He'd Come Anyway

by RipleysSister

Gibbs needs to grieve after the loss of his close friend, Mike Franks, but he's struggling a little. Another good friend shows up to help him get there. Two chapters is really just two versions of the same story - one without Mike and one with him, after some readers sent me messages letting me know what they'd like to read.

1. Chapter 1

Spoiler for NCIS episodes "Swan Song" and "Pyramid."

Rated - K

Friendship story.

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Gibbs watched Jack O'Neill glance around the basement as he made his way slowly down the steps. He'd been sitting motionless in the shadow of the far corner and knew the moment he'd been spotted. His friend walked over and dropped a bottle and a bag on the workbench before turning to look at him and he glared back, hoping his eyes conveyed how much he didn't want him there. He wasn't welcome. He knew he wouldn't be and had come anyway. Gibbs scowled. He'd put up with all the others. Sure they were sad and they knew he was sad, but none of them understood how he needed to grieve. He stared at Jack leaning so casually against the wood surface. He scowled some more. He didn't need consoling. He didn't need companionship. He didn't feel like sharing and he clenched his jaw in anger. This person more than anyone else knew why he was alone in his basement, knew why he needed to be left alone in his basement.

Seconds passed and then a full minute until Gibbs lowered his gaze to his hands resting on his knees. If he ignored Jack maybe he'd go away so he spent a minute examining his thumbnails and the fine lines in the skin of his knuckles. After another minute he mentally dismissed Jack's presence and let his mind circle back to the events of the last few years. In another minute all he could think about was Mike laying in the street or on the autopsy table. Weren't memorial services and funerals supposed to help you get beyond those memories? It was still too fresh. Suddenly feeling vulnerable he closed his eyes and pulled his hands into tight fists. Mike was dead; dead and buried; another friend gone. It was his fault for asking Mike to come. He felt the lump in his throat and swallowed hard, but before he could force down his emotions, Jack was on the floor beside him.

He heard "C'mere Jethro," and was pulled over with two strong arms that wrapped around him. He didn't resist. He welcomed his friend's comfort and snuggled into the warm embrace because he knew this was one person who truly understood. With Jack's gentle hands resting on his shoulder and head, Gibbs buried his face in his friend's chest and wept.

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Thanks for reading.