Deeks entered the bullpen early on a Wednesday morning. A surprising turn of events. He was almost always last. He made a mental note to sleep in an extra five minutes tomorrow and sat at his desk, ignoring the growing pile of paper work and deciding instead to tear up paper, scrunch them into balls, and try to land them in the open top draw of Kensi's desk.

The first missed. The second missed. And the third never got thrown because he was interrupted by a voice.

"Good morning." Cheery. Wide awake. Overly sweet. Sandy.

And indeed, Deeks turned in his chair to find Sandy smiling down at him.

"Morning," he mumbled, trying to look suddenly interested in his paper work.

She took a seat at the desk Hetty had set up for her, inconveniently just next to his.

"So we have the party at Patrick Holland's house today. You ready for it?"

She was referring to the latest case. A politician named Patrick Holland was hosting a benefit for a charity that he didn't seem to care much about, and had invited an odd mix of people. Evidence the team had found in the last few days pointed to a possible drug trafficking ring. So today, they were crashing that party to find out.

"Should be interesting," he replied, deliberately not showing any interest at all. "I'm hoping Kensi will be allowed back out there today."

"Mmm? You think she's ready?"

"Yep. She's not back to her full strength. But most people's full strength won't stand a chance against 10% of Kensi's," he chuckled.

"So um, do you think she's coping alright with us being partners?" Sandy asked with a faux-concerned smile on her face.

Deeks stopped pretending to read and looked at Sandy. "Uh, Sandy… I thought it had been made clear to you by now that Kensi is still my partner. I'm sorry, but your position here is temporary."

Sandy's expression didn't change. "I know it's a lot to take in right now. But we work well together, Marty. We're good together. Surely, you've seen that over the last few weeks."

Deeks had to admit, she was a good agent. And yes, maybe they worked well together. But only because he was also good at his job. They were two people who excelled at their jobs and therefore excelled together. But he and Kensi were so much more than that. Their skill level was low on the list of reasons they worked well together. Sandy just didn't see it.

She continued before he'd formed a response. "Hetty sees it too. And Granger. Even Director Vance is pleased with what we've been doing in the last few weeks. Kensi's a good agent. She won't have any problems finding another—"

"Okay." Deeks stood and walked around to space on the other side of his desk, suddenly unable to sit that close to Sandy. "See, I'm not sure what world you're living in but it must be different to the world I'm living in because where I'm coming from, and I'm going to be brutally honest here – there is no way in hell you are ever going to take Kensi's job. And unfortunately for you, the world I'm living in is the same world Hetty's living in, and Callen. And let's face it, no one ever knows what Granger's thinking, but I'm pretty sure it's not what you're thinking."

"Sure, okay," Sandy conceded, though it was clear she didn't really understand.

Deeks forced himself to take a seat at his desk once again. He pulled one of the file folders off the top of the piles on his desk and began flicking through it. But his concentration was broken when he felt light fingertips on his forearm. He stopped working and looked up at Sandy, resisting the urge to yank his arm away.

"Marty, are we okay?"

Not really.

Not at all.

"Sure."

She smiled sweetly. "Okay. I'm looking forward to this op today. Even if it's just for a while, I enjoy being partners with you."

The woman was crazy, Deeks decided. She didn't take a hint. A very, very strong hint at that. Should he respond? Was it worth it? She wouldn't get it anyway. Clearly, she was intent on taking Kensi's job. If she'd already spoken to Granger and Vance… Well, that can't be good.

But Deeks wouldn't have it. He'd show Sandy how great he and Kensi were together. He'd show her that she can't worm her way into this team, or into this partnership. Somehow, he'd show her. And most importantly, he'd show Kensi.

…

Deeks entered the shooting range, SIG in hand. But he wasn't here for target practice. No. He was there because there was a certain someone else in there who actually was practicing.

Every time she shot, she got the mark almost exactly in the centre. On the head. In the chest. Perfect every time. When she'd emptied her magazine, she put her gun down and pulled the muffs off her ears, pressing the button that delivers her practice target closer so she can see the results. But Kensi and Deeks both knew her results would be perfect again.

"I see the ankle hasn't affected your aim."

Kensi turned to him, wearing a proud smirk. "My ankle is perfectly fine thank-you very much."

"You're just saying that so they'll let you back out there today."

"Whatever, Deeks."

"Walk."

She turned to him, leaning on one hip, arms crossed. "What?"

"I want to see how well you're walking now."

"Fine." She'd taken four steps towards him when he expected her to turn around and begin walking the other way. But she didn't. She took another few steps. Deeks' breath caught as she approached, far closer than he'd ever expected her to. Their toes almost met when she finally stopped, looking up at him innocently. "How does it look?"

Deeks cleared his throat, allowing a small grin to form on his lips as he looked down at her, feeling her breath tickling his neck. His mouth felt dry all of a sudden and he forced himself to swallow. "Looks…looks good. Very," he cleared his throat again, "very good."

She smiled sweetly and blinked once, twice, three times. She was deliberately being adorable. And he was defenseless against her clever ways. "Good."

Then she turned, the ends of her hair flicking his face as she did so. She walked to the end of the room then turned and crossed half the distance back to him. "See, I can walk fine."

"You're limping."

"You're seeing things."

"Can you run?"

"I can," she answered far too quickly. "Sometimes."

