#deeks is hot

Forty-five minutes later, Kensi had a brand new wetsuit, a waxing brush, what Deeks had cited as the best wax available, and a bag to carry all of it. Now, Kensi was out back in front a row of surfboards of varying lengths.

“Here, try this one,” Deeks said, setting a blue and green board in front of her to replace the bright pink one she’d just tested. “It’s a little bit longer but slightly firmer.”

He’d explained since she was less experienced, a longer board with a softer top might be helpful. So far, she’d tried out four different boards. The last one, which had also been the longest, Deeks had immediately rejected as soon as she’d tried out a basic stance.

“Are you sure this will really make a difference?” she asked. She could feel the slight give in the top material, but not enough that she imagined it would make or break her performance.

“Absolutely. You’ll be able to stay on your board longer, have greater stability while standing, and have a better chance of catching waves,” Deeks explained while observing her. “You know what, I think I have one inside that might be an even better fit for you. I’ll be right back.”

“Mr. Deeks, you don’t need to—”

“Deeks,” he corrected with a soft laugh. “The last person to call me Mr. Deeks was my high school chemistry teacher and he may or may not have hated me just a little bit.”

“Ok. Deeks.” Kensi nodded in acceptance that they were taking down another small barrier. “I think you’re going a little overboard. We can compensate you for some of the merchandise, but I don’t know if our supervisor will approve of all these extras. I don’t want your business to suffer because of this.

“Call it the NCIS special,” Deeks said with a shrug. “Having the right equipment will help you keep up. Besides, I told you Branston thinks he’s some kind of surfing guru. He’ll want to impress you and prove that he’s better if he sees you decked out with the best.”

“So, I should probably not show him up,” Kensi guessed.

“Eh, you can a little bit. He’s a competitive guy. Sometimes he tries to engage with random surfers who are way out of his league. You’ll just want to pull back before he pulls the adult version of ‘that’s my ball and I’m leaving’.”

“Dealt with my fair share of those before.”

Deeks disappeared for a few minutes, then returned with the promised board. Kensi walked across the surface, dropping into her knees a little, and paying attention to the way it gripped the bottom of her bare feet.

“How’s that feel?”

“Actually, a lot better,” Kensi admitted with rueful chuckle. “I guess I should have listened to the master.”

Deeks’ upper lip lifted in a satisfied smile, but he shrugged off the implied compliment. “I’m just a guy who grew up on the water and had a lot of great mentors. Now I get to do that for other people, which is a pretty amazing feeling.”

“That’s really admirable,” she murmured, smiling back without thinking.

“I don’t know about that.” Clearing his throat, he gestured to her. “Can I?”

After a second, Kensi realized he was asking permission to adjust her stance.

“Be my guest.” She held her arms in the air, not unlike of she was about to be frisked. A shiver of anticipation ran through her as she waited for Deeks touch her. He very carefully place one hand at her waist and the other on her right shoulder. The warmth of his hands permeated the thin material of her t-shirt.

“Is this ok?” he asked, his voice lower and slightly rougher than normal.

“Yes,” Kensi said, annoyed at how breathy she sounded.

With the same care, Deeks shifted her position, gently pressing on her shoulder or nudging her leg a few inches one way or the other.

“This should help you keep your balance with less effort,” he explained. One of his hands drifted down her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake.

Kensi was acutely aware of how close he was to her; if she turned her head a little—

Deeks cleared his throat and abruptly stepped back, taking the warmth with him. “I think that’s, uh, that’s enough off water practice. We should probably go down to the shore before it gets too busy.”

“Right.” Kensi nodded several times and knelt to pick up the board, hoping it would cover her annoyingly flushed skin.

“Hey, remember that you’re going to be seducing Meyers, not the surfer,” Callen reminded her in her ear.

“Shut up,” she hissed back. Deeks gave her a confused look, which she ignored in favor of stalking towards the water.

***

A/N: Set in season four, sometime after 4x16.

***

Just Like Riding a Horse

“How’s it going in there, Deeks! How hard is it to put on a pair of Velcro pants?” Kensi shouts through the door to the upstairs changing room. She rolls her eyes, annoyed with how much Deeks is stalling. When he doesn’t answer, she bangs on the door. “Hey, what’s going on in there. If you don’t answer, I’m coming in no matter what you have on.”

