A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who's kept up with this story despite the issues with notifications and less regular updates.

It took approximately two and half days for Kensi to calm down enough to think about her fight with Deeks somewhat rationally. In that time, she had roughly fifteen imaginary conversations with him in her head. Some ended with them both screaming at each other, others with them mapping out a more mature and thought-out response.

They'd rarely truly fought in the over the course of their friendship. Of course there'd been your typical disagreements and small spats, but nothing like this. It made it more difficult to figure out what to do since she didn't have any previous experience to compare it to.

Kensi could admit to herself now that she'd pressed a little too hard. Deeks had obviously been stressed, and she knew his instinct to solve his problems alone. She also knew that he could be defensive when anything related to his home life came into question. She'd just assumed that he would eventually give in like always.

Knowing that didn't make it any easier, and she kept hoping that maybe Deeks would reach out first. He didn't though, which started a whole new wave of anger.

So, she threw herself into work and her other extracurriculars with all her energy to keep her mind from her problems. The only problem was the giant Deeks-sized whole that followed her everywhere she went. After the second time she turned to tell Deeks a joke she thought of while umpiring, she admitted defeat.

When she got home, she searched through the house, grabbing a handful of grapes on the way, until she found her dad hard at work out back. He had two sawhorses set up with a curved piece of wood laid across them. She watched him run a sanding block across the surface in fast stroke that left little clouds of dust in the air.

He glanced up when she walked around to his other side, offering a smile.

"Hi sweetheart, how was your day?"

"It was ok. A kid got sick on home plate so we had to stop the game for 20 minutes to clean it up," Kensi told him, and he made a face.

"Sounds fun."

She popped a grape in her mouth and slowly chewed. "Dad, can I run something by you?"

"Always." He set the sander to the side, gesturing for her to follow him inside and over to the couch. "What's going on?"

"Ok. Suppose there were two really good friends," she started once they were sitting. Don crossed his arms, pursing his lips.

"Two hypothetical friends?" he guessed.

"Possibly. So, these two friends had a fight, and they both said some things in the heat of the moment that might be kind of hard to take back."

"Do you think it's something they can't get beyond?"

"I hope so." She shrugged helplessly, and dropped the act. "Recently it's felt like Deeks has been pushing me out more and more and I really don't know what to do with that. Do I just let him go and hope that he gets over it eventually? Do I keep bugging him?"

Despite her promise to herself that she wouldn't cry over Deeks again, felt on the verge of tears.

"Hey come here, mija," Don murmured, enveloping her in his arms. "Before we go any further, did Marty say anything I need to talk to him about? I know he's generally a good guy, but if he was inappropriate—"

"No, it was nothing like that," she assured him immediately. She might be upset with Deeks, but she wouldn't let her dad think badly of him. She eased back, wrapping her arms around her torso. "I don't think Deeks could ever call me a terrible name or anything like that. He's not capable of it."

"Well in that case, I'd say an apology is a good place to start. You don't need to take responsibility for the entire incident, just the part you played. If he's receptive then you go from there. If he's not, then I'd say give him that space to figure things out," Donald advised.

"What if I'm not always super great at apologizing?" Kensi asked sheepishly. He snorted at the understatement.

"You're a big girl, Kens, I think you can manage it. Even if it hurts your pride."

She ran her thumbnail underneath along the tip of her index finger. "I'm also worried that I won't even give me the chance to say anything. With the way he was shutting me out the other day, I don't know if he'll listen."

"Then there's nothing else you can do than let him know you're always there for him when things change. Sometimes relationships go through highs and lows. The sign of a good friendship is being able to withstand those difficult moments and come out the other side stronger. Semper fi, right?"

Kensi rolled her eyes at the requisite military reference. "Thanks, dad," she said, reaching for another, shorter hug. "You always give the best advice."

Frowning, Donald pressed his palm to her forehead. "Hm, no fever," he said, brows furrowed.

Kensi leaned away with a grimace. "Dad, what are you talking about?"

"You just gave me a compliment out of the blue. Either the world's ending or you're very, very sick."

"Dad," she sighed, but couldn't completely hide her smile. Although her problems weren't automatically solved, she felt less uncertain. Or at the very least, better from having it all out in the open. She'd still have to decide what to do on her own.

"Do you need any help with the cabinet?" she asked. Donald shook his head.

