Sheriff vs. Agent
Chapter 13
REFLECTIONS
Kensi Blye was back in her Embassy Suites room. Her flight back to Los Angeles was scheduled for departure at 11:00 the next day. She had showered and dressed for bed and was relaxing on the little couch in her front room. She had the TV on, but wasn't paying any attention.
She was thinking. Hard.
Roger & Katie. What did she know? Very little, but what she had seen and heard she liked. Kind, organized, dad, grief over loss, military, beautiful daughter Katie.
Loss of wife & mother.
She is an agent in a very dangerous job! She will have to hide that. What? And when he finds out? That she hid possibly the most important part of what/who she is? Has she learned nothing from the recent disaster? What is wrong with me?
After slipping into bed, she cries herself to sleep.
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The next day she flies back to LA. Back home. Back to the mission.
The next morning, she gets to work early. She wants to talk to Hetty.
She should have an hour before her team comes in, time for a good heart to heart talk.
She sees Hetty at her desk, not on the phone. She approaches and stops in front of Hetty.
"Miss Blye, what brings you in so early?"
"I . . . ah, need to talk with you, please."
"Certainly. Do we need somewhere more private?" Hetty senses, and can see trouble on her junior agent's face.
"Probably."
"Follow me." Hetty climbs the stairs to the 2nd floor, and finds an unused office. They enter and sit down.
"How was the conference my dear. I monitored some things in Ops, as you know."
"You saw the obstacle course runs?"
"Indeed. You looked off your game."
"It was a disaster!" Kensi drops her head.
"Were you focused on more than winning?"
"I was so angry, Hetty! It was terrible!"
"We could see that."
Kensi raises her head, a shocked look on her face.
"Owen and the Wonder Twins were watching with me. But that's not why we're here, is it?" Hetty senses that they have not reached the heart of the matter.
"No, it's not." Kensi sighs.
"Can we get to it, please. I have a call coming in 30 minutes." Hetty tries not to rush these talks, but-
"Yes. After the conference-
Kensi tells Hetty about Katie, Roger, a possible 2nd chance, Roger's loss. She tells about her internal debate about her dangerous job, Roger's army ranger experience and more. She pauses and Hetty asks-
"Army ranger? You realize that with his training and experience, you will probably not be able to hide anything from him? And given what we have, and are, suffering through, why would you try?"
Silence.
"Have you learned nothing, my dear?"
Kensi's blood runs cold. It's like her previous thoughts are being repeated to her.
Her boss is being unusually blunt.
Shock therapy? Tough love?
"I am sorry for being so blunt. But my god. Get a grip, girl! Don't screw over another good man. Assuming he is that, of course."
Silence. 'I know what he's like, at least I think so.'
"You are better than this, Kensi. Shall I call Nate?"
Kensi's head pops up. "No! But, can I perhaps call him?"
"I will give you his number, and his time zone."
"Ok, thanks."
Kensi calls Nate twice, he is helpful.
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Kensi, Roger and Katie begin communicating at least twice weekly. The little girl especially likes the face-time sessions. She begs her dad to take her to California, to see her BFF Kessie; Kensi's heart explodes each time she hears Katie pronounce her name like that!
Roger was successful with his bid for the Glendale project. Kensi enlisted Hetty's assistance in finding lodging for Roger and Katie; a 3-bed apartment between Glendale and LA. Close enough for visits by an interested NCIS agent.
Time to really see if there was anything to this possible relationship. A 2nd chance?
BUT – Kensi had not settled the dangerous job issue. What to tell? When to tell?
DILEMMA
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INDIANA
In the run-up to the election, now 14 months away, Claire has settled into the deputy sheriff slot left vacant when deputy Anderson left to attend MSU. She and Marty are working together beautifully. Almost as good as Marty and Kensi had. He rarely thinks about Kensi and NCIS anymore. Claire's skills and work ethic leave nothing to be desired. He is sure that in another 3 months, she will match or exceed anyone he has ever worked with. Anyone!
And at home! Their relationship is blossoming. The compatibility is amazing. She is not one to argue, to press for her way or the highway; and Marty has learned a lesson or two from the recent tragic implosion of his relationship with Kensi. He now realizes how precious a thing a solid, loving family is. Even a family of two. Compromise is the word of the day – in those infrequent times when a solid difference of opinion arises.
BEDTIME
Resting quietly in each other's arms.
"Claire, sweetheart?"
"Yes, Marty?"
"What are we going to do about the election?"
"What do you mean?" She is puzzled.
"Well, do you still want to run for sheriff? We haven't fully fleshed out your options. The job possibilities you brought up a while ago."
"Hm, what do we need to do to make one or more of those a reality?" Claire wonders.
"I'm thinking that the whole community is so much behind us, that we should involve them more in this process. Give them some ownership?"
"I like that. You're a genius!" She grins.
"I'll need to go shopping for a bigger hat tomorrow!"
She swats his chest.
"Ouch!" He frowns.
"Big baby!" She chuckles.
"Baby love?" His eyes twinkle.
"Coming at you!" She rolls over and covers him.
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LOS ANGELES / GLENDALE
Roger and Katie have moved into their apartment. He is starting his prep work for the big project. They have seen Kensi a couple of times.
RING RING
"Roger here, who is calling please?" His phone had shown unknown caller.
"Roger Lonnstrom?"
"Yes." He is puzzled.
"This is Henrietta Lange, Kensi Blye's boss."
"Kensi? What can I do for you, ma'am?"
"She has been injured at work. She recently changed her emergency contacts to include you."
"Me? What's wrong?"
"She has been taken into surgery; you may want to be there when she comes out. May I assist you in getting to the hospital?"
"Yes, I don't know my way around yet."
"I am aware of that. If you will give me your address for your current location, I will send a car to pick you up."
"And Katie, my daughter-
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TBC