The Good Neighbor

Chapter 4

AN: Sorry I took so long to post a new chapter. Got wrapped up in real life. Like Sarah I babysit my darling granddaughters while my daughter works and one is nine weeks old. Enough said right. Also I got turned on by my other story Happily Ever After so I posted two chapters. Check it out if you like this story.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any characters or story lines from the wonderful show NCIS. Totally adore this show. Wish they would rerun the whole season in order during the summer. Lost all my DVR recordings of Season 10 when my machine had to be replaced.

NCIS

Friday dawned with Sarah still debating with herself about going on the Girls' Day Out shopping trip and visit to the beautify parlor. Shopping was never her favorite type of excursion. She never had much money to buy a lot and what she envisioned in her mind she would look good in was not in the stores or she felt made her look fat or just plain ugly. The more she tried to convince herself to go the harder she fought against it. Anita, her boss made many suggestions and even threatened to call the TV show "What not to Wear" on her but Sarah just had laughed it off.

Sarah stood looking in her bathroom mirror. Something she noticed that morning was how she refused to look at her face as she stood there. She had not realized it before that she did that. "Why do I do this to myself?" she thought. "Why can't I look myself in the eyes?"

Just then Myron opened the closed bathroom door. Sarah just shook her head and walked around him. Sometimes she wished he respected her privacy. But it was his belief that a husband and wife had no privacy between them. "Damn you're dressed already," he mumbled. Sarah knew exactly what he wanted and that was the last thing on her mind.

"I told you last night I have to be at work early." Sarah informed him.

"Who sent you that rose?" he demanded.

"Anita gave it to me as a present." Sarah lied. She thought about how happy she was that Jethro cared enough to send it. She had tried to thank him last night but he must have caught a case because he was still not home when she finally made it to bed. Looking quickly at her watch Sarah left the bathroom mostly to hide the tears that filled her eyes as well as to get away from him.

NCIS

Jethro Gibbs had come home very early Friday morning. As he drove in the driveway he could not help but notice the light was on in Sarah's living room. That and only one car in the driveway told him she was alone. Knowing she was probably up because they had the same sleeping habits he started to call her but after the other day in his basement he decided against it.

He quickly changed his clothes and headed down to his basement. He really hoped she had decided to join Abby. Before he began to work on his boat, he decided not to drink tonight. It was very early and he still had to work on Friday and work always was harder with a hangover. He turned to grab his sander when he saw a note taped to the workbench. It read "Thanks for the rose. It was very special. Still debating on going with Abby, Sarah". Gibbs could not help but chuckle. "If I ever decide to lock my door, I won't have a social life."

NCIS

Sarah noticed Gibbs' truck in the driveway when she went out to her car. She smiled knowing he would be heading out soon too. She quickly put her purse in the car and walked over toward his house just as he was stepping out of the door. "Morning Jethro."

"Morning Sarah. I got your note. No need to thank me" he replied. "You headed for work this early."

"Kind of" she mumbled looking over at the house. "Just had to get out of there."

"Could I buy you a glass of tea?" Gibbs asked.

"You know that would be nice. Usual place."

"Yep. Bet it is the only place in town someone can get a glass of iced tea."

"At least in the morning." Sarah smirked.

She went back over to her car and got in looking back toward Jethro's truck smiling. He was such a good friend.

The two friends made it to the coffee shop at the same time. Gibbs found them a table and pulled the chair out for Sarah. "I'll be right back."

"Morning Agent Gibbs. I see you are here with Sarah today. "

"Good Morning Martha. Yep. We would like the usual." Martha smiled and went immediately to make their order. She could not help looking back at Gibbs. He was super handsome and was always nice to her but when he was here with Sarah she could see that she had no chance with him.

"I really wonder if they know what others see" she thought.

