Something There…

Chapter 1

Before Dinner

Author's Note: NCIS Los Angeles and its characters are not mine.

So this is my first purely NCIS LA fic and my first purely Densi fic. I have written a Densi/NCISLA fic before which is actually still in the works but it was a crossover with SVU – called Mirror. If you also like SVU please do give that fic a read as well.

In any case, like I said this is my first NCIS LA/Densi fic. So please be gentle.

I started with the idea that this would be a one shot – but it'll probably be a two shot. No more than that.

In the meantime, please do enjoy!

I do not have a beta so if you see any errors; please PM so that I can correct them at once.

Thank you for reading!

. . .

Marty Deeks surprised himself by realizing he was humming as he got ready for his night. He never did that. Well at least not like this. Not for this reason.

He glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost 7pm. He needed to get going soon.

Suddenly, butterflies started fluttering in his stomach. And his heart sank and soared at the same time. He felt elated…excited. But he also felt nervous as hell.

The moment he met Kensi Blye when he walked into the NCIS offices for the first time as special LAPD liaison he was taken by her.

She was not a conventional beauty but she was…is beautiful. And that unique beauty had taken his breath away.

It totally disconcerted him that he did not seem to have an effect on her at first. Even after he was made permanent liaison, her partner and held office in the NCIS offices, she never seemed to take him seriously as a partner or as anything else.

He didn't know when the change came. It was definitely a gradual one. But there it was.

She trusted him now. There was a time when she had been accused of murder when she told him that he was the only one she trusted. And that was big. VERY BIG. Especially for Kensi who kept everything inside and to herself.

That seemed like such a long time ago when in reality it had probably been just over a year ago.

That same time that she had been accused of murder, she had unexpectedly reconnected with her mom again. A mom she had shunned all these years because she thought she had cheated on her father. But blood is thicker than water and even then when she thought her mother was in danger, when she thought that she'd lose her other parent, even the one she hadn't spoken to for so many years, and she still sent him to make sure she was okay.

And he did exactly that. When everything was resolved, Kensi was able to reunite with her mother because in her eyes, he had kept her safe.

So many things had happened since then. They even went undercover as husband and wife and it was then that they shared their first kiss. Granted it was a "cover kiss" initiated by Kensi but nevertheless even now when he thought about it, he could still feel her soft yet firm lips on his and wondered if she had been telling the entire truth that it was just a cover. Or if she had just really wanted to kiss him.

There have been times that he wanted to ask her about that kiss. He wanted to ask her why she kissed him to cover up what they had actually been doing which was snooping around their neighbors belongings and furniture for clues as to whether they were indeed the Russian sleeper cell they were looking for.

But somehow he never found the courage to ask. Maybe it was cowardice. But he simply did not want to change their relationship because of his inability to forget something. So instead, he just waited. Waited to see how their relationship would develop.

If anyone in the team had asked Deeks how he felt about her, he would have never admitted to anything than friendship. In fact, he hadn't admitted anything other than that to himself until recently.

But he couldn't keep denying it anymore. At least not to himself. And hopefully one day he wouldn't have to deny it to Kensi anymore either. It wasn't of course like he was denying it. She never asked. And he knew she never will. But for some reason, each minute, each hour, each day that passed by that he didn't say anything about it directly to Kensi felt like a denial.

He remembered how recently he had told her something he had never told anyone in the longest time. He had told her he had been a male stripper to pay for law school. And he remembered her mirth when she found out. And how she had playfully swatted his butt.

They had so many playful and flirty moments like that. He wondered when he'd be able to take it to the next level. And he knew that with Kensi, unlike what he was used to, it had to be him that took it to the next level. Marty Deeks was so used to females chasing him and now it terrified him that he had to be the one to make the first move and declare himself.

He had almost given a few weeks ago. There had been a moment when Kensi - after the team saw someone's partner get shot – asked him to never get killed. Not to die on her. And he saw how emotional she got. He wanted so badly to tell her then. He wanted to tell her he'd never leave her. He wanted to tell her he intended to be there for her for always. But again, the moment passed. He was able to tell her that she smelled like sunshine and gunpowder. That was it.

And what the hell was that? Sunshine and gunpowder. She didn't even hear him say that it was two of his most favorite things.

Marty sighed and glanced at the clock and saw it was now past 7pm. Kensi said dinner was at 8pm. He'd better get moving. Santa Monica where Kensi lived wasn't far from Redondo Beach but they lived in LA. And in LA there was always traffic. So he better get a move on if he didn't want to get yelled at for being late. And besides, Mrs. Feldman, Kensi's mom was going to be there. It would be impolite for him to be later especially with her around.

