AN: I'm working on another chapter (which is really long, btw) on a prompt from justareader07, but it's Deeks's birthday, so this had to be written. Enjoy!

Blessings,

bookdiva

Another day, another bad guy behind bars, another night with Monty and a beer. Deeks walked into his apartment, stopping by the door to drop his keys and grab Monty's leash.

His calendar hung on the wall between the kitchen, still opened to November. After Kensi had been ripped away from him, it seemed as if time had stopped moving. Sure, he still got up. He ran, surfed sometimes, went to work, and carried on in the most professional manner he'd ever done in his life.

He knew that Christmas had come and gone—it was hard to miss even the minimal fanfare of the OSP office—but as far as Deeks was concerned, until Kensi came back, it was November, because his whole life was on hold until she returned.

He knew, in reality, it was January. Sam had invited him over for New Years, so he knew it was 2014, but by that point, he'd already lost track.

It's better this way, he thought as he brought Monty back in. Just keep going… existing… moving…

He grabbed a beer and plopped down on the couch. Monty immediately jumped up and snuggled against his legs. Deeks smiled down at his mutt and scratched his ears.

"Let's see what we can find to watch, huh Monty?" Deeks said aloud. He turned the TV on and began channel surfing.

Top Model, no, he thought, immediately switching the channel. Project Runway, no. Titanic… does the universe hate me?

After another ten minutes of flipping through channels, he settled on a survivalist documentary. It was perfect, because he never watched them with Kensi. She always nitpicked them to within an inch of their lives.

He settled in and set his SAT phone on his lap, where he could see it and feel it. It was his same routine every night since Christmas, but the phone hadn't made a sound since that night at the OSP offices.

About ten minutes into the documentary, Deeks turned to Monty.

"Ya know, Monty," Deeks said in a serious tone, "sucking venom out of a snake bite wound is not something you should ever do. Unless you're bad-ass Blye, of course. Apparently, you're just supposed to get to the hospital, ASAP! Though where you're supposed to find a hospital in the middle of nowhere…"

Monty just looked at him like he was losing his mind.

"Yeah," Deeks continued at his dog's look, "I'm probably going crazy. Now shut up and listen to this guy give stupid advice."

Two hours later, the marathon of Man vs. Wild was still going strong, and Deeks had managed to zone out. It was almost midnight, but as usual, Deeks didn't feel like sleeping. Sleep had become a chore again—not quite as bad as before, but still not normal. At least now he knew that he needed to get enough sleep to function.

I'm still waiting on you, Kens, he thought as he stood up. He turned off the TV and was about to head to bed when a startling, barely-familiar sound blasted throughout the apartment. He lunged for the SAT phone, knocking some b=magazines and an empty coffee cup off the table.

"Hey, Fern," he answered as casually as he could. "How's life in the classified lane?"

She laughed, but she sounded out of breath. "It's good," she said.

"Good?" he cut her off before she could continue, surprised that she actually sounded happy. "So that's… good, then?"

She laughed again. "Wow, I see your communication skills have improved soooo much."

He smirked. "Yeah, well what can I say? I'm much better at non-verbal communication, as you well know."

"Yes you are."

"Woah," Deeks said, his eyes widening in surprise. "Okay, that just… happened. Right, why are you agreeing with me? It's kinda… freaking me out."

"I didn't forget," she said. Her answer made no sense to Deeks.

Didn't forget what? he wondered.

"Okay, you didn't forget… what, exactly?"

"You've got to be kidding me," she said, sounding exasperated. He was silent as he tried to think of what she could be talking about. "Oh, my god, you're serious!"

She laughed again. He was still confused, but he smiled at her laugh.

"Serious as a heart attack, Kensalina," he answered with a smile. "Now, what am I forgetting?"

"Wow," Kensi whispered. "You know, for a Detective, you're not being very astute right now."

He just laughed. "Well excuse me. We had a tough case today, and it's late. I'm not at the top of my game. You should call me again tomorrow, and maybe then I'll remember."

"I can call you tomorrow," she said slowly. There was a knock at the door, and Deeks looked to his door questioningly. "But there's something I'd much rather spend the day doing."

"You mean there's something more fun to do on that classified continent of yours than talk to me?"

She laughed, and there was another knock on his door.

"Ugh, seriously, just go away," he muttered.

"What?" Kensi asked.

"Oh, not you," he hurried to reassure her. "It's just, Monty got into it with the neighbor's cat again, and now he's pounding on my door. I swear that thing is the devil's spawn." Kensi laughed. "Anywho, the cat was fine—Monty just wanted to play—but I left a note." Then he muttered, "But he just can't wait for a respectable time."

Kensi laughed again, and another knock sounded from the door.

"You'd better go open your door, or someone might just pick the lock," she said, sounding amused and still rather antsy.

"That's ridiculous," Deeks said, but he walked over to the door anyway. "The only person I know who'd ever do that is…" he trailed off as he opened the door and saw his partner standing there, SAT phone held to her ear. "…you."

"Me," Kensi agreed with a smile. They stared at each other for ten seconds before Kensi launched herself at him. He caught her, stumbling back into his apartment and shutting the door behind him.

"You—you're really here?" he choked out, still holding her close.

"Of course I am," she replied. She pulled back and looked him in the eyes. "I'm so sorry I couldn't call again, but I was just so damn determined that I wasn't going to miss it this year."

He nodded, still smiling and holding her. "Miss what, exactly?"

She shook her head, stood on her tip toes, and kissed him. It didn't take him long to respond.

"Happy Birthday, Deeks," she said, pulling back.

"Happy… what? It's…? Oh," he seemed to realize, and he nodded his head. She laughed again.

"I can't believe you forgot your own birthday, Max," she said, running her fingers through his unruly blonde curls. "You gave me so much crap last year…"

"I don't care anymore, Fern," he said, capturing her lips with his. She smiled and returned the kiss.

"I'm sorry I didn't have any time to shop for something special," she mumbled against his lips a few minutes later.

He just shook his head. "You're here," he said, kissing her again. "Best birthday I ever forgot."

So Happy Birthday Deeks! Enjoy and REVIEW!