A/N: A silly little drabble with a whumped Deeks.
"Hey, we don't have to tell Kensi about this," Deeks said, going for a nonchalant tone. Sam and Callen, a few feet in front of him, stopped and glanced pointedly at his obvious limp.
"You think she's not going to notice the giant bruise on your face?" Sam asked, making a vague gesture that encompassed half his face.
"Or your fractured ribs?" Callen added.
"Strained, not fractured," Deeks pointed out stubbornly, gasping slightly as he sped up to keep pace with his teammates as they started walking again.
"Semantics. Kensi's still going to notice that you're black and blue when you take your shirt off."
"It's not that bad. And I resent the implication that I can't keep my shirt on."
"You can't," Sam said bluntly. "Besides, you really think you can hide something like that from your wife for a minimum of six weeks?"
"I can try," he grumbled stubbornly.
"Well, I'm not willing to take on the responsibility of lying to your very pregnant, very protective wife," Callen said. Deeks wasn't looking forward to it either. He knew Kensi would be worried about him, and didn't want to cause her extra stress-she had enough on her plate as it was-but he also knew she would be angry.
"Ok, so hiding my injuries is out of the question, but that doesn't mean Kensi needs to know the whole story," he compromised.
"Like that would work. Nell's sure to fill her in, in fact I'd be surprised if she hasn't already." Deeks groaned at the thought. When Kensi has gone on leave, she'd given Nell the task of keeping her updated. Naturally, Nell took her duties very seriously. A little too seriously for Deeks' comfort.
"But you guys will back me up, right?" Deeks asked, not even trying to hide the pleading tone in his voice.
"Sorry, brother, you're on your own for this one." Sam patted Deeks on the shoulder which jarred his definitely-not-fractured ribs.
"Don't worry though, I'm sure if you keep looking as terrible as you do right now, Kensi will go easy on you," Callen offered helpfully. Deeks glared at them and muttered,
"You guys suck."
