She hadn't looked him in the eye all day. When the case was wrapped up, she had muttered a quick goodnight and strode out of the mission, and when he arrived in the bullpen asking for her, Callen had told him that she had already left. 'She seemed upset' he had said, with a knowing look in his eye.

"Be careful, Deeks. There's a fine line between partners and something more. You know that. Don't mess things up with her."

"I'm not trying to, G. I'll go talk to her."

"Yeah. Don't let this inflate your already huge ego, but you're good for her. You make her smile. But know this- hurt her and they won't find your body."

Deeks winced as he gathered his things. "You two have that in common you know that? Always ruining nice moments with threats. But thanks man. Means a lot. I feel like I've finally found somewhere I belong, you know? I just.. things have been complicated with Kensi lately. I'm not sure what to do. I want to take the step and also not ruin things. So.. I'll figure it out. We will."

"I sure hope so Deeks. We need a functional team. And if you let this get in the way of work-"

"Don't worry G. Not going to happen. Have you forgotten how uptight and professional Kensi can be?"

"Well she's had you clouding her judgement for three years, Deeks." Callen joked as he walked out of the bullpen. "Night!"

"Night" Deeks called back as he too started walking to his car. It had been a tough case. He had had to go undercover to root out an arms dealer. Things had started to go south when an old flame and source of his had shown up. Maria sure was hot and fiery, perfect for the one night flings that had dominated his life not so long ago. But that wasn't what he wanted any more. For a long time now, the only thing he needed in his life was a certain tall brunette with a junk food addiction. The sex could wait. He could wait. There had been moments when their 'thing' resurfaced. But never had they confronted it before. It scares him. Hell, he's sure it scares them both. But after today, he doesn't know how they can possibly avoid it.

He had been undercover waiting for an arms dealer, Dimitry to show in the little bar he was known to frequent when Maria had snuck up and offered to buy him a drink. She had told him that she was working for Dimitry and could get him all the information he wanted. For a small price, he had to get her brother out of prison. Hetty had considered it a valuable trade, considering the crimes Dimitry had committed, or was capable of committing. The initial information that Maria had supplied had also been legitimate, and so he had agreed to her little deal. The case wore on and the tables had quickly turned when Maria had pulled a gun on him, claiming that she really worked for Dimitry. He wouldn't have gotten out alive if it hadn't been for Kensi and the rest of the team, but he still felt sick to his stomach. He knew she could hear Maria flirting over the com, and he obviously had to retaliate to keep the case going. Maria's subtle reminders to him about their times together over 10 years ago made him uncomfortable because he knew she could hear and he knew what it was probably doing to her. When they were leaving the bar, Maria had taken his face in her hands and kissed him, and he found it near impossible to return the kiss when he knew she was watching from the other side of the road. He had looked at her then, after Maria had walked away; and she was resolutely staring ahead of her, with stoic expression on her face. She hadn't greeted him when he had slipped in to the car, instead turned the techno station on the radio up and drove the short drive to the mission in silence.

It was that expression on her face that remained in his mind as he walked up to her front door, bearing pizza, beer, doughnuts, ice cream and a box of twinkies for good measure.

First chapter was a little short, but the next shouldn't be. Update in a week! Reviews make me happy. and maybe make me write faster ;)