Chapter 25
Thank you so much for the lovely reviews and story alerts. Sorry it has taken so long to update. This chapter is a bit of filler but the next chapter will be the parties. Hang in here with me more action and the proposal (maybe) yet to come.
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or any of its characters. Wish it did.
Timothy McGee came into the bull pen with a smile on his face after his lunch with Abby. He always had a good time with Abby. Maybe Gibbs would be more open to breaking Rule 12 now that he was in a very happy relationship. He decided to talk to Abby about this on their way home.
In the bullpen, the rest of the team had finished lunch and were back working on cold case reports. Just as Tim walked in Gibbs got up and went for coffee. "Ziva did you enjoy your lunch with Gibbs?"
"Fine" Ziva smiled looking at Tony who was watching her closely.
"They did not get lunch out Probie. They were gone about 90 minutes and came in and ate lunch here." Tony grinned at her. "Ok David, what's up with the Boss? Where did you two go?"
"That's on a need to know basis and you don't need to know right now. All I can say is Gibbs has a lot on his mind right now so I would get back to work if I were you." Ziva snickered under her breath and winked at McGee.
The team spent the rest of the afternoon finishing reports and looking into cold case files. According to Tony, it was a boring day with nothing to really do. Gibbs was having trouble keeping his mind on his work too. As the clock neared 4:30 every time the elevator door opened he would get distracted watching for Samantha to walk into the bullpen.
It was almost time to send the team home when Samantha finally walked out of the elevator door and entered the bullpen. She was talking on the phone. "Sure Julie we won't let her down on her special day. I promise. "
She hung up the phone and saw Gibbs walking toward her. He came up to her and kissed her on the cheek. "I was about to sent out a search party."
"Sorry I worried you. I got all my work done at school before I came over." She smiled at him.
"Who was on the phone?"
"Julie."
"Something wrong with Kelly?" Gibbs asked knowing Julie would not call Sam unless it concerned Kelly.
"Oh nothing really. If you don't mind I need to visit with Abby about something first before she takes off."
"Not going to tell me. Are you?" Gibbs looked hurt.
"There, there Jethro. I will tell you later I promise. "She said kissing him on the cheek. She turned around and started for the elevator.
"Wow Boss, What was that all about" Tony said as the elevator doors closed. Gibbs just shook his head. He did not know what was up but he knew with Sam and Abby involved it could be anything.
NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS
The elevator doors opened onto the floor that contained Abby's lab. Samantha stepped out and went immediately down the hall to the door of Abby's lab. Abby was at her computer running virus scans and dancing to her metal music. "No lurking without a license Samantha." Abby yelled above the music.
"Not lurking Abby. Just waiting for the song to end." Samantha smiled and walked into the lab. Abby turned down the music and walked up to her friend and gave her a large bear hug.
"Glad you are here Samantha. Welcome to the world of Abby."
"I have been here before Abbs."
"I know but this is the first time without Gibbs. Where is my silver haired fox?"
"Upstairs in the bullpen. I came down to ask you something. I need your help."
"Anything you need. I am at your service. What's up?" Abby inquired just as Major Mass Spec started to beep indicating that the program she was running was done.
"Abby, I just found out that Saturday is Kelly's seventh birthday."
"Wow. She is growing up to fast."
"Well Julie has to work a double shift Saturday and her boss told her if she does not work both of them she will be fired."
"What do you want me to do? Eliminate her boss without leaving any forensic evidence." Abby laughed sitting down on the nearest stool.
"Nothing that drastic Abby. I need your help planning a party for Kelly on Saturday afternoon."
"Oh I would love to help. Are you keeping her on Saturday? "
"Yes, Julie is dropping her by my apartment at 9:00 am and then I am babysitting. I was thinking she could just spend the night with me. So Julie can get some rest."
"I have some ideas. How about you and I think about it tonight? Brainstorm some ideas and we can discuss it tomorrow."
"Sounds great. I was thinking about a party with the team on Saturday afternoon and then if you and Ziva would like to we could have a girl's night with Kelly at my place." Samantha suggested.
"That would be wonderful. Call me tomorrow." Just then Samantha's cell phone rang. "Hey Gibbs."
"Are you two done?"
"Yes. I was just leaving and was about to head up there." Just then Tim came into the lab. "Gibbs said we could go home Abby." Abby put her finger to her lips and pointed to the phone. Samantha smiled at both of them. "I am on my way Jethro." She hung up the phone, winked at Tim and Abby and headed for the elevator. They both looked at each other. "You think she knows about us."Tim asked hesitantly.
"I am sure she suspects but she won't say anything to Gibbs about it." Abby assured him kissing him on the cheek.
NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS
Samantha and Gibbs left the bullpen as soon as she got there. Ziva and Tony had already left together. Gibbs eyed them suspiciously because they tried not to look like they were leaving together.
Just as Gibbs had promised he took her out to dinner after they left NCIS. He picked a lovely little steak place close to the Navy yard. It was small and quiet with candles on every table. There was soft music playing in the background. They both ordered steak. Samantha as usual got French fries and Jethro got a baked potato.
While they waited for their food Jethro reached out and held her hand. "What was up with you and Abby?"
She smiled and rubbed her thumb across his knuckles. "I was not trying to keep secrets from you. Julie has to work a double shift on Saturday and …" Just then Jethro interrupted.
"It's Kelly's birthday. You two are planning a party for her."
"Can't keep anything from you can I. How did you know that it was her birthday?"
"She told me at Christmas when it was so I would get her a present," he chuckled. "She is such a sweet kid."
"Have you gotten her a present?"
"That is my secret. But remind me to show it to you."
Samantha just shook her head and pushed his hand playfully away from her. She loved the way his eyes looked when he was playing with her. His face also lit up when he talked about their little Saturday guest. She knew he loved that little girl but he had never said it.
The waitress brought their food. They began to eat in silence. Then Gibbs cleared his throat. "I have been thinking."Gibbs said taking a drink of his beer.
"You know that is dangerous right." Her eyes lit up with the teasing she started.
Gibbs just glared at her and she knew that he was serious so she immediately gave him her undivided attention. "I am being serious here Sam. "She smiled at him and waited for him to continue. "I have decided to go to Maddy's wedding. Kelly would want me to be there."
Samantha reached over and took his hand. "Bet she would"
"Would you go with me?" He blurted out.
"Absolutely." Samantha smiled and sipped her iced tea. Gibbs just grinned back at her and began eating his meal again.
After they finished their meal they shared a dessert just chatting about their day. It was funny to both of them when Sam's first graders and DiNozzo did some of the same things.
They finished their dessert and Gibbs paid the check. They made their way out to Gibbs' truck. Gibbs drove the two of them toward his house. " You want to see Kelly's present."
"I would love too."
When they got to Gibbs' house he led her down to the basement. In a corner was an object covered with a large tarp. Sam assumed it was Kelly's present Gibbs had been working on since Christmas. Gibbs removed the tarp and watched Sam's eyes light up at the sight of the three story doll house he had made for her. Each room had handmade furniture including a bathtub in the bathroom and a huge television in the corner of the living room. "Jethro that is beautiful. She is going to love it." Samantha gushed over it. Gibbs looked at her in amazement when tears started falling from her eyes.
He put his arms around her and she buried her head in his chest as the waves of tears came over her. "What's wrong sweetheart?" Samantha continued to cry in his arms for a long time. Finally when all the tears were exhausted she looked up into his eyes and then kissed him gently. Gibbs rubbed her back and then handed her his handkerchief.
"Sorry Jethro. I did not mean to lose it. It is just so beautiful. My grandfather made me one kind of like this when I was six. My grandmother was still alive then and she and I decorated it with curtains, couch cushions, carpets and stuff. Sometimes I just miss them so much." Gibbs listened to her and continued to rub her back. "Losing them has always been hard."
He smiled at her. "I was thinking maybe you and Kelly can decorate it like you did when you were little. Then we could move it over to Julie's."
Samantha smirked and winked at him. "Great idea there Boss."
"You are ok now." He whispered kissing away the remnants of the tears that had dried on her face.
"Sure am. Thanks to you." She smiled grabbing his hands and leading him upstairs to the living room. "We have time to watch a movie before you take me home."
NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS, NCIS
Abby had been in conference every evening planning Kelly's party. Ziva had agreed to join the girls' only movie/slumber party on Saturday night. Gibbs however was a little put out that he was missing out on his Saturday night with Samantha.
Samantha needed to get a dress for Maddy's wedding the following Saturday so Abby, Kelly, and Ziva agreed to join her on Saturday morning at the mall to help her shop for one. Abby told the men to meet them at the mall bowling alley for the team party at 3:00. Gibbs started to resist because he hated bowling but it was for Kelly and nobody ever could say no to Abby.
On Saturday morning Julie dropped Kelly off at Samantha's apartment at 9:30. Then she and Kelly headed to the mall. After finding a drop dead gorgeous dress for Samantha to wear to Maddy's wedding, the four ladies headed to the nearest kid's dress shop. Abby brought Kelly a beautiful outfit that was her favorite colors of pink and purple. Samantha bought her some new black shoes. Then Ziva took her to the beauty parlor to have her hair done.
Then the ladies had lunch at Kelly's favorite place McDonald's and then headed to the toy shop. All three ladies each bought her a toy and then they headed to the bowling alley for her surprise party.