So I just have to give a brief shout out to everyone who reviewed Tamed & Controlled, those of you who also have Nate/Kensi stories, trust me, I have and am reading them, but I can't review from my phone and it's rare I have these moments on the internet! Thabks for being awesome guys! This is a sort of continuation of Tamed & Controlled, but with more talking in it, and I didn't expect it to be so long, so it's in two parts! I may make it four because I like two parts in part two of this which I want to continue. I'm enjoying writing for Nate/Kensi, but I have to admit, I like Tamed & Controlled way better than this one, but enjoy! Hm... I don't remember if I spell and grammer checked this. I think I did, cause it would be stupid of me to check part two and not one! Though I'd be the fool to do it...

Kensi ran her fingers through her hair a few times and looked at herself in the mirror before putting her earrings on. Work had been torturous for her, with Sam and Callen's part, with constant teasing about her date, but Nate had surprisingly taken it easy on her for the day. Probably because of what was to happen in about six minutes.

She was in one of the many black dresses she owned but hardly wore. Compared to jeans and a shirt, where was the comfort in them? The dress hugged her snuggly and was light but kept her warm. The sleeves stopped above her elbows and the skirt of the dress above her knees, showing off a nice amount of leg, but not too much. Her black strap heels were two inches, and lucky had been worn before so they were broken in.

She heard her doorbell ring and checked her watch. He was early. She walked to the front door and unlocked it to let him in.

"Kensi, you look gorgeous," Nate complemented.

She gave him a smile and stepped aside to let him in.

"Thanks, you don't look half bad yourself."

Nate was wearing a white buttoned up dress shirt with tan slacks and a matching jacket.

He smiled and leaned down to give her a simple kiss on the cheek.

"Ready to go?"

"Yeah, let me just grab my purse."

Once she had her purse and keys, they headed out. The car ride wasn't as awkward as she expected it to be. Conversation came naturally between them. They talked about work, of course, and things that they didn't know about each other. Nate learned that Kensi like to dance and had a variety of music taste. She could also sing, but refused to sing him a line of a song.

Kensi learned that Nate was big on family. He was the only boy of three kids and the youngest, he often took care of his nieces and nephews, and he hoped for a family of his own one day. He didn't have to say it, but from the look on his face, Kensi knew he wanted to add 'with you'.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Nate had parked his car and once he got out, immediately went around to the passenger side to open the door for Kensi. She smiled graciously and thanked him, taking his hand and getting out of the car.

They walked into the restaurant and Kensi was automatically recognized by the hostess. She gave her and Nate a smile as Nate stated his name for her to check the reservations. Once checked they were seated at a table for two, which was coincidently Kensi's favorite table.

"I requested it," he informed her.

She smiled and nodded as she tried to remember if she'd ever mentioned that this Italian restaurant was her favorite, or that this was her favorite table. Dinner went by smoothly as well. They picked up where they left off in the car, discussing things like family, hobbies, and other interest. Kensi was surprised that they actually kept each other entertained the entire time.

When dinner was over, Nate noticed her reach for the check and raised his eyebrow at her. She noticed his look and moved her hand to rest in her lap. He grinned and picked up the check.

After dinner, Kensi decided on seeing a movie, to which Nate happily obliged and let her choose the film, which he later regretted. Kensi chose to see some horror film with a name even she couldn't pronounce. It started off okay, but then there was blood, guts, gore, and stupidity on behalf of the people in the movie who went to explore instead of running away.

After the movie they decided to take a late night stroll arm-in-arm with one another.

"So…" Kensi began, "What made you decide to ask me out."

"Well, I figure we've been kinda leading up to and dancing around it for months now, so I just took a chance," he admitted, "The hardest part was trying to figure out how to ask you."

She scoffed in disbelief, "It seemed like you had no trouble doing that."

"Oh trust me, there was trouble," he assured her, "I had to figure out how to ask you in a way where you couldn't possibly say no. I think I did pretty well."

"Yeah," she said nodding, "You did. But did you have to ask in front of Sam and Callen?"

Nate chuckled, "Well… yeah. It's fun teasing you."

