A/N: This one is kind of blurring the show with my own personal feeling about Deeks, and Eric (of the Olsen variety) a bit. I hope it’s not too strange.
“So, how is an investigator different from an agent?” Probationary Agent Angela Ricelli asked Deeks as he lead her to the gym, the last stop on a brief tour of the mission.
In the last six months, Callen and Sam had begun a mentoring program of sorts for some of the best recruits FLETC had to offer. Angela was latest who would spend a six week stint with the team before moving on to her final placement.
Much to Deeks’ surprise, Callen had decided that Deeks would be perfect for handling the orientation process. Although Deeks was extremely hesitant at first, it had gone well so far.
“Actually, we’re still trying to figure that out,” Deeks replied, earning a a small grin from Angela. She reminded him vaguely of Nell when she had started out. Not in appearance-Angela was half a foot taller and blonde-but rather in their enthusiasm and energy. It was refreshing, even if it did make him feel particularly old.
“At this point, I’m just happy to be working though.”
“And done with FLETC, I bet.” Angela gave him a shy smile when he raised one eyebrow and shrugged. “I heard about you when I was there.” He grimaced at that, disappointed that he hadn’t already been forgotten.
“Yeah, uh, I had some trouble during my first week or so,” he explained.
“That’s not what I heard.” Slowing her pace, Angela gave him an odd look, like she thought he was possibly joking. When he just gave her a nonplussed look, she added, “Several of the instructors reference your firearms scores, technical abilities, and interrogation skills. There was a guest lecture from one of your former classmates and he said watching you was one of the most informative parts of the course. You’re kind of famous.”
Deeks felt fairly uncomfortable under the weight of her obvious admiration. Some of her shyness had evaporated while she spoke about him, her gaze unwavering.
“That’s blowing it way out of proportion. I had a lot more practical experience going into FLETC than most of the recruits.”
“Oh, I know. That doesn’t make it any less impressive,” she insisted. “Especially when you consider that by the end, you were first in hand-to-hand combat and had one of the top five running times.”
Finding out his scores had been fairly gratifying, particularly following his abysmal first attempts and he’d gladly bragged about them to the rest of the team. Having others apparently idolize him for those things though, just felt exceedingly strange.
“Guess the hard work just paid off in the end,” Deeks said. Angela nodded and backed off, seeming to realize that he wasn’t enjoying the conversation, but he saw a hint of a smirk playing at her lips as she pressed them together.
Deeks finished the tour and brought Angela back to the bullpen, waiting for the others to return from being briefed in OPS.
“You’re much cuter than in the pictures they have at FLETC,” Angela offered conversationally, once again throwing Deeks off guard.
“There’s several pictures of you next to your scores and awards. They don’t do you justice. Not to mention, your sense of humor and personality. I can see why you’re so popular.”
“Angela, Agent Ricelli,” Deeks began, rubbing his jaw uncomfortably as he tried to think of how to respond. “You realize I’m like 15 years older than you right? I’m the oldest person to ever attend FLETC.”
“Even better,” Angela responded evenly. “It means you’re mature and experienced. It’s a very attractive quality.”
“And I’m very happily married.”
“Again, just another tick in your favor. Women love men who are dependable and devoted.” As Deeks started to object again, she lightly touched his arm. “Look, Deeks, I promise I’m not hitting on you. I just happen to think you’re an extremely attractive individual.”
“Ok…” Shaking his head, Deeks chuckled uncertainly, and glanced down on his feet. “Can’t say I’ve ever had this talk before.”
“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, that wasn’t my intention,” she insisted, looking a little worried now.
“No, you’re fine,” Deeks said, deciding that she seemed earnest, if a little rosy-eyed about him.
“Good.” Angela gave him a last look and sighed lightly. “Agent Blye is certainly a lucky woman,” she murmured quietly.
Deeks tried very hard to ignore the disconcerting thought that there was a group of 20-some year old women fangirling over him.