The next time they shared a bed was after the whole Siderov fiasco. Kensi didn't mean to stay curled up with him after he finally let her in but he had finally fallen asleep and she didn't want to move. Also, his weight reassured her that he was there, safe. She was so glad that he actually felt safe enough to drift off with her there. She didn't think she would be after all he had been through. At least he was resting. It didn't look like he had even closed his eyes in the past week if the dark circles under them was anything to go by.

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before he woke up again, gasping and sweat pouring off him. He bolted upright, making her slip off him, and his eyes darted everywhere. Seeing nothing but also seeing everything. Everything about him screamed panic.

"Sam?" he called out brokenly. "Kensi?"

Kensi's heart ached for him. He had been through so much, too much, and he just couldn't catch a break even in his own head.

"I'm here, Deeks," she said softly, touching him gently to remind him.

She didn't want to startle him. Sudden touches would most likely send him into a panic, thinking he was being restrained all over again. It risked him slipping into a flashback. She didn't want him to relive that. Nate had explained it all to her when she asked him how she could help Deeks.

"Make sure he knows he's safe," was all Nate had told her. She could do that.

"Kensi?" Deeks whispered, swinging around to face her but not really seeing her.

"Here, Deeks."

Kensi kept her voice low and even, nothing that could even possibly hint at distress entered her tone.

"It's not safe," he said, eyes widening in fear.

"You're in your apartment, Deeks," she reminded him. "We both are. You're safe."

"Safe?" he asked brokenly like he didn't know what that was.

His face looked so anguished and in pain. She could still see a hint of swelling around his mouth. She winced at the memory of the state they had had to leave him in before rage surged through her. They hurt her partner.

"Safe," she repeated, taking a chance and covered his hand in hers. "See?"

Deeks looked down at their joined hands and blinked slowly, seemingly coming out of the fog. He lifted their hands up as if to test that they were real. He didn't look up at her.

"Kensi?" he asked, his voice small and timid.

"Right here."

He looked around him in a disorientated manner.

"I'm home?" he asked slowly, frowning in confusion.

"You're home with me and Monty and the cronut," she somewhat rambled, hoping to bring him back into the present.

"Not there?" he checked, not believing that this wasn't a pain filled hallucination.

"Not there," Kensi confirmed, reaching out to brush her fingertips against his rough cheek.

He closed his eyes and tensed as if he was expecting pain to be inflicted on him. She froze until he relaxed before sweeping his hair out of his eyes.

He hadn't shaved since then, obviously. Probably couldn't stand putting a blade anywhere near his face.

"Sam?" he croaked out.

"Home. Safe," she reiterated

"Michelle?" he checked, more hesitantly like he was afraid of the answer.

"With Sam."

"You sure?"

"He's not going to leave her side."

That seemed to get through to him.

"Good," he said simply.

"Just like I'm not leaving yours," she muttered under her breath, swearing a promise to herself.

His body had relaxed a bit on her admission that everyone was safe. She thought that he was now aware that they were in his apartment but she couldn't be sure. As long as he didn't think he was back there she was okay with that. His feeling of safety and security was more important.

"Not going to go this time?"

Apparently, she hadn't been quiet enough, he really did have bat ears. Guilt pooled in her gut. He sounded so insecure and it was her fault. She wasn't going forgive herself for leaving him there and letting him go through that knowing they were just watching. She was disgusted in herself. What kind of partner was she?

Kensi firmly grabbed both his hands, reaching across his body to grab his right one and making sure that he was looking at her, giving them what she hoped was a confidant, reassuring squeeze.

"Never," she assured him, urging him to believe it.

His lips quirked up into that soft smile of his, glassy blue eyes looking at her. Sleep was trying to claim him again.

"Good. Wanted you," he said, closing his eyes and leaning into the warm space she had left beside him.

With a soft breath he slipped back into sleep, his face relaxed again. She'd keep the nightmares at bay.