Disclaimer: I'm sure you know this by now, but if not... NCIS LA is not mine I just like to borrow it's characters.

They sit almost trance-like, holding hands and just enjoying the moment. Neither says anything but something passes between them that doesn't require words. They're interrupted by Sam calling out to ask where they should put the heat lamps. Kensi sighs. She knows organising this weekend was up to her, with a little assistance from Nell, but do they have to keep asking her questions? She wonders if this is how Callen feels sometimes. "Wherever you think is best," she calls back to him, breaking up their nice little moment with a shy smile to her partner.

Reluctantly, Deeks untangles his fingers from hers but not before giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. He watches Sam and Callen place the two heat lamps and then looks down toward the beach to see how far Nell and Eric have gone. They are already distant dots and he wonders how far they plan on walking. He's so busy with what everyone else is doing he doesn't realise that he's absently scratching at his leg until he feels Kensi gently swat at his arm, causing him to look at her.

"Stop that," she orders in a bossy tone.

"Sorry," he answers automatically. He stares down at his leg and realises the reason for the itching. There are traces of sand around his cast. "Crap! I think I got sand in my cast. Actually I know I have sand in my cast."

"Let me have a look?" She doesn't wait for his reply but shifts around to sit on the small table lifting his leg into her lap and starting to undo the straps on the cast. "Did you bring the waterproof cover with you? You know the one you use for the shower?"

"Yeah why?"

"If you plan on going out to the sand again you should use it." She now has the cast open and can see the sand that's gathered in the various nooks and crannies. Most of it is around his ankle but there is some creeping up his leg, probably from where they had been sitting down. Gently she starts to brush it away with her finger tips and it falls to the floor. There are still several stubborn patches though. "Wait here," she orders gently lowering his leg and heading indoors. Moments later she's back with a towel and uses it to dust off his leg and then the cast. "That's the best I can do right now. You'll probably still be finding bits of sand for the next few days though."

"Normally I'd complain, but you know what? I don't care. It will remind me of this place."

"I'll remind you of that in two or three days. Come on, let's get this cast back on and then I'm getting the cover and we'll head down to the water. I'm not coming all this way just to look at it." She straps his leg back up and then takes the towel back indoors, heading for his room. Once there she locates the two bags containing his stuff. The one she packed last night and the one he'd thrown together this morning. Quickly checking to make sure the cover is inside the one he'd packed, she slings it over her shoulder and then rummages through the bag she'd packed herself locating his camera before heading to her room for her own beach bag.

Back down stairs she hands Deeks his bag and lets him begin securing the waterproof cover. She watches as he tugs the thick latex boot up over the cast, the narrow neck stretched as it makes its way over his knee but falling into place once he releases it. To add to the efficiency the boot has a small detachable pump bulb which Deeks squeezes several times to suck all the air from the boot creating a secure vacuum seal. He detaches the bulb and tosses it back into his bag as he declares 'Done,' to Kensi.

Kensi relieves him of the bag and helps him up. As they stand to head down to the beach they realise Eric and Nell have come back and Monty is dancing around Sam and Callen as they talk.

"Hey! Good walk?" he asks.

"Wonderful," Nell replies. "It's so quiet here."

"Yeah, it's nice not having to dodge the masses and just being able to walk and enjoy," Eric adds. He notices Deeks blue cast cover. "Going somewhere?"

Deeks points at his leg, "No, I just like to wear this to be 'down' with the kids."

Kensi shakes her head at his stupid comment but her hand lightly supports his elbow as he carefully comes down the steps on his crutches. "Ignore him," she tells Eric. "Anything else will only encourage him."

"Mermaid Kensi wants to go swimming," Deeks tells the others as he watches her for a reaction.

"I never said anything about swimming. I just thought we could paddle around or something."

"Or something?" he questions, but the tone is slightly suggestive instead of teasing and she tries her best not to blush, opting for another eye roll. "Well I, for one, want to swim. I have been land bound for days and it's not right."

