CHAPTER 4

"You wanna tell me what I just agreed to?"

"I know you're upset..."

"Not upset... just wanted to rip his head off out there! What the hell was he thinking!?" Gibbs paces back into the living room, then back to the hallway where Holly is still standing by the door. "I could have killed him! Does he realize that?!"

"I'm sure he does now." She comes to him and takes his hand in hers, feeling the tension in him and tries humor to calm him down. "Especially when he peed his pants in your front yard."

Gibbs glares down at her for a long moment, then can't help letting his lip curl up in a partial smile at the memory. "He was like a rag doll... just went limp and whimpered like a whipped pup, pissin' on himself."

"It's not funny... I know that, but... damn, I wish I could have seen that moment!" She leans in and buries her face in his chest as she chuckles softly at the thought of Palmer at Gibbs' mercy.

Gibbs wraps his arm around her for a moment, rubbing her back gently before he steps around her and leans over to ensure the lock on the front door is in place. After the events of this evening, he wasn't taking any chances. One stalker was enough and his gut was still churning. "Come on."

He turns to lead her upstairs, flipping off the light as he goes and Holly follows him, smirking with the images of poor Jimmy still in her mind. Once upstairs, Gibbs releases her hand and then sighs heavily as he hoists his t-shirt up and off. Tossing it in the nearby laundry basket, Gibbs heads for the bathroom. He is leaning over the sink, splashing water on his face when he feels Holly's hands wrap around his waist from behind. He turns off the water and reaches for a towel as their eyes meet in the mirror. It was still early... and their plans had been interrupted by Palmer's untimely discovery.

"How am I supposed to... I see him every day at work. Gonna be damned awkward."

"For a while, maybe, but just think about how much you'll be helping him."

"Like to help him out the door with my boot up his ass... pulling a stunt like that." Gibbs runs a hand over his jaw, testing the bristle there. He then covers her hand with his own and runs her hand over the same area. "What do ya think?"

"About your beard? That's up to you."

She kisses his back slowly and gently as he holds her hand against his cheek. She refuses to be one of those snippy women who demands a man shave before bed if he wants to get lucky. Instead, she subtly let him know that if he didn't feel like shaving, then his activities... would be limited. If he wanted more... then shaving was a good idea so she wouldn't have to cover up the razor-burn the next morning.

"But about Jimmy, I think you can really change his life, Jethro."

"More interested in yours." He grumbles softly and bends to place a kiss on the palm of her hand before turning in her arms to face her. Resting back on the countertop, he pulls her in between his legs in a loose hug. She recognizes the look in his eyes, serious and deep in thought and she waits for him to share what's on his mind.

"Move in with me, Holly."

That wasn't what she had expected him to say, but she knew this moment would come. In fact, she had begun to wonder if she should bring it up if he wasn't willing to do so. Now, she realizes he has been having the same thoughts that she has... that it was time to move their relationship to the next level.

"It's time, huh?"

"Yep. Been thinkin' about it a lot... and, I want you here." He leans forward to press his lips to hers in a gentle, loving kiss.

When he pulls back, she is smiling as she admits it has been on her mind as well. "Me too. All this shuffling between houses... days here, days there... it's exhausting. And we'd have like another hour every morning if you didn't have to leave to get ready for work."

"Uh-huh... get a lot done in an hour." He again leans in to kiss her again, letting the idea settle in before he goes further.

His teasing words bring a smile to her face as she wraps her arms around his neck and returns his kisses. His beard stubble rasps against her face as Gibbs groans softly and deepens the kiss, delving deeply for the sweetness he craves. When she finally pulls back, she kisses him softly several times as she gives him her answer. "Okay... but not... until... after you... help Jimmy."

Gibbs allows her to kiss him one last time, but he doesn't respond as his eyes open to look at her curiously. Why was it so important for her that he help Palmer over his insecurities? He holds her by the hips and pushes her back slightly until their eyes meet. "Why?"

