A/N: Once again, thanks for everyone who's been reading, commenting and liking!
This chapter takes a change of POV and I'll admit, is very light on case details. So, enjoy!
"Keep up, Agent Blye," Deeks called over his shoulder, slowing his pace to give her time to catch up with him. Even from a distance he could see her infuriated glare. They were about 4 miles into his typical 5 mile run and Kensi was starting to flag a bit. When she was even with him again, he added, "I thought the Navy had standards for physical fitness."
"They do," she snapped. "I was top of my FLETC class."
"I'm sure you were." He grinned at her, imagining just how competitive a slightly younger Kensi Blye would have been. She fell silent, focusing on running, her breathing fast but even. "Don't worry, just 1 more mile and you get a break," he informed her.
"I don't need a break."
Deeks, chuckled, having expected nothing less. She was amazingly easy to tease and he enjoyed messing with her way too much.
"Well, too bad. I always stop at this little store before I head back and since you're my babysitter, you have to come with me."
"You're an ass," Kensi said, making him laugh again. It definitely wasn't the first someone had come to that conclusion about him.
"I think you'll like this place. The coffee's awful, but the owner's personality makes up for it."
Kensi didn't comment on that, but gave him a look that told him all he needed to know.
They reached the store about five minutes later, both sweaty and out of breath. Kensi lingered in the doorway while he headed for the coffee display.
"Hey Frank, this is my girlfriend, Kensi," he told him, turning back to wink at Kensi. "I told her you have the best coffee in all of LA and she just had to come to see for herself.
"I'm glad you're finally settling down," Frank told him as he paid for two coffees and a small bag of pastries. They chatted for a few minutes, Deeks asking about Frank's daughter, who was in the process of applying to colleges. He could have easily talked for another 10 minutes, but Deeks saw that Kensi was getting antsy.
As they walked back out onto the sunny walkway, Deeks handed her one of the coffees.
"I didn't know how you liked your coffee so I just got you cream and no sugar," he explained. "You know, tough federal agent and all that. And since I made you skip breakfast, I got you a doughnut too."
He offered her a large apple fritter, which she accepted without hesitation. She broke off a piece, popped it in her mouth, and nodded approvingly.
"Mm, not bad. How did you know?"
"Something about the Reese's in your glove compartment told me sweets were the way to your heart," he teased. "Tomorrow I'll get you a Boston cream."
Kensi ate a couple more bites in silence, picking at a bit of apple encased in dough as he lead them to a nearby bench.
"Do you come here a lot?" she asked, sitting at the opposite end of the bench.
"A few times a week," he said with a shrug, sorting through the bag of doughnuts in search of the crueler he'd bought for himself. "Why?"
"You shouldn't be so trusting of people."
"You mean Frank? The guy is a sweetheart."
"How well do you really know him?" she asked, setting down her fritter and turning to face him seriously.
"I know that he has a daughter who's graduating with a 3.8 who he loves to pieces. I know he's owned his store for 15 years and his wife thinks he works way too much," Deeks answered. He drank a sip of his coffee, quickly swallowing the familiar bitter taste. "And I know that he's not capable of hurting anyone."
"People can surprise you," she said knowingly. Pursing his lips, Deeks regarded her seriously.
"Agent Blye, I've known my fair share of dangerous people. I can tell when someone isn't who they claim to be and Frank is not one of those people," he said firmly. He saw a flash of surprise cross Kensi's face and expected a slew of questions, but she just regarded him curiously.
He was sure if she wanted, she could find out all his dark little secrets, but apparently she hadn't. Instead of addressing his last comment, she looked the other way.
"It's not a good idea to tell strangers so much about yourself. Even when you think they're trustworthy, those people can be used against you," Kensi explained and Deeks felt something like sympathy for her. It must be miserable to constantly be thinking of everyone as a potential criminal.
"That's not how normal people live." She glanced at him sharply, likely picking up on his tone. "We go places and talk to people. In my case definitely way too much, but I've learned how to turn it into an asset." Kensi allowed a smirk at that.
"I'll bet you were on the debate team," she joked.
"Until they kicked me out my junior year. Apparently I was "too loquacious" for my team." Shaking her head, Kensi smiled more naturally. "I'm not sure if the teacher was more impressed or horrified.
"I can just imagine."
Deeks took a bite of his crueler, mulling over what she'd revealed about herself. It was probably more than she intended, given her desire to remain anonymity and control. He understood it to a certain extent; it was a form of self-protection. Yet he had a feeling she closed herself off from people more than her job required.
"So does that mean you don't have any friends?" he asked, earning an eye roll from Kensi.
"Of course I have friends," she said patronizingly. "I mean, most of them are from college or high school and they don't know anything about what I currently do, but I do have friends."