"No, you already had a rough day. Go ahead and relax. I'll bring you up some dinner a little later." He kissed her forehead, and gave her a gentle push off the couch. "Love you, kiddo."

Kensi intended to practice some SAT questions before bed, but instead she found herself considering her dad's advice. She did want to talk with Deeks. Even if he brushed her off again, they'd been friends for too long for one argument to destroy their relationship.

By the time morning rolled around, she had a plan in mind, as well as a vague outline of everything she wanted to say. This time around, she didn't want her emotions to get the better of her.

Her dad was out of the kitchen by the time she made it downstairs, so she grabbed a box of cereal—the sweet kind he always rolled his eyes over—and poured a bowl. As she got the milk from the fridge, she spotted a package of cinnamon rolls she'd picked up with Deeks in mind.

Since they weren't talking, she hadn't supplemented his meals for the last couple days. The thought gave her a twinge of unease as she imagined Deeks either relying on whatever Mr. Chowdry might offer him or going hungry. With that in mind, when she was done with her own breakfast, she found a large bag and tossed in the cinnamon rolls, a couple cans of soup, and a package of cheese she didn't think her dad would miss to much. She considered the collection of food and added a few bananas and oranges for good measure.

She wouldn't have an explanation for the collection of random foods if Deeks asked, but if he had a problem with it, he'd just have to deal with it.

As she lugged it all towards the front door, the main phone rang, and she called out, "I got it, dad!"

"Hi, you've reached the Blye residence."

"Kensi, is that you. This is Roberta Deeks. Is Marty with you?" Roberta rattled off so quickly Kensi was could barely keep up.

"Hi Mrs. Deeks. No, he's not here," Kensi answered, a heavy feeling settling in her stomach even as she reasoned that Roberta was often high-strung.

"Well do you know where he could be?"

"No I'm sorry—"

"There's clothes all over his room, and dishes in the sink, and you know he never leaves a mess," Roberta interrupted frantically, her pitch rising dramatically as she rambled. She broke off with a distressed sound. "I know he's independent and can take care of himself, but I haven't seen him in three days and I'm worried about him."

"Mrs. Deeks, I'm sure he's ok," Kensi assured her, even though she felt anything but calm. Deeks always made sure to come home, even if it was just to clean or take care of some other chore. "He's probably at work."

"No, no he's not. I called his boss and he doesn't work today. I just want to know where my boy is."

"Ok, we'll figure out where he is. I'm going to check some of the places he normally goes. Why don't you stay there in case he calls or comes home?" She couldn't imagine Roberta Deeks, stressed and frantic, roaming the streets searching for her son.

"Alright. Oh, this is all my fault," Roberta whispered over the phone. "8 shouldn't have been gone so long."

Kensi didn't have anything good to say to that, so she just repeated a variation of the same platitude. "It's going to be ok. I'll call you with any updates," she promised.

"Thank you. Deeks is so lucky to have you." Roberta sounded near tears as they both hung up.

Abandoning the bag of food, Kensi ran up to her dad's room, not bothering to knock before she entered. Her concern must have shown on her face because he stood from where he sat on his bed immediately.

"Kensi, what's wrong?"

"Deeks' mom just called. She doesn't think he's come home for a a few days and doesn't know where he's at now. I told her I'd help look for him. Dad, I have a bad feeling about this," she told him.

Donald nodded, his eyebrows drawing closer together as she spoke.

"I'm not sure what's going on, but I think he really needs help." She belatedly realized she probably sounded desperate and maybe even childish.

"You're right to be worried," Don said, and she couldn't hide her surprise. He's had a rough few weeks. Go help him. You can take the car, but be careful."

"Thank you, dad." She gave him a quick hug and ran back downstairs. Any lingering anger and frustration had disappeared in an instant. She would forgive Deeks anything as long as he wasn't hurt or in danger.

The sand was damp and cold under his bare feet. He didn't know how long he'd been walking; it seemed like a long time, but he hadn't exactly been paying attention. Every so often, he'd stumble a little over a rock or a piece of garbage washed ashore.

Deeks stopped, looking out across the ocean, sunshine sparkling off the surface. A few people were already out on their boards. Normally, the water gave him a sense of peace and centered him. Not today.

He watched for a couple more minutes, then started walking again.

A/N: A touch too dramatic you say?