Fallout: Epilogue

Hi guys! Thanks so much for everyone's reviews and the ongoing support I've received for this fic despite being such a flake with updating. You guys are the best!

Disclaimer: nothing is mine

"It's a beautiful night." He whispered into her hair.

"It really is." Kensi replied with a smile, scooting closer into her fiancé's embrace. The couple was sitting on a white dune on the beach, watching the sunset – a good rest after five-mile run together.

They had been engaged for two months now; and though Deeks definitely still had work to do things had been going extraordinarily well since the proposal. His realization on how important Kensi really was to him was the shock he needed to bring him to solid ground. What was going on inside of him was scary; but worse was his fear of losing her. It motivated him to work harder to be the best version of himself possible – the man she deserved.

A lot of things changed once he came to this conclusion: for the first time, he started to really talk to her about his feelings and difficulties. And, defying all expectations (including her own), Kensi was doing very well listening and understanding; her skittishness regarding heart-to-hearts put on the backburner in favour of her feelings for Deeks. They had now officially moved in together, into a larger apartment that Hetty introduced them to as an engagement gift. And with Kensi lying next to him every night, Deeks was sleeping better than ever.

The difference in their relationship was also palpable. They still fought, but it was much closer to their partnership-fights. Little arguments that usually ended in impassionate make-ups. They were spending more and more time together, more than Kensi thought she'd be comfortable with; but strangely, she had yet to experience her signature relationship-claustrophobia. They had early morning surfing sessions together, took Monty on walks… they even had dinners with Kensi's mom (during which Deeks belatedly asked for permission to marry her in the most adorably awkward way imaginable). Kensi had even started to join Deeks on his long jogs, and it had turned into valuable quality time for them, often ending in watching the sunset together from some perch by the beach, or getting an ice cream together, or some or other romantic scenario, like this moment.

Things were good. No – things were great. They were so incredibly great, that Kensi sometimes felt the need to pinch herself to make sure this wasn't a dream – it seemed surreal enough. Like when Sam and Callen were teasing them the other day about being such a lovey-dovey couple now, being 'co-dependent', or attached at the hip; and Deeks chuckled and made some or other smart comment (he was doing that all the more these days), and she would feel a warm, girlish blush rise up in her cheeks. It was like a scene from one of her impossible fantasies when she sat worrying by his bedside so long ago.

She could not believe how things have changed for them. The person she was two years ago would never have imagined that this would become her life. In fact, she never really believed that she was capable of acting this in love. Or even that she wanted a relationship like this – sitting on the beach, in public, cuddling like a couple of lovesick teenagers. But here, now, in the moment, she could not be any happier. She had her partner with her, her best friend, for ever. She felt happier than she'd ever been, and she couldn't imagine any better reality.

Kensi entangled their fingers together, watching as the diamond on her hand sparkled in the dimming yellow sunlight. They sat together until dusk fell. Then she whispered, "We should probably get going."

Deeks groaned next to her ear; she chuckled as the vibration tickled her skin. "Don't… want to… move… Too comfy…"

She giggled at that.

"It's gonna get very dark very soon. And besides – we've got a movie marathon and a six-pack of rapidly warming beer waiting for us at home. Can't miss that. It's tradition. And besides it's my pick tonight, remember?"

"Why do you think I don't wanna leave?" He says. "I'm trying to avoid the tsunami of John Hughes-movies coming at me."

"C'mon." She stood up and tugged at his arms to pull him up along with her. He gave in, and stood up – but she quickly discovered why so willingly now. He stood right in front of her, so close, with that stupid smirk on his face like he knew she couldn't resist kissing him standing like this. And he was right. She couldn't. She kissed him deeply until they were both breathless; she let him distract her a few moments more with his arms wrapping around her and the butterflies rising in her stomach as his lips slowly fluttered over hers.

"Mkay…" She mumbled against his lips, before reluctantly breaking the kiss. "Fine. I'll make a deal with you: if we go now, we can watch an action movie and criticize all the inaccuracies and how they hold their guns. But that's my final offer."

"Let's go then, princess!" He said with a triumphant smile, making long strides towards the pavement. "Bet you I'll beat you there!"

"In your dreams, Shaggy!" She yelled in pursuit.

The pair raced down the beachside pavement together, towards home. As Deeks watched his fiancé overtake him (slowing slightly to give her behind an appreciative look), he was in wonderment at what he had gained. The incident – the torture – had been terrible and traumatic. It changed him, and had set his life on a course that he could not imagine would lead to something good. But here he was: getting better every day, healthy, happy and engaged to his partner in everything – work, love and life. His beautiful best friend.

Who would have thought that the fallout from something so horrible, could lead to something so beautiful?

Okay then, there's the last chapter! Once again, my sincerest apologies for all the delays, the semi-rushed end-up and everything. Thank you to all my readers who stuck by this fic which had pretty much spanned the year. You guys are amazing. Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed and PM'ed.

Much love,

Zanny