AN: This is the fourteenth of my vocab oneshot series. Read and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I wish that I owned Deeks, but sadly, I don't.

What Happened in Vegas

The case in the NCIS Los Angeles Office of Special Projects was business as usual: drug ring with possible terrorist ties. What was unusual was where they had discovered the drug ring to lead back to; that fact put a smile on Deeks's face.

"So we're heading to Vegas, baby!" Deeks exclaimed enthusiastically.

Sam and Callen exchanged a glance as Kensi gave Deeks a withering look. "Really, Deeks? You're like a college student excited for spring break," Kensi told her partner.

"Come on, Kens. Even you have to be excited to go to Vegas. Trying to bust a drug ring just adds to the fun!" Deeks gestured to the Tech Operator and the Intelligence Analyst who had just explained the new information, "I'm sure that even Eric and Nell would love to go to Vegas if they didn't have to run the operation from here."

Eric responded quickly as he shook his head, "No, no. I'm not ever going to Las Vegas again of my own volition."

The team looked suddenly at Eric, interest gleaming in their eyes. "What happened, Eric?" Callen said, asking the question they all had on their minds.

The Tech Operator blushed slightly under all of the inquisitive looks. "I- uh… I went over spring break with a couple of friends while at MIT and uh…"

"Drunk and disorderly?" guessed Deeks with a grin.

"No! I- uh… I won big. Several times."

"And you got thrown out of the casino," finished Sam. "So? We've all been in some hapless situations before. Besides, Las Vegas is a big city with plenty of other casinos."

Nell's face alit with understanding when Eric didn't respond. "You weren't just thrown out, you were banned! I remember now seeing your photo at several casinos when I visited a couple years ago."

"Several?" asked Kensi incredulously.

Eric ducked his head before explaining, "I know how to count cards. Really well. And I guess I was fortuitous too. I scored big one too many times, was escorted out, and informed that I wasn't welcome back. Something about purloining from the house." At the raised eyebrows Eric continued, "That was the first night. And the second. And again on the third. On the fourth night, the casino we went to took one look at me and kindly informed us that I wasn't allowed." Eric sighed, "My friends thought that it was hysterical."

"Do casinos really share information about who not to let in?" Kensi asked skeptically.

Nell answered without thinking, "They do. I had the same thing happen to me when I was there." At the bug-eyed looks she responded, "What? Eric isn't the only one who can count cards."

Sam shook his head, "Remind me to never play poker with the two of you."

Deeks stepped between Eric and Nell, placed a hand on each of their shoulders, and said in an affected tone, "Look at our techies, all grown up and being thrown out of casinos." He faked a sniffle, "I couldn't be more proud!"

Kensi grabbed her partner's armed and dragged him to the door, "Come on, Deeks. We have a plane and a hedonistic drug ring to catch."

(Two days later)

Sam, Callen, Deeks, and Kensi looked around at the casino around them. The members of the drug ring were either tied up with zip-ties or on the floor dead. Luckily, no civilians had been caught in the crossfire when shots had been exchanged. As Kensi holstered her weapon, something in the casino's security office caught her eye.

"Guys," she called out. The team quickly walked over.

On a bulletin board were numerous photos including one of a blonde haired man with glasses and one of a woman with red hair and a pixie cut.