"Deeks, you sure swimming is a good idea?" Sam asks showing concern.

"Relax big guy, I'm good. This thing is water proof like you wouldn't believe."

"I don't think that's what he meant," Callen tries to get through to his injured friend. Sam nods in agreement but before either of them can reply Kensi pipes up.

"What they mean is they're concerned you might do yourself some damage," she clarifies.

"But you're not?" he asks.

She shakes her head. "I know you're not that stupid, even if you like to make us think otherwise."

"Oh." He's not sure what else to say to that vote of confidence.

"I mean I know you wouldn't do anything to risk further injury," she explains.

"You know it. See guys, Nurse Kensi says it's okay."

"Watch it Shaggy, or I may just drown you while we're out there."

"You wouldn't do that, you'd miss me too much, I just know it." He looks at her and then the rest of their team. "But to be on the safe side, how about the rest of you join us?"

"I'm in," Callen is the first to agree.

"Me too," Sam confirms.

"It looks a little cold," Nell sounds unsure.

"It'll be fine," this time its Eric reassuring her. "Once you're in and moving about you won't notice it."

"Yeah, Eric's right, come on Nell don't be a party pooper," Deeks encourages her.

"Ignore them Nell." Kensi squeezes Deeks elbow she's still supporting. "Do what you want."

The young analyst looks at her team and then at the water and then back at the team. "Okay I'll come in," she answers and the grin on Eric's face makes her smile too. Sam and Callen head off to change into something more appropriate while the others head for the water, Monty trailing them excitedly.

They drop their belongings in a pile a safe distance from the lapping waves. Nell loses her dress revealing a green floral bikini and causing Eric to avert his eyes and blush. Nell fights to suppress a giggle and the noise makes Kensi look up as she slides the denim shorts down her legs and kicks them off onto the pile of bags. Deeks takes a moment to admire her figure before he glances at Nell and then Eric and laughs loudly. Eric turns toward the detective with a quizzical expression.

"Really Eric? You see women in bikinis all the time at the beach and you're gonna go all bashful now?"

Eric lets out a fake laugh. "Bashful? Me? No, no I'm good. Come on Nell." He turns to her but isn't sure where to look. Deeks is right, he does see women in bikinis all the time, it's just none of them are his work colleagues. He glances over at Kensi wondering if it's any easier to look at her. She smiles at him and he looks back at Nell focusing on her face. Yup it's definitely more awkward looking at his partner. Still he takes her hand and leads her to the water hoping that once she's in and he can't see so much of her he might feel a little less out of sorts.

Kensi watches the younger pair head to the water as she scrapes her hair back and ties it in a high messy bun. Seeing that she's ready to go, Deeks drops his crutches. "Hey partner, gonna give me a hand?" he asks holding out his.

She doesn't answer but takes the offered hand. As she stands facing him she holds out her other hand for him to take and they make their way to the sea. She walks backwards, eyes flitting back and forth between his face and his foot placement to make sure he's steady and not in pain. She keeps hold of him until they are waist deep. The water's a little cold but nothing they can't handle. "You all right from here?" she asks.

He lets go and drops back into the water completely submerging before popping back up and smoothing back his hair from his face and grinning. "I'm good. You?"

She gently sinks back into the water so her shoulders are just covered. "Good. Are you going to be able to swim with your leg?"

"Honestly? I'm not sure. Probably not, but it just feels good being in the water."

"Just take it easy please," she asks.

"You said it. I'm not that stupid." He looks over at their colleagues. Eric, like him, has wet hair and has sunk back under the water. Nell is still standing but being a little shorter than the others the water is nearly to her chest. She holds her arms over her head as she resists going further despite the coaxing. Deeks mimes splashing to the tech operator who shakes his head, Deeks repeats the action with an encouraging nod as Kensi looks on. She turns to Deeks and the brief look that appears on her face gives him just a seconds warning that she's up to something. He's not fast enough to react as she quickly swipes both hands through the water showering him in it. He laughs at her actions "You don't think I'm gonna let you get away with that do you?"

