Sheriff vs. Agent
Chapter 28 Familia
Johnson Marina, Lake James
Marty does a neat 180 and pulls the boat right up to the marina dock. Roger and Kensi assist the EMT personnel as they secure the boy to a back board, then to a stretcher, then into their ambulance. Claudia takes charge of Katie; Sheriff Watts approaches Marty.
"Driver! Who are you?" His voice is gruff.
"Sheriff Marty Deeks, Middlebury."
"Who gave you permission to cruise this lake and rescue folks?"
"We were just cruising, and heard a distress signal. Good thing we responded; the boy had a tension pneumothorax."
"Who diagnosed that? Any medical personnel on board, sonny?"
Kensi sees Marty tense. She comes to his side, places a hand softly on his back.
Roger steps up, "I diagnosed and treated it, sir," he calmly stated.
"And you are?" Sheriff Watts is becoming belligerent.
"Roger Lonnstrom, army ranger, field medicine certified."
He turns to Marty, "License, registration and insurance!" He thrusts his hand almost in Marty's face.
Kensi whispers in Marty's ear, "careful, partner. He's just trying to get your goat."
He whispers back, "Well, I'm about to give it to him."
"May I go to the glove box, sir?" Marty snarls.
The sheriff nods, abruptly.
Kensi sees Claudia is about to engage; she steps over and embraces her. They step away.
'Geez, who appointed me peacemaker?' Kens thinks.
All the paperwork is in order; the sheriff dismisses them with a warning.
"What, are we supposed to ignore people in trouble, sheriff?" Roger asks pointedly.
Watts stares. "Be careful out there. This is my jurisdiction!"
As they are boarding the boat a man & woman approach. "Excuse us, did you bring our boy in?"
"Yes, we did," Kensi answers.
"Thank you, so much. How can we ever repay you folks?"
"No need," Claudia responds. "We were glad to help."
"May I ask you something?" Marty pipes up.
"Sure," the man responds.
"Did you know that your son was skiing on such poor wooden skis."
The man (presumably the father) hangs his head. The woman speaks, "That's all we could afford. We told him not to try any tricks."
Marty looks at his folks. "Roger, there are a pair of beginner skis in the bow storage."
Roger nods and gets them out, handing them to Marty.
"Here, take these; they will get him started, in a safer way."
"Oh, no-
"Take them, please."
"Ok, but I insist, I must pay for them!" The father is adamant.
"How much do you have," Marty asks.
He looks in his wallet, "A $10 and a $20, sir."
"$10 it is, done. And keep your boy safe, please."
"We will, we will. Thank you!" They shoulder the skis and walk away.
Katie whispers to Claudia, "Is that what they cost?"
"Uncle Marty just did a good deed, sweetie." Claudia's eyes sparkle.
"And we saved that boy, didn't we, Grandma?"
"Yes, we did; yes, we did!" A tear trickles down the cheeks of all three ladies. Young and older.
Marty winks at Roger.
They are off, cruising back to Claudia's home.
After a 30-minute rest, Marty and Claire did some duo skiing; followed by Kensi and Roger. Each couple finished their run with the lady riding on the shoulders of their man!
Their audience applauded appreciatively.
Claudia/Claire/Kensi then laid out a buffet supper. James had manned the grill; the boys had cranked some home-made ice cream. What a day!
Claudia & James looked around – supremely satisfied at how their family had grown.
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WEDDING BELLS
"Kens, sweetheart?"
The couple was relaxing in bed, Katie having gone to bed 30 minutes before.
"Um?"
"Have you started thinking about our wedding?"
"A little."
"How long do you want to wait?"
"I don't know . . . you?"
"The court house opens Monday 09:00."
"Ok . . . WHAT!? NO!"
"Well, are you going to leave it up to me?"
"NO, it's the bride's wedding!"
"But I think you need a groom too!" He smirks.
"Ok, ok, let's start planning!"
"That's my girl!" He rolls over and covers her. Planning will start tomorrow.
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It comes down to Vincennes, Indiana or the Los Angeles area of CA. Roger has family and a ton of friends in Vincennes.
Kensi has her NCIS-OSP family. She talks it over with Marty one day in the office. "Marty, do you think that our NCIS family will appreciate my wedding being out there?"
