It's only a few days later and Hetty calls them back from the boatshed to Ops. She wants to speak to them in person - that tells Sam, Callen and Deeks that they aren't going to like it. When they come down the hallway they see boxes on the desk that used to be Kensi's, and they all walk a little slower on their way up the stairs, Deeks literally dragging his feet like a child.
Callen takes the initiative when the Ops doors slide open.
"We don't have time to break in a new agent today," he tells his mentor.
"Well that's unfortunate, because they arrived today and I have them in wardrobe getting ready for the club tonight.
"I'm not taking an agent I've never seen in action into an undercover op with a guy as dangerous as ….," Callen tells her.
"Do you think we're going to cover one of you with tattoos and reel him in?" Hetty challenges. "That I'd love to see."
"She needs to bait this guy hook, line, and sinker. You really think she's got it?" Sam asks, annoyed.
"I'm sure you'll find her up to the task," Hetty says. "And she wasn't easy to get to agree to take the job, so please don't do anything to screw it up."
"So she's demanding," Callen comments with exasperation.
"She knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to ask for it."
"OK. We give it a try, but consider tonight an audition, Hetty. If this goes sideways, she'll hear about it. The last one didn't respond well to feedback."
"I think it's going to be a good fit." Nell gives Hetty a signal. "She's been getting fake tattoos for the last few hours, but I believe she's downstairs waiting."
The men clear out of ops and turn for the staircase.
Deeks almost whines. "I don't want another new partner. They're so hard to break in."
"There's a good chance she'll tell us the same thing about you, Deeks," Sam jokes.
They hit the bottom of the stairs and come to a full stop. Kensi's reflection in the mirror is priceless as they take her in. Inked head to toe, tattoo trails disappearing seductively beneath a black and white dress that leaves little to the imagination.
She turns to face the team. "Ready to go fishing, boys?"
Callen is shaking his head, annoyed to have gotten taken in by Hetty. Sam is happy to see the band back together, and Deeks is speechless and confused. There are hugs and questions.
"Did we borrow you from Blue Team?" Callen asks.
"Nope. You're stuck with me full time again. Think you can make that work?"
"There's no one I'd trust on my team more," he tells her, meaning every word. Sam and Callen head back to their desks, and Deeks come closer to Kensi, using every ounce of self-control to not put his hands on her.
"What…?"
"I talked to Hetty," she tells him. "I left Justice. I really feel like this is what I'm meant to do, and getting to do it with you is part of what makes it my home."
"Partners again?" he asks optimistically.
"Still," she corrects him, knowing that no matter how much she enjoyed tactical strikes with Blue Team, she's never really moved on in her heart.
He steps closer. "So you're really back in LA for good."
"Yep. Moved my stuff up this weekend."
"And didn't tell me?"
"I was going to surprise you tonight, but Hetty called this morning and I didn't want to just call you. I wanted to see the look on your face."
"And Hetty knows about us?" he whispers.
"Yep. And other than a vague warning about public displays of affection on NCIS property, and a reminder that there are many, many cameras in this building we don't know about, she said she's good."
"Are we really doing this?" he asks, so hopeful.
"All of it. Here, at home, you and me," she tells him.
He doesn't want to touch her, but he can't help himself. The back of his hand dances against the back of hers, and he rests his forehead to hers for just a moment in disbelief that he has so many things to be grateful for. Then he straightens up and clears his throat.
"And in the realms of things men don't often say to their girlfriends, let's go see if we can get a psychopath to hit on you."
They both laugh and head to the club.
()()()()()()()()
An op never goes exactly like you expect. With Blue Team it usually meant more ammunition. With OSP sometimes it means having a guy try to cut your panties off in an alley behind a club. But Kensi never stressed, because she always knew they were there, whether she could see them or not.
When the perp's story checked out she and Deeks went back to her place.
He gives her an extra hug when she says she's going to shower, and tells her to take her time. She does. The shower is long and hot and it takes a while to get the tattoos off. Of course the part of the job she missed the least was her first night back – running around in very little clothing while a strange guy puts his hands on her body.
But if that was the worst thing about the job, there was also the best – having Deeks with her at the end of the day. She gets dressed feeling guilty about the amount of time and hot water she used to feel like herself again. She hopes he doesn't want to shower for a while.
