A/N: For Densimber Day 10. I borrowed some ideas from glenncoco and mashmaiden. I hope they don't mind. Can you tell I'm running out of ideas for titles?
Kensi and Deeks opened the door to the mission and were almost immediately assaulted with Christmas music and the scent of ginger bread cookies.
"Wow," Deek scrawled, touching a giant ornamental bell that was somehow anchored to the wall. "Nell has really outdone herself this year."
"There's perks to being the boss," Kensi commented. They were still in the hall, but Deeks didn't rush to join the party. He felt oddly hesitant after a week of being blocked from the building.
A minute later, Nell passed by with a large plate of what looked like mini quiches in one hand and a glass of eggnog in the other. She was dressed in an oddly subdued black dress with a single green stripe across the top. She spotted them and immediately handed the tray off to someone Deeks vaguely recognized from the financial department.
"Deeks, it is so good to see you," Nell said enthusiastically, running towards him. She wrapped one arm around him, keeping the arm lifted to avoid spilling eggnog down his back, and rose up on her toes to give him a hug. Deeks hugged her back, holding her tightly. "I really missed you."
"Me too," he said. Nell pulled away, but didn't let go completely. She reached over to squeeze Kensi's hand and then turned back to Deeks.
"Like I really, really miss you." She covered her mouth and laughed a little shakily. "Oh my god, I'm going to make myself cry," she said, fanning her hand over her face. "And it is Christmas and you can't be sad on Christmas."
"You're fine, Nell," Kensi said, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"No, I'm being a terrible host. I'm going to go get you guys something to drink. Go mingle."
Deeks blew out a short breath and Kensi gently rubbed his back.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah...I just didn't realize how hard it would feel to back here." He snorted, shaking his head. "Sorry, I'm being dramatic and moody again."
"Babe, you don't have to apologize," she assured him. "I want you to tell me how you're feeling. Keeping it bottled up or pretending it's not happening isn't going to help either of us."
"I know." They linked fingers and slowly walked further into the room.
"Deeks!" Sam shouted over the music. He cut through the people milling around and pulled Deeks into a rough hug, patting him on the back and ruffling his hair.
Some things never changed, which Deeks was a little grateful for right now.
"It's good to see you, man." Deeks nodded, brushing his hair back into place.
"Yeah, I feel like the prodigal son or something," he commented.
"Well, it's different here without you," Sam said, grinning as he added, "A hell of a lot quieter for sure. Fatima and Roundtree are good, but they definitely don't have your flare."
"That seem like an extremely backhanded compliment, but I'll take it."
"So, what've you been up to?"
"Reorganizing the garage, cleaning every surface in the bar, and doing more crunches that should be humanly possible," Kensi told him. She didn't mention the dozens of resumes he'd submitted. Apparently there wasn't an immediate need for problematic detectives or former lawyers who hadn't worked in the field for 15 plus years.
"You gotta keep busy," Sam said, patting Deeks on the shoulder. "You let me know if you need anything."
"Sure thing." As Sam wandered off to get a drink, Kensi looked at him, her expression sympathetic.
"We don't have to stay if you don't want to."
"No, I'm good," he insisted, even if it wasn't entirely true. "Let's go have some fun."
Deeks was feeling significantly a little more at ease a couple hours later. Most of the greetings, hugs, and well-wishes had been dispensed with and people were not treating him more normally. It also helped that half of the team was a little tipsy.
As usual, Nell had used ungodly amounts of rum in the eggnog. Deeks was fairly certain she'd raised Hetty's supply.
Eric was on the other side of the room talking animatedly with Fatima, still wearing his ridiculous tinted glasses. The changes would take some getting used to, but at least they were all together.
"Having fun?" Kensi asked, coming up behind him and giving his butt a quick squeeze.
"A little," he allowed. "The only thing that would make this perfect is if-"
"Hey Deeks." Nell tapped his shouldered and gestured for them both to follow her over to the empty bullpen. They could still be seen from across the room, but no one seemed all that interested in them.
"What's going on?" Deeks asked, eyeing Nell suspiciously as she positioned him in front of the large monitor and grabbed a tablet. "Ok, now you're starting to freak me out."
"Nell, now's really not the best time for major surprises," Kensi agreed.
"I think you'll like this one," she said and a second later Hetty appeared on the screen.
"Good evening Mr. Deeks, Ms. Blye," Hetty greeted them the tiniest hint of a smile.
"Wow, this is like a Christmas miracle," Deeks said and Hetty's smirk grew.
"Ah, I've missed you and your cheeky sense of humor." There was a sound off screen and she glanced to the side. "Now, I don't have much time so I'll be brief. First, let me apologize for not being able to intercede on your behalf with FLETC."
"Hetty, you have nothing to apologize for. It's not your fault that I'm too old. It's just the way it is." He shrugged, his good mood dampening a little.
"Be that as it may, I still feel responsible so I've taken measures to find you am alternate position," Hetty explained. "And I think I can safely say that I've been successful."
"Does that mean-?" Kensi said hesitantly.
"It means that very shortly Mr. Deeks will be able to return to NCIS permanently. And as your partner, Kensi."
"Oh my god," Kensi whispered, covering her mouth and grasping Deeks' arm.
"Hetty, that is incredibly-thank you," he said simply.
"Consider it your Christmas present," Hetty said with a satisfied expression. "Now, unfortunately I have to go, but Nell will have all the details for you."
"Ok. Wait, Hetty, you didn't say what the position is."
"All in good time Mr. Deeks." The screen started to flicker and she lifted a hand in farewell.
"Bye, Hetty," Kensi whispered as the video turned to snow. She shook her head and then turned to Nell who was lurking in the background. "Nell Jones, did you know about this?"
"I might have," she said with a smug little expression. "Merry Christmas, Deeks." She walked off, leaving them alone in the relative quiet. Kensi turned to him, her eyes a little glossy as she gazed at him.
"Did I just imagine that?" he asked Kensi.
"No, you didn't imagine it, baby," Kensi confirmed, cupping his jaw. "You get to come back."
He let out a laugh of pure joy and picked Kensi up, lifting her in the air. She wrapped her around his neck, laughing along with him as he swung her around few years. He didn't even care right now if people saw them.
"We can buy the house now."
"And have a baby," he whispered. Her smile turned softer and she dipped her head to kiss him.
"And have a baby," she agreed, squeezing his shoulders. A soft version of "Have Yourself a Little Merry Christmas" started playing so he set her down, settling his hands low on her back. As they swayed together, he couldn't help thinking that it really was a Merry Christmas.
A/N: If anyone is curious, I was imagining a dress similar to the one linked below for Nell. I have one like, although it isn't nearly as short on me. I figured I'd give her something nice to wear.
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