Sheriff vs. Agent
Chapter 12 Another chance?
Both groups (Marty/Caire & NCIS-OSP) were staying on until Monday afternoon. Time to relax, see some sights, attend a sporting event etc.
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HS Football field
Kensi was alone, sitting in the bleachers of the HS football field where the obstacle competition had taken place. The course was being taken down by a team under the supervision of contractor Roger Lonnstrom. They had built the course; they were taking it down.
Kensi was pensive, thinking about her failure of the previous day. Now she knew wherein she had failed. The competition had been all about vengeance for her! The negative emotions had been raging in her. They had sapped enough energy that she had NO CHANCE of winning. Thinking back, she was very disappointed in herself. As a federal agent, she was supposed to be better than this! She had failed. Had her objective been erroneous? YES, and she knew it.
SHIT!
Kensi watched and listened as the men worked. She noticed the efficient teamwork; and the firm but gentle manner of Roger, the obvious boss. She noticed that he was quite in control, but not overbearing. At least today, and in this circumstance.
She noticed a time of conflict between two workers. One seemed to be a little older, more experienced. The other younger, maybe a rookie. The 'kid' had made a mistake and was being loudly berated by the older worker. Roger came over to ease the situation. He instructed the older man to get back to work; while taking the kid under his wing. He said, "work with me a while, I'll show you how it is done." Kensi was impressed.
Kensi also noticed a little girl, sitting at the edge of the grass playing field. The girl was holding a kind of doll, maybe a kind of sock puppet? She appeared to be crying.
Kensi got up and slipped down to where the girl was. She sat down about 5 feet away, crossing her legs Indian style. The girl glanced at Kensi, then turned her eyes to her dolly. It clearly was a monkey sock puppet.
"Hi, I am Kensi. Does your dolly have a name?"
"Mary," the girl whispers.
"That's a beautiful name. What is yours?"
"Katie. I'm not supposed to talk to strangers."
Kensi can tell she is nervous and getting ready to run.
"That's a good rule. Who taught you that?"
"My dad, he is the boss," Katie points to the work group.
"Oh, well, you are safe with me," Kensi unclips her badge and hands it to Katie.
The young girl takes the badge, turns it over and over in her hands. "You are a policeman?" She looks at Kensi with big eyes.
"Sort of, I am a federal agent. Like with the FBI. Have you heard of them?"
"No."
"Did you name your dolly after someone?"
"My mommy. She went to heaven." Tears start to trickle down Katie's cheeks.
'DAMN! I stepped in it. Now what?'
"What do you want with my daughter?" A new voice.
Kensi is startled. Roger has come out of nowhere. She really is off her game.
Katie holds up the badge. "Kessie is my friend, daddy."
He takes the badge and looks at it carefully. "NCIS huh. Never had any dealings with you folks. That's a good thing, I guess," he chuckles. "Two tours, stayed clean."
"My dad was a marine," Kensi responds.
"Two tours, 8 years an army ranger. Nice to make your acquaintance, ma'am. Roger Lonnstrom's the name."
"Kensi Blye." They shake hands, both impressed with the firm grip. "My dad was a marine sniper, taught me how to shoot. I joined NCIS to solve his murder." 'God, I'm sharing more than I usually do, way more!'
"And you did."
"Pardon?"
"You solved his murder. I can tell."
"Yes, I did," Kensi whispers.
"Kill him?"
"Not me, one of my team."
"Justice. Good." He bends down and takes his daughter in his arms.
"Daddy, when are we gonna eat supper?"
"Well, I'll be done in about an hour. Can you wait that long?"
Katie looks at Kensi, "Kessie, will you stay with me. Please?"
Kensi swallows the lump in her throat, she knows what is coming.
"Yes, I can do that."
Roger hands Katie to Kensi. Their eyes meet, "Will you join me and Katie for supper, Kensi?"
"Yes, I can do that." They smile at each other. Suddenly Kensi's stomach growls. Kensi covers her face with her hands. Katie laughs, Roger grins.
Roger whispers, "I'll make it as quick as I can."
Katie giggles and kisses Kessie's cheek.
Roger goes back to work.
