The next morning Kensi woke up to an empty bed. Next to her was a familiar envelope she had given to Deeks from Hetty, after the whole Monica diamonds undercover op. Deeks entered the doorway with a tray of breakfast and a big smile.
"Starting my make up attempts," he grinned.
"What's this?" She held up the envelope.
"You don't recognize it?"
"I do, but Hetty gave it to you."
"She did, and now I'm giving it to you. You gave me the box a few weeks before she gave me this letter."
"Your point?" Kensi questioned.
"Hetty knew about the box too."
"Hetty knows everything."
"Don't I know it." Deeks started "I think she knew a lot more than we did. Even though I didn't open the box per se, I knew it would all be ok. Partially because this letter."
Kensi looked down with a mix of confusion and sadness. "I miss her, but what does this have to do with my box?"
"My box!" He corrected "And I miss her too. I kept this letter because I felt like it was a sign of her approval."
Kensi looked up. Their biggest fears in letting their feelings overtake them, was the possibility of losing their partnership. "We can't get married until she returns. It wouldn't be right."
"I know. She'll be back, I feel it." He began. "Are you going to open the envelope?"
"What's in the envelope, Deeks?"
"Touché." He winked as she laughed.
Kensi opened the envelope to reveal three words written in Hetty's handwriting, "Sunshine and Gunpowder"
"Two of my favorite things." Deeks whispered softly bringing Kensi her breakfast and sitting on the side of the bed.
Kensi smiled then proceeded to punch Deeks as hard as she could.
"Ow, What was that for?"
"You kept the letter, but lost my box!"
Deeks grinned slyly, "I'm still standing by the fact that I didn't need what's in the box because what I've wanted more than anything is lying here in my bed, our bed!"
Kensi sighed. "I hope Nell and Eric find the box."
"Baby, What's in the box?"
"It was just something, something I thought was meaningful to our thing," she shrugged.
He leaned over and kissed her. "I love you, you know that?"
"I do. Maybe I'll get a special box under the tree on Christmas."
"Maybe you will," he winked.
"I found it!" Nell shrieked.
"What?" Eric rubbed his tired eyes.
"Well, I found the day Deeks left the box inside the box on his desk." She watched as Hetty and Granger over looked Deeks leave the bullpen that night. She could hear the conversation between her two bosses that she missed dearly. Hoping one would still show back up sooner rather than later.
"Beginning of the end?" Granger questioned.
"End of the beginning," Hetty wisely corrected.
Nell looked down.
"She'll be back," Eric assured her.
"I hope so. I can't imagine Deeks and Kensi getting married without her here. Even before they admitted their feeling, look they were so supportive. We should let them see this. Kensi misses Granger. She told me she was going to have him walk her down the aisle. He loved us all so much."
"He did, even if he had a hard time showing it."
They continued to watch the video and listen to the conversation.
"Henrietta, do you really think they can make it work. This job leaves little time for personal life and emotions."
"Don't be such a hard ass Owen, you know you want them to as much as I do. They just have to figure it out and if anyone can, it's certainly Mr. Deeks and Miss Blye."
"I couldn't agree more, drinks?"
"You pour!"
The banter between Hetty and Granger made Nell and Eric smile, Missing the old days.
"Ok, everyone was gone and the box was still there." Eric observed.
"On to the next day Beale!"
Callen and Sam arrived early to work out.
"The wonder twins are here early this morning," Callen noted.
"Don't tell me they've been here all night looking for that damn box." Sam smirked.
"I wonder how much Deeks is paying them," Callen retorted.
"You're bad G, and if he is, they're gonna find out you took it."
"Why are you so insistent that it was me. Deeks shouldn't have just left it sitting on his desk unattended."
"It was you."
Callen shrugged.
"Kensi will kill you."
Callen shrugged again.
"You do realize you live above their bar."
"Providing a valuable security service."
Sam just shook his head. "Your funeral G, your funeral."
