A/N: In response to a few guest reviews, some left on previous chapters.

DocR47: I like to incorporate key elements of the canon characters I include, even if the circumstances are different.

Cheryl: Thanks for all your lovely comments. I'm glad this story is keeping you smiling.

Terrence: Thanks for sticking with me. As always, these stories are typically posted to my Tumblr first, so I'm crossposting here as I come across them.

"What's 27+43?" Deeks asked, tossing the question over his shoulder while he rinsed a casserole dish. Behind him, Caleb was playing some self-invented game that involved skipping from floor tile to tile.

"Oh, that's easy. 70!"

"Easy, huh?" Deeks screwed up his for a second. "Ok, then how about 29+37+55?"

Caleb slid to a stop next to Deeks, his mouth dropping open. "That's harder than the worksheets we get at school," he objected with a glare that was absolutely adorable.

"Well, you said the last one was too easy," Deeks reminded him with a shrug. "You give up?"

"No." Shaking his head stubbornly, Caleb settled his small fists on his hips. "I'm still thinking."

Deeks started humming the Jeopardy theme song under his breath, which earned an unamused look.

"Daddy, that's not helping!" he complained. Muttering under his breath, Caleb returned to his skipping game.

The doorbell rang a few minutes later, and Deeks set a freshly washed plate to the side, shaking off soap suds. "Hey kiddo, you wanna dry those dishes in the rack while I check the door?" He ruffled Caleb's hair with a wet hand, dropping a kiss on the know damp strands. "Try not to break anything!" he added on his way out to the living room.

He opened the front door, lips curling up in a surprised, but pleased smile when he saw who was standing on the stoop. "Kensi, I didn't expect you."

"I know. I just wanted to stop and check in on you," she said.

"Well come on in." Deeks stepped to the side, still close enough that Kensi's shoulder brushed his as she entered. "We already had dinner but I can warm something up if you want," he offered, leading her a little further into the house.

"Thanks, but I grabbed a sandwich on the way here. Besides, I have some more grading that I didn't get done at the school."

"Ok, well what's on your mind?" he asked. He didn't mind the surprise visit at all, but it wasn't like Kensi to be quite so spontaneous. At least in his somewhat limited experience.

"I heard you had a private meeting with Principal Hanna," she told him.

"Well, wouldn't be the first time I've been sent to the principal's office," Deeks quipped. "How did you find out?"

"Nicole. She said he had you called in from the car-rider line."

"Yep. Definitely didn't flash back to 8th grade when me and my friend Ray got in trouble for "borrowing" the driver's ed car."

"You what? Ok, I'm definitely going to need to hear that whole story at some point," she said, holding her hand up. "But before I get completely distracted, what did Sam want?"

"Oh, he just wanted to know my intentions with you," he replied with a shrug. Kensi's mouth dropped slightly.

"You're joking." Deeks shook his head, and she groaned, covering her mouth with both hands. "Oh my god, I thought it was a possibility, but I didn't think he'd actually go that far." Her eyes narrowed, shifting from mortification to mild fury.

"Tell me exactly what Sam said."

"He said someone saw us at the gala the other night and there's been some rumors about us," Deeks assured her, gently brushing her arm.

"Bunch of gossips," she muttered in disgust.

Deeks cleared his throat, hesitating before he added, "He also made it clear that he wouldn't take it lightly if I turned out to be a no-good Lothario."

"Oh, he is a dead man."

"So it doesn't bother you that people have been gossiping about us and those rumors pretty much confirmed? It could cause problems for you, like Sam mentioned."

That was the part that concerned him the most; Kensi might realize that dating him, or whatever they wanted to call their thing, was more trouble than it was worth.

"Yes," Kensi said firmly. "I know the consequences and I'm not aall that worried. Besides, it's not like we've been making out in the gym or something." Deeks chuckled, inclining his head.

"Pretty sure Sam would sucker punch me if we did."

"You let me worry about Sam. We're going to have a long talk." Her voice lowered menacingly and Deeks was infinitely glad he'd never given Kensi cause to use it on him.

"Won't that put your job at risk?" he asked, and Kensi waved her hand dismissively.

"I've known Sam since I was sixteen when he and my dad were in the military together. Sam offered me a position at St. Bridget's before I graduated. I can handle him," she insisted, her lack of concern going some way to reassure Deeks that she wouldn't be destroying her career over it.

"Ok, then. But if you do happen to find yourself in a smack down and in need of legal advice, I happen to know an excellent lawyer," Deeks offered teasingly.

"I'll keep that in mind. Though I'm not sure I can afford you."

"I'll give you the friends and family deal."

"Oh, I'm honored." She chuckled.

Something clattered in the kitchen, and they both stilled listening for further signs of distress.

"Everything ok, kiddo?" Deeks called out.

"Yeah, I just dropped a pan!" Caleb shouted back. Deeks imagined trails of soapy water on the floor, possibly a flood or two.

"Ok, thanks, bud. How about you leave the rest for me to do. Finish up your homework and then we can watch some tv."

"Ok!"

Beside him, Kensi pressed her lips together, barely containing a smirk.

"What?" Deeks asked, feeling oddly self-conscious.

"Nothing. You two are just…cute together."

"Oh, you think I'm cute?"

"I think that's already been established," Kensi said, reaching up to playfully tug at his shirt collar. She kept her hand there, stretching up to kiss him.

It started out as just a peck on the lips, but then Kensi shifted closer, left hand falling to his chest while she looped the other arm around his neck. Deeks made a soft, appreciative sound, smoothing his hands down to her waist, and tugged her forward so their lower bodies met.

Kensi pulled back with a hitching gasp, nose pressed against his.

"Damn," she said, making Deeks grin even as he tried to catch his own breath.

"Agreed."

She sighed, pressing a couple, more chaste kisses to his mouth.

"I should go. Let you get back to your dishes."

"Highlight of my night. Have a good night grading."

Kensi made a disgusted sound, releasing her hold on him, and heading for the door. Deeks followed after her, leaning against the door jam. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said.

"See you," Deeks murmured back, sneaking a final kiss before she was out the door. He watched her retreating back, the goofiest grin plastered across his face.