Prompt: Can you do a fanfic (set in the early seasons) where a female friend of Deeks hangs out with the team during their off hours, but notices how they treat him unfairly and calls them out on their behavior. Deeks's friend stands up for him (when he isn't around) and really makes the team feel guilty about their treatment.

A/N: Set around season 3.

"And that is how it's done, Gentleman," Deeks crowed, laying his pool cue on the green covered table as he held out his right hand. "Pay up."

He grinned, the very definition of smug, while Callen shook his head in reluctant appreciation. Sam seemed annoyed by Deeks' overwhelming win in the last three games.

"Nice job, Partner," Kensi congratulated him, leaning over for a high five. Deeks returned it, still grinning.

She'd dropped out of their impromptu competition a few games ago after a string of bad turns. She didn't seem all that bothered to sit out, but Deeks figured that had something to do with winning $30 off each of them before that.

As far as team nights went, it was shaping up to be pretty good.

"How is it that you almost never win, but tonight you beat us in half the games?" Sam asked, digging out his wallet and slapping a perfect $50 into Deeks' palm. "You've always been mediocre at best. Kensi, you been teaching him?"

He turned to Kensi, who raised her hands to absolve her of any involvement.

"I had nothing to do with it. Deeks won completely on his own," she told him, and Deeks felt just a tiny bit of pleasure at the respect in her voice.

"I wouldn't exactly say I'm a pool shark, but I used to play sometimes with Ray in high school and off and on over the years," Deeks explained. "Plus, I've spent the last two years picking up your strategies."

"Uh-huh, likely story." As they headed back to their table, Sam and Callen continued to rib him.

"Well, since you're the big winner, I think it's only fair you get the next round, Deeks," Callen piped up.

"Ooh, in that case, I want some jalapeño poppers and nachos too," Kensi added, nudging Deeks' shoulder when he squinted one eye on here. "C'mon, for your beloved partner."

"Not feeling super loved right now," Deeks joked. "Those snacks are pretty expensive and I'm just a lowly detective." He gave Kensi a pitiful look, which she gave just as much attention as he expected. Rolling her eyes, she pulled a crumpled five out of her pocket and stuffed it in his front pocket.

"There. Happy now?"

"Delighted. Two orders of heartburn coming right up."

Deeks put in their orders at the bar, taking a couple minutes to chat with the bartender while he waited.

"Hey, is that my favorite detective?" A voice said from slightly behind him, and he turned, smiling when he recognized the woman connected to the voice.

"Marley," he said, reaching over to hug the blonde woman. "It's good to see you." She leaned into the hug, giving him an extra squeeze before she stepped back with a wide grin.

"Yeah, it's been way too long. I saw you playing pool earlier with your friends, but I didn't want to interrupt," she explained.

"Oh, they're just my coworkers. You want to meet them?" Maybe it was a terrible idea to offer, but he was curious to see the team's reaction to someone who could easily out debate him.

"Sure, as long as you don't think I'll be intruding. I'd love to hear about what you've been doing the last five years."

Marley helped him carry the two trays of drinks and food when it came out a few minutes later. By the team they reached the table, they were both laughing over a joke no one else ever found funny.

"Hey guys, this is my friend Marley Steiger," Deeks introduced her, noting the way they all silently assessed her within a few seconds. "Marley, these are my coworkers Sam, Callen, and Kensi."

Callen and Kensi each nodded, while Sam cracked a smirk.

"Nice to meet you, Marley. So, you're telling me Deeks actually has friends," he joked, offering a hand to Marley. She took it after a brief hesitation, brows wrinkling.

"Uh, not really sure what you mean by that, but yeah, we've been friends since high school," she responded pleasantly. Deeks could tell she was doing her own assessment as she stared Sam down. "We were the star members of the debate team." She turned to wink at Deeks.

"And let me guess, you guys ended up in law school together," Kensi said.

"Actually, no. We ended up at different colleges, different majors, but we've kept up over the years. I always have to get my Deeks fix now and again."

Kensi's eyes widened at that, and Deeks rolled his eyes when Marley curled her arm through his. She had zero romantic interest in him, never had, but she did enjoy flirting.