Gibbs paid for the drinks and started back for the table. He could not help but notice how sad she looked. There was no sparkle in her eyes and her face was crestfallen like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. He decided then and there he was going to try to get her to smile. She had a beautiful smile. She just kept it hidden most of the time. "Here is your tea M'lady," he said gallantly setting her tea in front of her.

She looked up at him and grinned. It was not the kind of grin where her whole face lit up but at least she grinned. "Why thank you sir."

They started talking. Before they knew it they had spend over an hour in the coffee shop. Gibbs had told her several stories about his team. Mostly things that DiNozzo had done but he also included some of the pranks that had been pulled. She had worked hard not to laugh but when he told her about the time that Abby and Palmer had super glued themselves together she could not hold it in any more.

She had Gibbs laughing about Leah and the baby. She told him about the time Leah had been asked by a male family friend what was new and she immediately showed him her new Little Mermaid panties Sarah had bought her. This caused the friend a moment of embarrassment. Sarah was still giggling when she looked at her watch. "Jethro we have been talking for over an hour. I had better go or I am going to be late for work."

He smiled at her. His mission for the morning had been a success. She was smiling and there was a sparkle in her eyes. He got up and pulled the chair out for her. "Better be going too. The team will have Fornell out looking for me in fifteen minutes if I don't show up soon," he replied jokingly. "You know I had fun this morning."

"Me too. I need to do this more often."Sarah smiled. "If you see Tobias tell him hello for me."

"I will. Tomorrow morning. Shopping with Abby and Ziva. No excuses." Gibbs informed her.

Knowing she was defeated she smirked at him. "Ok Jethro. I'll go. Tell Abby to call me when she is not busy so we can decide on a time." Gibbs escorted her out to her car.

"You won't regret it. Have a great day."

"Don't head slap Tony to many times. You really might give him brain damage," she giggled.

"Sometimes I wonder if he doesn't have a little bit already," he smirked.

NCIS

Sarah couldn't keep from smiling most of the day at work. Anita noticed it when she exited her office and teased her about it. "Have you decided to investigate a relationship with your handsome neighbor?"

"No of course not."

"Well something has you in a happy mood today."

"I decided to go shopping tomorrow with the girls on Jethro's team. I think we'll have fun." Sarah told her.

Anita was really excited for her friend. Right then she made an executive decision. She smiled to herself about her choice. Handing Sarah the files she had in her hand she went back into her office to call her accountant and get Sarah's surprise underway.

Across town Special Agent Leroy Gibbs walked out of the elevator carrying his third cup of coffee of the day. He had to concentrate to keep the smile off his face as he thought about his morning. He had a great time with Sarah and all they did was talk. When he walked into the bullpen he was greeted by his three special agents. "Boss, we were getting concerned. You've never been this late." Tony wondered.

"Overslept," he mumbled. All three of his team stared at him. Gibbs never overslept. Gibbs checked his messages and then got up. "Heading down to talk to Abby." Without another word he left the bullpen.

"What's up with the Boss?" Tony asked. "He never oversleeps."

"We need to mind our own business Tony." Ziva instructed him. Timothy McGee just sat at his desk as smiled.

"I wonder?" Tony DiNozzo couldn't help but wonder if his boss was late because of a certain neighbor. At least he hoped that was the case.

Gibbs exited the elevator and walked into Abby's lab. The music was blaring and his forensic scientist was busy working on some paper work. She also had a search going on the computer. "What are you searching for Abby?" Gibbs asked. "We don't have a case."

She looked up at him and smiled. "Nothing really Gibbs. Have you talked to Sarah?"

"I did talk to her this morning. That's why I came down. She said she would go with you." Gibbs answered. He reached into his jacket pocket and handed her a paper with Sarah's number written on it. "She wants you to call or text her. She was wondering about the time."

Abby took the paper and placed it on her lab table. "I'll talk to Ziva and let her know." Gibbs then reached into another pocket and handed her a long white envelope with Sarah's name on it. "What's this?"

