Sheriff vs. Agent
Chapter 1 Stay vs. Leave
A/N: This is a sequel to "Sheriff Deeks" by Hoosier65. Original author has given permission. Hoosier65 is a favorite author, "Sheriff Deeks" is a favorite story. I strongly recommend reading (or rereading) the antecedent story to gain context. Please ignore chapter 25 of the original story – this is an alternate ending. Please read, review, comment. All my best!
Sheriff Marty Deeks tosses & turns in his hospital bed; carefully of course, as his injuries are so very fresh. He wants to get out of here; his mother, Susie, has a room ready at her B&B but the doctor insists that 1 more day of observation is needed. Mama insists that he obey doctor's orders. Mothers can be so irritating!
The day was very productive; Callen, Sam & Granger had all apologized though Sam & Granger had only seconded what G had said. Barely acceptable! Couldn't those two older men have said something original? Really?
Kensi had opened herself up at length in an elaborate apology. But it was her actions and words that had set this whole mess in motion. Her words of contrition had been heartfelt; but the wounds had been deep and quite painful. Was it enough? He wasn't sure. Her lying by accusing him of sleeping with Talia was beyond the pale! And her apology regarding the lie was weak.
He loved Fern, had proposed marriage, she said she was scared. But she hadn't asked for time. She had said she wondered if someone better might not come along! Essentially, he was in 2nd place at best in her estimation, though she probably didn't realize that was in essence what she had said. Her words cut his heart out, dropped it on the ground and stomped on it. Marty was still seeking someone to love him for himself (like his mama did).
Kensi truly apologized; but could he forgive and forget? He hoped so. The NCIS-OSP team wanted him back, Kensi wanted her partner back, they expressed that they NEEDED him! God, what a mess.
Then there was the community he was sworn to protect and serve. The large Amish component had taken 6-months to embrace him. But once he had proven himself, the relationship was GOLD! Could he pick up and leave them after he healed physically?
He had won a special election by a wide margin; the next regular election was 2 years away. Should he groom a successor, and support him/her as the next sheriff? That seemed like a better, cleaner break. But could Hetty and the team wait that long for him to return? He needed some time to begin to sort out his options, before his 3 former teammates (and his ex-partner) flew back to Los Angeles. He needed to make some calls.
RING
"Sam Hanna here."
"Sam, Sheriff Deeks. Can I ask you a favor?"
"Sure, Deeks."
"Sheriff Deeks! Why won't you address me as I requested, Agent Hanna?" He raised his voice.
"Oh, get off your-
Dial tone, Marty had hung up.
SHIT!
RING
"Hetty here."
"Hetty, good to talk with you."
"Sheriff, you also. What can I do for you?"
"Get your team to follow the ground rules. Anyway, I have a request of you."
"Certainly, are they not behaving? I thought everyone had apologized. Is that not so?"
"Yes, apologies presented and accepted. But I am asking for 1 more day with them while I sort though some things. Can their departure be delayed until day after tomorrow?"
"It can. What important things are you working on?"
"I am having trouble processing my move back to LA. The timing."
"I see. Can I assist you with that?"
"Yes, you see the next regular election for sheriff is 2-years away. I would really prefer not to make a break with this community until then."
"I see. 2 years is a long time, Marty."
"I know. Can you see your way clear to wait that long, and still have a spot for me on Callen's team?"
"Well, I will need to run that by Director Vance. If he supports that then I will have to discuss it with Mr. Callen and get back to you. You understand?"
"I do. Can you delay their flight until afternoon?"
"I can, and I will. Wheels up at 14:00, tomorrow. I will inform Mr. Callen."
"Thank you Hetty. I'll talk with you tomorrow. Good night."
"Good night, Marty."
RING
"Sheriff, Callen here."
"Yes, what can I do for you?"
"You asked for our flight to be pushed back. May I ask why?"
"Certainly, I have an important issue to sort out. I would like to talk with the 3 of you at 10:30 AM tomorrow. My mother will have a conference room and a luncheon ready for us. Can I count on seeing your team then?"
"Yes. But, can I have a head up as to the topic?"
"Yes. It involves timing for my return to LA, if I choose to return."
"If you choose to return?" Callen is worried.
"Yes, I have not made that decision. And probably won't for some time."
"How can we help?"
"Well, that is part of our talk tomorrow. I'll see you in the morning."
"Can we meet earlier?"
"No, I have breakfast with community leaders. I'll see you all at 10:30. Good night, Callen."
"Good night, sheriff."
CALLEN'S ROOM
The 3 agents gather to talk.
"What's up, G" Sam asks, worried.
"Deeks wants to talk with us at 10:30 tomorrow. Talk & lunch. Hetty delayed our flight until 14:00 – wheels up."
"What's the issue," Kensi furrows her brow.
"He is trying to work through the timing of a move back to LA, if he does decide to make that move." G tells them.
"Did he sound like he would be coming back?" Kensi whispers.
"No idea, he didn't give anything away."
"Could we meet earlier?" Sam wonders.
"No, he is meeting with community leaders at breakfast."
"That's bad news. He is tight with this community," Sam sags. Kensi nods.
"Well, we will have to bring our A-game tomorrow," Kensi mutters.
Her teammates agree.
BREAKFAST
8 community leaders joined Sheriff Deeks and deputy Anderson for breakfast and discussion at 07:00 the next morning. 3 represented the Amish population and 5 the general citizenry.
Discussion was lively and heartfelt. Marty Deeks had gained the loyalty, trust and respect of all sections of the populace. He had consistently demonstrated equal justice under the law, kindness where he could, hard work and dedication.
All sections fiercely supported his remaining their sheriff. You could even say they begged him to stay. There were few dry eyes in the room.
Deputy Anderson had a piece of shocking news. He is in the final steps of obtaining a full-ride scholarship to Michigan State University (MSU) for Criminal Justice & Political Science. He realizes that to rise above a deputy sheriff he needs to drastically upgrade his CV. In ordinary circumstances. he would be considered a candidate to succeed sheriff Deeks. Now, obviously, that option is off the table.
The meeting concluded with the Amish church deacon offering a prayer for all, especially for Marty as he makes this huge decision and continues his recovery. There were hugs, handshakes and claps on the back as they dispersed.
TBC: next, meeting the NCIS team.