Callen smirked.
"Time to get to work, princess."
"I'm almost ready. Hold your horses."
"So testy this morning. And after breakfast in bed."
"Deeks! Give me a minute."
"Ok, ok. I'll be waiting in the car!"
"I'm driving!" She hollered back.
"Whatever you want, darlin!"
"Is that Callen?" Nell questioned still reviewing the morning after Deeks left the box inside the box at his desk.
Eric rolled over. "Looks like it."
Nell bursted out of OpS and headed to the gym.
"Did you think we wouldn't find out you took the box!" She glared.
Callen let out a laugh. "It's been five years Nell. I was thinking about wrapping it and giving it to them as their wedding gift. Kensi May be good, but I'm better."
"Oh, you better not let her hear you say that, G!" Sam intervened.
"Let who hear him say what?" Kensi questioned as she entered the gym.
"You're in trouble now," Sam whispered.
"Kens, Deeks, so nice of you to join us this morning. Sam and I have already been here an hour."
"You're not very sweaty, Callen. Easy work out day?" Deeks asked his senior agent.
"Callen has something he'd like to tell the both of you." Nell shouted.
"No, no nothing to tell here." Callen stammered.
"Really G, weren't you just telling us that Kensi May be good, but you're better."
"I may have actual footage of that," Nell pointed out.
"Is that so?" Kensi moved closer to Callen.
"Kens, you know I love you like a sister right?"
"What exactly are you better at?" She eyed him.
"Kens," he opened his arms to hug her.
"Did you take my box, Callen?"
"My box...did you take my box. I won't kill you like she will. I just need it man."
"Callen.." Kensi walked closer.
"Kens, Deeks left it just sitting on his desk. I mean he should have been more careful with it. Right? Kens?" Callen defended.
"Where's my box, Callen."
"Kens..."
"I know where you sleep," she eyed him again, shuttering Callen with a bit of fear.
"Sam? A little help here?"
"Oh no, you dug your own hole. You can get yourself out."
"Thanks partner," he said sarcastically.
Sam smirked holding his hands up and walking backward away from Kensi, who was still watching Callen as a predator watches her prey.
Deeks walked behind Callen, "I can save you, if you give me the box back," he whispered. "I really need the box Callen."
"Deeks?" Kensi questioned angrily.
"Baby, I need the box."
"Then you shouldn't have lost it!"
"I didn't. Callen stole it."
"Technically, I didn't steal it. It was sitting unattended on your desk. I was just putting it up for safe keeping. Plus I was tired of listening to the two of you banter over the box and using it as a meaning for something else!"
"Ahah! I told you it was symbolic for our thing!"
Kensi rolled her eyes. "Where's the box, Callen?"
"What's in the box, Kens?" Callen responded.
"Hey that's my line!" Deeks whined.
"See if I give you the box, then my man Deeks loses whatever bet you two have going on." Callen started as Kensi gave Deeks another dirty glare.
"Baby, I didn't tell him anything," Deeks defended himself.
"We know you two by know, more than we should," Sam reminded. "There is certainly something on the table."
Deeks ran his hands fidgeting with his hair. "Well, if you must know."
"No!" Kensi pointed and interrupted.
"Oh come on Kens!" Deeks begged.
"No, you don't get to play those cards. Although," she began to think Callen wouldn't want to lose her as a field agent, so she could use it to her advantage.
"What are you thinking," he said knowing his bride to be's reaction.
"I mean you think Callen would be on your side about this, but I'm not so sure. That does mean I'd be unavailable."
"I'm not sure I want to know what we are talking about here," Callen interrupted.
"Where's the box, Callen!" Kensi and Deeks shouted at the same time.
"It's been somewhere in plain sight for the last few days. I guess who ever finds it first wins!"
"Nell, I need a ride!" Kensi pulled her Maid of honor.
"Callen..."Deeks cried. "Take me to that box!"