#marty deeks

***

Kensi left Deeks with a combination of regret and embarrassment. She’d worked with a lot of civilians in the past, and she’d never almost kissed one before. There was just something so compelling about Deeks that made him hard to resist. Of course, most of the m weren’t nearly as charming, or attractive, as Deeks.

Her heart sped up slightly as she thought of Deeks’ smile. God, she was hopeless.

When she walked into the bullpen, everyone was waiting for her. She hadn’t replaced her comm when she changed, so none of the team had a front row seat to her lapse in judgment. Thank god.

“How did it go?” Sam asked, getting them back on track. “I assume the surfer didn’t cause too much trouble since you didn’t call for back up.”

“Deeks was fine.” Kensi tried to keep her appreciation out of her voice, because she knew they’d jump on it in a second. “Very professional. As far as Branston goes, he’s definitely a creep and thinks he’s God’s gift to women. But I didn’t get any proof of his financial crimes.”

“You mean he didn’t immediately reveal his evil plans to you? Gotta admit, Kens, that’s disappointing.”

“Tell you what, next time you can flirt with the jerk and I’ll provide backup,” Kensi offered pleasantly. “What about on your end? Did you find anything new?”

“We traced some of the money stolen from Taylor Moore to an offshore account, but it wasn’t the full amount and so far, there’s no clear connection between it and Meyers,” Eric explained regretfully. “We think there are multiple accounts involved at this point.”

“He’s gotta be working with someone,” Nell added. “Unless he’s a really good actor, he does not seem smart to pull off the tech aspect on his own.”

“That’s for sure,” Kensi muttered, thinking of Branston’s complete lack of self-awareness.

“You didn’t say if he took the bait,” Sam pointed out.

“He seemed interested, but didn’t immediately try to sweep me off my feet. Of course, that was after I spent the minutes praising his sense of humor and surfing skills.” Kensi rolled her eyes. “I’m pretty sure he won’t put up too much of a fight if we have a couple more lessons together.”

“Good. Now you have a connection and that’s what counts. At your next lesson, do whatever you need to make him drop everything for you,” Callen said.

“I was afraid you’d say that,” Kensi said, making a face. “He already knows I have a decent job. What if we add a nice little inheritance to the mix?” she suggested. “I can casually drop it into conversation.”

“I’ll create a fake account.” Nell tapped a stylus against her tablet.

“Do you need any help?” Eric asked.

“No, I got it handled.”

“Alright. Beale, you keep working on tracking the money,” Callen said. “Kensi run through everything Meyers told you.”

***

After Kensi finished debriefing Callen and Sam, she headed upstairs to check in with Nell.

“Hey, Lady. I’m almost finished with your faux account,” Nell said without turning away from her desk. “What’s up?”

“I figured—wait, is that Deeks’ Facebook page?” Kensi asked, cutting herself off mid-sentence as she noticed the site populating the big screen.

“Yeah,” Nell confirmed without shame. “It seemed prudent to know more about the civilian who’s basically your partner for this case.” She spun around and swiped up on her tablet, pausing on a picture at random. “Plus, he’s really cute.”

Despite her outrage, Kensi couldn’t help but look at the picture of Deeks holding a medium-sized, shaggy dog. Deeks smiled at the camera, playfully holding up one of the dog’s paws.

“The dog’s name is Monty. Deeks adopted him after he was retired from a K-9 unit,” Nell informed Kensi with a confidential air. “He even takes him surfing sometimes.”

Damn him. Why did he have to be so charming and nice?

Kensi arched an eyebrow at Nell and crossed her arms. “I’m sure knowing all about his rescue dog was necessary to the case.”

“Absolutely. These are from one of his volunteer groups.” Nell sat down again and navigated to a new picture which featured Deeks laughing amongst a group of kids on the beach. “Aww, look. One of the parents tagged him. ‘Charity loved learning to surf with you, Mr. Deeks. She can’t wait for the next class.’ I bet you would never con women out of their money, would you?”

