A/N: A little post-ep for "Pandora's Box". I'm including this one in this series since it's possible Pilar may join the Deeks-Blye family eventually.
"Ok, so besides vampire movies, what do you like?" Kensi asks Pilar, scooting over so Deeks can take a seat on the bench. They've spent the last 20 minutes dissecting Stake Red Heart and the Twilight series, which both Pilar and Deeks agree have a suspicious number of similarities.
Although she'd initially regarded him a little tentatively, within a few minutes, Pilar was laughing and providing a passionate defense of her favorite lead. Deeks can't remember the last time he smiled this much, or genuinely if he'd being honest.
It's almost too good to be true. He's sure he's dreaming or maybe in some kind of post-TBI, coma-driven hallucination. Because in their extremely cursed world, there's no way that this is happening.
He glances at Kensi, but her attention is completely focused on Pilar.
"I love painting," Pilar answers, giving a half shrug. Deeks has already noticed that she's naturally soft spoken, but that diminishes when she's excited. "Or any art. Drawing. Um, the thing with the–" she pauses and says something in Spanish, frowning in consternation.
"Arcilla. Oh, you mean sculpting?"
"Yes," Pilar says, face lighting up with delight. He sees her regard for Kensi only grow with the realization that they share her first language. "And I love to read. But there are not many books in Spanish here."
"Well, maybe we can bring you some," Deeks offers. "If you'd like us to."
"I would. Thank you." Her smile is grateful, no longer hesitant at all.
"No problem." He smiles back, glad to provide anything that will make her happy. It's followed by a tinge of sadness as a memory resurfaces. His mom didn't have much money for books, or most extras, but he'd always had access to a library.
"What about you?" Pilar asks, nodding to both of them. "Rosa told me as much as she knew, but most was about the way you rescued her. Do you like art, Kensi."
"Oh, she loves it," Deeks teases and Kensi gives him a mildly exasperated look.
"I do like art, but I'm afraid I'm not a very good artist," she explains. "I also enjoy running, uh admittedly bad TV, and I'm not a very good cook. Though I do love food." Pilar giggles at that, dimples appearing on her cheeks. "And of course, spending time with Marty."
"And you, Marty?"
"I guess my friends would tell you that I love to talk, which is pretty true," Deeks starts off. "I'll never say no to surfing, or tacos, sushi, and ice cream, and I've recently taken up gardening."
"That sounds nice," Pilar comments, longing entering her eyes.
Kensi glances at Deeks now, catching his eye, and she didn't even need to speak before he was nodding his agreement. He knew where her mind was, and he was one hundred percent on board.
"Pilar, would it be alright if we visited you again?" she asks carefully. "You don't have to say yes if you don't want to," Kensi adds quickly. "But if you do, we could bring those books and maybe some food?"
"I've never had sushi before," Pilar says softly, twisting the little worry doll between her fingers. "I think that would be nice."
"Then sushi it is," Deeks agrees.
"Pilar, it's time for dinner!" Ms. Reynolds calls out, appearing at the door again. Deeks and Kensi rise together as Pilar scrambles off the bench.
She hesitates, eyes darting between them, and then she darts towards Kensi and hugs her. Kensi's eyes widen in surprise for the few seconds Pilar clings to her before moving on to Deeks.
"It was nice meeting you," she whispers, eyes bright with a few tears and unmistakable happiness. "Thank you, Kensi and Marty." As she walks away, hurrying towards Ms. Reynolds, Kensi blindly reaches for him.
"Am I crazy for thinking that this is it?" she asks. "That she's the one."
"Nope, cause I'm thinking exactly the same thing," Deeks murmurs back hoarsely.
Deeks grips her hand, needing the strength as he's flooded by hope and relief.