Healing Love
Chapter 1.
After getting the phone call from Sara's sister Jess; Tony was in shock to get the news that Sara was in jail facing a murder charge, but he knew what he had too do, & that was to help her.
He & Sara had always had a strange relationship ever since they were teenagers. They'd first met on one of the many camps his dad had dumped him in during the summer vacation. He was attracted to her, but for most of the time at the camp they had only said the odd word to each other, & that had been it. On the final night there, during the last night's party; things finally got the better of them, as they sneaked off to have sex behind the shower block. After that one night stand they never thought they would ever see each other again, but it seemed that they were like a drug to each other that neither could put down.
The next time they had a one night stand was a few months later, using the false ID'S they'd got while at Ohio university, they'd gone out clubbing. While in one club they ran into each other, but it was all that they needed. As they ended up back at her place; & at least this time ended up in a bed. After that night they did end up exchanging numbers, but only seemed to end up calling each other when they wanted to see each other in that way.
After university she went into the marines, so for a few years they didn't really see much of each other, but not long after he'd joined NCIS; she also got stationed in Washington. Once again because of not realizing that they were both in the same area; following a difficult day at the Navy Yard, with Kate & Ducky having been held hostage in autopsy; he'd gone out for a drink to blot the days events out. While she'd just got back, but still had a few more days R&R left. She'd been home because they'd just had the news that her father had got cancer; so she'd gone out to also blot all that out. As per usual as soon as they saw each other they had a few drinks together, then ended up back at hers. This time though there seemed to be a difference; because instead of slinking off in the early hours, or as soon as she was asleep; they actually ended up spending the night together. Then for the first time the next morning, they had sober sex; before having breakfast.
Following that day their relationship seemed to change, because at times they would just talk; rather than just drinking & ending up in bed, although there were a few times when it still happened; but he would always stay until the morning. Not only that on a couple of occasions or more, she ended up back at his. Which for him was unusual, because normally he wouldn't allow a woman to go to his. With this change in relationship, they ended up becoming friends with benefits, as there were times when they would just end up just having a meal together & then watch a movie. They also started to find that in times of trouble they would end up turning to each other, & would somehow end up getting each other through whatever is was. Which is why Jess's phone call had come as a shock. Because following her father's shock death; as even though it was expected with the cancer, they didn't think that time would get cut short by a car bomb. It had really hit her hard as she was a real daddy's girl, & they had always been very close. He had sensed that something might be wrong, so he'd gone round on the day she got the news. She. Want in such shock that she really struggled to talk, & for a few days didn't speak at all. He became her real rock, & got her through it all. Not only that for the first time ever they made a real go of a relationship; but in the end with her being deployed to Afghanistan for a long period they couldn't cope; so they went back to being friends with benefits once again.
The next day after getting the call Tony decided & made the resolve that he was going to help her no matter what: so as soon as he arrived at work he ordered the case files to see if there was a chance he could investigate it for himself, although if he did find anything out, he was slightly worried that their relationship would come into it. Especially as he also looked into paying for her bail; so he could at least get her out of jail.
Luckily for him it ended up being a quiet day, so as soon as the files came in; he started to look through it all, he could also understand why she was facing the charges, because like with her father's death she wasn't speaking. Not only that the evidence was also against her, but he couldn't work out how the hell she could've murdered the victim Chris Harrison; because he knew Chris was one of her best friends. He knew it because he'd fallen fowl of that one; as he'd got jealous of him & their relationship, & they'd ended up having a big row over it; although the making up afterwards later on had been the best. He'd been jealous for nothing; because Chris was gay. Just as the shocks kept coming; he then discovered that there was also an open case, & a reason that she was probably not speaking; because she'd been attacked, & he was just starting to worry that there could've been more to the attack. Just as he was about to sort out getting those case files, he looked up to see Gibbs standing in front of him, he says
"You ok DiNozzo?" He replies
"I'm fine boss."
"You sure, as you've been a bit distracted for most of the day."
"I'm very sure."
"Well if you need any help, you know where to come, I'm off home."