He smiled broadly to himself and his heart began to beat fast as he grabbed the bottle of Merlot he bought to bring. It must mean something that Kensi invited him to dinner with her mom right? It must.

Marty got into his truck and started it. As he pulled out of his apartment complex, he decided not to think too much and just have fun and maybe the night will lead them to where they should be lead. At least he hoped so.

. . .

"So you invited Marty?" Julia Feldman remarked, looking at her daughter as she took a sip of her glass of Merlot.

"Yeah." Kensi answered from the kitchen as she started to heat up the pre-made things she had picked up at Whole Foods that afternoon. Kensi Blye was many things. But a good cook – hell even a cook – wasn't one of them. "I hope that's okay."

Julia Feldman shrugged as she walked over to the kitchen to help her daughter with preparations. "Yeah, sure. Of course."

Kensi looked at her mother, confused at her tone. She was about to say something but decided against it.

She had to admit to herself there were times that she still felt awkward around her mother. After nearly two decades not speaking to her, of thinking that she was a cheating kind of a person, she still felt alternately guilty and grateful. Guilty because she had not given her mom and chance to explain her side of the story. Guilty because her mom was innocent of the cheating on her dad that she had accused her of. Guilty because she had hurt her mom all these years by not speaking to her. But she was also grateful. Grateful that they had reconnected. Grateful that her mom had forgiven her. Grateful that they were on the road to being a real mom and daughter. She knew that Donald Blye would have been happy for her.

Kensi put the roast chicken with rosemary and herbs inside her oven to reheat it and as she stood back up, she saw her mom looking at her.

"What?" She asked.

"He loves you, you know." Julia Feldman stated simply.

"Who?" Kensi asked, looking confused as she moved back to her kitchen counter this time to prepare the salad and its condiments

"Marty."

"Deeks?" Kensi started to laugh. "C'mon mom, where'd you get that? There is nothing between us."

Julia Feldman took another sip of her red wine and let out a deep breath, "Just like your father, stubborn as hell. Come on Kensi, why fight it?"

"Fight what?" Kensi looked up from what she was doing at her mother. Suddenly her heart started to race and she didn't know why.

"You love him back. I can see it."

"Of course, I love him. He's my partner and friend."

"I don't mean that way."

"Oh really? How can you say that? Coz you know me so well?" The moment the words were out of Kensi's mouth, she regretted them.

She glanced at her mother who looked a bit hurt. She dropped the utensils she had been holding and rushed to her mom, reaching for her hand. "Look mom, I'm sorry. I guess, I'm still getting used to having a parent around again. That was wrong of me. I'm sorry."

Julia Feldman nodded, squeezing her daughter's hand in reassurance. "It's okay Kensi. I know we can't magically have a great and close relationship overnight. One day at a time. But sweetheart please remember, I am your mother. I promise you I will always tell you the truth."

Kensi flinched and Julia saw it. That statement hit her hard. Julia had been telling the truth when she said that she hadn't cheated on her former husband. And Kensi didn't believe her. Well maybe this time she was going to trust her mom. She wasn't going to make that same mistake again.

And so Kensi forced a smile on her face and nodded. "Okay."

A momentary silence passed between mother and daughter.

Julia took another sip of her wine before she spoke again. "So, don't you think inviting him to eat with us is a big deal?"

Kensi paused in her preparations and thought before answering. A worried look came over her face as she finally replied, "Hmmm…I don't know I didn't really think it about it honestly."

Julia gave her daughter a look.

"Oh, God mom! What if he gets the wrong idea?" Kensi started to look really worried now.

"Is it the wrong idea?" Julia countered.

"Yes!" Kensi exclaimed and was rewarded by the same look from Julia earlier. "Maybe I should call him and tell him not to come."

"What? You're gonna uninvite him now? Come on Kensi."

"Well I don't want him to get the wrong idea!" Kensi said, looking not at all happy.

"Look, Kensi, this may be pushing it, but honestly sweetheart, please think about this. Think about everything that man has done for you. He loves you. I saw that – felt that – from the very moment he told me why he was there at my door."

"H..how...how?" Kensi stammered then, her cheeks flushed with color.

"A mother knows darling. Even an estranged one then. He loves you, Kensi and you love him. I know that too. Why can't you just admit it? Why can't you allow it to happen?"

"Mom – there is NOTHING between Deeks and me other than friendship." Kensi said again, her tone vehement, her voice raised.

"Why don't you call him Marty? That's his real name right? Why do you call him Deeks?"

Kensi shrugged. "It's always been that way."

"Look, darling, if you are not ready to admit it, it's okay. But, be open to it. I swear to you Kensi, Marty loves you."

