A/N: I somewhat jokingly suggested this idea a while back and then decided to run with it. This is an ongoing story on my Tumblr, so I'll continue to post updates as they occur chronologically.
"Have a good rest of your day, Malachi," Kensi said, waving at the five year old as he walked towards the classroom door, weighed down by a backpack almost as big as he was. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye Miss Blye!" he shouted back. "I'm going to bring my new fish so everyone can see it."
"Oh, ok." Kensi nodded even as she planned to send out a message to Malachi's mom, warning her of his plans to take Fred the fish on an outing. "Caleb, are you a car rider or taking the bus today?" she added to a blonde little boy who was hanging back in the line.
"A car rider," he answered, flashing a grin with a space in the middle. He'd only been attending the school a couple weeks, but he'd already proved himself an interesting little personality. "I get to see my babysitter today."
"Ok, well make sure you show mom or dad those papers I put in your backpack when you get home, alright?" He nodded, dipping his head as he walked out the door.
The rest of the class filed out slowly, leaving a trail of random papers, toys they weren't supposed to have, and other random school supplies behind them. Once the last of her kindergartners was out the door, Kensi allowed herself to expel a long sigh. She plopped down in her desk chair, closing her eyes, and pressed her thumbs in the hollows on either side of her nose.
If someone has asked her 10 years ago if she wanted to be a teacher, let alone teach 20-some 5-6 years old, she would have laughed awkwardly and firmly declined. For years, she'd maintained that she didn't particularly like children and had zero idea how to interact with them.
Then she'd gotten a job, out of complete desperation, at a daycare the summer after her freshman year of college. At first, she was completely terrified and out of her element, but eventually, she grew to love it and decided to switch to an early education degree.
She'd be the first to admit that some days she felt like pulling her hair out and quitting. There was always a reason to stay though. Like Malachi and his love for show and tell (even if it meant he frequently brought in completely inappropriate things) or tiny Angelique, who came running in every day for a hug.
Her phone rang and Kensi allowed herself two more seconds before she answered it, recognizing the main office extension.
"Hi Nicole, what's up?"
"Caleb Deeks was never picked up from the bus rider line," she informed Kensi. "He's waiting in the office now."
"Right, I'll be down in a minute." Rolling her eyes, Kensi muttered a few choice words to herself. It had been an extremely long week so far and she really didn't have the energy to deal with a parent who couldn't be bothered to pick up his kid on time.
Since they'd just moved in mid-year and she'd been out the day Caleb was enrolled, she knew almost nothing about his family. He'd mentioned having a dog and his dad several times, but otherwise, she was mostly working on assumptions. For what it was worth, Caleb did seem happy and well taken care of.
She paused to grab a couple toys and coloring books on her way out, still thinking uncharitable thoughts.
The secretary, Nicole, had the office phone glued to her right ear, short brown hair in a tiny ponytail. She nodded to where Caleb was waiting in one of the large, blue-cushioned chairs, his legs dangling off the seat. His body was half-turned away as he looked out the window, a hand tangled in his shoulder length hair.
"Hi Caleb," she said, crouching down by the side of his chair. He whipped his head around, his lower lip tucked between his teeth.
"Miss Blye, my dad didn't come to get me yet," he told her, worry in his eyes.
"I heard, Sweetie."
"I hope something bad didn't happen."
"I'm sure he just got stuck in traffic or something," Kensi assured him. "Hey, I brought that puzzle Nevaeh was playing with earlier. You wanna help me with it?"
He eyed her, and the puzzle a little dubiously, then gave her a shy smile from under his bangs, taking the small cardboard box. Once it was open, he instantly started turning all the pieces over, sorting out the edge piece.
"Daddy always does the top and I do the bottom," he told her while he worked at a section of blue sky with a fluffy white cloud. His tongue crept out every so often as he concentrated, little fingers methodically trying piece after piece. "He says you should do the edges first, then the middle."
"That sounds like pretty good advice," Kensi commented. In the end, Caleb completed most of the puzzle on his own, chatting the entire time. She learned that his dog was named Monty, he loved the beach, and absolutely hated anchovies on pizza. He was very firm about that point.
"Daddy says we have to take care of the fish," Caleb informed her about 15 minutes later. The puzzle was finished and now he was coloring a picture from the Little Mermaid.
Kensi wasn't quite sure when the conversation had shifted from their favorite colors to ecology. Five years as a kindergarten teacher had taught her to go to the flow though, so she made a noise of interest, which he took as apparent agreement. "If we don't take care of the fish, then they'll all die and then we can't surf anymore, and I like to surf." He paused, a purple crayon poised between thumb and forefinger. "And I like fish too. Except for not p'ranas cause they can bite you."
Kensi found herself grinning at his impressive knowledge base mixed with little kid logic.
"Definitely gotta watch out for those piranhas," Kensi agreed with faux seriousness.
