As Kensi neared the building, wolf-whistles came from the gang members loitering outside. She faked a polite smile, acting though she was flattered when really she was gagging inside. She hated pigs like them who had no respect for women. She continued into the workshop in search for Santo, who she quickly spotted across the other side of the room.

All eyes were on Kensi as she strolled in. Men were looking her up and down, appreciating the way her tight clothes clung to her gorgeous, toned body. The way she showed off her body and her enticing curves was enough to make any man drool, as Deeks knew all too well.

The tall and slender brunette approached Santo Rivera sporting her best smile, "Excuse me, my car just broke down outside, can you help me?" she asked as she flipped her hair, sounding far too pathetic for her liking. No way would Kensi Marie Blye ever need help with a car, let alone ask for help. Santo turned to face Kensi and his draw dropped as soon as he laid eyes on her.

"Sure thing Chica, where's your car?" he asked.

"Just out here" she replied as she led the way.

"What is the problem?" Santo asked as they neared the vehicle where Deeks was waiting.

"Actually there is no problem, sorry, we just needed to talk to you in private" Kensi told him as both agents flashed their badges. The look of fear and panic was immediately evident on Santo's face. He definitely knew something, and whatever it was, it had him worried.

"I haven't done anything wrong. I don't roll with these guys" Santos said as he gestured over his shoulder to the gang members behind him. "I just work here, I keep my head down and stay out of trouble, I have kids to support I don't need their kind of trouble".

"You're not in trouble" Deeks reassured him. "We are here about Eduardo Sandoval, you know him?"

"Yeah Ed's my buddy, we grew up together, he is like a brother to me, is he in trouble?"

"I'm sorry Santo, Eduardo was found dead this morning. His last call was made to your phone. Can you tell us what that was about?" Kensi asked.

"He's dead? Oh god! I knew something was up. It was hard to tell what he was talking about, he was panicking hard. Telling me how he thought someone was following him and how he witnessed some pretty heavy shit go down. He reckoned that was why someone was after him" Santo told Deeks and Kensi.

"Did he mention any names? Or what it was that he saw that might have gotten him into trouble?" Deeks asked.

"Nah man like I said, he was panicking. He sounded so paranoid. Whatever it was, it probably had something to do with his brother. Javier was always pushing him to join the Cartel. Look man that's all I'm saying ok" Santo said as he glanced over his shoulder at the gang members standing outside the workshop. "I don't want any of the trouble they bring, know what I'm saying" he continued as he began pretending to check under the hood of the car.

"No worries man, thanks for your time" Deeks said, as Kensi jumped into the car and started it up, giving Santo a thumbs up selling the car trouble scam. Deeks shook Santo's hand and thanked him again.

"Hey Deeks, can you drive? I've got a bit of a headache" Kensi said, which was a complete lie and Deeks knew that but let it slide anyway. She just wasn't in the right head space.

The car ride back was once again awkwardly silent. Kensi's mind was on one thing, she was worried about the investigation into the shooting. Although she knew she did what needed to be done, and that it had been the right call. She had save Deeks life. But still, with the investigation in the hands of LAPD and not NCIS, Kensi was worried.

The events of that night replayed over and over in her head like a scene from a movie, stuck on repeat. She wished there was a way to turn it off, a way to make it all go away. All she ever wanted was to feel loved again. To feel like she had a future with all the things she had dreamt of when she was with Jack.

Deeks being the master of mind reading when it came to his partner sensed the change in Kensi's mood took it upon himself to make her smile again. He loved to see her smile, and he loved even more to be the one to bring out that beautiful smile. He felt like he had something special with his partner when he was the only one who knew how to cheer her up when she was unhappy. Sometimes he knew her better than she knew herself.

"Hey Kens, how about we take a little detour?" Deeks smiled over at his partner with that cute mischievous smile.

"Where to?" she asked looking slightly confused. After all they were in the middle of a case.

"You'll see in a minute, trust me"

Kensi did her best to wait patiently as Deeks drove them to their destination, but patience wasn't exactly one of her strong suits. When she realised where they were she couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. As they pulled up outside her favourite bakery Deeks looked over at her and gave her a big cheesy smile.

"Deeks" she said softly, so quiet it was barely a whisper.

"I thought you could use a sugary treat princess, anything to make you smile" he grinned at her.

Kensi felt the butterflies awaken in her stomach, fluttering around like crazy. It was almost impossible for her to contain her emotions. The fact that Deeks knew exactly what would cheer her up and when she needed it. He could read her mind and knew what was going on inside her head even if she didn't. It gave Kensi a strange feeling. Something she hadn't felt for a long time. Since… since Jack. She felt like someone had finally broken down the walls that she had built around her heart and discovered the real Kensi.

She leant over and gave Deeks a kiss on his scruffy cheek. Her lips lingering a moment longer than just a friendly peck. The feel of her warm, soft lips on his cheek made his skin tingle. Even after she had pulled away, it was as though he could still feel her touch. He looked into her eyes, a wide grin plastered on his face.

"You're welcome partner" was all he managed to say, still stunned from the sweet kiss he had just received from the woman he loved. Even though he couldn't tell her…