Author's Note:

Thank you all for the continued support and wonderful reviews! Sorry this is kind of a short chapter, the next is much longer. With mid-terms in a week, I'm not sure how often I'll update, but I promise to do my best.

-C

"I don't know. Granger said he, and I quote, 'wants to have a word with you at work Monday.'"

"Great. I'm so looking forward to that."

"Get some sleep, Kens. I have a feeling that it's only gonna get worse from here on out."

"Same here, Nell. Same here."

"Come on, one hint."

"Not a chance."

"If you won't give me a hint about what you got me at least give me control of the radio."

"Not a chance," Kensi repeated with a wicked grin. "Your birthday's in three days, not right now."

Deeks cringed as she turned up the music even louder. The techno was going to blow his speakers. They deserved so much better than the wretched tune Kensi enjoyed so much.

"I'm going to make you a playlist of good music one of these days. And you're going to thank me late for it. You'll see."

"Yeah right."

They pulled into the lot at OSP and Deeks drastically turned down the volume before killing his truck's engine. "Ready princess?"

She pecked his cheek. "Ready."

They left the car and walked into the bullpen, side by side. Sam and Callen were already at it, bringing back playing basketball with newspaper and the recycling bin.

"H-O-R!" Callen exclaimed. "You're getting old, partner."

"You better watch it," Sam warned him.

"Morning!" Deeks called out gleefully, setting his messenger bag down on his desk.

"I bet even Deeks would be better at this than you," G jibed.

"You know, I would. I played basketball a lot."

"Alright, challenge accepted. Call your shot."

He tossed him a wadded up newspaper. He twirled it in his hand once, contemplating his shot. "Left hook, nothing but net."

"Agent Blye!"

Granger's voice pulled the three men away from their game to see him storming down the stairs from the ops center. They had hardly seen him since they exposed the traitor in their midst, but he never failed to greet them like this. Deeks looked at Kensi. She didn't seem surprised to see him.

"Yes, Assistant Director?"

Granger glanced at Sam, Callen, and Deeks, as if fully recognized their presence for the first time. He said to Kensi in a low voice, "Let's take a walk."

Deeks watched as they rounded a corner in the direction of the burn room. He bit his lip, his brow furrowed. He wasn't stupid. He knew something was going on with Kensi, and today, he decided was the day he was going to find out what.

"That was strange," Callen said.

"Better not to ask when it comes to Granger," Sam added. "Well, Deeks?"

Without a word, the blond aced the shot as called.

"What do you know, the kid does have skills."

He walked away from his teammates, following where Kensi and Granger had gone. Deeks passed the empty burn room and made for the armory, one of the only places that would be somewhat secluded in this building. The blond made it down into the basement where he heard voices talking in harsh tones.

"…the hell were you thinking!?" He only caught the end of Granger's sentence.

"You picked me for this, Granger. If I'm really that important, then I think you can handle one check in without me."

"Blye-"

"When's the meeting with Robinson?"

Granger must have swallowed whatever grievance he was about to say and muttered, "Tonight. Here's the information."

He handed her something, and Deeks decided it was time to go. The blond ducked into a storage closet and waited a couple of minutes. Putting his ear to the door and confirming that nobody was around, he slipped out from his hiding spot. Deeks trotted back upstairs to the bullpen, but Kensi still wasn't back. Sam and Callen were going about their game, ignoring Deeks as he sat back down at his desk. He kept his blue eyes on the watch for Kensi while pretending to do paperwork.

At last she came back empty handed and from the direction of the gym. Whatever Granger gave her was probably stashed in her bag in the locker room.

"What was that all about?" Callen jumped to the question before Deeks had the chance.

"He needed to ask me a few questions about the DOJ's investigation in connection to Afghanistan. Nothing to worry about," Kensi brushed it off. Sam and Callen didn't look too convinced yet they knew better than to press. Deeks did as well, but was far less considerate of it.

He tried to make eye contact with Kensi though she was avoiding him. Deeks looked at the time in the corner of his laptop screen. A full work day later and he would get the chance to ask.

Hours later, he and Kensi remained in the front seat of the truck in Kensi's driveway, unmoving as an unrelenting downpour of rain grabbed their attention. They had been silent the whole day and the entire way home.

"How much did you hear?" Kensi asked first, only slightly surprising her partner.

Deeks paused before answering. "Enough to know that there's something going on that you're not telling me about."

"I would if I could."

"Could or want?"

Kensi closed her eyes. "Deeks, please don't do this."

"Why can't you tell me what's wrong?"

"I'm trying to protect you."

Deeks let his head fall against the headrest. "And who's watching your back?"

She bit her lip. "I can't exactly divulge that either."

"I almost lost you in Afghanistan, Kens. I'm not letting that happen again. Please, just tell me what's going on!"

"I'll make a deal with you. I-"

"Kensi-"

"Please just hear me out," she begged. She bore a tired and almost desperate gleam in her eye that shut Deeks up pretty quick. He was protective of her and would die for her, but he also trusted her explicitly. "I can't tell you what's going on. Okay? Can't, not that I don't want to. It's more than just protecting you. You don't ask questions, but the moment I feel that I need you to watch my back, I'll tell you everything."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

Deeks nodded. "Okay. No questions."

"Thank you," she said, giving him a hug, albeit awkward given their position. "I have to run, but I'll come by your apartment when I'm finished."

"See you then, Kens. Be safe." He kissed her forehead and felt his insides churn at the sad smile she offered him.

Deeks pulled out of her driveway and didn't wait to see if Kensi was leaving. He turned down a side street and shut off his engine, watching the main road. As soon as he saw her car pass, his truck found itself tailing Kensi's SRX.