Chapter 3-Clementia¹

Somebody tell me why I'm on my own

If there's a soul mate for everyone

Soulmate-Natasha Bedingfield

When Gibbs took the third photo in his basement, he let out a long sigh, as if the woman who was in the picture exhausted him.

The picture showed a place full of flowers and a red-haired woman with wavy hair, blue eyes and red lips turned into a confident smile. She wore a white lace dress and looked at Gibbs, who smiled excited, his hair starting to grey and he wore a white suit. They embraced each other, smiling, showing their hands with rings.

The current Gibbs turned the photo and faced his letter:

This is my marriage to Diane, Diane Gibbs now. I didn't believe I could found a woman like her, ironic and intense. The priest in front of us asked us to repeat our votes, while we turned, facing each other my clear blue eyes in the dark blues. Then I said first, with a firm voice:

"Yes, I promise to love you in joy and pain, I promise to respect you in the richness and sadness forever because I love you Diana Gibbs."

Diane let her head fall gently aside, thrilled. She then said, her eyes shining:

"Yes, I promise to love you in joy and pain, I promise to respect you in the richness and sadness forever because I love you Leroy Jethro Gibbs."

I took her left hand, staring at her as I put the alliance on her finger. She then grabbed my left hand and raised an eyebrow, smiling confidently as she placed the ring on my finger.

"You can kiss now."

And she stroked my cheek with affection as I leaned and kissed her. It was supposed to be a simple kiss, but I lowered my hand to her waist and Diane took her hands up to my chest while deepening the kiss, our hearts beating fast. When the priest cleared his throat, we parted panting, hugging each other and smiling for the photo.

An hour later, Gibbs was in a restaurant, still holding the picture, with a glass of beer. The truth was that from his three ex-wives, Diane was the only one he still kept in touch, apart the juridical fights with the others, and though he'd used her as an antidepressant and she had took his money and often would exhaust him mentally, but he liked her, he not only would have fun, but be cared about her.

And there he was, because she had asked to talk to him. When he heard footsteps behind him, he put the photo inside his coat, turning to the redhead with spicy scent. Diane Gibbs-Fornell-Sterling smiled, raising an eyebrow as she sat beside him, crossing one leg and putting her hand over his knee, stroking it with her nails.

"Diane..." Gibbs warned, but she laughed, before turning around and asking for a drink.

"Leroy..." She said, tapping her glass of whiskey and drinking it all, her blue eyes suddenly thoughtful, staring at the glass.

Gibbs sighed, taking a sip of his beer and pointing a finger to Diane:

"Diane, what do you want to talk?"

Diane licked her lips, trying to find the right words and Gibbs decided not to press her as he felt her hand on his knee tighten.

"Leroy, do you think I'm doing the right thing?"

Gibbs looked at her, frowning, for fear that this had something to do with Fornell. He was tired of them involving him in their relationship.

"Are you talking about you and Fornell?" He asked quietly, staring at her.

"Well, do you wanna talk about me and you? She asked with a seductive smile.

Gibbs denied, motioning to rise, but Diane asked, clutching his knee:

"Leroy, wait."

Both pairs of blue eyes met and Gibbs saw that she seemed insecure and then he sat down again, holding her hand that was on his knee and stroking it looking genuinely worried now.

"Diane, what's happening?"

She cocked her head to the side facing him, letting him caresses her a little more, before pulling his hand away,

"I don't know how I feel about Fornell. I like him, and I'm not just talking about his bank account." She said, seeing Gibbs's skeptical look. "But I think we just came back because of Emily's kidnapping."

"Do you think it was a moment of weakness?" He asked, playing with his glass.

"Yes."

"Diane..." He sighed wearily. "Talk to Fornell, you two need to stop dancing around each other, think about Emily!"

Diane looked angry, pursing her lips.

"I'm thinking about my daughter! That's why I came to ask your advice."

Gibbs finished his beer and said, wanting to finish it:

"This is my advice: Stop dancing around each other and think about what you want."

Diane was silent, staring straight ahead and then she said softly:

"I want to feel free and I want him to feel the same." She paused, moistening her lips. "And I hope you can find a real woman for you, Leroy, you need to stop looking for a replacement for your first wife." She shrugged sighing.

Gibbs was surprised by her words and kissed her forehead, brushing a lock of red hair and murmuring:

"You're a good woman, Diane, when you're not taking money from your ex. Go settle things with Fornell."

Diane just smiled and said, before he left:

"What I said a few years ago, I still keep: You are my Shannon, Leroy."

Gibbs softened his eyes and smiled, seeing how mature they were now, and Diane laughed and Gibbs went toward his truck, suddenly laughing. There were three more photos waiting for him in his basement.
TBC

¹Compassion