Heat

Episode Reference: "Deadline" (3X04)

I decided to start writing a collection of one-shots based on episodes that inspired me. They are all independent of each other and do not flow into a combined story.

Thank you to ZBBZL and Ambrosia Rush for previewing and providing feedback. Your comments were invaluable.

Heat. It's a burning flame that can combust at any moment. During her interview with the ZNN camera operator, Steve Downey, she found herself glancing at Deeks as he looked through Adriana Gomez's computer files. Steve had been Adriana's camera operator for two years. She could see the parallels in her partnership with Deeks.

Steve interrupted her wandering mind and said, "You get pretty close to someone when you spend so much time with them."

"Yes you do."

Kensi looked at Deeks as she said this.

Steve elaborated further on his relationship with Adriana and their connection. He was telling her how the slain reporter and he would have disagreements, but there was something between them.

"Heat?"

Kensi glanced at Deeks again as she said this. He looked amazing in the black polo shirt. It was a vast improvement over those hideous plaid shirts he wore on occasion. He always drove her crazy, but his lanky swimmer's body and gorgeous blue eyes couldn't be denied. The way he was staring at the screen just intensified their color. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she got back to the task at hand.

They left the news station and headed to the Libyan restaurant with Monty. He was not a handsome dog, but there was an earnestness about him that got to her. He was an old drug sniffing dog, but Deeks took Monty in after he retired from the force. 'A canine version of PTSD?' Her partner was often ridiculous and his explanation of Monty's affliction and love for NPR definitely stretched reality. She was holding in her laugh as Deeks calmly explained the dog's issues to her. How can you not like a guy who takes in a dog no one wants? Even with the jokes and non-stop chatter, Deeks was an awesome guy and the best partner she could ask for. He had an extremely troubled childhood, went to law school and ended up becoming a cop. His path could have veered towards a life of crime, but it didn't. And his surfer boy looks were undeniable. A girl would have to be dead or blind to not find him attractive. Whenever he dressed up in suits for an op, she would stare discreetly and soak in his gorgeousness.

Back at the boathouse, Deeks asked her about the difference between diaries and journals. She regretted her response immediately. Kensi basically admitted to keeping a journal of her deepest and darkest thoughts. If he were to access her private musings, he would find out what she really thought of him. The humiliation would be terrible and he would be insufferable. Her partner didn't need to know that his eyes were bluer than the ocean and sky combined. And he definitely didn't need to know that his blond hair and scruff were more sexy than unkempt. Plus, his way with children was more than appealing. This is why her journal was in a hidden file tucked away behind pictures of furry little kittens playing with balls of yarn. If Kensi knew that Eric had seen these innermost thoughts, he would have been buried in the desert and no one would ever find his body.

At the end of the day, Deeks was a great partner. He was always ready with a quip to lighten a heavy situation and always had her back. There was no one else she would ever consider going into a gunfight with than Marty Deeks, the dog owner and surfer boy from Reseda. If she wasn't such a coward, there could be the possibility of something beyond a strong partnership. Sadly, Kensi was afraid of being burned. Sometimes when heat is unbearable it becomes scorching and you feel the need to step away.

AN: When Kensi stared at Deeks in the newsroom, I just about squealed. She is totally into him. Seriously.