"About that," she added, "I hate you."

"I doubt that," he laughed, "Otherwise you wouldn't have put up with me for so long."

She couldn't deny that. She was enjoying what she and Nate had, and he was growing on her more and more each second. He was practically charming her socks off right now.

He drove her back to her place and walked her to the door. They both smiled at one another.

"I had fun tonight," Kensi said to him, "Thanks."

"Any time, Kens. You decided what our second date will be?"

"Second date?"

"Kensi," he warned.

She grinned, making his heart melt, "I'll let you know when I think of something."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, forcing him down enough to kiss his lips. It was gentle but long and left her feeling something neither could quite describe. They hesitantly backed away from each other.

"Goodnight, Nate."

"Night, Kensi."

The next day at work didn't go by without jokes from Callen and Sam, but Kensi took it in stride. It would've been worse had Dom and Eric actually joined in. She was still trying to decide between the two places she had in mind for the forced second date when Nate came walking down the hall.

"Hey Kens."

"Nate."

He wrapped and arm around her waist forcing her to turn around and walk in the opposite direction towards his office instead of towards the stairs. Once they were in his office she closed the door and leaned back against it.

"You decide on a time and place for our second date?"

"I'm down to two places."

"Okay, well let me know."

Kensi folded her arms across he chest and smirked.

"You thought I was gonna back out didn't you?"

Nate seemed to be thrown off guard by the question.

"Huh?"

"You dragged me in here, thinking that I intended on backing out," she said, "didn't you?"

"Maybe, maybe not," he replied, trying to act nonchalant.

Kensi laughed, "Yeah you did."

A knock at the door interrupted the two.

"Hetty wants us when you two are done playing grab ass," Sam announced.

Kensi looked at Nate then turned to walk out the door.

By the end of the day, Kensi had decided on where she wanted to go. She caught up with Nate on the way out.

"Hope you like carnivals."

"Carnivals?"

"Yep, I was trying to decide between the carnival and the gym."

"The gym?" Nate questioned, "You've had dates at a gym?"

Nate wasn't surprised.

"It's a great way to see how strong the guy is," she said.

Nate shook his head and grinned, "Well I'm glad you chose the carnival. I'm good at winning prizes."

"That surprises me."

"Yeah," Nate chuckled, "I normally give the prizes to one of my nieces or nephews, but now I have a pretty girl to give one to."

He held the door open for her, not missing the blush on her face at his previous statement. It made him feel good knowing he could do that to her. Though his car was in the opposite direction, he walked to her car with her.

"You're going to win me a prize?"

"Yes."

"A teddy bear?"

"If you want."

She smirked as they reached her car and turned to her.

"You think I'm pretty?"

He gave her a goofy grin, "I think you're beautiful."

She smiled at the comment. Had it been any random guy at a bar, she would've thought it was just some ploy to get her in bed, but Nate was different. He hadn't even once mentioned sex and to be completely honest, she didn't mind that they weren't having any.

Kensi had to admit that it wasn't a bad second date. Actually it was better than their first, and that was pretty great. She and Nate had rode on a couple of rides together, eaten carnival foods, and goofed around. Nate had discovered she had a sort of addiction to funnel cake and she learned that he loved corn dogs.

He showed her just how skilled he was at most carnival games, winning her a teddy bear and other things which she insisted he give to his nieces and nephews. The teddy bear didn't look like anything special to Nate, but it was the one Kensi wanted, so he didn't argue. It a small and a rich light brown color with a navy blue scarf around his neck and dark green eyes. He didn't know if she'd noticed that she hadn't loosened her grip on it since he gave it to her.

He walked her to her door like he did on their first date and kissed her goodnight, the kiss lasting longer than their first one. The grin never left his face afterward.

Their third date didn't go quite as Nate had planned. One of his sisters had to take a last minute trip out of town on business and seeing as her husband was already out of town for his job and their other sister was tending to her sick kids, Nate was the only choice.

"I'm sorry, Nate, but if there were anyone else in town who I could get to watch them, I would."

"Its fine Lacy," Nate assured her.

