Fatima was sitting in her car, trying to get herself to drive home. It wasn't a long drive at all, but she was upset and frustrated. She wanted Rountree to invite her to his place, even though she had to go home and take care of her mom. She wanted her partner's cuddles, his kisses, everything. But it was wrong. She couldn't want that. She wasn't Kensi, and he wasn't Deeks. She wasn't allowed to want that. So she let a single tear escape. Maybe one night wouldn't hurt. Maybe one night would be good. Or maybe it would leave her wanting more. She wanted to have a boyfriend that cared, that wouldn't lie, or use her. She was so tired of being used. And today, it had nearly gotten the whole team killed. All because of her. Devin had told her, over and over again, that it wasn't her fault. She couldn't possibly have known. But it was her job to know.
Devin was sitting on his couch thinking about Fatima. He knew she had a rough day, and he wanted to hold her, to spoon feed her just to baby her, to kiss her senseless. But he knew. He knew she had walls, that it wouldn't be easy to break them down. He knew she had a history of bad relationships, men treating her like crap. Then he decided, in that moment, that he would spend the rest of his life breaking down those walls if that's what it took
Fatima pulled out her phone, and before she had the chance to talk herself out of it, she had pulled up his contact. She shot him a quick message, a simple "My place, bring dinner?".
Rountree saw the text immediately and grinned. He replied with an equally cool, "Burgers okay?"
Fatima grinned when she saw his response. She sent him a thumbs up emoji, then tucked her phone into her purse. She drove home, already forming a plan to get him in her bedroom. She would use her semester of psychology from college to trick him into going into her room, then close the door. Sooner or later, he would be on her bed. Then she could make her move. But just for one night. That's what she told herself.