kat get back."

"Okay, thanks for letting us know."

"You're welcome." Roxi said and hung up.

Amanda turned to Callen with a panicked look on her face. Suddenly the smile on his face faded. "Your Mom doesn't know about the baby does she?"

"No and she's going to kill me for not telling her, let alone that I came back to California and we're back together."

Callen pulled her close. "It will be okay, I'm sure she'll be happy for us."

"G, you know how Mom's been since Dad died. She's going to kill me." Amanda whined.