Chapter 2

AN- this is a short chapter but I felt I had to give Max the same exposure as I did Fern.

Kensi packed the last of the luggage into her silver Cadillac and returned to the kitchen. She began to tap the kitchen counter in frustration that soon turned into worry. She pulled her cell phone out and called the most recent called person. It immediately sent her to voicemail. She put the phone down and continued tapping. After a few more minutes the front door swung open and a blonde teenager with blue eyes and no T-shirt walked through the door with earphones plugged into his ears, holding a surfboard in one arm and a leach in the other connected to a scruffy dog at his feet.

"Max Marty Deeks!"

A smile appeared on his face as he leaned his surfboard against the wall and took the leach off of the dog. "Mom come on, school closed yesterday and today is my first day of summer before I spend the rest of it with you. I just went to the beach with some friends and trust me when I say the tide was amazing today."

Kensi shook her head at her son, he was a perfect clone of his father. Carefree and humorous. "Max how many times do I need to tell you that you need to listen to me. It's not safe out there, when I say three hours I mean three hours not five. It is so dangerous for you and you know why."

Max smiled and sat on the chair next to her, "Mom you don't need to worry about me, you have taught me how to fight and how to protect myself and a bunch of other things that teaching a teenage boy how to do could get him into a lot of trouble with the law. Also just remember that I am a teenage boy and it's in my nature to break the rules.

Kensi raised an eyebrow, "Who told you that shit?"

"Oh just the things you did when you were around my age."

"They didn't tell you that, they told you how breaking the rules wasn't fun in the end."

"Mom it doesn't matter what the consequences are breaking the rules is always fun."

"No max it's not," Kensi argued.

"Anyway mom, I think you need a man in your life so you will get over your over protective stage. I like you better when you don't worry so much. Alright I'll get changed and meet you in the car in a few minutes. I'm sorry I made you late."

Kensi watched her son leave the kitchen with a trail of sand behind him wondering how he became so cheeky.

Monty jumped onto his back legs and barked at Kensi with excitement before jumping into the car where she had just opened the door for him. Max climbed into the passenger seat and started a conversation with Monty. Kensi climbed into the car and pulled out the driveway.

"Let's play 'who am I?'" Max suggested after a few hours passed. He had now gotten board of talking to Monty, Listening to music and creating his own beat with his drum sticks.

"Yes, let's do that. I'll go first. Uhm… I like to do my business in private, I am a very fussy eater, I love high heels, I have a bunch of teddy bears, I have emotional problems and I love to watch the crime channel."

Max burst into laughter, "Mom you can do better than that, It's Monty."

Kensi nodded and laughed too.
"Okay it's my turn. I… Uh… Many people know me except for the one person on earth who wants to, I have blonde shaggy hair and blue eyes. I worked in law enforcement. I had a dog I wa-"

"Max don't you dare start that with me!"

Max sighed, it was wishful thinking. It would have to take some time again for Kensi to open up to him like she did a year ago. Even then she only told him the basics about his father saying she could not deprive him from that information because it was abuse. He turned and looked out the window at the passing fields just off the freeway.

Kensi bit her lip feeling guilty for being so hard on Max all the time. She pushed him away every time he got even a little close to her. She hated to admit that she was afraid to let him close because of Deeks. She studied her son who looked angry but sad as he stared into the distance.

"You know Max, there is something I want to talk to you about. You know you can tell me all of your fears and I will not judge you." Kensi grinned at her son.

Max looked at her uncertain, "What are you getting at mom?"

"You can tell me about anything you are afraid of like maybe say… the dark."

Max stared at her blankly searching the depths of his mind to figure out what she was talking about.

Kensi laughed, "I got up for water last night and when I walked past your room I noticed a light so I went in to check on you because it was late and your bedside lamp was on and you were asleep."
Max began laughing hysterically at his mother and after a few moments of watching her son Kensi joined in.

"Mom," Max said trying to calm himself, "I was reading all those old books you gave and fell asleep with it on."

Kensi nodded, "I bet you did."

"Mom come on, I am being serious. It was an accident I am not afraid of the dark."

"Or are you? I'm not judging here. I would even pay for the trip to the psychologist."

"Mom!"

Kensi burst into laughter again, "Come on scaredy-cat don't be scared."

Max pulled a face at Kensi, "You are a very mean person. Did you know that?"

"That's why you love me son."