Chapter 7 The New Year – Hearts in tune
Before the girls head back to Stanford and the continuation of the school year, they celebrate New Year's Eve. Don and Julia graciously agree to host a party. The kids invite a few friends (Syd declines her invitation), the folks invite some also. The party is fun, though relatively low key. The only alcohol served is the champagne at midnight. Nobody really misses it, at least they don't openly complain. And everyone stays sober and kisses the correct partner. Kensi and Marty watch closely, and yes Nell & Chester do kiss! It seems the new friends are moving forward slowly, per Nell's preference. Chester looks to be happy with how things are going and has admitted the same to his brother. The new year is off to a good start!
The next major time off is spring break. Fortunately, UCLA and Stanford have the same time off so the kids are discussing what plans they should make. No decision yet. Nell is getting a little homesick, as would be expected with this much time away – her first ever for this length of time. Kensi is trying to help, as is Chester with his almost daily phone calls or TXT. The foursome has really become a team of BFF!
One evening the brothers are spending some time with friends in a local club in LA. A tall, slender blonde sidles up to Marty and starts a conversation.
B: You look like a surfer.
M: I do some.
B: Some? I bet you have good moves on the waves!
M: I know my way around.
B: On the dance floor too, I bet.
M: Nah.
B: Let's give it a whirl.
M: Nah, I'm off the market.
B: No ring.
M: This. (Shows his bracelet)
B: (Fingers his bracelet, with lots of skin contact.) Who is Kensi, is she here?
M: My girlfriend, at Stanford.
B: So, you need some company then.
M: Nah, my brother's here. He's good company.
B: Oh, one of those.
She slinks away.
Marty and Chester can't stop the laughter.
"So, brother, you gonna tell Kensi?"
"Yup, she'll get a kick out of that!"
"Jealous?"
"No, not if you keep 'em informed and are honest and upfront about everything."
"You're talking about communication, right?"
"It's crucial brother. Never forget that."
"I won't, thanks."
"How are things with you and Nell?"
"Good, slow but good."
"You ok with slow?" Marty asks.
"Yeah, so far."
"You know Nell skipped two grades on her way up to college? She's a near genius and only 16 as a college freshman?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Just saying, I think slow will be worth it. But it's your call."
"I know, and I think you are right."
"Hang in there."
"I will," Chester replies.
Kensi's cell rings, it's Marty. "Hi, lover boy!"
"Hi sweetheart. I have to tell you what happened the other night."
"What happened, are you ok?"
"Yes, I just wanted you to know. You'll get a kick out of this."
FLASHBACK
Blonde: You look like a surfer.
M: I do some.
B: Some? I bet you have good moves on the waves!
M: I know my way around.
B: On the dance floor too, I bet.
M: Nah.
B: Let's give it a whirl.
M: Nah, I'm off the market.
B: No ring.
M: This. (Shows his bracelet), taps it and kisses it lightly.
B: Fingers his bracelet, with lots of skin contact. Who is Kensi, is she here?
M: Girlfriend, at Stanford.
B: So, you need some company then.
M: Nah, my brother's here. He's good company.
B: Oh, one of those.
She slinks away.
Marty and Chester can't stop the laughter.
PRESENT
By the end they are both laughing.
"So, you showed her my bracelet?"
"Yes! I'm damn proud to wear it!"
"I'm proud to wear yours too!"
"Have you and Nell talked about spring break?"
"Yes, a little. She doesn't know what to do. She feels really guilty depending on my parent's hospitality so much. I tell her that it's not a problem, but she's worried."
"Ok, why don't I talk with Chester, get his read on the situation?"
"That may help, give me a new perspective. Thanks."
"Not a problem. I better let you go, bye love."
"Bye, I love you too!"
"Hey Nell, you'll never believe what happened to Marty the other night when he and Chester were out." Kensi relates the conversation her boyfriend had with a blonde at a club. By the end they were laughing, doubled over.
After the hilarity ceased, Nell thought for a minute then asked Kensi, "Why did he tell you about this?"
"He thought I would get a kick out of it, and I did."
"Does it sound like he's flirting?"
"Nah."
"Really? I've heard flirting that sounded more innocent than this. And the guy swears on grandma's grave that he wasn't. I'd watch it, Kensi."
"Nothing to worry about, Nell."
"Ok, but I'll watch your back."
"Thanks."
Nell and Chester are on the phone a couple of days later.
"Hey Chester, Kensi was telling me about the blonde in the club. You two were really stringing her along, weren't you?"
"Yeah, Marty was having a good time!"
"Kind of flirty, wasn't it?"
"Oh, I wouldn't go that far, Nell."
