Finally, Kensi pulled her SRX into a parking spot on the base after getting through security. Traffic had been horrible that morning and the partners added an hour to their travel time. Deeks, in an attempt to escape the constant blaring beats of techno, had resigned himself to watching the scenery pass. At some point Kensi's gaze had travelled over to her partner to see him fast-asleep against the window.
Must have been a busy morning surfing, thought Kensi. Her partner, the avid surfer, always got up at the crack of dawn in order to catch the best waves before heading into work. Kensi had taken note that his hair had been slightly damp and skin smelled of the ocean when he had arrived at NCIS headquarters that morning.
And yet he still stopped to get me a donut. At that moment Kensi vowed to be easier on her partner for the rest of the day. That was until he suddenly woke and glanced over at Kensi. A mischievous grin had spread across his features.
"Hey baby girl. Wanna give me a good morning kiss?"
"Ughhh, not really Deeks," Kensi let out an exasperated sigh at her partner's amusement and got out of the car, making sure to slam the door behind her. She turned to Deeks and hissed, "And don't you ever, and I mean ever, call me baby girl again unless you want to end up in ICU." Kensi grabbed Deeks arm as he tried to suppress his laughter and pulled him into the barracks.
The agent and detective straightened up and identified themselves as thirty men simultaneously turned to face them. Deeks scooted closer to Kensi as the men's eyes began to roam over her beautifully jean clad legs and up to her tight shirt never once making it to her face or her badge. Not a single Marine took a second glance at Deeks or considered his protective stance next to his partner.
And she calls me a pig, internalized Deeks.
"Excuse me gentleman, we are here to find some answers concerning Petty Officer Randal McCormick's death. If you could please turn your attention away from my partner's ass and join us one at a time outside for an interview, it would be much appreciated," stated Deeks with a deadly undertone. Kensi looked wide-eyed at her partner's behavior and felt a scarlet blush working her way up her neck. It was Deeks' turn to grab Kensi and pull her out the door this time.
"Deeks, what the hell?!"
"Kens, those men had no inkling of respect for you in there."
"Oh, but you do?" Kensi asked incredulously, "You called me baby girl in the car and asked for me to kiss you!"
"That is different and you know it," replied Deeks, his anger rising. How could she think that it was the same thing at all? He respected her more than any woman he had ever known.
"Oh do I? 'Cause I always see you materializing women, but when those men do it, it's not okay?"
"Not when they do it to my partner," shouted Deeks, getting a few stares from passing Marines.
"I can protect myself, Deeks." At that Kensi turned and walked toward the first interviewee.
"I know you can," whispered Deeks to himself. But sometimes I want to be the person you can rely on.
"Did you guys find anything useful?" asked a curious Callen while the team gathered for lunch in the base cafeteria.
"Not really. A few guys said they didn't care for McCormick because he was a teacher's pet but nobody ever threatened him. Plus, it seemed as though McCormick was a bit of a big leaguer and nobody was willing to put him in his place, especially with fighting skills," replied a slightly defeated Kensi, "What about the wife?"
"We had a hard time getting anything out of her. She is really distraught about her husband's death. It appeared that they truly were deeply in love. Plus it didn't help that she is four months pregnant. That's why she had flown to visit family in New Jersey-to tell them the good news only having to fly back for bad."
"Wow. I can't imagine," Deeks shook his shaggy head in sadness. The team was always surprised when this sensitive side of their teammate popped up. Always the joker or one to lighten the mood, but this new information seemed to have Deeks in its hold.
"Yeah. It's gonna be hard, but she's a Marines wife. She will have the help she needs," Callen stated solemnly.
"There was one bit of information she could give us that may lead to something. Mrs. McCormick said that her husband had been making a lot of phone calls, but wouldn't tell her to whom. She said he seemed secretive about the whole thing."
"I'm assuming McCormick knew his wife was pregnant?" asked Kensi.
Sam nodded his head in agreement, "Yeah, but only a few close friends knew."
"Okay. So let's get that information back to OPS and see if Eric can pinpoint any repeat calls made by our dead Petty Officer," suggested Kensi.
The car ride back to headquarters was usually quiet for Kensi and Deeks. Kensi was still reeling a bit from Deeks earlier outburst in the Marine barracks and Deeks seemed lost in his own thoughts as he once again stared out at the passing landscape.
"Deeks…," Kensi trailed off. Her partner slowly turned his head to look at her. Sadness and a bit of frustration evident in his ocean blue eyes.
"Yeah?" he questioned.
"It's nothing. Never mind."
"Kens, you can ask."
"It's just… I mean why were you so protective of me in there? I didn't need the help. I saw how they were looking at me and I could have handled it if it really bothered me."
"You aren't a piece of meat. They are Marines and they should respect women," Deeks voice emitted in a low growl.
"I could have handled it," Kensi mumbled.
"Yeah, I know that Kensi. You're Badass Blye. You don't need my help. But sometimes it's nice to know someone has your back. I guess I was wrong," Deeks face flushed with anger as he turned back to the window.
"Well, thanks I guess. I know you have my back. I just hope you know I have yours too, Deeks," Kensi sighed. Deeks glanced back over to his partner who kept her brown eyes focused intently on the road. His anger simmered down as he heard her words.
"I know." Kensi flashed him a meek smile at his reply. She had seen the uncharacteristic sadness melt over his eyes once more.
"Deeks, why has Sarah McCormick's pregnancy affected you so much?" She watched as Deeks' head shot up with surprise at her question. He had thought he had hidden his feelings fairly well. Leave it to Kensi to see the truth.
"I know what it's like, I guess." Kensi shot him a confused glance. He knew what it was like? What did that mean? Deeks expression was pleading for her to drop it, but he always pressed her so why shouldn't she reciprocate?
"You know what it's like?"
"Yeah, to grow up without a father figure. To have no man in your life to respect."
"Oh," was her only response. She wouldn't push harder for the moment, because she knew it hurt Deeks to recall his past, but eventually she wanted him to trust her enough to open up. Too bad she had difficulty with the exact same thing.