A/N: Written for the 7th anniversary of Kensi and Deeks officially being together as a couple. Densimber Day 15.

December 2014

She can't ever remember being this nervous before. Not when she worked her first case with NCIS, or received her first Hetty note. Or even the night she and Deeks first slept together.

Kensi keeps thinking about missed opportunities though because she's too afraid of all the what-ifs. As much as she might joke, Deeks is truly her best friend, her partner, possibly the single most important person in her world at the moment. The thought of losing any of that is terrifying.

Her desire to have more than just companionship with Deeks has been building for months and now she can't think of a better time than today to act on her feelings. The ice rink and festive decorations are the perfect background.

She just hopes that she hasn't misread Deeks' intentions.

Deeks convinces her to rent skates, his excitement as he gets on the ice contagious. Watching him speed in between people, hair flying in the wind and pure joy on his face, Kensi's reminded of everything she loves about him. And she knows she's making the right decision.

Eventually, she gets Deeks to stop in a fairly discreet spot, or as close as they can get in such a public place. Heart pounding, she takes Deeks hands and stumbles over the words she's practiced so carefully for the last two hours.

"I wanna be bold, Deeks," she finally manages, taking Deeks' hand. She sees the hope mixed with confusion in his eyes, like he doesn't want to let himself believe what she's saying. "But I want to be bold with you."

"So no more games then," he says, tangling fingers more tightly. It feels good. Right

"No more games."

"Chips on the table?"

"All in," Kensi tells him and she smiles. "Tonight."

"Tomorrow," Deeks asks, lip quirking up with the half-smile she loves so much.

"And the day aft-" He kisses her before she can finish, his lips firm yet gentle, and everything that she's been yearning for. This is happiness, Kensi thinks as they break away just long enough to smile at one another.

December 2021

"Ok, bend your left knee a little more and push off with your right," Deeks instructs. He's holding Kensi's right hand, attention focused on her feet, currently enclosed in shiny white skates. Occasionally, he checks behind him to ensure the path his clear, but he doesn't seem all the worried about running into anyone.

It's their seventh year of coming to this ice rink to celebrate the day they started dating. A few years, they didn't quite make it on the exact day, but they try to get as close as possible.

Normally, Kensi sticks close to the wall while Deeks shows off his skating skills or relies on his support if she ventures farther. After a significant amount of pleading, Kensi had reluctantly agreed to let him teach her a few basic steps.

"Like this?" She glances down at his feet and attempts to copy his footwork, but in reverse.

"Exactly," Deeks praises her. "That's fantastic, Kens. Ok, you've got the basic step. Now let's try some forward swizzles."

Every time she stumbles, Deeks is there to catch or guide her, gently coaching her through the alternating V and A formations. On a few minutes, Kensi is moving along pretty steadily if not as elegantly as Deeks.

"Alright, I'm going to let go of your hand now."

"Deeks, I don't know if that's a good idea," Kensi says, giving him a uncertain look.

"You can do this, baby," he encourages her, smiling as he gently pulls his hand free from hers. He continues skating backwards, staying close enough to catch her if she falls.

"You know, this isn't as bad as I thought it would be," she decides. "With a little more practice, I think I could take you on."

"Oh really? You're, uh, getting pretty cocky there Kensalina."

"It's only cocky if you catch me." She throws him a teasing grin and takes off, hoping that her balance and newly learned skills are enough to keep her from falling flat on her face.

Deeks chases after her, weaving between other skaters with ease. She only makes it about half way around the rink before he catches her around the waist, making her yelp. One of her skates catches in the ice and they tumble to the ground in a heap.

Ignoring the people staring at them, Kensi starts giggling, and Deeks leans over her, dropping a kiss on the tip of her nose. His cheeks are bright with laughter and his hair is flopping in his eyes.

"Thank you for teaching me," Kensi murmurs, brushing his hair back. "It was the perfect way to celebrate one of the best days of our lives."

"Anytime, Sugarbear." He says, sneaking another kiss. "And here's to many more years of being brave."