A/N - this is for those of you out there that like the Gibbs/Ryan dynamic. Thanks to all of you for reading and reviewing this story. Taking a little break from FF for a short while after this.

Epilogue

It was two days since Gibbs got home from Ireland. He was frustrated at not having been cleared for work, despite his protests to Vance and Ducky that he could still attend crime scenes while using his crutches. He even suggested desk work, but Vance insisted that he rest up for at least a week before returning to work.

His team were as dependable as ever, at least one of them calling by each day and evening. They brought him groceries, take-out food, stories of latest cases and kept him company. He was glad of their company, even if he acted quite the opposite.

He tried to make the most of this enforced free time, working in his basement on his latest challenge. It was an intricate piece of carpentry; some might call it sculpture. He was creating his own memorial to the victims of the Navy Yard bombing. Like he did with all his work, he poured his heart and soul into every stroke of the sanding block, every score of the chisel. It was also therapeutic for him.

He was lost in his own, dust-filled world when he heard footsteps upstairs and someone calling his name. As usual, his front door was unlocked for all and sundry to enter.

"Down here!"

He followed the sound of the footsteps to the basement door and watched curiously to see who his visitor was. The silhouette told him female, but the light had not yet permitted a clear view. As she stepped into the dimness and down the stairs, he realised who it was. His heart skipped a beat. He put down the chisel and limped back towards his work bench.

"Hi, Gibbs," she said as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Doc," Gibbs replied almost formally.

"You look better," she said, approaching him.

He didn't respond, just turned towards the bench, keeping his weight on his uninjured left leg, and took an old coffee mug and a relatively clean glass jar from the shelf. He turned them upside down to make sure there was nothing in them, blew into each in a vain attempt at cleaning the dust from them, then reached for his bottle of bourbon and poured two drinks. He turned and offered her the glass jar, which she accepted.

"That doesn't look like a boat," she said, referring to his latest wood craft.

"It's not," he replied, deliberately not elaborating.

Ryan took a large mouthful of the bourbon before coming to the point. She knew Gibbs. She knew it was what he expected.

"It wasn't easy for me either, you know?" she started, as if trying to justify her actions. "My feelings for you were real, Gibbs. I need you to know that. Walking away and leaving what we had broke my heart."

"Didn't seem that way," Gibbs grumbled.

"I know how it must have looked but I was in self-preservation mode. I had always been so careful, especially since Parker was born, and then with one call Dearing jeopardized everything. I felt so vulnerable. I thought disappearing would keep us safe. In hindsight, I guess I was wrong," she said with regret.

"I could have helped you if you had let me" Gibbs told her.

"I know you would. What can I say? I wasn't thinking straight."

Gibbs knocked back his drink and poured another. He pulled out a high stool and awkwardly sat.

"How's the leg?" Ryan asked, remembering his injury.

"Not bad," he replied.

"I really am sorry, Gibbs," she said, moving closer to him. "Even after the way I treated you, you were there for me. I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay you. You really are a good man, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. You deserve someone who appreciates that," she said, kissing him on the cheek.

Gibbs reached his hand out and, as she backed away after kissing him, he took hold of hers. She stopped dead at his touch. She felt a tingle of excitement at his proximity. He pulled her to him. She found herself standing between his legs and longing to kiss him. He smelled of sweat and sawdust, raw and masculine. This time he looked deeply into her eyes.

"I don't want just someone," he told her, allowing his other hand to brush her backside. "I've had plenty of someones, Ryan, but only one was you. Those brain-gamer ways of yours, the way you answer a question with another and make me so mad, it keeps me on my toes. I had no idea how much I needed you until you were gone. Hell, this is not easy for…" he said, before he was cut short by her actions.

She leaned in slightly until her lips met his. She kissed him passionately and this time he responded in kind. He pulled her into him and their spark reignited. She ran her hands through his silver hair and down his neck and back, feeling his taut muscles beneath his dusty sweatshirt. She explored his body with her hands and tingled as his hands roamed hers. In her eagerness, she pushed against him slightly, causing his body to slide from the stool. Automatically, he saved himself from falling off with his right leg. The suddenness of the movement sent a jolt of pain through Gibbs' injured thigh.

He broke away from the kiss immediately and tried to catch his breath. Ryan sensed that she had hurt him and apologised profusely.

"Oh my God!" she gushed. "I forgot. I'm so sorry. Are you alright?"

"It's okay. I'm fine. Just a bit tender," he said, through gritted teeth.

"How about we take this somewhere a little more comfortable?" she suggested.

"Hmm, now what would you be suggesting?" Gibbs asked playfully.

"Come on, Soldier," she said, helping him to his feet.

Gibbs hobbled up the stairs and into the house.

"Is this far enough?" Gibbs asked, looking to the living room, not wanting to presume too much.

"Depends," she replied. "What did you have in mind?"

Gibbs gave her a flashing smile and gestured towards the next set of stairs to the bedroom area.

"What about those doctor's orders?" she asked seriously.

Gibbs smiled another flirtatious smile.

"I wasn't planning on standing up the whole time," he said, taking her hand and leading the way.

"Just one thing," she said, her mood changing to serious once more.

Gibbs paused, not really sure what to expect.

"I really want this, Gibbs," she said when he turned back to her. "Us, I mean. I want us."

"So do I," he replied, his eyes twinkling with delight.

He kissed her hand and they meandered up the stairs.

"So do I."

THE END