"Probably not," she shrugs as she's covered in a spray of salty sea water getting her hair wet and causing the loose strands to stick to her face. "Oh, it's on now." She retaliates by assaulting him with a series of splashes that he returns with the same vigour. The water fight doesn't let up and they go at each other, trying to cover one another in as much water as possible. At some point the younger pair get caught up in the action and before Nell can overthink it she's submerged in the water and there's an all out boys versus girls splash fest going on.

When Sam and Callen join them, what's going on and who's on who's side is any ones guess but they take great pleasure in joining in the boisterous game, splashing anyone who seems to be getting off lightly. Deeks loses his footing at some point and vanishes under the water. Kensi's hand shoots out to grab him to haul him back up. He coughs up some swallowed sea water before giving her a grin and a "Thanks" and then splashing her some more. The way she laughs at him and doesn't yell makes him laugh too. He reaches out for her, grabbing her hips and spinning her around as he brings her to him. His front is pressed to her back so she can't splash him anymore then he leans into her. "Having fun?" he asks softly, his warm breath on her neck.

Without thinking she settles back against his body and turns her head slightly to smile at him. His arms slip around her waist to hold her in a gentle embrace as she turns back to watch the others continue the water fight.

The moment doesn't last long as they are caught once more in a torrent of water as Sam goes at Callen. They separate and launch an attack back at Sam, flanking him on either side so there is no escape from their onslaught. Callen comes to his partner's aid and starts in on Deeks. Seeing the injured Detective under attack, Eric and Nell come to his aid and both start to aim as much of their efforts as possible at the team leader. Kensi and Deeks both let off their assault of Sam and also turn on Callen, surrounding him.

"Sam? Some help here," Callen yells out as Sam looks on.

"You got this G," he fires back with a grin watching his partner being assaulted by the junior team members.

"Oh come on! Give a guy a hand... Partner?" he pleads.

With a laugh Sam wades in and starts randomly splashing everyone. Nell starts to slink away heading for slightly shallower water as the fight has moved a little deeper and she starts to feel out of her depth. Eric follows seeing her move away. "Nell everything okay?"

"I'm good Eric." She sits in the shallower water letting the waves lap her legs. "It was just starting to get a bit much that's all." Eric comes to sit beside her and they watch as the others continue. The fight goes on for several more minutes until they realise they are down to four and they finally call a truce.

Callen, Sam and Kensi head for the shore but Deeks makes no such move. Relaxing, he lays back in the water and allows himself to float, arms out for stability. Sam and Callen hit the beach first and Kensi turns to check on her partner. Realising he's not there she turns to see him bobbing gently on the waves and shakes her head with a chuckle.

"I think Deeks is the one that's part mermaid," Callen says rubbing a towel over his head in attempt to dry his hair.

Kensi starts to wade back out to her partner. "You really miss it that much?"she asks standing over him.

"Uh huh," he tries to nod as it causes him to become unstable and he has to steady his feet on the bottom once more. "It kinda feels nice too, takes some of the pressure off my leg," he tells her now steady and facing her. "Even like this I don't need to put so much weight on it and I can move around more freely." Kensi smiles seeing how happy and relaxed he is. "What's that for?"

"What's, what for?"

"The smile. You look like the cat that got the cream."

"Maybe I did." She moves closer to him and glances back at the beach. Sam and Callen are nowhere to be seen and Eric and Nell are still sitting, letting the waves break over them, deep in conversation. "Maybe I'm just happy to see you happy."

