For Guest, who asked for something Halloween related.
Kensi sighs and brushes the wrappers off her lap and onto the floor. She pushes off the couch and makes her way to the door, grabbing the big bowl of chocolates as she goes. She's down to about a dozen fun-sized candy bars, which means it's probably time to turn out the porch light. If she maintains her "give one, eat one" rule then she can only feed about six more kids.
She adjusts her tiara, plasters on a smile, and swings open the door.
"Trick or treat!"
Her partner stands on her doorstep, hands tucked into the pockets of his grey hoodie, smirk firmly in place.
"I have a no-costume, no-treat rule, you know."
"Really?"
"Luckily, you came as a homeless man."
He makes a face.
She tosses him a Snickers.
"You going to let me in?"
She pretends to think about it.
"You better decide quick, 'cause I just passed some zombies, two Captain Americas, and a pair of witches who all looked really hungry. You wouldn't want them to deplete your stash."
She sort of hates that he knows her so well. "Hurry up."
He follows her inside, flipping off the exterior light and closing the door behind him. He toes off his shoes before planting himself in the center of her couch.
She grabs a Butterfinger and sets the bowl on the coffee table. "I figured you'd be out at some trashy bar picking up fake nurses."
He scoffs. "You know very well I prefer real nurses."
"Beggars can't be choosers."
"So mean."
She smiles brightly.
"How about you? No masquerade ball?"
She shrugs. "Nah. I figured I'd support local dentistry instead."
"Ever the philanthropist." He nudges her with his shoulder. "You doing okay?"
She shakes her head once, telling him to drop it. "I told you already, Deeks. It's just a scratch."
"I didn't mean physically, Kens."
"I'm fine."
"Fine?"
"Great. I'm fantastic. Super, even." She looks at him pleadingly. "Can we get on with our lives?"
"Can I just state for the record that I don't believe you?"
"Yes, councillor." She rolls her eyes. "The record shall so reflect."
"Okay." He points to the television. "Creepshow 3 started ten minutes ago."
"Oh, god. There are three of them?"
He wiggles his eyebrows. "I hear it's the worst horror film ever made."
She reaches for the remote. "Sold."
Deeks leans forward and grabs the bowl as she flips through the channels. "Snickers or Milky Way?"
"Snickers."
He tosses her the candy and opens the other for himself.
"That's all you get," she says as she leans back into the couch. "The rest are mine."
He laughs and settles in beside her. "Yes, princess."
"Get it?" he asks when she doesn't laugh. "Princess. 'Cause you're wearing a tiara."
"Yes, Deeks, I got it."
"You sure? 'Cause that should have at least drawn a smile."
"I'm sure."
"You want me to try it again, now that you're prepared?"
"Please, no."
"I feel like I earned some sort of positive affirmation."
She does her fakest, most obnoxious laugh.
He smiles. "Now was that so hard?"
"Just watch the damn show."
"Yes, your majesty."
This time when she laughs, it's for real.
She's not fine, she knows it. But she can safely say that right at this moment she's feeling a whole lot better.