I promised myself no hospital scenes in this one. So many (me included) fanfics these days try to outdo each other with the hospital scene, who has the worst injuries, the most blood transfusions and highest grade concussions.

"Hold your aqua mi amigo" they'll be here soon. I have dealt with these 2 many times. They are always fashionably late." Deeks was explaining this to the head of the Morales Cartel and his 2 body guards. "They are my family so be prepared for anything though. They can be a little strange sometimes." The last part was added with a grin.

And then there she was, "really Kensi-a slut? A damn good lookin' one but a slut none the less. I'm gonna have to fight all 3 of these guys" Marty thought as he watched her glide across the room to them. He was sure he saw a twinkle in her eyes as if to say 'gotcha!'

Her first thought was "Yes! Kensi 1, Deeks zip!" but she purred "Maxie baby, it's been too long. Where have you been hiding?" Then she planted one on his cheek before continuing "Sorry about being a little late but I wanted to do some extra doubling back to make sure I had no tails. This is our first time dealing with you gentlemen and I wanted to be sure I didn't pick up a tail."

Miguel Morales looked at Deeks and said "I thought you said 'they' but she is the only one here."

Before Deeks could answer Kensi offered that "G and Sam are handling some issues with another part of our operation. Nell and Eric are helping me with this. They are on the other end of the computer (she held up her laptop at the same time) waiting to transfer the money once we set up the meet and I test the merchandise." Marty thought "Ok G and Sam are on a mole hunt and the twins are supporting everyone from ops. Nicely done Agent Blye." He strained to suppress a chuckle.

Miguel stared at Max who nodded and said "We have done business several times Miguel. I have never let you down. My little sister, half sister actually, is quite capable of handling this despite how she dress's." And Deeks tossed a grin at her that said 'gotcha.'

"Ok" Miguel said and nodded at one of the men. "Our last 'buyer' (air quotes) was a cop wearing a wire so this frisking is gonna be rather extensive Senorita. I apologize but it is necessary."

"Not my first rodeo sugar" and Kensi spread her legs slightly while putting her arms up and slapping a cheesy grin on her face. "Just don't enjoy it too much or I will hurt you" she added throwing a serious glare at the body guard walking towards her. The body guard did a 'thorough' job of checking Kensi out, eliciting a couple of flinches and a "don't even". Then it happened. While frisking Kensi from behind, he 'patted down' her butt while breathing "nice" in her ear. Her arms were still straight out and he then reached around her and grabbed a breast in each hand. Before Deeks could react, Kensi grabbed the trigger finger on the man's right hand pulled it backwards and snapped it like a twig. The guard started howling. "Told ya to play nice" she growled.

Deeks had his gun out and was pointing it at the man on the ground when Miguel yelled "No Max, I will handle it" and he told the other guard to take him out and shoot him. Shortly they heard a shot and the man came back.

"I apologize to both of you. That should not have happened. An aggressive search yes, but that was out of line and not tolerated. Again, I apologize for his stupidity."

"Hey, she's family- -next time we don't do business" Deeks hissed at Miguel.

"Now Maxie, we all have black sheep in the family. Let's give him a chance. This could be a very profitable alliance over time." Then turning to Miguel she said "but make no mistake, next time I get seriously pissed and you do not want that" she snarled while glaring at Miguel.

"Understood, now Max, you set everything up for tomorrow same time and we will transact our business. Like your sister, I believe this could be a long term relationship, but know this Max, if anything goes wrong it's you I come after" as he stared clearly at Kensi's chest. Deeks started to say or do something but Kensi stopped him with a "he'll never get the chance smirk."

Deeks played the part of being extremely nervous as did Kensi. Deeks finally swallowed and gave it a "Yea, a sure, yea will do-a-er Miguel –yep 24 hours, yea will do. Won't let you down amigo" Deeks stammered as he rubbed his head. Kensi was amazed at how well he could switch gears from confident to nervous as needed.

"A, er, a Miguel I'd like to ask a favor. If you don't need me tonight can I take my sister out for dinner? I haven't seen her in over a year and would like to catch up, ya know?" Deeks remained in cowering mode.

