AN: This takes place sometime after 767 (8x19), once Kensi finally gets her groove back with Deeks, but before From Havana With Love (8x20). Took a lot of creative carving to whittle this down under 1,000 words, but I did it!

Spoilers: Up through 767

Disclaimer: Nope. Nada.

"Kens?" Deeks asked as they drove home.

"Hmm?"

"What's in the bag?" He nodded at the shopping bag tucked behind the driver's seat.

"A pair of shoes, on loan from Hetty for the night," she said simply.

Deeks chuckled in disbelief. Hetty was notorious for her refusal to lend items from wardrobe for personal use. "Yeah, right. C'mon, baby, what's really in the bag?"

Kensi shrugged. "Take a look for yourself."

Like a kid on Christmas morning he grabbed the bag and pulled it into his lap. Peeking in, Deeks let out a sound of surprise as he reached in and took out a Louboutin shoebox. He whistled as he pulled out a black patent leather pump with a four-inch super-fine stiletto heel from one soft cloth bag. Turning it over in his hand, Deeks admired the characteristic red sole. He then took a moment to admire the image that popped into his mind's eye: Kensi wearing them. And nothing else.

"Umm, so when you said these are on loan from Hetty, you obviously meant that you schtole them, right?"

"Nope. She let me borrow them." Kensi gave him a smoldering look, "And I have plans for them, and you, tonight."

"Kens. Kensi. Kensalina. You know how much I love you. And I am fully aware of your mad skills as an operator. But I don't believe for one second that you talked Hetty into lending you those shoes so we can play sexy secretary and enticing executive later."

"Seriously? I bring home the hottest shoes you'll probably ever see me in, especially when they're probably all you'll see me in, and you call me a liar?" Kensi shook her head in ersatz disappointment.

"Okay, no, that's not what I meant."

"Well then you'd better explain yourself before I turn around and bring them back."

"Princess. Sunshine. Love of my life. It's just that, this is Hetty Lange we're talking about. And this much is true about her: no one on our team has enough game to get her to loan out something from wardrobe."

"Well, apparently I do," Kensi bragged.

"That's a story you're going to have to share, then. Please, Special Agent Blye, impart upon me your wisdom, so that I too may someday aspire to pull one over on Hetty Lange."

"I know you're mocking me, Deeks, but I don't care. I am the ultimate operator! Better than you, Callen, and Sam, as you just pointed out. And you and I will celebrate that fact tonight." Kensi winked playfully at her man.

Deeks smiled warmly, enjoying Kensi's ebullience. It was good to finally have his ladybird all the way back. "So how'd you do it? I really want to know how you scammed Hetty out of a pair of six hundred dollar Louboutins."

Deeks sounded sincere and curious now, so Kensi explained, "Scammed is such a hash word, babe. I was simply honing my undercover skills, and making sure I'm in top form and ready for anything. Those shoes, which cost closer to seven hundred dollars, by the way, are part of that."

"Or so you told Hetty."

"Exactly. We both know the best cover stories have a basis in truth." Kensi saw Deeks nod in agreement out of the corner of her eye. "I shared with Hetty my concern that I haven't walked in stilettos since my recovery, and that I thought I should practice before it became necessary."

"And she fell for that?"

"You obviously don't appreciate what it takes to walk in those things, given the height and narrowness of a stiletto! They throw off your balance and provide less stability and support than other heels."

"I happen to be very aware that the higher the heel, the more it shifts the center of balance. Which is why you ladies have to stick out your…assets…more, to compensate. And you better believe I appreciate that, Kensalina."

"Anyway, I told Hetty was nervous about walking in stilettos again, and asked if I could borrow a pair to practice at home."

"And she didn't ask why you couldn't do that at the mission?" Deeks wondered as they pulled into their driveway.

"Of course she did." Now Kensi lowered her voice, and sounded uncertain, "But I was pretty self-conscious when I was learning to walk in rehab, and if I'm going to wobble around again, I'd rather do in the privacy of my own home." Here she drew in a hesitant breath, "And have Deeks there, just in case I need someone to steady me." Kensi gave Deeks a sly smile when she was done.

Deeks grinned proudly, "Kensi Marie Blye, you evil genius. Even if Hetty thought you were running game on her, she would never contradict you when you played the 'I couldn't even walk a few months ago' card."

"I'm just happy it worked. The first time I tried to use the 'I was in a coma and woke up partially paralyzed' line, it failed miserably. Thought maybe I'd lost my touch."

"Oh, I can tell you with utmost confidence, Princess, you have not lost your touch."

Kensi's smile turned seductive again. "Let's go inside so I can practice walking around in these things for a little while, Mr. Enticing Executive. Just keep in mind they need to be in the same pristine condition when I return them tomorrow."

"Hetty couldn't have loaned you a cheaper pair?"

"Where's the challenge in getting something Hetty doesn't care much about?" Kensi turned on the insecure voice again, "I hate to ask, but I think the better the quality of the shoe, the steadier I'll be."

Deeks laughed and kissed her soundly, his smile all promise, his eyes alight with hunger, "That's my girl. And don't worry about it." He kissed her again, but lingered this time. "I guarantee they'll barely even touch the floor tonight, darlin'."