A/N: Set sometime between 4x16 and 4x17

This is the fifth time in a row that this has happened. The fifth time they wanted to spend time together and Emily fell asleep on her. Not that she minds, she doesn't, she just wishes they would do something else from time to time. Or at least make it through a movie.

She looks at Emily's face, musters the dark circles beneath her eyes and the small frown on her forehead. Reaching out, she moves her thumb over it until it disappears. Emily's hand stays tangled in her shirt, holding on tightly.

She knows something is going on, something Emily isn't ready to tell her. She knows because Emily always looks dead tired, because Emily jumps at every noise, because she hasn't talked to Spencer in days.

It worries her, but she trusts Emily. She'll tell her when she's ready.

She doesn't know how long she's been looking at Emily or how long they've been lying here when Emily mumbles something. "What?" Yawning, Emily shifts closer and nuzzles her nose into Paige's chest for a moment. "Why didn't you wake me?", she repeats. Paige smiles and pushes Emily's hair back. "You seemed like you needed it."

Emily kisses her collarbone. "That's true, but it's not fair on you. I always fall asleep." Shrugging, she toys with the hem of Emily's shirt. "I don't really mind." They fall silent and Emily presses warm kisses against Paige's neck, cuddling further into her.

She inhales deeply, breathing in the scent of Emily's hair. "Can I ask you something?" Pulling back, Emily looks at her. "Of course." Paige lifts her hand to Emily's face again, stroking her fingers over a soft cheek. "Why are you so tired?" Emily avoids her gaze and bites her lip. "I barely get any sleep lately." Before she can ask why, Emily looks at her again. "I can't sleep because I'm scared. I can't fall asleep because every little noise scares the hell out of me."

Silence covers them. Slowly, she moves in to kiss Emily's forehead, not knowing what else to do.

"That's why I keep falling asleep on you," Emily whispers. "I feel safe when I'm with you."

Her heart swells and she doesn't quite know what she feels, tears pricking at her eyes, her stomach fluttering and she holds Emily as close as possible, keeping her safe from everything she fears.

She doesn't mind if holding Emily is all she does.