A/N: For Densimber Day 13. Here's part two of Just for Show, the fake date fic. I may have stolen the plot from an episode of the show "Taxi".

"Remember, I told Janelle that you work for the district attorney, so you can't really talk about any specific cases," Kensi reminded Deeks as she drove. Her hands were clamped tightly around the steering wheel, reminiscent of the grip a 15 year old student driver might have.

"Got it."

"And she's very detail oriented, so if you tell her anything, she'll remember it."

"I'm a little insulted that you would think I, master of a dozen aliases, would get caught in a lie," he said with mock offense.

"Deeks, I'm serious. Please don't mess this up," Kensi begged.

"I know and I won't." She took her eyes off the road for a moment to look at him and he smiled reassuringly. "Promise."

She shook her head as she pulled into the parking lot of the bar where they were meeting Janelle and her boyfriend. It was less of a bar, more lounge and Kensi was infinitely glad that she's chosen a dress and heels.

Deeks got out before she could and came around to her side, offering his arm as he opened the door.

"Hey, don't lay it on too thick," she warned as she stepped out, using his forearm for support. "How do I look?" She turned in a quick circle and tugged at the knee length hemline of her dress, which was red and sleeveless.

"Perfect," he said almost immediately. "What about me?" She glanced at him, taking her time. He'd chosen a black suit with a deep blue shirt that made his eyes seem even more vibrant. The top two buttons were popped, revealing tanned skin, and it looked like he'd even combed his hair for once. He looked more than perfect.

"You'll do." She adjusted his collar, which was perfectly fine, and patted his chest. "You'll do."

As they walked into the bar, she felt her tension ratchet up a notch. Deeks just have noticed because he dropped his arm around her waist, giving her a light squeeze. Normally she would think he was just taking advantage of the situation, but she was actually grateful.

"You'll be fine," Deeks told her with an encouraging smile. They found Janelle and her boyfriend without too much difficulty and quickly.

"I'm so glad you made it," Janelle greeted Kensi, giving her a hug. "I almost thinking you might find some excuse to back out." Kensi laughed nervously and Deeks stepped forward, extending his hand.

"Sorry, that's on me. I couldn't get my hair right. Marty Deeks, by the way," he said. Janelle shook his hand, giving Kensi a mildly impressed look.

"Janelle. And Kensi didn't mention that you have a sense of humor."

"She doesn't like to brag."

"Yeah, that's definitely it," Kensi muttered under her breath as Janelle gestured to her boyfriend.

"Marty, Kensi, this is Thomas." He stood at shook Kensi's hand and then gave Deeks a slap on the back.

"Nice to meet you." He was about Deeks' height and by Kensi's guess, in his mid to late 30's with short brown hair. Thomas gestured to the curved booth seat that surrounded half of the small table, waiting for Kensi and Deeks to sit down.

Deeks' leg brushed hers as he slid in beside her and draped his arm over her shoulders. He was close enough that she could feel the heat emanating from his body, straight through their close.

Thomas ordered a bottle of wine and Janelle immediately engaged Deeks in conversation. This was going to be an incredibly long night.

"Kensi mentioned that you two met at work," Janelle said to Deeks from across the table. "Was she one of your paralegals?" He felt Kensi tense beside him so he dropped his arm from her shoulders to her waist, tugging her against his side.

At least Janelle had waited until after they finished dinner to start truly interrogating him. Deeks took a sip of wine and nodded, taking his time before answering.

He'd killed an hour or so talking about former cases, both real and based off of case studies from his law school days. Fortunately, Janelle and Thomas didn't seem too versed in law.

"We did meet at work, but we started out in different departments. The last 2 and a half year have been the best of my life," he said.

"Kensi said you've only been dating for 6 months." Janelle tilted her head as Kensi's heart rate sped up dramatically.

"De-I mean Marty was just-" Kensi started to say, sounding a little panicky.

"That's when we met. Kensi thought I was kind of an idiot for a long time, but she eventually came around. Do you want hear about when we finally got together?"

"Honey, I don't really think that's necessary," Kensi said with a forced smile, pinching his thigh.

"Oh, but it's such a good story," he said, grinning down at her. Kensi glared back, her eyes threatening that he would regret this moment later on.

"I would love to hear it," Janelle said eagerly, she leaned forward towards Deeks, laying a hand over his. Thomas didn't seem particularly thrilled about the idea-or Janelle's wandering hand- and wrapped his arm around and tugged her back against his side, giving Deeks a proprietary look.