"Oh, and you had a date tonight too," Lacy exclaimed, "I'm so sorry, Nate. I-"

"Lacy, go. She'll understand."

He called Kensi and asked her to come over, deciding that instead of going out where he originally planned, he'd order pizza and watch movies, and hopefully Kensi wouldn't mind being in the company of three kids ranging from the ages of ten to four.

When Kensi arrived, she took it way better than Nate assumed she would.

"It's not a problem."

He gave her a questioning look, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

He introduced her to his eldest niece, Kendall, who normally didn't warm up to people right away, but immediately took to Kensi. Jake, his seven year old nephew also referred to as J.J., also took to Kensi along with the youngest Melissa who was four.

Nate still considered it to be a date, though they only babysat and ate pizza while playing Uno and watching Mulan repeatedly. Melissa actually started calling her aunt Kensi which made her and Nate blush and gave Kendall a good laugh.

When it got late, Kensi announced that she was going home, receiving a chorus of groans from the three kids.

"I have to work in the morning, guys," Kensi told them as she tried to loosen Melissa's death grip on her leg.

"Can't you stay a little longer?" Kendall asked.

"I wish I could."

Nate leaned back against the couch from his spot on the floor. He folded his arms across his chest and smiled as his nieces and nephew made her practically swear she'd come back the next day. Kensi was way better with kids than she admitted to be.

Their fourth date, Kensi chose to go to for a walk in the park. Nate questioned it a bit, but eventually went along with it. When they got to the park, he knew why she wanted to come. He'd forgotten about the festivities being held their. Venders were out selling hot dogs, pretzels, and other foods; parents were out with children; the band played on the gazebo and the night was all in all beautiful with the breeze, trees and fireflies.

They sat together on a park bench eating and talking in their own world as others passed them by. Kensi was so easy to talk to which was another thing he loved about her. Past dates that he'd had with other women conversation was rare or awkward, and when he told them his profession, they'd put up a guard or vent all their problems. He thought at first that Kensi would have her guard up, but she actually let him in. Maybe she did like him as much as he liked her.

The both continued talking and flirting with one another and probably wouldn't have noticed anything if it weren't for the man who came up to them.

"Excuse me."

They looked up at the guy. He was holding his camera in hand and glancing down at it before looking at him.

"Sorry to interrupt, I'm a photographer for the local paper," he flashed them his employee id, "Malcolm Trice I was taking a few pictures, and I included you two in one them." He gave a soft chuckle, "It's actually my favorite. I was wondering if you'd have and problem with me printing it."

He showed them the picture on his camera. In the picture they were sitting on the bench smiling at one another, you could see a few fireflies flying and glowing around them and the two trees on either side of them; so the picture was taken from a distance.

Nate looked at Kensi then at Malcolm.

"Well, I don't mind. Do you?"

Kensi shook her head, "No. Yeah, print it, if you want."

They decided not to have their names put in the paper, due to Kensi's profession. At least it wouldn't work against her if they only saw a photo.

The fifth date was when they became an official couple. Nate had taken Kensi for a picnic on the beach at sunset. He had everything planned out from the sandwiches to the necklace he'd bought.

It was a silver chain with a diamond cut into the shape of a heart. He'd looked in many a jewelry stores to find something special for his Kensi. He'd never say that to her, but he did enjoy the way it sounded in his head. His Kensi. That was something he could definitely get used to.

He set up the blanket a few feet away from the tide, far enough not to get wet but close enough to have a view of more ocean than sand. They both sat down on the blanket facing the ocean. Though it was still summer, it felt a little more like fall. The breeze made Kensi's hair blow in her face. She put her hair up in a messy ponytail with the hair band she had around her wrist.

While she was staring out at the view of the ocean he took her in. Though he was warmer in khaki's and a button down shirt, she was in plaid crop shorts and a bikini top. He was glad that she could be so comfortable around him and let her guard down. It took a lot of work to get her to this state around him.

"What?"

He blinked a couple of times.

"Huh?"

"You were staring."

"Oh…"

He scratched the back of his head and looked around for something to change the subject to.