"Uh–huh. You should bring them around to Honey's when this is all over," Deeks offered spontaneously. "I bet they'd have a great time." Laughing like he was insane, Kensi stood up and tossed the rest of her coffee and doughnut.
"Oh, that is definitely never happening."
"What if I promise to do a special routine?"
"You are…" Apparently unable to find words to properly describe him, she settled on "you are completely ridiculous." Deeks grinned, enjoying that he'd once again thrown her off guard and followed after her more leisurely.
"I think the lady doth protest too much," he observed and Kensi just shook her head again.
"Anyway, we're going to talk more about your routine later. It's too easy for people to guess where you're going to be," she informed him, changing the subject completely. Deeks sighed, figuring that this was just another inconvenience he'd have to put up with for the next little while.
"Whatever you say, Agent Blye," he drawled. They were back on the path now, but hadn't worked up to a run yet.
"Oh, and that's another thing. You can't keep calling me Agent Blye, especially since you took it upon yourself to introduce me as your girlfriend to a bunch of people. You should call me Kensi in public."
"I think I can manage that, Kensi." He softened his voice as he said her first name and he swore her cheeks darkened a shade. Clearing her throat, she avoided his eyes yet again and added,
"Also our technical operator, Eric, is coming over to bring you some communication equipment. That way I–we can be in better contact with you throughout the day."
"Whatever you say, Kensi," he said agreeably. Kensi muttered something under her breath that sounded like a particularly crude swear and took off at a run.
Eric Beale was completely amazing Deeks decided roughly two minutes after meeting him. He had all the intelligence and geekiness one would expect in a tech guy combined with an off the charts level of enthusiasm.
On top of that, he currently wore khaki shorts and a button down shirt decorated with miniature palm trees. Anyone who had the courage to where that combo had to be alright in Deeks' book. Plus, it was a nice change from the relative rigidity of rest of the team.
All Deeks had to do was ask one question about the communication device he brought and Eric gave him an in-depth description of the inner technology, an analysis of similar devices, and situations where each would be preferred.
"So, make sure you put at least one of these in before you're going to be separated from the team. I'll be monitoring you the entire time from OPS," he explained to Deeks, offering him what resembled a cordless earbud. "Here, try it out. Kensi put yours in too so Deeks can see if his is working."
Deeks slipped it in his ear, taking a few seconds to adjust it while Kensi walked to the other end of his apartment. They played around with it until they were both able to hear each other. Eric also added some kind of app to his phone (which Deeks wasn't the craziest about) which would connect him to their headquarters in the event Deeks was in need and unable to contact anyone else.
"Thanks Eric, I appreciate it," Deeks said as they were finishing up.
"Oh, no problem. It's kind of what I do." He looked pleased by the compliment, which lead Deeks to wonder how often his skills went unnoticed. "By the way, is that a limited edition T.J. Patterson?" Eric added, pointing over Deeks' shoulder. Deeks followed his gaze to the corner of the room where one of his surfboards was propped up.
"Yeah. It's one of my favorites," Deeks said, retrieving it and handing it to Eric. He took it with a reverential sigh. "You surf much?"
"When I have the time." Eric wistfully ran his hands over the board . "Man, I wish I had one of these."
"Well, you should come join me sometime and take it for a spin," Deeks offered. "It's unbelievable with the big swells."
"That sounds amazing," Eric said eagerly. "You ever been to Zuma?"
"Yeah it's–"
"Oh my god," Kensi groaned, rubbing her hand to her forehead. "Don't encourage him Deeks. And what did I tell you about Stranger Danger?"
"You really think Eric has been masquerading as a woman and killing male strippers?" Deeks asked, glancing at Eric who looked equally confused and insulted by his question.
"No, that not what I…never mind." She forced a calm expression. "Eric, do you have any updates on the case?"
"On our suspect, no. She's still a mystery," he answered. "But I did have LAPD give her general description to all the local clubs and tell them to be on the lookout. They were also asked to tell their dancers to be careful about traveling alone or when meeting new people."
"Good," Kensi said, glancing down at her phone. "Well, Agents Hanna and Callen are supposed to be here in about 20 minutes so they'll take over while you're at Pepperdine."
"And where will you be?" Deeks asked, smirking at her.
"Making myself a very large drink," she replied cheerfully, grabbing her bag off the floor and heading for the hallway. "I'm going to change. Eric, you're in charge."
They both watched her for a moment and then Eric shrugged.
"So, do you have any more boards?"
A/N: I hope Eric's sudden appearance wasn't too out of place. I figured it would be fun to have him interact with Deeks under these different circumstances.
Also, I'm not insinuating that Kensi is not a strong runner, but much like Daniela Ruah, decided she's not a long distance runner in this fic.