Chapter 20 Saving grace

EARLY JUNE – WEDDING 1 MONTH AWAY

Those three amazing ladies have the wedding planning well in hand. They have consulted Kensi and Marty on all the appropriate items; it is going to be a rather small, intimate affair on the stretch of beach where they 1st met. At the time, Kensi had just graduated high school and was headed to Stanford. She thought he was an arrogant, egotistical joker who was never serious. Marty had completed his 1st year of law school at UCLA and was maybe gaining a scholarship and a transfer to Stanford. All that was in play before they even met each other. Fate?

Ring! Ring! Ring! Marty's cell: "Go for Deeks."

"Marty, this is James Edwards, SJC-DA. Is Kensi around?"

"No, she's at work at South Bay. I can give you that number."

"No, I wanted to talk to you alone first. Do you have time to talk?"

"Yes, what's up?"

"I have a bad situation at the precinct in San Jose. Do I remember correctly that Kensi is part Portuguese?"

"Yes, and her dad was stationed in Lisbon for 4 years when she was a child. She loves to go back."

"And is she bi-lingual, Portuguese and English?"

"Yes, what's up?"

"Well, we had a gang related shooting this morning. Mother, father, and 3 ½ year old twins (boy and girl) were caught in the crossfire at the home where they were staying. We don't think this family were the targets, but the parents were killed."

"Oh no!" Marty exclaims.

"They are recent emigrants from Portugal, only been in this country a week. No family in the States. Kids are in the precinct awaiting CPS unless we can find a family to take them in and care for them temporarily. Kids speak no English, and we can't find a translator. Do you think Kensi and you can help us and these kids out?"

'Geez!' Marty thinks, 'I just know what Kens will do when she sees those kids!'

"Marty, you there?"

"Yeah, just thinking, sorry."

"No problem, what do you say?"

"Yeah, can you TXT me the address? I can pick Kens up and come right down."

"Wow, many thanks. I owe you big time."

Marty laughs, "Yes, you do, my friend! Can I get you at this number while on our way down if we need to talk more?"

"Yes, see you soon. I'll hold off CPS until you get here."

Kensi is at her desk at South Bay doing corporate work, the other girls are teaching this afternoon.

Ring! Ring! She sees Marty's caller ID. "Kensi Blye CEO, how may I help you?"

"You love saying that, don't you?"

"You bet, honey buns!"

"Can you get away, James a big problem in SJ. Shooting, both parents killed, Portuguese emigrants, 3 ½ y/o twins (boy and girl), no English. Can I pick you up and drive down?"

"Yes, what does he need?"

"I'll tell you more in the car, he's keeping CPS at bay, we need to hustle."

"CPS? Ok."

"I'm leaving in 2."

"OK."

Marty fills Kensi in, as much as he can, while he drives. When they arrive, they are escorted up to the detective's floor. The two children are in a box and can be seen from the hallway. The girl is coloring, the boy is looking at a comic book. They show no emotion, looking shell-shocked. James asks if Kensi can go in, introduce herself and allay some fears. Marty knows what will happen. Kensi slips into the room and sits across from the kids, who don't look up, she addresses them in Portuguese.

IN PORTUGUESE

"Hi, my name is Kensi." She smiles warmly.

The boy puts down his comic and stares at her. The girl drops her color marker, gets up and rushes around the table straight into Kensi's arms. She hugs Kensi with all her strength, they both begin to cry.

Kensi speaks, "I'm so sorry, I've got you and you are safe now."

"Where is my mommy?" The little girl chokes out between sobs. Kensi turns to the window with a panicked look on her face. She can't see out, but she knows Marty can see in. She needs him! She mouths his name, 'MARTY'.

Marty slips into the room and sits on Kensi's left side, the little girl is hugging her on the other side.

"Marty, what do I say?"

"Talk to her like a big sister. Like: What's your name? What's your brother's name? Answer her questions truthfully. If needed, tell me what she says and we'll come up with an answer, go ahead. We'll deal with this together, babe."

"Ok, thanks."

LITTLE GIRL & Kensi

"Your mommy is very badly hurt and in the hospital. We will find out more later. What is your name, little one?"

"Sofia . . . I'm scared."

"I know, you are safe now with us. This is my boyfriend, Marty. Can you say hi?"

"Hi, Marty."

"Hi Sofia, you are very pretty," Marty says in English – Kensi translates.

"Thank you," she replies in Portuguese.

"What is your brother's name," Kensi asks.

"Afonso."

"Sofia, would you like something to drink, maybe some juice?"

"Apple juice, please."

"Coming right up."

Marty and Kensi talk, he calls James who relays the juice request. They talk in English.

"Marty, what's going to happen to these kids?"

"Well, CPS will take charge and find them a foster home while their status is sorted out."

"We can't let that happen, Marty!"

"What?"

"You and I should foster them."

"Wait a minute."

"No, hear me out, babe. I am bi-lingual, my mom is bi-lingual, she can help us care for them. I already feel a connection to this sweet little girl. We can do this, together!"

"But- "

"You knew what would happen the moment I laid eyes on this girl – didn't you?" She accused.

"Um . . . yeah. Ok, if your mom can help us."

Kensi slipped out to make a call. The juice arrived, the kids both sat on their side of the table and sipped from their sippy cups.

Kensi came back in, sitting down. The girl immediately came to her side, hugging Kensi. They talked softly. She even coaxed the boy to come to her other side and talked with him. He was loosening up a little.

Meanwhile – Marty got James to start the paperwork for foster parenting for them with Julia augmenting their care (Julia had agreed in a phone call from Kensi). And through a phone call to Roger had secured a 1-bedroom off campus apartment for Julia, not far from their own apartment.

James brought CPS up to speed and secured their approval for this temporary placement pending paperwork and a home visit.

Two hours after arriving, Marty and Kensi started for home with two kids – they could hardly believe it. They stopped first at a sporting goods store for children's sized sleeping bags with pillows and an air mattress. They would look for bunk beds over the weekend, and the sleeping bags would be used to camp out at Grandma Julia's when Kensi and Marty needed some alone time. They also stopped at a grocery store for some more kid friendly foods. Then finally home, exhausted!

A/N Next – a trip to LA and the wedding.