***

Callen: So Deeks, when are you going to cut your hair?

Deeks, frowning: Excuse me? What’s wrong with my hair.

Sam: It’s getting out of control. At least before you used to keep it neat and trimmed, but not it’s starting to actually resemble a mop.

Deeks: Well, that was brutally honest, not to mention, rude.

Callen, looking slightly amused but completely unabashed: You might also want to consider grooming your beard a little. It’s looking a little scruffy.

Deeks: Wow, I feel so loved right now. *He glances at Kensi who is watching the whole thing with a small frown. She raises her hands defensively*

Kensi: Hey, don’t look at me. I had nothing to do with this.

Sam: You’re just saying that because you have to go home with him.

Kensi: Oh, I may joke about it, but I do not make legitimate suggestions about what Deeks does with his hair. The last time someone did, he nearly gave himself a crew cut.

Sam, rolling his eyes: You say that like it’s a bad thing.

Callen, grinning at Kensi mischievously: Sam, remember how Kensi couldn’t stop talking about Deeks when she met him undercover? She just loved those blue eyes and shaggy blonde hair. It’d kill her if he cut off all those fluffy locks.

Kensi: Wait, how did this conversation become about me?

Deeks, quietly to himself: I knew it!

Kensi, glaring at Callen: I hate you.

Hetty, appearing beside Kensi’s desk with a white, ribbon topped box: Ahem, I hate to interrupt, but I just wanted to give Mr. Deeks a little present.

Deeks, accepting the slim box suspiciously: Why are you giving me a gift?

Hetty: It seemed appropriate given the current topic. Open it, please.

Deeks cautiously removes the lid to reveal a shiny black case. Sam, Kensi, and Callen eagerly come over to peer at the contents.

Kensi, sounding a little shocked: You gave him a barber kit.

Hetty, obviously pleased with herself: The very best you can buy.

Callen, in between laughs: Oh my god, that is...awesome.

Hetty: Now, I suggest you put this kit to good use. Nothing too drastic, but I expect to see you looking well-groomed and like the detective we all know and love.

Kensi, as Hetty walks away: Wow, that was...

Deeks, closing the box with a look of distaste and tossing it on the opposite side of his desk: Yeah. But at least I can open my own barber shop now if I want to.

Sam, looking a little sheepish: Sorry for starting this. I didn’t expect Hetty to do anything like that.

Deeks: Don’t worry about it, man.

***

Later that day

Kensi: So, you’re not planning to actually cut your hair, are you?

Deeks: Nope.

Kensi: For how long?

Deeks, considering: Haven’t decided that yet.

Kensi with a sigh: That’s what I figured.

Deeks: How do you feel about me with a ponytail.

Kensi: Deeks, I will support you through...whatever this is, but there is no way in hell you are wearing a ponytail to our wedding.

Deeks: I can work with that.

***