20 years ago

Deeks was on his way to Jack Simon's house, it was the latter's birthday that day. Jack's parents threw him a party and invited some of his friends and teachers from school.

Deeks' mother escorted him but couldn't join him for she had to work. Instead, she will pick him up when it's over. It wasn't news for him and he understood. Unlike Jack, who both had his parents with him, he only had his mom. Deeks didn't know what happened to his father. All his mother said was he left and will never be back. Despite feeling sad on some occasions, he was okay with it and was still grateful that he had a mom who was doing her very best for him.

He was carrying his gift for his friend his mother bought yesterday and was about a step away from the Simon's front door when he heard a cry. Looking around and not seeing anyone, he decided to ignore it. He was about to knock when he heard the cry again. This time it was louder and longer and was coming from behind the bushes beside the house.

"Hello." He said as he took a step closer to where the voice was from.

The crying stopped but Deeks continued searching for it.

'Maybe it's a wounded dog.' His young mind speculated, feeling hopeful and excited for what he was about to see.

When he reached the spot where he last made out the cry, he got the surprise of his lifetime. Staring back at him was the prettiest hazel eyes he had ever seen. Well, for an 8 year old, he had not seen a lot. But he was sure the young girl's eyes topped his chart. He studied her immediately. Her hair was dark and long and tied with a white ribbon, her dress was pale yellow and it suited her. He thought of Belle from Beauty and the Beast, the cartoon he accidentally saw on TV when he was browsing the channels the other day. She looked like a princess, he concluded.

"Are you alright?" Suddenly, he became very concern that she might be hurt.

The girl wiped her face with her small hands, making her tears spread around and messed her cheeks more. "I'm fine." She rolled her eyes at him much to his amusement.

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm not crying."

"My mother told me it's bad to lie."

The girl pouted her lips. "I miss my dad."

"Where is he?"

"Away." She whispered.

Deeks felt empathic towards her. "I don't have a daddy too. He left and won't be coming back."

"Mine will be back, he promised me."

He smiled. "Then you shouldn't be crying. He will not be happy if he comes back and sees you all puffy and red."

He was caught in surprise when she bolted right up and punched him on the arm. "Ouch! What's that for?" He asked, running his hand on the pained area.

"I'm not puffy and red!" She shouted and started to run away from him.

"Hey!" He wanted to call her name but he didn't know who she was.

The young girl stopped and eyed him carefully.

"W-what's your name?" He asked shyly.

She smiled at him. "Kensi."

"Kensi." He mumbled her name to memorize it. "I'm Marty Deeks."

"Thank you Deeks." She said, waved him goodbye before cautiously crossing the street.

He was left mesmerized by the princess-looking 6 year old he just met.

After two weeks, Deeks and Jack were busy playing basketball on the Simon's front yard. It was a Saturday so homework was out of the plate.

"Watch and learn." He uttered boastfully. Deeks was about to throw the ball in the hoop when he heard his friend's voice.

"Wait." Jack left him quickly to cross the street.

He looked at his friend and saw him talking to the girl he met weeks ago. "Kensi." He put the ball down and followed Jack.

"Have you tasted my mom's cake?" Deeks heard him say.

Kensi nodded happily. "Yes. It was good."

Jack's face beamed at her answer and Deeks can only watch them. Several exchanged words after, Kensi finally noticed him standing beside Jack.

"Deeks." She greeted him.

His feeling left out moments ago melted all of a sudden when he saw her smile at him. "Hi."

"Kensi meet my best friend, Marty." Jack introduced them to each other.

"I know him." It was Kensi who answered.

Jack was stunned at her revelation and was about to question his friend when he heard her again.

"I saw you playing basketball. Can I join?"

"No, my dear." It was Julia, Kensi's mom, who answered her.

Kensi pouted her lips and was about to argue when she heard Jack.

"Good morning, Mrs. Blye."

Julia smiled affectionately towards the boy. "Good morning to you too, Jack. Please thank your mother for me. Her cake was the best. Both Kensi and I loved it."

"I will, Ma'am. Please meet my best friend, Marty. We're classmates since preschool."

"Hi Marty."

"Deeks!" Kensi blurted out. Julia and Jack gazed at her inquiringly. Deeks stifled a laugh. "His name is Deeks."

"Hi Deeks." Julia greeted him.

"Please to meet you, Ma'am."

"Kensi and I are about to have our morning snack, I made spaghetti. Would the two of you gentlemen like to join us?"

Both boys drooled thinking of spaghetti. They nodded enthusiastically.

"I think I need to call you Deeks from now on." Jack teased him before entering the Blye's house following the mother and daughter.

"Oh, Man!" He whined.