A Favor
Chapter Two
The evening at the club was passing too quickly for Kensi's taste. She didn't realize what a pleasant relief it would be to have someone to spend her time with. Okay, especially someone she cared about, that made her feel special and safe, and that drew the eye of every woman in the bar but had eyes for her alone. Truthfully, it wouldn't have been the same with anyone but Deeks. What exactly was going on here, she wondered, as she gave her head a tiny shake.
Deeks didn't miss the motion or the fact that she was lost in thought. How could he? They were on the dance floor, close enough that he could feel every move she made and have the best view in the house as he watched her. He gave her the smile she knew he saved just for her and raised an eyebrow in question.
"You okay, princess? Something's going on in that pretty head of yours."
"Just thinkin'."
"Wanna tell me about it?"
Kensi snuggled closer to his chest and gave another little shake of her head. "Not yet, I guess."
"Okay. Do you want to listen?"
Kensi raised her head so she could see his face. She could tell he was serious but his body language was relaxed and comfortable.
"I'm not in trouble, am I?"
He laughed and pulled her back against his chest, then laid his head against her hair.
"No, Kens." He said softly. "I want you to know I'm really glad you called me tonight. I came to rescue you as your partner and I always will, without fail. But I had no idea I would have such a good time."
He paused for a moment, waging an internal battle as to the wisdom of what he wanted to say.
"I talked to Blake and then to Ellen. She's very nice by the way. Anyway, she told me that you talk about me a lot and that when you do you get this goofy little smile on your face. I told her she must be thinking of someone else, but she insisted it was you."
"I don't do goofy little smiles," Kensi said quietly as she struggled to keep a straight face.
"I know, right? So I'm kind of confused. You seem to be happy with us being together when we're Jessa and Tim and you've convinced me that your enjoyment of this evening isn't an act. I may be setting myself up for ridicule, but being here with you is something I could definitely get used to. If Jessa has feelings for Tim, why can't Kensi have feelings for Marty?"
And time stood still. But Marty Deeks could be a very patient man.
The music changed to a slow song. Kensi was still silent in his arms but she hadn't shut down, hadn't pulled back into herself like she usually did when asked to consider her feelings. Marty took her hands and pulled her tight against his chest.
They danced together like they had practiced for hours. Maybe the time they spent watching out for each other day after day made them more attuned, better able to communicate. Kensi kept her eyes locked into the deep blue of her partner's, not letting herself think but only to react and respond to his body, his hands and his eyes. It seemed to last forever but ended much too soon. When the music stopped, he pulled her into a gentle hug.
"See, Kens. We're great together. Why can't you see that?"
Kensi pulled back and studied him. She started to speak but nothing came out. He watched her; amusement and fondness clear on his face. Her inability to speak gave him a masculine thrill and he finally came to her rescue by pulling her close and capturing her lips in a sweet, gentle kiss.
When Tim had first arrived at the club, Arthur was convinced that he was a match for Jessa's passing fancy of a man. However, as the night went on he began to lose hope, if for no other reason than he couldn't get anywhere near Jessa with Tim constantly wrapped around her. So, without any other options, he started to drink. Now, two plus hours later, he was past the point of making good decisions and just about ready to fall into the pit of very bad moves. The way he staggered toward them gave Marty plenty of time to prepare for his arrival.
"Heads up, princess," he stage whispered in Kensi's direction. "Incoming."
Deeks continued to dance as he swung Kensi away from the approaching unsteady and emotional man. At the last minute Marty turned to face him, leaving Kensi standing quietly just behind him.
"Hey, Arthur. What's up man?"
"You. You. You," he struggled again to continue, "are keeping me from the woman of my dreams and I want to stop you. Want you to. Want you. No! I want her."
He may have been trying to take a swing at Marty's head or just trying to remain standing, but suddenly Arthur was down on one knee facing the wall and unable to get back into a standing position. Kensi met Deeks' gaze over the head of the lovesick, pathetic man and rolled her eyes before flashing him a grin.
"Come on Arthur," she said as she slipped her arm through his. "Time for this party to be over."
Apologies were offered and accepted, handshakes shared and even a few hugs exchanged as the group broke up and headed their separate ways. Nearly everyone mentioned to Tim that they hoped they would see him again, except, of course, Arthur.
"Thankfully he'll be on a plane headed for Texas before his hangover is even gone." Blake said under his breath as he shook Marty's hand. "Hope this won't prevent you from joining us another time. Jessa's always welcome to hang out with us until you can, but it's obvious she has a better time when you're here."
Deeks gave him a slap on the shoulder and thanked him one final time before turning to Kensi. "Did you bring a coat?" He asked as he shrugged into his own.
