Awhile ago I had a request to write a drabble for Deeks meeting Kensi's dad with him being still alive. Well me being me couldn't really do that, because simply I believe that the loss of her dad is part of who she is and what makes Kensi….Kensi. So I guess this is my take on Deeks meeting Kensi's dad.
Kensi had been distracted and out of sorts all day long. Thankfully it had been a slow day and they hadn't caught a case. She had tried going to the gym and taking out her frusterations on the punching bag but had only succeeded in wearing herself out and wasting about 45 minutes thinking about the one thing she was trying to forget.
Even her beloved firing range didn't help make her feel better, because when she automatically went to throw her knife down range it brought back even more memories of the one man she was trying to desperately not to think about today.
Today was the anniversary of her father's death and she felt hollow, a dull ache that she couldn't extinguish.
Deeks noticed his partner's peculiar behavior, and unbeknownst to her…he knew the reason. He prayed that they didn't catch a late day case, not because he didn't believe that she would be able to pull it together and have his back. No, of that he had no doubt. He was hoping to have some time to spend with her tonight, if nothing else to just be there for her in whatever way she needed him.
Right now she was sitting at her desk pretending to do paperwork, and he was sitting at his desk trying not to make it obvious that he was staring at her. He cleared his throat. "Uh…Kens? You ok? You've been staring at that same page for the last 30 minutes."
She snapped back to reality. She had actually been lost in a flood of memories from the happy times spent camping, hiking, tracking, and thinking about everything else her dad had taught her. Blinking back the moisture in her eyes she shakily answered "Yeah….I'm fine." With that she stood and walked off.
If Deeks hadn't been watching his partner's hasty retreat from the bull pen he wouldn't have noticed her swiping tears away from her eyes. He gave her about 5 minutes before he stood from his desk and followed her out without a word. He figured the older agents wouldn't need an explanation and knew he was right when he caught their knowing glances.
Callen asked "You got this? If not I can.."
Deeks cut him off "I got this. Is it ok if we leave early?"
"Yeah….we'll clear it with Hetty. I'm sure there will be no problem."
Deeks knew where she was. He hesitantly walked up to the door of Nate's seldom occupied office and knocked gently before cracking the door. He saw her then sitting on the floor with her knees drawn up to her chest and her arms folded around them.
She looked up at him before resting her forehead back on her knees. He had seen the tears streaming down her face and she didn't even bother to try and wipe them away. To him that meant that she finally trusted him enough to let him see her at her weakest and to be there for her.
He walked over next to her and sat down right next to her without a word mirroring her position. They sat there in silence for a few minutes; the only sound in the room was her occasional sniffle. He gently shoulder bumped her and when she glanced up at him, he smiled at her and held his arms open hoping that she would take him up on his offer.
Kensi leaned into his open arms. He wrapped her up tightly and she rested her cheek on his shoulder before she let go of the sobs she had been holding in all day. He just held her and rocked slowly. She's pretty sure she felt him kiss the top of her head in between whispering shhhhhhh and I've got you. She knew it was true…..he had her.
In that moment with his strong arms wrapped around her and his utterly delicious scent enveloping her, she felt truly safe. She's not sure when her shaggy haired partner had wormed his way in and become her safe place, but he had.
Kensi pulled back and looked at him. "Thanks Deeks." Was all she said as she set about wiping her face and fixing her rumpled hair.
"Anytime Princess." He replied sincerely as he was standing. "Callen said he was clearing it with Hetty. We can leave early if you want."
He turned towards her and grinned when she asks, "Do you….uh did you have any plans for tonight?"
"You asking me on a date Fern?" He reaches his hands down to help her up.
She cocks her head to the side and surprises him with her answer as she walks out the door. "Maybe."
Stunned it takes him a minute "So that's….definitely ….not a no." he quips as he jogs down the hall after her.
"Definitely not a no" She confirms as she starts down the steps to her desk.
"So are we good?" Deeks asks Callen as he steps to his desk to pack up his things.
"You're good to go." Both Sam and Callen answer him in sync. As they swing their bags over their shoulders and start to walk out. "We're going out for a drink if you two would care to join us." Sam adds
"No!" Kensi answers quickly and a little too emphatically. "I mean….I ummm…I have plans."
Deeks catches her eye as he says "Not tonight guys….but thanks for asking anyway…..I have a date." He winks at Kensi when the last part comes out of his mouth.
"All right, we'll catch you two on Monday." Is all they hear from a retreating Callen.
As Kensi finishes loading her laptop in her bag she feels Deeks slide up next to her. "So about these plans you have tonight….do they include a hot date with yours truly?"
"Maybe…."
"Which means?"
"definitely….not no."
"Geeez Kens….really….why can't you just say yes?"
She rolls her eyes and grins at him as she tosses him the keys to her SRX.