"Yeah?" he edges a bit closer to her and smiles cheekily. He's itching to reach out for her again. He's not sure what's changed between them, but his need to touch her is suddenly so much greater than ever before. This weekend is like a dream, and maybe that's why he needs to feel her, touch her, to know that this is real. To know that he isn't imagining this change, that it's not some elaborate dream and he'll wake up to find that nothing has changed between them. Somehow his hand finds hers in the water and he pulls her a little closer still. There's hardly anything between them now as their fingers tangle together once more. They're interrupted by Callen and Sam crashing back into the water. "God their timing sucks," Deeks groans.

Kensi laughs, "For once I agree." She whispers at him and laughs again at the way he looks at her after that comment. She turns to head toward the senior agents but this time her hand stays in his and she tugs at him gently to follow. "Come on let's go find out what they're up to."

It's like a kid's pool party for the next hour. Callen and Sam have dragged a range of floating toys out of the shed and they all take great pleasure in messing around with them. It also gives Deeks something else to grab hold of and help him keep off his leg. Eric and Nell join them and even Monty wades in and tries to join in the shenanigans. Eventually they all start to tire. Nell is the first to head off declaring she needs a shower. Deeks is next and of course his ever faithful four legged friend follows him but Kensi gives him a hand to steady himself as he gets to the shallows. Once he has his crutches she heads back to help Eric flip Sam out of a large rubber ring he'd been lying in. Deeks finds a towel in his stuff he gives himself a quick rub down and then lays it out so he can lie back and watch the others. Monty sprawls beside him as the antics continue and Deeks remembers seeing his camera amongst his stuff so he digs it out and takes some shots while no one is paying him attention. Eventually the others call it quits, hauling the various toys behind them and dumping them in a heap further up the sand where the tide can't claim them.

Kensi heads towards Deeks who, seeing her approach, finds her towel and tosses it to her.

"Thanks."

He watches as she dries off her shoulders and chest before moving onto her tummy and then legs.

"You want me to get your back?" Deeks asks trying to sound like he's not teasing.

"Um..." she wants to say yes. There's no real reason why she shouldn't, except the rest of the team is right there. The norm would be for her to brush him off with some sarcastic comment, but she's fed up with doing that. Why should she keep up this pretence of keeping him at arm's length? Nell's right. There's nothing in the rules and damn what anyone else thinks. They're grownups, partners and he's only drying her back, nothing more sinister. "Sure," she says trying not to let the nerves she's feeling show in her voice. She sits on the edge of his towel, sideways to him and hands across her own towel. He balls it up slightly and tentatively draws it across her back as if trying to brush the moisture from her. He tries to avoid skin to skin contact, knowing that he finds her touch somewhat irresistible and that they are with company. He can't come on too strong and doesn't want her to think he's overstepping boundaries, but he needs to push them a little. It's baby steps and so far they are paying off.

She lifts her hair out of the way, holding it up so that her neck is exposed and the damp locks are clear of her back. He continues to work the towel over her back and shoulders, slowly working up to her neck. She sits perfectly still, a little too still and he wonders if she's fighting with her emotions as much as he is. Happy that her back and neck are dry he decides to push just a little more and reaches up to take her hair from her, patting it between the towel and trying to get as much of the moisture from it as he can. She lets him take her hair. She has no idea of his intentions but she trusts him and so far he's been nothing but tender. If she's honest, his actions are kind of cute. For someone who spends so much time making out like he's a ladies man, he's being the perfect gentleman. Not that she for one moment had expected him to get handsy with her.

Happy that he's removed as much of the water as he can he lays her hair back down over her shoulders. "You should get some conditioner on your hair and brush it through. You know, to protect it and stop it from getting all tangled." It's not what he really wants to say to her but it's a safer option.

She chuckles at his comment, "Learn that while you were moonlighting as a hairdresser?"

"Maybe! Or it might have something to do with spending so much time at the beach." Her back is to him so he doesn't offer up the usual cocky smile. It doesn't mean he isn't enjoying the light hearted banter though.

