A/N: Just a little angsty one-shot between Sam and Deeks.
"Sam, can I talk to you for a minute?" Deeks asked as he set a beer in front of him. He sat down at the small table across from Sam, his expression an odd mixture of determination and solemnity.
"Sure," Sam said, then quickly added a caveat. "But I am not talking about sex with you. Or pregnancy things." Deeks didn't even crack a smile. It was definitely serious then.
"Yeah, um, I, uh…" Deeks rubbed his jaw, forcing a painful smile. Sam's concern grew as Deeks faltered; he rarely was at a loss for words.
"What's going on, Deeks? I saw Kensi earlier today and she seemed just fine," Sam prompted. The first couple months after finding out they were pregnant, Deeks had been extremely anxious and terrified that something would happen to Kensi or the baby. He'd mostly calmed down since then.
"Yeah, no, she's great. They're both doing great," Deeks said quickly. He glanced down and then blew out a long breath, his voice trembling when he spoke again. "Um, one of the guys I went through academy training with was shot last week during a drug raid."
"I'm sorry, man." Sam squeezed his shoulder, feeling for him. It was always difficult to lose a colleague.
"I didn't even really know him. We'd see each other at conferences or office parties and chat for a few minutes." Deeks looked up, but his gaze was fixed somewhere beyond Sam. "He had two little girls. Two gorgeous girls and his wife. He always talked about her and how much he loved her and now he's just gone."
He swallowed, shaking his head as he sniffed loudly.
"All I can think about now is Kensi and the baby, which I realize is incredibly selfish, but I just keep thinking 'what if something happens to me?'"
"Deeks, nothing is going to happen to you," Sam told him firmly. He understood where his mind was; he'd worried about the same thing when the kids were small and Michelle quit the agency.
"Anything could happen," Deeks disagreed. "I could get blown up tomorrow or run over by a truck or eat bad fish tacos." He was rambling now and Sam touched his shoulder, centering him.
"Breathe, Deeks." He listened, pulling in an unsteady breath. After he blew it back out, he said,
"I need you to promise me that you'll take care of them if something happens. I mean, I know Kensi could handle it cause she's all kinds of amazing and doesn't need anyone, but she shouldn't have to do it alone."
"You have my word," Sam assured him. "Even though I know nothing's going to happen to you, I promise to look out for your family."
"Thanks," Deeks whispered, looking vastly relieved. The slightly manic energy seemed to evaporate suddenly and he visibly wilted.
"Go home."
"But I'm supposed to work tonight."
"I'm sure Callen will cover you," Sam said. "You need to be with Kensi tonight. Now go before G realizes I've volunteered him on his night off." That earned a tiny grin from Deeks. He stood slowly and bent down to give Sam a one armed hug.
"Thanks again, brother," Deeks said.