"I got your back," Turk reassured a fidgety Deeks.
"I know man, I appreciate it. I just don't want Kensi under a lot of stress."
"That woman is as tough as I've seen them. You're a lucky man, Deeks."
"That I am, brother, that I am." He patted Turk's back. "She trusts you, she just hates not having my back."
"I know. The death threats kinda tipped that off."
"She does know how to slit a jugular eleven different ways."
"She reminds you of that often, does she?"
"Probably every other day."
"Ah, young love. That's why I stay single, brother," Turk joked. "My Dog is enough love for me."
The four men met up with Agent Dechamps to neutralize the threat of the impending C4 detonation. They devised a plan, with help back at OPS. They had a good chance of success if things went according to plan.
"The truck is in route to Oceanside," Eric informed over coms. "If you head to the coordinates I sent to your phones, we think they will head straight into you and then you should be able to apprehend them"
Oceanside sat at the Southern tip of Camp Pendleton. A large city, but a possible detonation site due to its proximity to the Base. Blowing explosives in a populated suburb, near the base could be most effective in a group of terrorists eyes.
DeChamps was able to secure off most of the base that would be in danger; However, Oceanside being such a populated area, still meant possible Civilian Causalities, along with first responders and Agents.
A youth soccer game was being played at the coordinates Eric deduced to be the easiest access point and likely detonation site. This was a wrench in the plans, as things needed to be executed more meticulously.
"We gotta get these kids and parents out of here!" Callen shouted.
Nell, Eric and Kensi were watching the events up in OPS, Nell found a seemingly safe place to get them evacuated to. She directed Turk and Deeks to a nearby concession building. Gathering people there would be safe for the time being, as the bomb squad hopefully secured the C4 and their agents took down the terrorists. Deeks and Turk spotted the building Nell directed them to and began gathering people to safety.
The van pulled up and parked. The remaining agents immediately surrounded the Van. The driver exited the van with a dead man switch, threatening to blow if they didn't back away. The back of the Van swung open emitting multiple rounds of ammunition. Deeks and Turk had succeed in clearing the field before fire ignited in the open area of the park. Suddenly in the corner of his eye, Deeks spotted movement shuttering on the ground.
"Cover me!" He shouted to Turk. "There's still someone on the field."
"No!, Ill go."
"I got it, you have the better vantage point of the gunfire and I'm closer to the kid." Deeks took off as he spoke realizing it was a child that was left behind.
Shots were flying around as Deeks reached the child. A boy about 6, brown curly hair and ocean blue eye filled with fear and tears.
"I got you. You're gonna be fine. I'm a police officer, I will protect you. I got you, I promise, I'm gonna get you out of here safely."
The boy nodded at the sight of Deeks' badge he pulled out. Deeks was intrigued by the boy, wondering if his son would resemble the child before him, or if the boy would have blonde hair like him and brown eyes with a mysterious birthmark, like his mother.
"Deeks, Go!" Turk yelled as he snapped him from his trance. Deeks took off as he cradled the boy shielding him from gunfire with his own body.
The last of the gunman shot towards them. Callen, Sam and DeChamps had taken out all but two of the men that came out of the back of the van. Round after round flew towards Deeks and the boy. Turk flew in front of them, struck center mass of his vest. He dropped to the ground.
"Turk," Kensi gasped from OPS, helplessly watching the chaos unfold.
More Bullets flew, when she saw Deeks dropped to the ground, the boy shuttered as the man covered him with his entire body. "You're okay," he whispered, "you're okay, I promise, I'll protect you," he muttered out as his eyes fluttered shut as darkness overcame him.
"Oh my God! Deeks!" Kensi's curdling scream shattered through OPS, as she watched her husband descend to the ground.
The sounds of fire finally stopped, as Sam and Callen finished off the last two men. The C4 was contained without detonation, by some miracle. The driver with the dead man switch was apprehended as the switch had malfunctioned. This was not they way it was supposed to happen. This was a messy case that ended with multiple casualties and injuries sustained to criminals as well as agents. The saving grace was no civilian casualties, although some with minor injuries.
DeChamps ran to Turk, who was in an abundant amount of pain. "Deeks," he squeaked out between deep breathes. Sam and Callen has already darted off to the man lying in a hump.
"Eric we need two busses." Sam demanded.
"Already in route."
Kensi face was white. "Sam?" She questioned as tears fell.
"Beale, Shut the screens off now."
"No, Sam what's going on? Don't you dare shut them off Eric. How's Deeks? Deeks baby, talk to me. Callen, Sam, please tell me what's going on? Turk, Deeks. Someone answer me."
"Kens," Callen came over. "You need to stay calm right now."
"Calm!" She exclaimed! "How can I be calm. Tell me how Deeks is. He's not moving."
"Beale!" Sam shouted.
The screens went black in OPS. Kensi glared as voices came over coms.
"We don't know yet. Turk took a bullet center mass to the vest. He's being examined and taken to the hospital. Agent DeChamps is with him."
"Callen? What about Deeks? Tell me, is he," she bursted in tears before she could expel the last word dead, from her lips. Her whole body went numb.
"As soon as I know anything, I will tell you." He disconnected coms and informed the team to do the same.
"Nell, I want a flight to San Diego now!"
"Kens, we should probably wait to hear back from Callen."
"Now!" She walked out of the room in tears holding her belly tight as she could. "Daddy's gonna be fine. He has to be."
DeChamps stayed by Turk, as Sam and Callen stayed by Deeks side. The bullet struck Deeks in a small exposed part of his back near the shoulder blade. Blood was seeping out.
