A/N: Story idea provided by mashmaiden/Phnxgirl. As usual, I flipped the idea a little bit from the original. Set in the last couple of seasons. Densimber day 26.

Kensi sighed as she walked into the airport terminal, dragging her luggage behind her, a carryon bag hung over her right shoulder. After a month away for a series of specialized trainings, she was glad to be back home. Sure, she'd learned a lot, and more importantly, increased her job security, but hopefully this would be the last long trip for a while.

As much as Kensi appreciated the opportunity, she'd missed working with the team, missed the warmth and familiarity of LA, and most importantly, missed Deeks. They'd both been so busy most days that they only managed short calls, or texts if they were lucky.

Speaking of Deeks, he had arranged to pick her up today. Kensi glanced around the terminal, anticipation running through her as she searched for his familiar frame and blond hair.

Deeks saw her first, stepping forward, and Kensi barely recognized him. "Kensi, I'm so glad you're back home," he said, enveloping her in a tight hug. He picked her up, twirling her around a few times.

When he set her down Kensi could only gape for several seconds.

"Oh my god, baby, what did you do?!" she gasped, pressing her hands over her mouth. She walked around him in a slow circle, taking in his appearance in disbelief. Hair longer and pulled back with a hair band, an earring—she reached out to touch a flower within a skull on his forearm, but dropped her hand at the last moment.

She'd known he was feeling a little weird about his age the last couple years, but she didn't think that it was this bad.

Deeks watched her with a raised eyebrow and a look of bemusement.

"Ok, I was expecting a little bit more of a warm welcome," he drawled.

"Deeks, you got tattoos while I was gone. What am I supposed to say? I was only gone for a few weeks. If you were feeling this bad, you should have called me." She inhaled deeply, realizing she was almost shouting when Deeks' eyes widened. Then she caught sight of the tattoos again, which covered him from bicep to wrist. Something red peaked out from the collar of his t-shirt.

Oh god.

"Kens, what the hell are you talking about? I got called in on a joint undercover job the day after you left. Didn't you get my text?"

"Yeah, you said you were going undercover, but I thought it was something simple. So this is…?"

"Oh babe, I'm sorry. Yeah, they're just temporary," he said, running his finger over a spider near his elbow. "I had to look the part of a longtime gang member."

"So naturally you let your hair grow out, got fake tattoos, and a fake earring."

He fingered the small hoop in his left ear and cleared his throat. "Uh, actually, this is real."

Kensi's mouth fell open, and he quickly rushed to explain.

"Listen, it had to be believable, and I figured just getting one piercing would be a lot easier than having to deal with one that could fall off at any moment. I've had that happen before, and believe me, it kind of ruins the vibe."

"Ok, I can deal with an earring," Kensi decided, pinching them bridge of her nose between her index finger and thumb. "I'm sorry I basically attacked you. That wasn't the best greeting ever."

"It's ok. I probably should have warned you," he said with a shrug. Then he grinned. "I surprised Sam too."

"Now that I would have loved to see." She kissed Deeks' cheek, looping her arm through his, and they started making their way to the exit. "How was your undercover? Sounds like it was kind of dangerous."

"Things got a little tricky. But I was spectacular as usual, and everything ran fairly smoothly."

"Oh, I bet you were."

He chuckled softly, drawing her closer. "What about you? How were your classes?" he asked.

"Pretty amazing. But also really long." She paused, and added more softly. "I'm glad to be back."

Deeks' response was another, lingering kiss that probably tested the boundaries of propriety for their current location.

"So, what were you talking about me feeling bad before?"

Kensi flushed, suddenly feeling embarrassed about her massive leap.

"Oh, well you know, recently you've been a little down about your hair, and aging and—"

"You thought this was the result of a mid-life crisis," Deeks surmised with a raised eyebrow.

"Not because I think you're actually middle-aged," she defended herself quickly. "But kind of."

"Well rest assured, I am feeling very secure about myself right now, so you don't have to worry about me doing anything crazy."

"Good. Speaking of crazy, how long before these wear off?" Kensi poked a surprisingly accurate rendition of a dagger.

"Uh, about three weeks, give or take," he answered. Kensi closed her eyes, holding back a groan. "We didn't know how long I'd be under so we had to make sure they'd last a while."

"Right. We're going to need to buy you more long sleeve shirts," Kensi said.

"Ok, but I think I might keep my hair this way for a while. And the earring. I'll be like a sexy pirate."

Kensi inclined her head, considering.

"Oddly enough, I don't completely hate that idea," she decided.