26A/N: Although this page and event is dedicated to Densi, since the 250th episode airs tonight, we thought it was only appropriate to post a team fic for this momentous occasion. Happy first day of Densi-mber!
"Don't drop your left, Babe!" Kensi called out from the sidelines as Sam and Deeks sparred in the middle of the gym. It was mostly unnecessary at this point, but she couldn't help herself. Encouraging Deeks was second nature by now and part of the game.
"C'mon partner, you can hit harder than that," Callen said and Sam shot him a glare as he danced back from Deeks and then lunged forward. Deeks blocked him with his forearm, landing a punch to Sam's upper chest. "It's certainly different that the first time they fought each other. Back then Deeks didn't stand a chance."
She turned her attention back to Deeks, analyzing his movements. His form was definitely way better, his hits had more force behind them and after all these years he knew Sam's style. It also didn't hurt that Deeks had a more muscular physique than when he'd first joined the team. She spent a little more time than absolutely necessary to examine the flex and pull of said muscles as he attempted to pin Sam's arm behind his back.
"Deeks wasn't that bad," she said eventually, partially out of loyalty, partially out of competitiveness. Callen snorted.
"Sam knocked him out cold."
"That's because it wasn't an even match. If Deeks had as much muscle then as he–"
"Yeah, I think we all know how much you like Deeks' muscles," Callen interrupted dryly and Kensi made an outraged noise.
"That's not what I meant."
"I saw you checking him out. Again."
"I was not," Kensi protested as Sam and Deeks wandered over, both breathing heavily. Wiping sweat of his face, Deeks nudged her shoulder and asked,
"What are you guys talking about?"
"Your muscles," Callen answered which earned an unsurprised look from Sam.
"I should have known," he said. Deeks nudged Kensi's shoulder again, grinning.
"The question is, who started the conversation?" he asked, winking at Callen. Before things could descend into complete chaos, Kensi got things back on track.
"Actually, we were remembering the first you guys fought each other."
"Oh yeah, good times. Sam knocked my lights out and then you guys proceeded to steal my case," Deeks recalled as he grabbed his water bottle and downed half of it at once.
"And who'd have thought that we'd still be have your scrawny butt around ten years later," Sam added cheerfully, roughly patting Deeks on the back.
"I think Kensi would argue that it's a well-muscled butt," Callen felt the need to point out.
"Should I be concerned that you've been checking out my butt?" Eric chose that moment to walk in and asked,
"Is this a bad time to interrupt?" Based on his vaguely disturbed expression, he'd heard at least part of the conversation. Kensi grabbed Deeks' arm and physically removed him from the area before he could make things more awkward for Eric.
"Nope, you have perfect timing," she said firmly, pushing an unresisting Deeks out of the gym.
They were in the bullpen later that evening, while Callen and Deeks finished up some reports. The discussion of their early days as a team had continued throughout the day; both Sam and Callen had proved to be surprisingly sentimental about the whole thing. They'd taken turns recalling various incidents throughout their careers before and after the rest had joined. At some point Nell and Eric had wandered down too and joined the conversation.
"You know, since we're being all nostalgic today, I was thinking about what things were like before Deeks and Nell were a part of the team," Kensi said, looking over at Deeks with a fond smile.
"It was a lot more peaceful for one thing," Sam commented dryly, glancing pointedly at Kensi and Deeks. "There was a less drama and the chances of walking in on someone kissing was almost negligible."
"And you guys never let me drive," Kensi added under her breath. Nell, sitting on the edge of Callen's desk, was looking wistful.
"I remember my first day working here. I was terrified. I told myself that I was going to do everything perfectly and be the best tech analyst the Office of Special Projects had ever seen. And then I'm pretty sure I spent most of the day rambling and making Eric hate me."
"I didn't hate you," Eric protested from beside her, apparently horrified by the thought. Nell rolled her eyes at his loyalty, although she also looked somewhat pleased.
"Oh you definitely did not like those first couple weeks," she countered. When Eric started to protest again, she raised a small hand in a halting gesture. "Which I completely understand. I kept cutting you off and trying so hard to prove myself that even I am retroactively annoyed."
"And none of that matters now because I love you more than anything," Eric said sweetly and leaned over for a kiss.
"Before this gets any cheesier than it already is," Callen said, looking vaguely amused by the display going on in front of him. "Didn't you also throw Hetty a massive birthday party? When we specifically told you that you shouldn't."
"I don't know that you ever said I shouldn't throw her a party," Nell hedged. "Besides, she loved it."
"Yeah, I'm not so sure about that. I'm think Hetty was so sick of hiring new analysts she was determined to like you no matter what."
"That is not true!" Kensi objected, looking outraged on Nell's behalf.
