CHAPTER IX

Gibbs has been working long hours, ever since they got Sam and Parker back from Barcelona. Yes, they had solved the main problem, taking out Liam Colson and his number two man, but something kept nagging at his gut. For the time, he kept it to himself and did some discreet digging. Everyone else believed the case to be over, done with and closed... so Gibbs was careful not to arouse any suspicions when he continued to investigate the matter. Something wasn't right and Gibbs knew he couldn't let it go until he figured it out. He had done a lot of thinking about it since their return and several aspects of Colson's actions bothered him.

How had Colson gotten out of prison? He hadn't escaped and he was nowhere near the end of his sentence. He wasn't even near the date he would be considered for parole. And yet, he had walked out of the HMP Wakefield high security prison without raising one red flag.

How had Colson bank rolled his vendetta mission to the United States? He'd been in prison for twelve years. Could he have maintained control of his IRA organization all that time? And would they have just kept stockpiling money for his use when he got out? Gibbs didn't think that was very likely, given the depressed Irish economy.

How had Colson gotten his hands on a private jet, a pilot and international flight plans without once again raising any red flags? He was a known terrorist coming to the United States! Colson's Interpol file had so many red flags it could pass for a piñata... and yet not one alarm was raised when he boarded that private jet and left the country. It was like he'd been invisible.

Leaving Europe was one thing, but how had he managed to land at Dulles Airport, clear Customs and walk out onto the streets of Washington, DC without half of the Homeland Defense network coming down on him and his crew?

As Gibbs sits at his desk, mulling over these questions, he knows he must go back to the beginning to find answers. The British Isles were the place to start and he was going to need some help... from an insider. He quickly glances around at the desks of his team to ensure they were all busily working on the case they closed yesterday. Then he stands up, trying not to draw attention as he heads for the back staircase and Autopsy. Hearing the swoosh of the reverse airflow controlled doors, Dr. Mallard lifts his head from the requisition forms he is struggling to get through. At first he doesn't see anyone, but then Gibbs steps through and stops; surveying the room with a critical eye. Ducky is surprised to see him since there was not a single body in the autopsy coolers that would hold any interest to his friend.

"Jethro... what brings you down to my humble domain?"

"Just needed to stretch my legs, Duck. Palmer taking the day off?"

"Might as well, ever since he got married he can't seem to stay focused. It was becoming tiresome working on inventory with him... so I sent him out to run some errands."

"Aahh, quieter when he's gone." Gibbs comes to stand by the desk, leaning over Ducky's shoulder to scan the requisition forms. "Looks like you're making progress."

"Yes, it's amazing what one can get done without distractions." He leans back in his chair and raises his eyes to catch the annoyed glare and quickly amends his comment, "Distractions of a... Palmer, nature. I assure you, Jethro, your company is always a welcome respite from this tedious endeavor."

Gibbs gives him a slight smirk, knowing he was covering for his slip, but decides to let it go. Instead, he takes a seat on the corner of his desk, sitting on top of the forms as if to emphasize his role in stopping the work at hand. He picks up the pen and slowly examines it as he decides how best to formulate his request.

Ducky watches him for a moment, knowing there is something on his mind. He is used to Gibbs' reticence to talk and casually prompts him into conversation. "Was there something in particular you came down here not to talk about?"

Gibbs sighs, "No. Just got some things rolling through my head... can't seem to get rid of them."

"I see. Are you by chance having... issues with our good Doctor Ryan? I mean it has been six months now... and that's somewhat of a record for you, isn't it?"

"Yes... and no, it's not that. THAT... is good, I mean... it's strange, but we're really doing good." Gibbs gives him a little smile to show he really is happy, but Ducky can hear the unspoken 'but...' in his words.

"But...?"

"Duck... you got connections in England... right? You're still heading back for your reunion with your old Edinburgh buddies next week?"

