Prompt: Can you do a drabble where everyone congratulates Deeks on becoming an agent at last after all these years please.
A/N: Again, this kind of in a universe where nothing happened with Anna or Kam. I doubt anyone would care much about Deeks' success with Kam missing.
"Agent Marty Deeks!" Sam called out with a wide grin as Deeks walked into the bullpen. He was slightly surprised to see the entire team, including Nell and Eric, crowded around the desks.
Callen hadn't returned on Saturday, so Deeks and Kensi had decided to spend the weekend together eating food that didn't come in industrial vats, walking on the beach, and figuring out creative ways to "celebrate" that would hurt his ribs.
"You forgot the Atticus," Callen commented with a smirk.
"Hey, that was supposed to be confidential information," Kensi said, glaring at him mildly from beside Deeks.
"Unbelievable," Deeks teased. "So do we have a big case or something?"
"Nope. We just wanted to see our new special agent and say congratulations." Deeks felt a little embarrassed by Sam's obvious pride on his behalf, not mention everyone else was staring at him.
"That's really not necessary."
"Of course it is," Nell said firmly, hopping up from her chair. She enveloped him in a tight hug which squeezed every last one of his strained ribs. "I am so, so proud of you, my friend."
His throat tightened suddenly and he felt amazingly close to tears. Kensi squeezed his hand, picking up on his emotions.
Eric walked forward then, now sporting a light beard (which was so much better than the tribble, in Deeks' opinion) and pulled something from his pocket.
"We got you this to commemorate the occasion," he said, gesturing to the group as a whole. Deeks accepted the small black box from, glancing back at Kensi who just shrugged. He opened slowly, remembering Eric's last birthday gift. His eyes widened as he lifted the lid off to reveal a watch.
"Oh my god," Kensi murmured as he plucked it out between two fingers.
"It has an inscription on the back," Fatima added and Deeks turned it over, squinting slightly to read the tiny writing: "Congratulations Marty Deeks, husband, friend, brother, mentor. From your family."
He swallowed against the lump in his throat, and shook the watch lightly, needing a moment before he could speak.
"I wanted to add in surfer," Callen added, glancing at Sam. "But someone wouldn't let me."
"That's because there wasn't room," Sam said tightly.
"It would have been better if it said surfer, too. Right, Deeks?" Shaking his head, Deeks huffed out a short laugh. He had a feeling Callen had purposely brought it up to give him time to gather himself. He appreciated it.
"No this is, um," he said, glancing back down at the gold watch. "This is incredible."
"Like I keep saying, you deserve it, Deeks. What you've done takes a lot of strength and courage," Sam said, reaching over to squeeze Deeks' shoulder. "If I had to, I'm not sure I could go through FLETC again. You earned this."
"I appreciate this probably more than you realize. Thank you." As he carefully placed the watch back on its little pillow of cotton, and the team slowly dispersed he was reminded once again, that he was a very lucky man.