Chapter 16

It was late in the afternoon and the day had been less than productive. When Callen and Sam went to Arkady's sprawling mansion, his housekeeper said he was in Moscow visiting family. "Which probably means he's brokering some deal we'd rather not know about," said Callen flatly.

"Which means sometime in the future it will cross our path," said Sam.

Later, trying to squeeze information out of the staff at the Crimea Café yielded bizarre, conflicting stories.

"Vick was hitting on the girls," said one.

"No way. He was only complimenting them on their dresses. His mother's a seamstress so he knows clothes," said another.

When Kensi and Deeks interviewed Starnoff's neighbors, who were also Kensi's neighbors, the only thing everybody agreed on was there was a lot of shouting and fists flying, then a car peeled out of the parking lot leaving a bloody and bruised victim on the pavement.

"Hey, aren't you that lady cop who lives on the other end of the building?" asked Starnoff's cousin and roommate, Igor. He eyed Kensi with interest. "I've seen you out running."

"Actually, I'm an NCIS Special Agent," said Kensi.

"What's that?"

Kensi explained briefly. "I get it. A Navy cop," said Igor.

"Sure. A Navy cop," said Kensi.

Igor glanced at Deeks. "Are you one, too?"

"I'm an LAPD detective."

"You better find the jerks who did this to my cousin before I do and mess them up bad."

Afterwards, they met Sam and Callen at the hospital, but Starnoff was still in recovery after having his jaw and eye socket repaired. "The surgeon said we'd have to wait until tomorrow to talk to him," said Sam. "They're keeping him sedated until then."

Callen and Sam had departed a few minutes ago. Kensi and Deeks told themselves they were doing paperwork, but Hetty would not have viewed it as such. Deeks was tapping and twirling his pencil while Kensi stared at him.

She sees me, but she doesn't. Otherwise, she would be complaining.

After a minute, Kensi sighed and frowned. "I didn't get my pancakes this morning."

Deeks leaned back in his chair and rubbed his belly. "Yeah, that was a shame." Of course, food. Kensi is motivated by food. I can use this to my advantage.

A plan was forming in his mind. "Tell you what, you could come over tonight and we'll do breakfast for dinner. Besides pancakes, we can have scrambled eggs, some of those little sausages and bacon. I love bacon. You should know that about your partner." He paused and hoped she would take the bait. "Unless you have other plans."

Kensi's mouth watered and without realizing it, she licked her lips. "Uh, no. At least nothing I can't reschedule." She had an appointment with her couch, a pile of fashion and gossip magazines, and a pint of salted caramel ice cream. Then she would order a pizza or something. The prospect of another evening with Deeks - and food - sounded like a way better option. She could read trashy magazines another time.

But she had to maintain control of the situation. "I'm not staying over," she said firmly.

Wait for it. Any second now, he'll come up with half a dozen reasons why I should stay.

"No problem. Dinner only. Maybe some bad TV we can mock. It's probably just as well since you kept kicking me last night. Are you always so wild in bed?"

"Don't worry. You can have your bed all to yourself tonight."

"I mean, I don't mind sharing it with you, but there have to be some boundaries."

Kensi's eyes narrowed and she lobbed a pen at him. He ducked and it slid under the credenza behind him. "You don't even know the meaning of a boundary. You're always trying to get in my business," she said.

A few steps away, Eric was coming out of the burn room after dumping a stack of papers. When he heard Kensi and Deeks' conversation, his eyes grew wide and he stopped dead in the middle of the corridor. He was far enough away to remain hidden, yet still hear them clearly. He envied their easy, well mostly easy, partnership. Sometimes things got a bit testy, but Deeks just rolled with it.

Deeks laughed. "Now, now, that's your empty stomach talking. Let's get out of here. We can finish this stuff tomorrow."

Drawers opened and paperwork was shoved inside. Then chairs pushed back as they prepared to leave. Eric didn't want them to catch him eavesdropping, yet his feet felt like lead. Must. Move. Now. Luckily, the supply closet was across the hall so he quietly back-tracked into it.

"I need to get some things at the store for our breakfast buffet," said Deeks.

"Goodnight, Eric," called Kensi as they walked by.

"What's happening, Beale?" asked Deeks.

Eric jumped when they spoke. "Nothing, nada, zip. The printer needed paper."

Deeks pointed to his hand. "Oh-kay, but that's paperclips."

Eric looked down at the box in his hand as if seeing it for the first time. "Uh, yeah. I need those, too."

"Glad we're on the same page about office supplies," said Deeks.

Eric swallowed and pushed at his glasses. "Right. And now I'm going to get that paper."