Ducky studies him for a moment and instantly knows where his mind is going. Gibbs was famous for his gut and he wasn't going to let go of a nagging hunch until he had uncovered the truth. Something was bothering him and it didn't take a genius to figure out it probably had something to do with Liam Colson.

"Are you asking because Wakefield is only a few hours' drive south of Edinburgh University?"

"I can't wrap my head around how Colson just walked out of that maximum security prison, Duck. He was one of the most notorious IRA terrorists they ever put away and he wasn't anywhere near eligible for release yet."

"And your famous gut has been churning up questions that lead you to believe he may have had help. Am I correct?"

"You're damned right! It just doesn't add up! The man walks out of prison without one alarm. The man gets his hands on a private jet and a pilot... not to mention international flight plans without one alarm. The man leaves Ireland and lands in my backyard... without one GOD DAMNED ALARM!"

"I have to admit... I have wondered about that myself, Jethro. Considering this happened in 'my backyard' so to speak. So what is it you need from me? I am sure my connections there will be more than up to the task at hand."

Gibbs spends the next half hour filling Ducky in on his suspicions and what he needs his friend... via his connections to do in order to prove his suspicions right. He knew he could trust his old friend to handle it personally and ensure it remained quiet for the time being. With that settled, they discuss the other aspects of Colson's raid of terror that bothers them. When Jimmy Palmer returns, Gibbs casually slaps Ducky on the shoulder and heads for the door.

..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·.ƸϊƷ.·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..

As time goes by, the shadow of their terrifying abduction begins to fade and life returns to normal. Dr. Ryan has returned to her job as the Department of Defense's top head-gamer and to all but a few that know her, she doesn't appear to have let the incident affect her in the least. Only a few have been allowed to see behind the shield, to know the person behind the front she puts on. And those few see the change in her; the new commitment to working less hours... spending more time with her son. She hasn't said anything about her relationship with Gibbs, they just think the experience left her with a new appreciation for spending time with family instead of working eighteen hours a day.

It wasn't that she was ashamed of Gibbs; she just wasn't quite ready to share him with the rest of her world. What they had was still pretty new, only just now approaching their six month anniversary. It was juvenile and silly, but to her this was a milestone worth recognizing. It has been way too many years since she's been able to commit to anything for this length of time and Gibbs was something she cherished. He on the other hand took great pleasure in showing up at her office... under the pretext of discussing some aspect of the abduction investigation; just to see her.

He would stroll in, looking all official and rap his knuckles on her open door once before breezing in. With a casual glance over his shoulder, he'd throw out his usual disclaimer for anyone who might be listening. "Hey, Doc. Had a few more questions for you." Then he would close the door and turn back to give her that smoldering wolfish gaze that had her heart pounding in her chest like a trapped rabbit. Most times, he would slowly stalk her, moving towards the end of her desk; watching as she pushed her chair back. The indecision in her eyes was clear; run and enjoy the chase, or just surrender to him and enjoy the capture.

Either way, the result was the same. Gibbs would thoroughly kiss her, pillaging the sweetness of her mouth; leaving her breathless and aching for more. Sam had come to realize Gibbs had a healthy... a very healthy appetite. It wasn't that he couldn't go an entire day without seeing her because some days he was just too busy. Sometimes so tied up on a case he wouldn't see her for a day or two. But she always knew, he would be there the next day, making up for the lost kisses he'd missed out on. She knew the risk they took in this dangerous game and she understood his need to push it. Gibbs was not a man to be restrained, contained or denied what he wanted... and at the moment that was Dr. Samantha Ryan.

It's been three days since Sam has seen Gibbs, at work or at home. His team was working a difficult case and it took all of her willpower not to use her position to help him solve it quicker. Not that she didn't think he could handle it, but when he was focused on a case, he imposed a strict ban on personal fun so he could put all of his energy into solving the case. Sam actually admired him for his dedication, but she understands why his three previous marriages hadn't lasted long. She on the other hand had an insider's perspective and she wouldn't let his dedication to duty come between them. The way she saw it, this only made Gibbs that much more insatiable when he was done with the case.