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EMBASSY SUITES
RING RING
Claire's phone rings, it's Roger.
Claire and Roger both attended Vincennes HS; he was 2 years ahead of her. They knew each other peripherally. They had only a few moments to talk when they met earlier, so they had exchanged contact info. She shows Marty who's calling and slips into the bedroom to talk.
"Hi, Roger. What's up?"
"Claire, I noticed that you ran the obstacle course against a Kensi Blye; an NCIS agent. Katie and I are having supper with her. What can you tell me about her?"
"Wow! More than I should tell you!"
"That bad? I better cancel."
"No, no! Not bad, just complicated. Don't cancel."
"Anything?"
"I am dating, and living with her ex. They were partners, he was a detective with LAPD; and was a liaison with NCIS. She turned him down when he proposed. He's a great guy, sheriff Marty Deeks. No reason to cancel. I told you nothing, please."
"I never called."
"Thanks. Keep in touch?"
"Yup."
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DINNER
They meet at Perkins Pancakes. Pancakes are Katie's favorite food. Of course. After spaghetti.
Katie gets a booster seat and a kid's placemat with games, puzzles and crayons. She goes to work coloring. Kensi notes how carefully she does her 'work'. Probably a reflection of her dad; and her mom?
'I wonder how long ago her mother passed on?'
"Katie told me that she named her monkey Mary, after her mom. I'm so sorry."
'DAMN, why did I lead with that?'
Roger looks down, Kensi kicks herself.
"Yeah, it was a shock-
"You don't-
"No, I think a little talk will do me good. Inflammatory breast cancer."
'OMG NO!'
"Three months from diagnosis to memorial service."
Kensi reaches out and takes one of his hands in both of hers. He is trembling.
In a small voice Katie asks, "Daddy, what is cancer?"
"Sweetie, that's what took mommy from us."
"I don't like cancer!" She starts to cry.
Kensi leans over and takes the little girl up in her arms. She holds Katie tightly and rubs circles on her back. She looks at Roger, he is wiping his eyes.
After a couple of minutes Roger gets up and goes to talk with their waitress. She takes out her order pad and takes notes. She pats him on the shoulder and turns to place their ticket on the window sill to the kitchen.
He returns to the table, "I hope you don't mind breakfast this time of day. I placed an order for the table."
"Not at all," Kensi voices. She recalls all the times Deeks had made pancakes for them, any time of day. Her heart clenches.
"Are you ready to sit in your seat?" Kensi asks Katie.
"Ok," she whispers.
Kensi sets her down and looks to Roger. "I'm so sorry, Katie had told me that her mommy had gone to heaven. I shouldn't have started our conversation that way."
Roger smiles weakly, "Yeah, probably not. But it's nice to tell someone a little bit of what is weighing on your mind. Ease the load, you know what I'm saying."
Wow, could she ever take off on that! "You are in construction; I saw you and your team taking down the obstacle course."
"Yes, that's one project we specialize in."
"So, where do you live?"
"Our home base, I guess you would call it, is Kansas City."
"You live there?"
"For the last 5 years. And you?"
"Los Angeles. My NCIS office is located there."
"Really? Wow! I am bidding on a big project in Glendale. Building or refurbishing HS sports fields."
"Interesting! Have you worked in southern California before?"
"Nope. Could you be of assistance?" He winks.
Her stomach flutters. 'Whoa!' "What would you like to know?"
"Everything!" He grins.
"Well, that narrows it down." She crosses her arms in front of her chest, and frowns. But she can't hold the frown, a smile breaks through.
"Well, we would have time – for everything. For a large project like this, I would be in the Glendale area for 4-6 weeks before we actually start work. Doing research and prep work."
"I see." She can't help but smile again.
"So, can I get your number, just in case?" Roger grins.
Katie leans over to her dad, she whispers "why do you want her number?"
"So, I can call her on the telephone."
"Good, I like Kessie!" She whispers.
"So do I," he whispers back.
"Only if I get your number." Kensi smirks.
He hands her his phone.
She hands him her phone.
Two waitresses bring their food, 2 big trays. Everything you would ever want for breakfast.
Katie says grace.
They eat.
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TBC