A/N: Bates returns with an intriguing offer for Deeks. Set post series finale and assumes Deeks resigned before the twins were born.

The doorbell rang mid-afternoon while Deeks was washing a load of dishes. He hurried to answer it before whoever it was rang again and woke the twins from their nap. They'd been sleeping pretty well the last couple of months, but he still didn't want to risk it.

When he opened the door to find Roger Bates on his porch, he blinked twice in surprise, then automatically checked for signs of armed men of imminent catastrophe. The immediate area was unoccupied though, aside from their elderly neighbor walking her cat.

"Bates. Please tell me you didn't come to abduct me again." Deeks held out a hand, which Bates shook with an exaggerated roll of his eyes.

"That was a special circumstance," Bates assured him. "I promise I'm not here for any nefarious reasons."

"Oh, well then come on in," Deeks said, stepping to the side. Bates followed him back into the kitchen, where he stood for a few moments, before settling at the small table.

"It's been a while," he commented. He looked ill at ease and vaguely out of place in such a domestic setting. Actually, Deeks couldn't remember if Bates had even set foot in this house, let along any other since he stopped living in crappy little apartments.

"Yeah, it has," Deeks agreed. He finished emptying the sink of the last few dishes, gesturing to Bates. "You want a drink? We've got water, juice, beer. Milk."

"Did you really just offer me milk, Deeks?" Bates gave him an incredulous and disgusted look.

Deeks shrugged it off; it was nice to know he could still push his old boss' buttons even after a few years away. It would be nicer still if Bates' presence didn't usually mean something unpleasant.

"Hey, I live in a house with two babies under the age of one. Milk is a constant. And also surprisingly soothing at night."

"I'll have a beer," Bates grumbled. "And don't make it one of those hipster ones with the coffee or peanut butter in it."

"One non-hipster beer coming right up." Digging around, Deeks came out with a Heineken, cracked the top, and set it down in front of him. Bates took a drink and grunted his approval.

Deeks spun a chair around backwards and sat down facing Bates. "Ok, so why don't you tell me why you're here. As much as our relationship improved from our early days, and I like to think that you consider me the son you never had, you're not really the type for spur-of-the-moment visits just for fun."

"Still saying ten times as many words as you have to," Bates said, but he almost sounded fond. If the man was capable of such a thing.

"Well, now I've got kids, and the experts say talking to them is great for language development. So it's really the responsible thing to do as a parent," Deeks responded, leaning on his crossed forearms. "Now quit avoiding my question."

"You're still damn annoying."

"You sweet talker." Deeks offered Bates a wry smirk that never failed to tick him off in the past.

"Fine." With a glare that suggested Deeks had taken the last doughnut or stolen his parking spot, Bates started talking. "LAPD is in serious need of experienced officers and detectives. Particularly in the undercover unit—"

"Roger," Deeks sighed, but Bates held up a hand.

"You didn't let me finish. The department is willing to offer you a significant promotion. They want you back."

"Forgetting the fact that they axed my liaison position with NCIS and then furloughed me for months," Deeks reminded him wryly.

"What do you want, an apology?" Bates asked.

"No. I'm just pointing out how the tables have turned. Also, I think that would be super awkward. Don't you?"

Sighing again, Bates regarded him without any of the performative contempt. "It would come with a significant increase in salary as well. The department wants you back and you're not working for the feds anymore."

"No, I'm not," Deeks murmured softly.

"So, what do you say?"

Deeks considered the question for a moment, even though he'd known what his response would be from the moment Bates introduced the topic.

"I appreciate the offer, but no. I left NCIS for a reason. I can't even imagine going back to the undercover unit, even with more seniority. I enjoy living without that kind of fear," he said seriously. Bates' eyes widened at his honesty.

"Wow, you really have changed from the risk-taking lone wolf I knew."

"I've got Kensi, three kids, and a house we own. Yeah, I've changed." Deeks chuckled. So much had changed, and for the better.

"You sure you don't want to think about it for a few days. Run it by Blye?" Bates offered, though based on his expression he knew it wasn't going to make a difference.

"Nope. Now, you can hang around if you want. I need to start dinner before the twins wake up," Deeks said, pushing up off his chair. "You don't strike me as a man who enjoys babies, but Sophia and Caleb would love the attention."

"Not a chance in hell, Deeks," Bates told him with a grimace. "You seem happy. Good for you."

"Thank you."

"It would be a lot easier though if you were divorced."

"Touching, sir."

Shaking his head, Bates walked himself out of the kitchen. "You take care of your family, Deeks."

"It was good to see you too!" Deeks called after him.