"Well, pull up a chair Marley," Callen offered. "We've got lots of stories to share."

Kensi tried to focus on Sam as he related a story from one of Deeks' first weeks with the team. Her eyes kept flickering to the side where Marley was seated next to Deeks. One of her hands rested on his arm, her touch familiar and comfortable as she pressed up against his side.

From every story she'd told, it was clear Marley liked Deeks a lot. It made her curious, and oddly-though she was loathe to name it-jealous of their connection, their history. She'd seen Deeks open up in a way he rarely did in the presence of his old friend.

"Hey, can you get another beer," Marley asked Deeks when there was a loll in the conversation.

"Sure." Deeks stood, brushing her arms as he did so. Marley watched him walk away, then turned back, her smile dropping in an instant.

"Ok, do you guys hate Deeks?" she asked. "Is there some inside rivalry going on that I don't know about?"

"What?" Kensi said, surprised by the questions and the sudden shift in demeanor. So far, she'd seen little of the fierce debater Deeks had indicated, but now with her staring them down, Kensi felt a tinge of unease. "Of course we don't hate Deeks. He's part of our team."

"Well, you could have fooled me. In the last hour and a half, I've heard you imply Deeks was dishonest, insult his appearance, and criticize his work ethic." She gave both Sam and Callen a pointed look. "That doesn't seem like the kind of thing you say about someone you like."

"Marley, it's just the way things go on a team like ours," Sam explained. "We all joke around with each other, and Deeks knows that."

"Really? So, you're saying that it'd be ok if Deeks turned around and questioned your skills in front of your friends or at all?" she countered and Kensi felt her cheeks heat as Marley sent her a disappointed look.

"We were joking tonight, but Deeks is a newer member of the team—" Callen started to say, but Marley cut across him with a derisive sound.

"Look at you trying to justify it. I've had enemies that treat me better than you do him." She made another sound, this time disgusted and stood up abruptly. "You know what, I think I should go before I say something I really regret. Tell Marty I'll call him."

As she quickly turned and cut through the crowd, Kensi got up too, shooting Sam and Callen a dismayed look. They just seemed perplexed.

"Marley," she called out, hurrying after the other woman. She managed to catch her as she was headed out the front entrance. "Marley, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Sighing, Marley finally stopped, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Fine. What did you want to say?"

Kensi paused, awkwardly rubbing her hands on her jeans.

"I want to apologize for what happened in there."

"I'm not the one you need to apologize to," Marley said pointedly.

"Ok, well, still. That's not what we're normally like. There's a lot of history that you didn't see, but we definitely respect him and need him on our team," Kensi told her. As she spoke, Marley shifted back on one foot, tilting her head as she stared at Kensi.

"You really believe that, don't you?" Marley shook her head, seeming sadder than anything now. "Maybe that's how your team, whatever you do, operates. Maybe it usually works for you, but to an outsider, probably to your other colleagues, it calls Deeks' abilities and professionalism into question. And no matter what Deeks might say, that has to take its toll day after day."

"I guess I've never really thought about it that way," Kensi murmured, worrying at her bottom lip. She thought of Deeks who had sat through all their jokes, their teasing tonight. The way he dealt in sarcasm and rarely showed any sign that he was bothered. Was it all an act?

"Well maybe you should," Marley said gently.

"He's the best partner I've ever had," Kensi admitted. She didn't know why she was telling a near stranger something so personal, why it mattered. It seemed important that Marley believe her though.

"Good." Nodding, Marley gave her arm a squeeze. "Now maybe make sure that Deeks knows it too."

As she turned towards her car again, Kensi headed back inside. Deeks was back at their table, head thrown back as he laughed.

Maybe Marley was completely wrong; maybe he didn't care what they said about him at all. Either way, she was going to do everything in her power to make sure he stayed. Because she couldn't bear to think of working without him.

A/N: I feel this turned out quite OOC and fairly unrealistic, but I hope it was still enjoyable.

I also know Deeks does his fair amount of teasing and such, though not to the same degree and with the same level of nastiness as the others often do.