Like any good best friend, Nell had dropped everything to assist Kensi in her time of need. Especially since it held the promise of Kensi actually going out on a date for once.
She was positively giddy as Kensi tried on a staggering number of dresses Saturday morning, unabashedly vetoing anything she didn't like. Kensi appreciated it, because she was quite honestly a little terrified. The last time she bought an honest to goodness evening gown was for a formal dance her junior year of college.
After several hours, they dragged everything back to Kensi's apartment. Nell arranged her hair in loose curls and insisted on handling her makeup too. Once she was satisfied with her creation, she left Kensi to change. Drawing in a long, deep breath, Kensi slipped into the dress, and turned to face the wall length mirror across from the bathroom door.
She'd chosen a deep azure that brought out the color of her skin. Lace overlaid the Grecian bodice, which cinched in at the waist before flowing down into a slightly looser skirt that touched the floor.
As she glanced at her reflection in the mirror, nearly backed against the wall in her relatively small bathroom, she wondered if it was too much. Deeks had told her they'd be attending a gala, but he probably hadn't expected her to go out and buy an evening gown just for the occasion.
Taking another steadying breath, Kensi spun around and walked out of the bathroom, stopping in her bedroom to grab the rest of her outfit, and then down the short hallway that led to the small front room. Nell sat on Kensi's couch, a mug cradled in between her knees while she flipped through a book Kensi had left on the coffee table.
Hands folded around the small purse Nell insisted she buy, Kensi spun in a small circle, skirt slightly swirling around her legs.
"Well, what do you think?"
"Oh my god, you look absolutely gorgeous!" Nell exclaimed. "Marty Deeks is going be out of his mind when he sees you."
"Well he better be," Kensi said a little darkly, setting the purse on the coffee table. "This whole ensemble cost more than my first apartment."
"Hey, you can't put a price on true love."
"Nell." Kensi sighed, and Nell just grinned at her. "This is not a date, so no more talk about love."
Nell said something that sounded like "$400 dress" under the guise of a fake cough, eyeing Kensi pointedly.
"Seriously though, you don't think it's too much?" Kensi asked, smoothing her hands over the silky material.
"Uh, definitely not," Nell said immediately. She stood up, inspecting Kensi with a practiced eye. She rearranged a curl on her shoulder, and straightened her necklace with a satisfied nod. "You are absolutely perfect, and it's just enough. Everyone at this gala is going to wonder who that gorgeous brunette is. Oh, what I wouldn't give to be a fly on that wall."
"I thought you didn't like events like this," Kensi said distractedly.
"I do. As much as I like dressing up and socializing with strangers, I prefer to do it in 18th century finery and with a nice glass of spiced rum."
The doorbell rang before Kensi could comment on Nell's favored pastimes.
"That must be your Prince Charming!" Nell whisper shouted, instantly grabbing her purse, drink, and the book as she made a dash for the hallway. Take lots of pictures and have fun. I was never here!"
Shaking her head at her friend's antics, Kensi flipped her hair over her shoulder, and went to answer the door.
Deeks stood on the other side, one hand behind his back. He smiled brightly when he saw her.
"Hey," he said, eyes widening as they drifted over her. Kensi decided that the dress was worth every penny for the look on his face.
"Hey."
"You look amazing," he added, grinning crookedly.
"Thank you. I guess you'll do too," she teased. In truth, he looked better than ever in a tailored black suit with the palest of blue shirts, and a dark blue tie.
Deeks chuckled, not taking offense.
"Gee, thanks. I, uh, got you a little something." Pulling his hand from behind his back, he offered her a small box of chocolates.
"Oh, I love these," Kensi gasped. "I'm definitely saving these for a rough day at work. How did you know?"
"Well, I was going to bring you a corsage, but decided that seemed a little too high school prom. And I didn't know what your favorite flowers are." He shrugged. "So, chocolates it is. Caleb helped pick them out."
"I appreciate it. Much better than flowers." Setting them to the side, Kensi grabbed her purse, and looped her arm through his. "Now I think you promised me a celebrity experience, Mr. Deeks."
