Prompt: Can you please write a prompt about Deeks being interviewed by some famous magazine/ newspaper for being the oldest person to pass the FLETC and the others being jealous?
A/N: I'll start off by saying I don't know as part of a team that regularly goes undercover, if Deeks could be interviewed like this. I know in the original NCIS, there was an episode where one of the team was being considered for a promotional campaign, so I've gone that route. Hopefully you don't mind.
"Hey, we're on for Saturday," Deeks announced, sliding his phone back into his pocket as he walked back into the bullpen. He leaned on Kensi's desk, grinning at her.
"How many people are going to be there?" she asked, biting at the tip of her nail.
"Mm, maybe 10-15." He tilted his head in consideration. "I know you were a little hesitant at first, but I promise you it's going to be amazing. Nothing like your first time."
"I'm not nervous, I just don't want to do that thing where you put your-"
"Seriously guys, we're sitting right here," Sam interrupted loudly. "We don't need to hear about that."
Deeks turned to him, scrunching his face up.
"What exactly do you think we're talking about?"
"We know enough about your sex life as it is. I definitely don't want to know what you're doing with 10-15 other people." Sam made a revolted face while Callen leaned back in his chair, looking more intrigued than anything.
"We were talking about surfing," Kensi clarified, her expression unimpressed by Sam's accusation.
"With my veterans group," Deeks added. Sam had the good grace to look slightly abashed. Beside him, Callen chuckled softly to himself.
"Well, after all your PDAs and inappropriate stories over the years, you can't blame us," Sam said defensively.
"That's ok, Sam. We forgive you. You can join us if you want," Deeks offered, grinning at Sam's vaguely horrified look. "Hell, the whole office can come."
"That is a very generous invitation," Kilbride said unexpectedly from behind them. Deeks turned slowly, to face him more fully. As usual, the admiral was in a three-piece suit, bearing a look that perfectly expressed his distaste for the world at large. "However, surfing and other activities will have to wait. I need you in my office now, Deeks."
"Ooh, looks like you're in trouble, Deeks," Callen goaded him, sticking the end of his pencil in his mouth and winking. "A call to Kilbride's office is never good."
"My advice is whatever you're planning on saying, don't say it," Sam added helpfully. Offering a brief glare, Deeks pushed himself to his feet with a sigh. Assuming that Deeks would immediately follow, Kilbride was already halfway up the stairs.
"What do you think he wants?" Kensi asked, rising along with him, a shadow of concern in her eyes. Based on the past, he wondered if her thoughts had turned to clandestine undercover operations.
"I don't know," Deeks muttered, heading towards Kilbride's office.
Whatever it was, Deeks figured it couldn't be that serious since he honestly couldn't think of anything he'd done that would bring the Admiral's ire. Of course, Kilbride took offense at vanilla lattes and Deeks' fondness for what he referred to as "hippy music".
Kilbride was waiting by his desk, hands folded behind his back when Deeks walked in. He had a calculating look in his eye that out Deeks on edge and had him reaching for his hair before he remembered his bangs were a little too short to flop in his eyes anymore.
"Investigator Deeks," he said, gesturing for Deeks to close the door. "I suppose you've figured out why you're here. Nothing remains a secret on your team for long, which is unfortunate given your high level of security."
"Not really, Sir" Deeks arched an eyebrow. "Unless you take objection to my personal appearance again. I'd say it's significantly improved in the last year."
Kilbride's gaze shifted up to Deeks' hair, his lips pursing, but surprisingly he managed to keep any choice comments to himself.
"No, that's not my reason for talking to you today." He heaved a sigh and turned to his desk. "As you know, you stirred up a lot of talk and drama when you attended FLETC. You were one of the oldest recruits in the history of the academy and this agency."
"Thank you for the reminder, Sir," Deeks said wryly. Kilbride didn't react other than to
"You also happened to perform surprisingly well despite your advanced age," Kilbride continued. Deeks swore he saw the hint of a smirk play at the corner of his mouth, maybe acknowledging the irony of the term given his own feelings about Deeks' relative youth. "And that has garnered you a great deal of attention among your FLETC instructors and in turn, some of the higher ups at NCIS."
"That doesn't exactly sound like a terrible thing," Deeks said slowly, completely unsure where this was going.
"It's damn inconvenient." This time he actually allowed the smallest of smiles. "They want to interview you."
"Wouldn't that be a security risk?" Deeks asked, even as he tried to wrap his mind around the idea that anyone wanted to interview him. Least of all related to a time in his life that he often tried to forget.
"The interview would be conducted by someone from the NCIS PR team and wouldn't go beyond an educational and recruitment device," Kilbride explained. "Given your success, the agency is reconsidering its age limit policy when it comes to experienced law enforcement officers. If you decide to participate, then your interview will be a deciding piece in how to best train and utilize non-traditional recruits."
"If I decide…" Deeks trailed off pointedly.
"Yes, you have the option to decline." Tucking his hands into his pockets, Kilbride regarded him knowingly. "However, the agency, and your current leader would greatly appreciate if you took this one in a lifetime opportunity."
"Got it," Deeks said, figuring that was as close as he would ever get to a "please". "Alright, let's do it."