Author's note: I do not own NCIS:LA or its characters


As they were heading out, Rountree gently put his hand on Fatima's back. She was obviously in pain, but she refused to admit it.

"Hey, um, I know it's not Friday, but, um, would it be okay if I spent the night at your place?" he asked quietly. Fatima looked up and blushed.

"I suppose so, why?" she replied. Rountree stopped.

"Um, when I saw that you got shot, it was like my heart stopped. It was like my life flashed before my eyes, I was so scared. I was scared that I'd lose our Friday nights, watching trashy movies and staying up way too late, waking up Saturday mornings snuggling, even though we weren't when we fell asleep, then going to get breakfast together. I was scared that I was gonna lose all that, that I was gonna lose my best friend in the whole world, and I'd never even get to tell her how I really feel," he whispered, tears running down his cheeks. Fatima softened and reached out with one hand. She gently grabbed his and tangled their fingers together.

"How do you really feel?" she asked sweetly. Rountree blushed a little.

"Fatima, I know it's inappropriate, but I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you," he whispered. "Everything about you is so perfect, and I don't know how else to describe it other than I love you to the end of the world and back, and I doubt you're even into me, but I just couldn't hide it from you anymore. When you give me silly little nicknames or when we play little games, it's the best part of my day, and seeing the blood on your leg scared the shit out of me because I thought that I was losing that," he whispered. Fatima was stunned.

"Why do you think I don't feel the same way?" she asked quietly.

"Because! One, you're way out of my league. Two, you talk about dates with other guys, and they're all totally different than me. I just took a hint after a while of hoping," he said truthfully.

"Hey, can we move this conversation to the car? Please? And, maybe I was trying to distract myself. Why do you think every guy I dated was either rude, weird, or not my type?" she replied. Devin helped her to his truck and got her settled. He gently pressed a kiss to her cheek, causing Fatima to turn bright red. They shared a sweet smile, then Rountree closed the door.


Once they were home, Rountree helped Fatima inside. They curled up together on the couch, both completely ignoring the boundaries they had previously established. Now that they knew they both felt the same way, they were both all in.

"I'm really glad you're okay," he whispered. Fatima smiled and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. Sure enough, they stayed up until almost two in the morning watching random rom-coms and action movies, alternating between who picked. Fatima had her leg propped up, but she was fully committed to snuggling with Devin.

"So, um, are we, um, together now?" Fatima asked shyly.

"That depends," he replied. Fatima frowned.

"On what?" she asked.

"Do you want us to be?" he asked. Fatima blushed and thought about it.

"Well, yeah, More than anything. But...but I don't know if I'm ready for a real relationship, you know?" she whispered back. Devin nodded in understanding.

"I understand completely. I also know you don't have the best history with guys, and dating in general. So, here's my offer. We don't have to be together-together, but I'd really like the title of your boyfriend. So, what if we take it super slow, as slow as you want, or need, and I will stay away from other girls and wait for you to be ready. No matter how long it takes," he offered.

"So, like, we're together, but slow?" she asked.

"We will take this as slow or as fast as you want. Okay? So if you want to move from step one to step two in a day, but it takes months to get from step two to step three, that's totally okay. I want you, and I love you, you know that, right?" Rountree murmured. Fatima smiled and snuggled into him.

"Thank you," she whispered. Devin nodded.

"Of course. I love you," he murmured. Fatima smiled and looked up at him. She smiled a little, but she seemed a little uneasy. "You don't have to say it back," he reassured her. Fatima grinned. She reached up and gently moved her hand down his face.

"It's how my grandma used to say "I love you'" she whispered. Devin beamed and gently kissed her forehead. Fatima smiled and hugged him a little.

"I know I already said it, but I'm really glad you're okay," he murmured.