Prompt: Write something about the Rage (6x20) promo pictures, specifically Callen's and Kensi's clothes.

A sharp pain pierces his finger and he winces, sucking it between his teeth. Perhaps it's a sign that he shouldn't open the manila envelope he'd been fingering for the last ten minutes. It has been sitting in his desk drawer for nearly four years now, completely ignored because it's never been deemed necessary in his mind. He can't even believe he's considering now.

Would it be the easy way out, to resign from LAPD amidst an Internal Affairs investigation and join NCIS before his career is ruined? His mind is telling him it's the smart thing to do. His heart says that he knows he's a good cop and that misunderstandings and misinformation can be cleared up. This will not break him. He won't let it.

"It's gonna be okay, Deeks."

"Hmm?" He turns to look at Sam and sees that the older agent has a small smirk on his face.

"This assignment, Kensi and Callen. It's just part of the job."

Great, thanks for the reminder. As if he doesn't have enough on his plate, his partner is about to go undercover as someone else's girlfriend so they can worm their way into a white supremacist group. God, he needs a distraction from life. "I dunno, Sam, I think it would be more interesting if you went undercover as Callen's life partner. It wouldn't be much of a stretch for you two."

"Cute," Sam says, rolling his eyes.

Just then Kensi walks awkwardly into the bullpen, wearing the tightest tee shirt and jeans he's ever seen in his life. And that's saying something, he used to work in Vice. This is just the distraction he needed. "Speaking of cute…"

"Deeks," she warns her partner as she stands up to check her out.

"Hot Topic called, they said they want their 'best of the 90s' collection back," he teases, grinning.

She tugs her shirt lower, still failing to cover her midriff. "Funny."

"Actually, that's a lie, even they don't want those clothes back." Kensi glares at him and reaches into her desk, pulling an elastic hair band out and sliding it on her wrist. Bending over reveals a large tattoo on her back, and suddenly the outfit is a whole lot hotter. "Holy henna, Batman."

Before she can make a remark about his ogling, Callen joins the group, looking just as ridiculous as Kensi. Deeks mentally high-fives the gods for providing him with so much mocking material. Pointing his finger at Callen's jeans, he asks, "Are those boyfriend jeans?"

Callen narrows his eyes. "What are boyfriend jeans?"

"What? No, I dunno," he lies. "What's with these outfits? White supremacists can't buy new clothes?"

"Fashion isn't a top priority," Callen answers, curling his lip.

"Then how did you land this sexy lady?" Deeks wiggles his eyebrows and runs a finger along the exposed skin on her back. Noticing that Sam and Callen are paying him no attention anymore, he speaks softly in her ear. "Where's your gun?"

"Purse."

"Knife?"

"Boot."

He nods, and she tilts her head and smiles. That smile can make him momentarily forget all of his problems. "Be safe?"

Kensi leans over and places a chaste kiss on his lips, catching him completely off-guard. Everyone knows about their relationship now, but they still make it a point to minimize it at work. Maybe she did it they both need reassurance today. "Everything's going to be fine."

Smiling, Deeks nods and ignores the groans from the senior agents on the team. He trusts her, and he believes her. "Okay."