Author's note: I do not own NCIS: LA or its characters
Fatima was fidgeting on the rock she was sitting on. She wanted to leave, to eat and curl up in bed and cry. Rountree looked over.
"You're getting fidgety. You want to pick up some food and head to my place?' he asked softly. Fatima looked up at him.
"Why?" she asked softly.
"I don't know, it just seems like you need someone," he said quietly.
"No, I mean why would you even want to spend time with me after how mean I was today?" she asked.
"Because, it was kinda my fault too. I was being an ass, trying to bug you. I should have just been gentle and talked to you," he said quietly.
"No, you weren't being an ass. You were just being yourself," she said.
"Hurtful."
"Sorry. Not how I meant it. Let's go get dinner," she said, standing up. They walked back to the food truck and climbed in. Pretty soon, they were at a burger joint by Rountree's apartment. Fatima took a small bite of her burger when her phone pinged. She grabbed her phone and turned the screen on. She immediately burst into tears and pushed her plate away. She didn't want to leave because she wanted Rountree to comfort her.
"Hey, hey, what's wrong?" he asked nervously. She passed him her phone. On the screen, was a text chain from her former costar Lauren. The message read:
"Hey girl, hope you're doing okay today. I went with the group to Leilani's grave today, so many memories! We will definitely try again in a few weeks so you can come with! Miss you so so so much!!! P.s. Andy still has a crush on you"
Along with the message was a picture of the cast in a group hug on the ground, around the gravestone. Rountree raised an eyebrow.
"Who is this Andy?" he asked. Fatima laughed.
"Don't worry. He's sweet, but he reminds me of Eric. Which kinda creeped me out when I was younger," Fatima said quietly. Rountree smiled softly.
"Hey. Why didn't you go with them?" he whispered as he moved closer to her.
"Because we had work," she grumbled.
"Hey. Look at me. Whenever they decide to go next, you are going with them. Okay? I don't want to hear any excuses, you're going," be said gently grabbing her hand. They spent the rest of the time there chatting about Leilani and, according to Fatima, her most iconic moments.