Chapter 12 – Homeward Bound
Gibbs looked at her, "Go home." He stated coldly, in his normal tone.
Nicole sighed and got up, "I'll see you tomorrow." She stated and left NCIS.
/Homeward Bound/
Gibbs sighed; it was almost time to start a new day. Another day without his wife and daughter. Another day try and keep going. He wasn't sure just what this day was going to bring him, but he knew it would be anything but easy. Let alone was Nicole making it easy for him. He didn't remember her acting like this at NY SVU. But that could have been because that was then and this was now.
/Homeward Bound/
Nicole was entangled in the hotel blankets as she woke up to a ringing cell phone. Sighing she snatched it off of the end table and answered it with out looking at the call display, "Whoever this is, has a death wish. What is it?"
"Hello to you too." A familiar voice answered.
Nicole yawned as it hit her who it was. Fin. She looked at the clock, "You know it's a little early to be calling, Fin."
"Sorry about that. I talked to Munch and just wanted to see how you were holding up."
"Living in a hotel, and wanting to kick my new boss in the nuts. How about you?"
"I'm doing better than that. So, you're new boss is that bad, huh?"
Nicole laid on her back, "Well, if you remember how Gibbs was there, he seemed tame."
"Yeah, I remember him. You telling me he's gotten worse since then?" Fin asked.
"He makes Cregan on a rampage look like a sunny day in Central Park." Nicole explained.
"Shit! That's pretty bad. I've seen Cragen on a rampage. He's not someone to mess with."
Nicole laughed, "I rather see Cragen on a rampage then face Gibbs on a normal day, right now."
"Sounds like you're having doubts about your new gig."
Nicole nodded, "Your right. Honestly I am."
"What are you gonna do about them?"
She sighed, "I… I have no idea. I don't even know how to deal with Gibbs right now, let alone my doubts, Fin."
"I don't think anyone can really 'deal' with him. He seemed pretty intense when he was here in New York."
Fin was right, she knew it. Even a broken clock was right twice a day. "He was nice then. Don't get me wrong. He has a team here that calls him 'boss'. And he slaps them in the back of the head."
"You know, I have to tell Cragen I appreciate him more." Fin said with a slight chuckle.
She could help but laugh, "Yeah. I would tell him that. At least he doesn't go around slapping people up side the head."
"It would only happen once. But Cragen's a decent guy and he respects his detectives."
She understood, and missed that fact, "So true." She sighed, "Something I miss about New York is…" she thought for a second, "Work."
"It's not my place to say this, but you should come back. We all miss you here."
She felt tears forming in her eyes. She did miss them deeply. They were her family. And she had words of encouragement. "I've been debating it whether or not to come back. And… I think your right Fin."
"If you have doubts about staying there, it's probably not where you should be."
"Have I told you, how smart you are?" she laughed.
"You're not the first."
Nicole thought for a moment, and couldn't help but wonder. What had she missed since she left, "Okay, I believe that. So what have I missed since I left?" she couldn't help but ask.
"I don't know if Olivia told you, or if you even talked to her, but she and Elliot split as partners. Which came at a hell of a time because he just split with his wife. Munch on the other hand, he's the same guy you remember. And me, I've recently had some trouble with my son. So, yeah, a lot of things have gone down."
Nicole's mouth dropped open. She couldn't believe her ears. And didn't know what to say. Her eyes were wide open and she was awake as ever, "Jesus Christ." Was all she could get out at first, "Liv, said nothing when we talked yesterday about that, but, how's your son?"
"He got into some trouble looking out for his half-brother Darius but we straightened everything out."
She let out a sigh of relief, "Thank god. So everything between you and him is okay now right?"
"For the most part. He's a good kid."
"Your right he is. So what is this thing between Elliot and Olivia?"
"They let they're personal relationship get ahead of their jobs and you know Elliot, the job ahead of all else. Probably why he's separated from Cathy, but don't tell him I said that. Anyway, Olivia marched into Cragen's office and asked for a new partner. Cragen transferred her."
"Wow. Any chance that they will be partners again?" She didn't want to feel like she was asking too much. But she missed being there.
"I'm optimistic. They've been getting along a lot better lately."
She smiled, she could swear she could hear him smiling, obviously they did miss talking to each other, "I'm with you on that."
"Don't worry. I think they just need some time away from each other for awhile."
She thought for a second, "Most likely. But listen, I think I'm going to come back to New York." She said but she just wasn't sure how Gibbs was going to take it when she decided to tell him that. It kind of made her stomach churn thinking of telling Gibbs.
"That's the best news I've heard in a long time."
"I think it'll be the best decision I've made in a long time."
"You always have a place here. That's for sure."
"So I have been told."
"Of course you have. We all miss you around here."
She knew if she said anything that it would be blatantly obvious that she had tears. But she knew that she would answer, "And I miss you guys the same."
"I know. You never should have left. This is your home."
She sniffed back the tears, "I made a huge mistake, I know I did."
"Well, that's why they're mistakes, we learn from them." He answered softly.
God, she missed them more then ever now, "Thanks, and I think I learned big time. Listen to you guys more often."
"See, you're learning already."
She laughed, "Smartass."
"There you go. Some thing's never change."
"No shit. Your still a smartass and always will be, Fin!" She said getting out of bed looking at the clock; it was almost time to go to work. But she really didn't want to go to work. NCIS wasn't her work.
"So, do I really have something to look forward to now?"