"G, get me something to put pressure on this, quick." He bent down to the ground near the Shaggy haired man. "Deeks, man c'mon," Sam checked for a pulse which he found sporadically as the ambulance pulled up.
In the rush to check if Deeks was alive, he didn't notice the small boy. "Hey little man, are you ok?"
The boy nodded not moving.
"Are you alright staying put a minute until the man over there can move my friend." He pointed to the EMTs rushing over. "We don't want to hurt him more."
The boy nodded again. "He's protecting me. He's a police officer. He's my superhero."
Sam grinned. Deeks would love knowing someone called him a superhero.
All the paramedics in tow, attended to both agents and the child.
"You have a possible Chest contusion." One told Turk. "You'll need x-rays and examination to see how extensive. A few days of rest will probably on your list. We'll head you to Balboa for a full exam."
"Well, if the bullet didn't kill me, a hormonal brunette might. How's my partner?"
"I'm not sure, the other crew is working on him. I'm sorry."
Turk watched as he was being loaded into the ambulance, the commotion surrounding Deeks. They carefully moved him off of the child. The paramedic checked the young boy for any injuries. He was unscathed thanks to the heroic efforts of the Detective. His parents emerged from the destination they were shuffled to, running towards their son with relief.
"Will the man who saved my son be okay?" The boy's father asked Callen, who was standing back.
"I hope so," he sighed. "He has a son of his own on the way."
"We can never repay him for risking his life for ours," the mother said, coddling her child.
"We will be praying."
"I will be too," Callen whispered. "I will be too."
Callen headed over by Sam as they watched Deeks being worked on and loaded up on the stretcher.
"He's got a lot to live for," Sam's head dropped.
'No exit wound, he's gonna need surgery. Kensi's not doing well, Sam."
"I know. You should call her. At least tell her he's alive. She's probably frantic."
Callen's phone buzzed with those words. He looked down to see a text from Nell. He looked back at Sam showing him the message, "She's on her way."
"We should have know that. I'll ride with Deeks, you get Kensi."
"Oh you get Deeks when he's unconscious and can't talk. And you leave me with the hormones of Badass Blye. That somehow seems unfair. Don't you have more experience with crazy pregnant woman."
Sam gave him an annoyed smirk and shook his head. "Probably not the time for jokes, G."
"I don't know big guy, it's probably exactly what Deeks would do."
Sam smirked slightly, knowing Callen was probably correct.
"If you're coming, we gotta roll," the paramedic called. "He needs to be in surgery like 20 minutes ago."
Sam hustled over and climbed into the bus beside Deeks. "I know I'm not Kensi, but I'm here for you Shaggy. You got this. You have to. Kensi and son need you. We all need you," He sighed grabbing Deeks' hand and squeezing tight, similarly as he had done for Callen in Mexico. "None Of is are ready for you to leave us yet, and I'll tell you that to your face when," he emphasized, "you wake up. Sam eyes teared slightly. He couldn't let this man die on his watch. He knew the pain Kensi would feel, he knew that pain would never leave. He was gonna make sure that she didn't feel that pain, no matter what he needed to do. He'd will Deeks all night to live, if need be. He reiterated, a"Your wife and child are waiting for you, so you fight Deeks, you hear me, you fight."
His pulse seem to steady with the words Sam spoke as the ambulance lit it lights speeding them to Balboa Naval Hospital. A trip back too soon for Sam's liking, but no other choice was available.
When they arrived, the surgical team was waiting and rushed Deeks away. Sam headed over to Talk to Nicole.
"How you holding up?" She asked first.
"It never gets easier. Kensi doesn't realize she needs to stay calm for her child."
"They love each other a lot." DeChamps had seen the agents interact and longed for that kind of relationship, that didn't come easy in their line of work.
"I had a love like that once," Sam recollected.
"Do you think you could have that again?" She questioned.
"I don't know. It was a once in a life time kind of love."
Nicole looked down a bit disappointed.
"But who the Hell knows. I gave up trying to figure life out along time ago. I just take it as it comes."
She felt a little hope, but knew Now was not the time to express any type of feelings she may be exhibiting for Sam Hanna.
Kensi exited the plane, nearly tripping over her own feet to get off faster.
"Kens, slow down before you hurt yourself or the baby."
"I need to get to him, Callen."
"At what cost, Kens? He's in surgery. There's nothing you can do for him right now."
"I can be there for him!" She shouted. "I couldn't be there to protect him," she sobbed, "but I can be there for him when he wakes up. If he wakes up."
"Kensi, he's in the best care. He will be in surgery at least another 2 hours. You have to take care of yourself."
"I have to take care of him."
Callen was getting frustrated. Kensi wouldn't Listen to reason. He finally snapped. "At the risk of losing your son! Do you think that will make Deeks happy? Do you think it will make him wake up faster?"
Kensi froze. Callen had never yelled at her before. Possibly out of fear, maybe out of respect, but he had to get through to her somehow.
"I'm sorry, Kens."
She took a deep breathe. "No, you you're right." She stuttered attempting to dry her tears. "But if you ever yell at me like that again, I'll kick your ass, pregnant or not."
"Ya, I was kinda thinking that mid yell. Go big or go home right," he shrugged.
"Please, get me to the hospital." Her eyes pleaded.
"I will," he hugged her in his brotherly arms as tight as he could. "He's gonna pull through. He has too much waiting for him not to." Callen tried to reassure her, as they headed off the tarmac to the car.