Author's note: I originally intended this to be just a teensy bit of an epilogue, but then Deeks and Kensi wanted a little more beach time than I had planned. And after all they'd been through, I thought they deserved it.:)
One month later
Kensi inhaled slowly, absorbing the smells of sand and salty air and coconut-scented sunscreen. Smells that had become all too familiar over the past few weeks. At first it had only been at Hetty's insistence and dogged determination in the face of Kensi's very vocal protests that had forced her here. She hadn't wanted any time off, hadn't wanted to be out of the office or missing out on any ops or having the guys go out without her. But then Hetty had decreed that Deeks was in charge of Kensi's enforced rest and recuperation period, and Kensi had swallowed any further arguments after seeing the light in his eyes. And over the first few days she'd allowed herself to relax and enjoy herself in a way she hadn't done in years. There were definite perks to spending her days at the beach, and she could truthfully say she was going to miss it when she returned to the mission the following day.
One of those perks was out there now, surfing his happy little heart out unless she missed her guess. She'd spent hours watching him, eyes following every curve of his muscle and twist of his torso as he rode the crests like a Greek god. He was so beautiful in motion that it actually made her chest hurt sometimes. And she knew she wasn't the only one watching. He attracted more than his fair share of female attention, and she was torn between being proud that he was hers and wanting to walk around punching all the women eyeing him like fresh meat. In fact, the reason she was currently laying in the sun with oversized sunglasses covering her eyes was that she'd found herself on her feet with both hands fisted heading towards a redhead with a particularly lascivious gleam in her eye. Getting arrested for assault and battery was definitely not something Hetty would approve. Or for which she'd pay bail, mostly likely.
Just then a shadow moved over her, and her lips curved into a warm smile. "Hey," she murmured without opening her eyes.
"Hey," Deeks responded, dropping onto the oversized beach towel next to her. He shook his head like a dog, vigorously spraying her with ice-cold water droplets. "Deeks!" she squealed, opening her eyes as she sat straight up, brushing ineffectively at the moisture causing goose bumps on unprotected skin. He grinned at her unrepentantly.
"Good. I was hoping you were awake."
"Well, if I wasn't I am now." She pouted just a bit. "That was really cold."
"Aw, come on, Fern." He slid a little closer, laying his chin on the edge of her shoulder. "You're not really mad at me, are you?"
She shrugged her shoulder, half-heartedly trying to dislodge him. "I might be."
"Well." He cocked his head to one side. "I guess I'll have to do something about that."
"Oh yeah?" She turned her head, her lips now a breath away from his. "What exactly were you thinking you might do?"
"Oh, I don't know." He let his hand trail down her other shoulder, tracing all the way down her arm and causing a different sort of shiver to run down her spine. "I could…" he whispered, kissing the side of her neck softly, "try to make it up to you, I guess." He kissed just under her jaw, then nipped softly at her earlobe.
She sighed, then angled her head, allowing him better access. "I guess I could let you do that. For the sake of the team and all."
"Or I could do something different."
"Something like…?"
With a last sharp nip, he stood up quickly. "Oh, like this." And before she could respond, he had pulled her up and over his shoulder. She pinched and poked and kicked, putting up a token resistance, but he held her easily. He spanked her lightly, laughing at her squeals and protests, then began a march down toward the water. "Come on, woman! It's time for you to get a lot wetter."
And amidst those squeals and protests, she allowed herself one triumphant smirk at the redhead. See this? All mine.
The two of them splashed and played in the ocean like a couple of school kids skipping class until the angle of the sun signaled the end of the day. With a sigh of regret, Kensi packed up the towels and picnic supplies while Deeks gathered his surfing equipment. Hands clasped and fingers intertwined, they carried everything back down the beach towards Kensi's car.
"You ready to go back tomorrow?"
"I'm fine, Deeks. And I really mean that."
He smiled, thinking of all the times he'd heard that and not believed it. Looking at her now, healthy and strong, all golden skin and glowing eyes, it was easy to see that she was. There was a part of him that wished they could go on like this forever, two beach babies living for nothing but sand and surf, never having to worry about guns or explosions or whether or not crazy murderous chem analysts were fixated on your partner. But he also knew how much the job meant to Kensi, and how much she'd missed the guys. And if he was honest, he knew he'd missed them too. Not that he'd ever admit it.
"How about you?" A smile played about her lips as they reached the car. "Are you going to miss spending your days out here enjoying sand and surf?"
"Well I'm not going to deny that I've had some serious good times playing beach bum for the last four weeks, but…" He lifted the hatch on the back of the car, then began loading all their belongings, "it's possible that was due to the delectable company I've been keeping. And since I've heard she's going back to work tomorrow too, I'm hoping…"
"For a little hanky panky between assignments?"
"Well, that, sure. Goes without saying." He closed the hatch, then leaned against it, grinning at Kensi. "I've been trying to get that for years, and without much success, I've got to say."
She cocked her head, her tone sympathetic. "Aw, poor baby. Sam won't put out?"
"Ha ha, funny girl. For that I get to…" Kensi had already turned toward the passenger door, and the keys she'd tossed behind her dropped neatly into his hands. "…drive."
There was little traffic on the road to Kensi's place, although to be accurate it was more their place than hers now. He had his own drawer in the dresser and a small section in the closet, and his toothbrush rested next to hers in the surprisingly feminine pink floral cup on her vanity. And more significantly, he spent most nights there. Her place was smaller than his, and not as close to the beach, but he knew she was more comfortable with her own stuff, and he was fine wherever she was. Even Monty seemed happy with the new arrangement. He had a running battle going on with the neighbor's cat, and he'd vigorously defended Kensi's back yard from all encroachers.
Deeks pulled into the little driveway, then killed the car's engine. They both sat there without moving, watching as a glorious sunset filled the sky with brilliant shades of pink and orange. Deeks thought he'd never felt more at peace in his entire life.
"What did I ever do to deserve this?" He wasn't completely aware he'd spoken out loud, but he turned to look into her eyes. "What did I do to deserve you?"
She smiled softly, shaking her head. "I don't know if either of us earned it. I don't know if you can." She leaned over and kissed him softly, savoring the taste of his lips and the feel of his scruff beneath her hands, then she slowly leaned back, her gaze luminous.
"Maybe we just got really really lucky."
