A/N: Just an opportunity for Kensi to be protective and just a little dramatic. Plus some Deeks whump.
"Oh my god, Deeks! Are you ok?" Kensi said as she rushed into the LAPD lounge, ignoring whatever the escorting officer was trying to tell her. Her entire focus was on Deeks who was slouched in a wooden chair, one arm loosely wrapped around his middle. Clearly he wasn't ok, but that was a relative term in their world.
She'd received a call from LAPD an hour ago asking her to come down to the precinct. They wouldn't tell her why, but naturally she'd assumed the worst. Finding him bruised and bloody, wasn't that far off from her worst imaginings.
He glanced up, grinning weakly at her. Crouching down in front of him, she hesitated and then carefully cupped his chin. He allowing her examination without complaint. The side of his hair was matted with blood and there was more dried beneath his nose and in his beard. Deeks wrapped his free hand around her wrist, his skin reassuringly warm against hers.
"Kensi, I'm ok. It looks a lot worse than it is," he told her. He sounded exhausted and his voice was slightly nasally and hoarse.
"What happened?" she asked. "You said you were just helping Whiting out with some legal stuff."
"I was." When he didn't elaborate, Kensi narrowed her eyes at him.
"'Legal stuff' doesn't usually result in black eyes and bloody lips."
"It didn't go exactly as planned," Whiting answered for him, coming into the room with a file clutched in one hand. She looked a little less put together than normal; her severe bun was distinctly frazzled and Kensi noticed a streak of blood on her pant leg.
"Clearly," Kensi said. "Why do I get the feeling that Deeks wasn't just helping out on a closed case." Whiting sighed and admitted,
"You're right. I asked Deeks to help me with a money laundering case. I knew he had connections that would get him access to the ring."
"And?" Whiting shifted uncomfortably, which was somehow disconcerting given her normal unflappable attitude.
"And he ended up going in undercover to infiltrate the ring. Unfortunately, one of the members was former LAPD and blew his cover."
"How could you let that happen?" Kensi demanded, unleashing her worry and anger onto Whiting.
"Actually, I was the one who suggested I go undercover," Deeks interrupted.
"Even if you did, she should have had someone watching your back." She turned back to Whiting and added, "Assuming you had any right to let him go in at all. Do you always treat your detectives like they're disposable?"
"Kensi, that's a bit harsh."
"No, she's right," Whiting said, swallowing visibly. "I was careless and it resulted in you being hurt. I'm sorry, to both of you." Deeks nodded and seemed to be ready to accept her apology. Kensi shook her head, getting to her feet, but keeping one hand on Deeks' shoulder. It served to ground her as well as remind her why she was having this conversation.
"That's not good enough. You've hounded Deeks for the last four years, held what you know over his head, and used that knowledge to coerce him into helping you. He could have died today because of you and all you can offer is an apology," Kensi said, jabbing her finger in Whiting's direction. Her voice had turned into a growl as she spoke and Whiting looked vaguely unnerved. Good, Kensi thought, oddly pleased.
At the very least, Whiting should feel a bit of discomfort.
"Kensi, I don't know what else I can do. I truly regret the role I played in this tonight and wish I could change it, but I can't." Kensi chuckled bitterly at that.
"If you're so sorry, then stop blackmailing Deeks whenever you need something. Close his case once and for all."
"Um, I hate to interrupt," Deeks said, his voice sounding tight. Both women turned their attention back to him and Kensi felt a sharp pang of concern. He was pale and sweaty, and more blood trailed down the side of his head. More concerning though was his hunched position and the obvious pain in his eyes. "I think one of my ribs might be broken," he gasped.
Kensi instantly bent in front of him again and clasped his shoulders.
"Can you walk?" He nodded minutely.
"I think so." With her assistance, he managed to get to his feet.
"Let me help," Whiting offered, taking a step forward as Kensi struggled to support Deeks' weight. He stumbled slightly before recovering as she guided him towards the door.
"I think you've done more than enough," Kensi responded, ignoring the concern in Whiting's eyes. For a moment, she thought maybe she should give her a break. But the sound of Deeks' labored breathing and his sweaty skin beneath her hand, strengthened her resolve.
Her only concern right now was for Deeks.
A/N: I don't exactly like Whiting, but I don't hate her either. Plus, her episodes usually mean a solid Deeks storyline.
