20 Mar 05 2106 Zulu

It had been a long day on top of an even longer week and Gibbs just wanted to go to bed well sleep he knew that he wouldn't be able to sleep in his bed tonight or the next few nights at least. Still he was exhausted and the last thing he wanted was company so pulling up to find someone had turned his front porch light on meant he decided to teach whoever was in his house a lesson or two about proper times to visit that they would not forget any time soon. He drove past at a normal speed and parked well down the street so that his guest wouldn't hear his arrival then doubling back on foot to his house he pulled his Sig Sauer P228 as he stepped on to the porch and quickly but silently opening the front door speedily entering and beginning to clear the room but almost immediately re-holstering his Sig upon seeing the neat line of duffels and backpacks against the wall just inside the front door. He then sighed deeply stepped further into the house pulled the door shut behind him and pulled his cell phone and dialled the now familiar number and waited for it to be answered.

"Gibbs, Leroy Jethro for Lieutenant Colonel Williams."

"He'll know."

"Nick."

"Any injuries?"

"That would be right."

"Why are you telling me?"

"Okay. Right. Do they know?"

"And Vance?"

Hanging up Gibbs scowled at the phone as if it had caused him great personal affront. After a moment he headed into the basement.

"Hey" Gibbs called down to his guest who was standing next to the workbench staring into space as he came down the stairs when they showed no sign of hearing him. Thinking it would be a bad idea to startle them given their probable state of mind. He was glad he had when they span towards him pulling a Heckler and Koch USP Compact as they moved. Then with the Pistol aimed straight at Gibbs centre of mass they blinked twice as if coming out of a trance before quickly but without rushing lowered and re-holstered the sidearm. They then crossed the basement to meet Gibbs at the base of the stairs where he promptly pulled his guest into a firm hug holding them there until they began to relax slightly once he felt the change he moved them without loosening the hug into the back corner of the basement and sliding down to sit on the floor he held them until they started to shake and heave great silent sobs and tightened his hold further until they calmed and sagged spent into his embrace.