A/N: Written for Densimber day 11.
"Hey guys, glad you guys made it back," Fatima called out as Kensi and Deeks walked back into the mission. They'd left long enough to pick Rosa up and eat dinner before returning.
In that time someone had supplemented the basic Christmas decorations from earlier in the day with enough garland, sparkly ornaments, and lights to make Nell proud.
"Where's Rosa? I hope you didn't leave her at home all alone."
"Well, I'm sure Rosa would appreciate the solitude, but you can relax," Deeks answered. "She's hanging out at a friend's house."
"Good. She needs to hang out with someone her own age for a change," Sam teased, appearing with a mug of eggnog, and gave them each a hug.
Callen strolled in behind him with a beer. He had a small reindeer pin attached to his shirt.
At the table set up a few feet away, Rountree handed out glasses of various drinks. Unlike Callen and Sam, he'd gone all out with a Frosty adorned sweater, Santa hat, completing the look with a string of flashing lights around his neck.
"Hey you guys want some eggnog?" he offered. "I made it with my Nana's family recipe."
"I love Grandmas' eggnog," Deeks said, accepting a glass.
"It's not quite up to Nell's standard," Callen commented. "But it's good."
"Which means it's not capable of taking down a small elephant," Deeks interjected.
"Thanks, Rountree, but I'm going to pass right now," Kensi decided. "I'll just grab some water."
"Sure thing. Let me know if you change your mind."
"By the way, where's Kilbride?" Deeks hadn't seen him lurking anywhere and his office was dark.
"He wished us a Merry Christmas, requested that we not cause any international incidents between now and the new year, and then escaped," Callen answered. "He also left that fruit cake." He gestured to a sturdy looking package on the far end of the table.
"Of course Kilbride would bring fruitcake." Shaking his head, Deeks glanced down at Kensi, who was sipping at her water.
"Hey, are you feeling ok?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. My stomach's just been a tiny been funny all day. I think I ate too much habanero chicken last night."
"Yeah, that'll do it. I did warn you."
"Yes, you did." Kensi leaned her head on his shoulder for a second.
"You want me to get you some Tums?"
"No, I'm ok. But I think I should probably wait on the eggnog til my stomachs feeling a little less rumbly," she said with a faint grin that reassured Deeks she wasn't feeling all that bad. "Besides, we've missed enough things this year with all the craziness, I don't want to skip out on another."
A few minutes later, Fatima gathered everyone over to hand out Secret Santa gifts. Although she didn't celebrate the religious aspects of Christmas, Fatima fully enjoyed the more secular components.
Kensi received a chocolate lover's subscription to a local confectionary. It could have come from anyone in the office, given her well documented sweet tooth, but Deeks would put his money on Callen.
"Oh my god, this is gorgeous," Fatima gasped as she opened her gift to reveal a succulent patterned scarf. "Thank you, Kensi!"
"How did you know it was her?" Rountree protested. "It could have been any of us."
"Really? Would any of you guys feel comfortable buying me a scarf like this?"
"Nope," Deeks said immediately.
"Exactly.
"You're welcome," Kensi said, smiling as Rountree and Fatima continued to bicker.
After all the gifts were opened, Kensi settled into Deeks' arms, watching the shenanigans in front of them.
"This really does make all the craziness worth it, doesn't it?" Deeks mused.
"Yep." She held out her water and clinked it against his glass. "To normalcy."
A/N: Since Fatima tends to wear colorful and unique scarves (like the one with skulls on it), I didn't think a succulent patterned one would be too out there. From my research, it seems that giving them as gifts isn't generally frowned upon, but if I'm wrong, not offense is intended.