Sheriff vs. Agent

Chapter 24 Forward progress

GLENDALE – 2 weeks later

Marty calls Roger.

"Roger, this is Marty Deeks."

"Yes, Marty. What can I do for you?"

"Have you decided where you are going to go after the Glendale project is finished?"

"Back to the mid-west in all probability. Why"

"And Kensi?"

"Ah, what's up. Missing your partner?"

"Actually, yes. We worked so well together. Claire is going to do a trial run as director of security for Claudia's firm. You remember the gal who was Claire's Maid of Honor and coordinated the wedding."

"Oh, I remember her, sure. And?"

"If you would set-up your HQ in Middlebury, I need a deputy. If Claire takes that job full time. Interesting, isn't it?"

"Wow! You caught me off guard there. You are serious, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am!" Marty grins, even though Roger can't see him.

"Well, shall I discuss with Kens? Or, what about a 4-person conference call?"

"I like the 4-way call. Can I have Claire set that up?"

"Yup, I'm willing."

"Good, talk soon."

"Soon."

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KENSI'S APARTMENT – 2 DAYS LATER

Someone is knocking. Pounding actually.

Roger stands behind where the door will open.

Kensi draws her off duty weapon and prepares to open the door. She looks thru the peep hole – it is Sam and G.

They relax and she opens the door and lets her teammates in. They look very unhappy.

Roger motions toward the couch. They sit.

"What's up guys?" Kensi asks.

"That's what we want to know," Sam snorts. "Are you leaving us, too?"

"I am not sure where we are going." She offers.

"We?" G frowns.

"Kens, me and Katie," Roger inputs.

"Oh, is this a package deal now?" Sam huffs.

"There are things to be decided." Kensi admits.

"Well, can we assist?" G hopes so.

"No, I think Kens and I have all the info we need." Roger tuns to Kensi; "There is a phone call I need to tell you about, babe."

"What call," Callen tries to get more info. He feels out-of-the-loop on too much stuff lately.

"A private one. For her and me only. After you leave, gentlemen." Roger is firm.

Kensi gets up and goes to the door. "Guys, it was nice of you to stop by." She opens the door.

They slip out. Kensi watches to be sure that they get in their car and leave.

Kensi turns to Roger, he pulls her down to the couch next to him.

"The call?"

"Yes, Marty called the other day. Claire is doing a trial run as head of security for Claudia's real estate property management firm. If she takes it, Marty will be short a deputy." He pauses to see her reaction.

Her eyes get big. "Marty and me?"

Roger just nods, slowly.

"Would you . . . I mean . . . is that-

"Kens, I would be totally ok with you and Marty working together. From everything I've heard you were a fantastic team. Now that you and Marty are friends again, I think it would be a great idea. It would be best if I moved my home base to Middlebury, though."

"Would you do that?"

"For you, for us? Yes, probably"

"Probably?"

"I would need to carefully examine the logistics. But I would try to work it out."

"Oh, Roger. That is more than I could hope for!"

"I can't promise that I can do that. I can only promise that I will look at it carefully, and try."

"That is more than I deserve."

"No, it's not. You deserve the world. And I will try to give it to you, sweetheart."

She nuzzles into his chest. "I love you, Roger!"

"I love you, Kens."

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MIDDLEBURY, INDIANA

Claudia has accepted Claire's proposal for a 3-month trial as head of security for Roberts REM. Claire is departing for Indianapolis to spend 2 days with the soon to retire security chief. She will be learning about the job, and will be shadowing him during his last week before his retirement.

"I'm going to miss you, babe," Marty hugs her tightly.

"It's only 2 days, you will survive. But I will miss you too."

"A test of our marriage?" He pouts.

"Baby, don't be so dramatic!" She struggles to hold back a laugh.

"Are you sure your boss approved this?"

"Positive," she snorts. "Last night in bed."

"I thought so. You drugged him!"

"What? No!"

"Yup, he was drunk on love."

Claire collapses in a fit of giggles.

'I love this man!' She thinks.

"Next time get it in writing."

"Oh, I will. I will." She swats his ass.

They kiss long and deep before she gets in her car and drives off, a wiggly finger wave over her shoulder.

Tomorrow Kensi will be there to spend a week shadowing Claire and Marty. Roger has worked out the logistics of moving his HQ to Middlebury. If Claire accepts Claudia's job offer, Kensi will officially apply to be Marty's deputy. The wheels are in motion.

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INDIANAPOLIS AIRPORT

Susie Deeks is waiting outside the security zone for Kensi's arrival. Marty had asked her to pick Kensi up, as he is without a deputy for 2 days. Susie is excited to see Kensi again; this however, is not the reason she expected her to be coming to Middlebury.

She has a room ready for her favorite guest, and is looking forward to some great chats. She is very anxious to find out where it all went wrong with Marty and Kensi. If Kensi will say; Marty hasn't told her much. She has tried, she really has.

She spots Kensi right away. The tall, striking brunette is hard to miss. Kensi drops her carry-on and the two women embrace.

"Susie, it's so good to see you!" She hugs her almost mother-in-law fiercely.

"Same here, but I thought the situation would be much different. What the hell happened?" Susie sniffles.

"Hasn't Marty told you what happened?" Kensi wonders.

"Not about the final actions."

"Well, let's talk in the car. We've got quite a dive, don't we?"

"About 2 hours. Ok, we'll resume. Here's the escalator to baggage claim."

IN THE CAR

"I'll take most of the blame, Susie-

"Nonsense. My son was so thick headed, it made me sick!"

"No, really. Marty was serious about transitioning to a less dangerous job for the sake of family security. Either him or me. I wouldn't hear of it. Then he met Claire, and it was all downhill from there."

"Have you met Claire? I think she was out to steal Marty from the get go!"

"Yes, she is a great gal. She and Marty are a fantastic couple! And he has told me that she wasn't out to steal him. Marty was reacting to my stubbornness."

"So were you and Marty, a great couple!"

"Yes, we were. Until the end."

"I don't know-

"Susie, I met Claire at the wedding. I really like her; and Marty and I buried the hatchet. Myself, Claire, Marty and Roger have a great friendship! BTW – why didn't you come to the wedding?"

"I was so angry, I couldn't."

"Do you see Marty and Claire often?"

"Nope."

"Susie, you live in the same small town!"

"They don't invite me over; I don't invite them. So be it!"

"I gotta fix this!' Kensi thinks.

"I'll see if I can get you together."

"Careful where you stick your nose, hon."

The ride was chilly from there on out.

When they arrived, Susie checked Kensi in to her Bed & Breakfast; Kensi freshened up in her room and called Marty.

"Sheriff Deeks . . . oh, its Kens. Sorry for the formality. You here?"

"Yup, at Susie's. You know, that lady who birthed you?"

Groan. "Yeah, I need to patch things up with momma. Maybe you can help, she adores you."

"Peacemaker?"

"Something like that. Would you be willing to have supper there, with her and me?"

"Sure, what time?"

"7:30, ok?"

"Yes, I'll ask her. I will TXT you if that's not ok."

"Great! I owe you, big time."

"Yes, you do. Yes, you do. See ya."

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The dinner with Susie, Marty & Kensi went a long way toward burying another hatchet. Since Claire was OOT, Marty decided to join the ladies again for breakfast, unless he was on an emergency call. Afterwards, he and Kens would start her orientation process; to the sheriff's routine in Middlebury. When Claire returned, she would take over that process.

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TBC