A/N: Takes place shortly after Nell's arrival in season 2.

"Deeks seems nice."

"Huh?" Kensi looked up from the pile of personal belongings she and Nell were sorting through. It took her a moment to focus and register Nell's observation enough to respond. She followed Nell's gaze to across the room where Deeks paced as he talked—liaised—with someone from LAPD. "Nice? Yeah, I guess so," Kensi said, shrugging.

"Why do you say it like that?" Nell asked, sounding surprised.

"I don't know. It's just not a word I would normally associate with him."

"Really? So far he's been really friendly and helpful. He jumped my car the other day. Did you know he surfs?"

Nell had been a fixture for approximately three weeks now, and had mostly settled. She supposed she should have expected that Deeks would attempt to charm Nell.

"Everyone surfs here. It's LA," Kensi commented dismissively.

"Yeah, but he's good. I looked him up, and he won a few smaller competitions when he was younger," Nell shared.

Now that was news to Kensi. He'd spent enough time describing the perfect wave and his favorite surfing spots that she would have expected any awards to come up too. Frequently.

"He's cute too," Nell admitted in a lowered voice. Her cheeks had just a hint of a blush, yet she didn't look all that embarrassed. Kensi felt a twinge of unease that Nell had been checking out her new partner.

"Oh lord, you like him too," Kensi groaned. At Nell's raised eyebrow, she explained. "Wherever he goes, a trail of business cards and sharpie numbers follow him."

"That makes sense. He's got that whole easy going, surfer guy look going for him. The blue eyes, the blonde hair, and when he smiles? Best feeling in the world," Nell gushed.

"He's also loud, annoying, and full of himself," Kensi added to the list. And loyal and protective, her mind supplied unhelpfully.

"Yeah, but aren't most of us in this field a little egotistical? It kind of comes with the territory. We have to project that we're the best to instill confidence."

"Oh, he's confident all right."

Deeks turned their way at that moment, running his hand through his unruly curls in obvious frustration. He flashed them a quick smile, then immediately returned to talking a mile a minute.

"If you like him so much, why don't you ask him out?" Kensi found herself saying. She immediately regretted the question.

"I would, but somehow I don't see anything romantic working between us," Nell said, flashing Kensi a speculative look. "For now I'm happy to admire from afar and become good friends."

Kensi found herself oddly, and worryingly relieved by that. She snuck another glance at Deeks. Clearly they'd been spending too much time together. That was definitely the answer. Nothing else.