So I can't help myself and post another chapter. This story is writing itself and I want to see where it goes as much as the next person. I will attempt to update it as it comes out.

Also, I am truly humbled by all the followers, reviewers, and readers of my first story. The word AWESOME comes to mind. Thank you!

I want to be as true to the voices of the characters as possible, so any advice, critiques, or criticisms about that would be greatly appreciated. It will only help me entertain you!

I have a specific outline for this story and do not plan on it being longer than a few chapters. A teaser of whats to come, the gang will all end up at a karaoke bar. I fear I have said to much, but really, think about Callen trying to sing "Poker Face" and try not to laugh.

Anyway, lets get back on track! Happy reading :)

"Nope, not gona do it Deeks, so back off." Nell was in no mood to talk about her and Kensi's previous night out, as she was doing some in depth research on suspects for Sam and Callen. "And for the record, even if I wasn't as busy with keeping our teammates alive," she allowed herself a brief glance behind at him, "I wouldn't tell you squat. Now get out before I sick Hetty on you."

Deeks heard Eric snigger a little at that last threat.

"Really, Eric? Could you be any more whipped?"

"Pot calling kettle black, Deeks."

Before he could respond, the Ops doors opened and a tiny woman entered, hands clasped behind her back in the usual fashion. This confirms it. Hetty has to be psychic, Deeks thought.

"Mr. Deeks, I would advise you to please leave our tech analysts alone while they are doing their jobs. Do I have to remind you about the paperwork on your desk that needs to be completed before you leave this evening?"

"Yeah, I'll get right on it, Hetty" He turned to walk out of the doors. "This isn't over, Nell," he called back as the doors opened.

Sam's laughter could still be heard through the opened doors as he described the situation to Callen, who had apparently just arrived.

Kensi was taking out her frustrations on a helpless punching bag, as expected, when Deeks finally worked up the courage to find her in the gym. Even though she said she was going to the gym, he figured it was a 50/50 chance between the punching bag and the gun range. He silently thanked whatever deity was out there that she wasn't practicing shooting the crotch region. Yes, they were only paper targets, he still felt it was wrong.

Not that being kicked there is fun either.

He leaned against doorframe of the gym entrance, watching her as she released combo after combo on the bag. Her headphones were on and turned up so loudly he could hear it as far away as he was, plus her back was to him, so he surmised that he had three minutes before she spotted him. His thoughts wandered to yesterday, wondering what he said that made her abandon their movie night. The past few months, years really, he corrected, had brought them closer together as partners and friends and since his disastrous birthday, she had accepted his teasing and flirting with little resistance. Granted, he expected the well-deserved punch or kick when he took it to far, but they rarely bruised now as they had in the first months of their partnership.

Nope, relationship.

At this point, that's what he figured it was. That thing between them had ebbed and flowed in intensity in the last few years depending on who was pissed of at who but it was always there. It had progressed to the point where any date he went on or any other girl he met was automatically compared to Kensi. He was truly in awe of her most days, others, well he couldn't be blamed if he wasn't always her biggest fan. He had other partners before her, but none of them permeated into his life the way she had and refused to leave.

There had been many women in his life. Some were more memorable than others for various reasons, not all of them sexual. But still, the unpredictability of Kensi Blye never allowed his brain to go far from her. She was the most beautiful person he had ever met, no matter how angry she was at him. The angrier the better, he chuckled to himself. His thoughts drifted to that dirty place in his mind, imagining what hate sex with her would be like. He was a guy after all. And her workout attire of tight spandex and sports bra did nothing to hinder the direction his mind was going.

"What do you want Deeks?" It was as if she could hear his thoughts and knew when to interrupt them just when it was getting good. Even with her headphones on and her back to him, she knew he had been standing there a while.

Now that his presence was known, he descended the few steps towards the main area, stopping only at the edge of the sparing mat, near her gym bag, a few feet from her. He felt it was prudent to keep a little distance between them, just in case she was looking for a more lifelike target to hit. She took off her headphones and went back to the punching the bag.

"So…" he began, "Do you want to talk about that new ringtone on your phone?"

"No I don't, Deeks." She emphasized his name with a punch.

"I mean, it's a great song, I actually love that so-"

"Shut itDeeks! I will shoot you."

Death threats. Good.

"No you won't because then who would bring you doughnuts and jog with you in the mornings, or bring you your favorite candy bars and chocolates during your lady phase? Cause I'll tell you right now, Sam and Callen will leave you very disappointed. They think you like Mars Bars, but I know for a fact you have a disturbing attachment to Snickers." He teased, trying to make her smile.

She didn't go for it this time. Instead, Kensi took out her practice combat knives and started going after the bag. He was pretty sure at this moment she was using her imagination to stab him. If she thought that was going to intimidate him into silence, she was delusional.

"Ok so clearly you are mad at me for something. Just tell me what it is so I can make it up to you. Doughnuts and your favorite coffee from that place you don't think I know about but I do? I'm not exactly sure what I did but I have a few theories. Let me know when I'm getting close."

Kensi whirled around and gave him her death glare, the one she used right before she put bad guys in the hospital. Not good, not good. With out breaking eye contact, she slowly started walking, stalking,towards him, taking off her gloves with her teeth, then unwrapped the bandages from her knuckles. He swallowed hard.

"Deeks, I am not going to talk to you about what I did with Nell last night." she calmly addressed him in that dangerously sweet voice that aroused yet terrified him, "and if you keep this up, you will regret it." She knelt down to her gym bag at his feet, stuffing her gloves, practice knives, and bandages inside. "Now, I am going to take a shower, then take an aspirin to get rid of this stupid headache, and I expect doughnuts to magically be on my desk with hot coffee when I get back to the bullpen. Understood?" Kensi's fearsome eyes darted back to meet his blue ones, as she stood up with her bag in hand. Not needing confirmation, she turned and walked toward the locker rooms.

Something was up with Kensi and he was not going to give up til he knew what it was. Normally they teased each other about these embarrassing moments. His mind raced through the events of yesterday, straining to remember anything that could have had this bad of an affect on her present mood. Obviously her current state of irritability was the result of the ringtone but clearly there was a deeper issue bugging her for her to have reacted this dramatically.

"Was it when Callen and I were talking about our pick up strategies?" He knew he hit a nerve when she paused briefly mid step before accelerating through the door.

There was a loud thud as the door was kicked opened and then slammed shut.