As the movie neared its end, Kensi struggled to keep her eyes open. She felt safe and at ease having Deeks around. She was snuggled in to him, not at all worried about how close and intimate their position on the couch had become. As her eye lids grew heavier, she could no longer fight the need for sleep and in a matter of seconds succumbed to the peaceful darkness.

When the movie had ended, Deeks switched everything off and carefully slid himself out from beneath Kensi making sure he didn't wake her. She looked so peaceful, he couldn't help but think that this was probably the most undisturbed sleep she has had since she met that douchebag. It pained him to think about what she must have been going through these past few weeks, and he hadn't even realised. Deeks was angry at himself for not protecting her sooner, they were partners it was his job.

He disappeared from the room, appearing moments later with a blanket that he gently tucked around Kensi. Deeks contemplated leaving, but decided it was best to stick around in case the guy came back. He couldn't bear the thought of him having another go at Kensi and not being there to protect her.

A part of him felt responsible. If only he had told her how he really felt. He had had so many chances, when he got fired and she was about to confess her feelings and he stopped her. Or when she went rogue and he told her all he was worried about was 'us'. Why couldn't he have just manned up and got it all out in the open, then maybe none of this would have happened. But instead he was a coward and ignored the feelings, that desire that burned inside of him for what? Out of fear? It killed him to know he could have prevented this whole thing.

"Deeks?" Kensi whispered softly, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah Kens, I'm right here" he said as he crouched down next to her, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her beautiful yet bruised face.

"I don't want to be alone, will you stay with me?" she asked, revealing a little bit of vulnerability to him which he knew was a very rare thing for her so it was very much appreciated by Deeks.

"Of course, whatever you need"

To his complete surprise she gestured for him to lay with her on the couch. He felt like his heart was going to explode in his chest it was beating so rapidly. Kensi's request had caught him off guard. Granted it was a very pleasant surprise. The smell of Kensi's hair flooded his nostrils and it felt as though someone had set a fire in the bottom of his stomach. They were dangerously close, but nothing had ever felt so right to him. As tough as it was he had to push his desire for her aside, and be there for her as a friend and as her partner.

"Hey Deeks" she whispered.

"Yeah Kens?"

"Is this how the dream sequence starts?" she asked, trying and failing miserably to hide her laughter.

"Now that you mention it…" he quipped. There was a long moment of silence.

"Goodnight Deeks" she said as she snuggled in close.

"Night Kensi"

Deeks lay awake for a while, worrying about whether that guy would return for round two. It felt strange to have Kensi in his arms, he knew she wasn't herself. But he enjoyed the cuddly side he had discovered. Secretly he liked that they had become closer tonight, but not the reason why it had happened. He would do all it took to help Kensi get past it, but it would mean she would have to let him in completely. Deeks wasn't so sure if she would do that.

One thing Deeks really didn't understand is why she had just stood by and let that monster control her like that. He knew Kensi better than anyone and he knew that she always… always had to be in control. So what had happened to change that? There had to be a good reason, and he would find out soon enough.

He had dreamt so many times of spending the night with Kensi, having her wrapped up in his arms. But never did he imagine that it would feel as good as it did. As he began to relax, putting the night's events out of his mind, it didn't take long for him too to drift off into the dark abyss of sleep.

Deeks was woken suddenly the next morning by a loud thumping at the door. When he remembered where he was, and the events of the night before he knew exactly who it would be. Then he realised Kensi was missing from his arms and was about to panic. As he sat up he noticed Kensi sitting on the end of the couch by his feet, looking scared and vulnerable, not like Kensi at all. What had this guy done to her to make her so scared that she couldn't even defend herself. In any normal situation she could beat a man twice her size.

"Kensi, it's Aaron, please open the door, I just wanna talk" the man pleaded from outside.

Kensi looked over towards Deeks, not knowing what she should do. "You want me to take care of it Kens?" Deeks asked, sensing she was very hesitant. She just nodded, and that was all he needed.

Deeks flung open the door and glared at the bastard he now knew as Aaron who was sporting a rather large bruise on his jaw courtesy of Deeks. "Kensi doesn't want to see you so I suggest you leave" Deeks said coldly.

"This is none of your business, I wanna talk to her not you!" he scowled.

"Like I said, she doesn't want to see you" Deeks repeated.

"Kensi! Please let me explain myself!" Aaron yelled passed Deeks, hoping Kensi might hear.

"I think you should leave now, while you still can" Deeks growled.

"Deeks, it's okay" Kensi said as she came up toward him grabbing his hand as she stood behind her strong partner who was about ready to give the guy a beat down to defend her.. "Aaron, I told you last night, I don't want to see you anymore now can you just leave me alone".

"Why! Coz you're with this jerk now!" he yelled as he pointed toward Deeks.

"No, because you have an anger problem" Kensi said calmly.

"This is BULLSHIT! It's your fault!" he yelled as he gave Deeks a firm shove. "What the fuck have you said to her!"

"No, this is your fault, I have said nothing except that she deserves a whole lot better than an asshole like you who doesn't know how to treat a woman. Someone as great as Kensi doesn't need a loser like you in her life!" Deeks shouted back at Aaron, rage burning inside of him. "I wont say it again, leave now!"

"What are you gonna do If I don't! Bitch" Aaron spat back at Deeks.

Deeks was angrier than he had ever felt before, all he wanted to do was punch the bastards face in. As Deeks made a move for him, Kensi, who had been holding his hand tight the whole time pulled him back.

"Deeks, he's not worth it, c'mon"

Aaron just laughed at Deeks. "You gonna let a woman tell you what to do? You're a bigger pussy than I thought"

"If I were you I wouldn't be laughing, coz right now you could be arrested for assaulting a police officer" Deeks said smugly holding up his LAPD badge. That wiped the smile off Aarons face. He stumbled backward and took off as fast as he could, no way was he going to stick around to be arrested. Kensi and Deeks stood there for a moment laughing.

"How about some pancakes?" Deeks asked Kensi, smiling that stupidly cheesy but very cute smile at her. Enjoying the fact that she still had a strong grip on his hand. Maybe she didn't realise, or maybe she just didn't care. Either way he kinda liked it…

Sorry for the slow update guys busy week, hope you enjoyed the chapter and thank you all for taking the time to read and review you guys are awesome!

Some people have been saying that it is out of character for Kensi to get herself into a situation like this and not fight back, I agree, however there is reason for everything and all will be revealed later on so just sit tight, the answers will come eventually.

Please keep the reviews coming they are much appreciated!