Sheriff vs. Agent

Chapter 3 Hard Choices

NCIS-OSP

"Eric, please place all that info on my secure server. Make sure there is no trace of it anywhere else. And not a word about this to anyone, understood?"

"Yes," both he and Nell promise.

Hetty goes down to the bullpen to update the team. "I have spoken with sheriff Deeks. His recovery is progressing as expected. His current deputy will be leaving him, going to school at Michigan State. He recently attended a sheriff's conference and met a possible replacement. He hopes to bring her on as a replacement deputy, and to groom her for his replacement. Assuming he returns to LA. He has not finalized that decision yet. Any questions?"

"Do you have a name?" Kensi hesitatingly asked.

"I do, but I don't feel that I have permission to share."

"Do you think he's coming back," Sam wonders.

"I really don't know," Hetty says, looking downcast.

The team looks at each other, worried.

'SHIT, what can I do' Kensi asks herself. 'This is all my fault'.

INDIANA

"Claire, can you come and spend a long weekend here so we can get better acquainted. By the way, my deputy is leaving me for MSU in 3 months. That's an opportunity you might want to consider."

"Well, I'd like to do that. Do you have an idea re timing?"

"Yes, what about weekend after next? There is a barn raising that weekend I'm participating in."

"A barn raising! Wow, I'd love that. I'll need to check with my boss . . . wait a minute, he just walked in. Can you hold?"

"Yup, I'll hang on."

Silence. 2 minutes later-

"I'm back, yes, I can do that. What kind of time do you want me there?"

"Well, the barn raising is on Saturday. If you could be here in time for supper Thursday that would be great. Then back home Sunday afternoon. My mom runs a B&B in town; I'll have her get a room ready for you. Can you do that?"

"Sounds like a plan. I'll be there, thanks Mar . . . er sheriff."

"Marty works. If Claire does . . . that is."

"Claire works. Looking forward to seeing you again, Marty." She has butterflies in her tummy. Careful, girl.

RING

"Sheriff Deeks here, how may I help you?"

"Marty, this is Kensi."

"Kens, great to hear from you. What's up?"

"Well, I've been thinking about what you asked me. You know, Indiana vs Los Angeles."

"Great. And your thoughts?"

"Well, could I come and spend a weekend at the B&B . . . and we could talk."

"Sure, when did you have in mind?"

"Weekend after next?"

Marty's heart sinks. "Ah, I have plans for that weekend. A possible replacement deputy is coming in to spend some time with me and participate in a barn raising. Another time maybe?"

"You mean your lady friend?" Kensi frowns.

"What! Wait a minute, she's someone I just met last week."

"I know how it goes with guys like you."

"What does that mean, guys like me. Since we met, I've had eyes for you, only!" Marty scowls.

"Right! I better go, I'll talk with you later." Kensi disconnects.

HETTY'S OFFICE

Kensi walks in, stands before Hetty and asks.

"Do you have a minute, Hetty?"

"Certainly Miss Blye, sit down. What can I do for you?"

Silence, Kensi sits and looks at her hands.

Hetty sips her tea, giving her young agent time to collect her thoughts.

"I'm afraid I've lost Marty." A lone tear slips down her cheek.

"What makes you think that, my dear?"

"Well. I just called him to ask if I could go back there and spend a weekend. He had asked me to think about going back to Indiana and being with him; if he decided to stay there."

"And, what did he say?" Hetty doesn't like the direction this is going.

"Well, I suggested next weekend. He said he had plans, with a possible replacement deputy."

"Ah, and did you suggest an alternate time?"

"No, I was upset because you had mentioned a possible female replacement. I just ended the call."

"You didn't give him a chance to discuss alternate times?"

"No, DAMN. I blew it, didn't I?"

"Well, it may be salvageable. Maybe you should call him tomorrow, apologize and ask when would be a good weekend for you to come?"

"Good idea. It's late back there now; I will do that. Thanks, Hetty."

"Always, my dear."

INDIANA

RING

"Sheriff Deeks."

"Marty, can we talk for a few?"

"Sure Claire. What's up?"

"Well, I've been thinking. If I'm going to make a run at replacing you, and I would like to do that. If you leave of course. I feel the need to really spend more time with you. You know, learning the job and the people. God I'm rambling, aren't I?"

'She's cute when she does that.' He thinks.

"That would help, yes. What do you have in mind?"

"Well, with our staffing here, the next 4 weeks would be best for me to get away for a weekend. Would that work for you?"

"Well, ah . . . I don't know. Tying up that many weekends in a row . . . let me think & check my calendar. Can I call you back in a few?"

"Sure, Marty. I really hope we can do this. An opportunity like this, in my home state doesn't come along very often. I'll be waiting your call. And thanks."

"I'll be back in a few."

'DAMN. What now. If Kensi is really thinking about this seriously, I should accommodate her. But is she? I have my doubts, and I need to seriously attend to insuring the best possible law enforcement for the folks around here.'

He calls Claire back; they set-up the weekend visits as she had suggested.

Kensi calls the next day; finds out that Marty is tied up for the next 4 weekends. That night she cries herself to sleep.

1ST WEEKEND

Thursday evening: Claire checks in to Mama D's B&B. Marty joins her for dinner.

Friday: Claire and Marty spend the day together going over the job and the demographics of the community. An extended lunch meeting with Amish folk at their church, food supplied by Amish ladies. Claire has never eaten so well. Supper with Marty at Mama D's.

Saturday: An Amish barn raising. Claire has never worked so hard, been so tired, felt so alive.

Sunday: Breakfast at Mama D's B&B with Claire, Marty and Susie. Mom keeps giving her son the side eye. She wonders what the hell is going on. She will talk with him later. Claire leaves to drive home at 12:00. Susie has prepared a traveling lunch of sandwiches, chips & coffee. Marty gives her a parting kiss on the lips . . . long, not chaste. Both Claire and Marty also wonder what the hell is going on. There is that feeling in the gut. 'Haven't felt that in a while', they both think.

2nd WEEKEND

Similar to #1, except no barn raising and Claire arrives mid-day Friday.

Saturday: Marty is on call, so he is patrolling most of the day. Claire spends her time with deputy Anderson. She learns the job from his perspective, including how it is to work with sheriff Deeks. He praises Marty up one side and down the other. She thinks Marty must be Superman.

Sunday: Deputy Anderson is on call so Marty has more time to spend with Claire. Breakfast as usual with Marty & Susie. Again, mama has lunch ready for a 12:00 departure.

Sunday evening: Susie corners her son.

S: What the hell is going on, Marty?

M: What do you mean, mama?

S: With that woman? Claire?

M: I'm helping her prepare to replace me. If I go back to LA.

S: If you go back?

M: Yeah, if.

S: What the hell!? When you showed up here, you were distraught over leaving the love of your life. Then she shows up, apologizes profusely, proclaims her love for you (you reciprocate), she goes back to LA thinking you will follow at an appropriate time. What am I missing?

M: It's more complicated, mama.

S: Only if you make it so!

M: Mama, I-

S: I get it, prepping Claire to take over, be elected, whatever. But spending every weekend . . . and shutting Kensi out? What's the matter with you? This isn't the son I've seen for the past year. Now you call Kensi and schedule a weekend for her to come back here. Or, should I do it?

M: No, I'll do it.

TBC