This couldn't be happening, Kensi thought. She'd had Nell call the CDC and report the possible contamination, heart pounding the entire time. Then, all she could was wait, unable to go to Deeks. He'd watched over Fadel, refusing to let her come within 20 yards of either of them.

She'd watched, feeling completely useless, and increasingly desperate as blood soaked into his t-shirt in an uneven shape.

"Agent Blye?" She turned as one of the USAMRIID officers approached her, eyes narrowed in concern. He took in Deeks and Fadel in one sweeping gaze before refocusing on Kensi. "I was told you were on-sight when the incident occurred. Can you tell me exactly what happened?"

Kensi reluctantly stepped away to speak with the captain, keeping her narrative as brief as possible.

"Thank you, Agent Blye," she said, her eyes sympathetic. "I'm sorry about your partner but rest assured that he's in the best hands possible."

Swallowing harshly, Kensi gave her a brief nod and hurried back to Deeks. A lot had happened in the short time she was gone; a small perimeter had been sectioned off around the scene and multiple people in hazmat suits surrounded the area.

"Deeks!" she called, jogging closer.

"Ma'am, you need to stay back," a soldier warned her, blocking the way.

"Please, I need to talk to my husband." She attempted to squeeze him and a female corporal. "My name's Agent Kensi Blye. Please."

"I'm sorry, but I have my orders."

"Let her through, Foster," Colonel Kaufman said and Kensi pushed towards her.

"How is Deeks?" she demanded, matching the brisk pace he set towards the white tent they'd erected in the center of the pathway.

"Detective Deeks is doing well," she responded, tone cautious. Kensi felt panic rising in her throat and clenched her fingers into the softer skin of her palms in an attempt to gain some semblance of control.

"But?"

"We need to get him to the hospital as quickly as possible so we can provide preventative treatment. As you're aware, this is a new strain that hasn't been studied yet, but the good news is that we know exactly when Detective Deeks was infected and should be able to manage it better."

"Ok," Kensi whispered, completely overwhelmed. "I, um-" She shook her head, unable to continue. Ebola had a 50% survival rate when the treatments actually worked. That percentage might be so much lower. A wave of nausea ran through her. "I just can't believe this is happening."

"Kensi, Marty is young, healthy, and most importantly, going to receive the best care available," Kaufman told her. To Kensi's surprise, she clasped her hand, her fingers cool and firm. "The best thing you can do right now is have faith and be strong for him."

"I can do that," Kensi murmured, swiping a knuckle under her eye, and taking a calming breath. "Thank you, Colonel."

"Sandra. And any time." She glanced over her shoulder as two people came out of the tent. "You can go talk to him if you'd like."

Giving her hand a grateful squeeze, Kensi hurried over to the tent where a corporal in military garb was posted. He checked her ID before letting her through and reminded her not to make skin-to-skin contact with Deeks.

Just like earlier that day, Deeks sat on a short bench inside. His hair was damp, and he wore a different set of clothes than before. Someone had bandaged his wrist with a heavy swathe of gauze.

Kensi's heart clenched at the sight of him, hunched over, head cradled on his hands.

"Deeks." He lifted his head slowly, expression a little dazed.

"Kens, what are you–you shouldn't be in here," he said quickly, shifting to stand and then apparently thinking better of it as he moved to the far end of the bench.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else," she said, taking a step forward. He twitched, running his hand through his hair.

"I know it's not supposed to be airborne, but we shouldn't take a chance."

"I'm not leaving." She closed the distance between them, stopping just a few inches short. Her legs nearly brushed his knees. She saw his throat bob as he swallowed, so uncertain, scared. Her fingers twitched and she folded them together behind her back so she wouldn't give into the urge to brush the damp strands of hair back from his forehead, to touch his cheek.

"Did they say what the plan is?" she asked.

"Yeah, uh, they're flying me to the military hospital in an hour," he answered in a hollow voice. "Colonel Kaufman said they'll start me on some preventative medications to hopefully get ahead of this."

He let out a shallow breath, fist clenching on his knee. His normally tan skin was ashy. If she was scared, he must be absolutely terrified.

"That's good," Kensi managed. She sounded odd to her own ears, and she tried to force a smile, remembering Kaufman's advice.

"I am so sorry, Kensi," Deek blurted out before she could manage to come up with something encouraging. "If I was more careful, this wouldn't have happened. I was so stupid."

"Oh my god, Baby, this is not your fault." Horrified by the thought that he was blaming himself, she sank to her knees in front of him. "You were protecting that nurse and hundreds of other people Fadel could have infected. You had no way of knowing he had more of the virus on him."

He nodded, looking beyond her, the gleam of tears in his eyes.

"I'm scared, Kens," he admitted hoarsely.

"I know. But it's going to be ok." She pressed her closed fist against her mouth. "God, I wish I could touch you."

"Me too." He looked so incredibly lost, sudden anger flared up from deep within her.

"We're going to get through this, Deeks," Kensi promised fervently. "Just like we do everything else. And I promise I'll be by your side every step of the way."

A/N: Please excuse any medical or military inaccuracies. As you know by now, I am not an expert in most things I write about.