A/N: Written to countdown for the season 14 premiere. There will be a series of 14 stories; one for each season.

Kensi walked back into the boat shed, fresh from a coffee run. Last she'd seen, Deeks was on the phone with LAPD; apparently they still weren't super happy with NCIS' involvement in their case. Kensi felt just a tiny bit bad for him. Not enough to actually tell him so, but she'd cut down on the teasing.

She found Deeks all alone in the main room, head resting on his folded forearms. Apparently Sam and Callen had decided they trusted him enough to leave him unattended.

"Sleeping on the job already," she said loudly. Deeks didn't jump, but lifted his head slowly, rubbing his hands over his eyes. If he was startled by her presence at all, he didn't show it.

"Ah, I see you've come back to torment me, Agent Blye," he drawled, ending on a massive yawn. "C'mon, what d'ya got?" He still hadn't uncovered his eyes, seeming content to keep his palms pressed against his sockets indefinitely.

Crossing over to stand next to him, she jabbed his shoulder. "Actually, I got you a coffee." He uncovered one eye, the bruised one, staring at the cup she offered him.

"You bought me coffee?" he asked, sounding surprised.

"Yes. Now are you gonna take it?" He reached for it slowly and she rolled her eyes. "I promise it's not poisoned."

"Sounds like a likely story." Offering her a lopsided grin, he took a deep gulp, and groaned. "Oh my god, that's good."

He downed the rest of the cup while Kensi drank hers more leisurely. It was oddly companionable.

"So what's next for you?" Kensi asked.

"Well, as soon as I'm done here, I'm meeting with my boss, so that should be awesome." He tipped his chin up, drawing a breath between his teeth.

Another twinge of guilt hit her. He looked completely tired; the kind of exhaustion that didn't happen overnight. She wondered exactly how long he'd been working this case without a break.

"You know, that wasn't half bad," she commented, drawing a raised eyebrow from Deeks. "Coming in last minute to save Sam's life and all."

"Wow, that's high praise from you," he said after a moment.

"Yeah, well, don't let it go to your head, because I doubt I'll have a reason to say it again."

"So…" Deeks pursed his lips, "You're imagining that you and I will be spending more time together?"

"That is not what I said," Kensi insisted. "I don't think we'll need your services any time soon."

"Uh-huh. You know, you never told me whether or not that little story you gave me was drawing on real life experience," he said, folding his hands on the table.

"And that is my cue to leave."

"I'll find out eventually, Agent Kensi Blye."

"In your dreams, Detective," she called over her shoulder, repeating to herself that she most definitely did not find him charming. Or funny. Or like his ridiculous hair.