And that had her nervously fidgeting at her desk this morning. She knew Gibbs and his crew solved the murder of retired Admiral Bates last night and they would be finishing up the reports on it today. And barring any new catastrophe's on the horizon, she expected to hear the heralding rap of his knuckles on her door at any moment. She smiles as a tremor flickers down her spine at the thought and tries to focus on her own report.

"What's so amusing, Doc?"

Her eyes dart up to see Gibbs leaning in her doorway with that adorable smirk on his face. "Agent Gibbs... no knock today?"

Their eyes hold for a moment as he slowly straightens away from the door, moving into her office and without a backward glance he swings the door closed. His eyes are sparkling like blue flame as he slowly walks towards her. Sam is held spellbound by her own need to touch him and doesn't even consider their usual game of cat and mouse. She sits perfectly still, watching as he comes around the corner of her desk. Instead of leaning down to trap her in her chair, Gibbs casually perches on the edge of her desk, spreading his long legs out before him with a low sigh. He takes a moment to get control of his raging passion before he holds out one hand to her and huskily orders, "C 'mere."

Sam's hand raises up to meet his and allows him to pull her up out of her seat. He guides her closer until she is standing between his legs, so close she can feel the heat coming off of his skin. She wants to kiss him, but there is a dangerous tension in him so she merely strokes her fingers along his jaw; testing the waters. Gibbs turns his head into her hand, kissing her palm as his hands come to rest on her hips, pulling her tightly against him.

"Want you laid out on this desk, so fucking bad right now. Do you have any idea how hard it's been not seeing you for three days?" His eyes are intense and she knows this is not a time to joke with him.

"Yeah, I do. I knew you would be here today... and I was sitting here impatiently waiting... all wet and trembling... just at the thought of you coming through that door."

"That why you were smiling, Sam?" She blushes and nods, bringing a smile to his face and she finally decides they've talked enough. There is no gentleness in their kisses today, no casual caresses; only hot, desperate need. His tongue ravages her mouth as she slants her mouth across his, taking his passion and returning it. Her hands slip into his silver hair to hold him as close as possible. His hands drop over her thighs, hooking the hem of her dress and drawing it up around her waist. With this barrier out of his way, his hand dips down between her legs, causing a husky growl as he finds her panties hot and wet. His fingers slip under the material to glide over her sensitive flesh and she breaks the kiss to moan desperately against his lips.

"Ooohhh... damn you, Jethro..." She trembles in his arms as her brow rests against his, letting him see her eyes darken with desire. He continues to caress her and she gasps softly as his fingers plunge into the heat of her core. Her eyes flutter closed as she is flooded by new waves of pleasure, but he wants to watch her come undone... wants to see her come undone in his arms.

"Open your eyes, Sam... I want to see you lose it when you come."

Her eyes open and he is amazed at the depth of her desire. She can't hide anything from him when she is under his thumb; literally at the mercy of his thumb as it circle over her clit in time with his thrusting fingers inside her. He teases her with soft kisses, tugging on her lips, nipping at them, then licking the tingle away until she is desperate. She arches her hips into his hand, forcing the friction she needs as she pulls his mouth to hers in a deep, desperate kiss. Her fingers tighten in his hair and she screams into the kiss, drowning the sound with a deep growl from Gibbs. He pulls back to watch as her whole body trembles as wave after wave crashes through her until she collapses into his chest with one last trembling sigh.

Gibbs gives her a moment to calm down, let her breathing return to normal as he carefully removes his hand from between her legs and lets her dress drop back into place. He tips his mouth closer to her ear and huskily praises her, "That was worth the wait... love how you respond to my touch, babe."

