Dis: I do not own NCIS: LA, said character, actors, actresses, locations nor even the nice little spot on a specific little lake mentioned below.

Nate had to admit that sometimes Hetty had the best ideas. Thanksgiving had been a blast. Each had received a text with coordinates and an item that they were to bring. Upon arriving everyone looked at each other in wonderment. To be summonsed to a beach for Thanksgiving dinner was a little more than strange. Furthermore with the exception of Eric no one was in proper attire for their location.

The fun started when Hetty had G and Sam unload the car, how the woman packed so much into that car, well it was simply Hetty magic! Beach towels, blankets, picnic baskets, a full wardrobe for everybody, save Eric who was informed that for once he was dawning the proper attire.

Nate became a little worried when the fryer was removed from the floor board. The thought of massive amounts of hot oil, fire and a large bird with this given group could end in a disastrous outcome. Kensi must have picked up on Nate's worry because she pointed out the fire extinguisher.

Hours of surfing, swimming, sand volleyball and child like frolicking left every member of the team exhausted. The photos of Dom and Eric trying to teach Sam how to surf would be priceless, but it was the stories told around the campfire after a large, semi-traditional thanksgiving dinner that had made the night for Nate.

Kensi had been a small point of torture for Nate all day long. They had teased and bantered, dunked and wrestled but made sure to keep it in check enough that no one would get suspicious. At the end of the day everyone had gathered around the bonfire, it started with what they were thankful for out of the year then progressed into childhood stories. It was from one of these stories that Nate learned what to get Kensi for her Birthday, which was rapidly approaching.

Kensi's birthday was the middle of the following week and Nate would need three days for his 'gift' to be of any enjoyment. She had mentioned that her father, while stationed in San Deigo, had taken her up to the mountains when winter set in so that she could enjoy the snow. It had taken Nate a little research but he managed to find the little pub that Kensi remembered warming up at after a day of skiing. The owner while he still ran the place had long ago sold the pub and his rental properties to a reality group to be managed. Nate had no way of knowing what property they had stayed at when she was little so he booked the nicest place he could get on such short notice. Monday went by at the speed of light, Hetty had come up with the perfect excuse for Nate to be out on Friday and Kensi would soon have an excuse as well.

Three-o-clock rolled around and Kensi strolled into Nate's office. He had wished her a Happy Birthday that morning on his way to his office and had seldom been out of it since. He could tell that she expected something so he decided to have a little fun.

"Hetty wanted me to do a follow up and make sure you are fine since your dealings with the militia." Nate said over steepled fingers. He could almost hear her 'BS Meter' go off so he fringed interest in the file in front of him so that she wouldn't be able to see the lie in his eyes.

"It's been almost a month what could possibly be gained from an evaluation now. Besides G is the one who got hit upside the head. Come on Nate cut the crap, what did you call me up here for?" She had sauntered up to his desk and was now leaning against the side of it, the addition of her 'sexy country girl' voice made her words down right seductive despite what was actually said.

Nate swallowed hard and tried both not to laugh or stutter, only Kensi could pull off tempting yet down right intimidating at the same time.

"Well now that we've established why I asked you up here." Yeah that line didn't make it past her BS meter either. So much for toying with her, it looks like the tables had turned on him rather quickly.

"Happy Birthday!" He said over excitedly and handed her a birthday card.

"Uh thanks Nate." Or not, the disappointment was clear in her eyes.

"Just open it." He put on his most patient doctor face as if waiting for her to work through a particularly traumatic memory. Kensi just rolled her eyes.

Her eye roll turned into a wide eyed, gaping mouth soft squeak.

"Nate, I -"

"You mentioned at Thanksgiving that you hadn't been up to Lake Tahoe since your fathers passing and that you really missed it. I thought that maybe we could spend a couple of nights up there."

Nate quit his explanation, his heart caught in his throat. Tears were sliding down Kensi's face, leaving streaks of mascara. Even with all of his training Nate had never been good with the whole 'crying woman' thing, he couldn't tell if Kensi was happy, sad, pissed or some twisted mixture of all three. So he just shut up, walked around the desk and pulled her under his chin.

After a long moment Kensi breathed out a shaky "Thank You"

Nate smiled at her, it was yet another one of those moments where neither needed words to have a conversation. Sometimes saying 'I love you.' with ones eyes was more powerful than ever speaking it.

Kensi reluctantly turned to leave after several more minutes and a short discussion of what time they would be leaving and that having Friday off would be her gift from Hetty, though it was still coming out of her vacation time.

Kensi walked out of Nate's office, eyes a little puffy and faint streak lines on her face but she didn't notice. With card in hand showing the most beautiful picture of Lake Tahoe's northwest shore she worked hard to suppress the giddy feeling she had inside. To the misfortune of one Nate Getz, Sam did notice the signs of tears, and nobody made his and G's girl cry and got away with it. Especially not on her Birthday.

AN: Belated Happy Birthday to Daniela Ruah (Kensi Blye) who turned 26 on Dec. 2. I know I am going to get demands to write one for the three days in the cabin, but I'm not sure I'm up to the task. The spot I picked in Alpine Medows, the way I have it figured is Kensi hasn't been up there since about 1995 (12yrs old). If somebody would like to write the cabin or other 'missing scenes' please feel free to. Ok onto Brimstone.