A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who revved the last chapter! You're the best! This next bit is from Deeks' perspective and picks up right where the last one left off. Enjoy!

Deeks pulled Kensi to him, tucking her under his arm, and ran faster than he'd ever run in his life. It took only seconds for the lasers to trigger an explosion and when it came it was deafening. Deeks pulled Kensi closer as the blast lifted them off their feet. Whatever happened he was going to keep her safe.

They landed. Hard. Deeks felt his back slam into the concrete and knew he'd be sore in the morning. Kensi came down on top of his chest, knocking the air from his lungs. They both lay still as the roar of the blast began to fade, trying to catch their breath.

"Deeks! Status!" Sam's voice in his earwig was faint, as if it was coming from very far away. He was probably lucky he could still hear at all.

Deeks pushed the damp hair from his partner's eyes. "We're good," he told Sam. "You okay?" he asked his partner.

"Uh huh," Kensi nodded quickly. "I have to pee."

Deeks' smile widened. She was amped up on adrenaline. There was no way she would have admitted something like that otherwise. "I think I just did," he said with a grin.

His words had the desired effect. She laughed and then rested her head against his chest. He continued holding her close, savoring the moment, the fear of losing her finally abating. It felt good, right, to have her this close. He could feel her heartbeat slowing as her body relaxed.

"Deeks, we're coming your way." Callen's voice in his earwig interrupted the moment and snapped him back to reality.

"Copy that," he responded. "Callen and Sam are coming. You good?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good," she pushed herself off of him and they both got to their feet.

"Kind of gives a whole new meaning to 'you jump, I jump Jack' huh?" Deeks asked.

"Yeah," Kensi stretched out her back, wincing in pain.

"Did they hurt you?" Deeks asked his eyes scanning her body for any obvious signs of trauma.

"No, I'm fine Deeks. Bathroom?"

"Well, I think we just blew up the closest one," Deeks looked past her to the smoky hallway. "Let's try this way."

He led her in the opposite direction and it wasn't long before they found a ladies room. He waited for her outside as she went in to clean up. Moments later Callen and Sam found him.

"What happened?" Callen asked.

"Lasers rigged to trigger explosives. There was no other way," Deeks said as Kensi emerged from the bathroom.

"Kensi, you all right?" Sam asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm good. All in a day's work."

"LAPD and fire department are on their way," Callen said. "Let's go head them off."

Deeks watched his partner closely for any signs of injury or stress. She moved more slowly than usual, probably a result of stiff muscles. She was going to be in a lot of pain come tomorrow. Other than that she seemed fine, talking to LAPD, answering questions with her usual quick wit.

They'd been at it an hour and he was starting to see fatigue behind her eyes; something no one else would notice. But he knew Kensi. By the time they got in the car she was really flagging and barely managing to hide it. "Drink this," he said, handing her a half full bottle of water.

"I don't want your partially used water," she said playfully.

"You've been standing still for four hours. You're dehydrated going to have muscle cramps and the water will help. Now drink," Deeks ordered.

"Okay! Fine!" Kensi held up her hands in mock surrender. She took a sip and then looked at him expectantly. "Are we going to drive today or just stay here?"

Deeks looked at her. "I was going to give you a chance to talk or something."

"Or something?" she asked with a smile.

"Yeah. You've been through a traumatic event and I'm here to listen if you want to talk about your feelings," Deeks told her.

"My feelings? Deeks, I'm good," she insisted. "Like I said, all in a day's work. I've been through a whole lot worse."

"Yeah, and I believe that, but it doesn't mean you're fine this time," he persisted.

"Geez, lighten up would you?" Kensi asked. She was starting to get annoyed.

"You shouldn't have gotten in the car!" Deeks cried in frustration. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"I didn't have a choice," she said calmly. "It was the only way."

"And what if I hadn't been able to save you?" Deeks asked. The gaze he turned on her was tortured. "What if we hadn't gotten there in time?"

"But you did," she told him. "Just like I knew you would."

Deeks let out a breath. "Right, yeah, of course. Just like you knew we would. He started the car.

"Deeks-"

"No, you're right," he told her. "You didn't have a choice and it worked out just fine." He glanced at her. "We're good."

She nodded. "Right. We're good."

A/N: Well? What did you think? Reviews are always appreciated so much! Don't be afraid to drop a line or two!