She pretends the thought of walking in on Deeks in some state of undress doesn’t interest her. It’s hardly the first time she’s seen him like that, though admittedly the circumstances are a little different since he’s going undercover as a stripper.

Just as Kensi’s about to take matters into her own hands, the door swings open to reveal Deeks. In the same clothes he’d been wearing before.

“What, did you lose your thong?” she quips, following him as he walks back into the room. A rack of outfits ranging from sparkly and mesh shirts and leather pants to seemingly innocuous jeans paired with a flannel shirt sits in the middle of the floor.

“So clever. Did it take you long to come up with that?” Deeks asks, giving her an unimpressed look over his shoulder.

“Don’t be grumpy, Deeks.” Kensi pats his back with mock sympathy. “You just have a unique skill set. It would be wrong to keep it from the world.”

“You know, if I didn’t strip in college, I probably would have dropped out,” he tells her, turning and crossing his arms. Kensi mostly ignores the way the fabric of his t-shirt tightens over his biceps with the movement.

“So you like to say.” Kensi squints her eyes, picking up on a slight tension in his shoulders. No one else would pick up on it, but she knows when he’s putting up a front. “What’s going on with you? You’re acting weird.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m perfect.”

“Then why aren’t you dressed like a sexy firefighter?”

“You think I’m sexy?”

“Deeks,” Kensi says warningly.

He sighs, tilting his head back. When he looks at her again, his expression is unexpectedly vulnerable. “I wasn’t joking when I said it was pretty humiliating sometimes.”

Well, that makes her feel a little bit guilty for teasing him so much. Not enough to admit it, but definitely to tone down on her comments.

“Besides, I haven’t danced in over ten years. Pretty sure I’m going to be a little rusty,” he continues with a grimace. “Which is not what you want in your exotic dancer.”

“Oh, well you can practice in front of me,” Kensi says. Her cheeks flush a second later as she realizes how it sounds and Deeks raises his eyebrows, a slow grin spreading across his face. In a matter of seconds, his any discomfort is replaced with pure delight.

“So, what I’m hearing is that you’d like to see me strip for you” he says, drawing out the words.

“Of course not.” Flustered, she waves her hands at him. “I just meant i wouldn’t mind. I’ve seen you half-naked before. Damn it.” Pinching the bridge of her nose, she exhales loudly.

“Oh no, keep going. I love to hear how much you enjoy seeing me without my clothes on.”

“Just dance,” Kensi snaps. Then just in case he’s still worried about her using it as leverage against him, she adds, “As much as I tease you about it, anything that happens today won’t go beyond this room. Kensi Blye guarantee.”

“Ok, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Lowering his head, Deeks clears his throat a couple times, then lifts his head, affecting what can only be described as a smolder.

It should look ridiculous, but it totally works for Kensi. Her breath catches embarrassingly as he holds her gaze for a few seconds and suddenly she can easily see him working a crowd, playing into whatever personas each dance required.

Then Deeks moves. He rolls his body starting at his shoulders and ending with a hip thrust that makes Kensi’s mouth instantly go dry. The next minute passes in a haze until Deeks stops a couple feet away from Kensi, with a final body roll.

“Well?” he asks, as if he didn’t just give her an M-rated show.

“I think you’ll be fine,” Kensi says a little hoarsely. Her cheeks are so hot, she knows she has to be blushing. Deeks tilts his head, curiosity growing in his eyes.

“I take it you approve?”

“As if.” Kensi forces a laugh and makes a show of looking at her watch. “You better pick something out before we’re late.“

***

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?”

***

***

On A Wave’s Edge, Part 2

“Do you have room for another client?”

“Why?” Deeks asked, now eyeing her warily, though she had a feeling he knew where this was headed.

“I need to get close to Branston Meyers, so you’re going to give me lessons too,” Kensi explained reasonably. Before she even finished speaking, he started shaking his head.

“Branston pays for one-on-one lessons and he’s not gonna like anyone else being there. He likes having all the attention on him.”

“Convince him.” Kensi gave him a playful look. “I’m sure you could be persuasive if you want to.”