Kensi was silent for a moment or two then spoke again.

"You know during a recent case we experienced seeing an agent like us having his partner shot and killed. And it hit me.." Kensi paused and swallowed hard before continuing, "...that…that…could happen to Deeks. I mean it has already. And I know with our job, it could happen again and I…I…couldn't stand to think that the next time he gets shot…"

Kensi voice trailed off then, remembering that moment she went up to Deeks asking for his promise not to ever get killed, not ever dying on her. She swallowed again. Even now, weeks later, she could still feel the emotion and the dread that coursed through her at that time.

"….he might be killed…" Julia finished Kensi's statement for her.

"Yeah." Kensi answered, her voice a little ragged from the emotions she was trying to stop from spilling over.

"Is that why you're holding back, sweetheart?" Julia asked, her tone soft. "Are you scared that with your jobs, you might lose him."

Kensi took several deep breaths before she replied, "Uh..I…I mean, there is nothing I'm holding back." Kensi's tone was stubborn.

Julia chuckled. "God you are so stubborn."

Kensi was silent again. But only for a moment. "You know he said that I smelled like sunshine and gunpowder. "

"Sunshine and gunpowder?" Julia's tone suggested that she didn't think that was a compliment exactly.

"And I had already walked off as he said that and I don't think he knew I heard everything he said." Kensi told her mom.

"What did he say that he didn't know you heard?"

"He said that sunshine and gunpowder were two of his most favorite things."

Julia smiled at her daughter. "That is sweet. You see Kensi, he loves you."

"Did I ever tell you yet that we went undercover as husband and wife?"

"No not yet. You did? And?"

"Nothing. He called me sugarbear."

Julia laughed out loud this time. "Sugarbear?"

Kensi rolled her eyes and snorted. "Yeah. Sugarbear."

"Well it could have been worse."

"What could be worse?"

Julia thought a moment before her face lit up with mirth and she answered, "Sugartits?"

Kensi snorted and started to laugh. "Well yeah, that would be worse."

The two women laughed for a bit and once more silence descended momentarily when their laughter faded.

Julia walked over to the kitchen and started gathering plates. "I'll set up the table while you finish that up."

Kensi nodded. "Okay, thanks Mom."

As she carried the plates and utensils to Kensi's dining area, Julia asked her, "Does he make you laugh?"

This time Kensi didn't hesitate in her answer. "Yes, he does."

"It's always a good thing when a man is able to make a woman laugh." Julia stated, all the while continuing setting the table.

"I suppose."

"Not I suppose. It IS a good thing."

Kensi smiled at her mom and said, "I'll keep that in mind, mom."

"Good."

Kensi glanced at the clock and saw that it was quarter of eight. So she finished up tidying up the kitchen area and checked on the chicken on the oven which was warmed up nicely by now, just waiting to be taken out for dinner. She then took off the apron she had been wearing and told her mom, "Get yourself another glass of wine if you want Mom. I'm just gonna freshen up. Deeks should be here soon. Let him in if I'm still in the bedroom when he comes."

"Okay."

"Thanks." Kensi told her, rushing to her bedroom.

"Make yourself pretty!" Julia called out to her daughter.

Kensi didn't answer but Julia nevertheless smiled to herself. Her daughter was already beautiful. It was no wonder Marty was so in love with her. And he was. Of that she was sure.

Julia went to the kitchen and poured herself another glass of Merlot and then went back to the living room. She had only sat down a few minutes, when the doorbell rang.

"Mom, can you get that?" Kensi called from her bedroom.

"Okay." Julia called back, putting her glass down.

She opened the door and saw Marty Deeks standing there. In his hands he held a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers.

"Hello Marty." Julia greeted him, stepping aside to let him through.

"Hi Mrs. Feldman." Deeks returned, smiling broadly. "These are for you."

He extended the bouquet of assorted flowers to her and smiling widely back at him, Julia graciously accepted them. "Thank you." She replied. "They're lovely."

"You're welcome." Deeks returned. "Where's Kensi?"

"She's just getting dressed."

"Okay."

"Would you like some wine while we wait for my daughter?"

"Sure."

Julia went into the kitchen, put the flowers he had brought her in water and then poured him a glass of wine.

When she went back to the living room, she faced him and said, "Marty, can you do me a favor?"

"Anything, Mrs. Feldman."

"Can you look after my daughter for me? Your work…" Her voice trailed off and she tried to hide the worried look that came over her face by taking a sip of her wine.

"Of course, ma'am. I always do. I…I…I care a lot for Kensi. I will do everything in my power to keep her from any harm. You have my word on that, Mrs. Feldman."

