Kensi cast a puzzled glance at Deeks, wondering why he seemed so skittish this morning. He seemed to be keeping a leery eye on Sam and Callen, and kept maneuvering to put her between himself and them. Had something happened that she wasn't aware of? She saw Sam notice as well, and give Deeks a wolfish grin. Huh, must be a guy thing.
After a quick breakfast, they hit the road. Kensi found the drive relaxing, the most ordinary thing they'd done since they'd arrived in this crazy place. Indeed, as they climbed into a beautiful mountainous area, it almost seemed like a vacation road trip. Deeks seemed happier too, as they cheerfully quibbled over the choice of radio station. He made one hilarious comment after another on the rantings of a talk radio host, making her laugh out loud more than once. She was even beginning to have fun.
By mid-afternoon, they'd checked into a small B&B near the town of Meeker. Between them, they'd used up all the available rooms, so they didn't have to worry about socializing with anyone but the friendly owners.
They headed out to scout the area around the cave immediately, while they still had plenty of daylight. It was about a half hour climb up a rocky trail to reach the main entrance. They sent Kensi and Deeks strolling past, chatting casually like a couple on vacation, while the others observed from concealed positions.
No one stopped them, and when Kensi and Deeks rejoined the others, they reported that the cave entrance was sealed off. The cave gate consisted of a series of metal bars, spaced far enough apart to allow bats or small mammals to pass through, but nothing bigger. Kensi was confident that they'd be able to pick the lock on the doorway, though.
After some further scouting of the area that failed to raise any red flags, they headed back down the mountain. It was early evening, and everyone was hungry. They stopped at the B&B to clean up, and asked the proprietor for a restaurant recommendation.
'Oh, I have just the place!', she exclaimed. 'We keep a table on reserve there for our guests. Good thing for you, or you'd never get one on a Friday night. It's open-mike night, and the quality of the local musicians is really quite remarkable. People come from miles around to attend.'
Kensi went upstairs to change. Her room shared a bathroom with Deeks', but she was able to enjoy a modicum of privacy for once. The night was warm, and she decided on a dress that floated around her legs and left her shoulders bare. A night out with her colleagues; it seemed almost normal, and once again she felt her spirits lift.
She descended the stairs to find the men waiting on her. Deeks was about to compliment her on her appearance, when Dean stepped forward and took her hand, helping her down the last couple of steps.
'Kensi, you are a sight for sore eyes,' he told her. 'Sam and I rarely get to enjoy the company of a lovely woman at dinner.' Dean tucked her arm in his, and escorted her toward the door. Behind her back, he sent a speaking look toward his brother, urging him to get in the game.
Sam didn't really see the point of romancing a taken woman, but he made a token effort. 'Yes, and if the place we're going has dancing, I hope you'll save me one.'
Kensi smiled, enjoying the attention, and allowed herself to be guided to Dean's car. He opened the door for her, and told Sam to catch a ride with someone else. Deeks found himself a little discomfited, not usually having any competition for Kensi's regard. And Dean knew that he was into Kensi, so what the hell was he playing at?
The restaurant turned out to be more of a large coffeehouse. Dean wasn't so sure about it, especially when he saw that it was called Café NamasThé. Sure enough, when they walked in and took a look around, there was a distinctly new-agey feel to the place. There was a poster on the wall showing the location of chakra points on the body, crystal necklaces were being sold by the cash register, which itself was sporting a sticker saying, 'Have a Faerie Nice Day.' The last straw for Dean, though, was the sign on the wall behind the cashier. It read, 'No Alcohol'.
'Oh, hell no,' Dean stated, and turned to walk out.
'Now wait, Dean,' Sam said. He'd been perusing the menu, and he liked what he saw. 'They have some good stuff here.' Not that Dean would think so, he knew. Dean's tastes ran to the heart attack inducing, but here nothing but organic, healthy foods were on offer.
Sam, who also liked to eat properly, agreed with his namesake. Deeks and Kensi were also on board, and Dean found himself outvoted. 'Fine,' he grumbled, 'but I refuse to drink tea.'