Kensi chimed in and offered "Yea, G and Sam want me to talk Maxie into coming back full time instead of working with us when we have a commonality of interest. Besides Eric and Nell have missed Uncle Maxie."

Miguel looked at them then his remaining body guard who shrugged to indicate they had no need for Max till the meeting. Finally he said "family is important Max. As long as we can continue to do business with you then you should go back. That's how we are. My brothers, sisters, uncles- -everyone is part of our operation. I would suggest Lupe's if you like really good Mexican."

After they both thanked him profusely they exited the building their hands finding each other. Deeks muttered, "The only place we for sure won't go tonight is Lupe's."

After Kensi said "damn right" she went on to whisper, "thank you for holding it back there. I know you want to have my back and it's nice knowing that but the fact you know when to let me handle it myself is even more important and speaks volume about you and us." Then she planted one on his cheek.

Once they were in his car he hit a button and got a green light indicating no bugs and said "Ok, quickly, I will be sending some e-mails to the wonder twins. I will copy the 3 of you. It they can be traced or tracked it will get us closer to the mole. A friend of mine was able to find em on my computer. The mole didn't wipe his emails from the system, he just deleted them. Also be sure and Eric checks shaggy. He'll understand." Seeing Kensi's puzzlement, he went on "Since I take my computer to LAPD with me so Eric installed some extra protection against anyone trying to get into my system but not knowing the proper logon procedure, or the password." He then reached over and grabbed her hand. "Thank you again for standing up for me. I miss you Princess but I have to know if we are good or do you think I'm guilty."

"We are great Shaggy. No damn way you are the mole. Sam, G, Hetti and the twins agree with me. It's Granger on the warpath. Please let me know before you deck him. I want that picture. Oh, and thank you for not making any smart ass comments about my attire." He smiled and squeezed the hand he was holding. They rode in silence for a while when Kensi realized they were headed to her favorite little Italian place. She smiled knowing it was "their place" and the message he was sending.

His eyes were twinkling as he said "just wear that outfit for me sometime is all I ask!"

Over dinner they worked out the plan for the takedown, including arresting Marty to protect his cover. Documents would be prepared showing Max gentry was returned to Florida for trial and was jailed.

As they held hands and ate, the look that had replaced the twinkle in Marty's eyes broke Kensi's heart. She saw that little boy who was beaten and made to believe he was worthless and not deserving of family. Despite everyone's 180 on his guilt, everyone's knee jerk reaction that he was guilty had hurt and she knew he was wondering if they really believed that or if their first reaction was the truth. Family should stand up immediately during the tough times, not quietly after the fact. She did feel good that she had jumped right in since she had hurt him several times. They had worked it out but things like leaving him, hitting him in the jaw and discounting his worth still haunted her dreams some nights and weighed on her mind even more often.

Finally she squeezed his hand and said "don't even think that. They never bought in. They just had nothing tangible to offer granger who was obviously hell bent to get rid of you. That's why you need to be an agent. Then we have more leverage. Once you are proven innocent, PLEASE sign those papers." But she could see in his eyes that he wasn't sure he would be proven innocent. "Get rid of the self doubt surfer boy, do you think I would have fallen in love with you if you were that guy you are thinking about right now?"

"Damn woman, how do you do that? You taking lessons from Hetti?" This was said with a big grin on his face but he went on to say "If I'm proven innocent, I'll sign, promise wifey."

"WHEN Marty not if damn it, have some confidence" she snapped, but then smiled at him.

Later, having killed a bottle of wine and talked thru everything about the operation twice, Deeks paid the bill and they left hand in hand. As they neared the car Kensi yelled "I quit my job for you and now you dump me you son of a bitch!" and then she slapped him hard enough to cause a loud crack to echo in the night. She then stomped away. Deeks just looked at her as she disappeared into the night. He screamed "crazy bitch" and sank down on his haunches putting his hands to his head looking like a whipped puppy. He only thought was, damn she may really be crazy.