A/N: This is a reversal of "Denial", where Deeks had a girlfriend. Set early season 4.
Deeks pulls up in front of Kensi's apartment, tucking a coffee cup and bag with two donuts in it in one hand as he slides out his car, and starts up the sidewalk. Yesterday's case had wrapped early so they'd gone out for celebratory drinks, which had turned into a pretty late night. He figures Kensi will appreciate the caffeine and sugar, along with the opportunity to avoid battling LA traffic.
Knocking on the door a couple times, he rests his shoulder against the doorframe, waiting for sounds of life. When she doesn't answer a minute later, he knocks more loudly, calling through the door,
"Rise and shine partner! I know last night was rough, but you gotta get up sometime. You know how Sam gets if we're not at least ten minutes early." He hears the shuffle of feet, and takes a step back as the dead bolt is unlocked, expecting to be greeted by an irritated Kensi.
Instead, when the door swings open, he's met by a lanky blonde man who is definitely not Kensi.
"Can I help you?" he asks, not entirely welcoming. Deeks notices he places himself squarely between the door and doorframe, blocking Deeks from entering.
"Uh, yeah, I came to pick up Kensi," Deeks says, his usual wit escaping him for a second in the face of this unexpected development. "Who are you?"
The guy's dressed in a black button down and slacks, but Deeks mind is quickly running through the reasons why he might be answering Kensi's door. He's a few inches shorter than Deeks, with thick blonde hair cut just above his ears, and pale green eyes. Based on his build, Deeks would bet he's a runner.
"Peter, I told you I'd get the door," Kensi calls out, voice growing closer as she speaks. She sounds vaguely annoyed, and Peter steps back from the door as she hurried into the living room, tugging at the hem of her t-shirt, hair damp from a recent shower. "This isn't the best—"
Deeks knows the moment Kensi sees him because she breaks off suddenly, seeming as stunned as if Jack Dawson himself had shown up at her door. Her stride falters for just a second, before she recovers and finishes walking, stopping just short of Peter.
"Deeks."
"Morning, Kensi," he says amiably, arching an eyebrow. Peter glances between them, suspicion quickly turning to confusion.
"You know this guy?" He gestures to Deeks, but keeps his eyes on Kensi, arms folding over his chest.
"Yeah, this is, my coworker, Marty," Kensi answers, stumbling just the tiniest bit on his name, and then with what seems like extreme reluctance, adds, "And this is Peter."
"Nice to meet you," Peter says, though he sounds anything but pleased by Deeks' presence.
"Peter just stopped by with breakfast," Kensi adds after an awkward pause ensues.
"Ah, great minds, huh?" Deeks lifts the donuts and coffee, offering his other hand for a high five, which Peter ignores, scowling instead. "Alright then."
"Well, we better get going." Hastily shoving a pair of shoes on, and grabbing her keys from the table, Kensi rests her hand on Peter's forearm, letting go almost immediately.
"You didn't finish your breakfast," Peter says, sounding confused again, and just a touch irritated.
"I'll take it to go," Kensi says. "I'll call you later."
Peter looks like he might resist but she squeezes his arm again, whispering something Deeks doesn't quite catch. With a final glare in Deeks' direction, Peter kisses her cheek.
"See you later."
"So…he seems nice," Deeks comments once Peter is in his car and Kensi heads back into her apartment to grab shoes that aren't high heels and a bag. Deeks naturally follows after her, leaning in the doorway of her bedroom while she rushes around.
"You didn't mention you were seeing someone." He tries to conceal his jealousy, but doesn't think he quite hits the mark. "Not that you have to tell me about your personal life."
He's just her partner, the guy she smacked on the ass last week. No big deal.
"It's not that serious," Kensi tells him, and he's not sure who's she's trying to convince. "We've just been on a few dates."
"He brought you breakfast."
"So did you." Kensi turns around, implication heavy in her voice.
"That is true," he acknowledges. Kensi stares at him for a moment longer, waiting. For what, he's not sure. He wants to say more, something serious, but instead he goes with a teasing grin, shaking the bag with donuts. "But I think you'll agree that you enjoy my offering a lot more than whatever he brought."
"We hang out sometimes, we have fun, Deeks. Let's leave it at that," she says, her tone indicating that she's not in the mood for further discussion. He nods, running his hands through his hair as Kensi slips her bag over her head, and pushes past him. "Let's go."
"And you just missed your chance, Buddy," he mutters to himself.
