NEVER ALONE

Written by: Jeanniefan78/April

Author's Note: This was written for two NFA challenges: Sarah's "Kiss Me, Kate" challenge and Kelly's "Let it Go" challenge.

This story is the sequel and follow-up to my story, "The Dilemma". That story surrounded the Hiatus events and this story surrounds the event of the 2nd episode of the 4th season, "Escaped", but written in AU fashion. It will include some actual dialogue from the episode, but I take no credit for that writing. I hope you will all enjoy this story. :D

It has now been nearly four months since Gibbs's terrifying accident. Although grateful to have her husband alive and now, awaiting the arrival of their baby, Kate still can't help but feel depressed.

The preceding summer months had actually been fun and relaxing for them, with visiting Kate's family and then, vacationing in Mexico.

But now, reality is settling in. Gibbs wasn't gonna change his mind and return to NCIS. She thought for sure he would after he'd had a chance to think about things. She thought she had seen a glimmer of hope when he left Mexico to help Ziva out of a jam, but when he returned, he still seemed the same as he had been all summer. Kate knew by then that it was no use.

"Are you sure you want to throw this away?," Kate asks, sadly, holding up a wooden object.

"I'm sure."

Kate continues going through a box, and looking up, she sees Gibbs holding a picture and smiling.

"What's that?"

"Oh, it's a little picture of Kelly. It was in this little lunch box of hers with one of her dolls."

Kate puts her arm around him. "She certainly was beautiful."

"Yes, she was." He holds up the little doll. "This doll was one of her favorites. Hardly a day ever went by that she didn't play with it."

She slightly squeezes him. "Honey, you don't have to throw these things away."

"Oh, I don't plan to, not these." He squeezes her back.

Their moment is interrupted by the realtor's voice as she escorts Fornell to the basement.

"First, my wife. Now, my house?," Gibbs asks, puzzled, looking up at Fornell.

"No. No, I learned my lesson. I'm through with your leftovers."

Gibbs and Kate both grin.

"I'm gonna go make some coffee," Kate says, moving away from Gibbs. "Would you like some, Agent Fornell?"

"Uh, no thank you." He turns his attention back to Gibbs. "You're gonna need a bigger box for that boat," Fornell says as he descends the stairs.

"You come all the way out here to give me packing tips, Tobias?"

"Actually, I came to tell you that Petty Officer Derrick Paulson escaped from prison yesterday."

Kate stops just outside the basement door as she hears Fornell's statement.

"No," Gibbs says after a slight pause.

"I haven't asked you anything yet."

Gibbs goes on packing as if trying to ignore Fornell's prodding. Kate very discreetly peeks around the corner.

"You caught him last time. Figured you might like to catch him again."

"You thought wrong."

Kate rolls her eyes as she hears Gibbs's statement and she prepares to head for the kitchen.

"He came to see me, Jethro, when I was with Emily."

Kate stops short in her tracks once again and she continues to listen to the unfolding conversation.

"Is she okay?"

"For now. He just wanted to tell me that I got the wrong man and strongly suggested that I reopen his case to prove it."

"He's risking a lot for something he knows can't happen."

"You think… I don't know what his game is, but I'm not gonna get a good night's sleep until that - is back behind bars."

"You don't need me to find him."

"Need? A convicted killer was two inches from my daughter! Handing her crayons, he touched her!"

Gibbs ducks his head.

"We're way beyond need, Jethro." He backs off.

"Nice tan." He turns and leaves.

As Fornell takes his leave, Kate goes back down into the basement.

"I think you should help him, Jethro."

"Kate…"

"Jethro, there is a child involved here! How would you feel if the shoe were on the other foot? What if it were you and Kelly that Paulson approached, or you and our child?" She pauses slightly. "Fornell and his little girl need your help and you can help them!"

Gibbs stares at her in silence.

Kate throws her hands up in the air. "You know what? Just forget it!" She storms off, but stops halfway up the stairs and looks over at him. "You know, perhaps you should think of somebody else besides yourself!"

Gibbs stares at her in shock as she storms the rest of the way up the stairs and disappears.

…...

"I just don't know what to do, Mom," Kate says, crying.

"I know, Baby. I know. It's hard."

"I thought for sure he would feel differently about things once he had a chance to think about it and let his emotions settle down, but he doesn't. He seems so sure that this is the right thing to do, but I know…it…"

"Baby girl, listen to me for a minute. I'm gonna ask you something and I want you to tell me the truth."

"Okay."

"What is this really all about?"

"What? I-I don't understand."

"What is really bothering you? Is it that you really feel this is the wrong choice or is it something more?"

"I don't know, Mom."

"I think you do know, but you just don't want to admit it."

"Mom…"

"I'm serious. Why won't you tell him how you really feel about this?"

"Because I'm afraid!… On one hand, I think it's a mistake for him to leave NCIS, but on…" She breaks down with forceful sobs.

She inhales deeply to try and regain composure. "On… On the other hand, I-I don't want him to go back because… Mama, I don't want to lose him!" She breaks down, sobbing and shaking.

"It's okay, Baby. Just let it out…" Her mom sniffles.

"I don't want to lose him, Mama!… I'm afraid if he goes back, the same thing could happen again… or something else could happen and… and I could lose him… I want him to go back, and yet I don't want him to go back."

"I know… And it's natural to want to protect our loved ones and keep them safe, and it's also natural to want to protect ourselves from the pain of losing them… But sweetie, you know it doesn't always work."

"Yeah…I know."

"Yes, I know with you two being in the line of work you're in, your chances of being hurt or killed are higher than say a cashier at your local grocery store. But I think you also know that you could just as easily go to the grocery store for a gallon of milk and then, get in a car wreck on the way home and be seriously hurt or killed."

"Yeah."

"But what really matters is how you live each day that you have. No one but The Good Lord Himself knows everything that will happen from day to day, and living in fear of what will happen from one moment to the next is no way to live. In fact, that's not really living, that's only existing and we were made for more than that."

"Thanks, Mom… I really appreciate it."

"And one more thing. Don't get mad at him for not knowing how you feel if you're not willing to tell him. He's not a mind reader. From what you've told me earlier, I think he can sense something is bothering you, but he can't know exactly what it is if you don't talk to him about it."

Kate ducks her head. "Yeah… You're right."

"Okay, I love you, baby girl."

"I love you, too, Mom." She sniffles.

"I'll be praying for you both."

"Thanks."

"Get some rest and let me know how everything goes."

"I will."

"Bye, sweetie."

"Bye, Mom."

Kate ends her phone call, then curls up and lays down on the sofa, then drifts off to sleep.

…...

A little while later, Kate feels a gentle shaking.

"Huh-what?"

"Hey," Gibbs says in a soft and gentle tone.

"Oh, hey… I must have… I must have dozed off," she says, groggy.

"Well, you were tired."

"Yeah, I guess so," she says, sitting up.

He sits down next to her. "I, uh… I called Fornell, and I'm gonna go see the Director in the morning and see if she'll temporarily reinstate me to catch this guy."

Kate nods her head. "Good."

She ducks her head and then, looks back up at him. "Honey, I'm really sorry I blew up at you, and I… It was inexcusable."

He takes her hand in his. "No, Sweetheart. You were right. I was feeling sorry for myself, and I…"

"Well, I shouldn't have said it the way I said it. I'm sorry."

He takes her in his arms and kisses the side of her head. "It's okay."

"I love you."

"I love you, too." He breaks the hug. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

"Yeah, I am."

"Let's go get something to eat."

"That sounds good."