Chapter 10

Hey guys! For this chapter, I do not play the violin. Though I really want to learn. My instrument is the piano. And I'm told that I can sing. But, because I don't know much about violin's (I have one, I just need to learn how to play it) I apologize if I get anything wrong. I know that violins are a bit trickier to play than pianos, so, if you can play one, congrats. I'm having difficulty learning 'He's a pirate' on the piano.

Anyway, enjoy this chapter!

ST

I nearly fell asleep numerous times on the way to the hotel. But I jerked upwards as we stopped.

I prepared to get out while saying, "Thanks for taking me back, Gibbs."

Then paused as he got out of the car. I furrowed my brow and got out after him, saying, "You don't have to walk me in. I'm only on the first floor."

He gave me a look and said, "I'm taking you home with me." He waved his hand towards the hotel, "It doesn't look very comfortable. I've got a guest room with a better bed. And no mice."

I bit my lip and fretted, "You don't have to do that, Gibbs. I'm fine."

He gave me a steely look and I sighed in defeat, "Fine. You win."

He nodded in satisfaction and held the door open for me.

I walked down the hallway and reached into my messenger bag for the key. Once I unlocked the door, I strode inside, leaving the door open for Gibbs. Grimacing at the smell. Although I had requested a smoker free room, the room still smelled like cigarettes.

I gathered my meager belongings quickly, packing up everything into my duffle bag. I had two duffle bags, one was filled with clothes, toiletries, and jewelry (Necklaces, leather bracelets, and earrings mostly). The other was filled with books.

Then, of course, my violin case. Plus my laptop and flash drives, those I stuffed into my messenger bag.

When I zipped up the last duffle bag, Gibbs surprised me further by taking both of the duffle bags and walking out before I could protest. I sighed and carefully picked up my violin.

When I signed out, Gibbs led me back to the car. I put my violin carefully in the back with my messenger bag as he put my duffle bags into the trunk of the car.

When he got back in, I smirked slyly and said, "You know, it's illegal to kidnap someone."

He smirked back at me before pulling out of the hotel parking lot.

NCIS

I loved Gibbs' house the moment I stepped into it, and the guest bedroom, though a bit plain, was comfortable and surprisingly roomy. It had a dresser, walk in closet, a bookshelf, and a queen bed. It was on the second floor, and had a big window.

Gibbs' left me alone and I took my time packing everything away. After putting my clothes in the dresser and my books in the bookshelf, I took a shower and changed into shorts and an old t-shirt that went down to my knees.

I stumbled down the stairs and was immediately greeted by the smell and sound of food cooking.

I staggered into the bright kitchen to find Gibbs standing at the stove, cooking delicious smelling cheeseburgers.

When he saw me, he smirked and asked, "You aren't vegetarian, are you?"

I shook my head quickly and leaned against a counter, crossing my arms with a slight shiver. I probably should've put on sweats.

Gibbs had. He now wore sweatpants and an old gray hoodie. He looked much more relaxed now, and was actually smiling lightly. The sight made me smile happily. Good to know that the stiff veteran relaxed at home.

I waited patiently as Gibbs put the burgers on buns and set the plates on the table. I sat down and waited for him as he walked to the fridge, pulling out two root beers and walking back to the table.

He handed me one of the root beers and I took it gratefully.

When he sat down, I didn't deny my growling stomach and dug into the food with glee.

Gibbs watched me with a growing smirk as he ate his more slowly.

I was soon done with it and smiled happily at him, "You are a wonderful cook, Gibbs. Thank you for the good meal."

He nodded and continued eating his burger.

I finished off the root beer as he finished with his meal. He took both plates and put them in the sink.

I decided that I would play the violin a bit before going to sleep, and walked upstairs to get it.

When I had my hands on the beloved instrument, I realized that I hadn't asked Gibbs if it was alright to play.

I walked downstairs with the violin still in my hand, and stopped when I found the living room and kitchen empty.

The door to the basement was open though, and I heard sounds coming from below. So I cautiously walked through the door.

The sight that greeted me was mind boggling.

A boat. A wooden boat. Was in the basement. And Gibbs was building it. Currently, he was pushing a sander reverently across the wooden skeleton.

When I began to walk down the steps with my mouth open, Gibbs looked up at me and smirked.

I looked around the garage, looking for something he could get the boat out of, but found nothing. There wasn't a big door, there wasn't a large window, the only way in and out was the door I had just exited out of. And he certainly couldn't get the boat out of that.

Did he build it just to demolish it again? If not, how did he get it out?

Gibbs gestured for me to come down, so I descended further into the basement despite the cold floor on my bare feet.

I pointed the bow towards the boat, "How do you get that out?" I asked.

Gibbs smirked, but didn't reply. Instead, he gestured to the violin, "Do you play?"

Instead of the sarcastic reply, I was too stunned by the magnificent boat to do more than nod.

Gibbs walked over to a workbench and turned a radio off. "Play it then."

Then he began to work on the boat again without another word.

After a moment of stunned silence, I settled the violin on my shoulder, and began to play a song that I had long since memorized. River flows through you. Normally, it was accompanied by a piano, but it sounded alright on its own. And besides, who would play with me?

I don't know how long I stood there, picking up another song when the last one ended, swaying to the music, before I realized that Gibbs was no longer sanding away. Instead, he was sitting on a chair, facing me with a small smile on his face.

Flustered by the attention, I nearly faltered, but instead, I smiled at him, closed my eyes, and continued playing.

NCIS

When my fingers began to ache, I slowly called another song to a close and removed the bow from the violin.

I opened my eyes to look at Gibbs, only to see him smiling affectionately at me. His eyes were bright, and his smile was warm.

"You should play for Duck sometime. He likes the violin, you two could have a duet with the piano and violin. It would be great to hear. Who taught you?" He asked softly.

I smiled and looked down, "My mom. I got to see her and Spencer on summer every year. Spencer loved piano, and I know how to play it as well, but I always loved it when my mom played the violin, and begged her to teach me. So she did. And Spencer taught me to play the piano. We would stage mock musical performances for her whenever she asked. I always loved it to see her smile."

Before I knew what was happening, Gibbs was in front of me, pulling me slowly into a hug, mindful of the violin, and I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"She sounds like a great woman." He said simply.

I nodded, "She is."

And that was that.