"What do you think you're doing?" Kensi asked dangerously. Carefully, she slid her hand towards her waistband where she had her gun discreetly concealed.

"Settin' the record straight."

"If you touch me, you'll regret. Or did you forget east happened last time you tried, and failed, to question my authority?" Kensi eyed him lovely, her anger fueling her confidence. She'd met more dangerous and intimidating men than Frankie. Though killing or severely injuring him would undoubtedly cause complication.

Frankie's eyes flashed. "Oh, I remember, Sweetheart. But that was when you had good old Max to protect you. Otherwise, I woulda smashed that pretty little face of yours," he growled, every word menacing.

Kensi felt a chin go up her spine, and closed her fingers around the butt of her gun as Frankie took a step forward, hand slipping into the pocket of his jeans.

A sharp knock and the jiggle of the doorknob made Kensi jerk ever so slightly. Frankie stilled, glaring at the closed door. "I told everyone to go on break!"

"I know, but we didn't get enough of one of the…ingredients," Pitch's voice came through the door. "Max isn't going to be happy if there's another problem."

Frankie snarled under his breath, an angrily turned the lock, flinging the door open. Pitch regarded him with a wary expression, but didn't back down.

"Fine, I'll take care of it," he said, sending Kensi a final glare that told her he wouldn't be forgetting this before he shoved Pitch out of his way.

Pitch lingered in the hallway, watching him, and Kensi tilted her head, narrowing her eyes.

"That was awfully convenient timing," she commented quietly. "Aren't you afraid of incurring Frank's anger."

Pitch shrugged. "Eh, better than him staring trouble with you."

"I'll tell you the same thing I told him. I can take care of myself." Pitch didn't seem put off by her tone.

"I believe you. I saw what you did to Frankie that one day. But it's a lot easier for everyone if you ain't murdering each other. And I know Max wouldn't want that either."

"You respect him a lot," Kensi observed, and he regarded her seriously.

"Of course I do," he said as though it was obvious. He tapped the door, stepping back into the hallway. "You might wanna keep this locked from now on."

Deeks ducked out of Big Mike's apartment a bottle of alcohol lighter, heading for the alley where he'd left his car. As predicted, Mike had started out surly and with a number of threats for substandard product. He'd even pulled a gun on Deeks.

Having received similar treatment from the man before, Deeks wasn't all that alarmed. Like he'd told Kensi, Mike could be dangerous when he wanted, but usually he just wanted his ego stroked. A few drinks, a promise to deliver personally next month were enough to calm Mike down. Fortunately, he hadn't needed to break out the cash.

He was about a hundred yards from his car, when he heard the scrape of a shoe on concrete. The area was isolated and he hadn't seen anyone around. Continuing on as though he hadn't heard anything, Deeks waited until the footsteps and then struck out with his elbow, making impact with an audible crunch and an angry shout of pain.

Spinning around, Deeks saw his would-be assailant was a man a few inches shorter than him with short black hair. The man scrambled to his feet, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, and charged Deeks, ramming him into the car.

Deeks grabbed him around his waist, holding him in place as he brought his knee up into the guy's stomach repeatedly. After about five times, he stopped struggling, and Deeks yanked him back up, knocking him out with a single fist to the temple.

Breathing heavily, Deeks let him fall to the ground. A moment later, two more men appeared from either side. Deeks had just enough time to note they both were dark-haired like the first man, significantly bigger, and one had a dark tattoo peeking out of the collar of his t-shirt.

Then the man to his right grinned, sliding a long knife from his sleeve.

A/N: These guys just don't know how to keep themselves out of trouble. I know it's been a while again, but hopefully some of you are still enjoying this story.