A/N: Well, I've probably filled my angst quota for some time with the last several stories. This one is not angsty at all and borders on the slightly ridiculous.
Deeks walked back down to the bullpen in a state of mild disbelief. Kilbride had informed he'd be setting up the interview in the next couple days, which felt completely surreal. Even if it was just for a federal project, he'd never imagined his relative success at FLETC would garner any significant attention.
"Hey, how'd it go?" Kensi asked, joining him at his desk, worrying at the thumbnail on her right hand. Deeks shook his head, looking up with what he was sure was a dazed expression.
"Uh, a lot different than I expected," he admitted.
"He better not be transferring you somewhere," Callen said warningly, eyes furrowed with an annoyed expression.
"No, he's not." Allowing a half-grin, Deeks shrugged. "I'm going to be interviewed. By someone from NCIS."
"What for?" Sam asked, frowning. Deeks didn't take his less than complimentary tone to heart. Kensi merely seemed surprised, her hand stilling on his arm.
"For my exemplary performance at FLETC," Deeks replied, directly quoting part of the letter Kilbride had shown him from PR office. "Apparently I impressed some of the instructors and a few NCIS administrators." He allowed a self-deprecating smile. "You know, for being ancient and everything."
"Babe, that's fantastic," Kensi exclaimed, finally breaking loose of her stunned silence. She hugged him firmly, squeezing his back. "I'm so happy for you."
Callen got up to give Deeks his own, less hands-on version of a hug.
"Congrats, Deeks. I never realized you could be awarded for being old." He smiled wryly, glancing back at Sam. "Hey, just think how much they'd want to interview you if you went back to FLETC. You're practically an octogenarian."
"You're hilarious," Sam retorted. "So what are they going to do with this interview?" he asked after offering Deeks a one-armed hug. "We're supposed to be under the radar, remember."
"I asked about that myself. According to Kilbride they're supposed to use it as some kind of recruitment or training tool." Deeks couldn't quite keep a small amount of pride out of his voice. As much of a hassle as this would probably turn out to be, he couldn't deny that the attention was kind of gratifying. "Remember, I received some of the highest possible scores on my assessments and was honored agent of the year," Deeks pointed out.
"Yeah, yeah, we remember." Looking grudgingly impressed, Sam crossed his arms over his chest. "Just for the record, if I wanted to, I could take FLETC again and do just the same as well as I did the first time."
Callen snorted, chuckling as his back condescendingly.
"You keep telling yourself that, Partner."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sam asked.
"Hey, big guy, I hate to say it, but you're not as fast as you used to be," Callen said with the air of somebody delivering terrible news. "It's ok though, I'm sure Rountree and Deeks will manage alright without us."
"You're going be managing without a partner if you keep this up."
"It's so sad when they argue," Deeks staged whispered to Kensi, winking in Sam's direction when he glared. Standing up, he paused to kiss her cheek. "Ok, I gotta run, see you later.
"Where are you going?" Kensi's asked, eyebrows starting to furrow again. "Isn't Kilbride done with you?"
"Yeah, but he wants me to get tailored for a new suit right away. Have to look my best for the interview after all."
"You know, you're making it very difficult to like you right now," Sam called after him as he cheerfully swung the handle of his messenger bag over his shoulder.
"It's here!" Kensi announced loudly, rushing into the bullpen ahead of Deeks with a magazine in one hand.
"Kens," Deeks said, rolling his eyes at her enthusiasm. She ignored him, squeezing between Sam and Callen, who had taken over Kensi's seat. She tossed the magazine, more of a small booklet really, and flipped it open, turning the first few pages.
"And there we have it, Ladies and Gentlemen, Investigator Martin Atticus Deeks through the eyes of NCIS's finest journalist."
Fatima and Rountree wandered over from their desks, joining the little group circled around Callen's desk.
"Is this Deeks' interview?" Fatima asked, smiling up at with genuine happiness. "Congrats!"
