Densimber Day 12 Prompt: Via the lovely mashmaiden, Kensi and Deeks play Truth or Dare/or a drinking game. Takes place after Neighborhood Watch.

"Deeks, I am not playing any games with you, especially not "Truth or Dare", Kensi said scathingly, looking over at her partner who she swore was a 14 year living inside a man's body.

"Oh come on, it'll be fun," he wheedled. "Plus, it'll pass the time." He was slouched out on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, and hands folded in his lap.

Three days ago they'd traveled to Illinois to escort a witness who would be testifying for a federal case. After passing her off to two other agents, they were supposed to return to LA. A freak ice storm had ruined those plans now they were stuck hanging out in a hotel until the roads were less hazardous.

"Deeks, technically we're still on the job."

"Uh, no, technically it's the weekend and even if it wasn't, I don't think anyone is going to cause problems." He stood and crossed over the window across the room, flicking open the curtains. "There's gotta be at least an inch of ice. No one's going anywhere right now."

"The answer is still no."

"What, you worried that I'll find out all your deep, dark secrets?" he teased, letting the curtain drop and coming to stand directly in front of her. She had to crane her neck slightly to see her completely.

"Not happening, Deeks."

3 Hours Later

"Ok, truth or drink," Deeks said dramatically, brandishing a blank index card. "What really happened with your friend at college?"

"Yeah, that's not happening," Kensi answered. She grabbed a shot glass full of tequila, tossed back, and then rose up on her knees to place it upside down not the little pyramid in the middle of the table.

"My turn."

About half an hour ago Kensi had finally gotten bored enough and given in and agreed to play truth or dare. A few rounds in, they'd realized that there really wasn't much to do in the way of "dares" so Deeks suggested they change it to "truth or drink".

Fortunately the hotel bar was fully stocked and Deeks' had bought an exorbitantly priced bottle of tequila and some limes.

Kensi snatched the card out of Deeks' hand, more for show than anything, and gave him an evil look. She was just buzzed enough to be a little more daring than usual.

Deeks just grinned, looking thoroughly at ease with his legs crossed as he sat across from her.

"Do your worst."

"Oh, I will," she promised. "Truth or drink: When was the last you stripped?" Kensi grinned again, enjoying the vague embarrassment on Deeks' face, and negligently tossed the card across the table.

Pursing his lips, Deeks glanced at the shot glasses, then back at Kensi before he noisily cleared his throat.

"Ahem, I believe the appropriate term is "exotic dancing", which I have reminded you about before-"

"Yeah, enough stalling. Spill."

"Fine," he said with a roll of his eyes. "The last time-god I'm going to regret this-the last time I participated in the extremely honorable and artistic industry of exotic dance was about a week before I joined the LAPD academy."

"You're joking!" Kensi shouted, completely delighted. Deeks made a face and rolled his shoulders uncomfortably.

"Hey, I was a little short on money, so I figured a couple nights of easy work would get me through to my next paycheck."

"Oh, just how easy were you?"

"Hey, you only get one question per turn," Deeks warned her, waving the blank card at her. "No freebies." He stared at her for an uncomfortably long moment and Kensi felt a hint of warmth creeping into her cheeks. It was definitely the alcohol she told herself.

"Truth or drink: Have you ever been to a strip club?"

"Yes," Kensi told him. "Hasn't everyone?"

"I haven't," he said and she snorted.

"Yeah right."

"I have never been a patron. At least not as myself," he said reasonably. "It doesn't count if it was one of my aliases."

"Oh, it does too count," Kensi retorted, not caring that she sounded like a teenager. "You have to drink for that one cause you lied."

"But you didn't say truth or dare," Deeks protested. Kensi glared at him until he grabbed a glass. "Fine, I will, but I still maintain that what I do as my aliases does not count." He downed his shot, wincing at the taste and slammed it on the table. "Truth or dare," he rasped out. "What's the worst date you've ever been on?"

Kensi snorted and snatched the card out of his hand which was now a little crumpled and getting dull at the edges.

"That's easy. The guy who took a call from his wife during dinner to tell her he couldn't watch their kids."

"Oof. Yeah, that's bad."

"Same question," Kensi said, leaning forward eagerly. She'd been curious about his dating history, but never had a good reason for asking. "Worst date."

Deeks ruffled his bangs and shrugged.

"The one where my date was already smashed before we even got to the restaurant. I had to hold her hair while she threw up," he explained, shrugging again.

"So not the one who you have a restraining order against?" Kensi prompted and he shook his head.

"Nope, dates weren't really the problem with her." There was an almost palpable shift in the mood. Looking for something to take the sadness from Deeks' eyes, or at least distract herself from staring into their blue depths, she grabbed another glass. Deeks raised an eyebrow at her as she drank it.

"You answered two questions, it's only fair." She felt the tequila spread through her stomach almost immediately, making her slightly light headed and euphoric. In the back of her mind, she wondered if she should be drinking this much on an empty stomach, but she pushed that thought away.

"What's something you regret?" she asked recklessly, not playing the game anymore.

"I guess sometimes I wish I didn't burn so many bridges. My life would be a lot easier if people liked me more," he told her with a melancholy smile.

"I like you." The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. Deeks laughed a little, smiling softly.

"I like you too," he said. He leaned towards her, leaving just a few inches between them, giving Kensi a perfect view of his unbelievably blue eyes. "So what do you regret, Kensi Marie Blye?" he asked, his voice soft and intimate. Kensi dipped her head, her eyes falling to his lips.

She remembered they were soft, yet somehow firm which always seemed like a stupid thing to say. She remembered the brief feeling of his chest pressing against hers, the feel of his beard beneath her fingers.

"Kens?" she jerked, realizing that Deeks' lips were just millimeters away. "Kens, you ok?"

"Yeah, um, I..." Kensi licked her lips, unable to look at Deeks directly. "I think I need to go to bed.

She clumsily stood up, stumbling into the table, and Deeks reached for her arm, but she pulled back, avoiding his touch. That would be too much for her to handle.

"You sure you're ok?" he asked again. If she'd a little bit less drunk and panicked, she would have noticed the obvious concern, and slight hurt in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm good. I'll see you in the morning."

"Night." She walked as quickly as she could to the bathroom, pressing herself against the closed door.

In the morning, Kensi would pretend that nothing that happened, that she been just a little too drunk. That it was Deeks' imagination. And she would regret that she hadn't taken that leap.

A/N: If Kensi's descriptions of Deeks seem just a little over the top, I'm imagining that it's the effect of the tequila.