When she joins him in the living room she is struck by his thoughtfulness. A drink is made and on the coffee table, and he's at the door thanking someone for a delivery. He starts to lay out the take out containers and she takes a sip of her drink, asking the question she's been waiting to rib him about for a couple of hours.
"So, I'm not your type, huh?"
His shoulders sink and he looks up. He knew she wasn't going to forget it after he said it at the bar.
"Inked up and on the prowl at some super trendy nightclub? No," he tells her with no remorse. Then he makes his way to her. "I was so used to deflecting, never telling you what I felt because we were partners and friends and I'd have done anything to not mess with that. And now we are those things and more and it is amazing."
"Nice recovery," she says smiling at his words and giggling at his
"You said you liked him," he reminds her. He wasn't the only person who said things that might need explaining. Now he was right up against her, and she was having a hard time concentrating.
"You said I'd be on your lap, drunk, telling you you'd wake up with bite marks."
"Touché," he says. "How can I make my transgressions up to you?" His voice is soft and dripping with seductive energy. It makes her shiver.
"You can tell me when I am your type," she tells him.
He lifts her chin and kisses her.
"All the other times."
It was a long time before they got dinner.
()()()()()()()()()
Kensi and Deeks walk into the mission together the next morning. Coffee in hand, smiles on their faces. She approaches her desk slowly, dreading the actual act of unpacking. She opens the box starts to move things into the drawers and onto the desktop, trying to start slow so as not to sprawl onto Callen's desk too quickly and to keep the slob jokes at bay as long as she can.
She takes out the cheap plastic jungle cat she borrowed/ stole six months ago and brings it over to his desk. She puts it purposefully in front of his keyboard and takes the little chimpanzee.
"I thought you wanted to be the jungle cat," he reminds her.
"I want to be your jungle cat," she tells him and places the chimp in a predominantly displayed spot on her desk.
Then she reaches into her box and pulls out a beautiful model ship in a bottle. It's an intricately detailed pirate ship with rigging and beautiful sails. There are figures on the ship, and one of them seems a lot like a scantily clad female pirate captain. The base that holds the ship has a small plaque that reads, 'If you ever need safe harbor…' She leaves it on the desk and it immediately draws Deeks' attention. He picks it up and admires its craftsmanship. Then reads the inscription and shakes his head.
"I'm going to have to talk to Dave about being more supportive," he jokes.
"Maybe this is the most supportive thing in the world," she tells him.
"How? How is that possibly being supportive?" he asks her.
"Because maybe knowing I never have to worry about drowning is what gave me the courage to sail to you."
"Corny much?" he says, unable to not laugh at the dramatic answer.
"What? Way to ruin a romantic moment," she says, smacking his arm and feigning offense.
"I thought you said no romantic moments here," he says.
"I said no public display of affection here," she clarifies.
"So I can think romantic thoughts here?"
"I can't police your mind, babe."
He gets a little closer and whispers.
"So I can think dirty thoughts here?" he asks seductively.
"If you want to get yourself all flustered, be my guest."
"Oh and you aren't thinking even a little bit about what we are going to do to celebrate tonight?"
"Didn't we celebrate last night?" she's being coy.
"I think we should celebrate many, many times."
"Hmm. I like how you think. Noodles?" she asks innocently.
"Not in bed. No noodles in bed. I was thinking of something we can do to celebrate in bed," he tells her.
"Does it have to be in bed? There are lots of places at your place to … celebrate."
"Oh my god, you are ruining this moment," he warns her. He turns to walk back to his desk but she grabs his hand.
"No, no, no. I am also feeling … celebratory. I even brought something to help." She pats her bag letting him know whatever it is, that's where she has it.
She's piqued his interest. "Brought something?"
"Yeah, I'll show you tonight."
"What?!" He's incredulous. "You can't leave it like that. I need to know what it is."
"Tonight."
"Come on. Just hint. Give me a hint."
She looks at him like she's deciding whether or not to give in, but it's all for show. She's absolutely going to give him a hint. If wants to be crazy thinking about her all day, who is she to deny him? She crosses to the lockers and puts the bag inside and then comes back to him while he watches her every move. Then she leans over to his ear and whispers.
"Yar!"
THE END
A/N - And there it is. Thank you, everyone who took the time to read, and especially people who took time to reach out or review. And again, a shout out to mashmaiden, without whom Kensi would be down in San Diego with Blue Team and I'm not sure I would ever have gotten her home.