“You have no idea,” Deeks said in a slightly hoarse voice that made Kensi’s stomach swoop pleasantly.

“Or I could always make it an official NCIS order,” Kensi suggested.

“You, uh, might have better luck with asking nicely. Historically, I don’t do well with being forced to do things.” He smirked, the expression slightly mocking and yet Kensi didn’t hate it.

“Then, Mr. Deeks, would you please help NCIS catch a serial con artist?”

“I’ll see what I can do,” he agreed. His eyes flicked over her. “Is there a number I can reach you at? You know, to let you know when to come.”

“Someone from my office will be contacting you. We have access to your information,” Kensi said, trying to get things back to a professional tone.

“That would be concerning new if you weren’t a federal agent.” Crossing his arms, he nodded to the row of boards lined up. “Do you have your own equipment? Board, wetsuit, wax, brush.”

“No,” Kensi admitted. “I can probably borrow what I need.”

Deeks chuckled at that, shaking a couple curls out of his eyes. “Yeah, that’s not going to work. If you want this cover to work, you’re going to need your own equipment.” He studied Kensi for a few moments. “Come the day before the lesson and I’ll get you set up with everything.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“No, I don’t. But I hate to see a surfer using stuff they’re not comfortable with. Beside, it’ll give you a chance to get acquainted with the shop and make sure you’re ready for your first lesson. Because the last thing you want is to rub your wax in the wrong way.”

“I think I could figure it out,” Kensi said dryly.

“That’s what everybody thinks. It takes a, uh, a practiced touch. You put too much on and you’ll slip right off.” He winked and Kensi couldn’t stop her smile in response.

“Well, we can’t have that. I guess you’ll have to show me all your special tricks.”

“I look forward to it.” His voice dropped again and Kensi realized he was openly flirting with her now and she didn’t mind at all. He held her gaze for a few extra seconds, then cleared his throat, and looked away as if pulling himself out of the moment. “I got a group lesson with twelve year olds in about twenty minutes, so you might want to leave before this place is overrun with children.”

“Right.” Kensi nodded quickly, holding out her hand before she could stop herself. Deeks took it after a second, humor in his eyes as he shook it once more. “I appreciate your help.”

“Anytime, Kensi Blye.”

Kensi turned away before she did anything truly embarrassing and exhaled quietly.

“Kensi, what did you just do?” Sam demanded in her ear. “That was completely off script.”

“I have to pivot,” she explained quietly. “I think this actually works better than our original plan.”

“Yeah, but did you have to plan a date while you were at it?” Callen asked.

“Shut up. I’m headed back your way.”

“What does your surf instructor look like?” Sam asked. “I want to get eyes on him. Make sure he isn’t tipping Meyers off.”

“He’s about six feet tall, curly blonde hair, blue board shorts,” Kensi rattled off, omitting the exact shade of his tan skin and blue eyes from her description. She picked her way around a family’s large sand castle and moat, trying to hurry, but not catch anyone’s attention. “He was the only instructor around, so he shouldn’t be hard to find.”

“Definitely wasn’t hard for you to find.” Before Kensi could object to Callen’s comment, he moved. “I’ll meet you two back at the SUV and we can head back to the mission.”

***

Nell, head tilted to the side: Has Deeks been working out more recently?

Kensi: Yeah, he started a 30 day challenge thing. Why?

Nell, innocently: No reason.

Kensi, following her gaze across the room: Nell Jones! Are you checking Deeks out?

Nell: I wouldn’t describe it as checking out so much as noticing. I’m a very observant person.

Kensi, acting outraged: He’s my boyfriend. And you’re dating Eric!

Nell, reasonably: I am fully aware of that. You know I think of Deeks as a brother more than anything, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate his hard work. I mean, look at those biceps.

Kensi, tilting her head too: He does look good.

Nell: Yes, he does.

Kensi, nudging her shoulder: Maybe appreciate him a little less.

***

Nell: Kensi, you will be going undercover as our witness’ new assistant and Deeks—

Deeks: Let me guess. The gardener, handy man, plumber?

Nell, pointedly: No. You will be her new boyfriend.

Deeks, skeptically: Yeah, right. Who authorized that?

