Chapter 12

Disclaimer: I still don't own the characters of NCIS. Wish I did however.

Thank you for all the story alerts and the reviews. Would really love to get more reviews. I don't have Gibbs' self-esteem. LOL. I enjoy writing about our favorite family of the NCIS MCRT team. They are the best.

Gibbs woke up at 0600 and looked down as Samantha. She was still snuggled in next to him with her head on his shoulder. She had hardly moved during the night. It was about 0330 when she began to stir a bit waking Gibbs up. Figuring she was beginning to feel pain he buzzed the nurse who gave her another pain shot in her IV.

He wiped he hand down across his face trying to wipe the sleep from his eyes. Trying not to disturb his sleeping angel he moved gently away putting a pillow next to her to support her head. He hated to leave her but he needed coffee and as well as hit the head. Not wanting to worry he scribbled a quick note on one of the napkins from their dinner Saturday night and stuck in her hand.

He quietly left the room and told the NCIS guard out front to keep a close eye on her. Quickly he found the restroom and then got into the elevator down to the first floor where there was a decent coffee shop.

#########

The nurse woke Samantha up a few minutes after he left. She needed vital signs and the doctor had ordered a blood test. " Another test," she grumbled.

" You want to go home today. Don't you?"

" Absolutely. Where is Jethro?"

" I did not see him leave," the nurse told her. The nurse noticed the napkin in her hand. "Maybe he left you a note."

Samantha carefully unfolded the napkin and read the note. It said, " Had to get some coffee. Won't be gone long. Did not want you to worry. Be back soon. Love Jethro."

The patient smiled and hugged the note next to her chest. " He will be right back. Just went for coffee."

"You have a good man there. He has barely left your side."

" I know. He is the best. Little bit of a mother hen but I guess I will keep him. "

Just then Gibbs walked in coffee in one hand and a diet coke in the other. " I hope you do. A mother hen am I. Well, I have been called a lot of things but never that."

" I bet and some of them weren't as nice as mother hen. I imagine." Samantha loved to joke with him. She loved when he would try to keep a smile hidden and she would say something that forced it to the surface.

The nurse looked at them both and just shook her head. "I will bring in your breakfast soon. The doctor should be in on rounds at about 0700. He has ordered a CAT scan and x-ray to check the placement of that arm. Hopefully you can leave here by noon."

"Thank you." Samantha said. After the nurse left she looked up at Gibbs. He quietly opened her drink and sat down on the bed next to her.

" You ready to go home."

" I sure am. I hate hospitals."

" Well you are staying at my house remember. I don't want you alone. Also, until we find the bastard behind this I don't want you unprotected."

The look she gave him was confusing. He was not sure if she was happy at the prospect of spending a few days in his guest room or angry. "What's up?"

"I want to go by my apartment and pick up a few things."

" I know you said that. I want you home and comfortable. I can go get your stuff. Just tell me what you need. Tony can stay with you for protection."

"That's what I figured you would say. I said, "I need to go by apartment. A girl needs to keep a few things private after all." He started to argue but decided against it. He knew when she set her jaw like that and the look he saw in her eyes arguing with her was a waste of time.

"Ok, when the doctor releases you we will go by your place and pick up your stuff. "

She smiled up at him just as breakfast was delivered. I did not look to bad today so they shared it.

###########

Three hours later Dr. Brackett had been in to check her arm. Samantha had been taken to have her x-rays and CAT scan run. She had been brought back to her room to find a vase of a flowers sitting by the window and Leroy Jethro Gibbs nowhere in sight. The agent had followed her to the different testing room and was now outside her door. The nurse handed her the card from her flowers. It read, " You are my world. I love you Jethro"

" Have you seen him?" Samantha asked the nurse at she positioned her back into her bed.

" Said he had some errands to run. He would be back soon." Just then there was a knock at the door. "Maybe that's him"

" No, Jethro does not knock. Come in Tony." Samantha answered.

" You have Gibbs' spidey sense," he laughed walking in.

"He called and told me to come over. I think he is at his house getting your room ready."

"Good," she laughed. "I have seen his guest room."

Just then Gibbs walked in coffee in hand. " Is my hospitality in question? " he joked.

"Well? I don't think the sheets have been changed on that bed since 1990 what." He loved when she joked with him. She could get off some zingers once in a while.

"Doctor is on his way in. "

"That is my cue to leave." Tony said as he went out into the hall.

" Morning again, Samantha, Agent Gibbs. Tests look good. Let us set up some follow up appointments and secure that arm in a shoulder sling that will keep that shoulder immobile. Then we will get you out of here."

"What about work Doctor? I teach first graders and really hate to miss class."

" Out for two weeks. No arguments. " He looked her in the eyes. " I know that you will begin to feel better but I want you immobile to give that arm time to heal before you go back to the hard schedule of teaching six year olds." Then he grinned. " My mother taught kindergarten and I know your type. Don't want to leave your babies."

Samantha looked at Gibbs who was giving her the same look at the doctor. "Ok," she grumbled. " I can't fight you both. After all this week is prepared and next week is Thanksgiving so the kids have a short week. "

Gibbs smiled and kissed her on the head. He knew she was not happy about being gone. She would be driving him crazy before the two weeks were over.

