A/N: The return of Deeks at my own, very special version of FLETC and his buddies Jake, Omar, and Charlie. Written for Densimber day 4.

Deeks straightened his tie, checking his reflection in the mirror for what was probably the tenth time. Blowing out a shaky breath, he closed his eyes and tried to calm the slightly too fast rhythm of his heart.

"Nervous?"

His eyes sprang open at Kensi's question. He hadn't heard her come in, but he saw her now, standing a few feet behind him. She looked beautiful in an olive green, knee-length dress. It was a little more conservative than her normal wardrobe in order to meet the academy's strict dress code.

"A little," he answered with a shrug as she drew closer, catching her eye in the mirror.

"Why?" Kensi asked. She saw him fiddling with one of his cuffs, and gently grasped his shoulders, turning him to face her. Her eyes swept over him, assessing his suit, polished shoes, and recently combed hair. "You look perfect," she decided with a definitive nod.

"Well, this is the first time I've been back since graduation. And," he sighed again, tipping his head down under the guise of fixing a button. Kensi kindly batted his hand away "People had some mixed reactions to me. Those opinions might not have changed in the last 2 years."

"Babe, you had the highest scores in your class," Kensi reminded him. "From what I've heard, you impressed almost everyone, and for those who couldn't look beyond their preconceived notions, they're idiots and don't deserve your attention."

Deeks chuckled, curling his fingers around Kensi's. Just touching calmed him considerably.

"I appreciate your totally non-biased view. Even accounting for all that, what right do I have to present at a conference? I don't have any formal experience in teaching."

"Deeks, you have an entire career's worth of experience. Think of everything you've taught Fatima and Rountree. Or the guys you tutored while you were here." Kensi paused and tipped his chin up, her eye warm and encouraging. "You can do this. You have the knowledge and hands-on experience to help create better liaison programs and traditions from other agencies to NCIS." She smoothed her hands over his jacket-covered shoulders. "And you've been practicing for this moment for two months."

"Ok. Can't be worse than the first case I presented in course, right?" He asked lightly. Then more genuinely, "Thank you."

"You're going to be great." She kissed his cheek, love in her eyes as she smiled. "Now go make me a proud wife. I'll be cheering you on from the audience."

After Deeks checked his appearance one more time, and grabbed his presentation materials, he headed over to the public common room on campus. As soon as he walked in, he he heard the murmur of voices and saw three young men grouped in a semi-circle.

"Jake, Omar, Charlie, what are you guys doing here?" he asked, forgetting any tact in his surprise. They all turned, cutting across the room. Charlie reached him first, and hugged Deeks without a hint of self-consciousness.

"You really thought we wouldn't come?" Charlie asked rhetorically. Deeks realized he'd missed his genuine openness.

"Yeah, as soon as we saw your name on the presenters list, we knew we had to sign up," Jake said, pausing to make a sweeping gesture like he was reading a marquee. "Special Guest Speaker, Investigator Marty Deeks."

"Guys, you really didn't have to do that," Deeks protested. "How many days did you have to take off for this?"

"Of course we did. You're a friend," Omar spoke up. "After all you did for us, we had to be in the audience."

"Besides, it counts towards our continuing education."

Deeks felt a touch of embarrassment, like he always did in the face of their ardent admiration."

"Well, thanks. It means a lot."

"Plus, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to hear Investigator Marty Deeks tell all his trade secrets," Jake added with a grin. He patted Deeks on the back. "After this is over, all of us planned to meet up for drinks and dinner. We'd love it if you and Kensi joined us."

"That sounds great. I'll ask Kensi," Deeks said, then frowned. "Wait, what do you mean, "all of us"?"

"Oh, yeah, we're not the only ones who showed up to represent FLETC Class of 2020." Charlie grinned at Deeks' growing dismay while Omar patted his back soothingly. "Abigail came, that red head kid, half the study group. I didn't see Alan though."

"Thank god for small mercies," Deeks muttered.

"It's going to be the best attended presentation they've had in years," Jake predicted confidently.

"Yeah, definitely not increasing my anxiety here, guys."

Jake chuckled at Deeks' glare while Charlie bowed.

"You're welcome."

"You guys are just as much as trouble as I remember. Maybe more," Deeks commented, trying to sound severe, but the three men merely looked pleased.

"And you love us for it," Omar said.

"Yeah, I do," Deeks agreed, laughing softly. "But you have to promise you'll behave yourselves."

"Of course we will," Jake said, sounding offended. "We want you to succeed. We even prepared questions."

"Oh good," Deeks drawled, but he couldn't be mad at them as they steered him towards the door.

A/N: A usual, this is highly indulgent.