Marty looked at her curiously. "Any particular reason you've got a photo of me on your kitchen wall, by the way?"
Kensi gulped. "It hides a nasty spot that's lying there. I had a blender accident. You know how it is."
"Oh yes. I know." I have these fantasies of you all the time. Right now I'm thinking about you wearing those setting sun panties and nothing else.
"So don't ask me to take it down or give it back. You know it doesn't mean that much to me."
"So it's just there 'because' – is that it?" Marty tried very hard not to smile at her discomfiture, but it was a losing battle. God, you are so cute when you get confused.
"Yeah. Just because. So don't read anything into it, okay? And don't get me wrong - I'm not in love with you." Why did I just say that?
"Sure you are. You know it and I know it. The whole team knows it." Marty walked forward and Kensi found herself retreating so that her back was against the counter top and there was nowhere further she could go.
"Stop smiling at me like that." His hands were on the counter, one on either side of her and there was the biggest grin on his face. And there was no escape. "Why are you smiling at me like that? You don't know anything."
"Yeah, yeah. So why are you looking at me like I'm frelting? Is that 'just because' too?" Marty leaned in fractionally and their hips touched. "Why do you always have to make everything so difficult? You know how much I want you."
"You'll get over it," Kensi mumbled, letting her head fall forward onto his shoulder. "Just like you always do. You got over Nicole. And Jess – and all the others. You'll get over me too." Just for once, I want to be the most important person in someone's life.
"Not you. This is different. You're different. Can't you see that, Kensi?" One hand was stroking her back gently, while the other was caressing the nape of her neck. "You're my once and forever." Maybe it was easier this way, not actually having to look at her as he bared his soul. "And I want to be with you. Just because you're you. And because I love you."
That was it. There was no going back now. They'd both said and done too much for that ever to be a possibility.
"You're kind of nice to come home to," Kensi admitted and let herself mould into him, synchronising her breathing with his, feeling their two hearts beat together in the most primal of all rhythms. "I guess I could get used to this – to loving you. But are you ready for all this – for the long haul, I mean?" Because I don't want this to be just another fling. I want the whole nine yards. I want you heart and soul.
"I'm ready. Never been so ready for anything." Marty put his hand underneath her chin and gently lifted, so that they were looking at one another. Their eyes locked and after a long moment, they kissed, gently at first, and then building in intensity as all the pent-up emotions were finally unleashed.
There comes a time when we all crave company and companionship; when being alone is quite simply untenable and the presence of a soul mate is the most important thing in the world - someone to walk along life's lonely highways with, when holding hands with yourself is no longer feasible, far less desirable. Who can tell what makes two diametrically opposed individuals suddenly realise that they are the missing elements in each other's existence. And does it really matter? Sometimes, the most important thing is just to accept what is, and to accept that simple fact without questioning and to allow yourself to live in the moment, while at the same time taking those tentative steps that build towards a future that will contain many more such moments. Companionship, support, love – these are the essential elements that make the human condition worthwhile and a journey to be treasured, rather than just endured. Much more than that, they make life something to be anticipated and rejoiced in. Without such peerless gifts, living becomes mere existence and the soul withers for lack of nurture.
When the kiss was finally over, Kensi snuggled in a little closer and wrapped her arms tightly around him. "Now I've got you, I'm never letting go."
"I can live with that. Don't think I'd want to live any other way." Marty sighed with contentment. Sometimes you didn't even know you were looking for love, until it came right along and bit you on the butt.
The end of the journey was in sight, even if the road they had travelled had been long, and somewhat torturous. But just ahead lay a whole new set of promises, as they continued to grow together. Sometimes the whole was much greater than just the sum of its parts; sometimes you had to throw away caution. And sometimes the whole world shrank right down so that it was all about two people, standing in a tiny kitchen, holding on to one another like they would never let go again.
"What time is it?" Kensi asked curiously.
Marty realised it was going to take a while before he worked out exactly how her mind worked. But that was okay – they had the rest of their lives together. That might just be enough time. "You worried you might be missing one of your trashy tv shows?" he teased.
"Hell, no. I've got them set up to record."
"Great. That's a date then – you, me, that sofa and some brain-numbing tv. And maybe I could give you a foot massage?"
"That sounds lovely." And who knows where it might lead? All the way, with any luck. "But I was just wondering when Hetty and the rest of the team were coming over." I reckon we've pushed our luck far enough already. I don't want them to see anything they shouldn't. Hetty's seen more than enough of you as it is. And I'd never hear the end of it from Sam and Callen if they walked in and caught us at it.
"Baby girl, don't you worry about a thing. Because we've got all the time in the world. And then some." He lifted Kensi was sitting on top of the counter and started to unbutton her blouse. Because some things just couldn't wait a second longer.
For a moment Kensi worried briefly about what any passing neighbours might think. But then her reputation around here wasn't exactly stellar to begin with. And now the nosy snoop from upstairs probably thought she was some sort of deviant anyway, after all those comments Marty had made about whipping. So who cared? She leant forward and nipped his ear lobe, not particularly gently, but still not hard enough to draw blood.
"Hey. What was that in aid of?" Marty rubbed his ear and looked at her, with a certain amount of excitement.
"You sent that text asking me to bite you – so I did." Kensi reached behind her and unfastened her bra strap. Like most men, Marty still had a certain amount of trouble with that. She'd have to make sure he got lots and lots of practice.
"That wasn't exactly what I was thinking of." Mind you, standing here, looking at your breasts, I can't exactly think straight at the moment.
"How about you show me what you were thinking of?" Kensi was toying idly with the button of his jeans and it was an invitation far too good to refuse.