Disclaimer: I still don't own either show – much to my disgust.
a/n: A special thanks to Jag Lady for allowing me to borrow her OC Emmie Stockburne...plus there is a slight crossover with JAG – don't blink or you might miss it....happy reading....Laplandgurl....
Chapter 4
Miami:
Randi hobbled into the Computer lab beside Gibbs; who was carrying a bouquet of flowers and a large box of chocolates. Her dark red, shoulder length hair swinging with each step. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Wolfe."
Emmie looked up from her work in surprise until she saw her visitors. "Hello there and it's Emmie. What brings you by this afternoon?"
"I just wanted to stop by to thank you again for everything," Randi replied, gratefully sitting down in the chair that Emmie wheeled in her direction.
"No thanks is necessary," Emmie smiled, eying Randi's appearance.
"Yes it is," Randi insisted. "The clothes, shoes and sending your friend Betty to the hotel this morning."
"So Betty was able to help you this morning?"
"Oh yes," Randi replied gleefully. "Betty had quite the selection of wigs to choose from. It was quite fun trying on the different colors and styles of wigs."
"That one suits you very well," Emmie remarked, admiring the wig that Randi had chosen.
"And Betty wouldn't take a penny for her time or for the wig. So please accept these small tokens of appreciation from me," Randi said, indicating the large bouquet of flowers in the crystal vase and the box of chocolates.
"Oh the flowers are beautiful," Emmie said, smelling the mixed arrangement before setting the heavy vase on her desk. "Yum... Godiva chocolates. My absolute favourite brand."
"Mine too," Randi confessed, with a slight twinkle in her brown eyes.
"Do you want a piece?" Emmie asked, opening the box and popping a chocolate confection in her mouth.
"I don't eat them," Randi smiled. "Diabetics prevents me from doing so. But Jethro will probably enjoy eating my share." Smiling at the silver haired agent who had just stepped out into hallway to answer his ringing cellphone.
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"Gibbs."
"Boss, McGee just a hit on the location of Jayma's Gunnybear."
"Where?"
"New York City."
"Where in New York City?"
"Umm..he says that it's at John Hopkins Medical Centre."
"Is McGee there? Put him on the line," Gibbs demanded.
"Boss," Tim said, picking up the extension.
"McGee, I want you to use your contacts and computer savvy to find out if Jayma is actually at that location. I don't want to get Randi's hopes up in case it's a false alarm."
"I'm checking the patient database now, boss."
"Anybody popping out at you?"
"There's about a half a dozen female patients the same age as Jayma or thereabouts," Tim reported.
"Read the names off to me," Gibbs requested. Obediently Tim began reading the list of names. "Hold it – that last name. What are the parent's names?"
"Double checking their names," Tim said. "Yup, that's correct."
"Why is Layla there?"
"She's scheduled to undergo a cochlear implant tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow? What about today?" Gibbs barked.
"According to the files, Layla is supposed to have a final assessment done for the procedure tomorrow."
"Good work Tim. I want you to keep this information close to your chest."
"Of course boss and thank you," Tim replied. "Now what are you going to do?"
"Now I get an injunction to stop that procedure on Layla," Gibbs said.
"Do you want me to transfer you to Legal, boss?"
"I'll handle that myself," Gibbs barked, disconnecting the call. Looking up when Horatio approached him in the hallway.
"Good afternoon, Agent Gibbs," Horatio said, slipping his sunglasses off. "The officer at the front desk said that you and Randi were here to visit Mrs. Wolfe."
"Randi wanted to stop by with some stuff for her."
"We haven't gotten any leads on the possible whereabouts on the location of Randi's little girl."
"We have a hit on a possible location for Jayma."
"You do? Where?" Randi questioned, stepping out in the hallway with Emmie. "Do you really know where Jayma is?"
"It looks like that she may be in New York," Gibbs admitted. "I've got McGee and DiNozzo following up on that."
"Are we going to New York next?" Randi asked.
"Just as soon as I can book us a flight. But first I need to make some calls, and I need a secure landline."
"You can use the phone in here," Emmie offered. "This is one of the most secure places in the lab. I routinely sweep the equipment to ensure confidentiality."
"Thank you," Gibbs said, shooting a glance towards Horatio.
"What's going on Jethro?" Randi demanded, catching his sharp look towards the red headed CSI. "What are you not telling me?"
Gibbs sighed. "I need to get an injunction to stop a medical procedure from being done on Jayma."
"Jethro – where is Jayma? And what medical procedure? Is there something wrong with Jayma? Is she sick?" Randi signed furiously, emotions preventing her from speaking.
"It looks like Jayma may be scheduled to undergo an cochlear implant tomorrow," Gibbs explained.
"There is no way in hell I will allow that to happen!" Randi exploded. "You just get on the horn and do whatever you need to do to prevent that procedure, Gunny."
"Gunny?" Horatio whispered towards Emmie with a questioning tilt of his head. As Gibbs picked up the phone that Emmie had indicated – dialing a Washington number.
