Partially because we aren't all stars but we are all space things

He called us a pantheon and I want to use it in our name now

1 Pantheon-of-stars

2 Pantheon-of-the-galaxy

3 Pantheon-pack

4 Pack-pantheon

Or drop that and go with

5 Pack-of-the-galaxy

***

Just Know My Heart is Breaking Too, Part 32

Deeks is waiting for Kensi in the parking garage on her last day with NCIS. It’s not the first time he’s picked her up here, since he’s technically not allowed past this point for security purposes, but it certainly feels symbolic today.

The last three months have contained a lot of highs and lows. Deeks made partner at the firm last month, Kensi’s replacement had officially started, and they were about to close on a house. Around all those events, they’ve had a few arguments and rough patches as they learned to navigate their renewed relationship and so many changes. Somehow, they’ve managed to work through those moments without shutting down or lashing out. It’s taken a lot of compromise, not to mention some much needed therapy, for both of them.

“Hey, baby, Congratulations ,” he says, offering Kensi a small bouquet of flowers as she meets him in front of his truck. She wraps her arms around him giving him a tight squeeze before she accepts the flowers and sniffs them with a smile.

“Thank you. They’re gorgeous.”

“How was your last day?” He takes the flowers while she climbs into the truck and buckles in.

“Well, nothing blew up and I only had to chase one suspect,” she answers and pulls out a couple more cards to add to the collection.

Over the last week, each NCIS department has marked her imminent departure with some form of celebration. Deeks’ favorite was IT covering Kensi’s desk in Twinkies. It had taken both of their vehicles to move them all to the apartment.

“And I bet that guy regretted running,” he comments as he starts to pull out of the garage. “Do you wanna go straight to the boat shed?”

“Mm-hmm. Nell instructed me to wear something nice and left a little early to set up. I think she’s planning something elaborate, even though I told her I don’t need anything special.”

Deeks chuckles, knowing that Nell has indeed planned to send Kensi out in style. He’d helped order the food and put up roughly a thousand balloons.

“It’s just cause they care.”

“I know. You deserve it as much as I do,” Kensi tells him, putting up a hand when he starts to object. “I would not have been able to do this without you. You talked me down when I was ready to quit early and listened to me rant after really hard days. You told me to believe in myself when I didn’t think I could do anything outside of NCIS.” She squeezes his hand tightly. “We did this together.”

“Team effort,” he settles on. “How did it feel submitting your final field report?” Deeks asks as they reach the pier, meeting Kensi’s eyes with a knowing smile.

“Amazing. I’m so glad I never have to write anything like that again,” she sighs. “Though last night I did dream that Hetty reappeared from wherever she is and told me I had a bunch of reports I needed to resubmit.” She shudders.

“That sounds horrifying.”

“It was. But then I woke up and you were there and Hetty wasn’t, so it was ok,” Kensi says with a little snort. Deeks grins and follows her out of the truck.

When they walk into the boat shed, Eric, Nell, Sam, and Callen are gathered around one of the tables. In addition to the balloons, someone has put up a retirement banner and streamers.

“Hey guys. Happy Last Day as an NCIS Special Agent, Kensi,” Nell calls out, greeting Kensi with a hug and a drink.

“Thank you, but I thought I specifically said I didn’t need a party,” Kensi says fondly.

“It’s not a party, it’s a celebration. And you can’t have a celebration without food and balloons.”

“Or libations,” Eric adds, gesturing to a generous selection of alcohol.

“And you can thank your boyfriend for ordering all the sushi, wide selection of Mexican food, and cake,” Nell adds.

Kensi raises an eyebrow at him, and he lifts both hands, quickly defending himself. “Hey, I just took orders from Nellosaurus.”

“Uh-huh.” Kensi leans up and kisses him, lingering for a few extra seconds to pour all her appreciate and love into it. No one objects for a change. In fact, when they pull apart, Sam and Callen are smiling indulgently.

“Ok, you two can make out later,” Nell says, handing Kensi a plate. “Get yourself some tacos and sushi, Lady.”

***

“How’s it feel now that you’re officially done?” Sam asks once everyone is sitting around with plates of food. “It’s gonna be a big change.”

