A/N: As you all know, I like writing about Kensi and Deeks adopting somewhat younger kids, but in the invent they foster/adopt Rosa, I present the following scenario.
At the time of writing this, Rosa did not have a last name, so I gave her one.
Many thanks to Phnxgirl/Mashmaiden for the cover picture for this series!
Deeks pulled into the high school parking lot, sliding into a guest parking spot closer to the front door. There were a few students milling around outside, but otherwise the campus was empty. He showed his license at the door and then headed for the office, sidestepping teens chatting and hurrying to their next classes.
"Sir, can I help you," asked one of the secretaries, Sheila. She had short, Curly hair and managed a brief smile as he stepped forward.
"Yeah, I'm Marty Deeks. I got a call about my dau–uh, about Rosa DeLaCruz," he said, stumbling over what to call Rosa. The secretary's eyes widened slightly, as she obviously recognized him. He and Kensi had spent several days in and out of the school getting Rosa enrolled and establishing their guardianship.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Deeks. She's in the principal's office. I'll have him bring Rosa out now."
"Can you tell me what happened?" Deeks asked hurriedly as she started to get up.
"There was a disagreement with another student, I believe," Sheila answered. "You'll have to speak with Mr. Massier about the exact details.
Sighing, Deeks wandered over to sit down, worrying over the word "disagreement". He found it extremely difficult to believe that Rosa had caused any trouble. At least on her own. She was usually quiet and reserved, though certainly not beyond defending herself if needed.
He sat for about five minutes while students, parents, and teachers came and went, only a few unfortunate souls having to go back down the hallway that led to the principal and deans' offices. Just when Deeks was starting to get antsy, Rosa appeared around the corner, followed by Kevin Massier, the Head Principal.
"Ah, Mr. Deeks, I'm glad you could make it down on such short notice," Massier greeted him. Deeks gave him a perfunctory nod, eyes on Rosa. She appeared unharmed, but she stared at her feet, the sleeves of her jacket tucked around her hands.
Rising, Deeks moved towards her, stopping a couple feet away.
"Rosa, are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm fine," she answered quietly.
"Good." Deeks wasn't fully sure he believed her and turned to face Mr. Massier, who stood about four inches shorter than him. "So what's going on? No one has given me any information other than that Rosa had some kind of encounter with another student," Deeks told him, allowing some of his frustration and concern to color his words. "As you can probably understand, I'm kind of worried."
Massier appeared chagrined as he glanced between Deeks and Rosa.
"I apologize for that, Mr. Deeks. I assure you though, that it's nothing too serious." He gestured to Rosa. "Rosa is a fine student. She's diligent, intelligent, and gets along well with most of her peers…"
"Yes, I'm aware of that," Deeks interrupted irritably. "How about you quit beating around the bush and tell me what happened with my kid?"
"Of course," Massier said, clearing his throat. "Since Rosa started attending this school, there's a certain student who has, shall we say, singled her out."
"What do you mean single out?" Deeks asked. Rosa shifted beside him, rounding her shoulders. Belatedly, it occurred to him that she might think the anger in his voice was directed towards her. He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly before turning his attention back to Mr. Massier.
"Oh, seeking her out during lunches or between classes to taunt her, making some uncharitable jokes," he explained easily. "It came to a head today when she approached Rosa in the women's restroom. According to Rosa and another witness, this student tried to attack her."
"If this has been going on since Rosa arrived, why am I just hearing about it now?" Deeks asked angrily.
"Now, Mr. Deeks, there's no reason to get upset. We didn't realize that things would escalate this quickly and were attempting to handle it between the students and our counselors."
"Upset?" Deeks repeated incredulously. "My daughter was, by your own admission, attacked at this school after days of being verbally abused. I think I'm perfectly calm given the situation."
"You have to understand–"
"No, I really don't." Holding back a litany of more colorful words, Deeks turned to Rosa. "Do you want to go home or finish up your classes?"
"I'd rather go home," Rosa responded in that same quiet tone. She gave him a tiny smile though which reassured him.
"Mr. Deeks, there are still two hours left to the school day," Mr. Massier spoke up, sounding annoyed now.
"We are going home," Deeks restated firmly. "My wife and I will be calling you later today to discuss exactly what happens. I want this straightened out before Rosa returned. And just in case you're thinking of pulling some kind of legal garbage, I'm a lawyer."
With that, he took Rosa's arm and they walked out of the office, leaving the gaping Principal behind. They were in the car and buckled in before Deeks stopped seeing a haze of red.
"I hope I didn't overstep my bounds back there," he said to Rosa, feeling a little sheepish over his outburst now. "And the whole calling you "daughter" and all that."
Rosa smoothed her hands over her legs, giving him a shy smile.
"I don't mind, Marty," Rosa told him softly. "It's nice to know you care about me. It was a little scary today." They shared a tenuous look, still a little shaky on where they stood in their new relationship.
"I'll always be looking out for you, Rosa."
"And I don't mind if you call me your daughter either," she added.