"Marine Corp Gunny Sergeant," Emmie quietly explained.
"Marine background?" Randi asked.
"Yes ma'am," Emmie smiled.
"What do you mean that you don't have the authority," Gibbs barked. "You are a member of JAG, Lt. Roberts – are you not? No that is not acceptable."
"Agent Gibbs," Emmie spoke. "Maybe I can help," gesturing towards the phone.
"Be my guest," Gibbs said, practically snarling with frustration.
"Hey Bud. It's Emmie. How are all of you doing up there in Jag-land? Oh I'm fine thanks. Listen is Admiral Chegwidden in his office? Can you put me thru to him? Thanks."
Gibbs' eyebrows shot up with surprise as he listened to Emmie's end of the conversation.
"Hello Admiral Chegwidden, Emmie Stockburne, well Wolfe now. I'm fine sir, just fine. Admiral, I've got a small request to ask of you. I have an Special Agent Gibbs of NCIS here, who needs an emergency injunction granted. Yes I know that NCIS has their own legal department. It's to stop a medical procedure from being performed on a abducted child. I have the child's mother here and she definitely does not want her daughter to undergo the procedure. I'll put Agent Gibbs on the line and he can give you the necessary information. Yes sir I will. Take care and give Harm and Mac my regards. And thanks again for your help," Emmie said before passing the phone to Gibbs who began explaining why he needed the injunction granted.
"Sir, the Admiral sends his regards," Emmie reported quietly to Horatio. "and he was wondering if you had recovered from 'Widowmaker's' flight?"
"Oh," Horatio chuckled, flashing back to his unforgettable experience in the F14. "I wouldn't hesitate to go up again with 'Widowmaker'. But I don't think that Rick would be so eager."
"I don't think so either," Emmie quipped – remembering a certain IAB officer's psychedelic yawn onto a certain obnoxious reporter.
"Thank you Admiral for your help. And I know that Randi also appreciates it as well. Yes sir I will," Gibbs nodded before disconnecting the call.
"When do we leave for New York?" Randi asked.
"I'll have to make some calls, said Gibbs. "Our flight for Washington doesn't leave until this evening. So we probably won't be able to get to New York before noon tomorrow."
"Oh," Randi said – crestfallen.
"Sir, may I speak to you privately?" Emmie turned towards Horatio – her boss.
"Of course Mrs. Wolfe," Horatio smiled knowingly.
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LaGuardia Airport Terminal:
"Oh Jethro, what if Jayma doesn't remember me," Randi fretted as they waited for Agent Fornell to meet them at the airport terminal. "It's been two months. And she's so young."
"Don't worry Randi. You're her mother and babies instinctively know their mothers," Gibbs soothed, as he spotted Fornell's form maneuvering thru the crush of people in the busy airport terminal.
"Gibbs," Fornell greeted the NCIS agent in his usual brusque manner. "And I take that this is the minor child's rightful parent?"
"This is Randi Avalon. Randi, Agent Fornell of the FBI."
"Ma'am."
"And my daughter's name is Jayma. Not the minor child," Randi glared as the slightly, balding agent – much to Gibbs' amusement.
"My apologizes ma'am," Fornell replied before looking at Gibbs. "You've got friends in high places – the Admiral in charge of JAG?"
"Yeah well," Gibbs shrugged. "Can I assume that everything is in order?"
"Of course it is," Fornell replied, heading towards the exit; where several agents were waiting in a couple of non-descriptive black sedans with engines idling.
John Hopkins Medical Centre:
Inside John Hopkins Medical Centre; Gibbs approached a couple in their early forties with Randi limping beside him. Randi's walking cast making a dull clomping sound with every step. The couple were talking with a group of people – several doctors and administrators. "I'm sorry, but we can't perform the surgery after all."
"Why not?" The man demanded. "I thought that she met the criteria for the procedure?"
"She does, but we can't do it because of an legal issue," explained an administrator.
"What legal issue are you talking about?"
"They are talking about this injunction," Gibbs drawled, slapping a legal brief into the man's hand.
"Agent Gibbs? Why are you here? And what is this?" Director Leon Vance turned around, his eyes widening in surprise, before darkening slightly with suppressed anger as he glanced at Randi.
"That's because Jayma is my daughter," Randi snapped.
"Who is Jayma?" Mrs. Vance asked. "We're here with our daughter Layla, whom we adopted a month ago."
"Wrong," Randi replied, eying the teddy bear that Mrs. Vance was holding. "Jayma was abducted two months ago. Layla is my daughter and her name is Jayma."
"Leon, what is going on?" an obviously upset Mrs. Vance turned to face her husband. "You told me that Layla was your friend's daughter and that she was orphaned when he was murdered two months ago in Chicago. That her mother had been a junkie who abandoned Layla."
"You must be mistaken," Leon said – speaking to Randi. "Layla can't be your daughter. That is our daughter Layla."