"I... I just... see potential in him. And no, not that way so stop scowling at me." She grins as his brow furrows quickly at her words. "I mean... he has the potential to be a good man... like you. He just needs a little help." She leans in to kiss him again, this time more dominant as she urges his lips apart to kiss him deeply. Gibbs moans softly as she works her magic on him and they are soon lost in the passion that was interrupted earlier. When she finally pulls back, she is breathing heavier and her eyes have darkened to a thin halo of brown. She gives him a sexy smile as her finger runs down along his jaw and she teasingly adds, "On second thought... maybe you should shave."

She steps back and leaves him sitting on the edge of the sink with his arousal obvious and a playful smirk on his face. It was going to be one of those nights and right now, Gibbs only had one thing on his mind... and it wasn't helping Jimmy Palmer. He turns around to face the mirror again, grabbing the shaving gel and squirting some out into his hand before lathering up his face.

Lying flat on his back in that dazed, hazy state that Holly's loving always left him in, Gibbs could barely focus on anything except breathing. His heavy panting was loud in his ears and the weight on his chest wasn't helping, but at the moment his body was still humming and he wanted it to go on forever. His hand felt like lead, but he managed to lift it up around her back, stroking slowly along the length of her arched spine. His gentle caress elicits a soft, husky moan from his partner as she arches up further into his touch like a cat demanding to be petted.

Holly loved to lie here like this, connected physically and mentally after their intense loving. Their sweat mingling between them as their breathing labored to restore the oxygen levels in their bodies to normal. She felt limp, her whole body soft and pliable; draped over her lover with her face nestled into his neck. His hand gently stroking up her back, so softly that she moans as a tremor chases his fingers along their path.

In the year they have been together, it hadn't changed. Every touch, every kiss, every look left them wanting more... craving more. Holly sighs softly and slips her tongue out to glide up his damp throat, tasting his salty sweat and his head tilts slightly as her tongue approaches his ear. Even in this near catatonic state, he still craved her touch and his other hand gently brushes her hair back from her face. She lazily licks and nuzzles her way up to his ear where she tickles its sensitive lines with her tongue, then allows her soft breath to fan over them, causing another low, husky groan to escape him.

When he can focus sufficiently to think again, Gibbs realizes this is about as perfect as it was ever going to get for him. He wants her in his life, in his house and in his bed more than ever. "You are moving in here, right?"

"Can't build a boat at my place... so yeah, I guess so." She rests her head next to his listening to his steady heartbeat, his even breathing and the wheels turning in his head. "Why, you change your mind?"

"Nope, just wonderin' how long I gotta' babysit Palmer before I can start waking up next to you every day."

Her head comes up as she chuckles softly, causing him to groan happily in response. His hands press her hips down on his and when their eyes meet the sparkle of desire is once again in his eyes. She tries to ignore it and gives his last comment some serious consideration.

"It shouldn't take long, just spend some time with him. Show him the ropes, give him some pointers..."

"We are talking about Jimmy Palmer, you know. His nickname is the 'autopsy gremlin' for a reason. He's like that psycho 'Chucky' doll from that movie DiNozzo made me watch... always there when you turn around, grinning like... well, like he's... it's just weird."

"Maybe he just wants to be accepted... be part of the team. I know he isn't technically part of your team, but he is friends with all of them, Tony, McGee, Abby... even Ziva has taken him under her wing."

"Then why can't she be the one to... make him a man?" Gibbs still doesn't like the idea of having to be the one to do this... even though he agrees someone needs to help Palmer along.

"You want him to be a confident, capable man... or you want him traumatized, terrorized and possibly turned into a psychotic ninja killer?" Holly raises up and then eases herself over to the bed beside him. She turns on her back and runs a hand down over her belly, feeling the cool air immediately begin to dry her damp skin.

"Got a point there... Ziva would break him... but there's... no, scratch that. Tony would..."