"It is a present for her. Know she won't accept it if it was from me but I bet you and Ziva can get her to use it." Abby opened the envelope and saw two one hundred dollar bills. "Convince her to buy something just for her. I hope this will buy her a nice outfit."

Abby could not keep the smile off her face. "It should. You know Gibbs I may not be able to convince her to take the money."

"Oh I'm sure you will be able to do it. I have faith in you." Gibbs turned around and walked out the door after kissing her on the cheek. Abby giggled to herself and looked at her computer. The list of web sites was about dressing for self confidence. Operation Sarah/Gibbs was well on its way.

NCIS

Abby texted Sarah after lunch. They had decided to meet at Gibbs' house at ten. That way if her husband was home there would be no issues with him. Sarah put up her phone and turned back to her work smiling. Anita came in carrying a pink envelope. She handed it to Sarah. "Open this."

"What is this?" Sarah asked.

"It's a gift. Open it." Anita encouraged her. Sarah opened the envelope. Inside was a card. It read "Be Amazing, I Dare You." Sarah could not help but smile. "Look inside." Sarah opened the card and found a Visa Gift Card. She gave Anita a puzzled look. "It's my contribution to your shopping trip. I want to encourage you to find some new clothes, get your hair done and try some new makeup. You are such an amazing, beautiful woman, I want you spend every cent on you. Nothing for those wonderful granddaughters."

Sarah had tears in her eyes. "Anita, I can't take this." Sarah looked on the back of the card. It was for five hundred dollars. "No, Anita I really can't keep this."

"Either you accept my gracious gift or I fire you happy butt." Anita replied jokingly. "I mean it Sarah."

Sarah could not help but smile at her friend. "Well I need this job so I guess I will have to accept it."

"Good girl." Anita replied as she hugged her friend. Sarah was not just her employee she was her best friend. She only wanted the best for her.

NCIS

Sarah was so happy when she got up on Saturday morning that her husband was late coming home. She really hoped he had ball games early so he would not see her leave or get in the car with Ziva and Abby. She had gotten up and showered and tried to do something with her hair. As she walked out of the bathroom she looked out of her bedroom window and saw Jethro out in his back yard. Looks like the men of his little group were spending the day working in the yard. If like he had ESP he looked up at the bedroom window and his eyes meet hers. His lips formed a small smile and signed up at her. "Good Morning."

"Good Morning," she answered. "Working in the garden."

"Yep. Come on over and wait over here."

She smiled and signed. "Yes, be there in a minute." She retrieved the gift card from its hiding place. She had securely hidden it because if Myron had come in and found it she was totally sure it would have been stolen. Then grabbing her purse she headed downstairs. She heard her phone ringing in her purse. Looking at the caller ID she answered quickly. "Hey Janice. What's going on?"

"Hi Mom. I was wondering if you can come over and babysit. The baby kept me up all night." Immediately Sarah was stabbed with guilt. She was needed at her daughter's house but down deep she did not want to miss out on this trip and she knew Jethro would kill her if she stood Abby up.

"Honey, I would love to come see those darling babies but I have something else planned for this morning. " She told her daughter.

"But Mom I am just so tired."

"I know how that is. Is the baby asleep now?"

"Yes but Leah is up now."Janice whined.

"Fix her breakfast and put in a movie for her. Tell her to wake you up if she needs anything. That's what I did when your sister was little. Also, isn't Bob home? He can help as well." Sarah told her.

"I guess so." Janice relented. "I'll do what I have to do."

"I'll check in on you later. Kiss my babies." Sarah hung up the phone and walked out of the house locking the door. Deep down she was fighting the overwhelming guilt leaving her granddaughters and daughter without her attention. She walked next door and into Gibbs' backyard.

Gibbs saw her almost immediately and he walked over to her. "Well hello. How are you this morning?" He noticed the frown on her face. "What's up? Did he do something to you?"

"No he hasn't been home all night," she told him. "Janice called just as I was leaving. Baby kept her up all night. She wanted me to come over."