Kensi glances over at Eric who's sitting a short distance from them also drying himself off with a little too much enthusiasm. She guesses that they've made him feel a little awkward and she glances around to see where Sam and Callen have gone. She spots them over by the shed and then takes another look around realising they've put away all the toys. She turns her attention back to the tech operator. "Hey Eric, Deeks is trying to give me hair care tips. You think I should listen to him?"

It takes a second for him to realise he's being spoken to. "Well, he does have that fluffy blonde hair."

Kensi sniggers at Eric's comment. "He's just jealous," Deeks pipes up as Kensi looks over her shoulder at him. Having her attention he shakes his hair and preens at it like some bad TV commercial making Kensi laugh all the more.

"Well if it all the same to you, Vidal Sassoon, I'm going to go shower." She stands and gives a cute little smile especially for him. For a change he doesn't smile back but there's something in the way he looks at her that tugs at something deep inside and she finds it hard to walk away from him. She waves to Eric but continues to walk.

She's on the top step of the deck when he calls out to her. "If Nell's still in the shower feel free to use the one in my room." She waves some odd little hand gesture at him to confirm she's heard him and continues indoors.

Eric and Deeks sit back and enjoy the scenery while they wait for the senior agents to join them once more. Both of the men enjoy the beach and just being able to hear the waves lapping at the shore is calming. "This place is something," Eric comments.

"Sure is," Deeks agrees. "I mean, I love the surf in LA but it gets pretty busy on the beaches, even first thing in the morning."

"I know what you mean," Eric says as he surveys the water. "It's pretty calm water today. You think the bay gets enough waves to surf?"

"I don't know. It's fairly sheltered but not completely protected. This whole coastline gets some pretty decent waves so I'm guessing they must get something here too."

"Hey, where'd Kensi go?" Callen asks, coming to stand before them. His partner, not far behind him drops down onto the sand.

"For a shower," Deeks tells them. "Hey, you guys see any surf boards in the shed?"

Sam squints his eyes at the detective, "If I tell you yes you're not going to get any stupid ideas are you Deeks?"

"Hell no, Kensi would skin me alive."

"Yeah, she does seem awfully fond of you at the moment. You been practicing hypnosis on her?"

"Good one Callen. I'll have you know my partner has always been 'fond' of me as you put it. How could she not, I'm awesome." He grins smugly before turning a little more serious. "But I think last week scared the crap out of her." His voice drops in volume. "I know it did me." He looks at the sand not wanting to make eye contact after his little confession.

"Deeks..." Callen waits for him to look at him. He doesn't raise his head but glances up through his fringe to tell the older man he's listening. "I know we give you stick all the time, but last week scared the crap out of all of us. You're a big part of this team, none of us want to lose you."

"He's right," Eric smiles and nods in agreement.

Deeks turns his eyes to Sam. "You're a good guy Deeks, a pain in the arse but you're our pain in the arse."

Deeks chuckles softly. "Sam did you hit your head out there?" Deeks hitches a thumb toward the water. "I'm sure I heard a compliment in there somewhere."

.

"Don't push it Deeks," Sam warns.

"Not pushing it." He holds his hand up in surrender. "Thanks guys, and thank you for helping Kensi put this all together." He waves a hand around indicating their surroundings. "You don't know how soul destroying being cooped up is, not to mention the awful day time TV. This is just what I needed."

"Yeah, the things we have to put up with for friends," Callen teases. But he knows what the younger man is going through. "It's such a chore sometimes, nice house, private beach, good food and beer."

"Awful," Sam joins in the game. "I can't believe the lengths we go just to stop you from pouting. I hope you realise the effort this is."

Eric and Deeks laugh at their mocking, and Eric goes to stand. "I think I'm gonna follow Nell and Kensi's lead and take a shower."

"Great, you can give me a hand up." Deeks holds his hand out and the younger man hauls him up. "Monty you coming?" Eric hands him his crutches as the dog flips onto his front and stands in one rapid motion sending sand everywhere.