"Not be a good influence on Palmer... could you handle having two of them around."

"No. God no... one DiNozzo is enough."

"Really, Jethro... it's a small thing to spend some time with him. Talk to him, man to man... show him what makes you so irresistible." She turns on her side to face him and gently places a soft kiss on his shoulder.

Gibbs turns to face her, lying on his side as he takes her hand once more. He kisses her fingers and considers her request... and her conditions before he speaks again. "For you... for this... okay, I'll do it."

"Good. And before you know it, we'll turn him into a man you can respect and any woman would want." She leaves it at that, not mentioning that she intends to help in the molding of Mr. Palmer.

Over the next week, the team was kept busy with a couple of cases. One was a missing staff sergeant who everyone suspected had just run off to binge on his gambling habit. Considering he disappeared with twenty thousand dollars of the Navy's money that outcome was very likely. Gibbs had McGee and Abby working that one, using their computer skills to track the wayward sergeant's gambling activities until they could locate him and bring him in to answer for his actions.

The other case was more serious. A nurse working at Bethesda Naval Hospital was found beaten and raped inside one of the rooms of the Psych Ward. The suspect was either an employee or a patient there since no other personnel had activated the keycard door lock to get in or out during that time period. They needed to find out quickly before he struck again. Tony was undercover working as an orderly where the attack happened. He had insisted that he'd be better suited to go in as a doctor, with his charisma and all. Gibbs just shook his head and put him in as an orderly, which brought him endless complaints from his senior field agent about having to do bed-pan duty.

Ziva had been working undercover as the unit secretary on the ward as well; and loving every minute of watching Tony performing his duties. They were certain the suspect would strike again because a patient had come forward to say she'd been attacked in her bed late at night. However, when the suspect knocked over her IV pole, causing a loud crash, he fled before he could complete the assault. Gibbs was keeping a low profile around the hospital so as not to raise suspicions from their suspect, but he was in constant contact with the Director of Nursing, the Chief Administrator and the local in-house security force. Only those critical personnel knew about the undercover operation and Gibbs wanted to keep it that way.

It was just a matter of time before they managed to isolate the person who fit the profile of a power rapist among the limited number of employees and patients in that wing of the hospital. Gibbs is at his desk, going through the personnel files on his computer, trying to find anything that would indicate they had violent tendencies. He sits back and removes his glasses to rub his eyes when he gets that feeling he is being watched again. Without even looking up, he raises his voice slightly and orders, "Palmer, get over here."

A moment later, Palmer is standing nervously in front of his desk, wondering if he is about to be fired after Gibbs had some time to think about what happened last weekend. Instead, Gibbs stands up and comes around to face him. He studies the younger man for a moment, noting the bruise is almost healed on his jaw.

"You drink coffee?"

"What? Do I? I mean... yes, I..." Jimmy is taken aback by the simple question when he was expecting Gibbs to be confrontational and angry.

"It's a simple, yes or no, question, Palmer." Gibbs contains his irritation with effort as he tries to wait patiently for the flustered young man to answer him.

"Oh, well, then yes, Agent Gibbs, I do." Palmer smiles, happy he's been able to answer the question.

"Good, coffee run, then." Gibbs steps around him and walks towards the elevators, but then realizes Jimmy isn't following after him. Gibbs controls his irritation again, realizing Palmer was not as alert as his team. He turns back to the younger man and prompts him, "You comin' or not?"

Palmer suddenly lurches forward in his haste to follow after Gibbs once he realizes that the comment about a coffee run had actually been an invitation. As they enter the elevator, Gibbs faces forward, watching the younger man fidgeting beside him. He realizes this is gonna take more than some time spent with him and reaches out to stop the elevator.

Palmer is stunned that he is actually in Gibbs' 'office'. Something he's only heard the others talk about. He grins and turns to face Gibbs, "Wow! So this is what it's like to be with you in the elevator!"

