CHAPTER VII

It had been a week since they had all returned to the Washington, tired, but triumphant. In typical Gibbs fashion, he gave a brief and concise report to Director Vance; leaving out the emotional side. There was no reason to tell Vance that he had purposely taunted Colson into a confrontation so he could kill him. He was pretty sure Vance knew that this would never be over if Colson was sent back to prison. Samantha Ryan would just have to keep looking over her shoulder for the next time he managed to get out... and he would have. Gibbs knew that type of determination; he knew what it was like to go to any lengths to revenge a wrong.

What had surprised him was the way Sam's son, Parker had reacted to him after the killing of his father. Parker had never been openly friendly to Gibbs during the few months prior to this incident, but he had started to warm up to him. Now, Parker seemed to watch him constantly, he followed him everywhere and made sure he was never far from Gibbs' side on their trip home. They had yet to talk about what happened, but Sam had mentioned that it would come in time. She figured it was just Parker's insecurity and his need for reassurance.

Gibbs didn't want to push him, but let him know casually that he wanted Parker with him. After their return home, Gibbs spent quite a bit of time at Sam's home, making improvements to her security system, re-enforcing the doors, locks, windows, etc. He didn't really think any of Colson's men would attempt anything, but he wanted to make Sam and Parker feel safe. Parker wasn't much help with the work, but he was always there, attentive and watching everything Gibbs did.

So while working on his projects, Gibbs started to casually talk to the boy; sometimes just explaining what he was doing. Other times asking him to hand him a tool, or help him by holding a part in place. Sam saw what he was doing and was careful to stay back, give them some space to do 'guy things' together. Then one evening, at the end of that first week back, Parker surprised them both over dinner.

"Well, I'm gonna clean up my tools for the night and head on home. Thanks for the..."

"Why?" Parker's sudden question stops Gibbs' as he is standing up from the table. They both heard the strain in his young voice and look at him now.

"Why, what, Parker?" His mother's voice breaks through his focus on Gibbs and the boy finally turns his eyes to her. He seems worried and fidgets with his napkin for a moment before he gets up the courage to say what's on his mind.

"Why does he have to leave? Every day... he's here making the house safer, but he's not done yet. Why do you have to leave?"

There is a long silence as Gibbs and Sam look to each other; silently acknowledging that the time has come that they have discussed in private many times. Samantha takes a deep calming breath, knowing she can't appear nervous about this, but she doesn't get the chance to respond as Gibbs takes the lead.

"Do you want me to stay, Parker?"

His eyes fixate on the calm blue eyes of the man he has come to see as the pinnacle of his stability since their terrifying incident. He's never known his father, but he's imagined how the perfect dad would be... and its Gibbs. He finds calm strength in the intense blue eyes and nods, "Yes... I mean, if you want to... everything is... good... when you're here."

Again there is a moment of tension as Gibbs studies the teenager and Sam's eyes dart nervously between the two of them. After a moment, Gibbs defuses the situation by seriously nodding his head and responding, "Okay, if that's what you want... yea, I can stay. What do you say, Sam? You okay with this?"

Samantha suddenly finds two sets of eyes on her now, putting her on the spot. She knew there would come a time when she would have to introduce Gibbs into their home life if she wanted their relationship to progress, but she didn't expect it to be thrust upon her in this way. She looks from her son's cautiously expectant gaze to Gibbs and sees the humor dancing in his eyes. He's telling her without words that it's time to stop running, stop holding back and make that commitment to him... to their relationship. She feels herself flushing under his intense gaze and quickly looks back to Parker to break the spell. "Aahh, sure, Parker. Jethro can stay... for a while."

"Overnight? I mean, it's not like you guys aren't hookin... I mean dating, right?" he had been about to use the terminology from his classmates 'hookin-up', but the sudden crease in Gibbs' brow at the term had him opting for a more acceptable word.

Samantha had been taking a sip of her wine and now almost chokes on it, causing Gibbs to grin over at her, then at her son happy to finally have this out in the open. "You are right about that, Parker... although I don't think your mom appreciated your choice of words."

