The Good Neighbor

by hslacer

Gibbs has been basically alone since the death of his wife. His neighbor Sarah had been alone even though her husband was still alive and in her house. Gibbs has always been there for her, helping her with home repair and still being there for her when she needed anything. It would have continued that way forever until the team gets involved. What will happen is anybody's guess.

25. Chapter 25

The Good Neighbor

Chapter 25

AN: Again so sorry for not updating sooner. No excuses. Thank you for the reviews for the last chapter.

NCIS

Sarah and Gibbs enjoyed their picnic lunch and then took a quiet walk along the lake holding hands like teenagers. The subject of Jackson Gibbs' death was strictly avoided. Gibbs told Sarah about his mother Anne. He talked about his life with his father after his mother was forced by death to leave them. It was like that the dam that was holding back his memories had burst and he had a willing and loving listener at his side.

As the sun was beginning to set, Gibbs stopped in front of a large boulder that stuck out over the lake. He climbed up on top and helped Sarah to stand next to him. "This was my favorite spot on the whole lake" he told her. "I loved playing king of the hill with my friends. As I got older I would fish off this rock. Always wanted to bring Shan here but we just never got around to it. Just too much happening." He wrapped his arms around her and looked into her eyes. "I meant what I said to you in the car. I am totally in love with you. Have been for a very, very long time." Sarah smiled at him. "I didn't say it just because of my father's death. Things just welled up inside of me and I wanted you to know. Don't want to waste anymore time keeping things to myself."

"Of course you didn't. And I meant it too. You just gave me the courage to say it." Sarah replied placing her hands on his chest. "You have always shown me what love really is. Your actions have always shown me your love "She smiled again and looked up into his sparkling blue eyes. They were wet with the tears that were welling up in them. She took his cheek in her hand and wiped away a stray tear with her thumb. "Rachel told me to trust my instincts that you would lead the way and you have. " Gibbs then took her face in his hands and he began to gently kiss her lips. Sarah returned his kisses with ones of her own.

Gibbs pulled away when he felt her shiver. "Going too fast?" he whispered.

"No, it's just getting a little chilly." Sarah whispered. Gibbs smiled and nodded. He took his jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Let's head to the house and I'll get a fire going." Gibbs helped her down off the rock and they couple started toward the truck. Gibbs kept his arm around her shoulders.

"That sounds lovely." Sarah smiled as she wrapped her arm around his waist.

NCIS

The MCRT team had been in shock most of the day upon hearing of the death of their friend. As if something was drawing them together, they slowly began to arrive at Ducky's house. Tony had been the first one along with Ziva. Ducky opened the door with a smile. "Good afternoon, Anthony, Ziva. How can I help you today?"

"Nothing really Ducky, just didn't feel like spending the afternoon alone." Tony replied.

"I can understand. Things just don't make since today." Ducky told him. "Would you two like a cup of tea?" Both of them nodded yes and Ducky opened the door and allowed them to enter. The trio made their way into the kitchen. Ducky put the tea kettle on to boil. "I was just thinking about the last time I visited with Jackson. It seemed that he was concerned about something."

"Like what?" Tony asked. "Did he mention his health?"

"No. He seemed to have something else on his mind. He was concerned about Jethro." Ducky puttered around the kitchen making things ready for the tea. "I wonder if he was worried how his death would affect Jethro but it seemed like something else was also on his mind. But something was surely bothering him."

"Have you talked to the boss?"

"No. I have talked to Sarah. Jethro seems to be keeping things to himself."

Ziva nodded. "Just like Gibbs."

"When I talked to Sarah, Jethro had just .walked out of the coroner's office and then drove away in his truck."

"Did Sarah know where he was going?" Tony asked ]

"The doctor had a good idea. Sarah will find him. She has helped him in his grief before." Ducky turned back to the stove as the tea kettle started whistling. "Sarah actually called to relay a message. Jethro wants me to drive up tomorrow morning. He wants an autopsy"

Tony and Ziva both gave the older man a shocked look. "Why?" Tony asked.

"Seems he believes that there was foul play in Jackson's death."

"Sarah say what made him think that?" The old doctor shook his head. "Poor Gibbs" Ziva added.

"He did not tell Sarah his reasoning but I told her I would be there in the morning." Just then there was a knock at the door .Ducky smiled as if he had a premonition of who was knocking at the door. "Anthony, could you get the door? I am sure that is Abigail and Timothy. I'll put on another kettle for tea."

Tony looked at Ziva and then back at Ducky. "How does he know?" Ziva smiled and got up to go let them in. Soon the family would be all together sharing their memories of Jackson Gibbs but all were deeply concerned about their Boss. Each hoping Sarah would be able to help him through it.