"Oh, I think dad is finally here," Nicole announced, the implication heavy in her tone as she nodded towards the parking lot. Kensi craned her neck to see while Caleb scrambled back on the chair, rising on his knees.
Sure enough, there was a tall man dressed in khakis and a white button down headed towards the front entrance. His hair blew across his face as he jogged across the parking lot. Nicole buzzed him through and Caleb jumped off his chair, racing towards the door before it was fully open.
"Daddy!" he shouted, launching himself at his dad, who crouched and caught him against his chest just as he made impact. "I thought you were never coming."
"Hey Kiddo," he said, holding Caleb's head against his chest briefly. He sighed, apparently forgetting or not caring that he had witnesses. Now that Kensi had a better look, she saw that his hair was slightly darker than Caleb's and stopped about halfway down his neck, and currently in a state of complete disarray.
"Mr. Deeks, pickup is at 3:30," Nicole spoke up, reminding Kensi that she was staring. She stood a little awkwardly, not sure where to direct her attention as Mr. Deeks shifted Caleb onto his hip and approached the desk.
"I'm so sorry Miss Kusbal," he offered apologetically. "I got hung up at work, which I realize is a terrible excuse, but I promise it won't happen again." His face was turned away from her, but he must have been pretty convincing because Nicole tilted her head, one eyebrow arched, and then she nodded.
"I suppose everyone gets a free pass every now and then. Just don't make a habit of it."
"I won't."
"I'm Kensi Blye by the way, Mr. Deeks," Kensi added, moving around to his side. "Caleb's teacher."
He turned to face her, eyes widening with recognition as Caleb wriggled out of his grip and darted over to the coloring book again.
"Marty Deeks. It's great to finally meet you, Ms. Blye," he said, shifting his grip on Caleb to offer his hand. His fingers were warm and firm as they wrapped around her briefly, and she thought she detected a hint of callouses before he let go. "I appreciate you staying with Caleb. He talks about you all the time. I wish I'd been able to meet you earlier." He paused to run his fingers through his hair, rearranging the curls so they were slightly less chaotic. "It's just been a crazy couple weeks since we moved here and getting everything settled with the house and work."
"It's no problem." Behind him, Nicole made a face and Kensi flashed her a warning look. "Just let us know next time if you're going to be running late or if he needs to take the bus instead."
"Yeah, no, of course." He sighed a little heavily. "I swear I'm usually way more on top of things than this."
As if she hadn't heard that a hundred times before. She managed to hold back any choice comments on that topic though, aware of Caleb sitting a few feet away.
"Sounds like you have a lot on your plate," Kensi finally settled on diplomatically. He huffed out a soft laugh, giving a shake of his head as he glanced over to his son.
"You could say that. Who knew that moving to a brand-new city, buying your first home, and becoming a single parent would be this hard?" he said jokingly, though Kensi sensed his exhaustion underneath.
"Well, I'm sure it will settle down soon." She paused and then against her better judgment, and it had nothing at all to do with his slightly overwhelmed and downtrodden appearance, added, "If there's anything we can do to help you get situated and transition, let me know."
"I appreciate that, Ms. Blye." He looked at his watch, muttering something under his breath. "Hey Caleb, it's time to go home." Grabbing his now finished picture, Caleb obligingly ran back over.
"Look at the fish I colored for you, Daddy."
"That is the most amazing clownfish I've ever seen," Mr. Deeks told him enthusiastically as he took the rainbow colored picture. He'd also added in a highly creative drawing of a pirate, who seemed to bear a vague resemblance to his dad.
"Can we stop for ice cream first?"
Nope, I have to make dinner and you really, really need a bath."
"But I had one yesterday," he protested, grabbing his dad's forearm and hanging off it like a monkey.
"Uh-huh, and now you smell again."
"I do not!" Giggling now, Caleb crawled up his leg, balancing on his thigh. It was the most animated Kensi had ever seen him. She felt some of her reserve melting away at the obvious bond between the two.
"Alright, we'll get out of your hair," Mr. Deeks told them, nodding to Nicole one more time. "And thank you for taking such good care of this orangutang. I really do appreciate it." He flashed her a half-smile that was more genuine this time before pushing the door open and guiding Caleb through.
"See you tomorrow!" he shouted as he left.
Kensi watched them go, hearing the faint sound of Caleb debating what type of animal he was.
"He's cute, isn't he?" Nicole commented from directly behind her, making Kensi jump.
"Nicole, he's my student's father!" Kensi hissed, spinning around.
"Which does not negate his cuteness. And I see you didn't deny it."
"Ok, I am not having this conversation with you." She gathered up the coloring book, crayons, and puzzle with the false hope that Nicole would leave her alone.
"Alright. Just don't think about those pretty blue eyes or that nice smile tonight while you're home alone," Nicole said as Kensi left the office.
