Requiem for the boy

Chapter 25

Back in his room after his run in with the Ecstasy tablet, Deeks was leaning against the headboard of his bed reading a book as Kensi came in, she had just been to the pool and swam as she had started to do since being here, the idea being according to Bryan that Deeks get some time alone and that she have some space as well so that he didn't get too dependent on her being there.

"How was your swim?" He asked.

She smiled and shook her head so the wet water drops landed on him, "Wet!" She grinned.

"Yuck!" Deeks smiled a small smile as he wiped the water off him.

"What are you reading?" Kensi asked leaning over to look.

"Nothing…" he tried to hide the book.

"Walt Whitman?" Kensi said as she grabbed the book from him.

"LEAVE IT!" he yelled grabbing the tattered book from her grasp.

Kensi stopped, Deeks never yelled at her. He realized what he had done and took a step away from her, "I'm sorry, it's just…it's mine." He said He handed the book to her and went into the bathroom locking the door.

She turned the book over in her hands, "I'm sorry Deeks." She said knocking on the door.

He didn't answer but emerge a few minutes later, dressed, as dressed as he could get seeing as he was still on suicide watch and had had his trainers and belt confiscated and was wearing the slippers that they handed out at the center.

He grabbed the book off her and headed out the door Kensi close at his heels until they reached Bryans' office for Deeks and Kensi's therapy session.

"Morning." Bryan smiled as the couple walked in.

Deeks walked over to the chair in the furthest corner and pulled his knees to his chest, Kensi looking sad and confused sat next to Bryan.

"Something wrong?" He asked brightly.

"No." Deeks snapped.

"I don't know." Kensi honestly answered.

"You don't know?" Deeks snapped back, "It was mine…and you took it, and…and you laughed…it's…" He stopped and looked out of the window rather than looking at them.

"The book? All this because of a stupid poetry book?" She didn't mean to snap at him, but they had been through 3 more days of therapy things were getting better and now he was on a downer over a book.

Deeks looked hurt.

"I mean, it's only a book, it's not even a new book, look at it, it's dog-eared and the cover is ripped and it's got sticky tape on it." She didn't understand why he was so protective over a book.

Bryan held up a hand. "Kensi, this is obviously important to Marty. Marty, would you like to tell Kensi about the book?" he asked.

"No." Deeks said quickly.

"Please, Deeks, I never wanted to hurt you…" Kensi said softly.

"It's…..hers." He mumbled.

"Hers?" Bryan said having caught what he said.

Deek held the book to his chest tightly and walked to the window. "I miss her…I can't help it, I know I'm not supposed to, I mean I'm a grown adult, but I miss her, I really…." He let out a sob and instantly Kensi was out of her seat and at his back with her arms around his waist comforting him.

"Who?" She asked gently.

"My mom…it was her book, it was the only one he would let her have, she'd read to me when I got bored with my books. It was our time together. It was safe." He wiped his eyes but wouldn't look at her.