Don't own anything.
It was in the early hours of the morning when Emma woke up with a splitting headache. Getting out of bed, she made her way to the kitchen where she knew Julia kept the aspirin. After taking the pills and filling up her glass again, she walked past the living room where she saw the TV was still on. Kensi had her head on the armrest and Deeks was using her butt as a pillow and a blanket half over his legs and the rest on the floor. Waking as quiet as she could, she found the remote on the coffee table and switched off the TV. Putting her glass down, she picked the blanket off the floor and covered Deeks. They were so cute and Emma could see that they loved each other. She wished they could just be open with their relationship around the team but she understood why they had to keep it close to the chest. Grabbing her glass, she made her way back up the stairs to bed.
Deeks woke up to the smell of coffee coming from the kitchen but he also knew Emma didn't drink coffee, so he knew she made it just for them. Getting up without disturbing Kensi, he went to the kitchen to grab himself a cup. After pouring the black gold, he made it towards the patio where he found Emma sitting on one of Julia's couches around the pool.
"Good morning, Pixie. Feeling better?" Deeks said but he could see she's been crying.
Emma just looked up and she started to cry again.
"No, no. Don't cry." Deeks said placing the mug on the side table. He moved her feet and brought her to his chest. "Shh, it's okay." He kept on saying as he rocked her.
"I'm so… I'm so… sorry." Emma sobbed.
"Hey, it's okay. We've all been there. Remember we're here for you so breathe and no more tears."
"I've never… I've never yelled at someone."
"I know and it's okay. Yell away, we'll take what you dish out." Deeks said but she could hear the smile in his voice.
They sat like that for a while before they heard Kensi make her way toward them.
"Good morning sleepy head." Deeks said towards her.
"Good morning." Kensi said as she bent down to kiss Deeks.
Making her way to Emma's other side, she moved the teenager so that she was snuggled in between them. "How are you holding up, Buttercup?"
"I'm okay. I'm sorry I yelled at you yesterday." Emma said as she moved closer to Kensi.
Kensi snugged an arm around Emma and the girl just snuggled up to her. "It's okay. Thank you for using your words to tell us to back off." Kensi said with a smile.
"How about I make you two ladies some breakfast and then we can figure out what we're going to do today."
"Sounds good." Kensi said as she snuggled with Emma. "So, what do you want to do today?"
"Can we go to the beach? I just want to be close to the water today." Emma said with a small voice.
"Of course. We love the beach!"
"That sounds awesome and then maybe we can come home later and watch a movie."
"With popcorn and candy?"
"What's a movie night without popcorn and candy." Kensi laughed.
"Did I hear popcorn and candy? Are we doing a movie marathon?" Deeks said as he carried the tray to the table.
"And a beach day." Kensi said.
"Emma-Grace, you are a girl close to my heart." Deeks said as he winked at her. "And of course, you are the queen of that heart Kiki." Deeks said as he kissed her.
The three of them ate their breakfast but it was hard to concentrate with Deeks at the table. Emma loved hearing about everything he got up to when he was a kid. Or since he joined the team. Kensi just looked at him with love in her eyes and Emma loved that they could still be badass agents and yet, so cute and loving. She knew that Callen had a girlfriend but wasn't ready to meet her yet. What Callen told her, Joelle was a kindergarten teacher and she loved kids. But Emma wasn't prepared to have another person know about her past and she didn't want to lie to her. Callen will introduce Emma to Joelle when he feels the time is right.
"Okay, Pixie. We're doing dishes and you get ready. Wait are we surfing?"
"Not today, Shaggy." Kensi said as she collected the plates.
"And I don't have a bathing suit yet."
"Wait, what?" Deeks said.
"I just haven't had the time to go shopping. School, work, school." Emma said as she carried the mugs into the house.
"Okay, I'll give it to you. You've been busy but we need to plan for you to go shopping." Deeks said.
"We'll do a girls' day next weekend and get you some new clothes." Kensi said as she loaded the dishwasher. "For now, you go get dressed. We'll clean up here."
"We'll shower when we get back… safe some water and shower together." Deeks said as he brought Kensi in for a kiss.