"Good plan," said Kensi.

"What's with him?" asked Deeks when they had moved closer to the exit.

Kensi shrugged. "Too much caffeine?"

"Or not enough Cocoa Puffs. He needs to step away from those computer screens for a while, maybe find a girlfriend."

Kensi halted and grabbed Deeks' forearm. "He overheard us."

"So? You're becoming paranoid about this. I'm going to have one of those banners made that says "Kensi and Deeks slept together" and string it across the entrance. Then there's no more speculation."

Kensi gasped and punched his arm. "You're disgusting!"

"Why? I'm sure we're not the first agents to get together in the Office of Special Projects."

"We're not together," insisted Kensi.

Deeks said nothing, but gave her a little smile.

"I'm not sure I want to have breakfast with you," said Kensi with a pout.

Deeks slung an arm around her shoulders. "Sure you do. Otherwise, you'd eat microwave popcorn for dinner and go to bed in a grumpy mood. I mean, grumpier mood."

She tugged on his messenger bag strap. "I'm not only a trained sniper; I could strangle you with this strap."

Deeks threw back his head and laughed. "But you won't. You keep me on my toes. That's what I love about you, Kensalina."

Eric heard the laughter and cautiously peeked out from the supply room. They are definitely an item.

After a quick stop at the grocery store, they arrived at Deeks' apartment. Monty greeted them at the door, jumping around and barking. Yeah, Kensi's back! I knew she'd come back.

In no time, Deeks was working on the pancakes and bacon. Kensi was impressed how adept and organized he was in the kitchen. "Don't forget my chocolate chips," she said.

"Wouldn't dream of it," he said. "The bag is in that cabinet over your head. Can you grab it for me?"

Kensi retrieved the bag, opened it and popped a handful of chips in her mouth.

Deeks looked at her. "Really? You couldn't wait for the finished product?"

"Nope. I've been thinking about this all day."

"Is that right?" He pointed his spatula at her. "How are those eggs and sausages?"

"Almost done. Did you buy the chocolate chips just for me?"

"No, I like them, too. Why? Did you think you were somebody special?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

"I don't know. I can't think straight when I'm hungry."

"Kensi, watch out! Those eggs are about to burn."

Monty barked and Kensi yelped as she turned off the burner. "Monty, why didn't you warn me?"

Are you kidding? I was waiting for the big guy to drop a piece of bacon.

"I need to hurry up and feed you before you burn down my apartment," chuckled Deeks.

They loaded their plates and even though Deeks had a small kitchen table, Kensi automatically gravitated to the couch. "You don't want to sit at the table?" he asked.

"I'm used to the couch," she said as she plopped down and unfolded a paper napkin.

"Okay, couch it is. Why mess up a deeply ingrained habit?"

"Mmm. Delicious," Kensi mumbled around a mouthful of pancakes. The food quickly disappeared off their plates and they were back in the kitchen for seconds.

"Do you need more syrup?" asked Deeks. The bottle was poised in his hand. Kensi shook her head. "I'm good. What I really need is a decent guy who can cook."

She looked at Deeks in shock. What I did NOT need to do was verbalize that thought.

He grinned. "No, you don't. You already have a guy who can cook. Whether he's decent or not, well, that could be up for discussion. Monty here thinks I'm pretty decent. Right, boy?" He tossed a slice of bacon and Monty jumped up and scarfed it down.

Awkward, Kensi. Open mouth, insert foot.

Fortunately for her, Deeks got a text at that moment. He picked up the phone and tapped out a short response.

"That wasn't Eric, was it?"

"No, thank goodness. My buddy Rocco reminding me of the new location of our basketball game." He laid the phone down. "That means you'll be on your own tomorrow night."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"Not at all. But you have to admit, it's more fun when we're together," said Deeks. Then he winked at her.

"Says who?"

"I do," said Deeks. "But it might be dangerous to start a new deeply ingrained habit of being together every night."

Kensi's eyes rolled up. "I couldn't agree more. Come on, I'll help you clean up, then I have to go." She was beginning to feel sluggish. If she kept sitting there, she would be asleep in no time on Deeks' shoulder. Again.

The dishes were done, the kitchen cleaned up and now Kensi was at the front door with her purse on her shoulder. "Well, thanks for breakfast for dinner. I'm stuffed."

"Me, too."

They stood there, staring at each other like they had nothing at all to say. Why isn't he badgering me about spending the night? Is he wanting me to make a move?

"Okay, I will see you in the morning," said Kensi. She opened the door.

"Yeah. Tomorrow," said Deeks with a smile. That's right, Kensi. I'm going to let you decide how we play this little game.