"Oh, yeah. Hang on." He watched as she reached to the bottom of a pile of coats. She pulled one out and slipped it on. And he was speechless.
The coat was a scruffy looking gray hoodie. Across the front it read LAPD and on the back said in large letters, POLICE.
She looked up and saw the incredulous look on his face but only gave a small shrug and tiny smile.
"Nice hoodie Jessa. Where'd you get it?"
"Oh thanks, I borrowed it from a friend."
He smirked at her briefly before taking her hand and leading her toward the door. They both turned back and waved at the gang before passing under the exit sign.
"Hey, I've spent a lot of time looking for that sweatshirt. Did you think I wouldn't notice it was gone?"
"No. Well, you left it in my car and I just started wearing it. It's no big deal, Deeks. You can have it back if you want it."
"Does it still smell like me?" His voice was soft, without his usual teasing tone and she turned her face into the hood and took a deep breath. "Yeah, it does."
A brilliant smile spread across his face at the same time Kensi realized what she had just said. Her eyes opened wide and she started to stammer but he held up his hand.
"No, don't." He laughed gently. "Nothing you say will change what you just admitted. Leave it alone or you'll make it worse. Point Deeks. You wear my shirt because it smells like me. And you like it."
He paused and continued to smile at her before shaking his head. "If it makes you feel any better, seeing you in my shirt is making me crazy. So, I guess we're even."
The evening air was cool and they were close enough to catch a hint of ocean on the breeze. They walked in silence toward the valet station still holding hands. Marty suddenly changed direction and pulled Kensi toward the beach. She was too relaxed to argue. They walked in silence, deep in thought but aware things were somehow different.
"So, why did you wear my scuzzy old shirt to the club anyway?"
After a brief hesitation, Kensi decided the truth wasn't going to get her into any more trouble, so she told him.
"The worst part about clubbing alone is the last 30 minutes before closing. All the guys decide they need to hurry and find a warm body to take home with them. I hate dealing with a bunch of stupid drunks. Well, one day I ended up here without a coat and had this one in the car. When I put it on at the end of the evening, everything changed. Nobody hassled me and I left without any problems at all. Since then I always wear it and it works every time. It's also helps me get a cab home. I shouldn't have taken it from you though. I'm sorry. You can have it back when I get home." Her expression was genuine and a little shy.
"No thanks," he replied with a laugh. "I think it's doing a great service where it is. I'll rest easier knowing you're making it home okay. And just to show you how much I care, I'll take it home and wear it whenever you want so it still smells like me," he teased.
When they reached the sand, Marty bent down and removed his shoes, then reached over and tapped his fingers gently on Kensi's. He knew her feet had to be tired and sore after hours of dancing in extreme heels. Without comment she lifted one foot then the other so he could ease them off her feet. She rested her hands on his shoulders to help steady herself and then sighed deeply. "Oh, that's so much better," she groaned. She gave him a genuine smile and murmured, "Thanks, Deeks."
They walked for a couple minutes, enjoying the way the sand felt cool and soft under their toes, then gradually slowed and stopped near a lifeguard station. Deeks pulled Kensi into his arms, wrapping himself fully around her and buried his face against the soft skin of her neck. He was cataloging her reactions, constantly aware of her. When they were together he read her signals, watched her tells, gauged her moods and predicted her next move. It was part of what made them a great team. Tonight, she was relaxed and comfortable in his arms. He didn't want this to end but knew that if he missed this chance, tomorrow she would act as if nothing had happened, that they were still partners and best friends-nothing more.
Marty Deeks wanted something more and he was willing to experience some discomfort to get it. With just a little sigh he kissed her. This wasn't Jessa and Tim. This was Marty kissing Kensi, the woman that took his breath away and exasperated him like no other ever had. This was the woman he would die for but wanted to spend a long life with. This was his Kensi and he wanted her to know how he felt about her once and for all.
She let him kiss her, opened her lips to his, kissed him back and actively pulled her body close to his. He could feel her panting as she pulled away slightly and moaned against his chest. And then, just as he knew she would, she tensed and tried to push him away. It was hesitant, nothing like what she would have done if it were what she really wanted. She was resigned and even sad. But he was ready. He continued to hold her, not letting any space come between their bodies, not letting her slip away and it startled her. She tried to speak but he cut her off, his voice serious.
"No. Kensi, no. I'm not going to stop. I've been kissing you all night and there is no reason I can't continue. I want to keep kissing you and it seems you have been enjoying it, if the way you've kissed me back is any indication."
"You have not been kissing me, Deeks. Tim has been kissing Jessa, no matter what you say it's not the same."
