Kensi became aware of something slowly moving up and down her spine. She was sleeping on her side and was very comfortable. As she became more aware of her surroundings, she realized that she wasn't in her own bed... and she wasn't alone. A smile slowly crept across her face as she remembered where she was and who she was with.

"I was asleep. Can't a girl get some rest without being bothered?"

"I can't help it. Put the most beautiful woman on earth in my bed and I can't seem to leave her alone. Besides, I think you're enjoying it, too." His hand continued to softly trace patterns on her back as he dropped a kiss on her shoulder.

She rolled over to face him and he brushed her hair out of her face. He wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer.

"Good morning, Fern," he whispered against her neck as he started trailing small kisses up to her ear. Kensi could definitely get used to waking up like this every morning. Last night was the first time they had both been completely honest with each other about their feelings. They were done dancing around things and accusing each other of poor communication. No more boxes, no more "I'm good if you're good," no more answering questions with questions.

"Deeks?"

"Yeah?" He was still kissing her neck and the spot behind her ear and as much as she was loving it, she needed something else.

"Coffee?"

He laughed as he sat up. "Anything for my sweet."

"Deeks, you better not start calling me that! Now, go make me some coffee!" As much as she tried to sound serious, she couldn't fight the smile he brought to her face.

"Is this how things are going to be from now on? You bossing me around and ordering me to bring you things? O wait, then it won't be any different than before!"

"You're a real funny guy, you know that? Less talking, more making coffee. Before I get to be unpleasant."

"We wouldn't want that to happen. Be right back, my..."

"Don't say it!"

"I can't believe this." He had just made her breakfast (another thing that she'll enjoy getting used to) and they were about to clean up the kitchen when she checked her phone.

"What's the matter?"

"I just got a voicemail from Jack. He... he wants to meet with me sometime today. He wants to try to explain some things to me."

"Oh... so, uh, you gonna go?"

"I don't know. I mean, it was really difficult seeing him yesterday. I don't know if I want to put myself through that again."

Deeks thought about this for a while. He certainly didn't want her to get hurt again, and he wasn't sure how he felt about his brand new girlfriend meeting up with her ex-fiancé, but he tried to think about what would be best for Kensi.

"I think you should do it."

"Really!? Why?"

"It might be good for you to have some closure. You spent so many years wondering what went wrong and where he went and what happened to him. Here's your chance to get some answers. You may even have some things that you want to say to him, you know, that you never got to say before."

She smiled and looked down at her phone. "How do you do that? Go from ridiculous and frustrating to smart and considerate and insightful so easily."

"It's just one of the many amazing things about me that make me irresistible and charming and lovable..."

"And the moment is gone."

Deeks laughed and reached out and grabbed her hand. "Give him a call. I think you'll be glad you did."

"Thanks," she said softly as she let him pull her in for a hug.

"Anytime, darling, anytime."

"Thanks for coming, Kensi."

"You're welcome."

They sat in the cafe in awkward silence for a few moments, and then Jack cleared his throat.

"Um, I guess I just wanted the chance to try to explain myself and say that I'm sorry for how things ended between us."

"Jack, that's not necessary..."

"Yes, it is. I was sick and you did nothing but try to make things better for me. Everything you did, you had me in mind, and I just walked away without a word, without an explanation... and you deserved better than that. You deserved better than me. Things were so dark for me and I was hurting you. I'm sorry for leaving the way that I did, Kensi, I thought it was the right thing to do... for you."

Nine years ago, Kensi did a lot of listening. She did whatever she thought would help him. She lost track of the hours she spent with him, saying nothing, letting him pour out his heart and his mind and his struggles as she listened. This time it was his turn to listen.

"You know what, Jack? I appreciate that you thought you were doing the right thing. I really do. And I can honestly say that I have no hard feelings towards you. I'm happy for you, that you got help and that you seem better now. But I have to say, that you took something away from me when you left. You took away my choice. You say that I deserved better? What about what I thought I deserved? What about what I wanted? Jack, I would have done anything for you. I would have gone through anything with you, for as long as it took for you to get well. You thought that I deserved better than you, but you were all I wanted."

"Kensi, I'm sorry. I wasn't in my right mind and I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you... even though I thought I was doing the right thing."

She looked into his eyes and took a deep breath. She wasn't lying when she said there were no hard feelings. She really was glad that he was alright now.

"It's okay. Everything turned out okay."

"I know I'm going out a major limb here, but... do you think that there would ever be a possibility that we could have a second chance?"

She was stunned. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth, but no words came out. Then her mind went to everything that happened yesterday: overhearing Deeks' confession in the boat shed, going to his apartment, hearing him acknowledge his love for her, admitting one of her greatest fears to him... and the kiss.

She shook her head, smiled and simply said, "No."

