A/N: As requested by @anonkp, Deeks’ showdown with Rosa’s unwanted suitor.
I’m also working on some other things, but as usual these days, keep running out of the time and energy to finish.
A Friendly Warning, Part 2
“What does this guy look like?” Deeks peered beyond Rosa’s head, under the guise of checking the coffee shop menu, while he scanned the roaming college kids and teachers moving past them.
“Uh, Devin’s a few inches shorter than you, has dark brown hair, and is a little bit muscular I guess,” Rosa listed off. “Oh, and he usually wears a, um—” she made a rounded gesture over her head.
“I’ve trained you well.” Nodding in approval at her description, he glanced down at his phone to answer Kensi’s latest text. She hadn’t been able to come, but had requested frequent updates.
“He should be here soon,” Rosa said, glancing around with slight trepidation. It had been her idea to accept one of Devin’s coffee invites. “He’s texted three times to say how excited he is.” Her eyebrows furrowed. “Am I bad person for doing this?”
“No,” Deeks answered fervently.
“But now he’s going to get his hopes up.”
“Well, he shouldn’t. You don’t owe him anything in the first place. Besides, you have a boyfriend, you turned him down, and ignored his texts for two weeks. If he still had hope after that, he’s either a jerk or an idiot. Probably both.”
“I guess.” Rosa offered him a tiny smile. “Oh, he just walked in.”
Deeks had positioned himself so he could easily view most of the cafe. Based on Rosa’s description, he found Devin after a few seconds. At first glance, he didn’t seem particularly dangerous, but he did have an excited and nervous energy about him.
Reluctantly, Rosa stood and Devin broke into a wide smile when he spotted her.
“Rosa!” Walking up to the table, he leaned forward as if to going for a hug, but Rosa stepped back. He dropped her arms a little awkwardly.
“Hey, Devin.” Rosa smiled politely, though he didn’t seem to notice. Deeks watched it all from slightly behind her.
“I’m so glad you said yes. I thought maybe you like lost my number or something,” Devin said cluelessly. He pointed at Deeks, seeming to notice him for the first time. “Who’s this?”
“This is my Dad, Marty Deeks,” Rosa introduced them. She flashed Deeks a look, which he took to mean it was show time.
Standing, Deeks squared his shoulders so and held out a hand, staring Devin directly in the eye as they shook hands. Devin winced and chuckled.
“Wow, I didn’t realize I’d be meeting you so soon.” He glanced back at Rosa, with the first hint of displeasure.
“I like to meet all Rosa’s friends,” Deeks said evenly.
“Oh. I uh—well, that’s great. Did you want to order coffee now?” Devin asked, some of his enthusiasm dissipating. “My treat.”
“I think we should talk first.” Deeks gestured to one of the chairs and crossed his arms, staring Devin down until he reluctantly sat down. Deeks chose the seat opposite him while Rosa tugged her chair a few feet away from Devin. “So, what are you studying, Devin?”
“Journalism. But I’m kind of thinking of switching to law like Rosa. She’s really won me over. She’s a great study partner,” Devin rambled, flashing Rosa a smile that she didn’t return. You went to law school, right, Mr. Deeks?”
“I did. I was a public defender before I joined LAPD,” Deeks said casually.
“You’re—you’re a cop?” Devin squeaked out.
“Eh, I’ve moved up in the world since then. But LAPD taught me a lot of crucial skills.”
“Dad’s the best in his field,” Rosa chipped in brightly, and with just enough ambiguity. Deeks almost smiled with pride.
Leaning forward suddenly, Deeks folded his hands and Devin jerked back in response. “What did you say your last name was?” he asked.
“Yeah, I like to check up on all of Rosa’s friends. Just a precaution, you know.”
“Always so overprotective,” Rosa added fondly.
Devin shifted uncomfortably, looking between them, and then grabbed his phone suddenly. “Uh, you know, I just remembered I have a meeting with Professor Weiss. I’m sorry, Rosa.” He waited for a second, maybe expecting Rosa to express regret.
She stayed seated, smiling pleasantly. “That’s ok. I’ll see you in class.”
“It was nice meeting you, Devin.” Deeks stood and put his arm around Devin’s shoulders, lowering his voice as he leaned in. “I look forward to finding out more about you.”
Devin made a sound amazingly like a whimper, and ducked out from under Deeks’ arm. “I need to go,” he said without anymore pretense.
“That was amazing,” Rosa said as soon as Devin was out of earshot. She hugged Deeks tightly. “Thank you!”
“No problem. That was kind of fun, which I probably shouldn’t admit.”
“I think you’re entitled. You think we scared him away for good?”
“I’m 95% certain,” Deeks said. “And we never said anything that could be used against us in a court of law.”
“Mmm. Though it will make class kind of awkward,” Rosa mused.
“Oh, he’s dropping out of that one for sure.”
