Nell cried into Eric's arms, trying to pull herself together. He held her and reassured her that she WAS strong, and that nothing was going to happen to her. And even if it did, he would be there for her no matter what. He stroked her hair as he promised he would do everything it took to keep her safe. It was only when she had stopped crying and started to pull herself together, that she managed to force herself to look at him. She heard every word he said, but it was the expression on his face that told her just how much he meant it all.
He tried to apologize again, but she cut him off.
"It was an accident. They happen." She told him. "But now we need to get back to work, so we can catch these asses before they can hurt anyone else." She grabbed his hand and pulled him back up to Ops.
"You know" Eric started as they sat down "Kensi is going to get through this. She's got Deeks, and she's got us. It might take some time but she's going to be ok." He told her.
"I know." Nell said "I just... I wish that no one had to go through this."
They sat in silence for a moment, before Eric gave her a hug.
"Come on. Let's catch these guys. Want to help with the knife reflection images?" He asked. Nell nodded enthusiastically.
"I just want to try another search for similar attacks, now that we've got a bit more information." She explained as she entered new parameters into a search program. "The video and threats give us another piece to try." She continued, then turned back to Eric. "Now let's work another miracle."
They worked together, sharing a laptop as they isolated a reflection in the knife, just as Eric had hoped. Together, they alternated using filters, clearing up the image and playing with the colour. Almost an hour later, they finally had what they needed - a clear picture of the attacker, suitable to run for facial recognition. Eric saved the image and dragged it to the facial recognition program, then they both leaned back with a sigh of relief.
"I knew we could do it." Nell said. "There's a reason they call us the wonder twins."
Kensi entered the armoury and was surprised to see Hetty sitting at the table, with an open box of ninja stars.
"Ah, Ms. Blye. I was expecting you." Hetty said. Kensi froze, still fuming and unsure what to say. "I thought you might be able to assist me by testing these out." She continued, handing the box across the table. "There are some targets set up for you in the gun range. I'll leave you be." She said, then quietly slipped from the room.
Kensi stared at the box in her hands, and continued to the gun range. While ninja stars weren't something she used regularly, she enjoyed the challenge and hadn't had as much opportunity to practice with as she would have liked. She was relieved to find the gun range empty, aside from several mannequins set up at the end. She looked down at the box before selecting a star. She handled it carefully, watching how it reflected the light and shone, before taking aim and throwing it at the nearest target. It sliced silently through the air before effortlessly cutting into the mannequin. She picked up the second star, and aimed for second target. It once again landed exactly where she had aimed.
It was forty minutes before she emerged again, her anger having dissipated with each throw. She knew she needed to find Deeks and Nate to apologize for her outburst, and Hetty to say thank you.
Deeks had chased after Kensi as she stormed out of the room, but when he got to the armoury the door was closed. He heard Hetty's voice as he paused and decided not to enter. A moment later, the door opened as she slipped out of the room.
"Ah, Mr. Deeks. I believe Ms. Blye may need some time alone. I've left her something to keep her occupied for now. I'll keep an eye on her. Why don't you and Mr. Getz check in with your team."
"Um, do you think it's a good idea to leave Kensi alone in a room full of weapons right now?" Deeks asked nervously. "Maybe I should stay with her?" He said as he edged towards the door.
"I'll keep her safe, Mr. Deeks." Hetty reassured him. "And I will call you the moment I think she needs you."
Deeks sighed, knowing he was fighting a losing battle. He followed Nate out of the room, glancing over his shoulder one last time as Hetty re-entered the armoury. He trusted Hetty with his life, there was no question about that - but he wasn't sure he trusted anyone with Kensi's.
When they were on their own in the hall, Nate slowed to a stop.
"She'll be ok." He told Deeks. "Hetty won't let her hurt herself. She knows as well as I do that Kensi is impulsive and volatile. But maybe shooting some targets will help her with her anger." Deeks nodded in agreement.
"I know. I know all that. But I can't help worying about her. I need to see for myself that she's ok. And I want to be there when she needs me." He said, not intending to sound as exhausted and desperate as he did.
"And that makes perfect sense, given the situation." Nate said. "She's your partner, and you want to have her back. But you've got to let us help, too. You're only human, and you can't do it all yourself. I mean, look where that's gotten you so far." He said, gesturing to Deeks' sling and face. "Let us help her. And let us help you, too, ok?"
"I know. And I'm trying. But you're right, she's my partner and I want to have her back no matter what. And she needs me. But she's going to want to try to push you guys away, especially now that she knows about the video and that you've seen it. She's going to be stubborn, and not let anyone see anything that might possibly be considered weakness... And now that she's angry." He stopped and shuddered "well, we all know how she gets when she's angry. Nothing will stop her, not even Hetty. Kensi Blye on the warpath is NOT someone to mess with."
"I know." Nate said. "But we're still going to do everything we can to help, and we're all going to help keep her safe."
Tears started to come to Deeks eyes and he couldn't bring himself to fight them.
"I'm scared." He told Nate in a hushed voice. "I can't lose her. I just can't."