NCIS

Gibbs had helped Sarah back into the truck. He could tell that she was still shivering from their sunset walk. He quickly turned on the heat in the truck and Sarah leaned into his shoulder snuggling against the warmth of his body.

They drove back into town in silence. Gibbs noticed the light on in his father's house as they pulled up. "Sarah, I want you to stay in the truck. Lock the doors behind me. Lights are on in Dad's place."

"I would bet it is someone making a condolence call. Didn't you say that he kept a key out for his friends."

"I hope that is all it is. But remember Dad may have not died of natural causes. " Gibbs whispered as he reached for the gun he kept hidden in the glove compartment. "Stay here and lock up." Sarah knew better than to question him when he had that look on his face. He waited until he heard both doors lock before he headed quickly and quietly toward the house.

Sarah watched as Gibbs stayed in the shadows as he made his way toward the house. She prayed that it was just one of Jack's friends bringing food. Sarah held onto her phone even though she did not know who to call if something happened after Jethro's encounter with the sheriff that morning.

Gibbs rounded the corner and looked in through the door to the mud room. He saw no one inside so he quietly opened the screen and went into the house. Slinking along the wall near the refrigerator he stepped into the dining room his gun now drawn as he heard voices. Quickly rounding the corner into the dining room, he pulled his gun. "NCIS, Freeze. Don't move."

The two ladies that were in the dining both screamed and turned toward the agent holding the gun. After a look of surprise on the two older women's faces left, one of the ladies walked up to him and slapped his hand. "Leroy Jethro Gibbs, put that thing down," she replied very sternly.

As if he was a young boy again who had just broken a window with his baseball he brought his gun down and looked at his feet. "Hello Mrs. Hanigan I sorry if I frightened you," he mumbled. Betty Hanigan had always made him angry because she had set her cap to be the next Mrs. Jackson Gibbs from almost the minute his mother died.

"Didn't I tell you, Marie, he was one handsome man. " Mrs. Hanigan said. "Leroy, this is my friend Mrs. Wilson. She moved to Stillwater after you left. We came over to bring you something for dinner and you pull a gun on us. Really Leroy, why in the world would you do such a thing? "

"Sorry again if I frightened you but I wasn't expecting someone to break into my father's house." he said firmly trying very hard to remain polite and respectful. He quickly opened a drawer in the buffet and stuck his gun inside. If was obvious that his gun was making both of them nervous.

"We did not break in dear boy. Jackson gave me a key a long time ago and I figured you would need something to eat. "

"Are you here alone son?" Mrs. Wilson asked. "I would have figured that handsome man LJ Moore would have come with you."

"No ma'am. He will be here in time for the funeral." Again he had to keep his anger in check. Why had his father given Betty Hanigan a key to his house? He had always suspected they had been more than just friends since his mother died.

"So you are alone then." Betty Hanigan replied. Gibbs looked at her and suddenly remembered he had left Sarah in the truck. He had to work hard on not showing his disgust with himself for forgetting about her.

"If you will pardon me for a second," he muttered a bit embarrassed that he had allowed Mrs. Hanigan to bother him so much that he had forgotten Sarah was in the truck.

Sarah was still sitting in the truck shivering but closely watching the door where Gibbs had disappeared from her sight. When she saw Gibbs come out of the back door she released the breath she did not realize she was holding. Gibbs hurried toward the truck and knocked on the window. "All clear" he signed, "open the door."

Sarah opened the door. "What was it?" she asked.

"Betty Hanigan." Gibbs growled. "I wish my dad had not given her a key to his place." Sarah smiled and reached out both of her arms for a hug.

"It will be ok Jethro. She may start chasing after you now that your father is dead." She tried to joke.

"Don't count on it." He growled hugging her back and then helping her out of the truck. "But I'm taken," he whispered smirking slightly. He kissed her gently. He felt her shivering again. "Let's get you into the house. Can't have my best girl getting sick. I'll get a fire started as soon as we get rid of those old biddies."

"I would love a fire but I am sure they are not old biddies, Leroy." Sarah smiled. Sarah normally called him Jethro but she was totally aware that in his home town he was Leroy.

"Wait till you meet them. " Gibbs replied as he grabbed the bags from the back of the truck.

The two walked into the house. The look of surprise on both ladies faces was obvious. Gibbs walked past the two and put the bags in the living room. "Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Hanigan, this is Sarah. If you will excuse me she is cold from the nip in the fall air. I am going to get a fire started." Gibbs said as he quickly exited the kitchen. Gibbs turned looked at Sarah and signed. "I want them out." Sarah smiled and winked at him.

"How do you do Sarah?" Betty replied. "How long have you two been married?" Sarah smiled Gibbs was right she was extremely nosey.

"We aren't married at all, Mrs. Hanigan." Sarah replied. Both women looked at her. "We are neighbors and I refused to allow him to come here alone after we heard about Jack."

