After a fairly long phone call, Kensi Blye returned to the bedroom with a pinched expression.
"Apparently you and my team are going to LAPD for a meeting with your boss," she informed him.
"You got reamed out, huh?" he guessed. She rolled her eyes.
"No. My boss isn't happy we didn't realize there was an open and ongoing investigation, but I think she's more annoyed with your supervisor."
"Ah, Roger Bates. Yeah, he kind of hates you guys, so I'd be careful what you say."
"Fantastic." She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, inadvertently revealing a healthy amount of cleavage. Deeks cleared his throat, raising an eyebrow, and she hastily dropped her arms, cheeks turning an amazingly dusky shade of red.
"I need pants," she declared, turning abruptly. "And a bucket of coffee."
"I'll take a vanilla latte," he called after her. "Hold the whip cream."
A few hours later, Deeks waited outside Roger Bates' office, slouched against the wall. He'd already received his own call from Bates, who had some very choice and not child friendly words to say about NCIS and Kensi Blye's team. After assuring that the case hadn't been compromised, calmed down slightly.
"Right through here, Agents," Bates' secretary said, ushering Kensi, now dressed in jeans and a coral-colored t-shirt, and two men into the outer room. He caught her eyes and winked.
"Agent Blye."
"Detective Deeks," she responded, her pitch dropping just a touch. Now that was interesting. "These are my colleagues, Agents Sam Hanna and G. Callen."
"Nice to meet you. Can I interest you in a cup of coffee? It's terrible, but it helps to fill any awkward silences," Deeks said. Agent Callen gave him an odd look, shaking his head.
"I think we're good."
"Alrighty."
"You're telling me you're really a cop?" Agent Hanna asked, looking Deeks up and down with a perplexed expression.
"Yep," Deeks confirmed with a knowing grin. "He tipped his chin up at him. "Detective Martin A. Deeks, undercover division at your service."
"They don't have a dress code?"
"Not really. The department understands that undercover work requires a certain amount of leeway, even eccentricity if you will."
"I guess it would take a special sort to dress up in a Jack Dawson costume every night for weeks at a time," Agent Callen commented. "Kensi said you played the roll very convincingly."
"Oh my god, don't listen to a word they say," she groaned, glaring at them. "They're a couple of idiots."
Before Deeks could same something in return, Roger Bates barreled into the office, greeting the three agents with the barest of nods when they introduced themselves.
"Alright, let's get this over with," he said, impatiently inviting them into the office. "So, why don't you tell me what brought you in to nearly blow my detective's cover?"
"We had information that linked him to a murder we're investigating," Callen shared, pausing expectantly. When Bates didn't take the hint, he added, "Just to give you a forewarning, our boss, Hetty Lange, will likely be recommending NCIS take lead on this case."
"And she can take that suggestion and shove it," Bates said, unmoved.
Deeks saw Kensi's brows raise in surprise. He'd guess that Bates was a revelation for the whole team.
"Our team is specially trained for this kind of situation. Can you say the same?" Sam asked, his smile ever so slightly condescending.
"Deeks is the bane of my existence, but he's also damn good at undercover work," Roger Bates declared, looking supremely annoyed at having to make such a statement. "Which of you fellas think you could fit in at a dance club like that?"
Kensi snorted, immediately covering her mouth, muttering an apology under her breath. Deeks concealed a grin at her slip.
"That's the nicest thing you've ever said about me," Deeks joked. "Anyway, I've been investigating a possible money laundering scheme. It's important, but probably not enough to get a federal agency involved."
"We take financial crimes very seriously," Agent Hanna said.
"Well, in that case, I suggest you buy some tear-away pants and find a good waxer," Deeks said brightly, settling back for what would likely be a very entertaining meeting.
"Well, that was interesting," Deeks commented, strolling out Bates' office with Kensi by his side. "Your boss is an extremely reasonable woman."
"Gloating is a very unattractive quality," she grumbled.
"Oh, don't be bitter, Agent Blye. Just because your Miss Lang agreed to give LAPD lead on the case doesn't mean we can't be civil."
"Right. You're already causing trouble."
"How? I have done nothing but be an absolute delight," Deeks objected with feigned shock.
"Like you don't know. I'm talking about the winking, and suggestive comments, the looks," she rattled off, leaning towards him.
"So, what you're saying is that you were watching me."
"Oh no, don't try to turn this around on me."
He turned so he faced her, placing a hand on his hip as she stared at him with a furious expression. It was kind of cute.
"Do you want to talk about what happened last night? You know, with the whole making out on my couch thing," he clarified. "I mean, since we will be working together, it seems like we should be completely honest and open with each other."
"That was just to keep my cover and don't you dare think of opening anything in front of me," she said.
"What if I offered to give you a private show?"
To his surprise, she stilled, eyes flickering with interest before she caught herself, and huffed out a forced laugh.
"Right. In that case you'd be paying me."
"Uh-huh, you keep telling yourself that, Agent Blye." He dropped his head towards her ear, whispering, but if you change your mind, I'll be your Jack any day." He was rewarded with her inhaling sharply, and he grinned to himself, sauntering away.