As Deeks opens the car door for her, Kensi begins to think about what they're doing. It may be their first date, but Kensi already felt out of her element. She had thought tirelessly these past few months, since confronting herself with her feelings, about how she and Deeks could have a real romantic relationship and remain partners. She really didn't want another partner. Ever. She trusts Deeks.

As Deeks gets situated in the driver's seat he looks over at Kensi and sees pain in her eyes and a single tear trailing down her cheek. "Am I really that bad a kisser?" he asks, hoping for a little smile.

He doesn't get it. Instead he just gets this look. The look that says, You can't make a joke out of everything Deeks. So Marty takes a deep breath, looks Kensi in the eye and asks, "What's on your mind sugarbear?"

"What do you think, you goob?"

"Don't worry about that tonight Kens. Please."

"When do I worry about it? When's a good time to freak out about how this will affect our jobs, our partnership, the team-" Deeks places his hand gently on her cheek, wipes the tears from it, and guides her face to meet his. He kisses her, differently than in the theater, less passionate, more comforting. He rubs circles along her back while slowly melding his mouth with hers. He feels her relax and he slowly withdraws from their embrace.

"I know you hate not having a plan Kens, and that the unknown eats you up inside, but this isn't something we can figure out beforehand. As problems come along you and I will just have to talk them. We don't know what's gonna happen but that's okay, cause, well I've got your back and you've got mine and that, my girl is never gonna change."

"This sure is a night of firsts, huh?" She says with a little smirk.

"It's not over yet, sugarbear." Deeks rebuts. With a wink and a knowing smile he slides his car out of the parking space and begins driving to the restaurant.

"I don't think I wanna sit and eat at a restaurant, Marty" Kensi muses from the passenger seat.

Hearing her use his first name sent a surge of warmth throughout his body. "Well, I don't have food at my place, and your fridge has never seen food that didn't come in a takeout box, what do you recommend we do? Cause I am not equipped to deal with scary, hungry Kensi."

"Oh shut up, I'm not that bad-"

"Not that bad! I looked at you the wrong way after skipping lunch once and you pulled a knife on me looking for corn nuts!"

"Says the guy stupid enough to try hiding a bag of corn nuts from scary, hungry Kensi" she muttered.

"Touché. Still, we need food." His stomach rumbles this time. "Soon."

"I know this awesome taco truck that's on the way to your place" she suggests. She really doesn't want to eat a nice meal in a crowded restaurant, just a greasy one, alone at home with her partner. What can she say? She's more sassy than classy.

"Sounds good." Deeks makes his way towards his apartment, picking up a six pack along the way. They are maybe five minutes from his apartment when Kensi begins directing him slightly off course.

Deeks parks next to a festively painted taco truck sitting by the beach. Although he lives near this one, he's hardly ever come here. This beach was not meant for surfers with its low swells. No, this was a family beach.

"How'd you find this place?" he asks, simply making conversation, but Kensi appears uncomfortable at the question.

"Oh, you know, I saw it when I was driving to your place a few months ago and figured I'd stop for a taco." She says, attempting nonchalance which he's simply not buying.

"This isn't really on your way Kens"

"I got a little turned around."

"You don't get turned around. I've known eagle scouts who can't navigate to your standards. Come on, tell me the story…"

"There's no story, Marty."

"Come on, Kensi. If there was a night to lay it all out on the table, it's tonight"

"This isn't really first date material…"

"This isn't much like a first date." He counters.

Kensi sighs and looks her date up and down. Her date. That's who he is tonight. She looks him in the eye, "I came by your place once…"

"You've come by my place loads of times"

"I found this place the time I didn't come in." Both are silent for several seconds while her words sink in.

Deeks clears his throat and asks the question he's dying to know the answer to, "Why didn't you come in?"

"Fear of rejection" she answers. She wasn't gonna make it easy for him to get this information out of her.

"Were you scared that I didn't feel the same way?" Deeks asks, taking a stab at what is going through her head.

"I still am" At this they both take a deep breathe. While Kensi holds hers in, Deeks slowly exhales and begins to form the words that have been killing him.

"Kensi, you never need to worry about that. I-I-I love y—you." he pauses and collects himself. Then with more conviction he looks her in the eyes and says. "I'm in love with you Kensi. I want to be with you and I know this is a lot for a first date-"

"But this isn't much like a first date anyway" She interrupts him with a newfound sparkle in her eyes.

"No, it's not." He responds and gazing into her shimmering orbs, he closes the short distance between them and passionately pulls her into a long rough kiss. He pours his emotions into this kiss, thinking that after all of this, if she doesn't feel the same, well, at least he'll have this kiss, this moment. It helps quell his fears that she is kissing him back with fervor equal to his own.

They are interrupted when a call from the truck informs them that their order is up. They reluctantly separate and walk over to the truck each picking up a bag of food with one hand while holding on to their partners with the other.

They silently get into Deeks' car. He begins to place his key into the ignition when her hand moves on top of his and she lets out an emotional, "Marty?"

"Yea princess?" he answers meeting her gaze.

"I'm in love with you too."