"Hungry?" he asked her.

She nodded, "A little. What've you got?"

Nate grinned and opened the picnic basket. He heard her laughed softly and shifted his eyes up to her.

"What's so funny?"

"This is so cliché," she stated, "You, me, picnic on a beach with a picnic basket."

Nate smiled, "Like you're not enjoying this."

"I never said I wasn't," she responded with a smirk, "I'm just saying, how many couples do you think have picnics on the beach?"

"Well who cares?" Nate countered, "It's you and I now. It's just another way for us to spend time together."

He handed her a tuna sandwich and took out the other for himself. He glanced at her as she took off the plastic wrap and took a bite of her sandwich. He debated on whether to question her previous question or not. He decided it was a good way to lead up to his true intentions for the night.

"So… we're a couple?"

He smiled to himself when Kensi started coughing. She cleared her throat.

"Um, I never really thought about it," she admitted, "I mean it's been what, ten months?"

"Yeah, it doesn't seem that long," agreed Nate.

Kensi nodded, "I think it's because we just started going on actually dates in July."

Nate smiled at her, "I'd say ten months it's long enough to determine if we want to be in a relationship."

Their eyes met and Kensi almost immediately caught his contagious smile.

"You think you could deal with the constant teasing that comes with being my girlfriend?" Nate asked her.

"Um, it'll be tough, but I think I can handle it."

"Well, it comes with a gift, if that helps," Nate said, grinning wildly.

"Really, now?" Kensi said.

She expected to be asked to be his girlfriend, but she didn't expect a gift.

Nate pulled a velvet blue box and opened it revealing the necklace he'd bought her, silently praying she liked it. Kensi was silent for a moment. His smile almost faded until her heard those five words.

"Well, put it on me."

Kensi had just walked into work when she was immediately heckled by Sam and Callen, with words of input from Dom.

"Nate came in this morning," Callen told her.

She took a seat, propping her feet up on the desk.

"So?"

"He seemed…" Callen sat on the edge of her desk, "No, he was, energetic."

"Very energetic," Sam agreed.

"Bouncing around like, what was he bouncing around like?" Callen asked.

"A kid at a candy store," added Dom.

Kensi glanced at him, slightly glaring. He had a slight smirk on his lips, but continued reading his magazine.

"A kid at a candy store," G repeated, "A kid who may have ate half the candy in the store."

"I wonder why our operational psychologist is so happy." Sam pondered aloud.

"So sickeningly happy so early in the morning," added Callen, "What do you think, Sam?"

Kensi rolled her eyes but let them continue their teasing.

"I think someone got lucky," Sam responded, "Dom?""I think he finally got a girlfriend."

"Well I don't know what to think," Callen said honestly, "and since he's not around to ask… Kensi?"

She crossed her arms over her chest.

"What?"

"Nice necklace," Callen stated, "Is it new?"

"Okay," she sighed, "to answer all of your questions: the necklace is new. No, Nate and I haven't slept together. Yes, I'm his girlfriend now. Let your new jokes begin."

Callen, Sam and Dom exchanged looks. Suddenly Callen stood up.

"Nope," was his simple word.

Kensi's eyebrows furrowed. This was confusing and unexpected. "Nope? What do you mean 'nope'?" she asked.

"No jokes," he elaborated.

"No jokes?" she scoffed.

"No jokes," Sam said.

"No comments, criticism, childish songs about him, me and trees?"

Sam laughed, "Oh trust me, we have plenty of material."

She put her feet on the floor and sat up straight.

"They're coming later, aren't they?"

"Oh yeah," Callen nodded.

"The only reason they've laid off now is because Hetty told them to," Dom said.

Kensi grinned, "I knew you guys wouldn't take it easy on me of your own free will."

Yeah so there you go, part one! I posted two other stories before this one so if you like shuffles, I have a Nate/Kensi one and if you like Leverage, I have a short story about Parker and Hardison. Oh wow... my uncle is doing old skool hip hop dances... he's having a flashback moment... Oh no, now my mom is. I've never seen that dance before.