Special Agent Kensi Blye climbed the stairs from the bull pen slowly, with much curiosity and some trepidation. She had been summoned to Admiral Kilbride's office. The rest of the team were not needed and it didn't seem as if there was a case. As she reached the top of the stairs she was surprised to see Leon Vance, Director of NCIS, sitting at Kilbride's desk.
"Come in Agent Blye" Vance stood up "It's good to see you, take a seat". He gestured to a chair.
"Good to see you too, Sir" Kensi sat down. "I wasn't expecting to see you today"
"I'll get to the point. I've been following your career with NCIS for a long time, I'm impressed" Vance smiled.
"Thank you Sir, I do my best" Kensi smiled.
"Yes you do Agent Blye. That's why I'd like you to come and work with me, in DC" Vance took a file from his briefcase.
"Do you mean there is a case to work in DC?" Kensi was intrigued.
"No. We are starting a new Task Force and I would like you to take the lead. It would be a promotion with a sizeable increase in salary. We would help you with relocating to DC and help you find a school for your daughter Rosa. The details are all here." Vance handed Kensi a large envelope.
"What about Deeks?"
"Investigator Deeks' position is safe in LA. There will be no place for him in DC."
"Oh" Kensi was stunned. She had just been offered her dream job, the sort of job she had always wanted. It was what she had worked for all these years. Her father would be so proud, so would her husband wouldn't he? Yet he would be left behind in LA
"I need a answer tomorrow morning. Your colleagues don't need to know about this" Vance stood up and offered a hand to Kensi "Until tomorrow"
"Thank you Sir" Kensi shook Vance's hand and walked smartly out of the office, clutching the envelope Vance had given her.
Deeks was waiting alone in the bull pen, he looked relieved when he saw Kensi smiling. "Everything okay?" he asked, bursting with curiosity.
"All good, Baby. We've got lots to talk about when we get home"
"Why can't we talk now?" Deeks said to the space where Kensi had been standing. "Okay, good talk"
For once Kensi was grateful she didn't have to work with Deeks. She couldn't face the constant badgering to talk about her news and if she talked to Deeks that would be the same as talking to Callen and Sam. No, Kensi was resolute, she would keep quiet until they got home.
"Now we're home you can tell me the big secret." Deeks said as they stopped in front of their garage. They had collected Rosa from school on the way home and the youngster scrambled out of the car and into the house.
"We'll need a glass of wine first" Kensi said as she followed Rosa inside.
"To celebrate...right?" Deeks could usually read Kensi's face, but not today"
Kensi and Deeks sat face to face on the couch, Kensi took a deep breath and composed herself.
"Leon Vance offered me a new job, a promotion"
"That's great! I'm so proud of you. I didn't even know you applied" Deeks gave Kensi the biggest hug.
"I didn't know anything about it till today"
"When do you start?"
"It's in DC"
Deeks was surprised but recovered quickly "That's okay, I can get a transfer"
"Apparently you can't"
"Okay I can take Rosa to Kansas City or somewhere, we can meet halfway, get together on a weekend"
"No, they will find a school for Rosa in DC" Kensi passed the envelope to Deeks "All the details are in here"
Deeks took a sheaf of papers out of the envelope and read every word. When he finished he "I'll just stay here on my own in this big old house" Deeks smiled at Kensi "It's nothing less than you deserve, Baby. You should take this opportunity"
"So you want me to go?"
"Only if you want to. It's your decision, your career. I just want you to do what's right for you. You know I'll support you all the way" Deeks had the feeling he was saying the wrong thing, but he just wanted to support his amazing wife.
"I'm not going" Kensi said flatly.
"What? Why?"
"You remember when they sent me to Afghanistan?"
"I do, as if I'd forget"
"I didn't have a choice. I'd only just realised I wanted to be with you, and NCIS separated us. This time I have a choice and I don't want to be separated from you." Kensi was warming up " I don't want to separate you from Rosa. She has only just settled here she doesn't need to be dragged across the country to start again."
"We could work something out"
"There's nothing to work out Deeks" Kensi tried find the right words "I am so lucky, I have a family I love very much and a job I love. I can't ask for more. My Dad put his career before his family. He was my hero and I loved him but it made life difficult for my Mom and me. I don't want that for you or Rosa""
Rosa appeared in the doorway looking concerned "Is there something wrong?"
"No Rosa, it's nothing to worry about. I got offered a new job today, but I'm not going to take it. No Biggie" Kensi smiled and clinked glasses with Deeks. "To family"