“Good. It will be a lot different, but I’m not second guessing anything,” Kensi tells him firmly.

“Didn’t think you were. You both made it very clear you were certain about this path and I’m proud of you for following through.”

“And you guys are closing on the new house next month, right?” Callen asks.

“Yeah. As long as this buyer doesn’t back out,” Deeks confirms with a grimace. “I’m not looking forward to moving, but having more space again will be sweet.”

“At least this time I actually packed the boxes correctly and labeled them,” Kensi teases.

“See, I knew the self-help books would make a difference eventually,” Deeks teases back. She nudges him with her elbow, the gesture playful as she smiles up at him.

It strikes him how easy this is now. A couple years ago, those kinds of jokes would have struck harder and maybe even had a hint of malice behind them. Then again, they don’t have the underlying stress and unresolved issues hiding underneath.

“We’re taking a two week vacation starting next week and my orientation starts a week after,” Kensi adds. “That way we’ll start out fresh going into all the new things.”

“You know, with the new job, Kensi’s going to have a lot fewer late nights,” Callen points out. “How’s that going to work out with you being a partner now?”

“Actually, I have an excellent reason to be home these days.” Deeks squeezes Kensi’s hand. “Part of my new contract specifies shorter days and I get to have more control over the cases I accept.”

“Sounds like you guys got it all worked out,” Eric comments with a bittersweet smile.

“We tried,” Kensi agrees. “But if and when life throws us a curveball, we’ll handle it.”

“Cause no matter what, we’re partners,” Deeks finishes, then inclines his head. “Maybe raccoons.”

Kensi smiles and rests her head on his shoulder. “For life.”

***

***

It isn’t until the entire team arrive for dinner, that Kensi realizes just how small her apartment is. Although she’s had more of a social life than Deeks, she hasn’t been entertaining.

The entire team had encouraged her to take a chance with Deeks, but that was so much different than leaving. Now that the moment is here, nerves have kicked in. She’s completely certain of her decision to leave, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.

So here she is watching the team talk and laugh from the kitchen while what-ifs paralyze her.

“Thinking of making a break for it?” Deeks says unexpectedly from behind her, making her jump slightly.

“I thought you were checking the pizza.”

“It’s out. And you’re avoiding the question.” Deeks makes the observation lightly, but with obvious compassion.

“No, I haven’t changed my mind,” she promises. “I’m just realizing that making such a big announcement is easier in theory.” With a sigh, Kensi leans against Deeks’ chest, appreciating the stability and comfort. “How did you do it?” She twists her head in time to see Deeks lift an eyebrow.

“If you recall, I wasn’t exactly doing too well emotionally at that time. Resigning didn’t seem like that big a deal in the grand scheme of things,” he replies sardonically.

“Right.” Kensi winces. “Stupid question. I just don’t want to disappoint anyone.”

“Kens, they love you and they’re gonna support you no matter what.” Deeks kisses her cheek and wraps and arm around her shoulder, hugging her against his chest for a second.

“You’re right. Thank you for always knowing how to talk me down,” she says, squeezing his arm before she lets go and walks back into her small living room.

“Oh good, we were just getting ready to stage an intervention if you didn’t come out soon,” Callen jokes.

“Is everything ok?” Eric checks.

“We’re fabulous,” Deeks answers. “We were neither fighting nor engaged in any unmentionable activities.”

“Thank goodness for that,” Sam mutters as Callen chuckles.

Kensi looks around the room, at all these people who have supported her, loved her, and put up with her in her worst moments. Eric and Nell share a couch with Jared squeezed in at the end.

Jared has handled keeping her secret surprisingly well. Unlike Kensi, he seems completely calm and hasn’t given any sign that he knows anything. He’s come a long way and she feels proud at the realization. He’s going to be ok without her. They all will.

“Actually, there is another reason why we invited all of you here tonight besides celebrating us getting back together,” Kensi begins, sharing a nervous look with Deeks. He nods encouragingly and she wishes this didn’t feel so much like a high school presentation. “Even though I’ve spent hours thinking about it, I don’t really know how to say this.”

“Can I say something first?” Sam asks, standing up from his spot on the couch.

“Sure.” Kensi nods uncertainly, but lets Sam move to the center of the room.

