The Road Home

Chapter 4 Gathering the Team II

Tina got home from the hospital just after midnight. "Amy, I'm home. Everything Ok?"

"You had a visitor, a deputy sheriff stopped by to ask you some questions. Said it was routine stuff, you're not in trouble," Amy smirked.

"Oh, what was his name, do you remember?"

"My short-term memory is good Tina." She snapped. "A Rick, I think. Sorry I snapped. He caught me off guard, knocking at the door like that."

"That's Ok, try and relax a little bit, you are safe here you know. BTW I saw a help wanted sign in the window of that little diner just across the street from the hospital. That might be a nice place to get started. We'd be close to each other in case something comes up. What do you think?"

"You mean I'd be close so you can keep an eye on me!"

"Ok, sure, that's part of it. But wouldn't it be nice to be close to a friend, especially as you start out?"

"I suppose," Amy grumbles. "Are you going to try and help me find myself? You said you would."

"Yes, absolutely. I will keep my word to you. What would you like to do? Any ideas?"

"I've been looking at Wikipedia, nothing has popped yet. I'll let you know if it does."

"Ok, I'll ask around for ideas. Maybe Rick can help," she says with a small smile on her face, "good night, Amy."

"Good night, Tina."

Hetty comes up to Ops at the end of the day, looking for a sitrep from the meerkats. "How are things going folks," she asks.

The pair hang their heads. Nell answers, "Not so good, Hetty. You know the shooting location is an older home, right?"

"Yes, so?"

"Well, it is all boarded up and locked. We haven't yet gained access."

"You mean a few boards & locks have stymied you two?"

"Well, yeah," Eric sheepishly admits.

"I expect more!"

"So do we, but we need to be careful."

"Why, we're not building a case so the prosecutor can indict! If that happens, well & good. What we're doing is trying to find Kensi – careful be damned. GET TO IT! Have you found ANYTHING?" She was shouting, they were terrified.

"Well, yes. We did find trace evidence of EDTA, the chemical used to preserve blood or use later. But there is a problem." Eric explains.

"Which is?"

"Blood storage for clinical use is measured in weeks; not months or years. There must be something else going on." Nell says.

Hetty responds, "But remember, the blood isn't for clinical use in a patient. It is only to fool us into believing that Kensi is dead. What does blood look like after a long time, even with EDTA, and can we test for that?"

"We don't know."

"Well get your asses to work and find out! I need answers, NOT EXCUSES!"

Hetty storms out of Ops.

The two eye each other with big eyes. They swivel to face their computers and begin furiously typing. Hetty threw down the gauntlet. They had better pick it up!

Hetty storms back in to Ops. "I'm sorry for my outburst, I'm just so frustrated. You didn't deserve that. My emotions caused me to forget another thing that deserves your attention.

"In my talk with Deputy Loomis, I learned another very valuable piece of the puzzle. Kensi's captor's name was Mark Hauer. His body was found on the ground outside that rural farmhouse where Kensi was kept captive, he was obviously dead. She and he had fought, and she escaped. He was a doctor in St. Louis up until 10 years ago. Then he disappeared without a trace. This goes along with the medical professional part of your theory. Now, can we fill in that 10-year gap AND connect him to Marty or Kensi? That will be huge. Again, I am sorry; you two have my full and absolute confidence. Go to it!"

Hetty leaves Ops at a more normal pace this time.

Rick calls Tina, Cheryl overhears and giggles. She has been hoping for some time that her dad would jump into the dating game and find someone who can make him happy again. She and her dad are doing ok, they love and support each other. It just isn't the same. She misses her mom, she knows Rick still feels that loss greatly too. Cheryl's few contacts with Tina left her feeling good. Tina seemed to be a good, honest, caring person. She hoped this might be the key to a brighter family future. This missing persons case surely would provide an opportunity for Rick & Tina to get better acquainted. Maybe Cheryl could help?

"Tina here, hi Rick. What's up?"

"Hey, I came by the other evening, you weren't home."

"Yeah, working. Amy told me."

"Well, Amy . . . she seemed almost scared, at least skittish."

"She's had a terrible ordeal, as you know. I think she is actually making good, albeit slow progress."

"That's good to hear. There is some new information that has come to light, can we get together and talk? Say lunch tomorrow? You pick the place & time."

"Ok, I like a little later lunch. I'm due at work at 3:00. What about 1:15 at the mall food court? Not fancy I know, but we can each find something we like. Is that, ok?"

"Yup, see you then. Bye, Tina."

"Bye, Rick. Until tomorrow."

Rick and Tina meet for lunch. "Thanks for joining me, Tina. I need to start with an apology."

"Why?"

"Well, my comment about new information was way understated. We actually have now discovered what Amy's real name is, and who she is! I can share that with you if you'll give me your word that you won't tell her until the proper time."

Tina is a little taken aback, Rick's seeming lack of trust is unsettling. "The proper time, what the HELL. Don't you trust me, Rick?"

"I do, I do trust you. It's just that with her amnesia we are putting a team together for the purpose of helping Amy 'find herself'. Rather than rushing in, calling her by name, giving her a massive hug . . . and having her turn around and running for the hills, scared to death. We, I want you on the team. You are in a position to be a key player. Can I count on you?"

"Absolutely. BTW nice save, sport!"

"Whew, close call. Didn't want to lose you. Er . . . you know what I mean. Maybe you don't . . . um, back on topic." He's blushing now.

So is she, plus a shy smile and a twinkling eye.

Rick re-starts. "Yeah, about Amy. Her real name is Kensi Blye, she is/was an NCIS Federal agent, abducted 7 years ago from her apartment in LA. We do not have the motive yet, but we do have her abductor's name. The NCIS team is working on connecting the dots and coming up with motive. What we're preparing to do is drop a series of breadcrumbs, leading Amy to a re-discovery of herself. You can be a critical player in this drama. Will you help us?"

"I would be honored, Rick. I would love to work with you and the team. So, what do we do next?" She cocks her head, looking expectantly at him.

"We are going to set up a video conference call, to organize and get started. It is obviously important that Amy not be aware of what's going on. We must remember that she was a highly trained & skilled Federal agent. We can't be sure how much of those skills remain, but she may still be able to pick up on clues so we need to be careful. Can you share your work schedule with me so we can coordinate that call?"

"Of course. There are other uses for my schedule, you know." She winks.

His blush deepens. "Well, um . . . I don't know- "

Tina throws her head back and lets out a genuine belly laugh. "I love it when you are flustered. It's so cute!"

"Cute?" His blush can't deepen. "I had thought about asking you to dinner –"

"YES, I'll go with you to dinner! I've never been to Falls View restaurant."

"Ah, I didn't – "

"I heard an ask there, mister. You can pick me up Friday 7:30. Can you get us a reservation? I'll have my schedule for you. That will make future, ah . . . arrangements easier. Let's eat."

They ate, conversation was lighter. Companionship excellent. They parted with a hug and kiss on the cheek. They both liked where they seemed to be headed.

Video conference call.

OP K Blye Home starts.

Need to write an Introduction.