"Did you want to tell them Kens?"

"No, you go ahead." He didn't miss the mild sarcasm in her voice as she brushed his hair back from his forehead. "You tell it so much better."

Deeks nodded, pressing a kiss to her temple, like it was perfectly normal.

"About six months ago," he started, quickly inventing a story as he went. "I was...I had a case that didn't go well. I kind of lost my faith in law and my abilities as a lawyer. Kensi found me one night when I'd stay late at the office-she'd noticed I been acting differently-and asked me what was wrong. I told her I was, uh, thinking of resigning."

"Kensi took my hand and told me that there were people out there who needed my help. I said didn't feel like I was doing anybody much good, maybe it would be better off if someone else took my place."

"How'd she convince you to stay?" Thomas asked and Deeks huffed out a laugh and then met Kensi's eyes, letting his expression turn to one of fondness.

"She told me that if there was no other reason, I should stay for her. Because she needed me."

"Oh, that's lovely," Janelle whispered, sounding a little awestruck. Deeks didn't let his gaze waver from Kensi's and she reached out to take his hand.

"I'd wasted enough time as it was, figured I needed to say something before I lost him altogether," Kensi added with a little shrug. "Plus, I couldn't bear the thought of never seeing these gorgeous eyes and this fluffy blonde hair again," Kensi said, running her fingers through his hair as she spoke. For a second, it felt as though it was just the two of them.

Thomas noisily cleared his throat, making them both pull apart slightly.

"Well, that's a nice little story," he said, his tone a little condescending.

"Thomas," Janelle admonished him, smacking his arm. "It's a beautiful story."

"The last six months have been the happiest of my life," Kensi said with so much sincerity that Deeks almost believed her.

"Mine too." He leaned forward, intending to kiss her cheek, but Kensi surprised him, turning her face at the last second so there lips pressed together firmly. He didn't have enough time to fully appreciate the warmth and softness of her lips against his. "Sorry about that," he apologized with a soft laugh. "Sometimes we get so caught up in each other we forget other people are around."

"How lovely," Thomas commented sarcastically under his breath, just loud enough for Deeks to hear. Deeks winked at him, enjoying the other man's annoyance.

"Yup, I'm a lucky man." Kensi shared a smile with him and chuckled sheepishly.

"So, um, Janelle, how did you meet Thomas?" she asked.

"Oh, I was at a bar and Thomas had a martini sent to my table with his number," Janelle said, suddenly looking self-conscious as she fiddled with her earring.

"Actually, I think it was a Manhattan," Thomas interrupted a little tightly. Janelle eyes flashed as she turned to him and said in a tight voice,

"I don't think it really matters, Tom. You bought me a drink and I took your number." There was an awkward silence and then Kensi looked at her watch, and gently grabbed Deeks shoulder.

"Oh honey, we better go. It's after 8 and you have that debriefing in the morning."

"I almost forgot about that," Deeks said, pulling a face as he slid out of his seat and offered a hand to Kensi. "It was nice to meet you, Janelle, Thomas." Thomas grunted something that might have passed for an agreement while Janelle rushed over and gave him a hug.

"The pleasure was all mine, believe me," she said fervently, holding onto him a bit longer than necessary. "Don't be a stranger."

"Well, he's a busy guy," Kensi interrupted, stepping between them. "I'll see you on Wednesday in class."

"So, did I pass?" Deeks asked as they were walking up to Kensi's front door. Kensi inclined her head, smirking at him.

"Just barely," she decided.

"Oh come on, I thought my performance was inspired." Kensi snorted.

"That resignation story you pulled out was definitely something else. Next time you plan on creating an entire backstory, let me know ahead of time."

"So that would imply that you expect me to go on more fake dates with you," he pointed out.

"No, that's not what I meant," she sighed. "Hopefully I won't have to do anything like this for a long time."

"Well, based on the way Thomas and Janelle were bickering when we left, I'd say our chances of scoring a second double are pretty slim." He felt a little bad about that part, but if they fought that easily, then their relationship probably wasn't that solid.

They didn't talk for a minute, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. When they reached her door, Kensi hesitated and then turned to face him directly.

"Thank you for doing this," she said softly. "You didn't have to. At all." He shrugged, brushing off her thanks.

"What else are partners for?" Kensi started to say something, but stopped short and instead wrapped her arms around him. He froze a little as she settled her chin in the cleft of his shoulder, brushing her lips over his cheeks.

"Good night, Deeks," she whispered.