A/N: A very small angsty Densi fic.


Kensi blinks sleepily in the darkness, disorientated. She'd been deeply asleep moments before and at first she isn't sure what woke her. And then she hears Deeks mutter something in his sleep. It's something fairly innocuous and almost unintelligible, but it's the sound in his voice that gets her attention. Distress.

He's lying on his side, not a typical sleeping position for him, with his back to her. His back is slightly curved inward, like he's trying to curl in on himself. He twitches and this time she hears her name among the garbled nonsense.

It reminds her of what he told her about waking up from nightmares and being unable to breathe. And finding peace knowing she was by his side. What she never mentioned, was the times when he didn't wake up, and she did.

This isn't the first time she's witnessed one of Deeks' nightmares. It's inevitable after being together so long and with their collection of terrible experiences as fuel. It doesn't make them any easier to watch though.

Scooting across the middle of the bed, Kensi presses up against his back. Deeks mutters again, his head twisting to the side. She catches something about bombs (which could be related to any of a hundred incidents) as his voice suddenly rises sharply.

"Shhh," she whispers, wrapping her arms around his torso. His skin is slightly clammy and his heart is racing. Starting up a slow rhythm, she rubs her palm over the center of his chest in small circles. He makes a tiny, heartbreaking noise in the back of his throat, jerking in his sleep.

Kensi continues to hold him tightly, whispering his name and nonsense under her breath, until he begins to relax against her. After several minutes, she feels his heart rate start to slow. Based on past experience, she knows the worst of the nightmare is past.

Even once he's sleeping peacefully again, Kensi doesn't let go. She buries her face in his neck, breathing in the scent lingering in his hair. And she too, is at peace.