Nell: I did, because she specifically requested you. Apparently she found you very…reassuring and trustworthy. And, I quote, because you “look damn fine in a pair of jeans”.

Kensi, spluttering: That is so inappropriate. She can’t just make requests like that.

Deeks, shrugging: I mean, if it keeps her cooperative. She’s been pretty difficult so far and we’ve all done this kind of thing for a case before.

Kensi, reluctantly: Fine. But I will be watching, and the second she tries anything, she’s going down.

Deeks: Aw, it’s cute when you’re jealous.

Kensi, narrowing her eyes and stepping closer: I’m the only one who gets to know how well you fill out these jeans.

Too Hot to Handle

Deeks watched Kensi and Rosa walk away down the beach, on a mission to retrieve the bucket of toys they’d forgotten in the van. That left him with Caleb and Sophia to entertain in the meantime.

They’d both just finished off a package of goldfish and juice pouch a few minutes ago, so they should be good for a little while. He wriggled both of them into water wings, slathered in sunscreen and headed out into the water, stopping about waist deep.

“You want to swim?” he asked, gentling dipping Caleb’s legs in the water.

Caleb earnestly kicked his legs, managing to spin himself in a circle.

“There you go buddy! You got it! You want to try it Sophia?”

Sophia dipped one of her feet in the water, squealing as soon as it made contact, and immediately tightened her grip on Deeks’ neck, apparently content to stay dry.

“Cold, daddy,” she complained.

“It’s too cold?” he repeated. “That’s ok, daddy will keep you warm.”

While Deeks kept Sophia entertained by throwing her in the air, Caleb kicked himself around them, smacking at the water in excitement.

“Look, simming!” he shouted.

“I know, that’s incredible, kiddo. Soon you’re gonna be swimming faster than daddy.”

Caleb grinned back, pleased with the praise.

After about ten minutes, he started to flag, and gave Deeks a pitiful look. “I seepy.”

“Ok, you ready to get out too, Sophie?” Deeks asked.

“Yeah. More fis.”

“You know, you keep eating so many fish, you’re going to turn into one, one of these days,” he teased her as he scooped Caleb out of the water and toted both back to the shore.

“No!”

“Yes. I think I see a little bit of yellow coming out right here.” He tickled behind her ear, eliciting a delighted giggle.

“Daddy!”

Back on the sand, Deeks set Sophia on the sand and grabbed Caleb’s towel to dry him off.

“Wow, looks like you’ve got your hands full,” a voice observed from behind him as he tried to keep Sophia from rubbing sand in her hair and Caleb from wandering back towards the water.

He turned to look over his shoulder at a woman with brown hair and a yellow sundress.

“Yeah, they keep you busy for sure,” he agreed with a polite smile, hurriedly smoothing a beach blanket out for the twins to sit on.

“It’s amazing to see a father so involved in his children. I can tell you’re a great parent,” the woman continued.

“Uh, thanks.”

“I’m Paula, by the way.” She held out her hand and he paused long enough to shake it before grabbing more snacks.

“Deeks.”

“That’s an unusual name,” she commented and he nodded.

“Yeah, so I’ve heard. Well, I gotta get these guys fed if I don’t want to have a meltdown,” he said, unapologetically using the twins to end the conversation.

“Oh, I don’t mind. Go ahead.” She sat on the other side of the blanket, smiling up at him with a look he’d come to recognize.

He sighed internally. Where was Kensi when he needed her?

***

“I told Steven we could go on Thursday, but he has a test then,” Rosa said, walking beside Kensi with a bucket of toys.

“Well, maybe you can go after his test,” Kensi suggested, her feet sinking into the warm sand. She couldn’t wait to get into the water.

“Maybe. It will be kind of late though. Also, who’s that talking to Deeks?”

Kensi squinted at the spot where they’d left Deeks and the twins about 15 minutes ago. Sure enough, a woman in a yellow dress stood across from Deeks, her arms moving through the air as she talked.

“Looks like he found a friend,” Kensi said. He had both twins in his arms, acting as mini shields from what she could tell. He was on the defensive, but didn’t seem in immediate distress.

“Maybe she’s just being friendly,” Rosa suggested. Then the woman tilted her head back and laughed. “Or maybe not.”

