Chapter 5 – Drummed Out
For the first time in a year I had trouble focusing while deployed on a mission. On the way back to the states I realized that I could not continue this way. I had to deal with LaSalle and this invasion of him into my life.
I called Chris as soon as I got back to my condo. "Hello Christopher. I'm back."
"Hello beautiful" he responded.
"I wasn't sure where I would find you. I would like to come see you."
"I was hoping that you would call sometime soon. I am going to have to leave my job. Your timing couldn't be better.
Thank goodness she called I thought. I am still having difficulty trying to understand this whole thing. Not being a cop? How can I deal with that?
Sonja agreed to fly out and support me as I make my way through the official process.
It was decided that I would relocate back to Alabama for my own safety. NCIS was concerned because of the memory loss that I would not remember who the bad guys were. The weapons and gun closet were long gone. I had been stripped of my license to carry months ago.
Tammy, Sabastian and Ms. Loretta helped Sonja and me pack up the house. It was very helpful to have Sabastian and Ms. Loretta who were use to cataloguing crime system. There were a number of items and photos that I had no idea of who or what they were. Their detailing of them would allow me or family members to locate the cartons that they were stored in for review later on.
The movers came two days later and loaded up everything. I had decided that I would live in town in a house at least for a while until I got my driver's license back.
The team had lunch for me on Thursday. I was surprised by the number of old colleagues at both the NOPD and the Coast Guard that stopped by. The Mayor gave me a wonderful print of the city in appreciation for my contribution in helping saving the city when her predecessor tried to blow the levy.
Sonja and I flew out to D.C. the next day. I was being required to take a medical exam for the disability award. I was still having trouble dealing with the aftermath of my injury.
I was thankful that it was only those fourteen months that seemed to be missing from my memory. I had no problem remembering my life before that or learning new things. The only good thing about the whole experience was that Percy was back in my life.
There had been an attraction between us for a long time. Once she forgave me for pushing her away all those months ago, she allowed me to find a place in her heart. Unfortunately there were still complications. She felt she was taking advantage of me because I did not want to revisit my in initial decision not to pursue a relationship with her and did not remember the difficulties after our decision and my injury.
I wanted to move on and so I did all those things that men do in pursuing a woman. Romantic dining the days she was in New Orleans. Surprise flowers at her apartment when she was in D.C.
One night after a particular difficult prep session for a mission, I sent her a reservation at a spa. The appointment information arrived for her at her office the next morning. She called me that evening while soaking in a gigantic whirlpool at the spa.
We talked on screen every night. Often the last thing I heard each night was her voice on the phone.
I had already invited her to Alabama to help me choose the renovation design in my new home. I wanted her to put her touch on the house since I was planning on her also spending time there.
I had never been to her D.C. condo. I was ready to remain being the perfect guest but Sonja had other plans. Sonja had taken Monday off as well to accompany me for the first session with the disability determination doctor. Since she knew me before and after the incident, she could provide the team with insight of my professional abilities and the memory gap.
Given the assessments in New Orleans and King's observations, they were able to give me a preliminary determination on Thursday. Nearly destroyed, I could not eat that night and went directly to my room.
Sonja knocked softly but I just responded "not now". Later I heard the door open and Sonja crawled into bed with me. In all my pain, sorrow and loss, I cried like a baby. Sonja never said a word. I woke up the next morning with her wrapped in my arms and me with an unexpected morning erection.
I got up and went and took a cold shower. I could smell coffee when I came out of my room. Sonja had all the items for waffles. We ate and then drove over to her gym to work out an hour later. I'm sure they had to get a new bag after I left because I punched it for over thirty minutes.
On our way back to the condo I asked Sonja if she would allow me to take her out to dinner. Tammy had helped me to pick out a dress at her favorite 'Nola' shop which arrived by courier just before noon. Sonja was like a little school girl opening the box and was thrilled to see the dress that she had admired while window shopping with Tammy.
"Sonja sometime in my life, I bought this for you. It was lying in my desk drawer. I can only guess that I bought it for you after you decided to leave NCIS. The words are true regardless of when I bought it." As she opened the box there laid the locket that I had bought for her. She turned it over and read the inscription 'I will miss you forever' then opened the locket to see the photo of the two of us. "Oh, Chris, it's beautiful. I will always treasure it."
We stopped at a couple of clubs after dinner. As we danced, I realized how wonderful it felt to have Sonja in my arms and how supportive that she had been these past months. It was not just my heart responding to her being so close to me. Sonja realized it too. "Let's go home and see if we can take care of that" she whispered in my ear.
Our clothes were strewn from the front door to her bed. Fortunately she had enough sense to make sure that we had protection because I was absolutely lost to the moment.
We did not get dressed Saturday. I did my laundry load by load in-between rounds in the bedroom.
Sunday morning we got up and ran, showered and were right back in the bed until it was time for me to head to the airport.