A/N: For today's prompt. We're throwing it back to the days of the Squid and Dagger.

Deeks filled a glass with Yuengling and tipped the content of a drink shaker into a martini glass along with a miniature umbrella, and passed them to a couple sitting in the two center seats at the bar.

There were a few more people spread out on the main floor, which was typical for a Thursday evening. Kensi was bouncing between waiting on tables and managing the back since Roberta had taken the night off.

As he took a minute to dry a few shot glasses, he saw one of their regulars come in. She dropped in two to three times a week and usually stayed a few hours.

"Hey Leslie," he called out as she chose a seat to the far right. Somehow she managed to look elegant sitting on a bar stool, but that probably had something to do with the dress and heels she wore. "Is it going to be a Bloody Mary kind of night?"

"Hi Marty. I think I'll go with a peach margarita actually," she said with a wink.

"Ooh, changing it up on me. I like it. Be right back."

"This is perfect," she sighed when he brought the orange colored drink back. "Thanks, Marty. So, what have you been up to?" We haven't had a chance to chat in a while."

Deeks sighed deeply and braced his arms against the surface of the bar, thinking of all the craziness of work combined with trying to run a fledgling bar.

"Let's just say I've been busy," he decided. Most people thought he was a retired lawyer, who now did something in security. It worked well enough to explain his inconsistent presence at times, inability to go into great detail, and the frequent injuries. "How about you?"

"Good. Very busy. I know I shouldn't complain about business, but I wish some of my clients weren't so intent on making incredibly stupid life choices."

"Pays the bills though," Deeks said, chuckling. She acknowledged that with a self-deprecating smile.

"It does. You should consider joining my firm," she offered, brushing a lock of dark hair behind her ear.

When Deeks started to shake his head, she leaned forward against the bar, lowering her voice enticingly. "You could have your own office, a full benefits package, and a business card to use at your own discretion." She inclined her head playfully and took a sip from her glass. "And of course, the chance to see me on a daily basis."

Deeks might have thought Leslie was joking, if it weren't for her expectant look as she waited for him to reply. He rubbed his hands down the bar, dropping his head for a second before responding.

"Wow, that is an extremely, uh, generous offer, Leslie," he said, meaning it. "But I quit law for a reason and if I was to return, it would probably in a much different capacity."

Leslie gave him a mildly disappointed, but not entirely surprised look.

"Well, I had to try. From our little debates, I know you have what it takes. You would certainly be a credit to the profession."

"Well, I appreciate it," Deeks told her, smirking. "Though that credit card deal sounds pretty sweet."

"Mm, well, the offer stands if you change your mind," Leslie told him. She drained the rest of her drink and gave it a shake.

"Alright, what are you having this time?" Leslie considered his question with a tilt of her head.

"Surprise me."

"Ooh, now you're really going off script. Ok, I can handle that," Deeks said, earning a grin from Leslie.

"And grab something for yourself on me," she added.

"There you go, the Marty Deeks special," he announced a few minutes later, setting a glass with a dark liquid in front of her, and a local microbrew for himself.

Regarding it suspiciously, Leslie gave it a careful sniff.

"This isn't one of the concoctions you cooked up with your business partner, is it?"

"No," Deeks assured her, chuckling at her grimace. She'd naively agreed to try a particularly poorly executed beer creation a couple months ago. "I promise there's no seafood involved."

Leslie took a cautious sip, sighing in relief when it turned out to be a mixed drink.

"So, what are you doing after work?" she asked, lightly resting her chin on her hand.

"Probably just go home. It usually takes a while to clean up after closing." He glanced over at the couple to their left, but they seemed good on drinks and deep in conversation.

"Oh, I thought you might want to join me for a drink somewhere a little more private." Something in her tone made Deeks straighten as he realized that he'd possibly misread the last 10 minutes.

"I don't want to presume anything, but when you say drinks…?"

"I'm asking you out, Marty," she confirmed, reaching out to brush the tips of her fingers across his hands. "You're attractive," Her eyes dropped from his face to his chest. "Intelligent, and, as you probably are perfectly aware, extremely charming."

"Uh, again, that's incredibly kind of you to offer, but I'm married," he said, gently removing his hand as embarrassment flashed through him. Leslie's eyes widened in surprise, which quickly turned to confusion.

"I didn't realize. I've never seen you wear a ring."

"Yeah, there's a personal reason for that," Deeks explained, not offering anymore. It seemed to encourage Leslie though since she brightened again, leaning towards him. She gave him a sly look.

"The kind of personal reasons where you are technically free to date someone else?" she prompted. "If you're separated, or in divorce proceedings, I don't mind."

"My marriage is perfectly fine." He kept his tone firm even as he tried to be gentle. "I'm ridiculously in love with my wife and I'm not looking for any other relationship."

Without thinking he found Kensi in the middle of the room where she was chatting with a couple towards the back of the room.

"Oh my god," Leslie murmured. He turned back to her and realized she'd followed his gaze. "You two are married. I should have known." She shook her head, cheeks flushed.

"Leslie-"

"No, I need to go." Without looking at him, she dug several bills out of her purse, and tossed them on the bar. "See you around, Marty."

Deeks watched after her until the door closed behind her, then shook himself, and started wiping down the bar. Kensi slid next to him a couple minutes later.

"Hey, is Leslie ok?" she asked quietly. "I noticed she left kind of early for her and seemed upset."

"Yeah, she uh," Deeks ruffled his bangs and faced Kensi a little guiltily. "She kind of hit on me."

"Oh." Kensi sighed. "I wondered when that was going to happen."

"Wait, you knew she liked me?" he asked, a little outraged. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"It was easy to tell, Deeks, I thought you knew. She hung on your every word and the way she talked to you was completely different than anyone else." Smiling gently, Kensi nudged his shoulder. "She lit up every time she saw you."

"I just thought she liked talking to me," Deeks said, feeling slightly let down. "I mean, before the whole hitting on me thing, she offered a sweet job with her firm. Though now in retrospect, that was probably in part due to the whole wanting to date me part."

"I don't think she'd be that frivolous," Kensi disagreed. "Even if Leslie was partially motivated by her attraction, I'm sure she saw what I see in you every single day."

"And what's that?" Deeks asked, drifting closer to her. Kensi smiled softly, hooking her fingers through his belt loops.

"That you are caring, smart, and way too attractive for your own good." She touched his cheek, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "So, did you think about taking her up on her offer? For a job," she clarified quickly.

"No," Deeks said firmly, hugging her closer. "I have everything I want right here."