AN: Set after the day after the final chapter of 'Ours'. For /u/Bkworm4life4 who wanted to see more of Roberta because who doesn't love that woman?

Also, because apparently you lot aren't done with inspiring me, this little outtake has become a fully formed sort fic in my head so look out for hw Roberta gets her revenge in 'Served Cold' at some point in the near future. If you want to leave ideas for what you want hr to do with Jorsten and McHughes, please leave a review with suggestions.

Deeks was going over his inventory lists, more than a little puzzled. This was meant to be a relatively simple task, just checking things off a list. A monkey could do it. A monkey could do it if the list was comprehensible, that is. Which this list was not.

One of these days he was going to persuade people to actually use the computer for more than ordering stuff. This jotting stuff down on bits of paper was really not working for him. Ok, they weren't really random bits of paper - it was the leather-bound book his mom had got for him specifically for making notes in while on shift. It was embossed with the name of the bar and everything. Of course, that had had to get done after it was given to him due to their little problem with naming this place but still. It was a rather touching gift. And useful. When you could actually read the notes.

The problem was that no one took time to actually write neatly when they were making notes while on shift. Deeks understood, he really did. Things good get pretty hectic (sort of anyway, it was early days for this place yet) and there was always another job to get doing, which left him this this. Hastily scrawled notes that he wasn't even convinced was in English.

He loved having his own bar, he really did. But having other responsibilities (very big responsibilities) outside of world could be more than a little stressful. At least he had a good team behind him. He looked up from his page to give his partner (and wife! That was never going to get old) and mother a fond look. When they actually wrote neatly anyway. Deeks released an exasperated breath and turned the page upside down to see if that would help any. Was his mother a doctor in a past life? Her penmanship was really awful. What was that word even meant to be?

Deeks supposed he should be grateful that he wasn't the one who had to clean up the confetti. Apparently, Hetty had made Eric and Nell do that themselves. She'd even brought a handheld vacuum for that purpose.

"I'm going to take these out back," Kensi announced to the room at large, waving her arms over a stack of empty crates and boxes.

"Thanks," Deeks said absent-mindedly, bring the page closer to his face.

Was that a 'b' or an 'l'? Neither letter looked like it belonged in the word but considering that he didn't know what the word was supposed to be...

"So, are you going to tell me anything about those guys who were stirring up trouble last night?" His mom asked, in the most fake nonchalant voice he'd ever heard, as she sidled up to him - glass and cloth in hand.

"No one was causing trouble last night," he said quickly, knowing exactly what she was talking about but not wanting to get into it.

That got him an extremely sceptical look in response. He didn't elaborate on it, pointedly looking back down at his list. This was not something he wanted to talk about.

"That cop," his mom stated, waving her finger about at him (he ducked before he lost an eye). "That moody one who looked like someone pissed in his drink."

"Momma!" Deeks hissed, looking around to make sure no one heard that.

"Oh, relax, Martin," she replied with a dismissively gesture. "We're the only ones here."

"You still shouldn't be saying things like that.

She ignored him, of course she did, and continued, "Mc-something. McGarvey? McHale? McBride?"

"McHughes," Deeks said in exasperation, not being able to take it anymore.

"So, what about him," she blatantly fished.

Deeks sighed and ran a hand over his face. "He's no one, momma."

"The team didn't seem to think so."

Deeks groaned at the memory because of course everyone had to go and basically threaten the guy last night. Well, technically Eric and Nell did the actual threatening but there was no mistaking what Callen, Kensi and Sam's glares meant. They hadn't exactly been subtle.

"Just some guy who likes to give me a bit of trouble," he gave in slightly.

It was the truth. Partially. No need to go into details.

"In LAPD?" she demanded.

Deeks shrugged again. She already knew that.

"He's not a fan of mine. My charming personality doesn't work on him," he replied with a self-deprecating sigh.

"I knew he was trouble," his mom swore.

"Momma, no," Deeks chided and then checked himself. "Well, yes but," he shook his head realising that he did not need to give his mom ammunition here. "No, he's not trouble. He's a good cop."

That wasn't even begrudgingly given praise. McHughes was a good cop. A little brash and blunt and had an awful personality but a good cop. Jorsten too. Just because they didn't like him didn't mean he was a bad cop. Loads of people didn't like him. Deeks liked to think himself of a marmite kind of guy. You either loved him or you hated him. Especially in the LAPD.

"He just doesn't like me." Deeks shrugged again, be had been doing that a lot. "It's not like he's hurt me or anything or put me in danger."

Though he wouldn't put it past the guy and he would not be taking his chances with him.

"But it bothers you," she accurately guessed.

He didn't answer, which was probably all the answers she needed. So what? It didn't matter anymore. It wasn't like he worked with guy or even came in to close contact with him these days. Unless his team actively sought him out.

"Oh, Martin."

She completely gave up on the pretence of washing the glass and wrapped an arm around him. He stepped out of the embrace and shrugged.

"I'm fine, momma."

Okay, it wasn't exactly the most sincere or insisting tone but he was fine.

"His opinion doesn't matter anymore," he added quietly.

Deeks braced himself for his mother's sincere, elaborate but nevertheless useless advice but it never came. He shot a quick look at her, hoping she wasn't going to blow up or something (Momma Deeks was fierce when she was riled up). But she wasn't. Instead, she looked thoughtful. Pensive even.

"Momma?" he tried.

She shook her head and smiled at him. A proper smile. The one that made him feel warm and want to grin broadly in response. Reaching over to him, she patted him reassuringly on the shoulder.

"At least you're with good people now," she said with satisfaction, picking up the glass and moving back to the bar.

Huh. Deeks blinked after her, his lips curving into a smile.

Yes. He really was.