After watching his mother and little girl leave, he had wanted to get a run in before work. It was still early and he didn't have to be in until at least 9:30. He threw on some sweat pants and a tank top, grabbing his running shoes. After getting ready he headed out and started running.

The dirty blonde had started running on the beach, he loved feeling the cool breeze on his face and going through his hair. The air smelt of sea salt from the ocean. He had passed by a couple women and gave a smile then continued running as he yelled out.

"God I love LA!"

He continued his run and stopped for a coffee at a local mini mart, unknowing to him he had walked into a robbery. As he was getting the coffee he noticed the guy in front of the counter holding the gun, he acted normally and before the young guy at the counter to react Deeks had shot around and fought to get the gun from his hand. During the fight the young detective had been turned on his back and suddenly another man was above him holding a small black handgun.

Looking closely at the end of the barrel it was like time had frozen. All he heard was his heart pounding in his chest, he heard it in his ears. At that moment it was like his life was flashing before his eyes, he'd miss his daughter growing up, graduating high school, starting a career, and as much as it would pain him, her getting married, having a family of her own.

Before he knew it he felt a scorching, burning sensation going through his body. Not once but twice his head went down to see the two bullet wounds in his body and they started bleeding out heavily.

He was bleeding out and his vision was going blurry, he was mumbling under his breath. "Dani…Dani… Dani…" Soon everything went black.

Meanwhile

The NCIS team had gone to the office and were making their jokes, their Operations manager walked to them with a deep frown on her face.

"Hetty, what's wrong?" Sam asked.

"Deeks was shot" The shorter woman answered.

The team froze, no it couldn't be. They had already lost one agent not long ago and now Deeks. This wasn't happening.

"Where is he?" Callen asked.

"He's in surgery, you're going to the crime scene. You can't be of use to Mr. Deeks at the hospital"

Kensi looked at the short woman. "Hetty, Deeks is the second partner that was shot. The last time my partner didn't make it home. Please let me go to the hospital and stay with him"

"Alright Ms. Blye, when Mr. Deeks gets out of surgery ask him where we can locate Dani so we can bring her in for her safety"

That had made the three agents frown. Who was this Dani person? How did this person know Deeks?

"Who's Dani?"

"Mr. Deeks knows. Now off you go, all three of you"

The three didn't need to be told, Callen and Sam headed to the crime scene while Kensi had headed to the hospital. The female agent still couldn't help but wonder who this Dani person was and how she was connected to Deeks. When Hetty mentioned bringing her in for her safety, she didn't wanna think this Dani girl had any link to the shooting.

When she arrived at the hospital there was an older woman crying hysterically and next to her was an upset and crying 6 year old little girl.

"I wanna see my son! Marty! Marty!"

Kensi heard the woman crying and when she heard that, this woman had a connection to her partner. Just how? Being careful she walked over.

"Ma'am, hi. I'm Agent Kensi Blye, NCIS. You're here for Detective Deeks?" Kensi asked gently.

Roberta turned and saw the female agent, tears streaming down her face. "I am. I'm his mother, the nurse found his phone and called me"

"Is daddy gonna die too?" Dani sniffed.

That had thrown Kensi completely off guard. Daddy? Deeks had a daughter. She didn't think he had a child. And what would she mean if her father was going to die too? Unless..

Roberta looked at her granddaughter with a reassuring smile. "Your father will be just fine sweetheart"

Kensi smiled at the two. "Why don't we go get some coffee?"

About ten minutes later Roberta, Dani and Kensi were all in the cafeteria. Dani had been eating some pancakes while sipping chocolate milk. Roberta and Kensi sat away from the young girl so they could talk and not scare her.

"How old is Dani?" Kensi asked quietly.

"She's 7, her birthday was about a month ago" Roberta wiped her eyes.

"When Dani said, is her father is gonna die too, what did she mean by that? Is her mother.."

Before Roberta could answer, a doctor had gone to them. "Mr. Deeks is out of surgery"

The two women had gathered Dani and went to Deeks room, when they got there he was asleep. Dani ran from her grandmother's side and onto the bed to be with her father. Kensi had smiled, it was a nice sight to see. Dani stroked her father's hair back with her small fingers.

Kensi knew when her partner woke up he had a lot to explain. She wanted to be upset that he hid the fact he had a child but in his situation she completely understood. He was a single, widower father with a highly dangerous job and he was trying to shield her from that world, from the evils of their work.

A soft groan had gotten their attention, it was Deeks waking up. The excited little girl smiled brightly.

"Wake up daddy, wake up. Wake up" She chanted.

"I hear a beautiful voice in my ear, I wonder who it could be" He muttered softly.

"It's me daddy"

He slowly opened his eyes and saw his precious little girl. "I thought that was my baby girl" He brought his hand up and gently stroked her cheek. "Are you alright sweetheart?"

"Nana and I are ok. Are you ok?"

"I will be now" He kissed her head and held her close to him, he took a deep breath and released it.

After giving the father and daughter a moment, Kensi spoke. "Deeks we should talk"