He exhaled as if he had been holding his breath for a long time.

"I figured, especially after meeting your partner yesterday."

"Deeks? Uh, what do you mean?" Was it suddenly getting hot in here? She could feel her cheeks flush as she said his name.

"Kensi, I know it's been a long time, but I did know you pretty well once. There's definitely something there between you two."

She carefully considered how to answer him. Things with Deeks were so new. They hadn't even talked about how and when they would tell others about their relationship. But she decided that she needed to tell Jack the truth.

"I love him. I have for a while, but only recently admitted it to myself and to him."

He smiled at her, but his eyes looked sad.

"Well, I hope he knows how lucky he is."

"He does. And so do I."

They spent some time catching up. She told him about joining NCIS, meeting the whole team, how she first meet Deeks in that MMA gym, how they struggled as partners in the beginning, then became friends, and then something more. She told him about finding her dad's killer and reconciling with her mom. He told her how things got worse for him after he left her. He ended up in trouble, getting arrested and sent to jail, which he said was the best thing that could have happened to him. After he was released he was required to go to counseling, and there was something about this new therapist that made all the difference in the world. It was a difficult road for him and he said he still had a ways to go, but was glad to at least be going in the right direction.

"Well, I guess I should let you go. Thanks again for coming. It really meant a lot to talk to you again."

"Thank you for calling. You know, this was really good for me. I'm glad to see you're doing well and that you're okay. I, uh, spent a lot of time worried that something bad had happened to you. I wondered if you were even still alive at times."

He smiled at her. "Good bye, Kensi. Good luck with Deeks and I hope he treats you right." He stuck out his hand.

She shook her head, moved his hand out of the way and gave him a hug. "Good bye, Jack. Don't let nine years go by before calling me again."

"How did it go?"

"Fine."

Deeks smiled, knowing that she only said fine when she wasn't fine. She smiled back and shook her head, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

"No, seriously, Deeks, I think it went really well. I'm glad that he's recovering and is getting to be his old self again. And I'm glad I could tell him what was on my mind. And surprisingly, it was nice to catch up with him. A lot has changed since I last saw him."

"A lot has changed since last night." She saw a mischievous spark in his eyes, as he took her hand and lead her to his couch. He sat down, taking her with him. He put his arm around her as she turned into him, resting her head in the crook of his neck and her hand on his chest. She lost track of how much time went by. She loved everything about it: the way he felt so close to her, his familiar scent, the sound of his heartbeat comforting her. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this content, this happy. And it was because of him.

"He asked me if there was ever a chance that we could get back together."

"Really? Wow, uh, that's... interesting. What, uh, what did you say?" He was so adorable when he was flustered. She shifted her position so she could look right at him.

"I may have told him that he's not my type anymore."

He flashed her that smile that she loved so much. "Really? Is that so?" He raised his hand and ran his fingers through her hair as he pulled her close. He gave her a soft, lingering kiss that made her heart race. "So, Ms. Blye, tell me. What is your type?" he whispered against her lips.

"Well, let me think..." He was making it difficult for her to form a complete thought. He continued kissing her along her jaw and then her neck. The scruff on his face was tickling her and sending shivers down her spine. "Shaggy blonde hair, gorgeous blue eyes, scruffy face, loves surfing, looks incredible in either a v-neck t-shirt or a suit, inappropriate sense of humor, really slow at making coffee in the morning, doesn't know when to shut up..."

"Wow, this guy sounds awesome! You would be one lucky lady if you could find him."

"I already am."

He drew back. There was something in his face that she wasn't used to seeing. There was intensity in his blue eyes and no hint of joking or teasing. She felt heat rising inside of her as she held his gaze. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. "I think I'm pretty lucky, too."

"You know, as Jack was apologizing to me, I couldn't help but think about how different things would be if he hadn't left. I mean, I probably wouldn't have joined NCIS. I probably wouldn't have found out the truth about my dad and then reconnected with my mom. I definitely would have never met you. And even though it was devastating... I couldn't help but think that it was worth it... because now I have you."

"Maybe I should send him a thank you note or a fruit basket."

"Don't be an idiot. I'm trying to have a serious moment here with you!"

"If you're trying to be so serious, then why are you laughing?"

"For your information, I am not laughing, Martin A. Deeks!" She knew how ridiculous she sounded, claiming to not be laughing while she was laughing. But she didn't care, not one bit.

"Uh oh, I'm in trouble now. We've only been together about 24 hours and you're already breaking out my full name."

She grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulled him close and lowered her voice, "Get used to it, because I have a feeling that you're going to be in trouble a lot." She closed the distance between them and poured all of her love for him into a breath-taking kiss. When they broke apart, he was smiling.

"Promise? That sounds like trouble I wouldn't mind being in."

She answered him with a smile and another kiss.