AN: This is a speculation fic based on spoilers for episode 12x05, "Raising the Dead" (more accurately, it's probably a speculation post-ep). Either way, you know we'll never get this on the show.

Kensi had just taken the first sip of her morning coffee when Deeks entered the kitchen, fresh out of the shower. Admiring the way her husband's shirt clung to his not-quite-dry torso, she hid a smile behind her mug and handed him his own dose of caffeine, doctored just the way he liked it.

"Thanks," Deeks said, with a light kiss to her lips, leaning against the island beside her. Eying her briefly he added, "Hey, how about we get an early jump on the weekend and head up to Solvang today. Then we can hit Pismo and San Luis Obispo; we haven't been there in a while."

"It's Tuesday. That's not a jump on the weekend, that's a vacation."

"An even better idea!" He pulled his phone from his jeans, "You start packing while I call Bates and Callen."

"I know what you're trying to do Deeks, and it won't work. But I do appreciate it, and I love you for it," Kensi said, placing her mug in the sink. "Monty's in the yard, let him in before you leave, okay?"

"Why are you heading out now—called in early for a case? Give me five minutes and I'll drive you in."

"I want to research what Kessler's been up to in prison. Even though he escaped again, I don't think he's gone far."

"That's a safe bet, considering what he wants to do to you."

She frowned. "Deeks, you know most threats are just scare tactics. Most criminals would have to be idiots to actually follow through on them. Besides, I'm good at what I do. Kessler has to be a damned lucky idiot to get near me."

Deeks put down his phone and held Kensi's gaze, "Or a lunatic with nothing to lose."

"Baby, I'll be fine," Kensi covered his hand with hers. "I've got a team of agents looking after me."

"I know. I just hate the idea of you in the field without me when some escaped sociopath wants to…" Deeks shook his head as if chasing away the thought. "Listen Kens, I want to ask you a favor."

"I'll be careful, I promise. You'll drive me in, I won't go anywhere alone, I'll change up my routines again, and I'll maintain situational awareness at all times."

"Don't go to work."

"What? Babe, I'm not going to let Kessler run me out of town or make me a prisoner in my own home."

"Just for today. Kensi please. Baby, I…I don't feel good about this. At all. Call it a hunch. Call it a freak-out, I don't care. Just call the team and tell them you won't be in today." Deeks must have sensed Kensi's continued reluctance. He pressed, "I won't feel better until Kessler's back in custody or dead. Let's stay home today and figure out how to make that happen."

"You have an idea?"

"I'll take a leave from LAPD and shadow you in the field. Best way to figure out if you have a tail is to have someone else following you, yeah? I can be ready to pounce if Kessler shows up and makes a move."

"You've thought a lot about this."

"Honestly Kens? I barely slept last night."

She frowned sympathetically, "More of those claustrophobic, chest caving-in feelings?"

"You could say that," Deeks scratched his neck and looked away.

Kensi wrapped her arms around her husband and held on for several comforting moments before speaking. "Baby, anyone at OSP can shadow me. You shouldn't take time off from your job, which is kind of on shaky ground right now, to babysit me." When Deeks started to speak, she cut him off, "But if it will make you feel better, talk to Callen about it."

Deeks let out a deep sigh and tightened his arms around Kensi, dropping his head to her shoulder. "Thank you for not fighting me on this baby."

Running her fingers through his hair, she said, "Why would I? It's a good plan and I don't have a death wish."

Deeks tensed and the penny dropped for Kensi. She gasped and pulled back to look him in the eye. "You want to be there to take the bullet for me."

He shook his head, "That's not my first choice, obviously. I think me being covertly nearby gives us the best chance of keeping you safe and catching him."

"But you don't think it's going to go that way."

"I'm terrified that if I'm not there…" Deeks took a step back, but held onto Kensi's hands. "I'm not worried about Kessler killing you, at least not right away-you heard what he said. He has a serious hate for you that's been simmering a long time. But let's be clear-this isn't gonna be me letting some Russians take you as leverage. If it's you or me, I will lay down my life for you baby, every day of the week. No offense to Rountree and Fatima, but I don't know if they'll do that. Sam and Callen, sure. But it shouldn't be them, it should be me."

"No. You don't get to say that, and you don't get to do that. I promised to do everything I can to stay safe. You have to promise the same, or I'll tell Callen to keep you out of it."

"Of course I will, Kensi. But you're my first priority."

Kensi grabbed his arms, hard. "And you're mine, Deeks. Look, I agree that Kessler isn't going to try to kill me right away. Just like with the Russians, if he gets his hands on me, I'll need you to get me back. You can't do that if you're dead."

"I'll never be able to live with myself if I let him take you away from me, baby. Not when I know what he plans to do to you."

"I'll deal with that if need be. What's important is both of us coming home alive."

"No, what's important is him not hurting you."

"Him killing you won't hurt me?"

"You know what I mean."

"I do. I can live with anything he does to me. I can't live without you."

Deeks put his forehead to Kensi's. "Then I guess we're at an impasse."

AN 2: Kind of an abrupt ending, but I've always wondered how this conversation would go between the two of them (and you know they've had some version of the who gets to sacrifice for who talk), and I think there's no real solution but to agree to disagree and hope it never comes to pass.