Disclaimer I don't own Line of Duty. All cOpyright belongs to BBC TV and Jed Mecurio. no copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred.

sleepless

The gunshot reverberated around her brain as her eyes snapped open. The familiar panic and nausea washed over her as her hand flew to her chest. The bullet wound long since healed she tried to calm her breathing. Pilkinton was dead. Gone. He couldn't hurt anyone now. She swallowed hard as she felt the mattress move next to her.

"Mate?"

She glanced to her side, smiling slightly she ignored the worried look in his eyes.

"Dreams."

"Right." Steve looked at her, knowing what their subconsciouses were capable of conjuring up when they should be resting. "You ok?"

"Course."

"Kate?"

"Sorry. I didn't want to wake you."

"Come here." Steve held out his arms for her. Kate closed her eyes for a moment. She needed to sleep, Steve was right but the brain was a weird thing. Despite her body desperately needing the rest there was no way her brain would switch off. She rested her head on his chest as his arms came around her. She knew he had his own demons, nights when he would wake up shaking and sweating but she hated him seeing her in the same state.

"You want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Ok." He kissed her hair as she closed her eyes.

"It was you."

"Er? What have I done?" Steve yawned, unsure about what Kate was talking about.

"Shot. On the tarmac. Pilkington shot you, not me and I wasn't fast enough. I." She screwed her eyes shut against the tears. "Like with the stairs. I was too slow."

Steve turned her slightly so he could look her in the eye.

"He's dead. He's gone. You and me. We're here. It's ok."

"Yeah." Kate smiled, looking slightly sheepish.

"And, for the record. You are stuck with me."

"Good."

"I was the one that was too slow. Both times. Slow on the uptake and slow to get to you."

"No you weren't."

"I love you. Go to sleep."

"Prick."

"Tit."

Steve smiled as she kissed him. "Love you too."

She rested her head on his chest as just for that moment the nightmares seemed to fade.

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A/N Please review.