“I remember when you were just a rookie agent who was so determined to make a difference and prove yourself. I’d say you more than met your own expectation because you are one hell of an agent, Kensi.” He gave Kensi a half-smirk as he paused. “And you’re going to be amazing at whatever you do next. Whether it’s with NCIS or somewhere else.”

“How did you—?” Kensi asks, looking first to Deeks and then Jared, but they look equally surprised.

Sam rolls his eyes. “You’ve been on edge all night. I couldn’t take you biting at your nails anymore.”

“We also kind of made bets as soon as Deeks came back on board,” Callen reveals shamelessly. “Figured it wouldn’t be too long until you started thinking about the future beyond NCIS.”

“There’s also the fact you actually took your full medical leave for a change,” Sam adds.

So, you are leaving?” Eric confirms. He’s been unusually quiet all evening and now she knows why.

“Three months,” Kensi says. “I promise I wasn’t hiding this from you guys. I just had to make sure everything was in order before I shared the news.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” Nell tells her, coming over to hug Kensi tightly. “I’m gonna miss you so much, Lady. But I’m also happy for you.” Nell laughs wetly, then reaches for Deeks, hugging him just as fiercely. “And you too. You have no idea how hard I’ve worked for this.”

“Oh, we know,” Deeks assures her. “Thank you for all your meddling and pushing. I don’t know if we would have figured it out without you.”

“Definitely not,” Callen teases. “You two idiots were prepared to be miserable for the rest of her lives.”

***

On A Wave’s Edge

Kensi pushed her sunglasses higher on the bridge of her nose, pretending to enjoy the view of the ocean as she looked out onto the beach. She noted the many swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers even as she kept an eye out for their suspect. Branston Meyers.

A former Army Sergeant, Meyers was now the prime suspect for a string of confidence schemes involving young women. He’d lure them in with fancy meals and trinkets under an alias, then quickly drain their bank accounts. It wasn’t the most sophisticated operation, but turned out to be surprisingly effective.

Callen and Sam were somewhere else on the beach, trying to be discreet. Between Callen’s general loner air and Sam’s impressive frame, that was a tricky order. Especially since Sam had unequivocally refused to wear trunks. With that in mind, they’d decided Kensi should take the lead.

She’d dressed the part in a short sundress over a bikini. With any luck, it would be enough to grab Meyers’ attention. According to the profile they had, Kensi fit Meyers’ type, which was mid-twenties to early thirties.

Moving along the pier, Kensi headed towards the beach, her feet sinking into the warm sand once she was off the platform.

“Kensi, I spotted our guy. He’s headed your way,” Callen said in her ear.

“Got it,” Kensi muttered. It took a few minutes, but eventually she picked Branston out from the group of similarly dressed men. He had his shoulder length hair pulled up in a man bun, wore black trunks, and carried a bright green surfboard.

Of course he had a man bun, Kensi thought as she moved towards him. Concealing her derision, she sped up, intending to “run” into Branston and play the damsel in distress.

At the last second, a group of loud and oblivious teenagers stepped in front of her. It gave Branston just enough time to get ahead of her and

“Dammit!”

“Kensi?”

“I’m fine,” Kensi assured Sam, weaving to keep Branston in sight. “Just taking a slight detour.” She continued to follow Branston, keeping back enough that he wouldn’t realize she was trailing him. Fortunately, he didn’t look back a single time.

Meyers kept walking until he reached a small surf shop. He bypassed the shop itself, instead approaching a tall blonde man dressed in a pale blue t-shirt and board shorts. Kensi held back, pretending to examine a set of wind chimes and touristy magnets displayed on a rack near the shop’s entrance while she

The surfer guy was industriously working on a surfboard, but looked up when Branston came into his field of vision.

“Hey, Kyle.” Surfer guy brushed his hair back, setting a small tool to the side, crossing his arms over his chest.

Kensi immediately guessed he wasn’t Branston’s biggest fan.

“Hey,” Branston replied, nodding to Surfer Guy with a sharp jab of his chin. “Are we good for today?”

“I told you, man, I need to be paid upfront,” he reminded him. He said something else, but a light breeze rattled the wind chimes and Kensi missed it.

“You’ll get your money,” Branston said sharply. “I expect to see you on Wednesday.”

