Hi y'all! This is my first time ever writing a fanfic so any reviews and constructive criticism will be much appreciated!

XOXO Em

Kensi stood in the bathroom of the Mission trying to compose herself. She and the team had just wrapped up a four day child rape/murder case. Cases that involved children were always harder to stomach but Kensi was usually quite good at emotionally removing herself from the investigation. But this case - this fucking case- something about it was different. For the past four days, the image of a small girl with dark curly hair and even darker eyes had seemingly followed Kensi where ever she went. For the past four nights, Kensi had lain awake going through every single detail in the case file. She was determined to find who ever had done this, even if it meant running on nothing but coffee for a whole damn month.

Looking back into the bathroom mirror, Kensi saw a red-eyes reflection staring right back at her, "The case is over," it seemed to say, "You found the son of a bitch. Besides, since when do you, Kensi Marie Blye, get all emotional about a case."

Kensi decided that the little voice was right. She needed to pull herself together. After wiping her eyes one last time, Kensi marched into the bullpen and began filling out paperwork with the rest of her team.

Callen stood up from his dest and announced to his team that he was heading out for the night

"Going home to your house full of things more fun to do than paperwork?" Deeks joked. Everyone knew that there was absolutely nothing to do at Callen's house. Even paperwork was more fun than being there, which was why, most days, he was dead last to leave the Mission.

Callen gave a small chuckle and mentioned something about having plans as he practically ran out of the doors.

"He has a date," Sam said as he, too got ready to leave, "with Joelle!"

Kensi couldn't help but smile as Sam walked away and she and Deeks were left alone. She was happy that Callen finally had someone that made him happy. Kensi was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice that Deeks had packed up and walked over to her until he kneed her by her knee.

"You up for getting some burgers and drinking enough beer that we unknowingly spill our darkest secrets? I know I could go for that after a week like this one."

Kensi gave a half smile and looked at her hopeful partner, "Not tonight. I need to get rid of this headache and binge drinking sure as hell won't do that." Earlier that day, Kensi had been pushed head first into a wall but a suspect trying to run and, in typical Kensi fashion, had refused to go to the doctor, insisting that a healthy dose of Advil would do the trick just fine.

"Suit yourself," Deeks laughed as he began to walk away, "but remember, since you refused to get your stubborn little self to the doctor, Dr. Deeks will be calling you every hour just to make sure you don't have a concussion. So unless you want me showing up at your house in the middle of the night (which by the way you would love, I make an awesome cuddle buddy) I suggest you answer when I call."

Kensi just waved off her partner and waited until he was at his car before she started to leave to. Try as she might, Kensi could not muster up one ounce of happiness or peppy-ness and the last thing she wanted was to be around people.

Once she arrived home, Kensi plopped down on her couch and ate some leftover pizza. Sliding out of all her clothes except her underclothes, Kensi suddenly felt as if a pile of bricks had fallen of top of her. The past four nights of insomnia caught up with her and it was all Kensi could do to drag herself to the couch before she fell asleep.