Julia smiled at him and replied, "Thank you Marty. "

"Like I said, ma'am anytime."

"Marty?"

"Yes?"

"Be patient with her. She's…stubborn….but…she…she'll come around."

Deeks looked confused and he didn't hide it. "What do you mean, Mrs. Feldman?"

They heard the hairdryer stop inside Kensi' s bedroom and Julia knew she didn't have much time. And so she said it already. "Marty, let's put it this way. Gunpowder and sunshine are two of her most favorite things too."

"What? How…did she…?"

Deeks didn't have time to finish his question and get an answer because just then Kensi stepped out of her room. And in that second, he forgot everything. Kensi looked amazing even though she wearing the simplest things in the world. Dressed in white capris pants that fell midcalf and a dark green halter top, she looked beautiful.

He got up and went up to her. For a second, he could only stare at her. "Wow!" He finally said.

Kensi flushed and glanced at her mother who gave her an encouraging smile. "Thanks."

The two of them continued to stare at each other completely forgetting that Julia was there. But then a car horn blared from outside and their reverie shattered. "So…" Kensi began, "I hope you're hungry."

"Don't tell me you cooked?" Deeks look incredulous.

Kensi rolled her eyes and replied, "You're joking right? You know I don't cook."

"Should I be afraid to ask what we're eating?" Deeks cautiously said, looking at Julia whose face was alive with mirth.

"No." Kensi snorted. "Of course not. I bought everything at Whole Foods!"

"Ah! Whole Foods. Well thank heaven for that." Deeks remarked, a smirk on his face.

"Do you cook Marty?" Julia asked, her eyebrows raised.

"I actually do ma'am." Deeks admitted.

"Well then, maybe when you're not so busy you can teach my daughter a thing or two."

"All she has to do is ask." Deeks told her graciously.

"Kensi did you hear that?"

"Mom, I do fine without knowing how to cook."

Julia sighed. "Oh Kensi, just try it….have an open mind."

"Whatever Mom. But right now I'm hungry. So, Deeks, can you help me by getting the chicken from the oven?"

"Sure. From Whole Foods too?"

"Yup! They have everything there!" Kensi exclaimed happily.

"By the way, I brought some wine. I put it inside your cupboard."

"Great. We can break it open if we run out." Kensi said. She went to the kitchen followed by Deeks when suddenly her eyes fell on the flowers at the center of her dining table now. "Are those from you?"

"Yup. I gave them to your mom."

"That's sweet. Thanks, Deeks."

"Anytime."

The two of them looked at each other again. Julia was in the living room and wasn't in their line of sight. For a moment, Kensi thought Deeks was going to kiss her and she was surprised when she realized that if he did try, she would let him.

But then, they heard the click click of Julia's heels approaching them and the moment vanished. The next minute, they heard Julia ask, "Do you guys need help?"

"No, mom. We're good. We'll be right there, okay?"

Julia eyed the two of them, her eyes narrowed, a knowing expression in her face. "Okay. No problem. Take your time."

And with that, she turned around and walked away.

Kensi and Deeks looked at each other, smiling. Kensi knew he wasn't going to try to kiss her again. Not right then anyways. But maybe her mom was right. Maybe she should be more open and explore things with him.

And so before she overthought it, she decided to take seize the moment. "Deeks?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think you could stay after my mom leaves? I mean, I actually have to take her home, but would you stay here and wait for me? I'd really love for us to hang out. Is that okay?"

At first Marty couldn't believe his ears and he wasn't able to reply.

After a few moments with no answer from him, Kensi took it as a no and said, "It's okay if you can't it was stupid…I just thought…"

"No, Kens! I mean, yes. I'd love to hang out with you." Marty quickly interrupted her, gently reaching for her wrist and wrapping it with his hand.

Kensi began to smile. "You don't have to…I just thought…"

"Stop right there. I know I don't have to. I want to, Kens."

"Okay. Great! My mom said she has to be home by 1130 at the latest."

"Why don't we both take her home Kens? I can drive."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, no problem. And then we can come back here and hang out or go somewhere else if we feel like it."

"Sounds like a great plan Deeks." Kensi grinned at him.

"Great. Now let's get in there before your mom thinks we've been swallowed by the oven." Deeks told her.

Kensi laughed. "Okay, let's go."

And with that the two of them, left the kitchen, Kensi holding the salad bowl and Deeks holding the chicken and went into the dining room, where Julia was waiting for them.

. . .

Should I continue?

Do you want to know what Kensi and Deeks did after they brought Julia home?

Let me know guys!

Thank you for reading! And please take a moment to review. Here and on Twitter: LadyJ_817