"I heard that." Emma yelled down.
"Let's not give the teenager ideas." Kensi said with a kiss.
Deeks found the group the perfect spot on the beach. Before she left the house, Emma grabbed her book that she's been putting off reading since she left the hospital. They quickly stopped at Deeks' house to grab his surfboard… nothing can't keep him out of the water. While he surfed, the girls just watched and talked.
"So, you have two more years then you're done. What then?" Kensi asked Emma.
"I don't know. Maybe join NCIS but I don't know if I'll be good at that." Emma said as she placed her bookmark in her book.
"Well, I think you'll make a great agent." Kensi said. Emma just gave her a look. "I mean it. You're a great observer, speak eight languages and read lips. What more do you need."
"I don't think my past will make a good resume for NCIS."
"Ah, that's what I've been looking for." Kensi said as she turned towards her. "Listen to me and make sure to your listening ears are working. Your past is just that; you're past. You are so much more than what Olga made you out to be. You are smart and worth so much and we love you. You are our family and if someone tells you you're not good enough, they don't know you as well as we do. Okay?"
Emma wiped a stray tear away and just smiled at Kensi. "Thank you for everything." Emma said as she hugged Kensi.
Around lunchtime, Kensi went to look for a food truck while Deeks dried off and Emma checked in on Sam. Kensi came back with food to feed any army but just like Callen, Kensi knew that Emma had a hard time making choices so until she felt comfortable, they'll keep helping her by making sure she had plenty of options to find what she liked. Around 3, they made their way back to the car. Deeks told them he needed to stop at the store to grab a few movie night items. As he parked the car, Emma saw a pet store in the same strip mall as the grocery store.
"Mind if I go in and have a look?" Emma asked them.
"You go grab food and snack and we'll be looking at cute little animals." Kensi said to Deeks.
As they walked into the store, an old lady greeted them with a smile and told them if they needed anything, just to call her over.
"Deeks has a dog, Monty. He used to be a polish dog." Kensi said as she picked up a dog toy.
"I've always wanted a dog. I used to run in the mornings and I couldn't help but stop and pet a dog if I saw one. Daniil hated it because it would make us 'late' so when we got home, we went to my room 'to talk'." Emma said, "he made sure that no one would see the bruises."
"The more I hear about this guy, the more I hate him." Kensi said through her teeth.
"He was a monster before this but Olga brought out something else in him. He fell in love with one of the girls and they planned to run away. But Olga found out about it and did what she always did; she took care of a problem that would cost her money. She had one of her 'friends' tie him to a chair and he had to watch her being…" Emma just looked away, "she left him in that room with her body for 72 hours before she let him out. After that, he was as cold as steel."
"I can't even imagine what you went through in that house." Kensi said as she saw Emma bent down to look at a purple Beta fish.
"Some days, Daniil will bring me tea and I could see how much that life weighed him down in his eyes. But as soon as he saw I could see into his soul, the walls came back up. He didn't have much choice when it came to saying no to Olga."
"What do you mean?" Kensi asked.
"He was like me. He never knew his parents; he was left on the steps too. Olga took him in after we settled in here. He was only 18 when she killed Yana but he was a broken man before he came over." Emma said as she stood back up. "But I was the only one who saw him for what he was. He was born a monster and that's what she brought out of him."
Emma kept on looking at the Beta fish and Kensi paid close attention. Deeks texted Kensi that he was waiting for them in the car, so they said goodbye to the old lady and made their way toward the car. Once they got home, Emma took her shoes off and placed them in the shoe rack Julia put by the door for her. In Olga's house, you had outside shoes and house shoes. Outdoor shoes were for outside and house shoes were for inside so slipping her house shoes on, she picked up her backpack and placed it at the foot of the stairs. It took time for her to adjust to living with Julia and she knew that her OCD was something other people would find hard to live with but Julia didn't seem to mind all the chances.
"I'm on popcorn duty, Kensi you're on snack duty and Emma you're on movie duty." Deeks said as he placed the bags on the kitchen counter.
"Please tell me we have beer left from last night?" Kensi said as she opened the fridge.
"Got some more if you need it. And for the young lady, a choice between iced tea or lemonade." Deeks said.
