Sheriff vs. Agent
Chapter 19 DVD Chaos
Kensi's apartment
Roger has found a sitter for Katie. He is here without her, awaiting Callen & Sam, who are bringing Chinese take-out for supper. The expected topic of discussion is Marty and Claire's DVD. None of them are happy about the general showing; they want a "team only" viewing. Roger isn't sure what all the fuss is, but he'll likely remain mum on the subject. Probably. If he's smart.
Sam and G arrive, food is divided up, and they all are seated in the LR.
"Roger, have you been invited to the DVD showing?" Sam asks.
"No, not yet," Roger admits.
"Hmpf," Sam huffs.
"Kens, do you think you will attend?" Callen wonders.
"No! Kensi snorts. "I heard about the shouted question or two; why would I expose myself to that scene?"
"I agree," Sam huffs again.
"So," Callen questions, "How can we get Hetty to let us have a team only viewing?"
"Why don't you ask Marty to send you a DVD?" Roger suggests, looking at Kensi.
The teammates look at him like he's grown an extra head.
"What?" He asks.
"That's really complicated," Callen retorts.
"I'll call him," Roger volunteers.
"NO!" All three exclaim at once.
"Ok," he holds his hands up in surrender. (He does intend to call Marty)
"Ambush Eric!" Sam suggests, with a sly grin.
"You and I, big guy?" Callen mutters.
"Yup, first thing in the morning!"
All three nod.
Roger frowns. Kensi notices.
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ROGER'S APARTMENT
After sending the sitter home, Roger takes care of Katie's bedtime routine. After his girl settles for the night, he settles on the LR couch.
TXT Chain:
R: Hetty, Eric ambush planned for AM
H: S & G?
R: Y, about DVD
H: T U
R: always
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INDIANA – BEDTIME
"Claire, hon?"
"Yes, babe?" She is almost asleep.
"What about an Amish wedding?" He's thinking outside the box. Way outside!
"What?! We aren't Amish!" She is dumbfounded.
"Yes, but hear me out."
"Ok."
"We are quite well accepted by that segment of the community, right?"
"Yes."
"Might that not enhance further our standing with them?"
"Probably. But will they even do that? Wouldn't that be weird?"
"You like them, don't you?" He wonders.
"Of course I do! Do you question my feelings for them?" Does her fiancé question that? Really?
"I know you do. You just seem a little taken aback, that's all."
"Well, this did come from out of left field. You'll admit that, won't you?"
"Yes, I'm not questioning you on that, babe."
"Good."
RING RING
"It's Roger," Marty states. She nods.
"Hi Roger, Marty and Claire here."
"Hi guys, a quick question."
"Shoot."
"Would you be willing to send me a DVD? So, I could show it privately to Kensi, Sam and G? It's creating quite a controversy here. Those 3 don't want to watch it in the presence of all the OSP staff who will be present at Hetty's sowing."
"What's the trouble?" Marty asks.
"When Hetty announced the showing, there were 2 shouted questions: 1) why did Marty leave, and 2) what happened between Kensi & Marty. Hetty answered both the same way: she said that those were personal, and she would not answer ANY personal questions. Period."
"Ah, I see," Marty rolls his eyes.
"Yes, so the team does not want to expose themselves, especially Kensi, to those questions and that environment."
"I can understand that," Claire inputs. "So, shall we send Roger a DVD, babe? I think we should."
"I agree, now that I think about it. We'll get that off tomorrow. Thanks for asking, Roger."
"Thanks for your help. And congratulations you two love birds!"
"Thanks, buddy. And how are you and Kensi doing?"
"Better. I called her princess and she exploded on me. Things have settled down; your advice was spot on by the way. Many thanks."
"Glad I could help. Anytime, bro!"
"Back at ya! Bye." Roger signs off.
Marty & Claire do also.
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NCIS-OSP, Ops center
Callen and Sam approach Eric from behind.
"Where is that DVD, Eric?" Sam shouts.
Eric jumps out of his chair!
Nell presses a hidden panic button, signaling Hetty.
"DVD? What DVD?" Eric voices.
"Don't play dumb, Eric!" Sam growls.
"Gentlemen, is there a problem?" Hetty announces as she strides into Ops. "I heard something about a certain DVD?"
"We want to see that DVD without all the other staff present. We don't think that's fair, especially for Kensi!"
Sam clarifies.
"Well, I am still considering that. I'll let you know in a day or two."
"You do that," Sam declares as they stomp out of Ops.
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THE NEXT DAY
"Hetty here, hello Roger, what can I do for you?"
"A quick question; is a certain DVD kosher for Katie to, see?"
"Definitely, yes. Why, may I ask?"
"Well, I asked Marty and Claire and they sent me a copy. I intend to show it to Kens, G & Sam. Probably tomorrow night."
"Ah, subverting my plans?"
"Do you have some grand plan that I am obstructing?"
"Not really. But why do this?"
"The three agents are quite worked up. I just think that if Marty and Claire agreed to send me the DVD knowing what I intend to do with it, that I'm safe to show it to them. Do you disagree, Hetty?"
"No, not really. Please let me know their reaction."
"I will. Bye ma'am."
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2 EVENINGS LATER KENSI'S APARTMENT
Again, Katie is at home with a sitter.
After take-out, Thai this time, Roger pits the DVD in the player. "I feel that maybe I should disarm all of you." He looks at them seriously.
"Just play the damn video," Sam snorts.
"Ok, here we go." Roger sits down on the couch, beside Kensi. He starts the DVD.
They watch as their ex-teammate (Kensi's ex-partner) begins a day at the lake with a woman they don't know. Kensi knows Claire a little. Her new friendship with Claire is a total unknown to her teammates.
They ogle Claire, but are floored that she wears a 1-piece swimsuit. "Join the 20th century!" Is the nicest comment on that.
They comment several times that Deeks is a blatant show-off; being very critical of him. Nothing has changed.
Kensi is strangely silent. Roger notices.
Sam and G are too busy with their snarky comments to notice.
When it comes down to the final scene, and the engagement ring becomes visible silence descends. Then pandemonium ensues. Sam and Callen are incensed, shouting obscenities.
Roger just takes it all in, watching Kensi closely.
Kensi doesn't know what to think; she slowly gets to her feet and shuffles down the hall to her bedroom. She softly closes the door, and lays down on her bed. She shouldn't be surprised. She wonders if the engagement is a rebound reaction to the hurt and chaos that she largely created. She doesn't think so. The few times she has interacted with them on the phone, their actions toward each other seemed genuine and not contrived. She knew Marty well enough that she could tell if their relationship was off center at all. She knows that she damn well blew it!
Now, was she going to blow it again? She was determined not to. How many good men could she blow off, and expect there would be another one to come waltzing into her life?
A good man, and a wonderful, loving little girl! She was not going to let this opportunity go by the wayside! NEVER!
She got off her bed, dried her eyes and walked out to the LR. The three men stopped their soft conversation when she appeared.
"You OK, Kens?" Sam asked. A concerned look on his face.
"Yes, I'm ok," she voiced. She sat down next to Roger and took his hand. She laced their fingers and squeezed tightly. "Will you stay for a while after Sam and Callen go, please?" She looked into Rogers eyes. Roger nods, yes.
"I guess that's our cue, Sam," Callen admits.
"Yup, it seems so," Sam agrees.
Roger gets up to let the guys out, then returns to Kensi's side.
"Roger, I need to say something to you." She squeezes his hand even more firmly.
He softly smiles at her. "I'm listening, sweetheart."
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TBC