Author's note: I do not own NCISLA or its characters
As you can probably guess, I hated 14.8. So here's a revised version:
Fatima walked into her apartment and threw her bag on the couch. She ripped off her jacket and turtleneck, leaving her in a tank top and jeans. She kicked off her boots and pulled off her hijab, trying to get comfortable as quickly as possible. She went into her kitchen and pulled out a bottle of wine. She always felt bad when she drank, but she felt too sick to her stomach to care. She'd made plans to get dinner with Rountree, and she wasn't even sure he remembered. She poured the wine into her favorite glass, nearly filling it. She sighed and leaned against the wall. Tears streamed sown her cheeks and she tried not to think about Devin. She eventually changed into a hoodie and leggings.
About an hour later, there was a knock at her door.
"Hang on," she called out. She ran to the bathroom and tried to splash some water on her face, but spilled most of it on her sleeves. "Fuck!" she snapped. Tears stung her eyes and she flipped the hoodie over her head, then walked over to the door. She yanked the door open and was surprised to see Rountree. "What do you want?" she asked flatly.
"I thought we were going to get dinner," he said softly. "I tried calling you, you didn't answer. I got worried," he said quietly.
"I thought you were too busy playing with your ex," she said sarcastically.
"Hey. That is unnecessary. Summer is my friend. If you can't handle me having female friends, then maybe us not getting dinner is for the best," he snapped. Fatima felt the tears coming back and she rolled her eyes. "Hey. Hey, I'm sorry. I think we need to have a talk," he said quietly. Fatima bit back another sarcastic comment.
"Look, I don't need this, okay? I thought you liked me. I thought these were dates you were taking me on. I thought our movie nights meant something," she said, embarrassed about the tears on her cheeks.
"That is why we need to talk. Fatima, no matter what, unless you say otherwise, you're always gonna be my best friend. Always. Summer and I, well, we were never best friends," he said quietly. Fatima rolled her eyes and took a couple more sips of wine. She couldn't control herself anymore and burst into tears. She ran out of the room and into the bathroom, recognizing the twisting feeling in her stomach. She gagged and started to throw up a little. Rountree was at the door in an instant. "Fatima! Fatima, I'm coming in," he said gently. He opened the door and sat next to her. He gently rubbed her back and pulled her against him. "I think you've had enough alcohol," he murmured. Fatima started to genuinely sob. Rountree brushed a kiss against her forehead and hugged her.
"Go be with her," Fatima mumbled.
"But I want to be with you," he said softly. "Fatima, I don't think Summer and I were meant to be a couple," he said quietly. "But I do think that she is a good person and a good friend," he said softly. Fatima shuddered a little and leaned against him.
"You know those were my shorts, right?" she asked softly. Rountree blushed.
"Sorry," he said sheepishly. "Do you, um, want them back?" he asked.
"Depends. Were you wearing anything under?" she teased. "Tree, ew!" she whined when he didn't answer. "No! Burn them!"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry about the shorts, I'm sorry about Summer, everything. I haven't exactly been the best person to be in a situation-ship with lately. And you deserve the best. You do. So I'm gonna let you be the one to decide what happens next," he said quietly. Fatima sniffled. She put her head on his chest and closed her eyes.
"If we do this, we agree that there's nothing romantic between you and Summer. No kissing, no funky touching, if you wouldn't do it with Deeks you better not do it with her. Deal?" she asked.
"Deal," Rountree agreed. "Any other conditions, my lady?" he murmured.
"Burn those damn shorts," she said. Rountree laughed. Fatima grinned and kissed him softly. "I think I'm like, really drunk," she said, laughing.
"You haven't eaten anything, have you?" he asked, but he already knew the answer.
"No," she admitted. "I figured you were too busy with Summer for me," she whispered.
"I will never, ever be too busy for my girl," he said softly. Fatima smiled. "I'll order us a pizza. You, missy, better start drinking water," he said. Fatima got up and grabbed a bottle of water from the kitchen and started sipping on it. Rountree came up from behind and gently kissed her forehead.