"We're here," Deeks announced softly. They'd actually been parked for a minute or so, but Rosa hadn't reacted at all, her gaze focused on the opposite window. Deeks nudged her now, and she startled slightly, but didn't turn away.

"I don't want to do this," she said. In the weak reflection of the window, he saw her eyes were wide and scared.

Kensi reached between the console to wrap her arm around Rosa's shoulders. Rosa looked so young at the moment, worried and uncertain, seeking comfort.

"I know," Kensi murmured, radiating compassion and protectiveness. "I know this is extremely hard, but Deeks and I will be there the whole time." The affect her touch had on Rosa was immediate; she instantly relaxed slightly, her spine less rigid as she reached to grip Kensi's hand.

"And the first sign that there's anything wrong, we will hightail it out of there," Deeks added.

"And you're sure she can't make me move in with her instead or anything like that," Rosa checked.

"Absolutely." Deeks nodded. He'd spent hours consulting with a friend who specialized in difficult adoptions and stayed late conducting his own research to make sure their bases were covered. "As long as we make a good effort to meet your aunt's request, legally there shouldn't be a question of kinship. Especially since you've made your preference known."

Rosa turned to Deeks, searching his face, and Deeks was once again reminded just how much she'd been through in her young life. He hoped that this experience didn't add any further weight to her shoulders.

She nodded, gripping each other their hands. "Ok."

Together, they got out, stopping for a second in front of the small square house sandwiched with a tiny strip of grass between and each neighboring home. From the outside, it looked aged, but well-kept and neat.

"You ready?" Deeks checked as they hesitated outside the front door.

"Yeah."

The woman who answered the door was short, perhaps late 50s, and with a thick plait of silver threaded black hair that reached almost to her waist. Based on how quickly she'd opened the door, Deeks suspected she'd been waiting there for them.

She stood frozen for a second, eyes roving over Rosa.

"Hi, I'm Marty, and this is my wife Kensi," Deeks said, gesturing between them. "And of course, you know Rosa."

"Oh yes, forgive me." She pressed a hand to the center of her chest. "I'm Andrea, please come in."

She ushered them through the door and into a small sitting room which contained a couch and a couple cushioned chairs.

Rosa squeezed herself between Kensi and Deeks on the couch. Andrea pulled one of the chairs forward, gaze barely leaving Rosa. She leaned forward, fingers a tangled knot in her last.

"It's good to see you again, Rosa. The last time I saw you, you were just a little girl," she said.

"I remember," Rosa responded softly. "Not too much, but I know you always brought me candy and you would play with me on the floor." She hadn't told them that before and Deeks had never been prouder of her for making the effort. Even though he felt the subtle tremor vibrating through her arm against his.

Andrea's face lit up with delight, then quickly, then regret. "You were always such a sweetheart. I'm sorry I couldn't be in your life more. I feel I have missed so much."

"Why didn't you then?" Rosa asked. "Why did you leave?"

"Your father and I had a fight." Andrea shook her head. "It seems silly now, but we argued and refused to speak to each other ever again. After a few years, I had the opportunity to come to the US and I took it." She rubbed at her wrists anxiously. "Over the years, I just didn't know how to break the silence. Until now."

"I'm curious how you found out about us adopting Rosa," Kensi said. "We were told that there weren't any other family members besides Rosa's other aunt."

"No, I suppose they wouldn't have found me since I changed my last name after I became a citizen. I only kept contact with Marcela. She told me when you came to live with her Rosa, and then when she had her stroke, she mentioned there was a couple who wanted adopt you."

"You could have said something then." Despite her earlier concern, she sounded hurt.

Andrea gave them a pleading look. "I was afraid of how you would react after so long. I've spent months going back and forth trying to decide if I should reach out. I'm glad I did." She held Rosa's gaze for several seconds, warm and caring.

Deeks cleared his throat, hating to ruin the moment, but needing to be upfront from the beginning. For all of their sakes.

"I have to ask, what exactly are you hoping for from reuniting with Rosa?"

"I want to get to know her again." She smiled at Rosa, then at Kensi and Deeks. "And to see for myself what Marcela told me about you Mr. and Mrs. Deeks. She said you were kind, and loving, and wanted nothing but the best for Rosa. Just from knowing you a few moments, I can see that's all true."

"I appreciate that. We want what's best for Rosa, and to support what she acts too," Kensi said. "So, it's her decision how far this goes."

Rosa was silent for several moment, then lifted her head, sitting straight and tall again. "I would like to get to get to know you again too," she decided.

Andrea made a small sound, covering her mouth with her hand. She reached towards Rosa as if to give her a hug, then seemed to think better of it, and covered her hand instead.

"Thank you," she whispered. She then squeezed Kensi and Deeks' hands. "And thank you, Marty and Kensi. For giving me this opportunity.

Beside him, Rosa leaned into his shoulder. He saw her wipe a tear from her cheek, even as she smiled.

A/N: I hope this came out alright. I'm trying to navigate this scenario very carefully, while still stay faithful to what I think Rosa would feel given her recent past and newfound stability.

I couldn't recall if the aunt Rosa lived with briefly had a name, so I gave her one.