“It’s always been pretty bad at the beach. You know, the bathing suit and tan emphasizes his muscles and he just has that surfer guy look going on.”

Rosa made a face of mild distaste. “Yes, you find dad very attractive. It’s beautiful.”

Snorting, Kensi squeezed Rosa’s shoulder. “Sorry. It’s not just how Deeks looks. It’s his charm and kindness that’s irresistible.”

“It doesn’t ever make you jealous?” Rosa asked curiously. “I’ve always wondered.”

“It used to,” Kensi admitted. “Then one day I realized Deeks has no interest in anyone else. So, they can look as much as they want, and it doesn’t make a difference. As long as there’s no touching involved.”

“Right, I remember what happened when the lady at the barbecue touch his bicep.”

“She squeezed it,” Kensi defended herself. “I was just doing what any good wife would do.”

“Mm—hmm.”

They were about twenty feet away now and Kensi watched Deeks take a purposeful step back, lifting Caleb and Sophia a little higher in his arms. The woman mirrored his movement, closing the gap between them.

“Oh, looks like it’s time for me to make a timely appearance.” Handing the other bucket of toys to Rosa, Kensi shook her hair back—the better to defend Deeks’ honor obviously—and walked the rest of the way to their spot.

“Don’t hurt anyone!” Rosa playfully hissed after her.

“Yeah, I’m pretty busy with my wife and kids,” Deeks was saying, emphasizing the last few words.

“Aw, that’s so sweet. I love a dedicated man,” the woman gushed.

Deeks caught sight of Kensi and relief flashed across his face. As she approached, he set the twins down, holding his arms out.

“Hey baby. Sorry I took so long,” Kensi apologized, resting her hand on Deeks’ chest as she leaned in to kiss him. When she pulled back, she kept her hand on his chest, sliding the other up his back. His skin felt perfectly warm from the sun and she got whiffs of his sunscreen.

“That’s ok. I’ve been occupied.”

She turned to face the woman and smiled blandly. “Who’s this?”

“Paula,” Deeks answered wryly. “Paula likes to surf and take long walks on the beach and babies.”

“It’s nice of meet you, Paula,” Kensi said, earning an insincere smile from the other woman.

“Mm. Your husband is very sweet and dedicated. We were just talking about me taking some surfing lessons with him,” Paula said, unabashedly ogling Deeks.

Kensi held him a little tighter.

“Yeah, but I’m way too busy for that right now what with my job and three kids—oh look, there’s my teenager—and beautiful wife, so best of luck finding someone else.” Deeks rested a hand on Sophia’s head as she started to wander away.

“It was nice meeting you,” Kensi added in a clear dismissal.

“I guess I should get going,” Paula said. “Hopefully we’ll talk again sometime, Deeks.” She gave him a last seductive look, waving her fingers at him as she walked away with a heavy sway to her hips.

“Yeah, see you later,” Deeks muttered, then sighed in relief. “Thank god you two came along.”

“Happy to be of help.” Kensi kissed his cheeks, releasing him so she could pick up Caleb.

Rosa joined them then, having observed the entire interaction from afar. She regarded them with amused disbelief.

“I still can’t believe how often you get hit on,” she said. “What were you going to do if Kensi didn’t come to rescue you?”

“Deeks arched an eyebrow. “Tell her I’m not interested and if that didn’t work, fake a diaper emergency.”

***

After a fairly long phone call, Kensi Blye returned to the bedroom with a pinched expression.

“Apparently you and my team are going to LAPD for a meeting with your boss,” she informed him.

“You got reamed out, huh?” he guessed. She rolled her eyes.

“No. My boss isn’t happy we didn’t realize there was an open and ongoing investigation, but I think she’s more annoyed with your supervisor.”

“Ah, Roger Bates. Yeah, he kind of hates you guys, so I’d be careful what you say.”

“Fantastic.” She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, inadvertently revealing a healthy amount of cleavage. Deeks cleared his throat, raising an eyebrow, and she hastily dropped her arms, cheeks turning an amazingly dusky shade of red.

“I need pants,” she declared, turning abruptly. “And a bucket of coffee.”

“I’ll take a vanilla latte,” he called after her. “Hold the whip cream.”

