A/N

Okay, I'm finally done with most of the re-writings, so I can go back to re-writing my lost fanfics.

While I'm working on it, have a very quick oneshot. :)

"You're not having more coffee now," Blake said and took the cup away from Reid before he could bring it all the way to his mouth.

"What are you doing?!"

"I'm setting up house rules. When you're rooming with me, you're not having one drop of coffee after six pm."

"Why not?"

"Because if last night was anything to go by, you will stay up all night, talking incessantly, educating me on Pythagoras, the hypothetic geographical location of Atlantis, and why pineapple protein burns your mouth, among other things I have no interest in, especially not at three am."

"Oh. I didn't think it bothered you, why didn't you say anything?"

"I did. Twice. Then I guess I just surrendered to my fate," Blake said. "But being awake all night doesn't work well with me, so not another caffeine-fuelled all-nighter, got it?"

Reid swallowed. He had never been on the receiving end of Blake's sharpest glare before, and he didn't want to experience that again.

"Got it. Sorry Alex. Although you weren't actually awake all night."

"Yes I was."

"No, you weren't. You did doze off between four and six am. It's a common misconception, people often believe they have been awake all night when in reality, they have been asleep for at least one sleep cycle but aren't aware of it."

"Reid…"

"Besides, you're snoring, which is something you should seek medical advice on; it could be a symptom of…"

"Reid!"

When she said his name like that, it sounded like a whip crack. Uh-oh. And there was that sharp glare again. Reid fell silent and looked at her like a kid being scolded by his mother.

"I. Want. One. Full. Night's. Sleep." She articulated each word as if she was teaching a deaf person lipreading. "If necessary, I would sleep in the bathtub, but unfortunately you also have a habit of running to the bathroom repeatedly throughout the night. Which also could be a symptom of medical issues, if I didn't know it was because you drink copious amounts of fluids right before bedtime."

"I'm sorry. It's just that…" he looked away, suddenly uncomfortable.

"What?" Blake's voice was much softer. "What's wrong?"

"I tend to have nightmares. So I try not to go to sleep at all, you know? I'd rather be awake than have nightmares. But I'll try to at least be quiet and still so you can sleep."

Blake chewed on her lip. That wasn't quite what she had expected.

"Let's make a deal. If you don't keep me up deliberately, and you at least try to get some sleep too, you can wake me up if you're having bad dreams. Right away. Just shout, and I'll be there."

He looked so grateful it was almost pathetic.

"It probably sounds really stupid," he began, but Blake shook her head.

"No, it doesn't. After the Replicator, I had nightmares for months." She stroked his arm. "Just wake me up if you need me. But until you need me, please let me sleep."

"I promise. Thanks, Alex," he said and gave her a quick, clumsy but very sweet hug. She returned it, more flattered than she wanted to admit, then went to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

When she returned, Reid was fast asleep on his bed, still fully clothed. She watched him for almost a whole minute, smiling a little. It seemed he only needed some reassurance and security to be able to relax. Some… motherly protection, perhaps.

She got the extra blanket out and draped it over his sleeping, relaxed body before turning off the lights and padding over to her own bed.

She was asleep before her head hit the pillow, and neither agent had any nightmares that night.