Anonymous: "It's so freaking boring here, Deeks."
He smiles. Clearly, she wishes he was there too.
"I could hop on a plane, take a trip to Afghanistan."
"I don't think that's allowed."
"Oh yeah? Well Granger will just have to get over himself. I can learn to vacation in hostile enemy territory. It'll be a blast."
Kensi tugs the blanket tighter around her frame. "Hmmm. Will it really?"
"Oh yeah. I can meet you somewhere in the Hindu Kush. I hear Jalalabad is lovely this time of year."
"I'd find a new travel agent."
"I don't think I can fire Monty. He's worked hard on those brochures."
"Really?"
"Yup. Supposedly they feature the very best the middle east has to offer. According to him I'd be able to ride a camel again."
Kensi chuckles. Deeks smiles and laughs because he's picturing that she'ssmiling and laughing, halfway around the globe.
They sit in silence for a short couple of seconds. Kensi's grin slowly drops from her face, and she shakes her head slowly.
"God, I miss you."
He thinks about responding with something cheeky or funny but doesn't, in the end. Her voice is practically dripping with sadness. He can't play it off.
"I miss you too," Deeks says instead.
More silence. She breathes in and he breathes out, their lungs working in sync.
"Deeks?"
"Yeah?"
Kensi closes her eyes.
"I need you to promise me something."
His reply is instantaneous. "Name it."
She finds that once it comes time to say the words that have been sitting on top of her tongue for so many weeks, speaking is damn near impossible.
But it's time. She needs to say it.
"If something happens to me out here, I want you to come. No matter what."
Deeks shoots up straight on his couch. His stomach begins to churn.
"Kens, are you in trouble? Is something-"
"I'm fine." She's stretching the truth, sure. But Kensi can't stand to cause him anymore worry. "All I'm asking is that if something happens to me, you come to Afghanistan. That way… I know."
He swallows. "Know what?"
"Know that I'm not gonna be left out here. Alone." Her voice quivers. She presses on. "Without a partner."
Deeks' heart drops down into his stomach.
"Even if you don't see me, I'm there. You know that."
"I do. But will you promise?"
He wants more information. He wants to know if there's something else going on. Something she's not telling him.
"Kens-"
"Deeks." Her voice almost sounds watery, like she's about to lose it. "Promise?"
He doesn't even have to think. There's no question as to what his answer is.
"I'll come, Kens." Deeks stares ahead, eyes glossy. "I'll always come."
