A/N: I sort of feel like a broken record giving thanks for the alerts, favorites and reviews. But really, it means a lot that so many of you take the time to review and that you're continually interested. So once again: thank you! Now: Dog Biscuit. Because Monty HAD to make an appearance :)
I've found a lot of unexpected things in Kensi's pockets since I started doing her laundry. I was checking the pockets of a gray hooded sweatshirt when I encountered what felt like sand. Pulling out what seemed like a small rock, upon closer inspection I realized was actually part of a dog biscuit. I remembered the sweatshirt from a few evenings ago.
It had been a hard case that day. A Marine had died and his wife and teenage daughter had been hit hard. I didn't know the exact reasons why, but Kensi took the case particularly personal. Although we found out the Marine's death had been accidental, Kensi had seemed unable to shake whatever was bothering her. I knew she would just go home and quietly stew over the case so I tried to talk her into doing something with me after work.
She tried to push me away, even snapped at me to leave her alone. But I did what I do best and pushed and needled until I convinced her to come with Monty and me to the beach to enjoy the sunset. The waves were decent and despite all my insistence that she join me I thought Kensi could still use some time alone. That way she could unwind and I could keep an eye on her from a distance. I left her on the beach as I jogged out to surf, satisfied that at least Kensi was out enjoying the evening with Monty by her side.
Monty has been practically in love with Kensi since the moment he met her. Although he listens to my commands, he follows Kensi around like she's his mama duck and he's a duckling. When she looks at him his tail wags like he's trying to shake it off. When she crouches down to pet him he wiggles around and tries to get as close as he can to her. And he tries to give her kisses whenever he possibly can.
So it didn't surprise me that Monty stayed with Kensi on the beach while I went out to surf. I spent some time out on the waves, looking back every once in awhile. I watched as Kensi threw a ball and Monty gleefully chased after it. I watched him chase her, jumping at her knees and trying to lick her hands. Even from a distance of hundreds of feet I wondered if it was her laughter and his barking I heard over the rush of the waves.
Just as it was beginning to get dark I finally trudged back up the sand to find Kensi sitting cross-legged on the sand, Monty's head in her lap. I saw by the slope of her shoulders that she was much more relaxed than she'd been a few hours earlier. And I saw when she sneakily fed Monty a dog biscuit from her pocket.
I grinned and teased her about spoiling my dog and how she was buying his affection. She strenuously objected and I let it go. As we both tried to relax after a difficult day, we watched the sunset quietly, Monty between us. The sky had turned an inky blue when Kensi finally spoke. She told me about her father, about how his death had changed her entire world when she was a teenager. I watched her face in the near darkness, seeing her tears and finally understanding some of the pain she carries.
When I reached over to pull her close she didn't object or push me away. And Monty stared up at Kensi with sympathetic brown eyes. Kensi leaned against me, her head finding the hollow of my shoulder and neck where it fit perfectly. Monty nosed her hand insistently, putting a fond smile on Kensi's face. It has become clear to me that Monty is as much a sucker for brunettes as I am. Or more accurately, we are suckers for a particular brunette.
Next: Candy Wrappers