Hello dearest. So sorry about that little mix up when I tried to post a chapter midweek. Again, thanks to those who read and review and generally humble me.
Chapter 7: The Fur Child and Surfing
Hetty paced the length of her living room waiting for Jack, who was very uncommonly running late for their now standing Thursday night dinner. Just when she was reaching for her cell phone Jack burst through the front door like a tornado already apologizing.
"I'm so sorry I'm late! It's just... Well you see... Quite frankly, I blame the squirrel."
"Good heavens, did you run one over?"
"No, it was taunting us! Little bugger got what it deserved."
Hetty just looked at Jack at a loss, contrary to popular belief she did not know everything that went on. "Jack, you're going to have to explain."
"You don't know about Heimdall? That's absurd, of course you know about him."
"Have you been over indulging on catching up on popular culture? I don't see the connection between the Norse watchman of the gods and a bushy tailed woodland creature."
At Hetty's description Jack laughed out loud. Like a child whose mother just said the most ridiculous thing Jack gave Hetty an exasperated look, "Mommmmmm... Heimdall is my dog. The squirrel came into the courtyard and taunted him. So finally I let Heimdall chase him, almost got him too."
In response Hetty just stared at Jack. Truthfully, Hetty had yet to adjust to the rare occasions when Jack would call her Mom. Throughout the years, despite Hetty being Jack's legal guardian, they did not spend much time together at length. In the beginning it had been a relationship of necessity. Hetty would not let someone as talented and brilliant as Jack go into the foster care system. She knew all too well the outcome of that and therefore took Jack in as hers. Jack on the other hand thought she would have been fine without a guardian but knew that once she had been found lacking parents legality would take over. Her parents had been dead two years before anyone took notice. And to be fair the person who took notice wasn't just a random person, it was Hetty. Which was why Jack stayed at school year round, she was self sufficient enough to handle her own business and preferred it that way. All of this lead to the fact that when Jack called Hetty Mom, it took longer than normal to regain composure.
"Dear, that's wonderful. Tell me all about him."
"Nate actually suggested it. We had a video chat the other day and when he signed on he caught me talking to a potted plant. He then told me that if I was this restless after such a short time a pet of some kind could be a good use of my energy. He also added that I should try and make more progress getting to know the team and them getting to know me. I thought a dog would be a good conversation starter. So now I'm just trying to get him trained so I can introduce him around."
"Mr. Getz is a smart man, I'm glad you listened to him. Heimdall is an interesting name, not completely surprised given your fascination with Norse mythology."
Jack smiled and explained, "You'll understand when you meet him. His name fits him perfectly. Now dinner, what have you got for me to cook?"
NCISLANCISLANCISLANCISLANCISLANCISLANCISLANCISLANCISLA
Friday morning Jack walked into the bullpen with a plan. It had been a week since Jack started working and if she didn't start trying now she knew she would never be fully accepted. Not one to sit around Jack was following Nate's advice and was going to make an effort to get to know someone on the team. According to the morning surf reports, Deeks would be looking for any reason to cut out early. A beautiful swell was set to hit his favorite Venice surfing spot and Deeks would not want to miss it.
"Gotta love a Friday with the hope of good surf. I wonder if Hetty knew the surf would be good motivation when she gave me all this paperwork. One of the best motivations, unless of course I have a date," Deeks wiggled his eyebrows at Kensi.
"Ha, like you could get a date," retorted Kensi.
"Aw that hurts Sugar Bear. You know, we could always go on a date. A romantic little table somewhere and we could spend the evening talking... Or doing other things."
"You might want to back away from Kensi's desk, man. You really want sore limbs for the rest of the weekend," asked Callen as he walked around to his side of the desk.
"Well if Kensi stands you up, I'll go surfing with you Deeks." Jack's suggestion slightly shocked the team and she just stood there letting it all sink in.
"You surf? You know what? I don't care, yea. Lets go surfing." Deeks was waving his finger at his teammates to illustrate his point and call them out. "See look, motivation."
Around 2:00 Hetty made her way to the bullpen to see what progress was made on the team's paperwork. She was aware of how much they all hated it and expected to find them doing whatever they could to avoid it. Much to her surprise, Deeks was working on his final report. Jack had already finished hers because without a case she was still just finishing out administrative reports. However, the rest of the team would need until the end of the day to finish.
"This is a surprise. Mr. Deeks, once you finish your report you may leave for the weekend. I hear there will be good surf this afternoon."
