A/N: In part one of this story, Deeks and Rosa run into one of Max's old acquaintances. A Tumblr friend pointed out that Kensi and Deeks should have had a discussion with Rosa if something like this should occur. So, this chapter is a follow up where they have that discussion.

"Hey, babe, did you and Rosa have a good time exploring your old haunt?" Kensi asked when she came home from her workout. Deeks accepted her kiss distractedly.

"Uh, yeah, it didn't exactly go like we planned," he said, and Kensi frowned, picking up on his tone.

He'd spent the last hour going over his encounter with Gabe. He was kicking himself for how he reacted, but in the moment, he'd panicked. And once Gabe turned his attention to Rosa…his only thought was to protect.

"Didn't go as planned as in the ice cream shop was closed or something more serious?"

"As in," Deeks sighed, jaw tightening. "We ran into someone who new Max Gentry. He recognized me."

"Oh my god," Kensi gasped. "Was Rosa—"

"No, nothing happened," Deeks assured her quickly. "He honestly isn't that dangerous, and I got rid of him quickly." He dragged his hand through his hair.

Kensi breathed out slowly, looking vaguely relieved, still unsettled.

"I think I unnerved Rosa more than anything. You know, because I had to pretend to be Max."

"Oh Deeks," Kensi murmured, expression shifting once again. This time to dismay.

"I know, I should have anticipated that something like this could happen. Max was all over Reseda."

He was an idiot for letting himself forget that part of his life so thoroughly. He found himself avoiding looking directly at Kensi.

"You couldn't have. We all have so many aliases floating around, it could happen to any of us." Kensi grasped his shoulders, waiting until he made eye contact. When he did, he saw way more understanding than he thought he deserved. "So please stop blaming yourself because I don't."

Deeks gave a short nod, and forced himself to put aside his own feelings for the moment.

"Ok. But we need to figure out something in case this ever happens again. The next person might not be scared off that easily," he said.

"You're right. Is in Rosa in her room?"

"Yeah, she's finishing her biology paper."

They found Rosa sitting on her bed with her laptop and several textbooks. She looked up with a smile, gesturing them both into the room.

"Hey, Deeks told me what happened when you guys were out earlier," Kensi began.

A small line formed between her eyebrows, and her eyes flicked to Deeks before she nodded.

"Yes. Marty explained everything to me."

"I know that was probably a little disconcerting."

"It was," Rosa agreed. "But I felt safe with Marty. And I know that he doesn't do that kind of work anymore."

"I don't, but that doesn't mean dangerous people from my past aren't out there," Deeks said.

"For all of us," Kensi added. "Unfortunately. Deeks and I talked about what we could do to make sure you as safe as possible if anything like this happens again, and we came up with a plan.

"We'll have a code word: Tacos." She flashed Deeks a look, and Rosa flashed the tiniest of smirks. "If either of us says that and nothing else, you leave immediately."

"Then you find the closest, busiest place you can, and call Sam or Callen immediately," Deeks continued. "Whatever is going on, you do not stick around. I don't care how worried you are about us. Ok?"

"I understand." Rosa looked very serious again, but not quite scared. She squared her chin a little.

"I'm sorry we didn't talk about this sooner," Kensi said.

"It's alright. There will always be danger, but at least I have you and Marty to watch over me," Rosa said with one of her shy smiles.