"Thanks. Yeah, they sent me a couple copies to look over yesterday," Deeks explained, starting to feel slightly embarrassed again.
The whole interview experience had been more straightforward than he'd expected, but no less weird. Similarly to his pre FLETC interview, Deeks had met the journalist and her team at the boat shed. The Public Affairs Officer, Amy Lieter, made it clear from the start that they were looking for positive presentation of the agency, without focusing too much on his personal life.
"Wow, that's quite the photo spread," Callen said, quickly flipping through the pages. He stopped on one that featured Deeks sitting on a stool, one leg propped up as he gazed at the camera, his head angled slightly to the right.
The photo shoot had been the most bizarre part of all, especially when the photographer made it clear that he fully intended to play up Deeks' physical attributes. He'd even gone so far as to ask Deeks if he'd consider getting a more "professional" haircut. Naturally, Deeks politely declined and Amy, somewhat surprisingly supported him, pointing out that Deeks represented the non-traditional candidates, hair and all.
"Ooh, looking sharp in that suit, Deeks!" Rountree commented, peering over Sam's shoulder. He reached out for a quick fist bump.
"The outtakes they sent are even better," Kensi shared with a smirk in Deeks' direction.
"No, you can't see them," Deeks said before anyone could ask. Fatima and Rountree looked briefly disappointed. The desire behind their curiosity wasn't clear, but Deeks immediately decided he would be burning those extra photos.
"Alright, let's see what Investigator Deeks has to say," Sam spoke up, drawing attention back to the magazine. "Ahem. Investigator Deeks, or Deeks as he prefers to be called, is a former LAPD detective. I sat down with him to discuss his experience making the leap to a federal employee.
AL: Deeks, what made you decide to peruse a different position after more than a decade as a detective?
MD: Well, to be honest, I wasn't planning on leaving LAPD at that time. Unfortunately, there were some staffing changes and in order to stay working with NCIS and my team, I decided to attend FLETC.
AL: I see. How would you describe your training there? You are admittedly older than the average attendee so I imagine it was a unique challenge.
MD: It definitely was difficult at first. You know, acclimating to a learning environment, and as you mentioned, many excellent candidates who were significantly younger than me. The first few days were pretty rough, but eventually I figured out how to utilize all those years of experience you talked about. I had the benefit of working in the field, with a team, making split-second decisions when it really matters.
AL: Can you give an example of when your experience was beneficial?"
"Ok, I think that's enough," Deeks interrupted Sam loudly. "You guys don't need to hear all that."
"I was enjoying myself," Callen said, snatching up the magazine. His eyes lit up as he scanned through the article. "Ooh, here we go. 'In addition to his invaluable work as an NCIS Investigator, Marty Deeks is happily married, an avid surfer, and practices law in his spare time."
"I didn't realize you were seeing clients," Fatima said distractedly, sparing Deeks a glance before she returned to perusing the part of the magazine she could see from behind Callen.
"Ok, I never said I still practice law." Deeks held up a finger. "All I told her was that I got my start as a lawyer and still maintain my license."
"Uh-huh." Callen grinned at him. "She also says you were charming and a highly stimulating interviewee."
"Where did it say that?" Kensi asked, trying to peer around him. "I didn't read that."
"I paraphrased."
"And that's why Kilbride keeps having you redo your reports," Sam joked, tugging the magazine from Callen's grip. He tossed it to Deeks, who caught it against his chest. "Nicely done, Deeks. I know I teased you a lot about it, but we couldn't have a better man representing the agency."
"Thank you, Sam," Deeks said gratefully.
"I couldn't agree more," Kensi said, walking over and kissing his cheek. "The best, sexiest investigator NCIS has to offer." Deeks grinned, ignoring the various groans and noises of distaste as he dipped Kensi back and kissed her soundly.
A/N: I hope you all don't mind the direction I took this and that I didn't include the actual interview in whole.