I'm back with a brand new story! So, this will eventually be a Kensi/Deeks romance but the first two chapters are kind of like the back-story. Also, read the very important note on the bottom of this chapter. Trust me, you want to know what it says. Now, enjoy the first chapter. =)
Chapter 1
"Happy Birthday. I promise I won't tell how old you really are."
Kensi wakes up in the morning and does her usual morning routine.
She gets up, showers, gets dressed and eats a bowl of cereals before leaving for work. And, much to her surprise, it's only when she's driving to work, with her radio on, that she realizes it's her birthday.
Laughing a bit at the irony of forgetting her own birthday, she shakes it off and pretends it's just another day. And the truth is that it is just another day. She's not one to really care about her birthday and she doesn't make a big deal out of it.
Still, what kind of person forgets about her own birthday?
By the time she parks her car outside the building, she's already over it. But, as soon as she walks into the bullpen, Callen gets up with a smile and pulls her into a tight hug. "Happy Birthday, Kensi."
She smiles and wraps her arms around him, still thinking about the irony of the whole thing.
Callen, a man who tends to forget about birthdays and important dates, remembered her birthday when she didn't. Sam, a little more awkwardly, hugs her and wishes her a happy birthday as well.
Sam is a nice guy. He's still new to the team so it's normal for things to be a bit awkward. Of course, the word new has different meanings for everyone. He's been working with them for six months now and many people would say that's not the definition of being new.
But to them, he is.
They are a tight group and she knows he still feels a bit like an outsider. Still, they try to let him in as much as they can in as little time as they can. Because he's a nice guy and they know that. He deserves their trust and has proved that many times before.
Renko is the last one to step forward, a grin on his face. "So, partner, how old are you?"
Kensi punches him playfully on his arm before answering him. "Did no one ever taught you there are two numbers you never ask a lady to give you?"
Renko shrugs. "I know I'm not supposed to ask a lady about her age and weight…but I didn't ask a lady that. I asked my partner."
She frowns and puts her things down on her desk. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He sits on the couch situated behind the desks, the infuriating grin still on his face. "I don't think of you as a woman. You're one of the guys. Come on, that's a compliment."
Callen laughs. "Seriously, Renko? That's a compliment? I'm just asking because it sounds a lot more like an offense…"
He shrugs. "Kensi knows I love her. But I have to think about her as one of the guys. It's the only way to work without her without worrying too much about her."
Kensi smiles and sits next to him. "I know that, partner. Don't worry. And, to answer your question, I turn 28 years old today."
Renko pulls her closer and hugs her, whispering playfully in her ear. "Happy birthday, partner. I promise I won't tell anyone how old you really are."
Kensi delivers another playful punch to his arm before getting up and starting the day's work.
This is one of the things she loves when it comes to her team.
They're all different. They all come from different backgrounds.
Sam used to be a Seal and has a family who will always be there for him, no matter what.
Renko was raised by his parents, a loving couple who still gives him all the love he could ever ask for. Still, a part of him will always carry the weight that comes with not telling the ones you love about what you do. It's for the best, to protect them. No one can know what they do. Even if he could tell them, Kensi's sure he wouldn't. He doesn't like to worry his mother.
Callen grew up without knowing what a family should be like. He grew up without one, after all. He doesn't like to be attached to material things and doesn't even think about having a family, someday.
Kensi was raised by her father, who was killed when she was only 15. She likes to have 'stuff' because every little object, as meaningless as it may seem to an outsider, brings her many good memories.
They're all different. And the truth is that it probably shouldn't work.
They shouldn't work this well together, shouldn't get along this well. But it's like a puzzle.
All pieces are different but, in the end, they all fit together and form a beautiful thing.
In the end of the day, they are a family.
Macy is like their mother, the one who is always looking out for them and reminding them to be careful. She's also the one who is capable of comforting them when things don't go as well as planned.
Sam, though new to the team, has become like a father. He's constantly worrying and reminding them to be careful but in a much lighter tone than Macy. She's not sure if that's because he doesn't worry as much as her or simply because he's still getting to know them.
Callen and Renko are the two big brothers, always ready to defend her. It doesn't matter what the problem is. She knows they're there for her. Callen once told her, after a few drinks, that he would take a bullet for her. Renko, laughing, added that he would take a bullet for her where the sun doesn't shine.
They are a group of different people who came together and formed more than a team. They formed a family.
And there's no one she'd rather spend her birthday with than her family.
AN: Christmas is coming up and I want to give my readers a present. So, I have a very small favor to ask you. When you leave a review to this chapter, give me a quote you'd like to see on my Christmas one-shot, an object you'd like to see featured or anything you'd like to read. Please, I don't think it's that difficult and it would mean a lot to me. Besides, I will try to include all your suggestions on the Christmas one-shot and that will be one of my presents to you (yes, there is another one but only the ones who review this chapter will get to know what it is).
I will update this story as soon as I can and next chapter will feature someone's funeral. Don't miss it.
Love,
Sarah
