Kensi's eyes traveled up the length of Deeks' legs, getting drawn in by the hypnotizing thrust in time to the music. Running his hands up his sides, Deeks jostled the shoulder holster he sported. Never in her life had Kensi found a cop uniform, even a fake one, so sexy.

"You must be in hell," Callen drawled over comms. "Having to watch this Jack Dawson routine and not being able to touch must be killing you."

"Ooh, do you think you can record a video?" Nell chimed in. "For research purposes."

Kensi said nothing, crossing her legs at the ankles as she tried to ignore the commentary. It would be bad enough if she just had to hang around the club, watching Deeks perform on a nearly nightly basis; having her teammates rib her about it constantly made it ten times worse. Worst of all, she did kind of regret that this was all for show.

Deeks stripped off his shirt, flinging it into the crowd with a flourish, and she shivered.

Since she'd already established an interest in Jason Wyler on her first visit, they'd decided it wouldn't look too suspicious if she developed a crush. There were a few other familiar faces in the audience, so Kensi definitely wasn't the only patron who was a repeat visitor.

Shifting in her chair, Kensi sat through the rest of the routine, which ended with Deeks in very small and very tight boxer briefs that left absolutely nothing to imagination. She made sure to catch his eye—just to bolster her cover—before she got up and made her way to the bar. It had become her habit in the last week, to alternate between one of the tables and the bar.

Luckily Marie, who tended to be a wealth of information, was on staff tonight.

"What are you having this time, honey?" Marie asked when she spotted Kensi.

Situating herself at the bar so she could see the stage, but also chat with Marie, Kensi answered, "Tonic with lime." She usually had one beer or martini a night, just so she wouldn't stand out too much, and then switched to non-alcoholic for the rest of the night.

Deeks wouldn't be in the next routine, so Kensi took the opportunity to observe the people around her. It would be significantly easier to ignore Deeks' gyrating hips if she had something concrete to do, but so much of her cover involved waiting and watching. She didn't know how Deeks handled it for so long, but he seemed perfectly at ease while charming nearly everyone in the building, including her.

She needed some action before the sexual tension got the better of her, and she jumped Deeks during one of their debriefings.

"Here you go." Maria set a tall glass with a wedge of lime and a striped straw in front of Kensi, leaning against the bar. A very popular solo dance was in progress, so not too many patrons were buying drinks at the moment.

"Thanks."

Kensi took a sip, glancing towards the back just in case Deeks might signal to her. He had been offered a communication device, but turned it down, worrying that it would fly out during a dance. He had reluctantly consented to letting Eric modify his watch so they could alert each other in an emergency.

"He won't be out of at least a few more minutes."

Quickly looking away, she found Marie watching he, still relaxed against the bar.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Jack. It takes him a little extra time to change out of that holster," Marie explained. Before Kensi could even come up with an objection, she added with a knowing grin, "I've noticed you keeping tabs on him. Won't be the first time he's gained a fan."

"Have I been that obvious?" Kensi asked, not having to fake her blush.

"Why yes you have," Nell muttered in her ear.

"Probably not to most people here, cause they're too busy enjoying themselves. I always notice the repeats though, and boy, do you have it bad for Jack. I understand it; he's cute and he's a charmer." Marie gave Kensi a sly look. "If I didn't have a firm policy against dating the help, I'd take a crack at him."

"Well, then I guess that's lucky for me," Kensi commented with a smirk. Marie grinned right back, grabbing a towel to wipe down the bar.

"I like you. Jack's pretty popular, but he tends to attract some interesting types. At least you don't look like you're going to knock him out and hide him in a closet."

"Gee, thanks," Kensi replied dryly. She paused to take another drink. "You seem pretty protective of the dancers."

"Well, this can be a dangerous business," Marie answered, the fierceness in her voice surprising Kensi. She seemed to have noticed it too, and brushed it off with a laugh. "You know, the crazy women trying to get into these guys' thongs."

"Whose thong are you getting inside?" Deeks asked from behind Kensi. She jumped a little, and he settled his hand on her back for a moment, his touch leaving the usual sparks in their wake.

He moved to her side, leaning in between Kensi's chair and the next. His curls looked delightfully messy and she let herself give into the urge to brush a couple pieces away from his temple.

"Oh you know I only have eyes for you." Marie gave him a playful look, and started to hand him a water bottle.

"Actually, I uh, needed to ask Tracey about something. You think you can help me?" He directed the last part to Kensi, lowering his voice a touch as he trailed his fingers down her arm.

"Of course. I'd love to be of service," Kensi told him, enjoying the way his eyebrows rose in apparent shocked delight.

"Just don't miss your cue," Marie warned him. "And don't let the boss know you're giving freebies to paying clients."

"I won't breathe a word," Deeks promised, taking Kensi's hand and gently leading her across the room. When Kensi saw they were headed towards the private rooms, she felt her heart speed up with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation.

A/N: Ooh, whatever does Deeks want to do with Kensi?