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Author's Note: Sorry for the delay! Holidays and a busy work schedule have kept me from writing! I hope you all stick with me!
Chapter Fourteen
Eric had images pulled up on the screens, one of a pretty Petty Officer and her stats, others with the dead bodies of other Officers and their stats, a picture of the outside of a bikini bar, and other information. Dread hit Deeks like a fist, he already knew what Hetty was going to say as she said it. That the Petty Officer was selling highly classified info under the cover of dancing at a bikini bar. It looked like they were paying for a lap dance, granted they were getting that, but so much more. Kensi was going to have to go in and befriend her and Deeks, due to his extensive knowledge of the bikini bar and the dancers, he would have to be on the outside.
Deeks took a deep breath and collected himself as Kensi got herself fitted into skimpy costumes. Sam would be guarding her inside and outside but Callen…Deeks wasn't too sure what Hetty had in store for Callen but Deeks had a nagging feeling in his gut things were going to get tense. Kensi fully dressed once again, bumped Deeks with her hip. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing." Deeks murmured and they headed back to the bull pen while Eric worked on Kensi's cover and back stopping. Hetty was on the phone with the man who owned the bar, he knew them from when Sam and Callen went undercover for CHP and would cooperate with whatever they needed. Kensi frowned as she studied Deeks from the desk. Something was bugging him, it wasn't her fault he frequented bikini bars too often. Kensi took a deep breath as she concentrated on making sure her pout didn't show.
When Hetty approached the bullpen Callen asked the question that had Deeks' stomach in knot. "Who will I be Hetty?" Hetty looked thoughtful but didn't hesitate "every dancer needs a regular customer, Mr. Callen." She said, walking away. Kensi's eyes widened as the pieces clicked together, THAT'S why Deeks was so upset, he had a feeling this was coming. Callen turned to Kensi, his face unreadable. Kensi bolted upstairs to the girl's locker room. Nell poked her head in.
"Kensi? You ok?" she asked quietly. Kensi covered her face with her hand.
"Ugh. No." she said, Nell slipped inside shutting the door behind her. She sat beside Kensi on the wooden bench.
"I know we aren't close or anything but I can listen, if you want to talk. I know you and Deeks left last together last night, so I'm assuming your "thing" has worked itself out." she said simply. Minutes ticked by as silence filled the small room.
Kensi blinked at Nell in surprise. Nell just grinned. "It was obvious to everyone you two would end up together at one point." She said. Kensi arched a brow.
"There was a pool going wasn't there?" she asked.
"Yes," she said sheepishly. "Eric won." Despite her embarrassment, Kensi found herself laughing.
"Before I spill my guts, which is something I rarely do, would do you do me a solid and answer a question first?" she said. Nell nodded.
"Shoot." She said simply.
"Did you go home with Eric?" Kensi asked. Smiling, Nell nodded. Kensi smiled a little, she was happy for the two of them. "Okay, so yes, Deeks and my "thing" has resolved itself but its way too early to but a name to it. It's been a long time since I opened my heart to the possibility of love and well, since I saw how angry Deeks got over the last OP Callen and I were on I don't know how he'll handle this one given that there's more of a sexual component to this one."
Nell hmmm-ed thoughtfully and rested her chin on her open palm. "Do you want my advice or do you want to just hash it out verbally and go from there?" she asked.
"Advice please. I hate feeling like this." Kensi said gratefully. Nell smiled.
"My advice is to act like it's not Callen, that he's a stranger. That being a bikini bar dancer IS your job and means absolutely nothing sexual about it. Save all the sexual energy for Deeks and jump him as soon as you can." She said. Kensi gaped at her with surprise, who knew little quiet Nell was so experienced when it came to situations like that.
Nell laughed at the open mouthed Kensi. "My sister worked as a dancer to put herself through school and her boyfriend hated it. So this isn't weird to me." She explained.
"Thank you Nell," Kensi said, "For listening. And for the advice." Nell nodded.
"Not a problem. I like you and Deeks, and I think you guys make a good couple. I'm rooting for you guys. I'm usually always around if you ever need to chat." She said and left the room. Someone knocked on the door. Callen popped his head in moments later.
"You alright Kens?" he asked.
"I'm feeling a little better thanks to Nell but this puts us in an awkward situation, Callen." She said. Callen sauntered in and sat across from her on the floor.
"Kens, listen. I'm not going to lie and say a fantasy or two starring you hasn't crossed my mind a few times over the years but I'm not the guy to fall for a coworker after what happened between Tracy and me. And I'm not going to settle down or be tied down. Deeks suits you. He's your match. But that doesn't mean I'm going to enjoy it a little bit." Kensi's eyes narrowed and Callen grinned.
"A little bit." He repeated, "But I want you to be happy Kensi. Cause you're my friend and I love you. No cheer up." Callen kissed her cheek and strode out of the room again.