Prompt: Can you do a fanfic where Densi are working with two other NCIS agents who learn about their relationship and are judgmental. Not everyone in the agency approves of their relationship and I'd like to see more of that. It's also set after they are married.
A/N: I hope this wasn't too on the nose. I tried to keep it believable.
"Now that was fun," Special Agent Jacob Verella declared as he walked into the bullpen along with Kensi, Deeks, and his partner, Angela Kneller. They'd just closed a high-tech fraud case involving a group of third-class Petty Officers.
Kilbride had called Kneller and Verella to sub while Callen and Sam took the week for personal business. Both agents were a few years younger than either Kensi or Deeks, but they'd been working together long enough to fit into the team easily. More importantly, they didn't have the ego that seemed common among many agents, which made the days much, much easier.
"Hey, you guys want to grab something to eat? We'll buy," Jacob offered when they were finishing up for the night. Deeks checked his watch, glancing at Kensi.
"Oh, we'd love to, but we have to get home to our daughter," he explained apologetically.
"Your daughter?" Angela repeated, letting out a chuckle of confusion.
"Yeah, we're gone so much during, that we don't like to miss out on the evenings," Kensi added.
"Not that she isn't completely capable of fending for herself." Deeks smiled with a mixture of pride and wistfulness.
"So you two are together?" Jacob asked, sounding vaguely surprised as he gestured between them. His eyes drifted over Kensi and Deeks, searching. Kensi shared a quick smile with Deeks.
"Uh, yeah, we've been married for 2 years." They linked hands.
"Wow, I didn't realize," Jacob said, his expression shifting from easygoing to guarded in a second, though Deeks couldn't quite get a read on it. "Why didn't you tell us before this?"
"I mean, it didn't really come up," Deeks answered slowly. "Besides, most people figure out we're a couple pretty quickly after seeing us together."
"And you're allowed to work together on the same team." Angela said. A statement, not a question, and suddenly Deeks thought he understood where this was headed. He hoped he was wrong, but wasn't optimistic.
"Well, we've been partners for years so we know each other better than just about anyone. It just made sense. Besides, I don't have the energy to break in another agent at this point," Kensi explained. She clearly picked up on the change in mood too and was trying to lighten it.
"Don't you think that's a little arrogant and irresponsible? Putting everyone at risk just so you can be together?" Jacob asked, shaking his head in apparent disbelief.
"We would never let our relationship impact the safety of anyone or affect a case," Kensi said, instantly matching their censure with defensiveness. Deeks discreetly squeezed her hand. Now was not the time to get too emotional.
"Let me ask you something. At any time during the last three days, have you felt like either I or Kensi put your lives at risk?" Deeks retorted, purposely keeping his voice even and non-confrontational.
"No," Angela admitted. "But this wasn't a particularly dangerous operation, and neither of you were in the type of danger that might strain your loyalty. You didn't have to choose to protect another team member, or someone else."
"A romantic relationship isn't all that different from a work partnership." Kensi eyed Angela pointedly, maybe hoping to play on her affection for Jacob. From Deeks' view, Angela didn't look at all moved. "There has to be times when you've felt the urge to protect each over everything and everyone else."
"Never. We have never let our friendship override our responsibility to the job and the people we protect," Jacob said firmly, making no room for further discussion. Angela nodded in agreement.
Beside Deeks, Kensi crossed her arms, hugging her elbows. There was a heavy, loaded silence in the air that no amount of joking could ever overcome.
"Well, it's pretty late for us too." Jacob gave his watch a cursory glance. "I think we'll have to pass on that drink too."
"Right. See you tomorrow," Deeks said quietly as Jacob and Angela made a hasty retreat. They had their heads bowed close together, clearly continuing the discussion in whispers. Once they were gone, Kensi leaned into his side, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I really liked them," she murmured sadly. "I never expected they would react that way to finding out we're married."
"Yeah, well, we knew going into this that there would be people who objected. This isn't the first time." He sighed heavily at that. No, they'd certainly run up against their fair share of agents and the like who thought their relationship invalidated their reliability as agents. It just sucked a lot more when you actually liked the person.
Kensi didn't respond, and he nudged her with his shoulder.
"Hey, you know that they're wrong, right?" Deeks checked. "Even when we're worried about each other, we've never let it get in the way. We'd stop the moment it did."
"Yeah." She patted his chest, twisting her head to give him a weak smile. "Let's go home."