"Kens, you don't have to do this." Deeks leaned against the wall as he spoke.

"Yes, I do. It's been almost four weeks. I need this job back. I need my life back. And that Sandy woman is going to take it away from me if I don't—"

"What?" Deeks stepped towards her. "Kens, that's not happening."

Kensi crossed her arms, her typical way of distancing herself from him. "I heard her talking to Granger. She's a more experienced agent. Her father works directly under Director Vance. She's been after a position at this branch of NCIS for years."

"Yeah, but—"

"Think about it, Deeks. I was a murder suspect not too long ago. Went completely off the grid. The year before this, I got kidnapped. Twice. I've let my emotions get far too involved in several cases recently. And to top all that off, I went and sprained my ankle."

"Actually, I sprained your ankle."

"Deeks…"

Deeks had no idea if she was about to say something and stopped, or if she simply said his name to get him to think seriously about what she was saying. But it didn't really matter. It was the look on her face that worried him most. It was a look of defeat. Of failure.

"Why do you focus on all that stuff, Kens? That stuff is so minor compared to all the good you've done. Callen and Hetty see that too. And I'm sure if Granger and Vance got the right perspective, so would they."

Kensi nodded, evidently unconvinced.

Deeks dared another step closer. "You have nothing to prove to me, Kensi. Or to this team. You're not going anywhere, okay? We won't let it happen. I won't let it happen."

She smiled as she nodded this time. That was progress.

"I just…" she begun, but then her voice faded as her thoughts seemed to take over again.

"Just…?"

"Never mind." She shook her head. "It'll be good to get back into it today."

"What were you going to say?"

"Hmm?"

"Just then. You started saying something."

"It's nothing. It was nothing."

"Kens, need I remind you that I know your weak spot now?"

She looked at him questioningly, but he was sure she knew what he was talking about.

He stepped towards her, hands outstretched towards her waist. Her weak spot. Her ticklish spot.

"No, Deeks." She stepped back, but he matched her steps until her back touched the wall behind her. "Deeks. Be good. Be professional."

She sounded stern. She probably would have fooled anyone else. But Deeks could see through it. She had started laughing even before he reached her.

"No-o!" She yelled just as his hands reached her waist.

He was surprised, really. He'd expected her to either slap his hands away or confess. But she'd done neither so far.

"You ready to speak up, Blye?" He spoke above her laughs and protests.

"Yes! Stop. I'll talk."

Reluctantly he withdrew his hands, somewhat disappointed that she'd surrendered so quickly. He looked at her expectantly. "So…?"

She wore a bright smile that bore just a hint of vulnerability. He hardly ever saw that smile, and he'd learned to appreciate it.

"It's just… It sucks. Watching her be your partner instead of me. And uh—I'm looking forward to having you back."

Deeks felt his smile widen and he suddenly felt very self conscious about it. But he couldn't help it. He was smiling like an idiot!

He looked down at his feet, suddenly feeling awkward. Maybe bashful?

Pull it together, Deeks.

"Hey, so you know – today I'll be partnered with Sandy."

"I know."

"But I want you to know I'll have your back out there. You're still my partner. Even when she's supposed to be. It's you I'm looking out for."

"Okay," Kensi grinned, looking exceptionally pleased. "I'll see you on the field then, partner."

"See you then." Deeks turned, intending to leave Kensi to finish her target practice. He had to admit, he was definitely satisfied with how that talk went.

But as he opened the door to exit, he was met by Sandy, gun in hand. Apparently the shooting range was a popular location this time of morning.

"Hey Deeks. Morning, Kens."

Funny how she used Kensi's short name like they were the best of friends. Maybe she really was that oblivious.

"Sandy," Kensi greeted her, matching the faux-friendly manner that Sandy always exhibited.

Deciding this was too interesting a sight to pass up, Deeks turned and leaned against the door. Partially because he thought it could be entertaining. Partially because he worried how Kensi might react to Sandy's taunting. He couldn't have his partner committing murder on her first day back.

"So I heard you're coming to the benefit with the rest of us today," Sandy offered conversation.

Kensi nodded. "Nell got my alias a job as a waitress."

"Oh nice. Marty and I are playing some snobby, rich couple. Right, Marty?"

Deeks nodded unenthusiastically. "That's right."

"Well, I'm sure you'll enjoy your first day back on the field. If you need any advice or have any questions, let me know." Sandy turned to face her shooting target, lifted her gun and aimed carefully, she shot five times before stopping and lowering her gun, placing it back in her holster. She smiled, first at Deeks then at Kensi, evidently pleased with her five shots, most of which were in the center circle on the target's torso.

"Thanks, Sandy." Kensi tilted her head and smiled sweetly. "I'll remember that."

Then without breaking eye contact with Sandy, Kensi extended her gun towards her target and shot twice. Without a word, she tucked the gun behind her back and exited the shooting range, winking at Deeks as she left.

And the look on Sandy's face when she saw Kensi's target – one bullet directly between where the eyes would be, and one in the dead center of the torso – was absolutely priceless.

A/N: Hi all! Just another big thanks for reading. Also, my apologies for any mistakes. I'm super tired today. And also, sorry for mistakes in previous chapters. I know they're there, I just can't be bothered fixing them. So bear with me! The next chapter will depict the events that will occur in the op they have been talking about in this chapter, so stay tuned and enjoy :)