The nurse came in to help her dress in scrubs since her clothes were ruined. While she was changing Gibbs and Tony were in the hall discussing her protection detail.

Tony and Gibbs came in as soon as she was ready. The nurse gave them instructions and prescriptions and sent them on their way.

Tony helped Gibbs get Samantha into the passenger seat. Gibbs gently pulled the seatbelt around her and moved to the driver's side of the car. "Follow us DiNozzo. We have to go by her place first and then get her to my house."

" On it Boss."

Gibbs drove slowly (for him) to Samantha's apartment and parked in the parking lot. Tony pulled up next to him and got out. Both of them helped her out of the car and they walked into the building.

As they neared the apartment both agents saw the Cowboy decoration on her door had been vandalized. "Samantha hold back" Tony said. " Is that your place with the Dallas Cowboy wreath on the door?

" Yes," she said noticing the destruction of her wreath. " It is Cowboy/Redskins weekend. Ronald has struck again." She looked up at Jethro who smiled. "When is he going to learn that the first amendment grants me the right to display my Cowboy pride?"

" Is the repaired one ready? "Gibbs chuckled.

"Yep. It is in the front closet along with my essay on the first amendment."

Gibbs just smirked and stepped toward the door. That is when he noticed that the door was slightly opened. Knowing that her war with Ronald was all in good NFL fun he pulled his gun and motioned to Tony. Instinctively Tony pulled his gun and Samantha backed against the wall as the agents entered her apartment. Both agents scanned the apartment for unfriendlys checking all rooms before pronouncing it clear and safe for Samantha to enter.

Samantha entered the apartment. She looked around as saw the mess. Her things had been totally thrown all around as if the intruder had been looking for something. A look of horror filled her eyes and Gibbs ran to her side and helped her to sit in her reclining chair. "What happened?"

" Looks like they were looking for something."

" Ya, think," She was trying to joke but Gibbs could see tears in her eyes. Just then there was a knock at the door.

"Miss Samantha" the man said with a slight Spanish accent.

" Jose. Buenos Dias" Samantha said. " How are you?"

She mouthed to Gibbs. "My landlord"

He stepped in seeing the two agents, their guns and her injuries. "Are you ok?

" Yes," she told him. " This is Agent Gibbs and Agent DiNozzo. They are friends from NCIS." Both men nodded toward the older man.

" I was just coming up to bring you this package. It was delivered yesterday so I put in my place so it would not get stolen." He handed her a package. The address read Norfolk and it was in Olivia's handwriting. "Do you need any help cleaning up this mess?"

Gibbs looked at Tony and mouthed, "Call the team" "Thank you Jose but we need to check to see who vandalized Sam's apartment and then we will help her clean it up. She will be staying with me for a couple of days so if you see anybody strange comes asking for her or hanging around call me." Gibbs handed him his card.

" I sure will Senior Gibbs." He then looked at Samantha and smiled. "Take care of yourself hija and if you need anything just call. "

" I will Jose. Gracias " Jose left the apartment and went downstairs. Samantha looked up at Gibbs. "The insurance policy? "

" I would imagine. I will get it to McGee and Abby to check it out."

"Teams on its way. Abby has been called to come in. She was not very happy ,boss. She had a bowling tournament today."

" I will make it up to her," he smirked. He knew once she met Samantha she would be ok with missing the tournament. That and a Caf-Pow. " Sam we are going to have to dust for prints and check out the place. You know."

" I know," she said reluctantly. "Guess I will have not secrets from the team now." Jethro chuckled and held her hand.

Samantha had fallen asleep when the team arrived about 20 minutes later. Ziva and McGee entered the apartment talking loudly. Tony motioned for them to be quiet pointing toward the chair. "Sorry Boss" they both whispered.

"She needs to wake up anyway. Ziva help her get her things together and get her over to my house. She needs to get some rest and the game starts at four. It would kill her if she misses it."

"The game." Ziva questioned him.

"Redskins/Cowboys and it is bad enough I am not on the side lines today. Have a standing pass to be with the team when they are in town," Samantha said yawn but smiling at Ziva and Gibbs. Gibbs reached for the gloves that McGee was holding.

"Get your stuff and head to my house," he said handing them to Samantha.

" On it Boss," she smirked putting on the gloves. "I need my computer."

"McGee dust that for prints first so they can get out of here.

About an hour later Ziva and Samantha were on the way to Gibbs house. Ziva had tried not to be watching when Gibbs kissed her goodbye. "Keep an eye on my girl Ziva"

The short ride to Gibbs' house had been quiet. Ziva helped her out of the car and they walked silently into the house. Samantha turned and looked at Ziva. " He is bad about introductions. I am Samantha Waverly and you are Gibbs' daughter Ziva. Right."

"I am not Gibbs' daughter really." Ziva looked at her shocked.

" I know that but he thinks of you as his daughter. With Gibbs that is all that matters."

"True. Please to meet you Samantha. Now let me help you get up to the guest room and get you settled. Your game starts soon, yes"