"Really?" Both women replied at once. "It seemed to me that Leroy considers you more than just neighbors by the look on his face. There is love there I think."

Sarah had to hide a smile. "Nosy old biddies" she thought. "Well ladies, thank you so much for the food. I'll make sure Jethro eats something. As you can imagine his is extremely stressed and you know Mrs. Hanigan, he is a very private person."

Betty Hanigan couldn't help but nod remembering a much younger Leroy and the despair and anger he felt when his mother died. Jackson has also told her many times about the Betty Hanigan couldn't help but nod remembering a much younger Leroy and the despair and anger he felt when his mother died. Jackson has also told her many times about how Leroy had turned from a happy young man to a very sober, quiet boy. "I remember" she whispered.

"Then you understand why I am asking you to leave us alone." Sarah said as she carefully escorted them toward the door. Both ladies tried to protest but Sarah cut them off short. "I understand you would like to help but me very capable of helping Jethro through this. You will just make things worse for both of us."

Betty Hanigan had a look of surprise on her face. She knew she could help and this stranger was basically throwing her out of Jackson's house. "I am sure Jackson would want me to be here. "

"I'm sure Jack would understand that I am just trying to help his son. We will let you know when the services will be. Again thank you for the food." Sarah opened the back door and motioned for the ladies to leave. She began again to usher them toward the door. Both ladies tried to protest but Sarah handled them like an expert.

Gibbs had just come in the side door carrying a load of wood for the fireplace. He stopped at the door as he saw Betty H. turn and face Sarah. "Now listen here Missy. I will not be thrown out of Jackson's house by a stranger to this family. I am not leaving here until Leroy tells me to leave," she was yelling at Sarah. Gibbs put the wood in the wood box by the hearth. He then started to rush to Sarah's side. He stopped short when he saw Sarah straightened her posture and looked Betty Hanigan right in the eye.

"Now listen here you old biddy. I told you once nicely that your help was not needed here. I need you to both leave us alone right now." Sarah firmly pointed toward the door. "Now either you leave us alone or I will bounce you out on your fat but interfering butt." Sarah stood at attention looking very assertive. "I said get out or I will throw you out."

"Well I never?"

"Well maybe you should. Then you would have some compassion for others. " Gibbs stopped in the doorway and watched the action unfold. Sarah put her hands on her hips and stood her ground. She started walking again toward the ladies.

"Come on Betty. We've done all we can here. Just let us know if you need anything Sarah." Mrs. Wilson took her friend by the hand and pulled her out the door. Sarah walked up and slammed the backdoor as they left.

"It will be a cold day in hell before we eat that slop she brought. Probably tastes like crap." Sarah fumed. Gibbs walked up behind her. "The nerve of that woman thinking I can't take care of Gibbs. Been doing it for a long time. I love him and would never do anything to hurt him. Jackson would want her here my ass. Even if he did I would take him on." Gibbs put his arms around her but she was so mad that she started to struggle against him. "Don't try to pacify me Jethro. She made me so mad," He kissed her neck and began to whisper in her ear.

"Sweetheart, you handled her with assertiveness. Rachel would be proud." He kissed her again and began to massage her shoulders. "Relax I saw what they brought. I'm sure dad has a couple of steaks in the freezer. "He held her for a few minutes until he felt her relax. "Let me get this fire going. Why don't you see if there are some steaks and get them thawed." Sarah snuggled into his embrace and he kissed the top of her head. They held each other for another few minutes and then pulled they pulled apart. Gibbs went to the fireplace and Sarah went to the kitchen.

Sarah found two steaks in the freezer and put them carefully into a bowl of warm water to thaw. She then found some potatoes. She quickly got them ready to boil to make mashed potatoes. Gibbs came in to the kitchen. "I see you have things started in here. Fire's started. Why don't you get a blanket and go sit down. It's going to take a while for the steaks to thaw." Sarah smiled at him.

"Only if you join me."

"I'll get us something to drink and be right in." Sarah nodded and walked into the living room. She found a blanket already on the couch waiting for her. She couldn't help but smile. Just then her phone began to vibrate in her pocket. She had forgotten she even had it turned on. "Hello."

"Mama," Janice gasped. "Where are you? I have been calling you for hours. We went by the house to leave the girls and you weren't there." Sarah could hear the panic in her daughter's voice.

"Janice," Sarah replied. "I called you this morning and left you a message and then I texted you that I could not babysit tonight. I am in Stillwater with Jethro."

"Mother, I did not think you would ever leave me in the lurch for a man. I just knew you would be here for the girls." Janice replied angrily.

"Now listen here young lady. We are not here on a date. Gibbs' father Jackson died last night." Sarah informed her daughter. "I expected you to understand. "

Janice was still being selfish. "But mama I really needed you tonight. Couldn't you have just stayed here and drove down in the morning."