"I don't know, Kens. I'm afraid that my decision cost us some good will. With Callen and Sam, I mean. Hetty and the Wonder Twins seem to be good friends still."
"They are. Roger has tons of friends and quite a few familiy in Vincennes. What should I do?"
"I think Hetty, Nell and Eric would come back here. And Nate too."
"Oh, I forgot him."
"Where was Roger's 1st wedding?"
"I never asked, and he didn't mention it. I'll call him."
She does; it was in Florida. Not many of his family or friends made it. "I think that I would like to have it in Vincennes. I'd like to do that for him, I really would."
"That would be a very nice thing to do for him. And a way for you to make a statement about starting a new life with him and Katie! I like it, a lot! But it's your decision Kens."
"I know. I'd like to really make a clean break, a new start. Thanks for talking this through with me, partner!"
"Always here for you!"
"I know, and I appreciate it so much!"
"One more thing."
"Yes?"
"Walking me down-
"Whoa-
"Let me explain, please. If we were in LA, I would ask Callen or Sam or both of them. I don't want to make them feel uncomfortable. You are a logical choice. Please."
"Shall I be the ring bearer, too?"
"Ass! No, just me."
"Carry you?"
"Be serious!"
He looks into her mismatched eyes. He sees pleading and affection. "Ok, just for you!"
"Thank you, Marty!"
"You got it!"
They embrace, as good friends.
A Labor Day weekend wedding is planned; in Vincennes, Indiana!
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AUGUST 14
Claire and Marty had attended Lamaze classes and they both felt ready for this. Claudia had kept in close touch with her God-child. If there ever was an over protective God-mother, she was it. It was reassuring in a way, to have someone with her resources on their side. Marty was indeed learning to go with the flow.
"Marty, my water just broke!" Claire hollered from the kitchen. She looked down at the yellowish puddle at her feet. Marty rushed in and helped her take a seat on a kitchen chair. He covered the puddle with a dish towel.
"Just sit there, babe. I'll get all the bags loaded into the car and then come back to get you." He rushed around getting all her stuff, then he was back to her in a jiffy.
"Hospital! Now!" She groans. "God, it hurts Marty! Hurry!"
"Oh. Lights and sirens, here we go."
"You ok over there," he asks.
"No! Shut up and drive!"
'Ok, God help us! If I survive this, I deserve a purple heart!'
"You drive like my grandmother! Faster!"
"Sorry, don't want to sacrifice any pedestrians!"
"I don't see any pedestrians, Sheriff!"
"Figure of speech, deputy!"
I'm not your deputy any longer!"
"I know. My deputy is, what's her name?"
"Oh God! Have you lost your mind?"
"Nope. Here we are."
"We are? Wow, that was fast!"
Marty just grins. He screeches to a stop in front of the emergency entrance. Two nurses rush out, helping Claire into a wheelchair.
"Name please?"
"Claire Alexandra Deeks."
"Your doctor is?"
"Adam West."
They are wheeling her in as they ask questions. Marty follows closely behind, with all the baggage.
"When did contraction start?"
"1:00 AM."
"They did? You didn't tell me!" Marty bellows.
"There was nothing you could do, honey." She sighs.
"Your water broke, when?"
"20 minutes ago. Clear, yellowish fluid."
"Very good. We'll get you in a bed and call your doctor."
"Thank you. Marty? Stay with me?"
"Always. I do need to make some calls, but I will be right in, promise."
He calls Kensi to cover the office & patrols. He calls Claudia to tell her what is going on. He calls the Amish deacon; they had promised to pray for Claire and Marty. It was time to call in the cavalry!
He hurried back to Claire's side. She was soon transferred to an L&D room. The long wait had begun.
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18 HOURS LATER
Dr West took Marty to a small conference room.
"Sheriff-
"Marty please doctor."
"Marty, Things are not going well. Your wife's labor is not progressing as it should. And her BP is creeping up. I'd like to transfer her to specialists in Indianapolis. We can have an ambulance ready to go in 30 minutes."
"And that trip takes how long?"
"1 hour approximately."
"Let me make a quick call, please."
"Ok, we'll start to prep her."
"Wait, let me talk to her for a moment, please."
