Thank you for the reviews, favorites and follows! This chapter is a little on the short side but we learn a little more about the characters.
Takes place in season two.
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS:LA.
The team arrived back at the mission and walked to their desks. They were caught up in a car chase, shootout and explosion all in one day. Hetty joined the team in the bullpen. "I think you all deserve to go home and relax after a day like today. Paperwork can wait until tomorrow." Deeks looked at his watch and saw that it was 3:56pm. He had no idea if Hetty knew about the event tonight but he knew he was very lucky that he was going to be able to go to Jules' art show.
"It's been a while since we've gotten to go home this early. Maybe I'll cook some dinner with my kids."
"That sounds like a good idea." Kensi said.
"Well, have a nice weekend everyone." Sam said walking away.
"See ya Monday." Callen followed.
Kensi was packing up her bag for the weekend, stuffing lots of files and her computer in the different sections.
"Do you have any plans for tonight Kensilina?" Deeks asked as she laughed.
"Don't call me that and no, I do not."
"How would you like to join me and Jules to go to her art show?"
"I would like that very much."
"I had special orders to invite you."
"Well her wish has been granted."
"She's super excited but I've already prepared her that she may not win a prize. She said she did something with a butterfly and pens, pencils and paints, I don't know, anyway she's been looking forward to it all week."
They walked into the art gallery and there were tons of people of all ages there. They decided to walk around and look at all the art as they looked for Jules' piece. All the art seemed really good and Deeks was worried she'd be disappointed if she didn't win. They were casually strolling past the art when Jules called out. "There's mine!" She pulled her Dad along with her hand. They stopped in front of a large square canvas with a beautiful, colorful and very detailed butterfly on it.
"You made this Jules?" He was stunned. This art piece was unbelievable for her age.
"Yep, do you like it?"
"Do I like it? I love it. Jules, this is incredible." Her smile was the biggest Kensi had ever seen.
He crouched down so he could be on the same eye-level as her. "It's amazing. What materials did you use?"
"I used paint for the background and the butterfly and then I used pencils and ink to make all the details." She said giving a thorough description.
"How long did this take to create?"
"A long time. Other kids have mostly weekly assignments but the teacher lets me make what I want." She told them.
"Wow princess, that's amazing!"
He looked at the painting with amazement. His little girl had done that and he couldn't be more proud.
She walked ahead of them with Kensi and Deeks following her as they continued to look around. "I had no idea she could do this. I mean, I know she's always loved drawing but…" He had no words.
"She's got real talent." They walked around until the speaker announced it was time to give away the prizes. They stepped into the room with the stage and others also gathered around. Jules stood in front of her Dad and nervously switched the balance from leg to leg. The woman on stage welcomed everyone to the art show and said that they would give first, second and third place for each category. The woman announced that they would start with the category of under the age of thirteen.
"This was a very tough category with such a huge range in age and everyone in this category did a wonderful job. The winning artists are incredibly talented so let's get started." Another person stepped onto the stage with what looked like certificates and ribbons. The woman started to speak again. "Alright drumroll please. The third place goes to Carter Jacobson for his piece called City of Los Angeles." The boy started walking up the stairs to the stage. He looked to be about thirteen years old and everyone applauded. Once he had left the stage again the woman started. "Second place goes to Juliana Deeks..." Deeks started cheering and pushed Jules to walk towards the stage. "...for her piece called Butterfly." The woman continued. Jules climbed the steps nervously and looked at everyone staring at her. She was handed a certificate and a ribbon and then shook the woman's hand. "Congratulations."
"Thank you." They turned and a photographer took their picture. She then left the stage again as fast as she could and walked back to her Dad and Kensi.
Deeks crouched down and she ran into his arms. "I'm so proud of you Jules." She pulled back slightly to look at his face. "Second place. That's crazy."
"Congrats Jules." Kensi put her hand on her shoulder.
"Let me see what you got." He said taking a look at the certificate. "Juliana Deeks." He read off of it. "I'm so happy for you sweetheart." He kissed the side of her head.
They continued to give out prizes to several categories. "Thank you all for coming. Thank you to all the wonderful artists for creating all the wonderful pieces of art." Everyone applauded again and started to walk around the art gallery.
"I want to take a picture of you in front of your art piece." Deeks said moving back over to her art. "Okay stand right there. Hold up your certificate." She did as he said and he got his phone out and took a few pictures.
"Let me get one of the both of you." Kensi offered. Deeks handed over his phone and crouched down next to Jules. She was taking a few pictures when a woman came up to them and introduced herself.
"Hi I'm Juliana's art teacher, Anne."
Deeks shook her hand. "Marty, Juliana's Dad."
She went on to shake Kensi's hand. "Kensi."
"Well I just wanted to say congratulations Juliana. Your butterfly is beautiful."
"Thank you." She said shyly.
"You have a very talented daughter." Looking at Deeks and Kensi. She must have assumed that Kensi was her mother.
"She's amazing." He said looking at Jules and she looked back at him with a huge smile.
"I'll see you at school on Monday."
"Bye."
"I think we should go out for dinner to celebrate. Where do you want to go?"
"The pizza place."
"You up for pizza Kens?"
"Always."
Once they were seated and got their pizza, Jules started talking. "I can't believe I won."
Deeks smiled. "Me either, well actually I can! Your artwork was amazing Jules. I'm so proud of you."
Her smile was huge. "Finally something I'm good at."
Kensi saw Deeks' smile drop a little and wondered what that was about but he recovered quickly. "Everyone has something they're good at and you've found yours. Maybe we can find an art class or something for after school."
"That's fun." She said as she took a huge bite from her pizza.
"Yeah, that would be fun." He smiled at Kensi. "Did you like to do art when you were younger Kens?"
"I did but I was never very good. Nowhere near as good as Jules." Kensi complimented making her smile.
"Well I definitely wasn't an artist." He laughed.
"Maybe my mom was an artist." Jules said without much thought but it was obviously on her mind.
Deeks looked sad but spoke again. "Yeah, maybe she was." He said softly. "Anyway, today has been a great day." He lightened the mood. It had been the perfect ending to a long day and he was thankful he could be there to be a part of it.
Thanks for reading!