Sheriff vs. Agent
Chapter 17 Home
PBM Room 302
Kensi slowly wakes up; she senses there is someone in the room with her. She carefully looks around and sees him!
Roger is sitting in a chair at her left side. He is used to that side as her right had a chest tube while in the ICU. He is reading the letter!
"You opened that?"
"It was addressed to me."
"Well . . . I was going to explain it first."
"Fragile? I've talked to some NCIS people, fragile never came up." He grins.
She huffs.
"An NCIS agent . . . bad-ass, wonder woman, fearsome, intense-
"STOP! That's enough." She has her hands over her face. "That was a figure of speech."
"Ah, well us dumb construction guys don't know anything about that."
"Dumb? I don't see any dumb guy in here." Kensi mutters. "How is my Katie?"
"Great. She wanted to come, but she was running a low-grade temp, so I didn't want to risk exposing you to a bug."
"That makes sense, but I'm sorry. Maybe tomorrow, I miss her!"
"I will try. When do you think you will be discharged?"
"My doctor thinks 3 days. I am lobbying for 2."
"Word on the street is that you hate hospitals!"
"Oh, what street is that?"
"I forget." He smirks.
"Poor memory, how convenient." She huffs again.
"Yup!"
Her nurse and doctor walk in. The doc extends his hand to Roger, "I'm doctor Wilson. You are?"
"Roger Lonnstrom, a friend."
"Nice to meet you. Will you excuse us for a minute while we check Kensi?"
"Certainly," Roger exits. He waits in the hall; 3 minutes later the doc comes out.
"Our girl is doing well," the doc announces.
"When will she be ready for discharge?"
"I'd say day after tomorrow. That's what I told her. She will need transport."
"I'll talk with her. I can assist if needed."
"Thanks," he and the nurse walk off.
Roger reenters the room. "Day after tomorrow is what I hear. I can help you get home, if you'd like."
"Are you sure? That would be great, if you are available."
"I'm at your beck and call. And Katie's!" He grins.
She chuckles. "The letter?"
"Ah, the letter . . . well, I can be patient. Especially when a beautiful, brave, kind woman is concerned. Let's have dinner and see what develops. Shall we?"
"Yes, let's do that!" She reaches for him; he comes to her arms. They embrace and kiss lightly.
He turns and slips out of the room.
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NCIS-OSP
Hetty's phone rings, it's Marty Deeks.
Marty, hello. What can I do for you?"
"Do you have time to talk with me and Claire?"
"Will this take a while?"
"Probably."
"Can I call you back in 20 or so?"
"Certainly. We'll be waiting."
"Ok, I'll call. Bye."
"Bye Hetty."
Marty and Claire talk.
"Hon, do you think it's a good idea to show it to all at OSP?"
"Well, I plan to ask Hetty about that."
"You trust her?"
"Implicitly. She knows the team. She'll be honest about who should and who shouldn't see our DVD."
"I hope so," Claire isn't sure.
HETTY CALLS BACK
"Marty here."
"Hetty here. What can I do for you?"
"Claire is on the call, Hetty."
"Hello Claire. How are you?"
Claire looks at Marty, he nods YES.
"Engaged," is all she says.
"What?" Hetty is taken aback.
"Engaged," Claire repeats.
"Wh . . . oh, really?"
"Yup," Marty confirms. "We spent a weekend on a houseboat a while ago. We got engaged, among other things. It's the other things that we want to talk with you about."
"Congratulations!"
"Thanks, Hetty!"
"And those other things. What might they be?"
"During that weekend we had our Saturday activities recorded and a DVD made. We are wondering if you would be interested in a video call with you and maybe some of the team? During that call we could view the DVD. We think that maybe not all of the team would be interested. You make that call. What do you think?" Claire did the honors with the explanation.
"Well, I don't know." Hetty hesitates.
"We are aware that there probably are some residual hard feelings over my decision." Marty admits. "What if we sent you a DVD to view yourself; maybe with Nell and Eric. Then tell us what you'd like to do. Either way the DVD would be yours."
"That would be a wonderful idea. I would be delighted to receive the DVD and review it."
"Good, we will send it your way in a day or two. Great talking to you, Hetty."
"And you. And congratulations, again!"
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Roger and Katie Walk hand in hand down the hall and into room 302.
Kensi is dressed and sitting on the bed. She is ready to go. Katie runs to her, and is scooped up and set on the bed. Soon a nurse appears with a wheel chair.
Kensi gets a disgusted look on her face; Roger sees it and grins.
"A wheel chair for a princess!" He speaks.
"Don't call me that," she spits out.
He steps back, a funny look on his face.
Kensi covers her face with her hands. "There are some things we need to talk about," she whispers.
"Okay! I suppose there are. May I have some leeway in the meantime, please?" He is sincerely sorry.
"Yes, I'm sorry. I'll try." She knows that she needs to treat this new friendship with care, if she wants it to develop into something more. And she does!
The nurse helps Kensi into the chair and they head to the elevator. The nurse, Kensi and Katie wait in the lobby while Roger brings the car around. After loading Kensi and Katie, he puts the bags into the trunk and they are off.
Kensi directs Roger to her apartment block. First, he helps Kensi and Katie up to the apartment. Then he brings up all the bags of supplies and her clothes.
After they put everything away, they sit on the couch; Katie between them. Roger asks, "What did I say there in the hospital?"
"When Deeks and I were together, he had a few nicknames for me. Princess was one. It just came out of left field when you said it, that's all," Kensi admits, sheepishly.
"So, I can't use any of them? Do you have a list that I can study, and memorize? Is that how this is going to work?" He regrets saying that, as soon as the words are out of his mouth. 'DAMN'
Silence. A tear trickles down her cheek.
"Damn, I've screwed this up already." Kensi mutters. "I . . . just reacted. I'm sorry! Maybe you should leave." She gets up and heads to her bedroom.
Roger is stunned.
"What did you do to my Kessie, daddy?" Katie is now crying. She curls up on the couch.
He peeks down the hall; the BR door is closed.
He slips into the kitchen and calls Marty.
Marty accepts the call and they talk. Roger explains the developments of the day. Marty understands completely. After thinking it over, Marty has some advice for his new friend.
"First, will Katie understand and follow directions?"
"Yes, very well." Roger admits.
"Ok, send her to Kensi's room. Tell her to lay down next to Kens, say that daddy is sorry and will call tomorrow. Then come back to you."
"Ok, and?"
"Second, understand that Kensi's defense is to push away. Until you and she are well established, let her push. Give her space and time. BUT bounce back. ALWAYS BOUNCE BACK! Like the next day. Be careful about getting in her physical space, but let her know that you will always be there for her. Always! And third – you have a weapon I didn't have . . . Katie. Don't abuse her, but use it. Is that too much, bro?"
"No, it's great. Can I call when I need advice?"
"Always, but keep in mind that as sheriff I may not be able to talk right away. But I will always get back to you."
"Thanks Marty!"
"Always!"
Katie does her task; they slip out of the apartment and go home.
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TBC