Hi all. This was my contribution to "Densi-mber" on Tumblr and post-ep for "Mother" sort of

The last customer had left the bar. Deeks locked the front door, and started turning off the Christmas window decorations. Kensi had gone home already and his mom had the night off. He didn't mind closing by himself, it was good thinking time.

His thoughts still swirled around another close call. Deeks was still amazed that his wife was able to keep her head and got them out of that warehouse as it was exploding around him. He was so deep in thought he almost missed the noises coming from the back of the bar more specifically, out by the dumpster.

As he grabbed for his weapon from his waistband, the Detective quietly peered out the small back window. The irony of looking out a small window not lost on him. The good news, he had control of that door. At first he didn't see anything. Then a can, followed by another, then a bottle came rolling into the alley. It seems someone was in the recycle bin. Deeks sighed as he opened the door. He lowered his gun but kept it out, just in case.

"Hey! You need to come out right now! LAPD, show yourself NOW!"

A boy who looked about 13, 14 years old, crawled out from the dumpster. "Don't hurt me mister."

Deeks was not expecting to see a kid. He figured it was a homeless person looking for cans and bottles to turn in. But a boy…. "What are you doing out here so late? Where do you live?"

"Are you really a cop?"

Deeks showed the boy his badge. "What's your name?"

"Trevor"

"You got a last name Trevor?"

"Yup!"

Deeks chuckled at the boy's chutzpah. As his eyes adjusted to the low light he got his first look at the intruder. Skinny, but not malnourished, neatly trimmed hair, military son he thought. Clothes in not too bad of shape. What was this boy doing raiding his recycle bin at 1am?

"Trevor, what are you doing out here? Where do you live?"

Trevor looked at Deeks trying to figure out what to tell him. Deeks saw his fear.

"I'm not going to hurt you. Where are your parents?"

"Dad's deployed, Mom is home with my 3 sisters. I go out looking for cans and bottles to redeem. I like coming to your place because it's easy to get them. You have everything separated. My Dad would approve. He's always trying to get me to organize my stuff."

"I'm always trying to get my wife to get organized and her Dad was a Marine."

"So's my Dad!" There was a note of pride in his voice. Much like when Kensi talked about her Dad. Deeks sighed. He could not just let Trevor keep digging in his dumpster but he also saw how important it was for Trevor to help his family. He knew that feeling. He did the same for Mama when he was that age.

"Trevor, with an unknown last name, how old are you?"

"13"

"Tell you what. I can see you are a big help to your Mom. I did the same thing when I was your age for my Mama. But it is WAAAAY too late for you to be out here. I've got a better idea. Why don't you come help out here. You can bus tables and help during dinner time, yeah? But, I need to meet your Mom first."

Trevor's eyes grew big as saucers in a panic Deeks wasn't expecting.

"You can't, she doesn't know I'm doing this!"

And there it was. Deeks realized that Trevor was actually 13 going on 30. He could relate. He was the man of the family and that made the Detective sad. Trevor should be hanging with his peeps, shooting hoops, discovering girls. Deeks wanted to help without insulting the boy.

"How much do you usually get for what you collect?"

"Umm usually $5."

Deeks dug into his wallet and pulled out $10. "Here. Take this BUT, I don't want you digging around here anymore."

Trevor panicked. This was his favorite spot to get cans. Deeks saw the boy getting upset and continued. "I want you to come work for me over the dinner shift. You will make more money and not be out this late, especially on school nights. But you have to bring your Mom here so she can meet me and my wife. I want her to know where you are."

The boy looked at the ten dollar bill. He understood what was being asked of him. His Mom is not going to be happy when she finds out, but it would be nice to not be sooo tired in the morning. With a slow nod of his head, the boy agreed and accepted the money.

Two weeks later

The bar was hopping. Folks were into the festive atmosphere at the "Squid and the Dagger". Deeks was busy keeping the folks sitting at the bar happy, Kensi was delivering food to tables and taking new orders. Bertie was cooking in the kitchen. And the newest, smallest employee was rushing from table to table gathering dirty plates and resetting them for new customers. Deeks smiled thinking back to meeting Trevor's Mom with Kensi and helping smooth things over for the boy and his late night adventures. Kate was grateful and not too mad at her son and gave her permission for Trevor to work during the dinner shift. Kensi and Deeks promised that he would be home by 9, homework done and usually with a bag full of food from Bertie to help the family.

Deeks was grateful to Trevor for reminding him why they do the things they do. Adopting this family was a balm to his heart. Kensi and Kate became friends and with Bertie watching the girls, they would go to the gym and let Kate have some time for herself. Kate was also a military brat and missed working out. Her time with Kensi was a tonic to her well being and Mama Deeks loved taking care of the kids.

As Kensi crawled into bed, she smiled looking at her already sleeping husband. His nights had been calmer, he was sleeping better. Helping Trevor's family seemed to be what he needed. Seeing him spend time with the boy huddled over his homework at a back table was like a snapshot of their future. Helping their own future kids. As she settled down snuggled against her husband's back, she smiled. They'll get there and when they do it will be everything they hoped for.