"Ok." He then goes ahead & orders the attack case files, & while waiting for it to come he carries on looking at the other one. Just as the attack files arrive he realizes that if he is going to get her off; then he will need some help because he's her alibi. When he looks at the attack files it does confirm his worries about there being more too it, because they were together shortly afterwards; & she was very jumpy, plus just wanted too be close to him & nothing more. Not only that as they got ready for bed he noticed the bruises on her.
After grabbing both files he leaves the building & goes for a walk to get some air, as he feels he needs it before he goes to face Gibbs; as he knows that he's the only person he can turn too. So after getting some air he then headed back to the car once again, got in & went to Gibbs house.
As he guessed he would be when he got to Gibbs, he found him down in the basement & says
"Hi boss." He replies
"Hi." He then says
"I'm sorry, I lied earlier & I'm going to need some help." Gibbs asks
"What is it?" He answers
"My friend Sara is in trouble; I only found out last night because her sister Jess called me. She's in jail facing possible murder charges. I pulled the file this morning; because I thought I could possibly help by investigating it, as well as trying to get her out on bail; but I can't because I'm her alibi." Gibbs asks
"How come?" He answers
"When I looked at the file, she couldn't have done it; because that day she was in charge of an exercise all day & running it. They had a bus to where it was held & back to the base again, where I met her from the bus; & we were then together all night. The other thing is a few weeks before that she was attacked, & I have a feeling she could've been raped. As that night I saw the fading bruises, & she did flinch when I touched her; but would also want to hug & have some reassurance. Like when her father was killed she's clammed up & is not talking; which is why I think they've got her in jail facing the charges."
"What else?"
"The victim Chris Harrison was her best friend; I know that because even though we've been friends since we were teenagers, we've never had a relationship until a couple of years ago. We nearly broke up because I stupidly got jealous of him & we argued. It didn't last long though as she was deployed to Afghanistan, & we decided it wouldn't work; so we went back to being friends with benefits again." Gibbs then says
"Ok I want the truth, you love her; don't you?" He replies sincerely
"I think I do, as we've always seemed to end up together when we really need each other, & we'll then end up together for ages: before not seeing each other again for months. This time I think we've fallen back into a relationship again without really realizing it. I know I want to help & be there for her, but I'm scared of letting her down when she needs me; & that because of the way our relationship is I'll lose her because it won't be the same. Plus even though I know I could end up being the one that could get her to talk; I don't think I could cope with seeing her in jail; & I know from dealing with rape cases both as a cop & in this job how difficult it can get; but I don't know if I can hear it from her." Gibbs says
"You will have to be strong for her, as she will need you more than she's ever needed you to get her through all of this. I also think she's probably in love with you too, which might be why she's not been in touch; as she might be feeling ashamed & that in someway has let you down. Did or has she complained in any way to you about anyone in the platoon causing trouble for her or Chris?" He replies
"There's been trouble with a Vincent Lincoln, ever since he joined the platoon last year as a new recruit, & I know that at times she did wonder how he'd passed everything to even become a marine. I know that she also said she had a strange feeling about there not being something right about him. There have been constant problems with him though, as not only has she had to report him a few times, but other officers have had too as well. He would be my main suspect for doing it too her, because I noticed a look he gave her when we kissed & hugged, as it seemed like he was surprised I was there. I also overheard a couple of her platoon talking about getting him back, because he'd been trying to get at her for that whole weekends exercise. So if it's going round as scuttle butt that she's crying rape, because of the way she has stood up too him. What also worries me is that all she's ever known in her life is the marines, & I know that this will be the end of her career; & I really don't know how she will cope with that." Gibbs replies seriously
"Look Tony I will have a look through all this, & I will help you. I know that things will be hard for you, but you must keep away from the investigation. I will also do my best to get her out of there for you; but to make it a bit easier too do it the best thing you can do is come forward & give a statement, plus ensure you have a lawyer with you. Because as you've come forward so late they might make you a suspect, or with your connection they might think you're trying too do it to protect her. Remember you are going to have too be strong for her, but my door will always be open too the both of you." He replies
"Thanks boss." He then leaves, still feeling a bit worried; but better than he was feeling.