"Had Marty wiggled his ass or something to grab her eyes?"
"Not that I saw, but he's done that in the past. He's pretty much given that up."
"Pretty much?"
"Yeah, Kensi has straightened him out. She's good for him!"
"When they are together you mean. But you're not with him 24X7 are you?"
"No, but my brother's a straight shooter. Not to worry."
'Straight shooter, my ass!'
Nell and Kensi are studying in their room.
"Kens?"
"Yeah."
"I was talking to Chester the other day, about the conversation with the blonde. He admitted that his brother had 'pretty much' quit flirting, operative words 'pretty much'. I asked him to recount the talk, and there were some differences from before. Are you still sure no flirting was going on?"
"As sure as I can be, why?"
"Just wondering, something about that night still bugs me. I hope you are right."
"I will ask Marty again, see what pops up."
Marty's cell rings – it's Kensi. "Hi sweetheart, what's up?"
"Hey, Nell and I were talking about that blonde you met in the club awhile back."
"Ah, I didn't really 'meet' her, she sidled up to us and started talking to me."
"Well, Nell thinks that 'talk' was a little flirty. Any truth to that?"
"None at all! Sure, I let her ramble on and on until I dropped my brother as 'good company'. Then she got this horrified look on her face and skedaddled! I can guess what she thought."
"You're mean!"
"She deserved it!"
"Anyway, when are you guys coming up for Valentine's?"
"We're leaving early Friday morning, should be there for lunch. Chester and I have scouted out a lunch place – we'll surprise you. What about Saturday – Valentine's Day?"
"Nell and I will surprise you!"
"I guess turnabout is fair play, we're in."
"Ok, see you then 1-4-3!"
"1-4-3 sweetheart!"
VALENTINE'S DAY AT STANFORD
The boys had driven up to spend a little time with their girls. They had picked out a Mexican restaurant for Friday lunch, followed by a relaxing afternoon and evening – each couple doing their own thing.
Marty and Kensi are wearing out their park bench! The birds and squirrels don't seem to mind.
Saturday lunch was picked by the girls and was Italian, actually the place where Kensi worked part-time. The food was fabulous, flowers on the table and gifts for each valentine. Kensi received a platinum necklace with the infinity symbol. Marty received a selection of waxes for his surf boards. And of course, lots of kisses!
Sunday morning Marty's cell rang, it was the Stanford-Law Chairman. He looked at Kensi, "They are going to make another run at me/us!" She nodded and rolled her eyes. At least they get another luncheon, this time at the home of the San Jose County DA. They could get used to this!
"Marty and Kensi, so glad to see you. As you can guess, we have another proposal for you. Sweetening the pot so to speak." The Chairman starts. "Through the generosity of some Stanford alumni, we have several warm-weather condominiums available to tenured faculty for vacation housing. There are 3 in Hawaii; 1 each on Oahu, Maui & the big island of Hawaii. There are 2 on the west coast of Mexico. And 2 in the Caribbean. Now, it takes up to 10 years to become tenured depending on field of work and performance, but we're offering the two of you a fast-track to access this perk. If the two of you come as a package deal to our two employers, you will immediately be eligible for a 1-week stay at the location of your choice. You will be responsible for transportation and meals, depending on which location you choose; some are all inclusive resorts. I have a package for each of you, explaining this offer in detail. As you can see, we are very interested in the two of you. You together, are an extremely valuable team. I'll not hide that fact. I'm sure you have questions?"
Kensi starts; "This field is so new to me, I am wondering who I would work for, and what do you see me doing?"
The DA answers: "For San Jose, you would work for the DA, police and sheriff's office. You would assist them in profiling suspects to narrow their 'search field', making them more efficient. Other than that, we need assistance in crafting a job description – as you well stated, this is a brand-new field. The sky is the limit!"
"For Stanford, Kensi, if you do well, we are looking to build a strong faculty team for this degree. As a member of one of the first classes to graduate, you could have your pick of teaching positions."
"Wow," whispered Kensi.
Marty spoke up. "And me, the PD Office as before?"
"Yes, but the added opportunity to teach and earn vacation time as described before. Eligible for 1-week immediately with increases of 1-week every 2 years worked. Maximum 4-weeks. We have a packet for each of you, describing in detail what we've talked about. Marty, I understand that you have started doing some tutoring?"
"Yes, I'm tutoring 4 1st year law students. I really like it. You get virtually immediate feedback as far as how your students are doing."
"I think we could put together a nice schedule for you Marty, combining PD case work and instruction," the Chairman states. "We hope you will look over the material carefully and get back to us."
"We certainly will," Kensi states.
