Kensi sat on the bench at the outermost part of the Santa Monica pier waiting for Kat. She was not happy about the conversation she needed to have with her but there was no way around it. She had hashed it out with Deeks and he reluctantly agreed, she didn't have a choice.

"Kay-Kay! Why all the secrecy?" Kat was still glowing and looking a little frazzled with all the wedding plans. Kensi gave her friend a hug and moved over to give her room. "Kat" she started, "I am sorry to do this but I can't be in your wedding." Kensi held her breath hoping her friend will understand and forgive her.

"But why?" Kat looked hurt, confused. Kensi and Deeks decided a little truth was needed. This was one of best friends. Kensi started, "I have a job that keeps me on call pretty much 24/7. It's in law enforcement. Marty and I are partners. I am just afraid that if I commit to being in your wedding that we will get a case and we won't be at the wedding and I just could not do that to you."

"I love you and I am thrilled for you but I am asking that you love me and understand. Marty and I are going to be there for you and Jeff and we will enjoy the wedding more knowing I didn't wreck things with my job. I also need you to keep our job situation between us. I will handle the heat from the girls, but I wanted you to know"

That was 6 months ago. Kensi was checking her make-up in their hotel bathroom at the Le Meridien Delfina in Santa Monica. Deeks surprised her by getting a suite for the weekend. She stood in front of the mirror, final check of everything. Hetty had suggested a halter gown of coral chiffon. And she had to admit, this should fry her boyfriend's brain, not that it took much, she smirked. What she hadn't counted on was Hetty making sure Deeks took Kensi's breath away with his deep gray tux with vest and crisp white shirt. She loved dressing those two up.

Kensi and Deeks stood staring at each other in their suite. Deeks finally found his words, "Geez Kens, cause a heart attack much?" All she could do was nod. 'Thank you Hetty!' she thought. "Let's get this show on the road, shall we?" Deeks offered his arm, kissed his beautiful girlfriend on the cheek and off they went. The wedding ceremony was beautiful, so Kat, complete with giggles from Tiffany as the pastor recalled a story from when Kat was a little girl. Kensi felt a little pang of sadness at not being up front with her friends, but Kat had seated her and Deeks with the rest of the wedding party and the cupcake girls were actually pretty understanding of Kensi not being in the wedding. Deeks had been so supportive that it made things easier. "Just for the record, we are NOT having 250 people at our wedding!" Deeks huffed. "Do we even know 25 people?" Kensi asked. Deeks chuckled and pulled her chair closer. He was still working on his proposal plan, the ring was almost finished and he would then claim his forever with the love of his life. Kensi went to the ladies room with the girls and Deeks took the opportunity to make a request of the DJ for song but asked that he not announce it. Kensi does not like that sort of thing. He would give the DJ a signal when Kensi came back. He heard this song the other day on the radio. It was one of the few times, he had control of the dial. When Kensi was back at his side, he signaled the DJ. As the melody started, Deeks stood up, put his hand out to his girl. "Dance with me?" Kensi looked up to those blue eyes she could never get tired of and took his hand. He led her to the dance floor and pulled her close.

I've waited a hundred years. But I'd wait a million more for you. Nothing prepared me for what the privilege of being yours would do.*

Kensi closed her eyes, listening to the lyrics, safe in his arms. Deeks had left his jacket on his chair and seeing him in just his vest reminded her of a time 4 years ago, when he said she wasn't his type and she tried to one up him, saying she was too his type. The truth had a funny way of coming out undercover.

If I had only felt the warmth within your touch. If I had only seen how you smile when you blush. Or how you curl your lip when you concentrate enough, I would have known what I was living for all along. What I've been living for*

Deeks will never get tired of having her in his arms. All the time wasted due to fear. He will never forget the first time she blushed when he promised that he never thought for a minute she killed her father's platoon mates. Or watching her review reports while nibbling on her thumbnail. He could stare at her for hours. His warrior princess, deep down was a girly-girl and he was blessed to see that side of her. He would do everything to protect that side of her, she earned that from him.

I surrender who I've been for who you are. For nothing makes me stronger than your fragile heart. If I had only felt how it feels to be yours. Well, I would known, What I've been living for all along. What I've been living for*

Kensi looked into his eyes, amazed at the love she always saw there. She felt the regret for pushing him away. For all the times she acted like a jealous school girl. She was so scared of this wild child of a partner. But what she didn't realize was that his heart was as fragile as hers. As she got to know him, the laid-back clown, was actually a sensitive, loving, honorable man. He had protected his mother, protected Tiffany, protected her. But mostly, he protected his heart. He was just as guarded as she was. It wasn't until the case with Agent Angelo, that she'd find out that he was as terrified of getting hurt, hurting her, of everything.

Though we're tethered to the story we must tell. When I saw you, well, I knew we'd tell it well. With a whisper, we will tame the vicious seas. Like a feather bringing kingdoms to their knees*

They had saved each other so many ways, so many times. But in the end, they made it. And soon, he would seal the deal with a ring, on one knee for her. Anything for her. The song faded out, they stood there looking deep into each other's eyes when Marty moved forward and Kensi, as she has done for the past 6 years, met him half way to a slow sweet kiss. It wasn't until they heard glasses clanking that they broke apart to Kat standing behind them saying, "You two need to get a room or married or something!" Both felt the heat rise in their cheeks, laughed and mumbled their apologies. Later Marty took Kat aside and filled her in his plans and promised to let her know when it was going to happen. Kat hugged him tight and thanked him for loving her best friend.

The rest of the weekend was spent partying with the cupcake girls and their significant others, walks on the beach, quiet talks, and lots of love. By the time Sunday night rolled around they actually felt rested. They stopped by her mom's to pick up Monty and headed home. Back to business of saving the world.

Monday morning, Callen and Sam were in the gym waiting for them. They decided to give them another chance at "champion of the world". Kensi and Deeks smiled at each other and said "no thanks, we're good". And they were.

*Turning Page – Sleeping at Last [Ryan Curtis O'Neal]