A/N: It's a few days late, but this is in honor (that might not be quite the right word) of our favorite detective's birthday.

Deeks let out a long sigh and Kensi glanced over at him. He didn't say anything, continuing to research their victim's financial history. They worked in silence for a few more minutes until Deeks sighed again.

"Am I old?" he asked. Kensi was sure she heard him wrong.

"What?"

"Am I getting old?"

"Funny, Deeks," Kensi said, rolling her eyes at him, dismissing the conversation.

"I'm being serious," he insisted. When Kensi glanced at him again, she realized he did look worried. "I just turned 41, that's technically middle-aged."

"Babe, you're not old," she reassured him, figuring that would be then end of it. Deeks sighed yet again, leaning back in his chair.

"My knees creak sometimes, I'm getting gray hairs, and yesterday I got a letter from AARP," he told her, smirking ever so slightly at the last point. "I think that's the very definition of old." Underneath the smirk, Kensi could see he wasn't happy and she stood up, coming over to lean against his desk.

"Ok, I'm pretty sure that pamphlet was actually for your mom. And let's be honest, we go home with aches and pains pretty much every day. By your definition, that makes me old too." As she spoke, she gently combed her fingers through his hair. She felt him lean slightly into her touch, but he seemed determined not to be soothed.

"You are definitely not old," Deeks said, sounding offended on her behalf.

"I'm four years younger than you, Deeks. If you're old, then I'm pretty damn close to old," Kensi summed up simply.

"You don't have gray hair."

"Last year you turned 40 and you had a few gray hair then, what's different about this year?" Kensi asked, trying to reason with him, but genuinely curious. Despite Deeks' occasional vanity, he was usually pretty secure about his appearance and didn't let things like this get to him. He shrugged, sighing again.

"I don't know. Maybe it's because I keep seeing people in their 20's and can't help thinking that they're just kids. Or noticing that they're faster and smarter than me," he admitted quietly, looking up at Kensi ruefully.

A part of her wanted to brush it off as just Deeks being dramatic, but she knew it was bugging him more than he was even letting on. If she was completely honest, the thought of turning forty in a few years was a little unsettling. Of course, telling Deeks that now wouldn't be helpful. She could see he was well on his way to a full-on mid-life slump. Even if it was for somewhat ridiculous reasons, she didn't want to see him unhappy.

"There's always going to be someone younger than us. And maybe it's true that we're a little slower than we used to be, but we are definitely not old. And just in case you're thinking it, baby, you are not becoming useless. You are a great detective, gray hair and creaky knees included," she told him sincerely.

Kensi bent down to kiss him and he sighed against her lips, seemingly to release a tiny bit of his anxiety. After a minute, he leaned back a little and asked,

"It doesn't bother you?" And there it was.

"Not even a little bit. You're stuck with me for the long haul." She kissed him again and added, "Even if you do end up looking like Grandpappy Clifford." Deeks snorted and kissed her, nipping at her bottom lip.

"I'm not sure I can pull off the ball and dangly ear look," he said contemplatively.

"Mm, well I would miss your hair. But I love you, Marty Deeks, all of you," she said firmly.

"I love you too, baby," he murmured. "Thanks."

"Anytime."

A/N: This turned out a little less humorous than I intended. Deeks' creaky knees were inspired by one of ECO's recent Instagram posts.