AUTHOR'S NOTE:Why yes, it has been a very long time since I've updated. And yes, I do feel very guilty about that. However if I'm not inspired, then I can't write. :( Sorry to say that is absolutely how it works. Thankfully Zero Days and Spoils of War both got the creative juices flowing. I have a very firm "Always keep one chapter unpublished" rule. So - now that I've written a post-ep for Zero Days, I 'm finally able to share this little Valentine's Day tidbit with you guys.

I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to follow and favorite the story and every review means quite a bit to me. It is a wonderful feeling to know that at 21 chapters, I still have people who are interested in reading.

Many years ago I met these two awesome chicks who have been my beta-reading rocks. For some reason or another they continue to do me the honor of giving my drivel a once-over before I publish it. Despite my love of words, I cannot explain how much I appreciate their time, their eyes, and most of all, their friendship.

Giant fluffy hugs to you, Sabrina and Jen. :)

The small red cardboard container had shown up on her pillowcase while she was out for a run.

Keeping her heart out of her throat was not an option; the little voice in her head hoped it had been sent by Deeks. She had glanced around looking for the stealthy packaging that would have meant Hetty's hand had been involved. But there was none.

A quick glance at the exterior of the box erased any question from her mind; no way in hell were these from Deeks.

Whitman's Sampler.

Deeks knew better.

He knew that while she had an admittedly awful sweet tooth, her vice wasn't nougat filled cheap chocolate. He knew that she only liked one of the chocolates in the sampler and the rest were wasted or given to him.

He knew without her ever telling him, exactly what her favorites were. He was that observant; he cared that much.

"Sugarbear," his voice crooned and she cracked a sleepy eye at him as he slipped onto the bed next to her. The mattress dipped under his weight and she groaned at his perkiness and tugged the pillow over her head.

One thing Kensi Blye was not, was a morning person.

The afternoon before, she had left him happily sprawled on the floor of his living room playing with his newly borrowed train set like a nine year old on Christmas morning. They had plans, apparently very early plans, to go surfing and he had been told under no uncertain terms to bring coffee.

"Did you break in again?" she managed to mutter, swatting at him as he nudged her with an elbow.

"I wouldn't have to if you gave me a key," he had replied, waving a cup of coffee in the general direction of her head- buried under her pillow as it was, he aimed for her nose the best he could. "But I brought you coffee, as per your demand, Princess."

She pushed the pillow away and her glare softened to a look that, anyone who didn't value their life, would call 'utter adoration.'

"You're my favorite," she had whispered, easing up and taking the cup from his grasp.

"Your favorite what?" he prompted, arching an eyebrow at her uncharacteristic admission.

"My favorite partner. You brought me coffee."

"First off, I'm your only partner. Secondly, you made it clear that I needed to bring coffee if I planned on taking you surfing today."

She groaned and took another healthy swig. "Surfing means getting up," she whined.

He merely shrugged and nodded. "Assuming my charm isn't enough motivation, I did bring reinforcements," he reached towards the nightstand nearest him and pulled off a small box from the confectioner's nearest the coffee shop.

Her eyes widened at the sight of the blue box and he popped the lid and revealed four perfectly dunked dark-chocolate covered cherries, still with bright red stems attached.

"You're totally my favorite," she said, her appreciation heavy in her voice. Kensi reached for a cherry only to have the box shut and pulled out of her grasp.

"Surf first. Then I'll make you breakfast. Then chocolate covered cherries," he teased, slipping off her mattress and rolling his eyes as he heard her groan and flop her head back against the pillows. "Out of bed, your majesty."

She groaned and flipped the covers off her legs while taking another pull of her raspberry-mocha latte.

Deeks knew better than to get something as mundane as a Whitman's sampler. He would have known to find a local contractor to work as a middle man and to get fresh local baklava delivered. He would have known to find someone to make a plate of Cardamom Fudge for her; she had tried a piece before Christmas and mentioned it when they chatted. Local ingredients, fresh, and far from boring.

Not a Whitman's sampler. Deeks was not a 'Whitman's Sampler' kinda guy- which was perfectly fine. She was very far from a 'Whitman's Sampler' kinda gal.

Sabatino.

He was the only other choice and she knew that it was the type of minimalist, traditional move he'd make.

Kensi couldn't help but wonder exactly what she needed to do to make him take the hint; she wasn't interested.

She didn't even think a ring on her finger would sway his attentions. And she certainly didn't dwell on the thought of a ring; despite the months that had passed, their 'Thing' was way too fresh and new to involve thoughts of a ring in any capacity.

Though, she was surprised to find that the entire concept of said imaginary ring didn't send her running for the hills. That was new.

She picked up the box and regarded it carefully.

Valentine's chocolates from someone she didn't like, never mind trust, were not on her list of 'Things I want.'

She wanted her emergency Twinkie stash. She wanted to curl up on the sofa, her feet pillowed in Deeks' lap, Monty on the floor in front of the couch and trash-TV droning in the background. She wanted oversized sweatshirts and comfy bras. She wanted to have Sam give them the stink eye and Callan's oblivious looks as he refused to see what was obvious to it seemed like everyone else.

She wanted Sabatino to catch a clue. She wanted to figure out her missions and wrap everything up with a pretty bow- or as much as she was able to in this line of work.

She wanted to go home. And if that wasn't the understatement of the year, she didn't know what was.

The heart shaped box felt awkward in her chilled hands.

Keeping the chocolate and not saying anything was certainly an option. But it seemed incredibly disingenuous. And Kensi refused to take a chance with her 'Thing' with Deeks; this was not an area where half truths or absent honesty were sufficient. To accept stupid Hallmark Holiday Chocolate from someone she had no interest in was not a road she was willing to travel - not with Deeks. Not with them on the line.

It was just a box of stupid chocolate. But the stupid box of chocolate was more than that.