Sheriff vs. Agent

Chapter 7 Conversations

MIDDLEBURY, INDIANA

ON THE ROAD

Halfway to Vincennes

Kensi is driving for a stretch. She is always tickled when they come across an Amish family in a horse drawn buggy. It usually happens in or near a small town.

"Claire?"

"Yes, Kens."

Kens really likes it when her new friend uses her shortened name. This friendship came from out of left field.

"These Amish folks; what do you really think of them?"

Claire looks at her and smiles. "Kens, they are as loyal as the day is long. And honest – not a dishonest bone in their bodies. But if you show yourself lacking in those areas . . . you will have a very hard time regaining their loyalty and trust. I've grown up around them; Marty did great winning them over in six months."

Kensi nods, understanding.

"Can I ask you something, Kens?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"What are you thinking about family? I mean kids." Claire voices.

"Why? In what respect?"

"I mean having a family and the job; yours or mine. Or Marty's."

"Well, there is the constant danger to consider," Kensi admits.

"I know. And I've always thought that if I am so fortunate as to find a husband and have kids . . . that I would minimize the danger to myself as much as possible. Being a mother, you know."

Kensi hopes that Clair hasn't talked about this with Marty.

"Have you and Marty talked about this?"

"A little. He seemed quite thoughtful."

'I bet he did!' Kensi thought.

"That's a tough balancing act! When someone is really good at a job; like you, me, or Marty . . . it is a tough call."

Silence.

"Yeah," Claire concedes after a while.

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3 weekends later

Kensi and Claire are both visiting Marty. Claire is doing her ongoing training regarding learning the sheriff's job in Middlebury.

Kensi is here for a barn raising and to solidify her position with Marty. Now that she has her head in the game, she and Marty are making great strides towards gaining back the ground they lost with the fiasco she placed them all in.

Susie is watching the threesome carefully; tracking progress in her diary.

The group is talking after Friday night dinner.

"So, Marty, the reason you don't want anyone to know when you are at FLETC is, what?" Kensi asks.

"I want it to be a surprise, and I want to earn it all by myself, no help!"

"Ah, now I get it," Kens nods her head.

"I get that, too," Claire nods.

"Actually, I want nobody but you and Hetty to know anything! Can you and she do that?" Marty cocks his head.

"Yup, we can." Kensi smiles.

"You two must be good!" Claire muses.

"You don't want to mess with Kens and Hetty," Marty smirks.

Susie laughs; it's contagious.

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BARN RAISING

Second time is a charm.

2 hours in, both girls are wearing white bonnets, and loving it. The Amish women folk are giggling up a storm.

Marty is snapping pictures.

Lunch is a loaded table. They have learned not to eat too much. If they do, the afternoon work will be doubly hard. And it is hard enough.

The Amish are dutifully impressed by the work ethic they see out of their guests. They part with enthusiastic embraces and kisses on the cheek.

Back at Susie's they have a light supper, then retire to the parlor.

"Marty, I can totally see why you don't want to leave before the election," Kensi admits. "These people are wonderful folks."

"And, I worry a lot less about making it home at night; as opposed to in LA." He sighs.

Kensi tenses a little.

"That would be a huge factor for me," Claire states. "Especially if I am so fortunate as to become a mother."

"I can see that," Susie adds.

Marty looks at the floor. "Yeah, I've thought a lot about that lately," he whispers.

Kensi tenses. 'Is he having second thoughts?'

"Second thoughts?" Claire voices.

He shuffles his feet.

Kensi looks anywhere but at Marty or Claire.

"You know I'll whip your ass in the election, buster!" Clair challenges, changing the topic.

Marty rises his head fast. "What? Hell no!"

Kensi's heart clenches. 'Not a challenge!'

"I already know as much about your job as you do, Marty." Claire winks at him.

"Hmpf! Not a chance."

"You just go on thinking that, mister."

"I'll admit that I was impressed with your performance on the obstacle course there in Fort Wayne."

"And I was cruising. Nobody pressed me."

"Oh, you want some competition, babe?" Marty smirks.

Kensi and Susie are dying here!

"Bring it on, sweetheart," Claire stands up.

"Oh, yeah?" He stands too.

Susie jumps up; "Outside, if you must."

Kensi jumps up, "Settle down. Friends here."

Claire and Marty fall into each other's arms, chuckling.

"It worked," she whispers.

"Yeah," he laughs.

Sussie swats Claire on the bicep.

Kensi does likewise with Marty.

They all break out into laughter.

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After Kensi retires for the night, Claire and Marty stay in the parlor and talk.

Susie is never far away.

"Marty?"

"Yeah, Claire?"

"On the way to Vincennes 3 weeks ago, Kensi and I talked about our jobs and having a family."

"Really? What did she say?"

"Nothing really, and I wouldn't tell if she did. I did most of the talking."

Susie's heart clenches.

"We've talked about this a little. Have you changed your mind?"

Susie's ears perk up!

"No. As I said before, our friendship has brought this topic to the forefront of my mind." She declares.

"You mean a friendship with the potential for more?"

"Yes. I told her that if I was so fortunate as go have a family, I would not hesitate to minimize the danger to myself. I couldn't bear the thought of not coming home to my kids and husband."

"Ah . . . and what did she say?"

"Nothing . . . she did wince, I think. If she had said something, I wouldn't feel free to tell you."

"I understand." Marty whispers.

"Marty, what do you think of my stance?"

"I like it . . . I like it a lot. Thanks for sharing, Claire."

They part with a hug and kiss on the cheek.

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RING RING

"Hetty here."

"Hetty, this is Susie Deeks. We may have a problem!"

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TBC