Before we get into the next chapter, I want to shamelessly promote the new story bookdiva posted earlier. It's called Dates and Distractions. Bookdiva, EmmyLou74 and I all wrote a one shot back before 5X02 (when Kensi and Nell walked in talking about the groupster date they had gone on with Rose. Nell was getting all kinds of texts and Kensi hadn't gotten any...the three SEPARATE stories are what happened on the date). Go check it out!

Disclaimer - we all know it isn't mine.

Week 5

The next week following her melt down and the revelations letter, things started to look up, well, as much as they could without him being here with her. She was making a conscious effort to smile a little more, to not be as intense all the time.

Callen and Sam noticed the difference immediately, and both wondered what had happened to turn her around. Oh, they had ideas, but it was nothing concrete.

Trey on the other hand, was becoming increasingly annoying with his infatuation with her. Even though Kensi had kept him at arm's length, he still thought she hung the moon. He tried making jokes, but all she would do was smile and walk off. He would run ahead and open doors for her, but she would just lift an eyebrow and cross her arms.

She never shared anything more than she had to with him. She had tried, nicely, to tell him that while she appreciated what he was trying to do, she wasn't interested. He was just her partner, temporarily, until Deeks came back. But he seemed to think that he could change her mind.

She was sitting at her desk, trying to complete some paperwork, when she looked up and noticed Trey staring at her. She put her hands on the table.

"What can I do for you Trey?

"Oh, um, I was just wondering if you wanted to go get some dinner after work tonight." Kensi knew this was coming.

"Trey, we have been over this. You are my partner until Deeks comes back. At the end of the day, we will go our separate ways and meet back up here tomorrow. That's it."

Trey looked down, a little wounded. He shook his head and when he looked back up, he smiled.

"Ok, I get it."

"Trey, I'm sorry. I just…Deeks, he's my partner. He's my best friend. And I hope you know I am trying here, working with you. It's nothing against you, at all. You are a great guy and a great cop. You have my back and I have yours. And someday, you are going to make some special lady very happy. But I am not that lady. My heart is with someone else. I hope you can understand that."

"I do, Kensi. But, offer still stands on dinner. Just as friends."

She laughed a little. "We'll see. And if you speak of this conversation to anyone, go look at where I shoot my targets. It will not end well for you."

Laughing, he nodded and got up, walking away. She sighed and shook her head. She really needed her partner back.

Later that day, with no new cases coming in, she walked to the shooting range for practice. She had excess energy to work off. Putting the ear protectors and eye wear on, she made quick work of her target. All perfect shots to the head and chest...well and the one shot to the groin. Usually, shooting helped clear her head, but not today.

So, she decided to go to the armory to clean her gun. Reaching into the cabinet to get her supplies, she noticed it was moved around a little. Looking down, she noticed a rather large box and the famous pale purple paper. Grinning like a school girl, she pulled the box out and unfolded her next note.

Well looky here sweet cheeks. Hope this little surprise finds you happy and healthy (well, as healthy as your food habits allow). It's not much, but when I saw it, I knew it was for you. Smile sunshine, I will be back before you know it! -D

Tearing off the wrapping paper, she looked down and saw a brand new cleaning kit for her guns. Opening the lid, she looked down at the supplies just waiting for her. She ran her hands along the wood of the kit, unable to keep the grin off her face.

Pulling her gun apart, she meticulously cleaned her weapon with the new supplies, humming some forgotten tune the whole time. She put the gun back together and the supplies back in their rightful place. As she closed the lid, she wondered how she had missed it the first time.

On the box, neatly engraved on the right hand corner, was KMB. Underneath it were the words Always Smile. This man, she thought, this man was it. The only one who would ever truly understand her. The man who, even though on an undercover assignment, still made it his life's mission to make her smile no matter what.

And God help him when he got back. Because she was going to make sure he knew how much that meant to her. She placed her box underneath the cabinet and walked back to her desk, the smile never faltering.

Callen had watched her silently from the door while she examined the new kit. At first he was surprised she hadn't noticed him, but the longer he watched, the more he realized she was in her own world right now.

He also noted he had never seen that kit before. They all had their own place where they kept their stuff, each meticulous in the way the cared for their weapons, having their own quirks and special pieces. He knew the one she normally used was her dads, in a dark wood box. The one she currently had out was much lighter wood. He listened as she hummed to herself, smiling. He had never seen her this open before, and he was curious what was going through her mind.

When she was done, he saw her close the lid and then run her hands over it, examining it. He watched as she traced her fingers over something. The soft smile adorning her face, the happiness that was radiating off of her, was truly amazing. He slipped away when he noticed her putting the box back under the cabinet.

After she had walked back to her desk, he opened the cabinet and looked at the kit. He saw the initials KMB on it and the inscription below telling her to always smile. He knew immediately who it was from, as Deeks was the only one who was always trying to get her to lighten up and make her smile. They would be having a little heart to heart when he got back.

Not that Callen thought he would ever hurt her, but he wouldn't be doing his big brother duty if he didn't at least try and put the fear of God into him. No, there was no trying about it. He would be doing it. With Sam's help, of course. No time like the present to start planning.

Halfway back to the bullpen, Callen realized he was smiling, too. Seems like the Detective had a way of getting everyone around to smile, no matter how indirectly, even when he wasn't here. Damn that man, he thought to himself chuckling. He grabbed Sam and the left for the night, plotting out exactly when and how to talk to Deeks when he got back.

AN - Like it? Hate it? Let me know!