A discussion about forever

Coming from the smog filled streets of LA, it was difficult for Kensi and Deeks to wrap their heads around the concept of a large swatch of land carved out of downtown. But as they slowly walked down the tree covered pathways and across the wide grassy knolls of Central Park, it was easy to see the appeal.

"Do you remember when we went ice skating that one time Holly and Marcus took us here in the winter?" Kensi suddenly spoke up as they lay on a sun drenched rock in the middle of the park, watching the people all around them.

"Sure, Holly was skating circles around the three of us while you and I kept trying not to fall over," Deeks looked at her, "why?"

Kensi shrugged. "Just a happy memory I guess. I'm trying to see if they make me feel better."

"Do they?" He turned on his side to look at her.

"A little." She nodded. "How about you?"

"Kinda, mostly I've been thinking about back when Marcus and I worked in the DA's office. Guess I'm trying to connect all the dots."

"And have you?"

He smirked a little and stared up at the clouds. "Not even close."

"Maybe we're not supposed to." She suggested. "It does get easier you know. Eventually."

He nodded, trusting she knew best. After all, she'd done this more times than he had.

"I wish you didn't have so much experience with this." He vocalized his thoughts.

"Me too." She said quietly. "But I know that this time I won't be alone."

He took her hand and squeezed it. "No, you won't."

They both stared up at the sky for a while before he got to his feet and held out his hand to her. She took it and looked at his with questions in her eyes as he pulled her to her feet.

"You won't have to go through this alone Kensi, you won't have to go through anything alone ever again."

Kensi gave him a look. "You better not be proposing to me Deeks, not today."

He shook his head rapidly. "I'm not going to do it today, because frankly I feel like it would just be inappropriate. But I want you to know that I want to marry you Kens." Deeks took her other hand and looked into her eyes. "I love you and I am always going to love you so, yes, when an appropriate amount of time has passed I will get down on one knee and pull out a diamond. But right now, I just want you to know that I love you and I promise that you will always have me."

He wrapped his arms around her in an all-encompassing hug. She loved his hugs, they made her feel safe and protected, like the universe wasn't just a series of painfully random coincidences. She breathed in the scent of his rented suit and his aftershave, loving how if felt in her nose.

"I love you too." She muttered into his chest. They stayed like that for a few more seconds before he broke the connection by taking her hand and slowing walking with her down the path.

"So, just out of curiosity, how long is acceptable before I propose?" He quipped, making her smile.

She scrunched up her face as if she was seriously thinking about it before answering. "Three weeks."

"Three weeks? How about two?" He offered.

"I guess two would work." She nodded. He kissed her cheek as they stopped in front of a street musician with a guitar.

"Care to dance with the pretty girl?" He called. Deeks smiled and looked at Kensi who tossed a few bills into the open case. The musician thanked them and began to expertly pluck at the strings.

As the notes filled the air, Deeks pulled her in close and began lowing dancing around the sidewalk, inspiring a few other couples to join them as the man started in on the lyrics.

You've got to give a little, take a little
And let your poor heart break a little
That's the story of, that's the glory of love

You've got to laugh a little, cry a little
Before the clouds roll by a little
That's the story of, that's the glory of love

As long as there's the two of us
We've got the world and all it's charms
And when the world is through with us
We've got each other's arms

You've got to win a little, lose a little
And always have the blues a little
That's the story of, that's the glory of love
That's the story of, that's the glory of love

Fin