"When do you think you'll come back to work?" Nell asked Kensi, handing her a cup of steaming tea and curling up on the end of the couch again.
"I don't know. At least a few months," Kensi answered, glancing across at Deeks and Penelope again. "I want as much time with her as I can get before reality sets back in."
"I don't blame you. I don't know if I'd ever want to return if I had this waiting at home for me." Nell nodded at Deeks, feeling a little melancholy.
Deeks wandered back their way, bouncing a contented-looking Penelope in his arms.
"Miss Penelope says she wants to see her Aunt Nell," he said, extending her in Nell's direction. Nell eagerly sat forward to accept the wriggling bundle. She fumbled slightly as Deeks laid her in Nell's arms and somehow her hand landed directly on his left pec.
She should have pulled away immediately, but she couldn't seem to move. His skin was ridiculously warm and smooth, the muscle beneath enticingly firm. Nell lifted her thumb‒
"Ok, that's enough of that," Kensi interrupted, clearing her throat pointedly as she looked down at Nell's hand.
"Oh." Nell chuckled awkwardly, giving Deeks' chest a final pat. He raised an eyebrow, frowning down at her hand.
"What just happened? he asked, looking vaguely amused and disturbed.
"Nothing," Nell said quickly, firmly wrapping both hands around Penelope before they could anything else inappropriate.
"Ok…um, I think I'm going to go do…something in the garage," Deeks said. Nell kept her head bent, focusing on Penelope who was sleeping now and not providing much distraction.
"You might want to put on a shirt!" Kensi called after him. "So you don't get mauled by the neighbors again."
"Oh my god, I am so sorry," Nell hissed as soon as Deeks was gone. "I don't know what came over me."
"Don't worry about it. Like I said, I'm used to it by now." Kensi smiled, but then added in a slightly more dangerous voice. "Just don't do it again."