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.

37. Chapter 37

The Good Neighbor

Chapter 37

AN: We are nearing the ending of this story. I hope you have enjoyed this ride. I have enjoyed writing it. Not sure if how many chapters are left. I have a plan on how it will end but I never totally know how it will go but I want a happy ending.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

NCIS

Previously on NCIS

We still can have a special night and then you can still ask me. At least you know I will say yes." She looked up at him.

"You want your ring now."

"Absolutely not. You're not getting by that easy Gunny," she stated. "I want you on one knee and you to slip that ring on my finger just like in the movies."

"You got that boss. Now Abby will be here in about an hour or so. Why don't you go wash your face and make me my list?"

Sarah stood up on her tip toes and kissed her soon to be fiancé. "Ok."

Gibbs kissed her back and watched her walk up the stairs. He then turned and went back to the basement. He grabbed his phone off the workbench. He quickly pushed a number on his speed dial. The phone rang twice when it was quickly answered. "Hey Gibbs, I was just about to head your way."

"Abby, I need your help. Can you meet at the diner first?"

"Sure, we have two hours before the beauty parlor. What's up."

"I'll explain when I get there. Sarah deserves a surprise tonight and I need the teams' help to achieve it."

"Your wish is my command."

NCIS

Gibbs walked into the diner and saw Abby sitting in the booth near the back. She was drinking a Calpow. Upon seeing him she jumped and raced toward him. "Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs, what is it you want?"

Gibbs escorted her back to the booth. Just as they sat down Elaine brought him a huge mug of coffee. "Anything else I can get you darling?"

"No thanks Elaine. Abby and I just have some plans to make." Elaine nodded. "Ok Abbs first of all I need your word not to say anything to Sarah."

"You have it."

"First of all I was planning on proposing tonight."

Abby squealed, "Wait a minute. Was?" She frowned. "Are you not going to ask her now?"

Gibbs smiled. "Relax Abby. I already asked her about a month ago." He paused. Abby glared at him. "She said yes Abby." Abby breathed a sigh of relief. "It was the day I got shot."

Abby immediately interrupted. "I knew it. I bet McGee you were discussing marriage. He owes me 10 bucks."

"Abby calm down." Gibbs cautioned.

"If you already said yes why are you asking her again?"

"She deserves a romantic proposal. Just like in the movies." Gibbs stated. Elaine walked up to refill his coffee. "But I asked her daughters for their blessing. That was a huge mistake"

"And?" Abby asked.

"They were real selfish bitches." Elaine added as she poured him some more coffee.

"To say the least. They came over to the house this morning and really spoiled the surprise."

"What happened?" Elaine and Abby said together.

"Sarah basically told them off. They are not allowed back in the house until she gets a genuine apology."

"Alright Sarah." Elaine and Abby agreed. "So what do you want me to do?"

"We plan to continue our date and I am going to ask her how I planned it. I just want to give her surprise anyway." Gibbs informed her.

"I got it. How about an engagement party after you come home?" Abby jumped in.

"That is what I was thinking."

"Well I think I can put together a great surprise. "Abby grabbed her phone. "Gibbs, I will get the team rolling on it." She pushed a number on her phone. Tim McGee answered. "Timmy, while I am at the beauty parlor with Sarah call the rest of the team. We need to meet at my place at 3:00. We have a surprise to plan. I will explain when I see you."

"Abbs." Gibbs replied. "Remember this is a huge secret from Sarah." Abby nodded and signed "I know."

NCIS

Abby called Sarah before she left the diner and asked her if she would mind going to the beauty parlor without her. Of course Sarah agreed. Abby then looked at Elaine. "You want in on the plans Elaine or just an invitation."

"I have to work till seven but would be glad to bring some munchies."

"Well they have a dinner date and then the proposal so I would assume the party won't start till after 10."

"Tell Gibbs the party starts at 10:30. That way they can have a little alone time first." Elaine told her.

"That sounds perfect. I will call you later after we make some plans. Oh I love to plan surprises." Abby almost hopped out of the dinner and headed for her car.