Signing his last report with a flourish, Deeks dropped the report in his outbox. "Hetty, you are amazing! Again guys," motioning to his friends, "motivation." As he started to pack up his bag Hetty dismissed Jack as well.
"Hey Deeks, still want company?" Jack hoped he hadn't forgotten he had invited her.
Deeks walked over, put his arm around Jack's shoulder and tussled her hair, "You bet."
They met at the beach, both had to go home and get surfboards and dogs. As soon as Jack said she would need to feed Heimdall, Deeks insisted she bring him along. Jack followed Deeks' detailed directions to get to the surfing spot. It was off the main drag and Jack was completely ok with that, the waves would be far less crowded and maybe her dog wouldn't run off while she was in the water. Jack parked next to Deeks' car and made her way to the beach with Heimdall obediently by her side.
Deeks was already in the water when Jack approached a scruffy looking dog sitting next to a pile of clothes and towels. Jack dug her board in the sand and bent down to greet the pup.
"You must be Monty, it's a pleasure to meet you. This is Heimdall, please teach him good manners." Jack scratched behind Monty's ears and then let him and Heimdall run around and get to know each other.
Making her way out to where Deeks was watching for waves Jack felt lighter. The movement of the ocean always centered her. "Hey buddy, thanks for waiting for me and all," Jack flashed Deeks a teasing smile.
"Well... See... Now..."
"Relax, with waves this good, I wouldn't have waited for you either. Just yanking your chain."
Deeks smiled and the creases reached his eyes, splashing Jack as a come back. "Hey I hope you don't mind, Kensi's coming after she finishes her paperwork. She doesn't surf though, just stays on the shore and plays with Monty or reads."
"No worries, I knew she wouldn't completely reject you. Just hope Heimdall doesn't freak her out. I haven't really had him long enough to know how he'll react but I think he should be fine."
"You mean your horse?! I thought you said he was a puppy?"
"He is! He's a Great Dane-Dalmatian mix. He's still growing but he's seriously the chillest dog I've ever met. Well now that I've met Monty maybe second chillest. He was in a pen with a bunch of other dogs and he was just sitting on a chair, back straight and watching everyone. There were other puppies in there just running circles around him. He looked at me got off the chair and came and sat by my side, same straight back. The people at the pound said they'd never seen him do that before, so I took him. They had named him Buttons; said he never responded to it."
"Would you respond to Buttons? I mean he doesn't even look like a Buttons. I like Heimdall, it's interesting. What's it mean?"
"Heimdall is from Norse mythology. He was the watchman and was said to have foretold knowledge. With his reaction to me at the pound I couldn't name him anything else. Didn't you see that Thor movie a few years back? Heimdall is the one who watches the bridge and can see between the worlds."
"Oh yea, I remember. I liked that movie. And you're right, very fitting name. He looks like a sentry."
Deeks and Jack surfed for another hour or so before Kesni showed up. Jack watched as she approached. Monty bounded towards her and she greeted him as if he was her own. Heimdall on the other hand stayed where he was and waited. When Kensi came up and put her hand down for him to sniff Heimdall looked at Jack. Not sure what to do, Jack nodded. Did my dog just ask permission to sniff Kensi's hand, Jack thought to herself. That's new. After Jack nodded Heimdall sniffed and licked Kensi's hand and let her pet him.
"Wow. " Deeks was stunned behind her. "How did you teach him to do that?"
"I haven't taught him a dang thing. He just keeps coming up with this on his own. Had him three days. Everyday so far has been a surprise. I'm gonna go in for a second and check to make sure my dog hasn't turned into a human or something."
Jack caught the next wave in and greeted Kensi who was now sitting on the beach with a dog on each side, tallest to shortest, even with Kensi in the middle.
"Hey Kensi, glad the paperwork didn't keep you too long."
"Hey Jack. I didn't know you had a dog. He's pretty cool."
"Thanks, yea I've only had him less than a week. He's pretty great, aren't ya?" Jack leaned down and Heimdall almost knocked her over trying to lick the saltwater off her face.
Kensi laughed as Deeks came in from the water laughing loudly as well at the sight before him. The rest of the evening passed easily, after awhile they all made their way down to the Venice boardwalk where they ate dinner from the fish taco food truck and sat on the beach watching the sunset and telling stories.
There we are. Jack getting to know the team a little better. I won't touch on all the team members in this story but no worries, I have more planned. Have a good week dearest.
