Panic

23:00 MARTY DEEKS' APARTMENT

Saturday evening; Someone is knocking (pounding) on Deeks' front door. He is just about ready for bed. He and his partner, Kensi Blye, had spent most of the morning at Malibu beach – a common activity for the partners and a common place. Deeks had surfed, Kensi had relaxed on a blanket. She read a book, played fetch with Monty and swam a little in the chest high water. They had breakfast of coffee and breakfast burritos from a food truck. Then they had split for the rest of the day to do errands, cleaning (Deeks) and some shopping (Kensi).

"Coming," Deeks shouts. He ambles to the door and opens it – his partner falls into his arms, shaking violently and holding him tight around the waist. She has been crying . . . this isn't the Kensi He knows! He holds her tightly, supporting her as her knees show signs of giving out on her.

"Hold me Marty, please!"

"I've got you, you are safe now. What happened?"

He moves them to the couch and they sit, Kensi ½ in his lap – NOT a usual position! He rubs soft circles on her back to comfort her and reassure her that she is safe now.

She seems to be settling down when she suddenly jumps up and begins pacing. "It happened again! I can't believe it!"

"What happened Kensalina?"

"I . . . I was shopping . . . at the Galleria downtown, you know?"

"Yes, I know the Galleria."

She continues to pace, stopping and starting, wringing her hands, looking around wildly as if she were being pursued. "I just came out of this lingerie store – GOD I shouldn't have said that – when this group of kids came barreling along playing laser tag!"

'OMG' Deeks thinks. 'Not lasers!'

"And wouldn't you know it, several pointed right at me! RED, green, blue – I was paralyzed, Marty! I started screaming, then collapsed on the floor like a stupid baby! Like a puddle of grease on the floor. Someone called 911 and the EMT's came . . . they got me settled down and wanted to take me to the ER. I told them – well, you don't want to know what I said!" She paces a little slower.

Deeks gets up and stands in her path, stopping her when she gets to him. He holds her tightly around the waist, running one hand through her silky hair, and whispering soothing words to her. "I've got you now, Kens."

"God Marty, it's been 3 months! Why did I panic like that?"

"Is this the 1st time?"

"Yes."

"Exposed to lasers, I mean?"

"Like that, yes."

"Like that?"

"Well, getting them pointed at my face, yes 1st time. Marty, what if this happens when we're on a case? If I panic, I could get one of us killed!" She starts shaking again and pulls away from him. She starts pacing again, tears streaming down her face, again.

Deeks stops her again, holding her tight. They stand in the middle of his LR, embracing tightly for 10 minutes. She gradually settles down; the trembling and tears stop. Deeks gets her to sit on the couch for another ½ hour, his arms wrapped round her. She finally takes a big breath & lets out a giant sigh.

She goes to stand, saying "I should be getting home, Marty. Thanks so much!"

"No, you're not going anywhere. You are in no shape to be alone tonight."

"What? I'm ok now."

"Probably, but I am not letting you out of my sight (or my arms) tonight. I'll give you my bed, I can sleep on the couch."

"NO! If I'm staying, a big IF, we can share a bed. We've done it before – Justin." Kensi smirks.

"Well Melissa, if you insist – little Miss Starfish."

"Right side!" As she dashes down the hall.

'She's going to be the death of me! But what a way to go.'

They fall asleep in each other's arms.