Sam finally has the strength to stand up in his arms and look him in the eye. Her cheeks are flushed and the glow in her eyes tells him how much she loves it too. She watches as he brings his wet fingers up to his mouth and sucks the moisture from them one at a time, groaning with satisfaction. He holds her eyes and then smiles as he winks at her, knowing she wanted to taste herself on his tongue. She leans in and meets his open mouth with hers, moaning softly as her tongue twines slowly with his to share the essence. They are lost in their private world until a sharp rap causes them to pull apart, just as the door opens to admit the last person either of them wanted to see right now.

Dr. Ryan gasps in surprise and tries to step back as her eyes fly up in shock to the person entering her office. Gibbs' hands on her waist stop her retreat and her eyes flicker quickly from him to the man standing in stunned silence at the door. Gibbs looks back over his shoulder and tries to hide his own groan of disbelief as he comes face to face with the Secretary of the Navy. Relying on his marine training, in always taking the fight to your enemy, Gibbs is the first to speak.

"Hello, Mr. Secretary." He feels Sam trying to back away from him and takes her hands in his, giving them a gentle squeeze to calm her. He knows any frantic attempts to hide what they were doing would look even worse, so he holds her in place as his eyes flash a silent warning to her.

"Agent Gibbs... I... I aahh, didn't expect to see you here."

Gibbs doesn't look back at his boss, but keeps his eyes on Sam, trying to relay a silent message of support. She seems to understand as she smiles and reaches out to smooth his hair back into place. Sam has finally gotten her stunned mind to function and tries to look calm as she casually runs a hand down her hip to ensure her dress is still in place before she looks up at the new arrival and greets him. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from SecNav?"

"I... after that terrible incident with your abduction... I wanted to stop by and..." He has the decency to look embarrassed as he motions towards the two of them and continues, "Well... I can see you're doing fine. It's not uncommon after such an experience..."

"We've been together six months, Martin... long before that happened." Gibbs finally stands up and turns to face his nervous boss, knowing he has to get this out in the open. "So... unless you have a problem with this...?"

Gibbs stresses his point by raising Sam's hand to his lips for one last kiss before releasing her and moving towards the door. He stops when he is face to face with the SecNav and waits a long moment for his reply. When none comes, Gibbs turns to look at Sam and smiles, "I'll see you later, Sam."

As he is turning out the door, the Secretary is jolted into motion and holds up one finger to Sam, "I'll be right with you." He then follows Gibbs out into the hallway and closes her office door behind him. "Gibbs... are you? Is this serious?"

Gibbs turns back, coming eye to eye and giving his boss an ice cold glare as he anticipates his lecture on the impropriety of it all. "Yes, Martin, it is. You got a problem with it?"

Martin has a million possible problems racing through his head; the foremost being the possibility of Dr. Ryan talking to Gibbs about things he would rather the savvy federal agent didn't know about. He takes a moment to assess the man who has always made him a bit nervous and decides it is better not to make an enemy of him. "No... I mean, as long as you understand..."

"You stay out of my business, Martin and I'll stay out of yours. Believe me, the last thing I want to know is all your dirty little secrets."

"Right, right... my thoughts exactly, Gibbs."

"But let me make this perfectly clear... I have no intention having my relationship with that woman become a topic on the hill. So, if I find out you've interfered in any way, I won't need the secrets in her head to bury you... I've got enough of my own. Are we clear?" Gibbs leans in a bit closer, making the shorter man back up a step and nod his head swiftly in agreement.

Seeing the man back down, Gibbs finally gives him a half smile and pats him on the shoulder before casually walking away. Martin watches him go, amazed that even in his position, Gibbs always made him feel like a Probie. Long after Gibbs has gone, Martin stands there getting his composure back because as intimidated as he is by the man, the woman behind that door scared the shit out of him. The only thing scarier to the Secretary of the Navy, was knowing that Dr. Ryan was in bed, literally, with Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He takes a deep breath and plasters a smile on his face before knocking on her door and waiting for her to call out her approval before he burst into her office like last time.