"Depends."
"Oh yeah, on what?"
"Whether or not I can grow balls enough to talk to Gibbs."
"I'm not worried than. You always were tough." He answered.
She walked over and grabbed some of her clothes out of her suitcase, and she still couldn't figure out what the hell she was thinking coming here. But then again, like Fin said, she just made a mistake, "And getting shot doesn't count, now does it?" she asked pulling off her shorts to put on her jeans.
"Hey, anyone who bounces back from something like that is tough. I know from experience."
She nodded, and tried to take off her shirt to put on a clean one, "True. Oh wise one." She said letting her sarcasm come out.
"But don't let it go to your head. Bouncing back from a gunshot wound doesn't mean you're suddenly invincible."
"No but some times I do wonder about you."
"I've gotten past doing stupid things."
She laughed as she brushed her hair, "Now I don't believe that."
"Okay, you got me there. I'll still be the first to go running into a dangerous situation." He admitted.
She nodded as she grabbed her gun and badge and headed towards the door, "See I knew it. And you have to admit, I used to right by your side every time." She said closing the door, and making her way down the hall.
"Yeah. That's why I was disappointed when you left. But you coming back will make up for it."
Nicole frowned as she pushed for the elevator, "Why didn't you tell me that you didn't want to go?"
"Would that have stopped you?" he asked.
The elevator doors opened and she stepped inside, as she pushed the M button for the main floor she answered, "It would have defiantly made me think twice."
"If I had of known that, I would have said something. It's just you were determined about leaving. I didn't want to be the one to stop you."
She silently prayed that he did stop her, "You know, this talk of ours made me decided to grow balls and tell Gibbs that I am coming back. I just hope I have the guts."
"I know you can do it. That is, if you're the same woman who left here."
"You make that call."
"If this conversation is any consolation, you're still the same Nicole that I know and love."
"Well then I promise I will talk to my 'boss'."
"And I'll look forward to your return."
"Well, just don't tell the rest cause I don't know how this will go over." She answered as the elevator dung and she walked out to the main floor and headed to her rental car. This had to have been the most expensive mistake she had made.
"The secrets safe with me. I won't tell anyone."
"Well, your still the same Fin to me," She laughed as she walked to her rental car.
"I don't intend to change anytime soon. But I'm sorry I woke you."
"Ah don't worry about it. It's been the best wake up call." She said beeping her car, shutting off the car alarm.
"Glad I could be of service then."
She unlocked the car, got in and started it up, "Better then the hotel."
"I believe that."
She started up the car; "You don't have a raspy voice like the chick did yesterday."
She heard Fin laugh, "That's because I take care of myself."
"You do. I know you, remember?" she said pulling out of the lot and headed to NCIS. It was time to face her boss, and tell him she was leaving.
"Yeah, just like I know you. You'll do fine today. I have complete faith in you."
"Now that scares me," She laughed.
"You, scared, now that's hard to believe."
"You don't have a boss that is like Cragen on a rampage. And don't say anything about me going head to head with him."
"Okay, my mouth's shut."
She shook her head; she hated the fact that NCIS was so close to her hotel. And she was almost there, "Now," she took a deep breath, "I'm almost at work. And I think Gibbs is already there. Wish me luck?"
"Good luck. And take care of yourself."
"Long as I don't get shot, I will be fine. And I will remember to duck fast around Gibbs."
"He smacks you in the head, send him my way, he'll never hit anyone again."
"I'll remember that. Thanks again, Fin. And you take good care of yourself and the group."
"I will. It was good talking to you."
"And you too. If I make it out alive, I cant wait to get back." She said with a smile pulling into NCIS.
"You will and I'll see you soon."
She hung up the phone and made her way to NCIS. With the encouraging words of Fin. She knew that she was going to talk to Gibbs. She was sick and tired of being away from her home. And who she considered family.
/Homeward Bound/
She walked into NCIS. Expecting to see Gibbs. But only Tony, was there, she stopped at Tony's desk and looked at him, "Have you seen Gibbs?" she asked, she was a woman on a mission.
Tony looked up, and pointed above and behind himself. She looked where he was pointing and saw Gibbs walking down the stairs. She walked over to him and stopped him in his tracks; "We need to talk." She stated.
Gibbs glared at her, "Elevator." He said and moved around her and started towards the elevator. Nicole followed.
Once they entered the elevator Gibbs pulled the emergency power switch and looked at her, "What is so damn important?" he asked.
"Look, I have decided. About what you said. 'Find one.' And I have. New York. I'm leaving." She stated. Leaving no room for argument.
"You moved her, Special Agent. And now you're moving back?" Gibbs asked looking down at her.
"I'm not your special agent." She said pulling off her badge and gun and handing it to him, "Keep em." She added and went to put the power back to the elevator.
Gibbs hand stopped hers, "Wait a minute, Nicole."
Nicole looked at him and pulled her hand away, "What?"
"I said you had a job here. You took it. Why the change?" he asked.
She looked at him, "Because, you have turned into a self proclaimed bastard."
"I've heard that before." He answered.
She shook her head, "No, Gibbs. Worse then when you came to New York. And like you did, I am heading back. At least I told you." She said, and went to pull the switch. But he stopped her again.
/Homeward Bound/
Ziva and McGee walked up to the elevator to head to the bullpen. When they hit the button to call it, it didn't move. Ziva turned to McGee, "Elevator's stuck again."
TBC…