The gala was hosted at an upscale restaurant that offered a gorgeous view of the ocean from its many balconies. There were waiters wandering the main room with trays of food and drinks, soft music playing in the background. A few couples were dancing in the center of floor while most of the guests stood in groups of 2-3 or at the small tables that lined the perimeter of the room.
Kensi was a little thunderstruck by the sheer extravagance of it all, and clung to Deeks' arm as he led her around the banquet room, introducing her to his associates as well as some of his clients.
"Deeks, why didn't you tell me you were so popular?" Kensi whispered as she handed an empty champagne glass to a passing waiter. They'd just finished chatting with his boss, who spent the entire time raving about Deeks.
"It's just because I'm new," Deeks said humbly. "And I'm one of the few lawyers here who has recent court experience. It kind of gives me an edge."
"Mm-hmm."
"It's the—"
"Marty, I was hoping you'd be here tonight," a woman's voice interrupted. Kensi turned to see an attractive blonde in a red mermaid style dress. She walked right up to Deeks and kissed him on either cheek.
"Sheila," Deeks said with a smile that was just an edge to bright. "Good to see you too. This is my date, Kensi. Kensi, Sheila McIntyre."
"Nice to meet you," Kensi said, offering a smile which Sheila acknowledged with a twitch of her red lips.
"I was just telling Cameron that we never see you at these events," Sheila said, laying a hand on Deeks' arm. At the same time, Deeks linked the fingers of his other hands with Kensi's, drawing her closer. Kensi was surprised but didn't resist.
"Yeah, you know how it is. I've got a little guy at home who needs me."
"Well, I'm glad you finally escaped." Sheila laughed knowingly, and Kensi noticed a muscle in Deeks' jaw twitch. "And now that you're here, you owe me a dance."
"Oh, I'd love to, Sheila, but I just promised Kensi the next one. Maybe later," Deeks said apologetically. Sheila's face fell slightly at his refusal, but she recovered quickly, flashing him a flirtatious look.
"I'll hold you to that," she murmured.
Nodding noncommittally, Deeks drew Kensi towards the dance floor.
"Marty Deeks, did you just use me as a shield?" Kensi asked as he settled his left hand at her mid-back, setting a steady rhythm.
"Hey, the people here are rabid. You've seen the way some of these men are looking at you," he defended himself.
"Complimented accepted. Back to the question at hand, did you bring me with to ward off interested women?"
"No, I invited you because there's no else I wanted to bring. But not being hounded is a really nice perk."
"Shameless," Kensi teased. "Just for that, you owe me at least three dances. And a plate of those mini quiches."
"You have yourself a deal, ma'am," Deeks told her with a wide grin.
As promised Deeks danced with her for the next several dances, each fending off interested men and women for the other. It was actually kind of fun. Plus, she didn't mind the added excuse to touch Deeks, or the way his hand drifted lower down her back with each dance.
They stopped after half an hour, to grab some appetizers for Kensi. She hadn't really eaten lunch or dinner and was starving. Deeks retrieved a small plate of food for her, leading her to an empty table. As he he pulled out a chair for her, he suddenly looked beyond her at someone across the room.
"Hey, I'll be back in a minute," he told her, squeezing her shoulder before he set off across the room, weaving in between people.
Kensi watched him walk up to a guy with dark hair, though she couldn't tell more at the moment. They talked for a couple minutes, shaking hands before Deeks headed towards a small cluster of people. After a minute, he emerged with yet another gorgeous woman by his side.
Kensi sat a little straighter, noticing that Deeks didn't seem uncomfortable in this woman's presence. In fact, he was smiling as he reached Kensi again.
Up close, the woman was even prettier with color a similar shade to Kensi's, and a tight black dress that featured a plunging neckline.
"Kensi, this is my colleague, Talia Del Campo. Talia, this is Kensi," he introduced them. Talia's face lit up as soon as she heard Kensi's name.
"Oh, so you're the girl who makes Deeks smile like an idiot. I've been dying to meet you," she exclaimed, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from Kensi.
"Uh, yeah, I guess so," Kensi agreed, flashing Deeks a questioning look, but he just shrugged. She tucked the "smiling like an idiot" comment away to examine later.
"So, how did you two meet? I want to hear all about it."
"Um, well," Kensi managed, flustered by Talia's assertive approach.