Sarah was fast becoming upset and finally had had enough. "No, I couldn't Janice. Jethro was leaving this morning. He father died last night." Sarah was fighting back tears. She was so mad and hurt that her own daughter could be so selfish and heartless. "I'm going to hang up now. I want you to think about what you just said. You are sounding like your father right now. "

"Mama, wait your not listening to me. I don't mean to be selfish but." On the word selfish Sarah hung up the phone and then turned off the ringer. She grabbed the blanket and plopped down on the couch watching the fire.

Gibbs came in carrying a cup of tea for Sarah and a beer for himself. She noticed Sarah sitting on the couch wrapped up in the blanked he left for her. She had her knees pulled up into her chest and her head was resting on her knees. She was crying. After quickly setting the drinks down Gibbs sat down next to her and pulled her into a tight hug. "What's the matter?" he whispered.

It took Sarah a few minutes to answer. She was so upset it took her some time to get control of her emotions. "Janice!" she managed to say. Gibbs could since more anger than sadness in her voice. He lifted her chin and looked into her red wet eyes. Using his thumb he started wiping her tears.

"What's wrong?" he said again. "How can I help?"

"Teach my ungrateful daughter some manners." Sarah mumbled angrily. "She just called and chewed me out for coming here and not being there to babysit while she and my son in law went out on a date." The tears began fall again from her eyes. "Why can't she let me live my life? I love those babies like they were my own but she gave birth to them. When do I get a chance to live my life?" Gibbs just shook his head and gently kissed her lips.

"It will be ok, Sweetheart. She'll figure it out. Things are changing with you and she will have to accept it."

Sarah nodded and accepted Gibbs embrace. "I know your right. She will come around." Then a look of panic filled her eyes. "Jethro, what if she gets mad enough to not let me see the girls again? That scares me to death. "

Gibbs leaned back and pulled her where her head was now resting on his chest. He began to stroke her hear. "Get rational Sarah. That's a what if that won't happen. Janice won't do that. She knows how much you love those girls." Just then Gibbs phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket. After looking at the caller ID he chuckled. "Guess who?"

"Janice" Sarah said tentively.

Gibbs nodded as he answered the phone. "Hello Janice," he said in a very businesslike tone. "How can I help you?"

"Gibbs, can I talk to my mother? It seems her phone is turned off."

"I'm not sure that is a good idea right now Janice. She is pretty upset after you last call. Give her a little time."

"Gibbs I really need to talk to her."

"What about?" Gibbs could hear the fear that was now in Janice's voice.

"Give her a message for me. I am sorry. I was just upset. Tell her did not mean to be so selfish. I was worried and we really needed that date. Things are not going to well right now. I'm sure she has told you."

"She has. Maybe if you spent time as a family, things will get better. Your mother needs some space." He pulled Sarah closer. "I kind of need her right now, myself." Sarah looked up into his blue eyes that were wet with a few unshed tears. Sarah smiled and reached for his cheek. She gently caressed it.

"I know. I'm sorry to hear about Jack. He was a lot of fun. Tell Mama I am sorry again. Do you think the girls could tell her goodnight?"

"I think I can arrange that." Gibbs put the phone on speaker. He smiled at Sarah.

The next voice on the phone was Leah. "Hi Nana. I miss you."

"Miss you too, baby" Sarah answered. "I won't be gone long. I promise."

"Nana, Is Gibbs alright? Mama said his daddy died." Sarah looked at Gibbs, who nodded his head and smiled.

"Hey Leah, I'm just fine. We will both be home soon and you can come visit me. We still have that doll house to finish." Gibbs told her.

"Sure do, "She giggled.

"Leah, it's getting late and you have school tomorrow. Let's say good night now. I will call you tomorrow." Sarah told her.

"Ok but Jennifer wants to say something."

On the phone they heard a babbling of a baby. "Hey Jenny Bear. How's my sweetheart."

"Night Night Nana," the baby babbled. You had to know that was what she was trying to say to understand it.

Sarah's smile was so big it almost jumped off her face. She wiped away another small tear. "I love you Jenny bear. Night, Night."

Next voice she heard was Janice's. "Night Mama. I'm sorry. Hope you feel like taking my call tomorrow. I'm really sorry."

"Give me some time Janice. Everything will be fine" Sarah shrugged her shoulders. "What can you do?" she signed.

Gibbs hung up the phone and turned to Sarah. "Feel better now."

"Always when I talk to those precious babies." Sarah turned to him. "You helped me. Now how can I help you?"

Gibbs smiled and pulled her closer. "Let's just sit here. It will help us both." Sarah smiled and sipped her tea. She knew he was right.