Sorry this was late coming, things got a little crazy at my house. Thank you to all who are following this story. Sorry to the 1 guest reviewer who didn't like how I was writing this. But you can't please everyone. Thanks to my awesome team: Steph and Suzy - the best! And I STILL don't own the characters.

Chapter 10

The Christmas holidays were officially over as Kensi left her place to head to the mission. She was sad for them to end. Her last strong memory of Christmas had been when Jack had left. Today she went to work having spent this holiday with her partner and the memories she had gathered of this one were ultimately better. They were inseparable during their time off. She had gone with Deeks to the soup kitchen several more times to help and it felt good. There were walks on the beach with Monty, sometimes without him, and quiet dinners at home, small gifts were exchanged. They also talked, a lot. She told him everything about Jack and it was not as painful as she had feared. Deeks sat there, holding her hand, and listened. When she had finished, she felt lighter, freer.

Their time together was almost perfect, almost. There had been only one hiccup. Deeks wanted to take Kensi out on a proper date. "Come'on, we'll get gussied up, have a night on the town. You, me, like regular folk. What do you say Princess?" "We can't" was her answer. Her partner was stunned. "Why? It's the holidays, that's what couples do." "What if someone from the team sees us? We can't risk getting caught. You said we would just keep it between us." Deeks blew out a breath, gathering his thoughts. "Ok, how about we drive up the coast? Out of LA proper. Plenty of fancy places to check out. I just want to take my girl out properly." When Kensi did not answer, "What is this? Are you ashamed of us? Having second thoughts? What is it?"

"It's….I don't know...I guess….I guess I am still getting used to this...being together and…" she gestured between the two of them and then just stopped talking. Deeks could see she was struggling but not sure how hard he should push her. "You do realize we could be seen walking on the beach with Monty?" "That's different" she answered. "The team knows we hang out after work. But getting dressed up…" Kensi could see the disappointment in his face. Hell, even she was feeling disappointed. She wished she knew why she was hesitant. Maybe having not been in a relationship for so long, she truly was afraid. The last thing she wanted was to hurt him, especially after all he did to make this Christmas so special.

"Ok, no date, for now. But I am putting you on notice that Valentine's Day is coming and you will be taken out on a date." Deeks had a look of steely determination, with just a bit of a twinkle in his blue eyes. Kensi smiled, reached up hugged him and whispered in his ear "I look forward to it." She gave him a sweet kiss to seal the deal.

After christmas the team settled back into their routine. Sam and Callen did not seem the wiser to whatever was going on between Kensi and Deeks. The junior partners worked hard to keep up appearances. Deeks continued to make inappropriate comments, Kensi rolled her eyes in frustration. Their little "undercover op" was rolling along.

At home, there was a totally new routine. Time was split between their places. Deeks was teaching Kensi to surf and she was loving it. Deeks was not surprised that his badass partner was a natural in the water. There was something peaceful spending the evening on the water watching the sunset. Their legs entwined so not float apart. Most times not speaking but feeling their bond growing stronger. Deeks would look at Kensi and watch her stare off to the horizon. He could swear he could see the wheels spinning in her mind. His partner had been so guarded with her heart but slowly was letting the walls come down. Deeks was pretty sure she cared deeply for him but was not quite ready to say those feeling out loud. But they were moving forward and that was all that matter. All he knew was his heart was so full when he was with her and he was yearning to be together fully.

Kensi for her part was slowly letting go of her past. She was done being a prisoner of it. Here was this man who touched her soul like no other had ever before. Not even Jack had and maybe she had Jack to thank for that. She knows Deeks wants to go to the next level and she does, she really does. The kisses that had been shared left her breathless but there is a risk to that new step. She doesn't want to lose her work partner. She didn't have the bravado Deeks had. He had always worked alone that sometimes he seemed cavalier about upsetting team dynamics. She bother admired and hated that trait. She longed to be that free.

As time went on their undercover OP continued during the day, while their evenings were evolving. They were still spending them together either at her place or his but they had now started sleeping together - platonically. The cases the team had been dealing with were a constant reminder that life was short and their jobs dangerous. Kensi still was not ready for that next step and her partner was more than okay with that. Getting to wake up every morning with Kensi in his arms was enough - for now. And he was getting a sense that she may be starting to loosen her stance and may be falling to his charm. At least that was what he kept telling himself.

As promised, Deeks made plans for a proper date for the two of them for Valentine's Day. "Tim" had connections at several restaurants in the area and he was able to secure a reservation at an exclusive rooftop restaurant with gorgeous views of the ocean that also included a bar with dancing. He knows how much his partner loves to dance and he has been waiting for the opportunity to watch her get "her freak on". Deeks was also hoping to slow dance his way further into her heart.

They agreed to go to their own homes to get ready. Deeks was going all out. Kensi was finishing her preparations. She decided on a tan sleeveless dress with black patent leather slingbacks with a peep toe. Her hair was down and wavy like Deeks liked. She looked into her mirror and considered herself ready for the evening. What she wasn't prepared for was her partner showing up at her door in a dark blue suit with vest, white shirt, no tie. She was speechless. When she finally found her voice again, all she could say was "you look great Deeks!" Her partner was having similar vocal problems. "Umm Kens, I..geez..uh yeah!" "Thanks, I think" Kensi let out a little laugh while Deeks just kept staring at her, taking in every inch of his partner. From her beautiful hair to those shoes that made her legs go on for days. He may have added a fantasy or two about those shoes. "Ok!" he said after what seemed hours, finally getting his act somewhat back together. "Shall we?"

The evening started at the bar with drinks and watching the sunset over the Santa Monica pier. It continued with a wonderful dinner and then back onto the rooftop for dancing. It wasn't quite the techno music Kensi loved, but she was willing to sacrifice her tastes for her boyfriend and the effort he put into this date. When Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" started, Deeks grabbed his date's hand and brought her to the dance floor. He took her into his arms and started moving her around the dance floor. Kensi leaned back with an eyebrow raised, "you never told me you could dance." "You never asked" was his response. Kensi just looked into his eyes and her resolve was slowly floating away as he floated her across the dance floor.

Just as that song came to an end, the next song started. Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight". Kensi snuggled up to Deeks, placed her head on his chest. She closed her eyes as he started to softly sing in her ear. Deeks closed his eyes, held her close and wished for time to stop. Never had he felt more content, more happy, more in love. His resolve was slipping, he wanted her home in his bed but he had made her a promise and he was going to hold to it. No matter how many cold showers it would take. Kensi leaned back to look at him. "This has been wonderful, thank you." "Happy Valentine's Day Princess." He leaned forward and kissed her, passionately and as she returned his kiss, she whispered to him "soon, I promise."