"Don't tell me you're standing Abby up." Sarah could hear the anger in his voice. " She will be fine. You need to do something for you."

"Hold on Jethro. It took all the strength I could muster but I told her I had something planned." She quickly told him.

"Good, you deserve some time for yourself." Tony and Tim came up to the couple Tony was already covered with dirt. Sarah could not help but laugh.

"Hey, what's so funny?"

"You planning to wear the entire yard on your clothes, DiNozzo." Gibbs smiled at Sarah. She just shook her head.

"Good morning Gibbs, Sarah, Tony, Timmy." Abby squealed as she entered the backyard. She rushed up to Gibbs nearly knocking him over with her hug.

"Morning Abbs, "Gibbs gulped as he accepted Abby's hug.

Ziva walked up behind them. "Good morning everyone. Tony you are covered with dirt." She then walked up closer to him. "You are sure it is just dirt, yes. You smell horrible."

"Good morning to you too, Miss Tack " Tony grumbled.

Abby turned to Sarah. "We better get going. Our spa appointments are at 10:30."

"Well, ladies you have a good time." Gibbs nodded and then pointed at Tim and Tony. "You two get back to work." Gibbs looked at Sarah and winked.

"Let's go in my car. "Abby suggested.

The three headed out front and got into Abby's car just as Myron drove up in the driveway. He glared at them as Abby's red hot rod pulled away from the curb. Sarah tried not to look in his direction as he stomped off into the house. As he did he pulled out his phone and called Sarah.

When her phone rang Sarah pulled it out of her purse. She debated whether to answer it or not. "Is that your husband calling?" Ziva asked.

"Yes, I really don't want to talk to him but he will keep calling if I don't." So she answered it. "Hello."

Myron was screaming into the phone. "Where are you going? "

"Out, why?"

"I expected you to be home this morning." Sarah pulled the phone away from her ear because he was yelling so loud.

"Well sorry. I have something to do."

"Who are those other bitches you are with?" Ziva and Abby both heard him.

"Friends. You will survive if I am not there this morning." Sarah replied.

"That's not the point I should not have to. It is your job you know."

"Oh really." Sarah was extremely embarrassed that Abby and Ziva were hearing what she put up with daily. "Well sorry. Got to go." Sarah hung up. "I'm sorry you had to hear that."

"Sarah, is that how he talks to you all the time?" Ziva asked.

"Yes."
"Why was he so mad?" Abby questioned.

"He wanted something this morning." Sarah looked down at the floor of the car. "He expects it every Saturday morning."

"What?" Abby asked.

"Sex?" Ziva asked. Sarah nodded. "He was not asking, yes."

"No more like demanding."

"Has he ever hit you?" Ziva continued.

"Not really. It is just easier to give in." Sarah had tears in her eyes. "Please don't tell Jethro. He would not understand."

Abby was livid. She wanted to kill Myron and not leave any forensic evidence. "You don't have to do that you know. It's rape if you have sex when you don't want to." She told Sarah.

"We will not tell Gibbs but you deserve better." Ziva told her.

"Thanks. It is a wife's duty after all." Abby swerved the car over toward the curb and slammed on the break. She turned around in the car seat and glared at Sarah.

"What?" she had to fight back the urge to scream at Sarah. "Who is telling you that bullshit?" Abby looked into Sarah's eyes and immediately knew the answer. "He is full of it. You know." Tears were now streaming the faces of all three women. "Ok, we are going to forget him and have a fantastic day. I want you to get a fantastic hairdo and some new clothes. We will have lunch and talk about this."

"Sounds like a good idea."Sarah smiled. She really wanted to believe that Ziva and Abby would help her. She was tired of Myron's control over her deep down inside but she did not know what to do about it.

Abby started the car and headed toward the mall. She looked over at Ziva. "We have our work cut out for us," she mouthed. Ziva nodded.