"Wrong Director," Fornell spoke up. "Child Protective Services have compared Layla's footprints to Jayma's birth certificate. And that is most certainly is Jayma – Ms. Avalon's daughter."
"You're right Jackie," Leon turned to sooth his upset wife. "I did lie. Layla is not my best friend's little girl. She was indeed abandoned by mother after being arrested for drug trafficking."
"You lying piece of shit!" Randi exploded, lunging towards Leon only to be restrained by Gibbs. "You know very well that you're Jayma's birth father – much to my disgust."
"Leon? Did you cheat on me with this woman?"
"No I didn't," Leon denied. "I've never me this woman before in my life."
"Did you have an affair with my husband?" Mrs. Vance rounded on Randi.
"I told you that Layla is not my child," Leon replied smugly.
"I was kidnapped and raped by your husband and two other men," Randi explained quietly.
"What!" both Vances exclaimed.
"I most certainly did not," Leon sputtered indignantly. "And if that were true – I would have been arrested."
"We've been quietly gathering evidence and building our case against you," explained Gibbs.
"What evidence," Leon retorted. "You have no evidence against me. I...," Leon clamped his mouth shut.
"You somehow managed to poison your two cohorts," Gibbs finished Leon's statement.
"You are certifiably insane," Leon snarled. "I most certainly did not poison anybody. And besides – if you had bothered to check my medical records, you would see that I am not this woman's attacker. Therefore I am not the father of her child."
"What did you mean about his two henchmen being poisoned?" Randi questioned silently. "You told me that they were in custody. You told me they that they had confessed and that's why I didn't need to testify against them."
"I can't explain now," Gibbs replied in ASL. "I'll explain everything to you later when we are alone."
"Yes you will," Randi promised.
"You're Deaf?" questioned Jackie.
"Yes I am," Randi responded.
"So that's why Layla is Deaf."
"Her name is Jayma," Randi snarled thru clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry Jayma."
"Director," Fornell spoke up again after listening to everything. "You and Mrs. Vance need to come with me."
"Why?" Leon demanded.
"We have some questions that we need to ask of you and your wife."
"You will be very sorry if you pursue this line of questioning," Leon raged. "I'll have your job and pension taken away from you. And you – Agent Gibbs – I'll..."
"Leon – shut up!" Jackie snapped to her stunned husband before turning to face Randi. "My dear, I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
"I don't know Mrs. Vance," Randi replied. "Time will only tell." Taking the much loved teddy bear from the woman's hands before the Vances were escorted out under Fornell's watchful eyes.
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"Where is my baby?" Randi looked around, searching for her daughter.
In response, Gibbs turned Randi around to face the end of the hall. "There's someone there waiting to see you." Indicating a nurse in a cheerful smock escorting a small toddler towards them on unsteady legs.
"Oh Jethro, she's gotten taller," Randi breathed, taking in the changes in her daughter's appearance – tears gathering in her eyes. Jayma was several inches taller, the textured hair gathered into pigtails. "Oh they got her little ears pierced," Randi said – shocked. Spotting the tiny, gold studs in Jayma's shell-like ears.
Jayma tottered towards Randi with happy shrieks as she recognized her mother. Randi's legs started shaking with nerves and relief – sinking down onto her knees; tears streaming down her face – holding her arms out to gather her beloved daughter in a big, but gentle hug. "Oh baby," Randi sobbed. "I'm so happy that you're safe. So, so happy to see that you're okay." Breathing in Jayma's familiar scent, along with baby powder. A smell that she had missed so.
"Ba-ba," Jayma babbled, patting her mother's cheeks with her tiny hands.
"Yes, darling," Randi crooned. "I'm here sweetie. I'm here." Laughing and crying with relief and happiness. "Mommy has got you. Mommy's got you."
Gibbs watched the heart wrenching reunion. Randi sobbing as she hugged her daughter. Jayma babbling nonsense, her tiny hands occasionally signing. "Mama." After several moments, Gibbs squatted down next to Randi and Jayma – holding the little girl's 'Gunnybear'. "Hi there Jayma. Look who I've got. It's your 'Gunnybear'." He watched amused as the little girl grabbed her bear; hugging it as Randi sniffled and wiped her tear stained cheeks with the palms of her hands. Gibbs picked Jayma up before standing up; helping Randi to stand up with one strong hand holding her elbow. "Are you gonna be okay?"
"Yeah," Randi smiled a quavering smile. "I'll be okay. My daughter is safe with me now. Thank you so much Jethro for finding and returning Jayma to me." Smiling fondly at the NCIS agent who was holding Jayma and her 'Gunnybear'.
"Come on. Let's take this little angel home."
"Let's," Randi replied, sliding her arm around Jethro's waist. "Let's go bye-bye Jayma." Randi encouraged the little girl to wave bye-bye to the staff as they headed for the exit.
a/n: Now fans of Jag Lady may recognize the slight references to a couple of her stories – cybercookies to fans who can identify the correct stories....have fun....Laplandgurl...