Sheriff vs. Agent
Chapter 16 Advice
Kensi texts her ex-partner:
Partner, are you willing to talk with me? I really would like your advice about Roger. I know you may not want to do this. I am at Pacific Beach medical. We could schedule a call.
My best to you & Claire.
Shortly Kensi receives a return TXT:
M: Partner, I am ok with that. 1 condition, Claire & I on speaker. Why in hospital?
K: explosion at work. Condition ok.
M: Roger knows?
K: Hosp yes, why No, Hetty working on that.
M: DAMN. No way 2 start. I will call 2 sch.
K: Ok.
They talk and schedule a time to talk.
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THE CALL
"Marty here, Claire on speaker. Are you alone?"
"Kensi here, yes I am alone."
"Hi Kensi, this is Claire. I hope we can help you."
She holds up her ring finger to Marty. He shakes his head NO, and mouths 'not now'.
Marty asks, "How can we help Kensi?"
"Well, we were clearing an old warehouse when one of the perps accidentally set off an explosion in a not cleared section. Falling debris caught me; I sustained 3 broken ribs, a broken clavicle and a concussion. The broken ribs collapsed my right lung; I coded in the OR but they got me back."
"So, otherwise you are fine, right?"
"Marty," Kensi starts to cry.
Claire can tell. "What's wrong, Kensi?"
"Something . . . ah . . . Deeks and I-
"MARTIN ANDREW DEEKS, don't be an ASS!" Claire yells at him. "We're here to help Kens."
"Sorry, really Kens." He hangs his head.
Claire glares at him. "We'll talk later," she whispers.
"How can we help, partner." Marty is going to be more careful.
"Roger was called by Hetty. I had changed my emergency contacts to included him."
"Was that a little soon, hon," Claire asks.
"As it turns out, yes. When he came, I was still in surgery. Nobody knew much. Of course, he wanted to know what happened. They couldn't tell him! He got pissed, grabbed Katie and took a cab home. Well, subsequently things are much better; Hetty is working on restoring his Security clearance."
"What clearance did he have?" Marty asks.
"He was an 8-year army ranger. A gunny sarge. Pretty high I would assume."
"Probably," Marty agrees. "So, where are we now?"
"I'm back to the question of job vs. family."
"Kens, may I reiterate what I said on our road trip?" Claire asks.
Pause . . . 'Yes," Kensi says softly."
"I said that for me that is not a question. When I find a man to love, who loves me, my family comes 1st. Even if it is only me and my husband. No job is worth jeopardizing that. None!"
"Kens, you know that was a significant part of our problems. Are you going to let that happen again?"
Silence.
"Kensi?" Claire voices.
"I'm here. What do I do?"
"Are you going to stick to your job 1st stance?" Marty inquires. "Let me add this. When we were together, I thought that you were the only woman for me. You were so great! Really great! We were great partners at work, and at home. I now realize that I was mistaken. Not that you weren't great; you were, and are. But I have found someone your equal. I think you may have too, in regards to me. If that is so, please don't pass him up!"
"I don't know," Kensi whispers.
"What can we do, sweetie?" Claire voices.
"I don't know, thanks for talking with me."
"You bet; I hope it works out." Marty says.
"Bye, Kens," Claire expresses.
"Bye, guys," Kensi whispers.
Call disconnected.
"I'm going to call Roger," Marty declares.
"Are you sure?" Claire cocks her head.
"Yup. Do you want to be on the call?"
"Absolutely!"
"You know what, why don't you make the call."
Claire looks askance at him. "Ok."
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CALLING ROGER
"Roger here. Claire?"
"Yes, me and Marty." She holds up her ring finger. Marty nods, yes. "He's my fiancé by the way!"
"Wow, congratulations!"
"Thanks, only you know, so closed lips. Ok?"
"Sealed!"
"Good. Marty and I would like to talk to you about Kensi."
Marty quickly speaks, "Another FYI and lips closed. Understand?"
"Are you trying to warn me off?"
"Just the opposite," Claire inserts. "We would like to give you some background information. Carefully."
"I must say I'm reticent to listen, guys. Be careful."
"And you should be. I'll say this, I like your attitude. And now as we talk, I'm going to back down to just one piece of advice."
"Go on."
"Thanks for the adjustment, Marty. I was worried when you said you were going to call Roger." Claire is relieved.
"Roger, the issue of job danger was a bone of contention between Kensi and me. I believe that she is now ready to put family 1st. She would not do that for her and me. I would encourage you to give her some time and room to make that transition. I think she can and will do that."
"Well, that is helpful. Thanks. Katie is certainly in Kensi's court. I'm headed that way. I do need her to be open with me."
"She's had trouble with that in the past. I was able to break down her walls, but it took years. I think she now is seeing the need to be more open, if she sees someone worthy. I think you can do it. Roger, she is definitely worth it!"
"Thanks guys. I'll keep in touch."
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PBM ROOM 302
Hetty is here to see Kensi.
"Kensi, my dear. How does it go with your recovery?"
"I'm healing."
"Otherwise? I sense difficulty."
Kensi looks around the room. She finally rests her eyes on her hands. "I'm afraid I will blow it again, Hetty."
"Roger and Katie?"
Kensi can only nod her head.
"What are the issues?"
"Job, danger, family. The same as with Deeks."
"And what did you learn from that?"
"I can't have everything that I want. At least not all the time."
"So, have you decided how to shift your priorities?"
Silence. Hetty waits. She sees the monkey, sock puppet. She points to it. "Is that from home?"
"No, Katie gave it to me," A tear escapes.
"She must really like you."
Kensi can only nod.
"Do you like her?"
"I love her," Kensi whispers.
"I think you know what to do, my dear. Beautiful tulips."
Hetty slips out the door.
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Later Kensi writes a letter:
Dearest Roger,
Forgive me if I don't have the right to say dearest. If not, can I earn that right, please?
I can't wait for a dinner when I am all healed and at home. I have tons of time; my mind won't shut off.
I joined NCIS to solve my father's murder, you know that I succeeded. Now, NCIS has become my family. I have slipped into the mindset that my NCIS team is the only family that I need. The implosion of my relationship with my partner, Marty Deeks, has caused me to rethink that.
While Deeks and I were together, I thought that he and I were the only ones for each other. Now, he has found another love. Showing me that, at least for him, I wasn't his 'one and only'. What about me?
I have a very good feeling about you and me. I really want to see where this can go, what we can be. I pledge to be open with you – a difficult thing for me in the past. I probably will need some patience, like 'Handle with Care' on a fragile package. I promise to do my best, given time and a chance.
Fondly,
Kensi
PS: I still look forward to those dinners!
She puts the letter in an envelope, addresses it to Roger Lonnstrom, and lays it on her over-the-bed table. She lays back in the bed and dozes off.
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TBC
A/N: PBM = Pacific Beach Medical.