The mission was a hard one. It had taken the team far out into the desert near the Mexican border, and despite the searing temperatures during the day, right now Kensi was literally shivering with cold as she lay in her sleeping bag.

"Deeks," she whispered, "are you awake?"

"I am now," he replied groggily.

"I'm freezing."

"You were the one who said we had to put out the fire," was his response.

She sighed irritably,

"Deeks I told you we can't leave the fire going it's a hazard if none of us are awake we don't want to draw attention."

"Whatever you say crazy nature girl."

"Shhh you're gonna wake up Sam and Callen!"

"Oh please," he said, "they're all the way over there and believe me Sam sleeps like a rock."

"How exactly do you know that?"

Though the light was dim she could see his face break into a mischievous grin.

"Okay on second thought don't tell me," she said disapprovingly.

"I'm still freezing."

"I could fix that."

"Ew really Deeks?"

"What?" he said defensively, "my body heat could warm you right up."

She scoffed and turned over. But she really was freezing. She knew there was a simple solution, but she would not, under any circumstances, get into a sleeping bag with Deeks. A sudden gust of wind quickly changed her mind.

Taking a deep breath and swallowing her pride, she got up and walked over to his sleeping bag. Standing over him, she said,

"One condition, no touching me."

The grin that spread across his face made it almost unbearable not to punch him, but also not to kiss him. She resisted both urges and stared coldly down at him.

"That's gonna be hard –

"Deeks."

"I mean we're in a sleeping bag! Confined spaces and all that jeez, what were you thinking?"

"Shut up and let me in."

"I think I'm gonna make you beg," he said, staring up at her with a most obnoxious grin on his face.

She smiled back and said a little too nicely,

"I think I'm gonna make you beg for you're balls back if you don't let me in."

"Oooh I can talk dirty too."

"Deeks."

"Fine get in," he said as he unzipped the side of his sleeping bag. She slid in and found that she was infinitely more comfortable here than she had ever been, despite the fact that she was on the cold hard dirt in the middle of the desert.

"I know you were just looking for an excuse to get into my sleeping bag – ouch!"

She had elbowed him in the ribs.

"You know," he said with a grimace, "I'm trying to respect your wishes of not touching you but I'm gonna have to give up it's impossible."

She sighed and snuggled into his pillow.

"Whatever Deeks," she said sleepily.

He wasn't sure if he was dreaming, or if in fact Kensi Blye had just given him permission to touch her. Gingerly, he settled in beside her, and as casually as he could, he rested his arm on her abdomen. He took it as a good sign that she didn't throw it off. But he knew she wouldn't have, he knew that despite all her protest, she had a thing for him. It was the reason that she was here, in his sleeping bag. He smiled stupidly to himself but he didn't care, he still had one last little poke left in him.

"What are Sam and Callen gonna think?" he said slyly over her shoulder.

She shrugged.

"I bet if Sam could fit in his own sleeping bag, let alone one with Callen, they'd be doing the exact same thing."

Deeks chuckled.

"Night Kens."

"Night Deeks."

But he knew he would not be sleeping. Having Kensi in his arms, even if she was not truly his, was simply too good of a feeling to sleep through. Instead he pushed off sleep for as long as he dared, breathing in her scent and listening to her soft breathing. Just the rising and falling of her chest was more majestic to him than the starlit sky above, and he silently thanked the heavens that, for tonight at least, he had Kensi to lay beside.