After that first day at the community center, Deeks started volunteering at least a couple days a week. The mentorship group only met on Saturdays, but there were other events most days. A retired teacher taught a drawing class and a local mechanic led a shop class, and of there wasn't a class, then at least a small group of kids could be found in the center's gym, playing basketball.
Deeks joined in whenever he could. Sometimes they just played, sometimes he gave tips and helped the younger kids with their technique. Either way, he found it fulfilling in a way he'd never anticipated.
The Wednesday before school started, Deeks got approval to take a small group of kids out to the skate park with Sam along to supervise. Kensi had planned to come along too, but got called in to sub for another umpire last minute.
Sam picked him up, arriving in a a vintage Challenger that looked in perfect condition.
As Sam got out, Deeks let out a low whistle, looking the car over.
"Wow, and here I thought you were poor too," he joked, earning an eye roll from Sam.
"Hey, I rebuilt Charlene with my dad over the course of three years. Nothing but blood, sweat, and tears in this baby," Sam said proudly.
"Charlene?"
"I name all my vehicles. And before you say anything, I don't allow any disrespect when it comes to my car."
"I wouldn't dream of it. Though 'Charlene' would not be my first guess." Deeks replied with a grin, and Sam shook his head, gesturing to the passenger side.
"Get in the car, you shaggy-headed punk," he told him. He nodded to the three skateboards at Deeks' feet. "What are those for?"
"I figured I'd bring a couple extra in case anybody didn't have one. They're kind of worn out, but they still work well enough for a beginner."
"I like a man who comes prepared," Sam said, giving Deeks a solid pat on the chest.
After they loaded the boards and Deeks' backpack into the trunk, they were on their way. To Deeks' surprise, Sam popped in a rap CD and sang along as they drove.
Oddly, he felt a tiny bit nervous. Maybe it was the buildup to today, or having been the one to set this up. It held more weight than anything at the center or the games of basketball Sam arranged. If this didn't go well, he could easily lose not only Sam, but also the kids' trust.
"Hey, relax," Sam said suddenly, interrupting his spiraling thoughts.
"What?" Deeks looked at him in surprise. As far as he knew, he hadn't shown any outward signs. At least not ones that anybody besides Kensi or his mom might pick up on.
"You've been quiet this whole time. I've seen enough of you the past couple of weeks to know you have two modes when you get anxious: silent or extremely chatty. Not to mention, you mess with your hair even more," Sam explained calmly, eyes never leaving the road.
"You know, that's kind of creepy," Deeks commented. "Though since you're a cop, I guess it's less weird."
"What's got you rattled?" Sam asked, pulling into the parking lot lining the park. He chose a spot near the end and parked, turning to face Deeks.
"I don't know." Shrugging, Deeks found himself reaching for his hair. He immediately dropped his hand when he noticed, and turned to look out the window. "I guess I just don't want to mess this up. I've never purposely taught anyone anything. If I get it wrong, I feel like they'll," he shrugged again. "Think I'm a fraud or idiot."
"What are you talking about? You've taught these kids something new every time you've seen them."
"I just don't want to mess this up," Deeks sighed.
"You're not," Sam insisted, reaching over to squeeze Deeks' shoulder. "Now enough trying to talk yourself out of this. There's a bunch of teenage boys waiting for you to teach them how to roll around on a little boards with wheels and my bones aren't strong enough for that crap anymore."
Deeks laughed, pushing down his unease as he and Sam got out and they grabbed all the skateboards. Several kids had already arrived and were messing around on their skateboards. A few had solid tricks, but most were obvious beginners. Three boys and a Lily stood off to the side, looking a little out of place and uncomfortable.
Theodore saw them and ran over, skidding to a stop directly in front of Deeks.
"Dude, I thought you stood us up!" he shouted. He'd dropped his "Cobra" persona for the most part, revealing a goofy and funny kid underneath.
"Like I'd miss the chance to see the kick flip you keep bragging about," Deeks said, grunting as Andre and another boy slammed into him.