They both look to Samantha who is dabbing her lips and trying to act normal, even though her pink cheeks give away her embarrassment. When her eyes move from one to the other she tries to change the subject. "Parker, you know I don't like that kind of language."

"But it is true... Mom, I'm not a little kid. I do have eyes, you know. I've seen..."

Before she can comment on a conversation that neither she nor Gibbs is ready for, Gibbs takes pity on her and steps in to distract her son from his inquisition. "Yea, so we've noticed. Come on, help me put the tools away." Gibbs stands up and heads out of the room, followed quickly by Parker and leaving a bewildered Dr. Ryan sitting at the table wondering when her son suddenly turned from a child into a young man.

Later that night, after Parker has retired to his room to play his video games... or so he said. Gibbs sits on the sofa with his feet up on the coffee table, pretending to watch the news, while he waits for Sam to bring up the topic again. He can tell by the tension in her and the way she's nibbling on her lower lip that she has something on her mind. When she remains silent, Gibbs finally breaks the ice, "He's a smart kid, Sam."

"I know, but he's just a boy... when did he suddenly get so... worldly?" She looks at him, truly concerned about her son's new attitude. Gibbs can tell she isn't joking and he holds out his hand to her; silently bidding her to come sit with him. After a moment she complies, still feeling a bit strange about doing this in her home, with Parker present.

When she is settled by his side, with his arm around her, Gibbs gently kisses her temple and explains, "Sam, he's just been through a terrifying situation, kidnapped, dragged around the world, threatened and more importantly seen you assaulted... repeatedly by Colson. He's never known a father figure and I think in light of things, he handled it extremely well for a boy of his age. He's had what every boy goes through... that moment when you realize you can't remain a child forever and you have to step up and be a man."

She sighs, knowing he is right, but still feeling anxiety that her son is suddenly growing up too fast. She lays her head on his shoulder and gives him credit for his insight, "You're pretty damned good at psycho-analyzing people, you know."

"Nah, I'm just observant... and I happen to be a man. I know what he's going through."

"You are a man... you're his hero, you know... for rescuing us... and he worships you at the moment."

"What I want is for you to worship me at the moment, Doc. What do you say we turn in for the night?" He casually deflects her compliments as he wraps his arms around her, drawing her into an embrace as his lips find hers. His kisses are slow and gentle, but when she finally pulls back her eyes are glowing as she breathlessly voices her worries.

"I... we can't... Jethro... I don't know..."

"Don't know what, Sam?"

"Well, if we should... you know, do that here. .. you know, I have a hard time being quiet... when we're together..."

Gibbs grins at her, loving the flush to her cheeks as she tries to tell him that he makes her scream out his name repeatedly every time they make love. He pulls her closer, nibbling at her ear as he chuckles softly and whispers, "Well, I guess we'll have to work on keeping you quiet then, won't we?"

She can't help but shiver at his words, wondering what he has in mind. He doesn't elaborate and instead stands up and pulls her to her feet, holding her hand as he leads her up the stairs to the room he is about to enter for the first time.

Lying in her bed was enough to get Gibbs excited, he'd been dreaming of this moment for weeks, even more so after he'd stood on the threshold wondering if he'd ever get the chance to hold her again. Since their return, Sam had been very protective of Parker, not wanting to leave him alone, even for a few hours so their time together had suffered. They were both in need of this night and Gibbs was going to make sure it was one they would both remember.

Face to face, bodies connected from head to toe, they spend long minutes just touching, whispering and igniting the flames they've put on hold recently. Gibbs takes his time in exploring her body, slowly touching her soft skin, paying special attention to those areas that elicit soft sighs from her at his touch. The lower curve of her belly, from the her hip down to her the curling hairs of her mound. Her flesh quivers as his fingers glide gently over her and a soft gasp escapes her throat. Her eyes flutter closed as she enjoys the tremors of anticipation.

"You're so sensitive to my touch," he whispers huskily and her eyes open to meet his. Her eyes are dark with desire as she leans in to nibble on his lower lip, drawing him into a slow deep kiss that leaves them both breathing harder. Her hand glides up to twine in his silvery hair, drawing him closer. Her leg curls up over his thigh, inviting a more intimate touch and she moans as his fingers slip lower to find her wet and ready for him. He growls against her lips, nipping her lip as he slips his two fingers inside her and another tremor shakes her. He thrusts his fingers firmly into her, rubbing in just the right spot and her body arches against him as she is about to cry out at the intense sensations rolling through her. Gibbs sees her losing conscious thought in the midst of her sensory overload, "Ssshhh... don't do it, honey."

