A/N: Densimber Day 5.

"Our suspect has a ballroom dance class tonight. I think that would be a fine time to plan a little encounter," Hetty said, pausing a beat before turning to face the entire team spread around OPS. "Any takers?"

"I volunteer Kensi and Deeks," Callen said before anyone else could speak up.

"What kind of ballroom dance?" Deeks asked.

"Uh, they're currently focusing on the Tango," Nell answered after consulting her tablet.

Deeks considered the information; it was far from the worst cover ever, even if he'd never danced the Paso Doble in his life. If Eric and Nell could get them into the class, he'd manage.

"I think it's an excellent idea," Hetty disagreed. "Miss Blye, Mr. Deeks, please prepare appropriately and plan to be at that class tonight." With a definitive nod, she walked out.

"Well, this should be good," Sam commented with a half grin.

"She can't be serious," Kensi said. "I am not dancing the Tango with Deeks."

"Wow, that's not hurtful, or anything."

"Who else is going to do it?"

"What about Eric and Nell?"

"I would, but tap dance is more my style." Eric shrugged apologetically.

As they headed downstairs, Deeks nudged Kensi's shoulder. "Hey, are you telling me the great Special Agent Blye can't fake her way through a dance class?"

"Oh." Kensi huffed, clearly offended. "I can fake it. I'm worried about you. Do you even know Tango steps?"

"I've seen "Shall We Dance?"," Deeks answered glibly.

"Oh my god," she groaned.

"Come on, you guys had dancing lessons from Hetty a while ago," Sam reminded them.

"Yes, one lesson. And it was interrupted."

Deeks tilted his head, confused why Kensi was putting up such a huge fight. He'd understand it if she was outright mocking him, but this seemed different. He noted her crossed arms, her tense spine, and suddenly it struck him: she was nervous.

Hiding this new revelation, Deeks walked to the center of the bullpen, conscious of the others watching with varying levels of interest. He held out his hand invitingly.

"Ok, if you're so worried about it, let's practice right now," he offered.

Kensi tried to laugh it off, looking to Nell, and then Sam for support. Nell just regarded her with an intrigued smile and Sam sighed,

"Just do it and get it over with."

Reluctantly, Kensi joined him in the middle of room, hesitantly taking his left hand. Her hand slightly clammy in his, and she drew in a couple shallow breaths before settling her other hand on his shoulder in the proper dance hold.

"We don't have to do this if you don't want to," he whispered. If it made her this uncomfortable, he wouldn't force it.

Kensi tensed, but this time with indignation. "I'm fine," she hissed back, settling her hand more firmly on his shoulder and leaning into him. Following her cue, he placed his hand on her back, suddenly feeling a little nervous himself.

He'd had exactly three Latin dance lessons in college, but he remembered enough of the basics to get by. Their first few steps were stilted and uncoordinated. After a few more cycles, they found a rhythm.

Leaning into her natural dancing abilities, Kensi followed his lead perfectly, playing into the push and pull, sliding her leg between his feet. He caught her eye and she grinned at him, her earlier anxiousness completely gone.

On the next revolution, he dipped Kensi back, one hand finding a place just below her hip as he supported her in mid-air. Her eyes met his again, the air charged around them, bodies pressed together.

Clearing his throat, Deeks abruptly lifted her back up, suddenly overheated and painfully aware of the silence.

"Ok," Nell said. "That was…interesting."

"Would you two like a minute?" Sam asked, a hint of warning and question under the joke.

Kensi hastily stepped away, brushing her hair back from her face. "No, we're good."

"Fantastic," Deeks agreed.

"But we should probably practice a little more. You know, just so we're ready for tonight."

More practice might kill, but he nodded along, following Kensi as she made awkward gestures in the general direction of the gym.

It was perfectly normal to feel this way about your partner. Completely normal.