***

A few hours later, Deeks waited outside Roger Bates’ office, slouched against the wall. He’d already received his own call from Bates, who had some very choice and not child friendly words to say about NCIS and Kensi Blye’s team. After assuring that the case hadn’t been compromised, calmed down slightly.

“Right through here, Agents,” Bates’ secretary said, ushering Kensi, now dressed in jeans and a coral colored t-shirt, and two men into the outer room. He caught her eyes and winked.

“Agent Blye.”

“Detective Deeks,” she responded, her pitch dropping just a touch. Now that was interesting. “These are my colleagues, Agents Sam Hanna and G. Callen.”

“Nice to meet you. Can I interest you in a cup of coffee? It’s terrible, but it helps to fill any awkward silences,” Deeks said. Agent Callen gave him an odd look, shaking his head.

“I think we’re good.”

“Alrighty.”

“You’re telling me you’re really a cop?” Agent Hanna asked, looking Deeks up and down with a perplexed expression.

“Yep,” Deeks confirmed with a knowing grin. “He tipped his chin up at him. “Detective Martin A. Deeks, undercover division at your service.”

“They don’t have a dress code?”

“Not really. The department understands that undercover work requires a certain amount of leeway, even eccentricity if you will.”

“I guess it would take a special sort to dress up in a Jack Dawson costume every night for weeks at a time,” Agent Callen commented. “Kensi said you played the roll very convincingly.”

“Oh my god, don’t listen to a word they say,” she groaned, glaring at them. “They’re a couple of idiots.”

Before Deeks could same something in return, Roger Bates barreled into the office, greeting the three agents with the barest of nods when they introduced themselves.

“Alright, let’s get this over with,” he said, impatiently inviting them into the office. “So, why don’t you tell me what brought you in to nearly blow my detective’s cover?”

“We had information that linked him to a murder we’re investigating,” Callen shared, pausing expectantly. When Bates didn’t take the hint, he added, “Just to give you a forewarning, our boss, Hetty Lange, will likely be recommending NCIS take lead on this case.”

“And she can take that suggestion and shove it,” Bates said, unmoved.

Deeks saw Kensi’s brows raise in surprise. He’d guess that Bates was a revelation for the whole team.

“Our team is specially trained for this kind of situation. Can you say the same?” Sam asked, his smile ever so slightly condescending.

“Deeks is the bane of my existence, but he’s also damn good at undercover work,” Roger Bates declared, looking supremely annoyed at having to make such a statement. “Which of you fellas think you could fit in at a dance club like that?”

Kensi snorted, immediately covering her mouth, muttering an apology under her breath. Deeks concealed a grin at her slip.

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said about me,” Deeks joked. “Anyway, I’ve been investigating a possible money laundering scheme. It’s important, but probably not enough to get a federal agency involved.”

“We take financial crimes very seriously,” Agent Hanna said.

“Well, in that case, I suggest you buy some tear-away pants and find a good waxer,” Deeks said brightly, settling back for what would likely be a very entertaining meeting.

***

“Well, that was interesting,” Deeks commented, strolling out Bates’ office with Kensi by his side. “Your boss is an extremely reasonable woman.”

“Gloating is a very unattractive quality,” she grumbled.

“Oh, don’t be bitter, Agent Blye. Just because your Miss Lang agreed to give LAPD lead on the case doesn’t mean we can’t be civil.”

“Right. You’re already causing trouble.”

“How? I have done nothing but be an absolute delight,” Deeks objected with feigned shock.

“Like you don’t know. I’m talking about the winking, and suggestive comments, the looks,” she rattled off, leaning towards him.

“So, what you’re saying is that you were watching me.”

“Oh no, don’t try to turn this around on me.”

He turned so he faced her, placing a hand on his hip as she stared at him with a furious expression. It was kind of cute.

“Do you want to talk about what happened last night? You know, with the whole making out on my couch thing,” he clarified. “I mean, since we will be working together, it seems like we should be completely honest and open with each other.”

“That was just to keep my cover and don’t you dare think of opening anything in front of me,” she said.

“What if I offered to give you a private show?”

To his surprise, she stilled, eyes flickering with interest before she caught herself, and huffed out a forced laugh.

“Right. In that case you’d be paying me.”