Her eyes meet his in torment as the loud moan is swallowed up by his mouth as he kisses her long and hard. She moans desperately and urges him on, her leg curling around his hip as she rolls onto her back, taking him with her. Gibbs breaks the kiss to smile down at her as she draws her legs up high around his waist, in a silent plea for more. "You better not be laughing at me, Jethro... "

"Never... I just love seeing you lose control. I love being able to make you lose control. You're so damned hot when you let go."

She strokes his face gently for a moment, then draws him down for a slow, intense kiss; drawing his tongue into her mouth to gently stroke it. Gibbs feels his blood pounding through his veins as his shaft throbs impatiently. He groans and breaks away, gasping for air and it is her turn to smile up at him, "I've never had a man excite me the way you do... being with you is like the first time... you showing me how to relax, how to feel, how to let go... how to love you."

Their eyes hold for a long time, she knows her words hold a silent meaning and the intensity of his gaze tells her he understands. Then his mouth lowers to hers as he frames her head with his arms and kisses her multiple times, slow teasing kisses that have her aching for more. He arches his hips to her, gently stroking his shaft along her wet sex until she moans pleadingly against his lips. He finally pulls back to trail kisses down her throat, whispering huskily in between kisses.

"As much as I love to hear you crying out my name... I'm going to make you come long and hard... and silently."

And with this, he angles his hips and thrusts his shaft into her eager body. He nips her ear, reminding her to be silent as her arms curve up around his neck, holding on as he hesitates, then pushes still deeper. She moans softly, arching back as she always does as his hot thickness fills her. He sets up a rhythm of slow withdrawals, hesitation with just the hot satiny head inside her, then equally slow thrusts back in. Each time, he hesitates, then suddenly pushes deeper, causing a silent gasp from her lips. With each gasp, his mouth covers hers and she moans softly into the kiss, releasing the sound she can't hold in.

The spiraling waves building inside her increase with each thrust, flooding through her until she knows she can't hold on much longer. Gibbs feels her trembling in his arms and stops all movement as he lowers his head, finding her breast. He growls roughly as he draws it up with one hand, holding her captive as he hungrily mauls the sensitive peak. Sam arches up to him, lost in the new intense waves of pleasure coursing through her body. She is about to cry out, but stops as Gibbs covers her mouth with his fingers in a gentle reminder. Sam moans breathlessly and expresses her desperation by drawing his two fingers into her mouth, sucking on them with the equal intent he is showing her taut nipple.

Now it is Gibbs who stifles a husky groan as her caress causes an intense response down his spine to his shaft. He switches his torture from one breast to the other, trying to focus on his task while she is distracting him by slowly sliding his fingers in and out of her mouth, allowing her tongue to swirl erotically around them each time. It isn't long before he has to pull his hand back to avoid losing control himself. He brings his mouth back up to hers in a deep, hard kiss that tells her how close he is. When it ends their eyes meet and no words are needed as he once again begins thrusting deep and slow. He forces himself to go slowly, even though he's aching to drive into her hard and fast right now.

They are lost in the slow spiral of anticipation as he moves them with agonizing slowness towards the edge of the abyss they both crave. Slow, deep kisses stem the more frequent moans escaping her as she finds it harder and harder to contain her passion. Gibbs lowers his mouth to her ear and huskily whispers to her, "You're close... mmnn... I can feel it... you're so close..."

"Yes... oooh it feels so good... please... Jethro, please." She flutters feather light kisses along his jaw, pleading for the release only he can give her. He responds to her plea, but continues to torment her with the same slow, deep rhythm.