"Oh, I don't think we have time for all that," Deeks spoke up. "You're going to be too busy."
Talia narrowed her eyes at him in obvious confusion just as the man he talked to earlier approached them.
"Deeks, what did you do?" she demanded dangerously.
"Hey, last week you were complaining that you couldn't find any nice men. I've handed one to you on a platter." Grinning, Deeks grabbed Kensi's hand, tugging her out of her seat.
"You did not. Don't you dare leave!" Talia hissed.
"Oh by the way, his name's Sabatino," Deeks added. "Have fun!" Then without another word, he made a quick exit, taking Kensi with him.
"Oh my god, Deeks, what was that?" Kensi gasped, caught between horror and amusement.
"That is called payback. She's the one who was trying to set me up with someone for this thing." He shook his head. "Don't worry. Sabatino's fine. And believe me, if she really wants too, she'll have no problem getting rid of him. Talia has no qualms about hurting people's feelings."
"I'm more worried about what she's going to do once she tracks you down."
"Eh, I'm not too worried. You'll protect me, right?" Deeks asked with the very definition of a cheeky smile.
"That all depends?"
"On what?"
"If you can get me one of those cheesecakes."
Kensi and Deeks left the party around 10, after he made another round with his clients, and boss. As Deeks had predicted, his friend and Talia had hit off. Kensi saw them dancing at one point and, though the lights had been turned low at this point, headed for one of the private balconies. So, no self-defense on Deeks' behalf had been necessary.
Which was a good thing since Kensi's feet were aching and she was ever so slightly tipsy.
When they reached her apartment, Deeks walked her up to the door, offering a firm arm as she managed the uneven walkway in the dark.
"I had fun tonight," Kensi said, leaning against the railing framing the right side of the stairs.
"Good. Thanks for being my shield. You saved me from a lot of uncomfortable conversations," Deeks told her.
His hair had grown a little more unruly over the evening, his tie loosened at the neck. In a way, Kensi thought she liked it even more than when he was fully put together.
"You sure now how to compliment a lady, Deeks."
"You know that's not what I meant."
He dipped his head so a stray curl fell into his eyes, and without thinking, Kensi reached up and brushed it back. Her mind caught up with her actions as she swept her fingers down his cheek. She noticed his skin was soft beneath his beard, which was slightly shorter than normal. Ignoring the voice telling her to stop touching him, she slid her hand into his hair.
Deeks looked up, eyes searching her face, dropping to her mouth. Kensi hesitated, and then she moved towards him as he leaned closer, their lips meeting. He made a soft noise, deepening the kiss, and Kensi pulled him closer. Deeks spun her around, nearly lifting her off the ground, an into the door.
Kensi gasped, grasping the back of his head to get even closer. It felt as though someone had set fire to the attraction that had been simmering between them for weeks. His lips were firm, yet tender against hers, the warmth of his hands seeping through the material of her dress at her back and hip.
She slid her hands down Deeks' neck, over the surface of his chest, and beneath his suit jacket. Deeks whispered something unintelligible in between one kiss and the next, his hands finally drifting lower.
A loud buzzing made Kensi jerk backward, her head hitting the door as she broke their kiss.
Deeks was breathing unevenly, expression slightly dumbfounded. He patted his suit pockets until he found his cell and pulled it out.
"Caleb's babysitter has a family emergency," he sighed, resting his forehead against Kensi's. "I have to go. I'm sorry."
"No, it's ok. I understand," Kensi assured him, trying to control her racing pulse. It didn't help that Deeks was still so close. Seeming to come to the same conclusion, he leaned back, quickly straightening his clothes, and running his hand through his hair.
"You know, this isn't what I—"
"Deeks, don't even think of apologizing." He stopped speaking immediately at her firm tone. She tugged him forward by his tie, pressing a light kiss that sharply contrasted with their desperation just moments ago. "I enjoyed every second of tonight. Especially the last five."
He grinned, softly this time, gently brushing his thumb over her cheek.
"Me too." He kissed her a last time, pushing off the door. "I'll call you."
"You better," she called after him. Kensi let herself in, immediately kicking off her heels, and resting her against the closed door once more. Then she smiled, feeling lighter and happier than she had felt in a very long time.