And here is the alternate ending, which I hope you'll enjoy.

Disclaimer: Still don't own anything

…o0o…

"Deeks, you are not letting go, understand? I cannot lose another partner…I can't lose you!"

"Sorry…I love you, Kensi," his eyes closed and his breathing became shallow.

"Don't you dare die on me, Deeks, don't you dare!" but she could not rouse him from unconsciousness. "Dammit, Deeks, don't leave me! I love you, Marty! Marty! MARTY!"

…o0o…

As he felt himself being pulled deeper into unconsciousness, he suddenly heard a woman's voice, somewhere in the distance,

"I love you, Marty!"

Kensi! He desperately wanted to get back to her, to see her beautiful face just once more. But it was too late, he was too far gone now, and the darkness was pulling him under.

…o0o…

She felt his body go limp just as the medics finally arrived.

"Please! Please, you've got to save him!"

"We'll do our best, ma'am, please step back!" As the medics worked on him, Kensi felt the rest of the team join her. Someone put their arm around her shoulders, but she neither knew nor cared who it was – all her attention was focused on Deeks.

"Okay, I've got a pulse, but it's weak. We need to get him to the hospital!" The medics quickly got him on a stretcher and raced him to the helicopter that had just landed nearby. Kensi felt herself being bundled into a car, but everything was a blur, and the only sound she could hear was that of her frantically beating heart.

…o0o…

Sitting in that waiting room was pure torture. Deeks had now been in surgery for several hours. They had all been through so much emotional turmoil, first thinking he was dead, then finding out he wasn't, and now waiting for news on if he would make it or not. The waiting room was silent, with everyone wrapped up in their own thoughts. Minutes ticked by at an agonisingly slow pace, and still there was no news.

An hour later, footsteps were heard coming from the direction of the operating room, and soon a surgeon was approaching. He was surprised at the number of people waiting there for news.

"There was a lot of damage, and he'd lost a lot of blood. We extracted the bullet and repaired the damage. It was a bit rocky at some points, but he's pulled through. He'll be in the hospital for a while, but I expect him to make a full recovery."

Relief flooded everyone. "Can we see him?"

"Only one at a time, and short visits. He needs a lot of rest. But it will be good for him to see his loved ones. Your support will play a vital role in his recovery."

"Thank you so much, doctor."

"It was my pleasure."

…o0o…

Kensi was the first to visit Deeks. His abdomen was wrapped in bandages, and he had multiple tubes and wires trailing off him, connected to an IV with bags of saline, blood, and a morphine drip, as well as various machines. His skin looked pale, even against the crisp white of the hospital bedding. As she approached the bed, he opened his eyes and smiled tiredly at her.

"Hey," she said softly, taking one of his hands and chafing it gently between her own. She chewed her lip, not knowing what to say.

"Marty," he croaked.

"What?" She looked at him in confusion.

"You called me Marty."

"What? When?" Then realisation dawned on her face. "You mean you – you heard that?"

He nodded at her, and said, "I liked it." Then his familiar cheeky grin appeared, "And you told me you loved me."

"Well, I – er – I only said that because I thought you were dying!" She fought to keep herself from blushing as she fumbled for an excuse – she hadn't been prepared for this.

"Keep telling yourself that, Fern," he grinned, seeing right through her, before becoming serious, "I meant what I said though. I love you, Kensi."

At the expression on his face, Kensi realised that she had almost lost him. She could not risk that again.

"Oh Deeks, you idiot – of course I love you!" And with that, she bent down and softly kissed him on the lips. When the kiss ended, Deeks blinked at her in surprise. "What?" she asked, feeling slightly embarrassed at the way he was looking at her.

"I just – er, well, I wasn't expecting that."

"So you're saying you didn't like it?" she teased.

"No, no, of course I liked it. It's just – well, it seemed a bit too spontaneous for a control freak," he grinned, giving her a wink.

"Oh, so now I'm a control freak, huh? I should punch you for that!" It felt good to have their familiar banter back.

"I'm sorry, princess, how can I possibly make it up to you?"

"For a start, you can buy me dinner once you get out of here."

"Ah, so now you're trying to get me to take you out on a date, hmmm?" He was most definitely enjoying this.

"Just shut up! Anyway, you're supposed to be resting, doctor's orders."

"Fine, fine," he said with a sigh, "But if I wake up and find you've eaten my jello, I will not be happy!" She could see the exhaustion through his smile, and how he seemed to be struggling to stay awake now.

As she watched the man she loved sleeping soundly, she was reminded once again of just how lucky she was. She had come so close to losing him, but they had been given a second chance – one that she was not going to waste. Of course, she still ate his jello when it arrived.

…o0o…

So, was that a more satisfactory ending for you?

I like to think that both endings had their strengths and weaknesses, but of course, I'll need your reviews to tell me whether or not this is true.

Thanks for reading! :)