"Kensi, I don't really care what names you use. I know that I want to continue to hold you in my arms and kiss you until neither of us can breathe."
She tried to struggle out of his grasp and put some distance between them, but he continued to hold her close.
"Deeks," she said, her voice rising in frustration. "We have to work together. We're partners, remember? You're here tonight helping me out. We can't be in a relationship."
"Ha! There, you said the r word, I didn't. Newsflash. Like it or not our thing is a relationship and we're in it. At least I know I am."
Marty's lowered his voice and put his hand gently against her face, making her meet his gaze, "We've been making out all night. Why is this suddenly different?"
"Because, if we're not trying to sell a cover, then it would be real, and it can't be real." Kensi's voice had dropped in pitch and was much softer. She was pleading.
"It is real, Kens. You can deny it all you want. But I know that you know that I fell for you a long time ago. Just because we don't say it out loud doesn't change anything. I think you have feelings for me too. I happen to believe that we can have an amazing relationship outside of work. Kensi, please give it a chance. It's not against NCIS regulations for us to be together, I checked."
Kensi couldn't quite hide the tiny smile that formed on her lips. She dropped her head heavily against his chest and groaned in frustration. "You checked, huh?"
"Yeah, like a year ago."
That brought her head up off his chest to meet his eyes with a chuckle. Then she grew serious again.
"Deeks, I won't do anything that might damage the us we have now. Even if I wanted a relationship with you, just hypothetically, I would be afraid that I would end up without you altogether. I can't let that happen, Marty. I can't lose you too."
Deeks held her gaze for what seemed like forever and then bent his head to take her lips with his own. His hands moved to cradle the back of her head, and he stepped closer, moving her gently until her back rested against the wall.
"Okay. If I can't convince you tonight to change your mind, then we go back to what we've always been. It will kill me. I'll be frustrated and sad. But I promise it won't change how we work together or the amazing partnership we have. We have proven over the last two years that we can work together with feelings for each other. We do it every day. This isn't any different, except now we admit them."
How long they stood clinging together was never clear when they looked back later, but eventually Deeks noticed that Kensi was shivering.
"Well?"
She took a long, deep, shuddering breath. "Okay. Tonight is off the record. Vegas night. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Take me home Marty." It was little more than a whisper.
"Take you home or drive you home?"
"I don't know. Let's just go and do what we do best. Wing it."
And then he leaned back and started to laugh. And once he started he couldn't stop. Slowly, Kensi felt herself relax and it felt so good to join in.
It was the very wee hours of the morning and they were lying together on the couch. She was dressed in a pair of his old sweats, that she had to hold onto when she stood up, and a bright red surf Maui tee shirt. He was wearing an LAPD shirt with the sleeves cut out and a pair of bright blue board shorts. The TV was showing a movie but the sound was muted. There was a comfortable litter of empty beer bottles and ice cream bowls on the coffee table. The huge bowl of popcorn they'd shared was on the floor surrounded by kernels they'd thrown around the room during an impromptu popcorn fight. They were tired to the point of silliness but neither wanted the night to end.
Marty tugged on her arm pulling her closer. Her eyes were so heavy she knew she would lose the battle to sleep very soon. But when he kissed her again, pressed his lips gently against hers for the hundredth time, the thousandth time, she still felt a flutter in her belly and a quickening of her pulse. She smiled into the kiss and returned it with pleasure. She was consumed by it, consumed by him, his warmth, his scent, his gentle touch. When he spoke she was startled and opened her eyes.
"It's starting to get light, princess."
Their eyes met. Each could see the emotion of the evening etched on their faces. Tousled hair, swollen lips, tired eyes. And smiles.
"Do you think I'll turn into a pumpkin when the sun comes up?" she asked him as she laid her head against his chest and listened to his heart beat- her new favorite activity.
"No pumpkins. You'll always be a princess to me. But if you want me to take you home, now's the time. I think I need an hour to surf and then a good day's sleep. How bout you?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Then after a deep sigh she added, "Are we good, Marty?" Suddenly she felt very tired.
"Yep." He gave her a weak smile and then spoke as though he was reading a script. "We decided not to decide. We are what we are with no closed doors; all options are still on the table. We're going to see what happens with no repercussions from tonight." After a deep breath he continued, this time stroking her hair.
"It may not be exactly the outcome I wanted, but it's way better than it might have been. I'm hopeful, Kensi. I'm not giving up and I'm not going to leave you. I promise I'll try to be patient. But you know I want more, just don't forget that alright?"
"It's a deal, partner," she said quietly and then her lips found his again.
I'm going to stay here in my version of their world where things are hopeful! It's going to be a long summer. As always, it's gives me great pleasure to hear what you all think. Thanks for reading.