A/N: For today's prompt: Kensi and Deeks run into our second favorite Russian, Kirkin.

"Ok, what else do we need?" Kensi asked as Deeks checked off items from the list on his phone. She had one arm looped through his while a half full basket dangled off the other.

"Avocados and sour cream," he answered after a moment. "Oh, and something for dessert. Cause you know mama's gonna expect-"

"Maaaarty!" Deeks froze as an all too familiar voice interrupted him.

"You've got to be kidding me," he muttered, looking at Kensi. She gave him a sympathetic look and suggested,

"Keep walking. If we pretend he's not here, maybe he'll actually go away this time." Following her advice, they picked up their pace.

"When has running away from him ever worked?" Deeks wondered as they reached the end of the aisle and a hand brushed his shoulder. Sighing, they turned around and came face-to-face with an absolutely beaming Anatoli Kirkin.

"Marty," he repeated, the name sounding oddly intimate when he said it. He clasped his hands on Deeks' elbows and for a second, he was afraid Kirkin was about to hug him. "I knew it was you."

"Kirkin." Deeks nodded as Kirkin reached for Kensi's hand, squeezing it firmly.

"Kensi you grow more ravishing every time I see you. Marty is certainly a lucky man." He winked knowingly and Deeks rolled his eyes. Kensi discreetly retrieved her hand, tucking it into her pocket.

"Why are you here, Kirkin? Please tell me you're not following me again?" Deeks said, ending the small talk and getting to the heart of the matter.

"No, not this time. It is but a mere happy coincidence," Kirkin replied cheerfully, looking extremely happy. Apparently he didn't take offense at being accused of stalking Deeks.

"Really? You don't strike me as the kind of guy who does his own shopping." Kirkin waved an airy hand to encompass the store as a whole.

"Sometimes I like to go out among the common people. It makes me feel…like just another guy out in the world."

"And what about your bodyguards?" Kensi asked wryly which earned a careless chuckle from Kirkin.

"Oh, they're are around somewhere, amusing themselves," he answered.

"Well, this chat has been delightful, but we have plans-" Deeks started to say. Kirkin made a desperate grab for him and he took another step back. He felt Kensi's hands twitch on his arm like she was resisting the urge to react physically.

"Please, don't go. Come have dinner with me tonight," Kirkin offered with obvious desperation. Apparently hearing himself, he licked his lips and said more calmly, "It's been so long since I've had good friends to talk to."

"That's a lovely offer, but we actually have plans. With Deeks' mother," Kensi said. The last part earned her a glare from Deeks and she shrugged apologetically.

"Bring her along. The more the merrier!" Deeks almost laughed at the image of Roberta meeting Anatoli Kirkin. With his luck, she'd probably adore him. That was definitely not happening.

"We wouldn't want to impose."

"Oh Kensi, it's never an imposition. You are always welcome in my home."

"How comforting," Deeks commented under his breath, grabbing Kensi's arm and starting to tug her backwards. "We really do need to go Kirkin, best of luck with the dinner party."

"Marty, please, this isn't about what happened at the wedding, is it? I accept that we can't be…more, but there's no reason we cannot remain friends," Kirkin pleaded, his expression anguished.

"Were we ever friends, Kirkin? Cause I seem to remember you-in between committing crimes-trying to barter for me and kidnap me. That doesn't exactly sound like friends to me," Deek said, done with pacifying him.

"In my heart we were and always will be friends." Kirkin actually rested both hands over his heart and gazed longingly at Deeks.

"And that is definitely our cue to leave," Kensi decided.

"Marty, there's always a room and bed waiting for you, should you ever change your mind!" he called out as they hurried away.