Suggested by mashmaiden: The first time they both realized they were checking the other out? Or alternatively, the first time they noticed the other checking them out. Did that make sense?

A/N: I guess this is a bit of both in a way. I might right from Deeks point of view as well eventually. This is not set in a particular episode, but sometime in early season 2.

Kensi sighed, eyeing the stack of files on her desk, and thought a few unkind things about Sam and Callen. Once again, she and Deeks had pulled desk duty and were in the process of reviewing files.

She glanced at Deeks, who was on the phone with someone from LAPD. From the sound of it, it was going better than his first attempts as liaison. He twirled a pen between his fingers as he frowned down at the file in front of him and read off a SS number for whoever was on the other line.

As she watched, he absentmindedly brushed the hair off his forehead and then ran his fingers over his head, once again dislodging his bangs which curled over his forehead, stopping just short of his eyes. He'd changed his hairstyle recently and Kensi thought it was a definite improvement. It framed his face better than the parted style he'd worn previously, highlighting his cheekbones.

Idly, she followed the line of his cheekbones to his neck and collar bone which were outlined by the collar of his light blue button down. The shirt was better than the pink plaid monstrosity he'd worn a few days ago, but it didn't do his physique justice.

Kensi had felt the lithe muscles of his arms and chest when they'd sparred and been impressed with the hidden strength when he attempted to hold her down. She imagined the rest of his body would feel equally strong, covered in smooth, golden skin.

Deeks laughed at something as she saw the corner of his lips rise in a grin. Kensi found herself smiling in response, once more drawn to the strong line of his jaw.

He turned suddenly, his eyes locking with hers, and Kensi froze. She'd just been ogling him and he'd caught her. She wasn't sure which was more mortifying.

Hastily, she dropped her gaze to her computer, grabbing a file at random. She spent the next two minutes staring at an upside down paper without seeing anything.

"Yeah, thanks man," Deeks said, finishing his conversation. Kensi's muscles were stiff with the effort of projecting indifference. Maybe if she ignored him long enough, Deeks wouldn't say anything.

"So, uh, why were you staring at me?" he drawled.

"I was not staring at you," she insisted hotly.

"And you were smiling at me." Kensi turned to him, putting all her effort into not showing any embarrassment.

"If I was staring at you, which I wasn't, it was probably because you're super loud and annoying," she said. Deeks didn't seemed offended and just grinned again.

"It's my hair, isn't it?" he pushed, his tone joking. God, he'd never let her live it down if he knew how close he was. "No woman can resist these gorgeous locks." He shook his head, knocking his bangs into his eyes again.

"Yeah, right. If I liked Muppet hair," she said scornfully. "Did your barber have to pay you after that haircut?" He just chuckled, turning his attention back to his laptop.

"Don't worry, Fern, someday you too will see my charm."

Kensi blew out a slow breath, feeling like she'd just dodged a bullet. One with messy blonde hair and stunning blue eyes.