"Oh, tough one… let's try lemonade." Emma said as she grabbed a glass. "What movie do you guys want to watch?" Emma said as she poured herself something to drink.
"You choose… but no horror movies." Kensi yelled as Emma walked into the living room.
"That helps the kid, Kensi." Deeks giggled as he started the popcorn.
Emma finally found something they all could agree upon. After the first movie ended, Deeks went to make more snacks and popcorn while Emma went to take a shower and get into her PJs. Once Emma was done with her shower, she came downstairs and asked Kensi if she would braid her hair. Emma loved it when someone brushed her hair but Olga used to pull it and with every stroke, remind her what she did wrong that day. But now, with Kensi doing it, it felt like it once was… perfect. Julia phoned Emma to find out how she was holding up but she had to cover her phone to tell Kensi and Deeks to put a sock in it since she could barely hear what Julia was saying. As Emma walked back into the living room, she wiggled herself in between the two and started up the next movie.
Kensi and Deeks were sipping their coffee while Emma was getting dressed. They were heading to the farmer's market because Emma decided that she wanted to cook them and Julia dinner to say thank you for everything.
"Hey, yesterday Emma told me she used to run but I don't think she has the right gear for that."
"You want us to stop at the store to get her some?" Deeks smiled at her.
"That's exactly what I'm asking. I think it will be good for her to start again but this time, without a bodyguard."
"Next you're going to tell me you're going to train her." Deeks could see the light bulb go on in her head. "Kiki don't even think about that."
"But you're the best practice doll for her."
"No, please babe. And I don't think Callen wants his daughter to…"
"To, what… Learn to defend herself. I think he'll be all for it. But for now, let's just start with the running."
"Who's running?" Emma said as she walked into the kitchen.
"You." They said together.
"Wait, I'm running. Where am I running to?" Emma was a bit confused.
"Well, Kensi said you used to run. So, after the farmers market, we're getting to gear and you can start again." Deeks said with a smile.
"That sounds awesome. I like how you think Kensi." Emma said as she passed Deeks. "Shotgun!"
"Hey, no shotgun. You're in the back Pixie!"
"She shotgun first. So, she's in the front Shaggy." Kensi said as she passed him.
Emma found everything she needed for dinner. Since moving in with Julia, Emma has been learning how to cook. They started a cookbook and the recipes that they felt were perfect, made it in there. She was still learning what she liked and didn't. Olga controlled everything she ate and ensured she didn't starve her, just enough to keep her from looking like a starving child. She didn't want Emma to get fat so she fed her mostly vegetables and chicken. When she was with JJ and his friends, they kept her diet the same. Some nights Emma went to bed hungry and water didn't even help. Olga only let her drink tea in the mornings but only if she was a good girl.
"Okay, Pixie you got everything?" Deeks said as she took the last sip of his smoothy.
"I did. And I found everything for dessert too."
"Please tell me you're making your red velvet brownies." Kensi said with puppy dog eyes.
"Of course. What else did you think I'm making."
"Yes! Just want I needed."
"What time does your mom get in?" Deeks asked.
"I think she said at round 4, so dinner ready by 6?" Kensi said.
Deeks looked at his watch. "Then we need to hurry up if we want to stop and grab your gear and make it home in time for you to start cooking."
"You do know shopping for clothes takes me forever." Emma said.
"Not with this one around." Deeks said pointing a finger towards Kensi.
"He's right. I know what you need and you just try it on and say yes or no."
"Nice to know you have my back, Kens." Emma said with a smile as they walked towards the car.
As Deeks said, Kensi knew precisely what Emma needed to get back into running. Kensi even said she'd train her if that's what she wanted and Emma didn't hesitate with her answer. They got home and Emma went straight to the kitchen to start dinner. Deeks asked if he could help her so she handed him the plates and told him to set the table. Julia called Kensi to let her know she had landed and was on her way. She also said she had a surprise for them when she got home. While they were waiting, Kensi and Deeks helped Emma with one of her assignments.
"Anyone home?" Julia said as she walked into the kitchen.
"If she knows we're here, why still ask the question." Deeks said to Emma, who just giggled.
