Deeks came over that night, even though we'd decided to take that night off. We eventually found our way into my bed, and there we were; him shirtless and in shorts, me in a loose shirt and shorts as well.

I hugged him tightly; it now being my turn to comfort him. He hugged me back, and I felt slight tears falling gently onto my own cheeks. I looked up at him, into those same blue eyes that I looked into when we kissed again.

My own eyes started tearing, and I gently wiped his salty tears away from his scruffy cheeks. "Deeks," I said, my voice slightly cracking. "I don't care. I don't care if we aren't a normal couple. And we aren't. I don't know if any normal couples help each other through traumatic experiences. I just want you."

I moved closer to him, and gently pressed my lips against his. He kissed me back. "My Deeks," I whispered, stroking his hair, his shaggy hair. "My only, perfect, wonderful Deeks. I'm right here for you."

"I know, Fern." he whispered, lightly touching my cheek. "Thapa was one cool cat." We both laughed softly. "And he told me that thing about smiles. How they're home. And how when we're with the people we love, we're home. Home is the heart."

Whip. NO. No, no, no, no. This was not- That man with the sword.

"Kens?" I heard him say, but it felt so far away. This wasn't supposed to be about me, but about me comforting him. "Kensi? You hear me? Hang on to my voice. Listen, Kens!" I felt like I was under water. "Help me! Someone please!" my desperate screams echoed through my mind, consuming it. I buried my face into his chest, my head resting on his arm.

"Please, Kens." his voice slightly breaking, his hand stroking my hair. "Don't go. Stay here, they're not here. Please, Kensi, they're not here." I nodded, whimpering, which was something I barely did

"I'm sorry, Deeks." I sobbed, finally breaking. "It was supposed to be about me t-taking c-care of you, a-an-"

"No, Fern. It's okay. I'm okay, I know you're here for me, and I still have to be here for you. Okay, princess. Kay-Kay?" I smiled a sad smile when he said that annoying nickname. It was good to get out a bit. I told my friends that the museum had me go to Afghanistan for artifacts and was taken by the Taliban.

I had to tell them about the Taliban part when I bent over in the girl's bathroom and my scars showed. Kat got really teary and hugged me really tightly and for a long time, and then everyone joined in and I told them I didn't want it to be a burden and Tiffany B. gave me a shot of vodka and said how we were forever friends and I could tell them anything.

"Kensi, you want me to stay?" he whispered, kissing my temple softly; like I was a baby. I nodded a bit. Maybe I wanted to be babied.

I felt him pull the covers over us, and he pulled me close to him. "We got each other, Kens. We got each other." I just pulled myself closer to him, and tried to shut out everything, except him.

My phone was the thing that woke me up that morning. Deeks was still holding me; asleep and at peace. I carefully got my phone, and noticed that Mandy texted me.

You, me, our beach.

When? I texted back. Our beach was where the girls and I would always go to hang out and usually surf if it was good.

She almost immediately texted back. As soon as possible. Let's say 6. I glanced over at my watch. It was 5:30. That was Mandy, super peppy and an early bird and night owl.

I kissed Deeks' neck and slid out of his arms. "You running away, Fern?" he yawned. I leaned over and kissed his soft lips.

"Mandy wants me to meet her at a place. Just tell Hetty I'll be a little late today." I said, turning away to pull on a bra. I chose a pale pink t shirt, jeans and my usual boots.

I smiled a bit as Deeks was asleep again, and ran out of my room, got in my car, and drove down to the small beach. The sun was rising over the ocean, and there was Mandy, wearing one of her usual hipster outfits, overalls and a printed t-shirt under.

"Kensi," she said, pulling me into an unexpected hug. "You know that you can tell me anything." We sat down on the small wooden bench behind us, and she took my hands and held them. I had a weird feeling about this.

"I know, Mandy." I said. "But why'd you make me come out here at 6 in the morning just for you to tell me that?"

She looked at me with sad eyes. "Kens, there is no way you're a curator at a museum, or something like that, and you were sent to Afghanistan. And you texted me instead of Deeks a few nights ago. Saying you need him, that it was back." she pulled me into a hug, and her voice was cracking. "Please, Kensi. Just be honest with me. We're worried about you."

I hugged her back, and felt like I was choking. I had to tell her. All of them. "I'm struggling a bit. You know, being held captive isn't exactly a picnic. And I just don't to-"

"You're not a burden, Kens." she interrupted. "You're our friend, my friend. And what kind of best friends would we be if we left you on your own?"

"Mandy, I know that you know symptoms and everything, but how'd you-"

"You weren't yourself. You put on that fake Kensi Blye happiness when you're not happy and you're 'supposed to be'" said Mandy, releasing me. She looked me in the eye. I needed to compose myself. Mandy was the type of person whose caring could break you down into tears, and my eyes were tearing right now.

"Mandy-" I warned. "I don't need to be babied right now. I just want to let it go, and hang out with you guys, like the old times."

She nodded slightly, her auburn waves bouncing. "Happily. But if you need anything, I'm here. I'm a certified-"

"Certified therapist, I know." I rolled my eyes. We both burst out laughing. Luckily for me, I have nosy, weird, quirky friends, and boyfriend.

I'm sorry I skipped the Humbug scene, but I got a burst of inspiration and wrote this. Hope you liked it!