Kensi and Deeks headed across town to talk to the victims parents. The car ride was silent but comfortable. But then Deeks had an idea.
'Kensi, I know we have done everything in the wrong order. But would you like to go on a date with me, say Friday night?' he asked politely
'It would be my pleasure, what are you planning' replied Kensi
Deeks had finally asked Kensi out on a date, their relationship felt more official now.
Kensi couldn't wait, Friday was only two days away and she wanted to ready for whatever Deeks had planned.
Knowing Deeks the date wouldn't be very conventional, but she knew she would love whatever he had planned.
'Well, you'll find out on Friday won't you, just wear something casual that you don't mind getting messed up...'
That was quite an unusual request, images of paintballing and quad biking flashed through Kensi's mind.
Deeks had something special in mind and he knew Kensi would love it, if only Friday would come quicker.
...
Kensi knocked firmly on the door, they had come to see the wife of Martin Park, a deceased naval officer.
The door swung open slowly, revealing a small child. Her head was covered with a mass of blonde curls, her skin was olive coloured and her eyes were alert and staring amazed at the two young agents. Her hands were plastered with red sticky paint and she was chuckling to herself.
Her mother followed close behind, an almost replica of her daughter. She was tall and slender with long brunette hair and light olive skin.
'Hello there, sorry about my daughter, I still haven't told her about her father and she's really hyper at the moment..she's wearing me down. Sorry, too much information, Martin always warns me about babbling on, well he used to...'
Mrs Park looked genuinely exhausted and you could tell she had been crying. She was obviously running on pure caffeine.
'Hello Mrs Parker, we are the NCIS agents come you see you about your husband, I'm Kensi Blye and this is Marty Deeks. May we come in?' Kensi asked politely
'Yes sure, come in. Just mind Dani's sticky hands, she's been painting'
Kensi and Deeks walked carefully past the little girl, who looked about 5. Kensi smiled a big smile at Dani, the girl seemed so carefree and happy.
...
Kensi and Deeks sat down softly on the living room couch, their shoulders making more contact than usual. They remained professional but recognised their close proximity.
Deeks began to ask questions about Mrs Parker's husband as Kensi remembered any useful information relevant to the case.
Just as Deeks was finishing off the little girl, Dani ran through the room, holding her little paint covered hands up in the air.
Mrs Parker gasped as she ran through giggling as hard as was physically possible.
'Dani, is that appropriate behaviour when we have guests round?' she exclaimed loudly at her daughter.
Dani looked scared and shocked, obviously not understanding the pressure her mother was under.
Mrs Parker looked exhausted and Kensi could see that she couldn't handle her daughter as well as provide them with useful information.
Kensi decided to take matters into her own hands.
She approached Dani slowly and crouched down to maintain eye contact and asked the young girl gently
'May I please see you pretty paintings my little Princess?'
Dani nodded frantically and her smile returned. She looked up briefly to her mother to acknowledge that she was allowed. Mrs Parker nodded gently and smiled thankfully at Kensi.
Dani immediately grabbed Kensi's arm with her sticky hands and pulled her to the kitchen.
Kensi did not flinch at the feel of wet paint on her arm but instead smiled widely at the little girl and followed her lead.
Deeks watched the situation with great appreciation for Kensi's relationship with children.
He continued to ask Mrs Parker questions about her husband as Dani led Kensi into the kitchen.
...
In the kitchen there was pink and red paint strewn everywhere. A painting of three people buried underneath the mess. Kensi bent down to begin clearing up the paint and Dani picked up the wet painting, waving it in the air.
Kensi looked up from her scrubbing and asked Dani who the people in the painting were.
Dani replied with a massive smile spread across her face.
'This is me, Mummy and Daddy at Christmas. It was really fun and I got a big girl's bike from Granny!'
Kensi could see it now, there was a large pink bicycle in the corner of the painting, it was larger than all the people and had shiny tassels on the handlebars.
'That's an amazing painting Dani, I'll let you do another one if you help me tidy up quickly.'
Dani responded quickly and began to get on her knees and wipe the floor. Obviously her parents had taught her well about manners.
It took Kensi all of two minutes to clean the paint covered floor with the help of her assistant.
...
In the other room Deeks had finished his questions. After sitting in silence for a few minutes listening to the giggles coming form the kitchen, Mrs Parker broke the silence.
'So you and Miss Blye, you seem very close. Are you two together?'
It was the first time Deeks could answer that question with a 'yes', although he'd dreamt about it for years.
'Yes' he replied 'Can you really tell?'
'Yes, well I can. I looked at my husband the same way you look at Kensi. It's really sweet'
Deeks nodded and realised again how much he adored Kensi.
...
In the next room Dani had begun painting Kensi a picture. Kensi watched her closely, seeing what she would paint. She could imagine a future with a little girl that looked similar to Dani.
The man she could see as the father of her children was Deeks. He could imagine them spending the day on the beach, Deeks teaching their children to surf or body board. She hoped Deeks could imagine something similar, she didn't know if she could find the same kind if happiness with anyone else.
By the time Kensi had finished imagining her perfect future, Dani had finished her painting.
It was a picture of a heart, coloured brightly with a mix of pink, red and purple. She had also outlined the heart in blue glitter a sparkled in the light.
'It's for you and your boyfriend with the messy hair..!'
Dani giggled and thrust the painting into Kensi's hands.
Kensi looked at the painting and realised that even a five year old could see that her and Deeks were together. She sighed and folded the painting into her pocket. But she was still happy that she'd managed to connect with the little girl.
...
Deeks was joined by Kensi in the living room. Kensi had streaks of paint on her arms and face, but Deeks decided not to tell her yet. They thanked Mrs Parker for her cooperation, and Kensi waved goodbye to Dani. Unexpectedly, Dani ran over to Kensi and hugged her hard, her arms only reaching round to her bum.
Kensi rubbed Dani's head and said goodbye. She had to prise her hands off from around her waist.
The pair thanked the family again and Deeks stepped out the front door first. Kensi was close behind but Mrs Parker held her back for a few seconds and whispered to Kensi.
'You better be careful with that one, he really loves you'
She winked at Kensi and stepped back.
Kensi was stunned, had Deeks told her this?
Whatever had happened, Kensi didn't care, she hoped Mrs Parker's comment was true. However she decided not to confront Deeks about his feelings just yet.
...
Once they were a decent distance from the house, Deeks grabbed Kensi's arm. He said to her in a low voice, you look really sexy with paint on your face, it suits you...
Kensi reached up on her tiptoes and kissed Deeks' lips hard. The kiss lasted a few seconds but it was passionate and intimate. It was unexpected, but they both enjoyed it.
Kensi broke the kiss and strolled away leaving Deeks wanting more.
As she walked away Deeks noticed something that Dani had done to Kensi.
'Fearne, you also look really sexy with hand prints on your ass..'
