Prompt: There are stories where Sam and Callen are asked about working with Deeks because it must be a chore. Can you do a story where someone sympathizes/commiserates with Deeks that he has to work with them. It would be nice for the someone to give him credit for working with them and their attitudes toward him even though he's proven himself over and over.
A/N: I'm sorry for how long it took me to get to this prompt. This is sent in season 4.
"No Deeks, I am not going with you to a surfing championship. I hear enough about swells and boards from you every single day, I don't need that times several hundred."
"Oh c'mon, it'll be fun," Deeks wheedled, nudging Kensi's shoulder as they strolled into the mission. He'd been chipping away at her for most of the drive in, and knew he was close to getting her to agree.
"Is this all some ploy to see me in a bikini again?" Kensi asked, turning to him with her hands on her fists, a smirk tugging at her upper lip.
"Kens, I'm insulted. I would never, ever do something like that. However, if you feel compelled to wear the recommended attire for a surfing competition, who am I to stop you." He gave Kensi his most persuasive grin, lowering his voice. "You know you want to see my skills."
Kensi looked him up and down, raising an eyebrow.
"That's assuming I find your, ahem, skills impressive," she retorted, turning around to better enjoy his reaction.
"Meow." They turned into the bullpen where Callen, Sam and a man Deeks didn't recognize were already gathered. "Oh hey, didn't realize we had visitors."
"Kensi, Deeks, this is Agent Jeffrey Carrillo from the Florida field office," Callen introduced. "Carrillo, this is Agent Kensi Blye, and LAPD Liaison Marty Deeks."
"Don't worry, despite his looks, he's harmless," Sam added with a smirk.
"Thanks," Deeks drawled, reaching out to shake Jeffrey Carrillo's hand. "Nice to meet you Jeffrey."
"You too. And it's Jeff."
"So, what brings you to LA," Kensi asked. "That's kind of a trip."
"It is," he agreed. "I had a prisoner transport up this way and your boss, Hetty, asked if I could stick around for a couple cases. Apparently my boss couldn't refuse. Literally."
"Sounds about right," Deeks said, already liking Jeff. He had a head of tight brown curls, deeply tanned skin, and an infectious smile.
"Deeks, you think you can handle showing Jeff around?" Callen asked.
"I'll try not to get lost."
"Then Kensi can catch you up on our operations," Sam added. Deeks resisted the urge to roll his eyes at being relegated to tour guide, and gestured for Jeff to follow him.
"So that's OPS, where Nell and Eric, otherwise known as the Wonder Twins rule. You'll love them," Deeks explained, calling back on his experience leading campus tours in college. "They do all kinds of wizardry that the rest of us can't even begin to comprehend."
"Can't wait," Jeff said, smiling as he followed along at a leisurely pace.
"Any questions so far?"
"Not about the building. But I am curious about the liaison part. How does that work?"
"I'm pretty sure Hetty completely invented the position just so she could recruit me from LAPD a few years ago. I'm supposed to act as a go between for NCIS and the police, most days I'm essentially acting as an agent," Deeks told him, suck in a sharp breath. "Just don't tell Sam, Callen, or Kensi I said that."
"Wow, I can't believe you've made it through that long working with Hanna and Callen," Jeff commented, shaking his head. "That's impressive."
"Wait, you know Sam and Callen?"
"Oh yeah, my previous team had a joint case with them years ago. It must have been before your time. I was just a little rookie fresh out of FLETC back then, but I saw how they treated anybody that didn't live up to their ridiculous and very particular standards." Jeff shook his head again, glancing significantly at Deeks. "But I bet you know all about that."
"How'd you guess?"
"Well, let's see. The condescending jokes were a big hint. You also don't look the part, which I personally am a huge fan of. And you aren't afraid to speak your mind," Jeff listed off with a shrug. "From what I remember, those are all top hits in the "Sam Hanna least favorite things" playlist."
"Did you get the LA Special Treatment package too?" Deeks asked, discreetly looking Jeff over. He wouldn't exactly consider him a rebel at first glance.
"Oh, no. I was too scared not to fall into line as back then," Jeff answered with a chuckle. "Which I kind of regret now. There were a couple of people on my old team though who were not your typical agents at all, but they were amazing at what they did. Callen and Hanna just kind of walked all over them a lot. Or made those jokes that are just a little too unkind to be funny. Never sat well with me."
"I could say they mean well, but that's not always true." Deeks grinned wryly. "It sucked at first, but for the most part it's way better than my first few months."
"Geez." Jeff gave him a look of disbelief. "Now I respect you even more for sticking it out. And that's why as soon as this little trial period is over, I'm headed back home to Florida. I did this because Hetty insisted, but even she can't convince me to make the switch.
"Understandable," Deeks said. "Though if you ever change your mind, I've got your back."
"I appreciate that, Deeks. Same here. And if you ever need to vent, I'm just a call away."
"You got a deal, brother."
A/N: Yes, this was a little harsh on Sam and Callen, but sometimes they don't play so nicely.
