So this is it. The final chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it and thank-you all so much for taking part in this story. If it wasn't for you I would not have finished it. I hope I have not let you guys down. Thank-you all again, Kenzie.

Sam stood at the end of the driveway. Flashing lights illuminated the street. As soon as he noticed that Callen had went missing he had called and tracked Callen's phone. He had called for backup hoping that they would get there before him. Firefighters had their hoses out and they had stopped the blaze enough that three firefighters were going in to look for survivors. Sam fought against the feeling that he needed to go in and help…it was aggravating that he could not be doing anything to help out his partner. He kept trying to subdue his thoughts that no one would have been able to survive. After what felt like an eternity firefighters came out carrying two limp forms. Sam's heart pounded and he jogged toward as they laid the two figures on gurneys. Seeing Callen he stopped and rushed forward, "Is he okay?"

"He's still breathing, he has some burns on his body and he is going to need to seek treatment for smoke inhalation. It's serious, he has a gunshot wound to the stomach, and we're going to have to take him to the hospital now…the other one is dead." The firefighter responded helping push Callen to the waiting ambulance.

Sam picked up his phone and dialed Deeks, "Callen is still alive he's being taken to the hospital. Ricky is dead, stay with Kensi and I will call and update you as soon as I can."

Callen's head was pounding and he distinctly heard a steady beep beep in the background. He tried to recall what had happened but all he could remember was counting the seconds that had gone by as he laid in the burning building. He knew he wasn't dead; there was too much pain for that. He heard a cough by him and turned his head toward the sound.

"You gave us a scare you know? And I am sure I don't need to add how idiotic that was?" Sam asked.

Callen went to talk but found he couldn't find his voice.

"I'll go get the nurse." Sam had spent the last two days by his partner's bed waiting for him to wake up. He had been in this place before the last time Callen had been shot but this time had been different. This time Callen had been closer to death than ever before. His heart had stopped twice on the operating table, and Sam could still hear Kensi's sobs as she and Deeks showed up in the hospital wanting information about their team member. Deeks had sat solemnly holding Kensi and Sam had stood anxiously by the doorway. Hetty had showed up and looked as though she felt like she had let them down. The next two days had dragged on and on with a steady stream of visitors. His condition had been uncertain for awhile and the doctors had had to run tests on his brain in order to see if there was brain activity. When they did find brain waves Sam was able to relax for the first time since the morning they had found out Kensi's life was being threatened.

Callen spoke his voice raspy, "No, not yet. Kensi? Is she okay?"

"Fine."

"And Ricky?" Callen asked.

"Dead."

"How did I get out?" Callen asked, he thought for sure those last few minutes were going to be the end.

"I had Eric track you and I called for backup. The police and ambulance had arrived right as the bomb went off. The firefighters got there within minutes and they quickly extinguished as much of the fire as they could before they rushed in to get you. You have some bad burns on your legs and your right arm. The bullet grazed your intestine but they fixed that up. You had smoke inhalation so they will probably make you do some breathing exercises. But you're going to be okay…unless you pull a stunt like that again. If you do I will make sure that I am the one to take you out. Now I will be back the nurse needs to inform the doctor that you have awoken."

Callen watched the retreating back of his partner and smiled knowing that Hetty had formed the perfect team. They all had their own strengths and they all complemented one another so well. He couldn't believe that he was still alive. The last few days time had stopped for him as he lay unconscious and unknowing to what was occurring in the world. Now time had started again and he felt that the nightmare had finally ended, the sun was finally rising, and his team was safe and sound. He knew in their line of work it was only a matter of time before they would find themselves in danger again. But for now he was going to celebrate the fact that they had finished another case and had taken another criminal off the streets and that they were all alive.

Deeks had allowed Kensi to venture out of the house to watch him surf. The waves crashed against him as he made his way up to her, "You okay?"

"I'm fine."

Deeks laughed, "You already know that line don't work with me. Kensi, Callen is going to be okay. Ricky is dead, it's over."

Kensi looked at him and Deeks noticed she hesitated before she spoke, "Everything is not always what it seems Deeks."

Deeks took his hand and pushed her chin up so she was looking at him, "What do you mean?"

"Mark wasn't Mark. Nell wasn't kidnapped. Callen wasn't dead…what if it's not over?" Kensi asked.

"Kens, Ricky was pulled out of the fire and pronounced dead at the scene."

"Yeah, I guess. I just don't feel like he would have given up like that without a plan."

"Everything may not always be what it seems Kens, but this time it is. It's over. You're safe and so are all of us."

"All of us except Carson and Mitch…their dead because of me."

"Have you talked about this with Nate?"

"Yeah, he said something about survivor's guilt…"

"Nate sounds like a smart man. And I'm sure I don't have to mention how many lives you have saved being an NCIS agent…"

Kensi smiled before standing up and walking towards the ocean, "I'll be back."

Deeks nodded realizing she needed time to herself.

Kensi stopped as she was knee deep in the ocean. She held the ring she had worn when she was playing fiancé on the drug case that had started it all…she leaned over and let her hand glide through the water releasing the ring, "Thank-you for everything Carson. I'm sorry I couldn't save you and Mitch." Her voice had grown shaky and she stood upright again watching the seagulls fly overhead and watching the sunset turn the sky a bright pink color, "Good-bye." She stood there allowing the emotions that she had tried so hard to ignore overtake her and tears fell freely down her face.

Several minutes had passed and then she felt a hand on her back, "Let's go Kensi." She wiped her eyes and nodded letting Deeks lead her away from the ocean….and away from the nightmare that had become her life the moment she had met Mitch at the restaurant.

Thank-you all!