There was clearly a heavy focus on tea in the café, even more so than on coffee. Many different types, some exotic, were displayed along one wall, and boxes and tins of the stuff were also available for purchase.
'Look, Sam,' Callen said. 'They've got Yellow Mountain Tribute, your favorite.'
'G, you know I can't drink that without wolfberries.' They grinned at one another, remembering a time when Hetty had tried to educate Sam by having him sample one of her specialty teas. He'd had to pretend to like it, even though it had gone moldy in the tin. You didn't refuse one of Hetty's offerings, not if you valued your life.
Thinking fondly of Hetty, most of them did in fact order tea while they waited on dinner. They stuck to safer choices though, like Earl Grey and Jasmine. It turned out that the B&B owner was right about reserving a table. As it neared 7:00 pm, the little place filled rapidly, and it was soon standing room only.
The music started as they were served their meals, and it became immediately apparent that she'd also been right about the quality of the local musicians. The first one up expertly played two classical pieces on an acoustic guitar, then finished with a rousing flamenco number. Next up was a woman with a lovely voice, who was accompanied by another guitar player. They did a couple of folk tunes, then the café owner got up to announce the main acts.
'Thank you for coming, everyone. We have a great lineup for you tonight. We have The Bombadils,' he had to pause and wait out the cheers and clapping, 'and the Road Scholars.' There was more applause and cries of approval. 'But first up, please welcome Clarksdale Moan!' With that, he turned the tiny stage over two a pair of men, one of whom was in a wheelchair. He turned out to be an excellent blues singer, and his friend played killer slide guitar. Kensi really enjoyed their set, finding it all too brief.
The next band was an interesting one. It was a Celtic folk group, and consisted of a fiddler and a flute player, both women, as well as a guitarist and a fellow with an upright bass. They were really good, playing with genuine joy and enthusiasm, and were obvious crowd favorites. The violinist, who also sang, was of especial interest to Deeks, as he'd learned the instrument himself, growing up.
Kensi covertly watched Deeks, who was absorbed in watching the band. It was good to see him enjoying himself. His tongue flicked out, to wet his pouty lower lip; she'd seen it before, he did it sometimes when he was concentrating. To her alarm, when she saw it this time, she felt heat flash through her. She quickly looked away from him, pretty sure her pupils had just dilated. Damn that Sam, for increasing her sexual awareness of Deeks. Oh, she was in trouble. She wasn't sure she'd be able to get the genie back into the bottle, this time.
When the band had finished, and they were setting up the stage for the next group, Kensi escaped to the bathroom, hoping to compose herself. However, when she emerged, Deeks was lying in wait, and catching her hand, he propelled her into a jig to the first tune of the latest group. This band played lively bluegrass music, on banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass guitar.
There was barely room to move in the packed café, but people cheerfully stood back to give them space. Deeks swung and two-stepped Kensi through two numbers, until he had her flushed and laughing. It didn't matter if they were uncoordinated or awkward, it was all good fun. When the band slowed for a quiet, gospel tune, they made their way back to the table.
The six of them had drawn some wary looks from the locals earlier, as a group consisting primarily of large, imposing men are wont to do. Callen nudged Sam, and directed his attention to how they now watched only Kensi and Deeks, with the tender, gently amused looks reserved for young couples in love.
Having to conform to small town bylaws, the café called a halt to the music at 10:00 pm, to universal disappointment. People filed out, making voluntary cash deposits in a small basket near the door, which was the only financial recompense the musicians would get for their efforts.
Outside, Kensi looked up, and found herself captivated by the beauty of the night sky. Living in a city, where light pollution blotted out all but the brightest stars, she'd forgotten the majesty of the star-studded heavens. When she looked back down, she caught Deeks staring at her, a soft look on his face.
Sam broke Deeks' reverie with a playful shove to the shoulder, pushing him toward the cars. 'Keep it moving, mop-head,' he said, grinning.
Jolted back to awareness, Deeks quickly offered Kensi the keys to his car, knowing that with her preference for driving, she'd be less likely to go with Dean again. Done with romance for the evening, Kensi happily accepted. A car, at least, she could control.