"Ok, but make it quick."
Marty dashes into Claire's room. He kneels at her side, taking her hand. "Claire, baby. You need specialist care."
"Will I be all right, Marty? The baby? Please don't leave me, love!"
"Never. I'll stay right here while I make a call."
Doctor West comes in; Marty asks him to stay while a call is made.
Marty calls Claudia: "Hello, Marty?"
"Yes, it's me. Claudia, Claire is in labor and her doctor wants to transfer her to Indianapolis for specialty care, by ambulance. Can you help us, please?"
Marty dreads asking for help like this. But it's the love of his life, and their baby. He swallows his pride, and every other negative emotion and charges ahead.
"Yes, of course. Is the doctor there, Marty?"
"Yes, he's right here on speaker."
Claudia talks with Dr. West. A Life-Flight helicopter will be leaving Indianapolis in 10 minutes. Claudia had had a premonition; she had a Life-Flight on stand-by all day. Marty will be able to ride along with Claire.
He quickly called Kensi to update her, then deputized Roger over the phone. The two of them had promised to cover like this in an emergency. He praised the Lord for friends and co-workers like Kens and Roger.
The helicopter arrived in 30 minutes; They were at the university medical center 40 minutes later. Claudia met them and accompanied Marty to the L&D waiting room. Claudia sat down on a couch; Marty sat next to her and collapsed, his head on her lap. She ran her hand through his hair. "It will be all right, son. I've been praying for your little family all day. God is watching over us, I just know it."
"Family of Claire Deeks?" A scrub-clad doctor asks.
Marty and Claudia respond.
"Mr. Deeks?"
"Yes."
"We are soon going to take your wife for an emergency c-section. Everything looks all right, but we feel the best course for her and the baby is the operation."
"Is the baby, ok?"
"Yes, she is."
"She?"
"You didn't know? I'm sorry."
"That's all right. I was hoping for a little girl. Thanks!"
"Your wife would like to see you. Follow me, please."
Marty turns to Claudia; she urges him to go.
"Thank you!" And he's gone.
CLAIRE'S FOOM
"Hi, love," Marty exclaims as he grasps her hand and gives her a kiss. "How are you feeling?"
"A little better. The baby, did you hear?"
"Yes, we're having a princess. I was hoping-
"You were? I was hoping for a prince."
"Well, one of us would be right!"
"Marty, are you ok with the c-section?"
"Yes, babe. Whatever is best for you and our little girl. Claudia and I will be waiting and praying. We'll see you afterward." He gives her kisses on the lips.
"1-4-3, always and forever!" He whispers.
"1-4-3, always and forever!" She whispers back. After a few moments she is whisked off to surgery.
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30 MINUTES LATER
A doctor in scrubs comes out to talk with Marty.
"Sheriff Deeks?"
"Yes," he and Claudia stand.
"Your baby girl is fine, healthy and screaming – as usual. We are having some issues with your wife. Her uterine bleeding is not stopping, yet. The surgical consent covers such issues. But I want you to know that, if necessary, we may have to do a hysterectomy to save her life. Do you have any objections to the surgical team using our best judgement, and doing that if necessary?"
Marty looks at Claudia, terror on his face!
"Marty, you must save her!" Claudia whispers.
He nods; "Yes, do what is needed to save my love. Please!"
"We will," the doctor rushes away.
Marty and Claudia sit together, and pray for Claire.
"Please, God, save my wife's life! Our precious little girl needs her mommy! Please!" Marty pleads as he never has before!
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45 MINUTES LATER
The surgeon comes to the waiting room.
"Sheriff Deeks?"
"Yes, sir." Marty and Claudia stand, holding each other in their arms.
"Your wife is in recovery, she is stable."
Marty hoped for better words.
"We did need to remove her uterus; the bleeding would not stop otherwise. She has received 4 units of blood, and the bleeding has stopped. She is stable in recovery. I anticipate that she can be transferred to the ICU in about 1 hour. An ICU nurse will come and get you when you can see her. You both can see her the first visit; then 1 visitor at a time after that. The ICU nurse will inform you of visiting hours. Any questions?"
"My baby?" Marty chokes out.
"Yes, follow me. I'll walk you to the nursery."
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TBC