"Thanks Monty," Sam says with a sigh and brushes the sand from his body as his partner laughs at him.

Eric heads upstairs to see if he can find a free shower as Deeks and Monty head back to the deck and crank up the music. Minutes later they're joined by Sam and Callen who make him turn it back down. They talk about some random things until the topic of Hetty's personal business crops up and they start making wild assumptions ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous.

"You do realise she probably has the place bugged," Nell surprises them when she quietly appears and makes the statement.

"Jesus Nell!" Deeks holds his hand over his heart over exaggerating his surprise.

"Been taking sneaky lessons from Hetty?" Callen asks.

"Nope, probably something to do with the alcohol." She indicates the three bottles of beer on the table.

"You were saying Hetty probably has the place bugged," Sam repeats. "Are you trying to tell us something? You have insider knowledge?"

"What no! I just... You know Hetty."

The three of them nod in agreement and say no more. Nell joins them and pops open a fresh beer. "One of the showers should be free soon, I'm gonna go clean up." Deeks doesn't wait for a reply, which is just as well as no one says anything. They're all quiet as he walks away and then as he clears the threshold of the sliding doors he suddenly hears the conversation start back up and wonders if they're talking about him, or maybe him and Kensi, or 'maybe I'm just paranoid'.

When he eventually gets upstairs he finds the door to his room closed. He raps on the door and waits for a reply. Not getting one he repeats the action a minute later. Still nothing. He slowly opens the door, just a crack. "Kens?" Nothing. "Kensi?" He can hear the shower running and figures she must be in there. He spots her clean clothes laid out on the bed, along with her makeup and other toiletries. He debates waiting in his room for her to finish but decides against it, wanting to give her space. He closes the door and leans up against the wall to wait her out.

He guesses he's been there about five minutes when the door to the main bathroom opens and Eric appears with a towel around his waist and a toiletries bag clutched in one hand. "Hey man."

"Eric."

"What's going on?"

"Just waiting on Kensi to finish up. She's using my bathroom," he points at the door to his room.

"Ah! I'd say use this one if you're waiting on a free shower, but then you'd still need your stuff."

"I'm good. I'm sure she won't be much longer but thanks."

"Okay, well um... I'm gonna go get dressed. See you in a bit." He disappears into one of the rooms.

As the door closes he hears his name called. "Deeks?" He turns to find Kensi hanging out the door to his room.

"Oh, hey."

"What are you doing out here?" He doesn't get to answer though as she figures it out herself. "Sorry, you're waiting on your room right? Sorry, I'm totally hogging it. I'll um… just be a minute."

"It's... ," but the words die on his lips as she ducks back into the room and the door closes. "Fine," he mumbles, finishing what he was about to say and leaning back against the wall. He's surprised when the door opens again a minute later and his partner stands there barefoot in a pair of beige linen trousers and a loose fitting white tank top. Her hair is wrapped in a towel that's twisted up on top of her head.

"You can come in now," she steps back to allow him entry.

"Um, it's okay. Take your time."

"Deeks you're good, I'm decent."

"Okay, well I'm just gonna grab my stuff and use the shower. You can err, take your time and finish getting ready that way." He grabs some stuff from his bag and disappears to the shower leaving her to it.

She hears the shower turn on and starts drying her hair. She opts to leave it down and in its naturally wavy state. That done, she moisturises and applies a minimum amount of makeup. All finished, she looks around the room to make sure she has everything. She briefly debates waiting for him, but then rethinks it when she realises how awkward that could be. The temptation for just a little more time with him alone is compelling, but she wills herself to be sensible and quickly gathers up everything. She heads back to her room to dump it before heading back to the others out on the deck.

When Kensi gets down stairs she finds Nell sitting at the breakfast bar and Sam standing on the other side. An array of alcohol is lined up on the counter top and Nell is grinning like a giddy school girl. Glancing out at the deck there's no sign of Callen. "Hey, what are you up to?" she asks heading toward them and taking a stool next to Nell.

