A/N: Densimber day 23.

Kensi poured herself a fresh cup of coffee, inhaling deeply before she took a first sip. Normally, Deeks was up before her, but today she had a continuing education conference to attend. Miraculously, the twins had slept past seven too, so she had the kitchen to herself for the moment.

She showered and started on breakfast before Deeks wandered into the kitchen.

"Morning," he muttered in a scratchy, hoarse voice.

"Oh, you don't sound great," Kensi said, coming to stand in front of him.

"Yeah, it's probably whatever the twins picked up when we went to the waterpark last week." He cleared his throat a couple times, his voice still gravelly when he spoke again. "I'll be fine."

Ignoring him, Kensi gently tugged him in front of the open window, and he winced, closing his eyes at the bright light. Although it was subtle, the skin around his eyes was slightly swollen and red and his complexion a shade paler than normal.

"Maybe I should cancel my conference," Kensi suggested. Although they'd gotten over it pretty quickly, for the first two days Sophia and Caleb were sick, they'd been miserable. She suspected Deeks would handle a nasty sore through and fever with more aplomb than one year olds, but he still wouldn't feel great. "I don't want to leave you alone to take care of everything by yourself."

"Kens, this isn't the first time I've have a cold," he reminded her, with just the tiniest hint of annoyance.

"I know." She cupped his cheek reassuringly. "We both could work through a broken leg, a bullet wound, and food poisoning if we had to, but you don't have to."

Sighing, Deeks squeezed her hand. "That's true. You need to get this conference out of the way though, so go, I'll stay with the kids, and I'll call if I feel like I'm close to swooning."

"No swooning allowed," Kensi told him, leaning on for a kiss. He leaned back, putting his hand between them.

"Ah, you don't want my germs."

"Baby, at this point I have any germs you might have." She gave him a pointed look, bobbing around his hand to kiss him. "Ok, I'll go, but I'm going to get the kids ready while you shower, because you look like you need reviving."

After a shower and a full mug of coffee, Deeks seemed a lot more human. When he gave Caleb and Sophia each an airplane ride with his usual energy, she felt a lot less guilty about leaving him manage on his own.

The conference went well, and for once, ended early. Deeks had texted Kensi throughout the day, sharing pictures of Caleb and Sophia swinging at the park and other little updates. Clearly, he was feeling much better.

"Deeks, I'm back," she announced as she arrived home. He didn't respond, so she walked through the house, finding him laying on their bed with the twins crawling over him. "Hey, you guys having fun?"

Caleb turned around, joyfully shouting a mix of words and babble. Sophia offered Kensi a wave before crawling over Deeks' legs and tugging at the hem of his pants.

"Hey," Deeks said, his voice barely a whisper.

"Oh, baby," she murmured, hurrying over to him. Deeks stared up at her with glassy eyes and even without touching him, she could tell he was feverish from his bright red cheeks and forehead.

"I don't feel very good."

Kensi would have laughed at the understatement if he didn't sound and look so awful.

"No, I can see that."

Caleb chose that moment to jump of Deeks' chest, and he let out a pained gasp. She just barely stopped Sophia from copying her brother.

"Ok, let's give daddy some space. He's sick," Kensi told them, and Caleb's eyebrows rose in corner.

"Sit?" he repeated.

"Yeah, he's sick. I'm going to put you in the pack and play for a little bit so I can help daddy."

Leaning down, Sophia pressed a sloppy kiss to Deeks' forehead and patted his chest. "Aw gone."

"Thanks, sweetie," Deeks whispered with the faintest of smiles.

Scooping them up, Kensi carried the twins into their bedroom, setting them up in their playpen with a collection of soft toys. Assured they wouldn't be able to get into anything or hurt themselves for a little while, she returned to the master bedroom.

Deeks hadn't moved an inch and regarded her dully as she pulled out a thick blanket from one of the drawers.

"Do you want to change into different clothes?" she asked. He shook his head slowly.

Pushing himself farther up the bed on shaking arms, he made a pained sound, clearly completely miserable.

"Not to be dramatic, but death sounds nice right now," he whispered.

"I'm sorry, baby."

"S'not your fault." He turned his face into the pillow, clamping his eyes shut.

Silently, Kensi laid the blanket over him and then stopped in the kitchen and bathroom for more supplies. She came back a few minutes later with a mug of tea, Gatorade, and various medications.

"Deeks, here's something for your head," she said, and he cracked one eye open just enough to take the offered bottle and pills. He swallowed them with another wince, immediately falling back down with a groan.

"Can I get you anything else?"

"Mmm," he muttered, which she interpreted as a 'no'."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she smoothed her hand down his back, massaging him for a few minutes before moving up to his hair and easing the sweaty curls back from his temples.

"Thanks," he slurred.

"Always, baby." She kissed his cheek, relieved to see his face relax and breathing start to deepen.