Other Woman

"Yes you are. I'm right behind you."

Kensi stood behind KC, but glared at Sam and the woman until they looked away from KC.

"This was a mistake, Kens. I don't belong here," KC whispered, starting to go.

"KC?" asked a weak voice, though it was clearly happy.

"Hey, man," Sam said, trying to drown out Callen while fussing over him.

"Get off me Sam. I want KC."

Sam pretended not to be hurt, as did the blonde. KC's hands were shaking as she approached Callen. "There are entirely too many people in this room," a dowager nurse growled.

Kensi spoke up. "Callen will say when there are too many people for him."Callen smiled a little, ignoring everyone else. "Are you okay, KC?"

The nurse looked at the people in the room, obviously still unhappy. "I want only one person in this room with him in five minutes or I will throw everyone out."

"It's okay Nurse, the only person I want here right now is KC anyway." Callen stared at his partner until Sam backed away and took the blonde woman with him.

"KC, I'm just outside if you need me," said Kensi before leaving.

Sam was muttered something under his breath, something he would killed for had the words been directed towards Michelle. It was only then that KC realized she'd been trembling, probably since the shooting itself.

Callen moved over a little. "Lay down," he told KC.

She didn't argue, settling as close to him as she dared without hurting him.

"Did you get injured?" he asked again.

"No. No, I'm okay."

"You're not okay. You're scared."

She nodded. "I am."

"That's okay. Kens and I will keep you safe."

She started crying and wiped her eyes immediately. Callen wrapped his arm around her and hugged her tightly.

"Can I tell you something and you forget it after?"

"Okay."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Really?" She looked at him.

"Really."

She lay close to him again. "I should let Kens come in here and talk to you. See if you know the guy who hurt you."

"Later."

She finally stopped shaking and her breathing evened out.

"Feel better?"

"Yeah." She had the moment she'd laid beside him.

"I wanted to tell you something before. Can I tell you now?"

She nodded. "Okay."

"I think we should tell everyone about us."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"We'll do whatever you want, baby." She whispered.

"Kensi knows?"

"And Deeks."

"Anyone else?"

"No." She hadn't officially told Deeks but he wasn't blind and he would have found out from Kensi later anyway.

"Do you want to tell them?"

"The only people that matter to me know." She realized Sam didn't matter to her. "But I'd be okay if you wanted to tell Sam and Hetty." And the blonde, she thought to herself.

"Okay."

"Are you sure you're feeling okay? Maybe you should rest."

"Get Kens first?"

"Okay, baby," she kissed his forehead and went to find her friend. "He wants to talk to you." Sam started to stand. "No. Kensi."

Kensi got up. "You okay?"

KC nodded, watching her friend go in, knowing she was opening herself up by standing there with them, but not leaving Callen now that she knew he wanted her there.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" asked Kensi.

"Tired," Callen said softly. "She said she told you about us."

"I kinda guessed when I saw her at the shop crying."

He closed his eyes. "Damn." He opened his eyes again. "I didn't see the guy who shot me, Kens. I never saw it coming."

"That's okay."

"There could be a thousand people who want me dead." He was very good at his job, known almost as a ghost.

"We'll get him, I promise."

"You've gotta promise me you'll take care of her." He paused and went on. "I'll do my best not to let Sam hurt her, but she might not tell me everything. She's good at that."

"I will protect her, of course. She's my best friend remember?"

He nodded, obviously tired.

"I'll send KC back in. What do you want me to do about Sam, and that woman?"

"Let me talk to Sam before KC comes in."

"Okay." Kensi left the room and swapped with Sam.

"I'm really tired. I don't have a lot of time or a lot of energy right now." Callen paused. "You never should have called her. We don't have a relationship, at least the kind you and Michelle wanted. I want you to go home tonight and I want her to go home as well. I love KC, just like you love Michelle. I don't care how you fix it, just fix it. And if you can't accept KC as part of my life, part of the family, then don't bother coming back."

Sam was outraged but didn't say anything. He stormed out and took the blonde woman with him. Kensi watched them go and then sent KC back in to Callen.

"You pissed him off," she said softly, taking her place beside him again.

"He deserved it for being mean to you."

"He's your partner. He loves you. He wants what's best for you."

"You are my favourite person in the whole world. If you aren't the best thing that's happened to me, I don't know what is."

"Ah, now I know you're on good drugs," she teased him, moving some hair from her face.

"I am," he smiled.

"And you won't share?" She teased, settling down beside him, partly to be with him, partly to protect him.

"If you want."

"Get some rest, baby. I'll be here."

"I love you."

Callen reached up for a hug and kiss.

Callen closed his eyes and was asleep instantly, feeling safe in her arms.

(Ok, we can do that)

Deeks and kens finding the guy.