"You want it, don't you?" She moans softly into his ear in response and arches her hips up to him, but still he waits. "Baby, I want to give it to you... hard and deep... I want you to look at me... I want to see you come for me... ssshhh, quiet, now..." She opens her mouth to beg, but his words keep her silent. Her hand glides down his back, urging him on, but still his hips move slowly, driving his shaft deeply at an angle he knows will have her spiraling out of control. He rests on his elbows, holding her desperate gaze; watching the tidal wave build in her until she is trembling in anticipation. Then he stops, buried inside her and waits. Her mouth is open wide, her breath gasping as she is watches his mouth come down on hers, their eyes locked as he whispers, "That's it, come for me, baby", and with a gentle grind of his hips, she is swept away on an intense orgasm. Her fingers dig into his arms, holding on tightly as he drives in short hard thrusts, riding her orgasm until they both explode onto a new plain of awareness.

Gibbs drives one last time, hard and deep, before he stiffens above her; his mouth dropping to her in a rough, possessive hold. His teeth hold her prisoner as he growls low and deep in his chest. Her moans mingle with his as she buries her face in his neck, muffling what was too intense to hold in. She holds him close, trembling as she slowly floats back to reality. After several minutes, she begins to place kisses along his throat and shoulder, stroking his back as his breathing finally returns to normal.

"Wow."

"You're welcome."

"What was that? I'm mean... with you?"

Gibbs sighs and gently kisses her neck where his teeth held her, not sure if he should tell her the true reason, but knows he has no choice if they are to make this work. He tries to diffuse her seriousness, "Is that a complaint?"

"Not at all... I just didn't want to... misinterpret that... you."

He rolls to her side, bringing her with him as he relieves her of his weight. He pulls her in close so they are once again face to face. "You spend a lot of time interpreting other people, Sam."

"Yes, I do... it's my job." She wonders if he is angry at her for questioning him like that, at almost the moment they finished. She hadn't meant it as criticism... more of an interest in his new technique. After a long pause, Gibbs answers her.

"That was me, getting inside your head... finding the real you." She knows he is referring to her habit of holding back, not only her emotions, but her thoughts and even her real personality. She has done it for so long, it was just second nature to her now. "You can be the DOJ's calm, cool top head-gamer with everyone else... but not me, Sam."

He watches as her eyes drop from his, knowing he is right and she can't dispute it. He gives her a moment before he gently strokes his fingers down along her jaw and urges her to look up at him again. "This is you and me, Sam... I don't want walls between us."

"It's been a long time since I've been able to let go... and just be me." There are tears in her eyes and he knows how hard this is for her.

He kisses her nose gently and teases, "Like you were a little while ago?"

"I don't think I've ever been the person I am with you... thank you..." She smiles and kisses him gently, hoping he realizes how hard she wants to let go of her past. "... for knowing I needed that."

"You're welcome. It was pretty..."

"...intense, and amazing and perfect."

"Yes it was... but..." He feels her tense at his last word and lifts his head to grin down at her as he finishes his thought, "... but tomorrow I think I need to move the bed away from the wall." He chuckles as she comprehends his meaning and gasps in horror; thinking they may have telegraphed their actions to her son, in his room down the hall.

"Oh my God! Do you think he heard us?" She is suddenly worried about what they have done.

"Sam, he's a teenage boy... he has an idea what we're doing in here. After all, it was his idea that I spend the night. I just don't want to have to patch the damage to the wall."

"Maybe... if you used some restraint..." Her words trail off as he cocks one eyebrow at her in a silent reprimand. She can't help but giggle as he glares at her sternly, and then adds, "... not that you didn't use restraint..."

"I can restrain you... if that's what you want... then I'll rap out a Morse code message on that wall so loud your Pentagon buddies will be able to decipher it." He emphasizes his point by suddenly shifting back over her. He settles into the center of her being, thrusting his hips hard, driving his hard shaft into her once again. Sam moans softly, no longer amazed at his stamina. She learned early on he was a man of considerable talent in bed. She giggles and her eyes close for a moment at the tingle of pleasure, then she wraps her arms around his neck to draw him down to her.

"I must be in love with you, because that doesn't sound like a bad idea to me." She then reaches up to kiss him with heartfelt emotion and he growls as he returns it. Each kiss blends into the next until they are both breathless and aching for more. He growls softly against her throat and begins to thrust into her again. Sam moans her approval and once again glides her legs up high around his waist.