"I wanted something other than beer to drink and asked what else the guys had brought."

"Seems they have all the bases covered." Kensi looks over the selection of spirits, wines and beers spread out before her. There's even a selection of mixers, a cocktail shaker and a selection of trimmings. She notices Nell sipping from a tumbler. "What have you got there?"

"Rum and coke." Nell raises the glass as if making a toast.

"You want one?" Sam asks.

"You playing bar man Sam?" Kensi cocks an eye brow at him. He sends back a cheeky smile that tells her he is. "What have you got?"

"What do you want?"

She looks over the bottles again and taps the top of the cocktail shaker. "Who's is this?" Sam smiles at her again and she laughs. "You know how to make Long Island Iced Tea?" she asks hoping to stump him.

"Please! I make a killer Long Island Iced Tea. And before you ask, yes I have everything here to make one." He knows what she's up to. "Even have the sour mix," he says shaking a bottle at her.

"Excellent." She glances at her watch. It's nearly five she can't believe the day is passing so fast. "Okay, well I'll ease in with a rum and coke like Nell and then you can show me your cocktail making skills."

Sam serves up her drink and she sips at it, savouring the flavour of the rum cutting through the coke. "Mmm, that's good. Thanks Sam."

"My pleasure."

"Callen showering?"

"Uh huh. I'm heading up shortly too."

"I'd say go use the one in Deeks room but it takes him a little longer to shower with his leg at the moment."

"It's no problem Kensi, let Deeks take his time. Besides Callen doesn't have Deeks hair to contend with, he'll be out before you know it."

Kensi laughs around her drink at Sam's hair comment and strangely that makes her think of her partners mutt. "Hey, where'd Monty go?"

"He was behind the couch last time I saw him." Nell waves a hand in the general direction she's talking about. "Sam gave him fresh water and some food and he passed out."

"Poor little man, he's had a hard day," Kensi says in a slightly cutesy voice that makes Sam and Nell smile at one another.

"And on that note I'm off to shower." Sam heads for the stairs passing Eric on his way down. Eric and the ladies move to the deck again, Eric grabbing another beer. It's not long before Callen rejoins them. He sticks with the beer for the time being and they sit and talk about cars, specifically which one Callen thinks Nell should assign to Deeks. He seems to think it'd be funny to see Deeks in the little blue Yaris that sits in the NCIS lot. Kensi tells him to stop being mean and Nell tries with the help of Eric to recall some of the other vehicles that might be available. Kensi makes a mental note of which she thinks would suit her partner more. She's actually quite surprised at the selection available. Keeping on the topic of cars Nell starts talking about her Mini and her ongoing debate of what to replace it with. Does she upgrade to a newer model or go for something different?

The others are busy making suggestions for Nell's next car still when Sam appears showered and dressed. Realising that Deeks is still nowhere to be seen she glances back at her watch once again. It's close to five twenty now and she wonders what's taking him so long. She tells herself she'll give him another ten minutes and then she'll go track him down.

The time goes by in a haze as she watches the minutes pass by on her watch. The conversation taking place around her is just noise now and she couldn't tell you what they're talking about if you asked. Her mind is on one thing, Deeks. As her watch tells her its five thirty she sighs and stands up.

"Everything okay Kensi?" Sam asks, voice tinged with concern. She doesn't really hear him though.

"Kensi?" Nell tries for attention. "Keeeen-siiii?" she sing songs.

"Hmm what?" the voices suddenly break through the fuzz.

"You zoned out on us," Callen adds.

"Sorry, just wondering where Deeks has gotten to. I was err.. gonna go check on him."

"You want me to go?" Sam volunteers.

"No, I don't mind. He's probably just fallen asleep or something..." 'at least I hope that's all' she thinks as she heads for his room, the others watching curiously.