"You're about to find out what it's like to be head slapped If you don't calm down."

"Oh, sorry... was I too hyped up? I'm just ... you know, excited."

"Well, try being a little less excited, Palmer... you're not a five-year-old going to his first circus."

Gibbs turns back to turn the elevator on, noting the crest-fallen expression on Palmer's face as if he'd just taken his ice cream away from him. Gibbs decides to lessen the sharpness of his comment a little.

"Look at me... do I look like I'm jumpin' out of my skin all the time?"

"No. No you don't... and you're right. It's just a coffee run." Palmer stands up straighter and tries to stand still, but his hands are constantly fidgeting at his sides.

Gibbs leans out to flip the switch to on and the car begins its descent once more. Gibbs stands there until the doors are just about to open and then leans over to add one more instruction in a hushed tone. "And stop fidgeting."

Palmer freezes for a moment, but before he can fully comprehend what Gibbs meant by that, the older man is walking off down the hall towards the exit. Palmer's first instinct is to run after him, but then realizes that would look childish. Instead he takes a deep breath and walks after him, taking larger strides than normal to make up the distance until they are once again walking side by side. The short walk to the coffee shop Gibbs liked gave Palmer time to mimic his idol's demeanor, strolling with him in step.

Gibbs notices his attempts to mimic him, but keeps the smirk hidden as he allows Palmer to study his actions. Maybe it was better this way... so he wouldn't be tempted to start stalking him again. When they have their coffees and are walking back outside, Gibbs motions towards a bench along the walkway. When they are seated, Gibbs takes a moment to enjoy his coffee before he brings up the subject that has been bothering him since last weekend.

"Could have killed you last weekend, Palmer. Literally... I mean it, I had my gun in your face and I could have killed you."

"I know... and I'm sorry... really, sorry, Agent Gibbs."

"Don't apologize, Palmer, it's a sign of weakness."

"That's one of your rules...aahh, number...?" Jimmy's eyes scrunch closed as he tries to come up with the right answer.

"Forget my rules. You need to come up with your own rules. Ones that make sense in your life."

Jimmy opens his eyes in surprise, then smiles and sighs in relief, "Oh, good, 'cause some of your rules are tough ones for me."

Gibbs remains quiet and sips his coffee until Jimmy has had a chance to think about things. When Jimmy finally gets up the courage to talk to him about this, Gibbs sets his coffee down and gives him his full attention.

"I... I know I didn't handle that... that whole thing in the right way. I was not intending to stalk you... or Ms. Snow, but... I know that was how it looked to you." He lowers his eyes and isn't sure he should continue, but Gibbs gives him some quiet encouragement.

"That's good, Palmer. Own up to your mistakes."

"I am... I mean, I just wanted to see what you were all about, that's all." He plays with his coffee cup and then seems to realize he's fidgeting again and sets it down.

"This is all I am, Palmer. Just a marine who lives by a code of conduct, I may seem like someone you want to be, but in all honesty... I'm nothing special. Hell, I'm not any good at relationships... I've been divorced three times."

Palmer is about to argue with him on this point, but then he realizes Gibbs had not spoken out of a need to discuss his history. He was merely pointing out the obvious faults he had for the younger man.

"Modesty. That's one of the things I admire about you." Palmer surprises himself with his bravery in being able to say something like that to Agent Gibbs, but when Gibbs doesn't rip his head off he begins to relax.

They sit there in silence sipping their coffee for a long time, until Gibbs suddenly stands up, signaling their time together was over. As they are heading back to the NCIS office, Gibbs finally speaks with one more tidbit of advice for the younger man.

"Palmer, don't waste time seeking other people's approval, just be happy with who you are."

Jimmy holds the door for the older man and nods his understanding, but once inside they do not speak of it again as Jimmy heads back down to Autopsy while Gibbs takes the stairs back up to the bullpen.