Kensi stood in her kitchen, holding a mug of coffee and looking out the window. She had woken up very early and Deeks was still asleep. She watched him as he slept, looking so peaceful, so content. She had tried to go back to sleep but she had too much on her mind. She didn't want to disturb him so she carefully untangled herself from his arms and got up. She picked up his shirt off the floor and put it on. She pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail.

She couldn't stop thinking about him, about their date last night, about him coming back to work and joining NCIS as an agent, about their kisses and more... about their future together. This was exactly what she wanted and now that it was happening, it hardly felt real. It was as if her brain wouldn't let her believe it, like it was an amazing dream that she never wanted to wake up from.

Months ago, after he shut her up with a kiss, she wasn't able to fool herself any longer. She finally admitted to herself that he was more than just her partner, more than just her friend. She admitted that there was a reason she made him promise to never get himself killed. She was finally feeling ready to admit these thoughts and feelings to him... but then he was captured and tortured. He no longer seemed to be the man she cared for, the man she couldn't live without. For months, she struggled as she watched him suffer, not knowing how to help him. Until finally, she forced herself back into his life. It hadn't been easy and most times she had no idea what the hell she was doing, but every moment she struggled with him was worth it, because now they were right where they belonged.

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice him approaching until he was right behind her. She was startled as he slipped his arms around her waist.

"Good morning, Sunshine. I didn't mean to sneak up on you." He whispered against her neck, leaving a trail of gentle kisses up to her ear.

"Good morning. You could have gotten yourself hurt doing that. Me being a specially trained federal agent and everything." She put her mug down on the counter and ran her fingers along his arms at her waist. She leaned her head back to give him better access to her neck.

"Specially trained? Really? I'm pretty sure a band of pirates could have easily broken in here and stolen all your stuff and you wouldn't have noticed. You seemed a million miles away." He spoke against her neck and continued kissing her between words. His soft lips, his scruffy face, his warm breath... he was really making it difficult for her to form a complete thought.

"I was... uh... thinking about us."

"Us? What about us?"

"You know, our thing."

"Right, our thing. So... how do you think our thing is working out?"

She laughed shyly. "I think... it's working out just fine."

"Yeah, I couldn't agree more. I'd say we figured it out quite skillfully."

She laughed softly, almost a giggle. "You got that right. I was pretty amazing last night."

He laughed. "Yeah, you were. You're amazing at many things... but your sense of humor still needs work."

"Deeks, shut up!" She was unable to say this without smiling.

She could feel him grinning against her skin. "I don't think you really want me to do that. I think you love the sound of my voice."

"No, I think that's you."

He laughed again. "You know... I was afraid everything from last night was just a dream... a very good dream... when I woke up alone." He was still kissing her neck.

"And you didn't notice that you weren't in your own bed, Detective?"

"That was my first clue."

She laughed and turned around in his arms. He only had his boxers on and his hair was messy. He looked adorable and sexy. Kensi could definitely get used to seeing him like this every morning from now on. She placed her hands on his chest, enjoying the feel of his bare skin as he held her close.

"I'm sorry if I woke you."

He leaned towards her, resting his forehead on hers. "Don't worry about it, Fern. What you should be apologizing for is wearing my shirt like that. It's officially ruined for me. I can't ever wear it again after seeing how good it looks on you."

"Oh, come on. You looked pretty good in it last night."

"Pretty good?! I looked incredible last night. You, however, look gorgeous beyond words."

Heat was rising in her face. She didn't think she would ever get used to hearing him say things like this. She was not naive. She knew she was attractive. They used her looks on many occasions at work to get what they wanted from a witness or a suspect. But for some reason, hearing Deeks say it made it special... made it real.

"There was something I wanted to say to you last night... but we kind of got distracted..."

He smiled. "Yeah, you were pretty distracting."

Kensi's heart started beating faster. She bit her lower lip and took a deep breath to steady herself. This is it, Blye. This will change everything. "Deeks, I... I love you."

A serious look crossed his face, but lost none of his warmth and charm.

She continued. "You mean everything to me. When I thought I was going to lose you... I couldn't lie to myself anymore. You are the most important person in my life. I love you."

For several moments, he said nothing. His intense blue eyes were never wavering from her. The corners of his mouth turned up into a slight smile. He brought one hand up to her face, stroking her cheek. She drew in a deep breath, savoring the perfection of this moment with him. And then it got even better.

He cleared his throat before speaking. "Kens, I love you, too. You saved me in more ways than one. I would have self-destructed if you hadn't dragged me back to life. I owe you everything and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much you mean to me."

She smiled as she slid her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. "I've, um, felt this way for a while. It shouldn't have taken almost losing you for me to stop kidding myself."

"Don't worry about that. I'm still here, and you're still here, and from now we... " He leaned down and kissed her softly. " ... will figure out our 'communications skills' together."

She smiled against his lips. "I really, really like that plan."

"Although... I really don't appreciate you one-upping me by saying it first. I kissed you first and you just had to be the one to say I love you first."

"Hey, I think I was the one who kissed you first! Have you forgotten about Melissa and Justin?!"

"You said yourself that one doesn't count."

"And you said that you still enjoyed it."

"Oh, Touché."

