Chapter 9

Deeks hummed as he walked into the Mission, the bag with the borrowed tux over his shoulder. He had enjoyed his weekend greatly. When he and Kensi had dropped the two girls off Saturday night, or rather Sunday morning, the Sheltons had been grateful and thanked them profusely. Mrs. Shelton had pulled them aside and asked how much trouble the girls had really gotten into. Deeks had admitted that it could have gotten bad, but stressed that Meaghan had done the smart thing, had gone into the one place she would be safe and called him. Kensi brought up her suggestion of getting the two girls self defense lessons, even volunteering to teach them herself. Mrs. Shelton had looked thoughtful and then agreed. She would discuss it with her husband and Valerie's parents. They would be talking later in the week to start the ball rolling.

The rest of the weekend had been spent hanging with his partner. He had even caved in to her request to meet Karen, the woman who had taught him to waltz. He had called his friend on Sunday and they now had an appointment for dance lessons on Wednesday evening. He actually found himself looking forward to it.

He didn't glance into the bullpen as he walked over to wardrobe to drop off the bag. If he had, he might have kept going. Thanking Sheila for checking in the clothes, he turned and found the rest of his team already at their desks, watching him, two of the three trying hard not to laugh. He frowned and walked over. "What's going on? What's so funny?"

Callen just shook his head. Sam sucked in his lips, trying to hold in his laughter. Kensi looked at him weird, not sure how he was going to take this. He put his messenger bag on his desk and pulled out his chair to find a top hat, white gloves and a walking cane resting on it. "Very funny, you guys, very funny. Just because one of us has a little class, doesn't mean you need to feel threatened." turning it back on them.

Sam opened his mouth to retort when Hetty spoke up from behind Deeks, scaring him half to death. Would he ever get used to her appearing out of thin air like that? Probably not. "Mr. Deeks. I have it on good authority that you lied to me." He turned to look at her, trying to determine what it was she was talking about.

"Am I in trouble?" he asked.

"That depends."

"On what?"

"On your performance in the gym. Everyone head there now." she made shooing motions with her hands. Honestly, it was like trying to herd cats to get this team headed in the direction she wanted them to during down time. "Oh, and Mr. Hanna, Mr. Callen? A top hat and cane, when used by a handsome, well dressed man, can be quite…intoxicating."

Callen's eyes widened and he grimaced at some image that passed through his head at her words. Sam just looked revolted. Kensi eyed the top hat, gloves and cane with interest. She decided she'd try to get Deeks to dress up and use them, just to see if Hetty was right, of course. They trooped into the gym to find Nell, Eric and, of all people, Granger, waiting for them. The mats had been cleared away and an ipod sat in a speaker on a table along the left wall of the room. Deeks had a very bad feeling about this.

"Now, Mr. Deeks. Some time ago, I tried to get you to waltz with your partner to develop trust. You stumbled around the gym like a drunken monkey, stepping on your partner's toes, mumbling something about bikinis. I've been told that you danced with the Admiral's daughter at her party and did so quite well, in fact. I would like to do this exercise again, this time with your full cooperation. Am I understood?"

He sighed and nodded, looking at his team. Callen, Sam and Kensi had already seen him waltz but he now had four additional observers and he was starting to sweat a little. Hetty moved to the ipod and hit play. The strains of the Blue Danube filled the gym and Hetty said "You may begin." gesturing towards Kensi.

Smiling, he went and stood in front of their diminutive operations manager, put his left arm behind him, bowed to her and held out his hand, saying "Miss. Lange, may I have the great honor of this dance?"

Startled, she looked up at him, then smiled and said "Cheeky bugger!" but she put her hand in his and allowed him to swing her into the dance. As he led her around the floor, it should have looked comical to the others, the difference in their ages and heights being so striking. Instead the two moved in perfect unison and there was nothing remotely amusing about it. Nell, Eric and Granger, not having seen Deeks dance at the Cotillion, stood with open mouths. Nell found herself sighing and holding her hands over her heart. It was so beautiful, so romantic. She just couldn't get over the fact that it was Deeks and Hetty. The music came to an end and the two dancers faced each other. Hetty gave him a small curtsy as he bowed to her. He led her back to the others.

After a pause, the sounds of the Skaters Waltz issued from the ipod. Still smiling and feeling more confident, Deeks turned to the other bystanders and bowed to Nell. "Ms. Jones, shall we?" Nell giggled and put her hand in his. She had no idea how to waltz but she could follow. Watching him dance with Hetty, she had complete confidence in him. Again, as they moved around the room to the sound of the lovely music echoing off the walls of the gym, the watchers were impressed as Deeks moved his partner through the turns, seeming to float on air, never letting Nell falter. Kensi knew her turn was coming and felt her heart flutter in her chest. This was going to be something she remembered for a long time. The music ended once again and Deeks executed the same bow, Nell fumbling a little with her curtsy, already determined to drag Eric to dance lessons as soon as possible. By the look on Eric's face, he knew exactly what was going on in his partner-in-crime's head and, truthfully, if she didn't suggest it, he might.

Deeks looked at Kensi as he returned Nell to her original spot, their eyes locking. He hadn't been able to dance with her at the Cotillion, it would have made it hard for them to keep an eye on their respective Sheltons. It was something that he had regretted deeply and was glad he was about to remedy. The idea of holding her in his arms under the guise of the dance was irresistible. The beautiful music of Johann Stauss's The Waltz King filled the gym. He bowed to her and simply held out his hand. She put hers in it, feeling as jittery as a girl on her first date. He smiled down at her.

"Are you ready?" his words holding much more meaning than just about the dance.

She smiled up at him, her heart in her eyes and replied "Yes." the single word also meaning so much more to the two of them. Whatever this thing was between them, it was going to be resolved soon. Neither had any question in their minds on the direction they would be heading, together. He then swept her away to another world while their friends/family looked on.

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A/N - suggestions from OhBuddy66 pretty much inspired the whole of the additional chapters, including playing the violin for Kensi, Meaghan getting into trouble, meeting the band and Deeks waltzing with Hetty. Thanks again!