A/N: Here's the second part of the story where Admiral Kilbride mistakenly thinks he caught Kensi and Deeks in an illicit moment. Beware the angst.
Deeks stood in Kilbride's office, arms crossed as the man continued to berate them. Kensi stood next to him, her arms tucked behind her back as though she were on trial.
In a way, he guessed they were. He was dying to explain what had really happened, but Kensi was insistent that it would only make things worse. To keep himself from speaking out, Deeks kept his jaw tightly clenched, until it felt like he might cause permanent damage to his teeth.
"So, Agent Blye, Investigator Deeks," he growled, eyeing them like they were misbehaving children as he paced back and forth for a minute. He reminded Deeks of a half dozen principals who had similar views of his behavior.
Up to this point, he and Kilbride had gotten along well enough. Sure, at times he could literally see the man's blood pressure rising, but he typically put up with Deeks idiosyncrasies with minimal grumbling.
"I'll admit, I've dealt with fraternization issues before, but this is an entirely new ballgame. What was Hetty thinking allowing a married couple to be on the team? It's just trouble waiting to happen."
"Sir, if I can interrupt," Deeks said, trying to maintain his civility, but unable to keep quiet any longer. Kensi gave him a sharp glance, which he ignored.
"Deeks, this is not the time for one of your legal tirades. I don't intend to be distracted or put off by your peculiarities like you've become used to," Kilbride informed him calmly.
"I'm not trying to distract you, Admiral. I'd just like the opportunity to explain exactly what you saw in the locker room."
With a perturbed sigh, Kilbride stuffed his hands in his pockets, and rocked back on his heels.
"Fine, you give me a reasonable explanation for why I found you and Agent Blye in the middle of an illicit liaison." He sounded like he found the possibility highly unlikely and was just giving Deeks enough rope to neatly hand himself.
Pulling in a deep breath, Deeks caught Kensi's eye before he began. She gave a reluctant nod of ascent.
"What you walked in on earlier was Kensi helping me with some burns I received in the field. There was nothing illicit or covert about it," Deeks said, keeping his voice calm and even.
Surprisingly, Kilbride smirked, though it seemed more knowing than amused.
"I didn't realize a hug was a prescribed treatment for minor burns," he commented wryly.
"Have we ever let our relationship negatively impact the outcome of s case?" Kensi asked unexpectedly, apparently forgetting her decision to remain silent. "Even if we occasionally blur the lines between personal and professional, we never let it affect the quality of our work, our commitment to this job."
Deeks felt a brief spark of pride for Kensi's passionate defense of them.
"No, I have not," Kilbride agreed, glancing down with pursed lips. "But that doesn't mean that you haven't crossed a line before my time or that it won't happen some time in the future."
He shook his head and looked up again with a determined look that made Deeks' stomach sink. Deeks almost reached for Kensi's hand, needing the reassurance, but caught himself in time.
"From now on, Deeks will be partnered with Agent Hanna and Blye, you'll be with Agent Rountree." Kilbride crossed her arms and paused for a second as if waiting for them to protest. When they didn't he added, "Consider yourselves on probation for the time being."
Clearing her throat, Kensi looked straight ahead as she said,
"And how long will that be, Sir?"
"Until such time as I determine that you are fit to continue with this team or not. I will be watching, is that understood?"
"Understood," Deeks answered softly, eyes hardening.
"Good. Now I suggest you two tell Hanna and Callen about the changes," he said, turning in a way that apparently meant they were dismissed.
This wasn't the end of the world, Deeks told him as they silently returned to the bullpen. As long as they were on the same team, they would be fine. And maybe if he said it enough times, he'd eventually believe it.
A/N: Yes, Kilbride is coming off as very unforgiving in this.