Even though Deeks had probably shared a few hundred meals at the Blye table over the years, it was the first time Roberta ever had the honor. She sat next to Donald fidgeting and so clearly uncomfortable, she reminded Kensi of Deeks when he was most nervous.

Beside Kensi, Deeks was unusually quiet, picking at his food. A couple times she tried to catch his eye, but he stared blankly at his bowl in front of him, his mind obviously elsewhere.

She couldn't imagine what he'd gone through the last few days. She'd seen him angry plenty of times before, though it was rarely directed at anyone close to him. The intermittent despondency and moments when he seemed completely zoned out were scary.

Her dad and Roberta made polite, and in her case, stifled conversation. Kensi desperately wanted to say something to stop the awkward tension, but she also didn't want to draw extra attention to Deeks. She didn't know what her dad's plan was beyond feeding everyone. It put her on edge, especially since she couldn't tell what Deeks was thinking.

"How has work been, Roberta? I believe Marty said you've picked up a second job," Donald inquired after a particularly long pause, offering her another piece of bread. She took it with a self-conscious nod of thanks.

"That's just for a few extra hours a week. The factory's a madhouse like always, but they're supposed to be hiring someone new. Some young kid who's going to take over the night shift for me. Apparently he doesn't like getting up early. It might be a couple more weeks until that starts though," Roberta explained in a rush.

"That must be a relief. I don't think I could handle midnights anymore, so I give you credit for it. I barely make it past nine most nights."

"Well, you do what you have to." Roberta slanted a glance in Deeks' direction and he shoved his bowl of soup away from him with a bitter sound.

"Can we just stop with the idle chit-chat?" he asked unexpectedly. "Let's just get to the point and get it over with. What are you planning to do with me? I know this was the last straw. I'm surprised you held out this long." His voice was so purposely flippant that Kensi feels a little sick and she dropped her spoon in her bowl. "Maybe I'll finally get set to one of those nice correctional schools or I'll actually go back to a foster home."

Across from him, Roberta made a horrified sound. Deeks didn't show any reaction, though his eyes were a dark, heavy blue.

"Deeks, that's not happening. Dad, tell him." Kensi turned to Donald, desperate for him to quell Deeks' fears, and the tiniest bit of uncertainty that crept up inside.

"Of course not. Marty, I think I speak for both your mother and myself when I say that no one wants you to go anywhere," Donald assured him, nodding to Roberta as well. "I intended to bring this up yet, but since you did, I do have a proposal—"

"Oh here it comes." Deeks shook his head, laughing bitterly.

"Marty, be respectful," Roberta admonished him softly.

"Like that's ever helped me in the last fifteen years," he scoffed.

"I understand why you're upset and mistrustful, Marty. A lot of people have probably misjudged you and treated you unfairly, when they should have seen how they could help."

"I can either give you a loan or if that's undesirable, we can look into other avenues. I know several

"Oh, I couldn't," Roberta said, shaking her head frantically.

"Roberta, it's not charity. Kensi and I just want to help however we can. Right now, it seems like the biggest need is financial."

Deeks' jaw clenched and he stared straight ahead as Donald spoke. Reaching under the table, Kensi squeezed his hand.

"It's ok, Deeks."

"We'd like to offer that support if we can, but I understand if that's uncomfortable to you. Otherwise, I know of several organizations that can offer resources."

"I've always care of my own," Roberta murmured, cheeks slightly flushed. She sounded so disappointed in herself. Kensi took it as a good sign that she didn't shut the conversation down immediately.

"There's no shame in asking for help when you need it," Donald said gently. He straightened, hesitating before he added, "You've been under a lot of strain for a while now and I think it's showing for both of you. Especially Marty."

"That's not mom's fault." Deeks glared at Donald at the perceived insult. It was the closest Kensi had ever seen him come to disrespecting her dad. Despite his admission in the kitchen earlier, it seemed like defending his mom was still an instinctive reaction.

"I know that. But the last few days, you've been struggling a lot. I'm worried that the next time something happens like this, you won't be so lucky."

"I'm not planning on doing anything like this ever again."

"You said you didn't plan to this time. It just happened," Donald reminded him gently. "Can you honestly tell me that if you feel low like that again, you won't need to escape?" Deeks hung his head in apparent defeat, and Roberta swallowed heavily.

"So, how would this loan work? We wouldn't be able to pay it back quickly," she asked, oddly quiet, almost resigned.

"I don't expect you to pay me back right away. The whole point of this is to make sure you can pay off your bills and keep your house. Maybe cut down on those hours at work a little bit."

"It doesn't seem right to take your money."

"We have enough saved up. And I trust you to pay me back when you can."

"That's real generous of you," Roberta murmured, sniffing a little. "I guess I'd be stupid to turn down an offer like that."

"Good."

"This'll mean you won't have to work," Roberta said to Deeks with a watery smile.

"I'm not quitting my job, mom."

"No, but you can cut back," Kensi told him, nudging his shoulder. "I think Mr. Chowdry would be relieved." Deeks didn't respond to her, pursing his lips as he shook his head.

"What if I can't find another job. Assuming I get into college, I'll need the money," he argued.

"Son, this might not be my place," Donald said. "But you've been pushing yourself past your limits. You're too thin, you don't look like you've slept much in weeks, and you admitted you got so worked up, you basically ran away from home. You need a break."

"Dad," Kensi murmured, closing her eyes as Deeks pushed himself up from the table, his eyes dark and suddenly angry.

"You're right, it's not your place," he told Donald hoarsely. "You can make all the plans you want and give us a loan, but you are not my dad and you do not have the right to tell me what I should do." He turned around, stalking out of the room.

"Deeks!" Kensi called after him, shooting her dad an exasperated look.

"I'm so sorry," Roberta apologized, gathering up her purse. "He's never been like this before."

"It's alright," Donald assured her. "Go be with your son."

With a nod thanks, Roberta hurried after Deeks. Kensi started to stand too, but Donald put a hand over hers, shaking his head.

"Leave them be, Kens. I think we've interfered enough for today."

Kensi tucked her bottom lip between her teeth, hoping that they hadn't done more damage that good. More than anything, she wanted to go to Deeks and comfort him. She'd just have to hope that his mom would be enough.

A/N: Three steps forward, one step back. If Deeks seems a little all over the place and very angry, remember he's a teenager under a lot of stress with too much on his shoulders and little currently little control over his life.