A/N: To continue a long-standing tradition, Kirkin returns. This ignores his death last season.

The sun was shining, the waves were huge, and Kensi was by his side. Pretty much a perfect day, as far as Deeks was concerned. He caught another wave, feeling a rush of adrenaline as the water surrounded him.

When he came out the other end, shaking water out his hair and grinning, Kensi whistled. She paddled over, stopping when she was parallel with his board, and straddled hers. A couple years ago, she'd decided to get her own board instead of renting one whenever they surfed together. Deeks had been as giddy as a kid on Christmas helping her pick the perfect one.

"That was awesome," Kensi said, leaning over precariously to kiss him. Her lips were wet and cold.

"Thanks. You want to grab a few more?" he asked, automatically steadying her board when she leaned back.

"Eh, I'm getting a little cold." Kensi made a face. "And I'm not sure how much more my legs can take."

"Got it. Although I'm pretty sure I could warm you up." He wiggled his eyebrows lasciviously and Kensi snorted.

"Maybe later." She stole another kiss, scooting onto her stomach. "C'mon, let's go."

They paddled back to the shore together, racing each other once they were back on solid ground. Kensi giggled as she pushed Deeks to get ahead and then ended up tripping over her cord.

"Cheater," Deeks accused, even as he laughed. He stuck both their boards in the sand and grabbed his towel from the blanket they'd spread out that morning, running it over his hair. Kensi already had her wetsuit off and was drying off.

He unzipped his own wetsuit and started peeling it off. Letting it hand at his waist, he dried off his upper chest.

"Hey, you want anything from the food truck? I'm feeling like a milkshake and burger."

"I could go for a milkshake," Kensi agreed. "Ooh, and maybe some cheese fries."

"Anything for my Ladybird," Deeks agreed, shucking off the rest of his suit.

"Oh, if only I had your metabolism," a drawling voice said from behind them. They both froze and Deeks tilted his head, giving Kensi an incredulous look. It couldn't be.

He slowly turned to find Anatoli Kirkin's grinning face behind him.

"Marty," he said, tipping his chin down with a mischievous expression.

"Kirkin, what are you doing here?" Deeks placed a hand on his hip, letting his annoyance show. "Are you stalking me?"

"Of course not!"

"So you just happened to end up on the same beach as us on a random Saturday," Kensi said skeptically.

"Kensi, don't be so suspicious," Kirkin advised. He spread his arms wide, innocently. "I too enjoy the sand and warm weather."

Deeks scrutinized him with pursed lips, highly doubting that. Kirkin was sweating slightly and his nose had a red tinge.

"Right, in a three piece suit," Deeks drawled. Though the thought of seeing him in anything less brought back unpleasant memories.

"Martin, your disbelief pains me," Kirkin said, affecting a long-suffering sigh as he pressed his hand over his heart. "I was walking along the beach and saw you two on your boards. I felt compelled to stop to say hello to my dear friends."

"Eh, I say friends is pushing it a little." Kirkin ignored his comment, taking a few steps closer.

"You're quite a striking figure. Even from a distance, I could see your strength and agility as you moved through the water." His gaze drifted over Deeks' chest, reminding him that he was just wearing board shorts.

"Alright, that's, uh, awkward," he muttered.

"Hey, quit ogling my husband, Kirkin," Kensi snapped and he had the good grace to look embarrassed.

"My apologies, I was overcome," he said. Kensi rolled her eyes, tossing Deeks a t-shirt. He saw Kirkin's expression fall as he pulled it over his head.

Ruffling his hair back into place, Deeks crossed his arms and regarded Kirkin sternly.

"What do you really want, Kirkin?"

"Nothing," he insisted. "Just to talk. Although I was thinking perhaps you could give me some lessons."

"Lessons in…"

"Surfing."

"You want Deeks to give you surfing lessons?" Kensi repeated, chuckling.

"Clearly he's an excellent teacher," Kirkin explained reasonably, gesturing to Kensi. "I can tell you truly care about the sport and I'm in need of a new hobby."

"Uh, well, I don't usually give lessons," Deeks started to say. He was a little thrown off-guard, not entirely sure if Kirkin was being serious. Taking advantage of his indecision, Kirkin closed the small gab between them.

"Don't you want to pass your skills and expertise on to others? I know with your strength, these muscles-" he sighed, resting his hand on Deeks' bicep. "I know you could whip me into shape in no time."

"Alright, there will be no whipping of anything or anyone involved," Kensi interrupted firmly, stepping between them as Kirkin's touch turned into more of a caress. "Now take your hand off Deeks before I remove it for you."

Kirkin's hand dropped with surprising speed and he shifted away from Kensi's glare, though not as far as Deeks would have expected.

"Sorry Kirkin, but I'm going to have to pass on the lessons." Deeks grabbed Kensi's hand, pulling her into his side. He totally wasn't using her as a shield at all. "We have milkshakes and cheese fries to get."

"Marty, please reconsider," Kirkin said, reaching out with a touch of desperation now.

"Not a chance," Deeks told him dryly, turning to walk away with Kensi.

"Maaarty!" Kirkin cried out. "It would be like old times. Remember the bathhouse."