Prompt: Could you please write a fic where Rosa, with help from Julia, makes dinner for Kensi's 40th birthday to show her appreciation for everything that Kensi (and Deeks) has done for her?
Rosa peered into the kitchen, finding Roberta Deeks alone as she had hoped. Although she had nothing to base it on, from the way Kensi and Deeks made it sound, Roberta spent a lot more time at their house these days.
At the moment, Roberta was spreading brownie batter into a well-used pan. She glanced up while sliding it into the oven and smiled.
"Hey, Kiddo! These should be ready in about half an hour," she announced, wiping down the counter.
By now, Rosa was used to Roberta's blunt, loud demeanor, but at first, she'd been kind of overwhelmed. In a way, it was refreshing after so many people who talked and acted so carefully around her, like she might fall apart at any time.
"Thank you, but I was actually hoping you could help me with something," Rosa said, just a little shyly.
"Anything, what do you need? Well, not anything. Your parents would kill me if I got you cigarettes or anything. It's like they've forgotten what it was like to be kids, but I could tell you stories about Marty when he was in high school." Rosa grinned at Roberta's short rant. She'd already shared a number of stories about Marty, much to his horror at times, and Kensi's general amusement.
"Kensi's birthday is coming soon, and I wanted to make her something special for dinner. As repayment. She and Marty have done so much for me that I wanted to thank her in some small way. Can you help me cook while she's at the spa with Julia?"
She'd chosen a few days before Kensi's actual birthday, knowing that Marty had made reservations for them all on the 29th.
"Well, I know for a fact they love every moment of it and don't expect any kind of thanks, but sure I can help you," Roberta said. "What did you have in mind?" She leaned across the counter and grabbed a notepad.
"Something Mexican," Rosa answered immediately. She'd learned quickly that Kensi loved almost any Latin food. "And I was also thinking something Korean, but I've never cooked that kind of food before."
"Neither have I, but we'll figure it out," Roberta decided confidently. "Why don't you find Martin and tell him to bring his wallet? We got shopping to do."
"Kensi's going to love this," Deeks said, briefly squeezing Rosa's shoulder. "Just one question, where the hell are we going to buy bulgogi?" Deeks asked glancing down at the extensive list in his hand and then back up at Roberta and Rosa.
"Roberta found a place in Koreatown that's supposed to have the best meat," Rosa explained. "Can you take me?" She offered a pleading look that he was helpless to resist.
"Alright, everybody get in the truck. Looks like we're headed to Koreatown."
Three hours later, they were dragging roughly a hundred totes into the house. They had a few more hours before Julia and Kensi were expected to be back.
"Alright, you can make the spring rolls and appetizers, Marty. And what all did you say you were making, Rosa?" Roberta asked, automatically taking charge.
"Tamales, chicken pepian, and traditional tostadas," she answered.
"Alrighty, and I'll tackle that bulgogi."
"Have you ever made Korean food before?" Deeks asked while he unpacked egg roll wrappers and partially prepared spring roll mix.
He canted his hip against the counter while he watched Roberta pull out a variety of pots and pans.
"Nope, but we'll figure it out," Roberta said with that careless confidence that either meant wonderful or disastrous things were about to occur.
"Uh-huh." He glanced at Rosa who had briefly looked up from the peppers she'd started chopping. Roberta rooted around in one of the kitchen drawers until she located a lighter and headed for the back door.
"I'm going to start the grill."
"It'll be fine," Deeks assured Rosa, offering her a pat on the shoulder as went to retrieve more ingredients. "And if isn't, what Kensi doesn't know won't hurt her."
As it turned out, everything went fairly well. Roberta ordered Deeks around, causing mild mayhem with the grill, while Rosa provided a calming presence as she prepared traditional dishes with ease. She was truly in her element, picking fresh vegetables and herbs to combine with chicken and beef.
The dining room table was already laid out with a variety of sides, to be followed by the Korean food and then Rosa's course for the main entree.
"Alright, Julia just texted, they're 15 minutes away," Deeks informed Rosa, sticking his head out the patio door to shout the same to his mom.
"Ok, everything's almost ready," Rosa said, checking each of the dishes with uncharacteristic nervousness. She had her hair tied back, but a few pieces had escaped and a dot or two of sauce speckled her forehead.
"Hey, she's going to love it," Deeks told her gently. When she continued to look unsure, he rounded the island to offer a hug which she immediately accepted. "You worked so hard on all of this and picked food that Kensi loves. She's going to be amazed."
"I hope so." She let out a sigh, seeming more confident again, and released to grab a chili-stained spatula. "Alright, I'm going to finish the tostadas."
The next several minutes were a flurry of movement while they put on the finishing touches. Roberta had placed the bulgogi in a covered pan on the table when they heard the jingle of keys in the front door.
Rosa whipped off her apron and smoothed her hair down as Kensi and Julia walked in. Julia smiled at them all lined up in front of the table while Kensi glanced between them.
"Hey guys, what's going on? Any why does it smell like the best buffet in the world?" she asked.
"We made you dinner," Rosa answered, shrugging as she stepped to the side to reveal the food-laden table. "Happy Birthday."
"Oh my god." Kensi took a few steps forward, glancing back at them in astonishment. "You guys made all of this?"
"It was all Rosa's idea," Roberta said, eyeing Rosa fondly.
"Well, you two helped a lot. Do you like it?" Rosa gave Kensi a shy smile as she continued to survey the wide selection of foods.
Instead of answering, Kensi turned back around and pulled Rosa in for a hug.
"It's perfect, thank you," Kensi murmured as she squeezed Rosa tightly. Rosa closed her eyes, a range of emotions crossing her face.
"De nada, Kensi. Gracias por todo lo que has hecho por mi." They stayed that way for nearly a minute while everyone else stayed silent, allowing them their moment.
Keeping one arm around Rosa, she took a turn hugging everyone else, pressing a kiss to Deeks' cheek.
"Thank you everybody. This is perfect," she said, wiping a stray tear from under her eye. "Mom, I assume this is why you insisted on stopping at every store in the mall before we came home."
"Well, I had to keep you away somehow," Julia responded, unrepentant.
"Alright, enough chitchat," Roberta decided, clapping her hands a couple of times. "Rosa worked way too hard on all this for it to get cold. Everybody grab a plate."
"Oh, this looks amazing!" Kensi sang, happily piling edamame and seaweed salad onto her plate. She paused over the metal dish and looked to Deeks with a touched expression. "You guys made me bulgogi?"
"Well, Marty told me about how much you love it one time," Rosa explained.
"We did our best, but I can't promise it's dance worthy," Deeks joked, sharing another, more private look with Kensi.
"It's all perfect," she repeated. "Everything."
A/N: I know I had them prepare an eclectic collection of food, but I liked the idea of them fixing a selection of Kensi's favorites.
Rosa, at least according to google, basically says thanks for everything you've done to Kensi.