A dream within a dream within a dream. It was like being stuck in a giant cyborg sized bubble, unable to burst his way out of the scene his stupid imaginary igloo kept him trapped in. So this was how the bubble boy felt, he thought. He was fairly certain no bubble boy or girl ever had to witness something like this, though.

He's not scared, because this has already happened and they survived it. But he could see the guns through her eyes, hear the wood shattering through her ears, and feel the impact on his own back. And screaming, so much screaming, that he found it impossible to discern where one voice ended and another began.

Nightmares. What a bitch.

The worst part? Even if he could force himself awake, he'd still be living it. The only way to end it was for her to wake up. Coffee, donuts, eggs, donuts, bacon, donuts. The happy subliminal thoughts of breakfast weren't working. Her fingers gripped his shirt, practically clawing at his chest. He didn't remember that from the day he acted like a human shield to protect her. Everything moved so quickly in real time, but life in a dream was like swimming through sludge.

Wake up. Wake up!

Deeks blinked. It was still dark outside. Kensi rested with her back to him. If it weren't for the nightmare and her erratic breathing, she could have fooled him into thinking she was still asleep. Humans - not as smart as they think they are.

Though they shared a bed, personal space was still a very real thing. Kensi recently upgraded her full size bed to a king, providing much more room for her obnoxious sleeping habits. They didn't cuddle unless one sensed the other needed it. Like now. Rolling onto his side, he snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her flush against his chest. She mumbled in protest. "I'm fine."

Kensi only said she was fine when she was, in fact, not fine. But she didn't want to talk about it, and that (unlike her) was fine. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest. It was way too fast. Not that he had her heart rhythm patterns memorized or anything, but okay yes, he was very in tune with all aspects of her body and mind. That's just his nature.

So, a distraction seemed like a good idea. She needed to calm down, and they both needed to sleep. Talking would work. He could be boring as shit sometimes. "So, uh..."

"What?"

Wake up, brain. Think of a good yet boring question. "When, uh, when's the last time you...had sex?"

Her heartbeat quickened even more. Not a good or boring question. Cyborgs - also not as smart as they think they are. "That's a very personal question."

"Personal?" Deeks puckered his lips, resting them on her bare shoulder. Her tank top smelled like chocolate. "You peed with the door open this morning."

"I thought you were still asleep."

"You also asked me to brush the tangles out of your hair before we went to bed."

She blew a puff of air out of her nose like a bull about to charge. The question he'd originally chosen might not have been the best, but at least the distraction technique was working. "My hair has gotten outrageously long."

He liked her hair long. She knew he liked it long. "You baked me a cake for my birthday."

"Which you didn't eat."

"That's because you baked it. I prefer not to suffer from gastrointestinal distress."

"You're an asshole."

Deeks shrugged lightly without letting his face leave her shoulder. "I've always owned that. But I'm an asshole that you kissed on Christmas. What does that say about your judgment, Miss Personal?"

"You kissed me first," she argued.

"Kissing under a poisonous plant is a fascinating social convention."

"Stop acting like a robot." Kensi sighed and lay silently for a minute. Her heart rate was much closer to normal now. The conversation served its purpose to make her forget her nightmare, but he might have unknowingly opened Pandora's box in the process. Next time, he would just hold her until she fell back asleep. Live and learn. She grumbled under her breath. "You knew exactly what you were doing."

True. Instead of admitting it, he simply kissed her neck. Just once. A comforting kiss, nothing else. "I was merely pointing out examples of other personal experiences we have shared with each other. It's not like I asked what your favorite sexual position is. I just wanted to take your mind off of the nightmare, but now I'm curious as to why my desire to stay abreast of your sexual health is more personal than any of those other things."

"I keep you plenty abreast of my sexual health."

"Saying 'get out unless you want to get off' is different than telling me that you met some hot guy or girl at a bar with your friends. Though I do appreciate the warning."

Her back tensed. "Is there a point to this conversation at all or are you just trying to get payback for all the sex questions I asked you when you moved in?"

"I just want you to be happy," he answered.

It was simple but true, a response he knew she'd understand because she understood him and the way he worked. He was mostly happy, therefore logically it seemed she was as well. But there were times, like right now, that he felt a hole inside of her. Something she wanted or needed and didn't have. He had other thoughts but didn't speak them aloud - I don't like it when you have nightmares. I don't like it when you're scared, or sad, or hurt. I hate the thought that you might be lonely. I know I might not be enough.

Silently she traced her fingers along the lines of his hands. Their connection was always the strongest when skin met (synthetic) skin. He gripped her waist tightly, not letting go even though her fingers felt like feathers tickling him. The sensation was funny coming from someone who tried to make herself appear as hard as nails. Her touch was actually as soft as silk. She smiled. "I actually don't remember the last time I was this happy."

Human emotions could be both a blessing and a curse for him. Happiness, a beautiful and uncomplicated emotion, always felt like a blessing. Many others took longer to process and understand. It was the others they fought on nights like this, when he offered comfort and she took it, when he needed reassurance and she gave it. And then there were the others, the complicated and neglected others.

"Go back to sleep," Kensi interrupted his thoughts. "Early morning tomorrow."

"I'll go to sleep when you do," Deeks said.

"I'm going to sleep."

"Me too." He closed his eyes and willed them both to LaLa Land, but it didn't work. "Hey, Kens?"

"What?"

"Just out of curiosity, what is your favorite sexual position?"

"You're ridiculous."

"What?" He laughed. "I'll tell you mine."

She yawned. "Please, do tell."

Deeks grinned. "Whatever her favorite is."

"Ugh." She feigned disgust but smiled anyway. "Fucking cyborgs."

If he concentrated hard enough on her breathing and heartbeat, the combination would eventually lull him to sleep. Her body to him could act like a white noise track that played the lovely sounds of human life instead of crashing waves or waterfalls. Just as he teetered on the cusp on consciousness, he heard a sleepy mumble. "Cowgirl."

"Hmm." His eyelids fluttered. "Yeehaw."

A/N: No matter what universe, I always have Kensi say her favorite position is the cowgirl. Even in dystopia, some things never change.