“Ok, enough talking to his picture,” Kensi interrupted, feeling a hint of irritation.

Scooting her chair closer, Nell rested her chin on her fists, mimicking a child settling in for story time. “Fine. Tell me all about your lesson. Was he charming? How does he look in a wetsuit? Don’t leave out any details.”

Biting back a smile, Kensi pulled up a chair and happily indulged Nell’s request.

***

A/N: No matter the story or scenario, Nell will always appreciate Deeks. For a change, she isn’t messing with Kensi. Or is she?

***

Sophia, stretching on her tiptoes: I can’t reats it.

Deeks, getting the book she’s aiming for: Here you go, Miss Sophie.

Sophia, offhandedly: Tanks, baby!

Deeks: Baby? I think you mean “daddy”.

Sophia, firmly: Your name is baby. Yes, it is.

Kensi, chuckling: Sweetheart, only mommy calls dad “baby”. That’s my special nickname for him.

Caleb, shaking his head: No, he’s not your baby. Daddy’s my baby.

Sophia, hugging Deeks’ knees: I love you, baby.

Kensi, sighing: I might actually have to call you by your first name for a while.

***

The Healing Powers of Ice Cream

Deeks came home to a fairly quiet house, which wasn’t completely unusual for the summer. What was unusual was Rosa’s car parked in the driveway before five on a weekday

When he walked inside, he found Rosa slumped on the couch, one hand thrown over her forehead. Usually, she had class until four on Thursdays and then either work or study sessions.

“Hey, you’re home early,” he said, setting his work bag to the side before he leaned over the couch to kiss the top of Rosa’s head.

“Hi. My last class was cancelled because the instructor is sick,” she explained. “Mom, Sophie, and Caleb are in your bedroom.”

Deeks paused at the lack of inflection in her voice.

“You doing ok, Rosalie?”

Rosa sighed and slid down a tiny bit more. “I meant to sit down for just a few minutes, but now it’s really hard to get back up,” she admitted.

“Well, I don’t know why,” Deeks teased. “You’re only taking two classes, working, watching the twins so much, and somehow still finding time for a boyfriend and friends.” He nudged her leg and sat next to her.

“It didn’t sound like so much when I was planning everything this spring.” She made a slightly dispirited sound. “I feel like I’m failing at everything.”

“You are definitely not failing.”

“Then why does it feel as if I’m just barely keeping up? All of my friends and classmates are busy too, but they don’t look like they’re going to fall over every day,” she said tightly.

Deeks understood that feeling well enough and now disheartening it could be.

“You wanna get some ice cream? It’ll be good for you to get out of the house for something that isn’t school or work,” he suggested.

“I really should work on my paper.”

“We won’t be gone that long,” Deeks promised.

“Ok. That would be nice,” she agreed softly.

While Rosa grabbed her phone, Deeks popped his head in their bedroom. Kensi was in the middle giving the twins a bath.

“Hey, baby.” She got up and greeted him with a kiss and the twins offered him soapy grins. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Hey Kens, Rosa and I are gonna go out for a little bit for I.C. Are you ok with the kiddos for an hour or so? I know you wanted to work on that presentation tonight.”

“Of course. Is everything ok? Emergency I.C. trips are usually reserved for extreme circumstances,” she joked.

“I think she’s just feeling a little overwhelmed and I thought a break might help. We can wait if you want to come with,” he said.

Kensi’s face softened. “No, you go. I think she could use some one-on-one dad time. We’ll be fine here. Right, guys?” She directed the last part to the twins.

“I made a ducky, mommy,” Caleb responded, showing off a handful of soap suds.

“I’ll make a couple of pizzas for when you get back.”

“Best wife ever,” Deeks told her with a grin. “We’ll bring you back some mint chip.”

“Double scoop for me please.” Leaning in, Kensi kissed him again. “You’re a good dad,” she murmured softly, then gave him as light shove towards the door.

***

***

Caleb, walking up to Deeks: Here you go, daddy!

