"This is not what I was expecting when you said we were doing "research"," Kensi said, giving Deeks a suspicious look as he pulled into the filled parking outside the Blue Diamond nightclub.

He'd picked her up outside his cover apartment in a Porsche that would

likely make Sam drool. Kensi was only surprised that he didn't pick a flashier color than black. Though she supposed that would make illicit meetings a little more difficult.

"Max Gentry is not your typical guy," Deeks replied, slanting a quick look in her direction. She saw his eyes drift down to her legs and tugged at the short skirt of her dark purple dress.

"I'm still not convinced that this isn't just your way of tricking me into going out with you." Normally, Eric or Nell would be commenting on their conversation right about now, but Deeks had requested that they only use comms if absolutely necessary. He didn't want them to get distracted from their roles.

"Nah, if I was going to do that, I would have taken you to a five-star restaurant." He paused a beat. "Which I would never, ever do of course."

"And of course it was necessary that I wear this," Kensi said, gesturing to her outfit. He'd simply specified for a night out, which Kensi had interpreted to mean a tight dress, heels, and flashy jewelry. She was a little worried that it would seem too different from the outfit she'd worn the first day she met Deeks.

"Absolutely," he agreed. "We gotta look the part. Rich and powerful."

Well, he'd certainly managed that, Kensi thought. He wore a plain black shirt, open at the collar, and black pants that were simple but fit so perfectly they had to be tailor-made. His hair looked soft and curly, like he'd just washed it.

Clearing her throat, Kensi pulled her gaze away from the patch of skin at the base of his neck that kept catching her attention. It felt strange with just the two of them and no one in her ear to break up the tension.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine," Deeks assured her, mistaking her reaction as nerves rather than distraction.

"I know I will." She lifted her chin, annoyed by his insinuation. "Despite what you apparently think, I have considerable undercover experience. "So who are we meeting and what do they know about me?"

Deeks straightened the collar of his shirt, looking forward as he pursed his lips. Despite his straight face, she had the feeling he was still laughing at her. It was annoying but making an issue about it would just give him more leverage.

"We are meeting with Andre Simons, a rich playboy who buys for himself and his friends. I just told him I was bringing a…friend today."

"And he bought that?"

"Andre has a pretty serious problem," Deeks explained, not seeming worried. "I'd have to do something pretty alarming for him to turn tail. And even then, he might put up with it. Can't lose his supplier after all." He made a wry face. "As long as you follow my lead, you'll be fine."

"I'm not worried about that," Kensi said firmly. "I just don't see how talking with this guy is going to be beneficial if he's not actually a part of any ring."

"Mm, that is an excellent point, Ms. Mendez. While you're right that Andre doesn't hold any power among the people we're trying to access, he does purchase from them as well. In the past, he even brokered a couple deals and such, but he's not really cut out for that kind of lifestyle. He's a little to squeamish, clean-cut if you will, to deal with men who kill people on a regular basis."

"A clean-cut drug user," Kensi scoffed. "Well, that's an oxymoron if I ever heard one."

"Ooh, one of my favorite terms," Deeks joked. "Andre is an excellent source of gossip, and he does have some connections. As much as he doesn't want to be in the business, he's been gathering information for me."

"So he's your big source?"

"He's one of many. Andre is who I go to for to on upper class news. I've got other guys that do the dirty work." Slipping the car keys into his pocket, he turned to face her. "Over the next week, I'll introduce you to some of them to establish your cover and also make sure none of them knows the real Bella. Hopefully the information she gave you will be enough for you to fake it." He paused, his expression mildly concerned. "You ready?"

"Of course," Kensi said as he opened the door. She waited until he was completely outside to drag in a calming breath. Deeks didn't need to know how nervous she felt. By the time he reached her door and swung it open, she was completely in control.

Deeks held out his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, she took it. She saw his eyes drift back to her legs again as she slid out of the passenger seat, though he didn't linger for more than a second.

He led her past the long line of people waiting to get in, heading straight for the large bouncer guarding the door. His lips were set in a grim line, arms crossed while a couple argued with him.

"Lenny!" Deeks called out. The second Lenny caught sight of him, he grinned and automatically moved aside, waving them through.

"Mr. Gentry," he said in a tone that did not match his imposing demeanor at all.

"What exactly did you do to get an instant pass inside here?" Kensi asked, pitching her voice low as they walked down a short, red carpeted hallway. There was a faint pounding beat that reverberated through the walls.

"Mm, you probably don't want to know," Deeks said dryly, pushing a second door open and into a filled with people dancing to blaring music under flashing lights in the center of the main floor. The bar was towards the back of the room and tables of various sizes were sprinkled around the borders. There was also a second floor with private boxes, some of which had black curtains to block the view.

"Well, this certainly seems classy." She eyed a couple making out on a leather booth a few tables away.

"If you're looking for class, Bella, you've come to the wrong place," he drawled. Following her gaze, he licked his bottom lip, and leaned close enough that to other people, it would probably look like he was kissing her neck. "Seriously, you might see some unpleasant things tonight and you need to be ok with being a part of that. You just have to believe that I know what I'm doing."

Before Kensi could reply, a tall blonde woman in a short, low cut electric blue dress with Rhinestone studded stilettos approached them.

"Max, so good to see you again. We missed you," she said, giving Deeks a smile that made Kensi's stomach squirm uncomfortably. She couldn't tell if there was something more personal behind her flirting or if she treated all her special clientele this way.

"I missed you too, Marley." Deeks winked, making her drop her gaze. Oh, there was definitely something there.

"Do you want a table by the bar, or a private room?" she asked, suddenly all business again.

"Actually, I'm meeting Andre Simons," Deeks told her.

"Of course. Mr. Simons is in room 4. You can go on up and I'll bring you and your date refreshments."

Deeks seemed very familiar and comfortable navigating the club and weaved a path through the gyrating dancers around them.

"Let me guess, she's tonight's entertainment," Kensi said as they climbed a carpeted staircase to the private rooms. Deeks snorted and shook his head.

"Actually, she's the head hostess."

"And one of Max's conquests?"

"Meow," Deeks responded. He linked his arm through Kensi's, drawing her to his side. "Don't be jealous, Bella, Marley is way too smart to get involved with a guy like me."

Though his voice was sardonic, Kensi thought she heard a note of regret as well. Now wasn't the time to explore whatever issues he might have though. She had to convince Andre Simons that she was a ruthless drug dealer.


A/N: Yes, this probably does have certain similarities to the club scene in "Fame". In these kinds of stories, I always feel the need to show Deeks' skills rather than just stating that he's good. Plus, you know, banter and relationship building between him and Kensi.