"Because she wasn't raised in a barn." Kensi said as she walked to hug her mom. Looking up she saw someone she recognized all too well. "Zachary!" She ran towards her brother and hugged him tightly.
"Well, it's nice to see you too sis." Zach said.
"Are you done with training?" Kensi had to ask.
"I am done. And now I'm just waiting to get my assignment." Zach said, "Hi, I'm Zach." He said as he held out his hand for Deeks shack.
"Marty Deeks. It's nice to meet you finally. Kensi told us all about you."
"I hope only the good things." Zach said as he turned towards Emma.
"You must be Emma-Grace. My mom told me all about you." Zach said as he shook her hand.
"You can call me Emma. Your mom told me all about you too." Emma said with a smile.
"Now, I'm scared. Mom, what did you tell her?"
"All the good things and maybe a few other stuff." Julia with a smile, still hugging Emma to her. "That's not weird at all." Deeks smiled. "I'm going to set an extra plate at the table."
"I'm going to check on dinner and you two go clean up." Emma said.
"Do you need any help?" Kensi asked.
"Nope, I'm good. You go catch up with Zachary." Emma said, waving Kensi out of the kitchen.
"I hope you brought your appetite. She's been cooking all day and she made red velvet brownies." Kensi said.
"Did you hear anything about Callen yet?" Julia asked Kensi.
"Not yet. But they're optimistic and that's good."
"Callen? Emma's dad, right." Zach asked as he walked into the living room.
"Yes, he got exposed to something bad." Julia said, not knowing how much she could say.
"That's not good." Zach said as he sat down.
"Well, on a good note. We got Emma some running gear so she could start running again. Get her mind off everything going on."
"That's great." Julia said. "She needs something outside school and work."
"Dinner's ready." Emma yelled from the dining room.
When dinner was over, Deeks and Zach offered to clean up while the girls sat and chatted.
"So how long have you and Kensi been a couple." Zach said while washing a pan.
"Well, since Christmas officially." Deeks said with a grin.
"I would give you the 'hurt her and you die' speech but I know she can kick your ass before I can do it. But hurt her and you'll have to deal with me after she kicks your ass." Zach said that Deeks could see that he was joking and the warning in his words.
"Not planning on that but good to know I have two people that kick my ass when I do something wrong."
"Just take care of her. She might be my big sister but I need her to be happy, she deserves it."
"I know and I'll do my best." Deeks said as he closed the dishwasher.
"So, Emma. Is she always so quiet and shy around people?" Zach asked.
"She's been through a lot and she has trust issues. She's getting out of her shell more but she's still a bit unsure about the world."
"I bet hanging out with you guys, she'll be there in no time."
"Yeah, I think it's going to take time to get her there. But she's strong and can do it, she just needs to trust herself."
"With the help of my mom and her family, she'll get there." Zach said as he walked towards the living room. "Any of you ladies want some tea before bed?"
"I'm good but I know Emma would like some camomile tea with honey." Julia said.
"I can do it." Emma said as she started to get up.
"No, you cooked. The least I can do is to make you tea." Zach said.
"Thank you, that will be great." Emma said without looking up.
"I think it's time we headed home." Kensi said.
"You guys can stay here tonight. I love knowing all my kids are under my roof." Julia said with a proud mama smile.
"I'm down with that." Deeks said to make himself comfortable on the couch.
"You just want to sleep a bit longer on my mom's pillows in the spare bedroom." Kensi said as she threw a pillow at him.
"You see what I had to put up with all weekend." Emma said with a giggle.
"Here you are." Zach said as he handed Emma her tea.
"Thank you. I'm going to head to bed. I have an early class tomorrow." Emma said as she got up. "Good night, Shaggy." Emma hugged Deeks. "Night, Kiki." Emma said as she hugged Kensi goodnight. "Thanks for the weekend and the gear. I'll see you tomorrow after school."
"Good night, Pixie. We'll see you tomorrow after school.
"Good night, Zach."
"Good night, Emma-Grace." Zach said as he sat down next to his mom.
"Night, Julia." Emma as she hugged Julia.
"Good night, my dear Emma-Grace."