A/N: Densimber day 17.

"Hey, Nell and Eric are back in town for a couple weeks. They invited us to a little party they're having on Saturday," Deeks told Kensi, walking in the living room from their bedroom.

"She texted me last week about possibly making it this way soon. I'm glad, it's been way too long," Kensi said. She put the book she'd been reading aside, and got up to meet Deeks. "Did she say when we should come?"

Deeks pursed his lips, recalling Nell's response to that exact question—with interjections from Eric. "She said we can arrive whenever we want and, I quote "they have enough rooms to house us, and our various dependents, for up to fifteen days if we decide to stay longer." Not for the first time, he'd noticed working in the private IT sector had only increased Nell and Eric's eccentricities.

"That's both kind and somehow concerning," Kensi commented.

"Agreed. She also said we could bring a dish if we want, but don't have to."

"I have the perfect thing." Kensi clapped her hands together with a surprising about of glee. "Homemade macaroni and cheese."

"Have you ever made macaroni and cheese?" Deeks questioned, clarifying, "That doesn't come from a box."

"No, but the recipe has step by step instructions and I've watched about twenty different people make it," she defended herself. "And I figured you'd help me."

Deeks grinned at her sheepish expression. "I'm always happy to help my Ladybird. Especially when cheese is involved. Ok, I'll text Nell back."

"See, this is why I love you," she said teasingly, leaning in for a kiss.

A few days later

"I don't know what could have gone wrong," Kensi lamented, staring into a searing hot casserole dish. Deeks peered over her shoulder at the pile noodles amidst a brown, grainy mixture.

"Well, as a positive, the noodles don't look bad."

"Helpful, babe. I mean, it doesn't look great, but I'm sure it can't taste that bad, right? It still has all the correct ingredients."

"Sure," Deeks agreed without much conviction. Sending him a frustrated look, Kensi grabbed a serving spoon, scooping up a bit of the mixture and blowing on it until it wouldn't scald her mouth. She took a bite, eyes widening as she chewed and swallowed.

"That is possibly the worst thing I've ever tasted," she choked out, ruching for her water. "Oh my god, what are we gonna do? We're supposed to be at the part in two hours."

"I'd say we could salvage it, but the kindest thing to do is get a shovel and beg its forgiveness."

"Deeks," Kensi protested, even as she couldn't contain a slightly hysterical chuckle. "This is a nightmare."

"Kens, it's going to be ok," he assured her, hugging her briefly. "You start grating cheese and I'll go out for some more evaporated milk."

"Thank you," Kensi said in relief. She looked at the mess of world-be macaroni. "And maybe grab a tray of Stouffer's just in case?"

A/N: The macaroni recipe mentioned is by Tini Younger on Instagram. If you haven't seen or tried it, it is a really good and fairly easy recipe. I've also seen several people mess it up in unimaginable ways.