Fic idea kindly suggested by mashmaiden. Densimber Day 29.

"But is it legally wrong or just morally unacceptable? Because while both are an issue, only one is subject to legal ramifications," Deeks said, deep in debate with Rosa over a scenario posed in one of her college classes.

They didn't get it spend as much time together these days, so when Rosa had asked if Deeks could pick her up while her car was in the shop, he'd jumped at the chance.

"It's definitely morally wrong," Rosa answered, starting out slowly, but then her speech speeding up as she got into it. "Probably legally wrong since no laws were broken. Though I personally find the idea reprehensible."

Deeks nodded in approval, a smile quirking at his lips. "A girl after my own heart. You're going to make an amazing lawyer if you decided to go that route."

"Thanks, but I'm not sure I'm really fit for the…cut throat aspect of it all."

"Yeah, that kind of caused some problems for me too. Which is why I didn't last long as a public defender," Deeks mused. He shrugged. "You've still got time though, and there's always non-criminal law like I do now."

"That's true."

They were quiet for a couple minutes, the silence lasting until Deeks pulled into a speedway.

"Do you need any snacks?" Deeks asked as he waited for the tank to fill.

"I think I can wait until we get home," Rosa said, then inclined her head. "Though some coffee would be nice. I stayed up late last night studying."

"Yeah, I do not miss exams." Deeks scrunched up his nose in distaste. "Here, get your coffee and can you grab me—"

"Max Gentry, I knew I recognized that voice!" a tall man growled, appearing in front of them.

Deeks had roughly three seconds to remember the name "Bart" and instinctively move in front of Rosa before his head snapped back with a brutal punch. He staggered back a few steps, raising her arm to ward off any further blows as the man shouted something else.

Deeks had a few brief encounters with him years ago, but apparently it was enough to cement Max in the guy's mind. And not in a good way.

"He isn't Max!" Rosa shouted, pushing in front of Deeks. "This is my dad, Jake."

Deeks gaped at her back for a moment, squeezing Rosa's shoulder in a silent warning to stop. Amazingly though, Bart froze in the act of throwing another punch, his hand still hanging in mid-air.

"You trying to tell me Max has a twin?" he barked out suspiciously.

Rosa started to speak again, but Deeks intervened.

"Yeah, lucky me." Deeks wiped a trail of blood off his chin with the back of his hand, letting his arm shake a little. "Let me guess, he owes you money or something."

"No, not exactly." Bart's eyes bounced between Rosa and Deeks. "You know where he is?"

"No," Rosa answered quickly, rubbing her hands up and down her arms. Deeks couldn't quite tell if it was an act or if she was truly afraid. "We haven't seen him in years."

"That the truth?"

"I wouldn't know where to find him, and I have no reason to look," Deeks responded, and Bart suddenly looked nervous and ready to bolt.

"Sorry about that." He nodded to Deeks' face.

"Wouldn't be the first time."

With another shifty glance in their direction, Bart shuffled back a few steps, then took of at an awkward run, jumping into a battered sedan parked alongside another pump.

"Are you ok?" Deeks asked, turning to Rosa, gently holding her arms. She looked a little shaken up, but remarkably unaffected.

"Yes, I'm fine. What about you?" She reached up to touch his face, and he winced instinctively before she made any contact.

"I'll be all right. Let's get out of here before someone thinks of calling the police." He was slightly surprised no one had come out to investigate, though he supposed it made a certain amount of sense.

"You're not calling the police?" Rosa asked as Deeks quickly closed the gas tank, and nudged her to get in the truck. He pulled out of the gas station almost as fast as Bart, driving towards home.

"I'll give Bates what I have when we get home, but right now it's better we get away from here before there's too many questions." He stopped the truck alongside a park, and turned to face Rosa. "Speaking of which, what the hell were you thinking engaging with him?"

"Law isn't the only thing that you taught me about," Rosa said, having the nerve to smirk. "I know you and Kensi tried to shelter me from most of what you did with NCIS, but I still saw enough. It is much harder than I thought it would be to think up lies so quickly. You'll have to help me with that."

"Unbelievable," Deeks muttered, stunned. "No, no, absolutely not. I'm not training you to lie and make up aliases on the spot because this isn't going to happen again."

"Oh please, teach me just a little bit. Kensi always says that you were the best at undercover work," Rosa begged.

"Did you forget the part where that guy punched me?"

"So obviously I need to be prepared." Widening her eyes, Rosa nodded convincingly.

"Fine," Deeks allowed with a sigh. "I will teach you some techniques on the very small, and awful, chance something like this happens again."

"And maybe how to throw knives."

"Oh my god, I've created a monster." Deeks shook his head. "You'll have to take up the knives debate with Kensi. Who will undoubtedly have lots of questions about this." He made a circle to encompass his face, which what started to throb.

"Oh yeah. She won't be happy," Rosa said with a grimace.

"Probably not," Deeks agreed, reaching over to pat her folded hands. "Despite everything I just said, you did good today, kiddo."