“I’ll be here with bells on.” Then Surfer Guy lowered his head again and resumed his work, effectively ending the conversation. Kensi quickly ducked inside the shop before Branston could see her. She’d lost her chance for to fake a run-in.

The teenaged employee inside gave her a cursory glance before looking at the phone in his hand again.

“Branston just made some kind of deal with a surfer. I’m gonna see what he knows,” Kensi informed Callen and Sam under her breath. If the teenager thought it was odd she was talking to herself, he didn’t show it. Peering around a display of board wax and brushes, Kensi saw that Branston was several yards in the distance.

Walking back outside, she found the surfer in the same spot, though now he was working on a different board.

“Hi, can I help you?” he asked pleasantly. Much more pleasantly than he’d spoken to Branston. He even smiled, his upper lifting crookedly. It was a nice smile that lit up his entire face and extended to his blue eyes.

Kensi cleared her throat. “Do you work here?”

“Kind of. I’m the owner, Marty Deeks.” He gestured to the shop and held his hand out. Kensi took it automatically, her skin heating at his firm grip. “Are you looking to sign up for classes? Maybe a new board?”

“Actually, no. I’m Special Agent Kensi Blye, NCIS,” Kensi said, pulling her wallet from inside her dress. Deeks lifted an eyebrow, but didn’t make any comments as he accepted her ID and examined it thoroughly.

Kensi was impressed he took the time since most people just accepted her at her word. Maybe it was another sign he’d been engaging in criminal behavior.

“Hello, Agent Kensi Blye. I’d didn’t realize you guys had a beach division,” he commented. “Do I need to call my lawyer?”

“Hopefully not. Why were you talking with Branston Meyers?”

Deeks repeated the name, his eyebrow arching, this time in confusion.

“Kyle,” Kensi clarified, remembering the name Deeks had used. “It’s one of his aliases.”

“Well, that’s not a good sign,” Deeks drawled. He settled a hand on one hip. “Kyle—Branston—takes surfing lessons here. What is he supposed to have done?”

“You don’t seem that surprised by any of this,” Kensi observed.

With a shrug, Deeks exhaled noisily. “He’s kind of an ass.”

Kensi snorted. “That sounds about right. Meyers is wanted in connection with a fraud case. Specifically stealing money from young women after pretending to date them.”

“Wow. And he can’t even manage to pay me a hundred bucks a week for his surfing lessons,” Deeks said. “That’s awful. Are these women ok?”

“Physically, yes. Financially and otherwise, not really,” Kensi responded. A plan was starting to form as she talked. She eyed Deeks, trying to see any signs that he was lying to her. “How often does Branston taken lessons with you?”

“Usually once a week. Sometimes twice.”

“Can you think of any information he’s told you that might be helpful to our investigation?”

“Uh…” Deeks scratched his chin. “He told me he works in finance and almost always manages to slip in comments about his fancy house or luxurious vacations. Honestly, I try to talk to him as little as possible because he’s a smug creep. I just didn’t know how much of a creep,” he said, shrugging apologetically.

“Hmm. Is he any good? At surfing,” Kensi clarified.

Deeks chuckled. “No. He’s one of my worst students, but he thinks he’s amazing. He’s tried to give me tips a few times.”

“Perfect,” Kensi, smiling when Deeks gave her a confused look. “Do you have room for another client?”

***

***

Kilbride, stalking into the bullpen: I thought we agreed you would be discreet!

Callen: We were.

Kilbride: Kidnapping a movie star is not what I would call the peak of discretion.

Deeks, leaning on his desk next to Kensi: I’m not sure I’d classify him as a “movie star”. And we didn’t kidnap him.

Kilbride, crossing his arms: Oh, and what exactly would you call it?

Deeks: Briefly detaining him for a traffic violation and resisting an officer.

Kensi, touching his arm: Babe. No one saw us.

Sam, reasonably: Besides, it turned out he had key information. So, we got our guy and the movie star is less likely to speed for the next few weeks.

Deeks: I call that a win-win.

*Kilbride inhales sharply and walks away*

Callen: Where are you going, Sir?

Kilbride: To write my resignation letter.

Deeks, shaking his head: That man needs to get a thicker skin.