After that, there wasn't much time to worry about anything since he was quickly surrounded by kids looking to show off or learn a new technique. Thirty minutes in, he'd stripped off his jacket, sweaty and out of breath, but elated.
As he jogged over to the water fountain, he saw a blonde headed kid approaching, a worn board tucked under his arm, his baggy jeans and shirt nearly engulfing him. Deeks changed directions, meeting him at the edge of the park.
"Caleb, glad you could make it, man," he said, holding out his hand. Caleb rolled his eyes with such forced nonchalance Deeks had to fight back a grin.
"I wasn't doing anything else," Caleb brushed him off. He shook his hair out of his eyes, radiating aloofness even as he shot covert glances towards the other kids.
"Come on over."
"My board's not very good." Caleb shot him a defensive look, like Deeks might ridicule him.
"Good, cause I think I'm about two more runs away from losing a wheel or two on mine."
Some of the tension in Caleb's shoulders dissipated, yet he still looked uncertain.
"Hey, why don't you show me the trick you fell on and I can help you with it?" Deeks suggested. He nodded to a section of concrete that wasn't technically part of the skate park, but offered a little more privacy.
Caleb started out slowly, taking a minute to gain confidence. Twice he fel, off his board on a simple move, and Deeks worried he'd give up, but he got back on and kept going until he managed a shaky Ollie.
"That's good," Deeks complimented him. "But next time, keep your left foot more in the middle and your knees bent." He demonstrated, then guided Caleb through the proper technique several times. Eventually, he felt confident enough to try again on his own.
Deeks watched breathlessly as Caleb lifted his legs a second too late. Somehow, he managed to keep his footing, and landed on the ground.
"Dude, that was sick!" Deeks praised him, grinning in response to Caleb's obvious delight.
"I know! I thought I was going to fall, but I didn't! I'm going to see if I can do it again," he rattled off, scooping up his board. "Thanks, Deeks!"
He ran off towards the rest of the skateboarders, and Deeks shook his head at the different a few minutes had made.
"You made somebody's day," Sam commented, coming up behind him. "He's like a new kid."
"Yeah. I thought it would take a lot longer."
"That man's you have a gift. You ever consider teaching?"
Deeks snorted. "Yeah, right. No one would ever let me inside a classroom."
"I'm serious. You have a natural talent for instructing and getting through kids' barriers. It's a rare skill. One that's important for a lot of jobs, including being a teacher. Or a cop."
"You trying to recruit me, Sam?" Deeks asked, folding his arms across his chest. Sam smirked, maybe a little sheepishly.
"Maybe. It's worth a try."
"I'm not sure I'd make a very good cop. I'd probably end up punching out the creeps I couldn't arrest, which doesn't seem like it would go over well." He flashed a grin, and Sam chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "I think I might go for law and help people like my mom. Of course, that's assuming I even get into college."
"You will," Sam said with so much certainty, that Deeks almost believed him. "Anytime you need a reference, I'm just a call away."
"I bet you don't say that to most of the kids you almost arrest."
"You'd be surprised." Checking his watch, Sam squinted at the group of kids, who were mostly slouched on benches now.
"What do you say we make sure these kids get home? Then I'll buy you a burger and shake. Get some meat on those scrawny bones," he offered.
"Thanks, but, uh, I'm supposed to have dinner with Kensi," Deeks declined.
"Ah, I see." Sam nodded, his lips twitching with a smirk.
Deeks eyed him suspiciously. "What?"
"Nothing. You don't want to keep your girl waiting."
"She's not my girl," Deeks objected quickly.
"Uh-huh. You keep telling yourself that, brother. But where I come from, if you spend almost every night with a girl and would shift heaven and earth for her, we usually call that dating," Sam said, patting Deeks on the shoulder as he gaped back at him.
A/N: I couldn't help adding in a few more canon Sam as well as LL Cool J tidbits. He's also more easygoing in this universe.