"Touché, indeed."

"You know, I'm still not convinced that you know how to use that word correctly."

She leaned forward and kissed him, not holding anything back. He loved her and she loved him. This moment could not get any better. Then he brought his hands up and began unbuttoning his shirt she was wearing.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm taking my shirt back."

"I thought you said it looks better on me."

"It does, but it looks even better off of you."

Kensi was sitting at her desk when she heard a familiar voice from down the hall. It was a voice that belonged here, that had been missing for far too long. Deeks. He had been singing to himself as he entered the building. This was yet another thing about him that she once found annoying and now she absolutely loved. A smile spread across her face and she looked up. It was his first day back to work and seeing him walk into the room with his bag over his shoulder and a mischievous smile on his face made her heart soar. He stopped in front of her desk and gazed down at her.

"Good morning... partner."

It didn't seem possible, but her smile grew even more. "Welcome back, partner."

"Well, Sam, it appears like you and I don't matter at all. These two only have eyes for each other." Callen got up from his seat, walked over to Deeks and shook his hand. "Good to have you back, Deeks. You ready to catch some bad guys?"

"Absolutely. Be gentle with me though. I'm pretty out of practice."

"You'll do fine."

"So, no need to come up with a safe word?"

"Deeks, I swear, if I hear you yell 'noodles' you'll wish you stayed away from here!"

"Come on, Callen. Can't you take a joke?" Sam had gotten up from his desk and was taking his turn to shake Deeks' hand. He gave him an affectionate pat on the back as well. Kensi could tell by Deeks' face that this meant a lot to him. Sam had once associated his sense of humor with a lack of character. Now he was sticking for him because of it. She looked at her team, her family and she was overwhelmed. The four of them them could not be more different from each other, but they certainly belonged together.

"Well, Mr. Deeks. Here you are. I am glad to see you found your way back." Hetty seemed to appear out of nowhere and Nate was right behind her.

"I wasn't gone that long. I remember where this place is."

"That's not what I meant."

Deeks smiled warmly at her. "I know. I'm glad I found my way back, too."

Hetty narrowed her eyes at him and smiled. "Cheeky."

Kensi had stood up to give Nate a hug. "Are you joining us for a case today?" she teased.

"Laugh it up all you want, Kens. I know you miss me. I was actually here to say good bye to everyone. I've been reassigned and I'm leaving town tomorrow."

They all said their good-byes to Nate, except Deeks, who seemed to be at a loss for words.

Nate extended his hand to Deeks. "Take care of yourself. You know how to reach me if you need anything."

Deeks took Nate's hand and pulled him in for a hug.

"I can't even begin to say how much I appreciate what you've done for me."

"I know. I was happy to do it. This wasn't just an assignment or a job for me. You're my friend, Deeks, and I still consider you all to be my family. I'm just glad that you're on the right path and that you're back where you belong."

"Thanks, man, for everything."

"You're welcome. And remember, call if you need anything, anytime."

"I will."

Nate said one more good-bye to everyone and then left. Hetty turned toward the team. "Well, I think now is as good a time as any to get back to work. Everyone up stairs. Mr. Beale and Miss Jones have a case waiting for us." She turned and made her way up the stairs.

The four of them stood together in silence, sharing glances and smiles. Kensi was sure they all were thinking the same thing: it's good be back together. Then she caught Deeks' eyes and held his gaze, probably for longer than she should have. Next thing she knew, Callen had cleared his throat loudly.

"Uh... is there something strange... or different... going on here that we should know about?" Callen looked from Kensi to Deeks and waited for a response.

Sam piped up as well. "Yeah, is there something you two want to tell us?"

"Nope," answered Deeks, smiling at Kensi and locking eyes with her. "In fact, everything is just as it should be."

"Yup. Everything." Kensi didn't even try to hide the blush that rose to her face as she returned his gaze.

Callen shook his head. "Alright. If you say so. Well, let's get back to work."

Sam and Callen headed for the stairs, leaving Kensi and Deeks alone in the bullpen.

"So... should we tell them?" asked Deeks, once they were out of earshot.

"No, they already know."

"You think so?"

"Absolutely. Callen is almost as sneaky as Hetty."

"Yeah, and we know for sure that Hetty already knows."

"Um, and how do we know that?"

"Oh... um... you know, sunshine and gunpowder and... you know what... I'll tell you later."

"You know, you're adorable when you're flustered like that?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, you are. Anyway, we just need to make sure we're professional when we're at work."

"Does this mean no fooling around in the burn room later on?"

"You're an idiot, you know that?"

"I didn't hear you say no."

She rolled her eyes and smiled, realizing that it was impossible to even act annoyed. His sense of humor, his teasing, his inappropriate banter, his not so innocent flirting, his dazzling smile - all this made up the man she loved. She grabbed his arm and steered him toward the stairs. "Come on, Agent Deeks, you heard the boss. It's time to get to work."

" You know, I'm not Agent Deeks yet."

"I know... but you will be soon. And I really like the way it sounds."

"Alright. Whatever you say, Agent Blye."

As they climbed the stairs, side by side, their shoulders bumped together. Kensi knew without a doubt that Deeks was right. Everything was just as it should be.

~The End~