"Even if it is true, like Eric said, it doesn't matter now," Deeks pointed out, sharing a friendly smile with Nell. "Because it was one of the best decisions Hetty ever made. This place wouldn't be the same without you."
"Oh Deeks, that is so sweet," Nell murmured, placing a hand over her heart.
"He's right," Sam agreed. "Even though I might not have seen it at first, all of you have made this team better and I can't imagine if I didn't have you guys around me every day." Nell made a sound remarkably like a sniff after Sam's impromptu speech and Kensi reached over to squeeze his shoulder.
"We love you too."
"Ditto," Nell said.
"It's your turn." Sam nodded in Callen's direction, arms crossed expectantly and a hint of a smirk pulling at his lips.
"My turn for what?"
"To say something nice. You're the only one who hasn't yet." Callen looked like he might protest, but then shrugged.
"Fine." He let out a weighty sigh and confided, "I actually liked Deeks' oyster beer." This was met with a chorus of groans and protests.
"And on that note, why don't we take this conversation to the Squid and Dagger," Deeks suggested. "This time, I promise there will not be any seafood involved." There were several sighs of relief at this news.
As they packed up to go, Hetty appeared in the doorway, hesitating in a way that was most un-Hetty like.
"Is that an open invitation, Mr. Deeks?"
"Of course," he answered with honest surprise. "You're always welcome."
"Wonderful," she said, clapping her hands together and somehow taking instant control of the impromptu get together. "Since we're reminiscing, did I ever tell you about the time Mr. Hanna crashed his first Challenger?" Sam laughed nervously and touched Hetty's arm.
"C'mon Hetty, I don't think anyone wants to hear that story."
"I do," Nell piped up immediately while Eric nodded eagerly. Sam ignored them and began futilely trying to usher Hetty out of the bullpen.
"You told me that accident wasn't your fault," Callen commented, his eyes narrowed at his partner. "You said the other car crashed into you."
"It wasn't my fault," Sam insisted as Hetty said,
"Well, yes, in a way I suppose that is true. A car did crash into Sam…but only after he smashed into a parked minivan." Hetty continued the story as they left the mission, much to Sam's dismay and everyone else's amusement.
By the time they made it to the Squid and the Dagger, Callen was still ribbing Sam. Deeks disappeared into the storeroom to the grab the promised beer while the rest of the team found seats at the bar.
"Can we please talk about something else?" Sam begged after another round of jokes at his expense. "Like how nice it is to finally have this team all in one place again."
"I will definitely drink to that," Kensi said as Deeks reappeared with a crate of bottles.
"Hey, you guys better not have started toasting without me," he said jokingly, starting to pass around the beer. Callen took one immediately while Sam and Nell hesitated. Deeks rolled his eyes as he bumped Kensi's shoulder to get her attention and passed her a bottle. "I promise this beer is fresh, chilled and definitely not fishy. It comes from a local, award winning brewery."
"It better be. I still have nightmares about that last one," Sam said darkly with a disgusted shake of his head.
"It honestly wasn't that bad," Callen insisted.
"You have no taste buds," Eric said with a horrified expression. Deeks had finished distributing the beers and went to stand beside Kensi, leaning against the bar.
Hetty cleared her throat and stood up, raising her hand in a way that demanded attention.
"Since we are all gathered her together, and thankfully in one piece for once, I would like to toast to this team. I am eternally grateful for the work you do each and every day. To the Office of Special Projects, may we be together for ten years more." She ended by lifting her glass in the air and everyone followed suit and took a drink.
"And to the members of this team who are no longer with us," Deeks added and they drank again. There was a moment of contemplative silence and then Callen said, frowning down at his bottle,
"You know, I kind of miss the oyster beer. It had an interesting muskiness."
"You are ridiculous," Sam said with a chuckle.
"I've got more in the back if you want it," Deeks offered. Hetty set her half-empty bottle on the bar and declared,
"I believe that is my cue to leave."
"Thank you for coming, Hetty," Kensi said graciously as Hetty gathered her belongings.
"I wouldn't have missed it. Oh, and Mr. Deeks, please do not let Mr. Callen have more than one of those beers," she added over her shoulder with a delicate shudder.
"Yes, Mom!" Deeks called out as she left and the others spread around the bar, Callen in search of more musky beer. Kensi wrapped her arm around his waist, leaning into his side, and sighed contentedly.
"When you first told me you wanted to buy a bar, I thought you were crazy," she started, and Deeks snorted.
"I know, I thought you were going to kill me when I took the team here the first time."
"Mm, but now having the team here for drinks are some of my favorite nights."
"Mine too," he murmured. He cupped the back of her head and leaned down to kiss her. Who knew if they would last another ten years as a team, but he knew they would be their own weird version of a family forever.