"Really? I get to drive too?" Deeks asks excitedly "I must have done something really right today. Where to my lady?"
Kensi tosses her bag into the back seat next to Deeks' bag and slowly sits in the front seat. She turns to Deeks and quietly asks. "Can you do me a favor before dinner?"
He becomes serious, "Anything."
"I was….well…I was thinking or hoping anyway that you would…..maybe…..take me to the cemetery before we eat. Then afterwards we could go pick up Monty and go to one of those food trucks by the beach and eat something there." Kensi is looking down at the floorboard and fidgeting with her hands as she asks.
This is all new to Deeks, he's not used to the Kensi that isn't always confident about absolutely everything. He reaches out and turns her head to face him. "Hey…I couldn't think of any way I'd rather spend my evening." He says smiling at her.
Kensi gives him directions and leans back in the seat closing her eyes. Deeks keeps strangely silent, which is so odd for him that Kensi can't help but glance over at him. She catches him looking at her out of the corner of his eye, grins and closes her eyes again. For the first time in forever she doesn't feel totally alone in this. She knows her partner/best friend will be there for her no matter what she needs.
Deeks takes the time during the ride to the cemetery to think. He is honored that Kensi trusts him enough to let him be a part of this, and a few years ago could have never imagined that he would ever be at this point with her. He smiles to himself knowing that there is nowhere else he would rather be than by her side through anything and everything.
Once they arrive at the cemetery they both exit the vehicle and Deeks catches Kensi's eye. "I'm going to give you some time, and space, but I'll be right here if you need me."
She smiles sadly. "Thanks, I shouldn't be too long."
"Take as long as you need. I'll be right here."
Kensi walks up a few rows and sits down with her legs crossed, in front of a headstone labeled BLYE. She nervously starts plucking at the weeds and grass around the stone as she talks to her dad. She does this every year, and tells him the important things that have happened in her life. This year she feels it's time that she introduce the most important person in her life…to well the most important person that had ever been in her life before. She wipes away the fresh tears and calls out "Deeks…c'mere a minute please."
"On my way!" He calls out as he moves away from the SRX that he had been leaning against and starts jogging towards Kensi. "Are you ok?" he asks worriedly.
"I'm good….great actually….better than I have been in a long time." She reaches her hands up for Deeks to help pull her up from the ground.
"I know it sounds kinda silly…..but I just wanted to introduce you to my dad. So dad…..this is…my partner…..and my best friend in the whole wide world. His name is Marty Deeks, and short of you….there is nobody in the world that I have ever trusted more. He's pretty special dad, he's helped me through more than he knows."
"Oh…uh…wow." Deeks says nervously as he ruffles the hair at the back of his head. "I wasn't uh…really prepared for this…but here goes. It is an honor to meet you sir. I want you to know that…your daughter….she's pretty special too, though I know you already knew that. What I mean to say…is that she is…well she's everything, and you'd be so proud of her. I'm doing my very best to take care of her, although she's pretty bad ass and doesn't really need to be taken care of…..and well I'd do anything for her."
Kensi is floored by his words, and a fresh wave of tears overtakes her.
Deeks pulls her in for a hug and whispers in her hair "I meant every word of it princess."
Kensi looks up at him and mumbles "I know."
Her stomach grumbles and she turns around snagging Deeks' hand and walks back towards the car. "Now…I'm hungry. So lets go get your shaggy mutt and find something to eat."
They collect Monty and head to the beach where they grab some fish tacos and have a seat on the sand to eat.
Kensi has finished her third taco and starts feeding some of her fourth to Monty.
"Oh…Kens….don't do that! Monty has a very delicate digestive system, and well…..I'll have to deal with that all weekend."
She giggles as the dog nuzzles her hand and she lets him wolf down the rest before he rolls over for a tummy rub. She scratches his belly and Monty looks at her lovingly.
"You just made a friend for life Fern, you fed him….and scratched his belly."
Monty sits up and licks Kensi's face before nosing around for his ball. The dog returns with the ball and they both sit in silence for awhile as they take turns tossing the ball into the surf for Monty.
"Surf's supposed to be really good tomorrow morning…wouldn't want to come with me would you? I mean I know you despise getting up early, but you'd get to see me in a wet suit….and watch my awesome self out on the waves."
"Sure….I'll come. On one condition…" With that she leans in and places a gentle kiss on his lips.
Deeks is caught totally off guard by this and it takes him a second to respond. By the time he starts kissing her back she is pulling away.
Deeks stutters "Uh…Wow….wha….what was that for?"
Kensi smiles shyly. "For being you, and being there for me today and always…..and for what you said to my dad…so I guess it was for….everything."
It's Deeks' turn to grin as he pulls Kensi closer and kisses her properly this time. When oxygen becomes a necessity he leans his forehead against hers and asks cheekily "So about this one condition….."