Deeks, accepting a partially eaten peach: Thank you. Why did you give me this?

Caleb: I don’t want it anymore. You have it.

Deeks, pursing his lips at the chewed at fruit: Yeah, I’m gonna pass. * Sophia comes out of the kitchen, three more peaches in her arms* Whoa, Sophie, what are you doing?

Sophia, carefully laying them on the floor: Dese are yucky too.

Deeks: Did you really have to take a bite out of all of them?

Sophia, shrugging: I just tasting dem, daddy.

Deeks, sighing: You guys are lucky you’re cute.

***

On a Wave’s Edge, Part 9

Deeks followed Kensi back to the store and waited for her to change in one of the tiny rooms at the back of the building. Jake and another manager would be coming in mid-afternoon, but in their absence, quite a few things had piled up. He shelved a few boxes of inventory and then started on a backlog of emails and voicemails. Halfway through a reply to one of his long-standing clients, Kensi reappeared.

“Give me just a minute,” he said, keeping his eyes on his screen as he typed out a few times lots for the client. “Sorry about that, I—.” He looked up and immediately forgot what he was about to say. Kensi had changed into jeans and a dark green t-shirt, her hair drying in waves around her shoulders. She was without a doubt, the most gorgeous woman he’d ever met.

“It’s ok. I’m the one who stole half your day, which I again, really appreciate,” Kensi said with a shrug. She moved forward and leaned against the counter. “You played your part well.”

“Yeah, it was super hard just sitting there and watch you do all the work,” Deeks joked.

“You followed my lead and read my cues correctly,” she disagreed. “Some agents struggle with that.”

“Thanks. Now, do you think you could call my high school math teacher and tell him that?”

Kensi laughed and drifted a little close enough he could see the slight difference in her eyes.

“So, I guess you won’t need my services anymore since you’ve established contact with Branston,” he said, trying to mask his disappointment. He wouldn’t have minded spending a few weeks, or more, with Kensi Blye.

“It depends on if Branston takes the bait and asks me out. I may need to establish a stronger connection,” Kensi explained with a sly smile. “Which means more surfing lessons.”

“Is that formal request, Kensalina?”

“Kensalina?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry. I have a thing for giving nicknames. I should have asked,” Deeks apologized.

Kensi shook her head, her smile turning a little bashful. “No, it’s ok. I like it. You just surprised me.“

Her eyes drifted down to his mouth and back up again, her lips parting slightly. There was maybe a foot between them and Deeks tilted his head in a silent question. In lieu of answering, Kensi leaned towards him to close the gap. A second before their mouths touched, her phone rang with almost comedic timing.

She swore and jerked back, grabbing the phone to glance at the screen. “Nell Jones,” she hissed out, the name turning into another epithet.

Deeks took a step back as well and dragged his hand through his hair.

“Who is it?”

“Someone with remarkably terrible timing. I need to take this.” Moving to the side, Kensi pressed the phone to her ear. “This is Kensi.”

“Well, hello to you too,” Deeks heard the voice on the other end say. She sounded cheerful and not at all bothered by Kensi’s terseness.

Rolling her eyes, Kensi wandered further down an aisle until he only heard a few words of her side of the conversation. He watched her nod a few times, her thumbnail tucked between her teeth as she listened and occasionally responded. After a few minutes, she hung up and returned, all business again.

“I have to go,” she sighed.

“That’s a shame,” Deeks murmured. He grinned teasingly. “Maybe I can text you sometime. You know, about those extra lessons.”

“You better,” Kensi said, then clarified, “For the case.”

“Uh-huh.” He grinned even wider. “Definitely for the, uh, case.”

Her expression softened and she squeezed his upper arm affectionately. “I’ll talk to you soon, Deeks.”

***

Kensi, storming into the house: This was the most infuriating day ever!

Deeks, calmly: Is this a problem solving, listen and agree whole-heartedly, or help you bury the body kind of day?

Kensi: More like I need ice cream and a hug.