NCIS

Gibbs drove back home remembering to stop at the hardware store to pick the supplies he didn't need. He drove up into the driveway to find Sarah sitting on the snow covered porch. He walked up. She stood up and kissed him. "Waiting for Abby."

"No just got a weird phone call. Abby said she had something came up."

"You worried about her." Gibbs asked cautiously.

"No. I know she handles other teams, tests and such. Was just hoping we could have lunch after. We haven't had much time together lately." Sarah replied.

"I'll see if I can get you two some time off." Gibbs told her. Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I know you hate to drive in snow. You want me to drive you."

"Could you?" She asked. Gibbs nodded. "Then we can go to lunch."

"Wait a minute. Then you will see my hair." She smiled at him. "Who cares? Not like it is my wedding hairdo after all." Gibbs smiled and pulled her into his arms.

"You're right about that." He chuckled. He looked into her eyes. "But I don't want to wait very long for you to be my wife. It's not like we have to get to know each other."

"So true. And thanks to our meetings with Rachel I think I am just about ready for a wonderful wedding night." Sarah chuckled. Gibbs winked at her. She looked down at her watch. "Guess we had better get going."

"Your carriage awaits my lady." They took off hand in hand to the truck.

NCIS

Abby was literally jumping up and down when she opened the door for Tim McGee. "What's up Abby?" Abby pulled Tim in her apartment. "Sarah and Gibbs are getting married. He is asking her tonight."

"How do you know Abs?" Tim sat down on the sofa and tried to relax her.

"Gibbs told me." She was just bouncing on the sofa. Just then there was a knock on the door. Abby jumped up and ran to the door. She pulled open the door. "Tony, Ziva, come in come in. I have news for you"

"Relax Abbs." Tony replied as he glanced over at McGee. "McGoo? What's up?"

"Not sure. Abby has not stopped jumping around to tell me."

"I heard that Timmy. Well first off Gibbs is planning to propose tonight."

"Again. Why would he do that?" Tony blurted out.

Abby glared at him. "How did you know he asked her already?"

"Oh did I say that? I did not mean that. "Tony stammered. Abby came over and sat down by him.

"Fess up DiNozzo." Abby glared at him. "What do you know?"

Tony could not lie to Abby so he finally admitted. "Well Abbs, Sarah kind of blurted it out in the emergency room when Gibbs was shot." Abby glared at him again. He knew she was not satisfied with his answer. "I would have told all of you but Sarah make me promise to keep it confidential. Gibbs promised me the mother of all head slaps to."

"Oh if Gibbs threatened you I guess you had to keep it hush, hush." Abby pouted.

"How did you find out Abby?" Ziva asked

"Gibbs told me this morning because he wants us to surprise Sarah with a party. He went to Sarah's daughters last night for their blessing and they were totally selfish. They went over to the house this morning and spoiled Gibbs surprise." Abby explained.

"What?" Tony, Ziva and Tim replied together.

"Yes, but Sarah blasted them out and refuses to see them without a sincere apology. "

"Way to go Sarah" Tony remarked. "So Abby I assume you have a plan."

"Don't I always." She handed out the lists. "I have to do lists for each of you."

Tony took his list. "That's a lot of crate paper Abby."

"We need all of it and look for some white wedding bells to. Try that Hallmark store over on Fifth. I am sure they have everything we need." Abby looked a Ziva. "Can you make those little cookies you had at your last dinner party?" Ziva nodded. "Gibbs and Sarah are going out to dinner at 7. We can get started decorating as soon as they leave.:

Ziva looked down at her list. "Come on Tony from the looks of my list we had better get moving. I am sure you have one as long as mine. I also have some baking to do." Tony nodded. He grabbed her hand and headed toward the door.

"Ok Abbs. If you think of anything else, just call." Tony smiled looking down at his list. "Not sure there is anything you missed but call just the same." He chuckled. "Let's be off my Ninja." They waved toward Tim who was still sitting on the couch.

"How about some lunch before we tackle our list Abby? I am starving." He replied getting up.

"Ok, but something quick. We really have a lot to do. I want this to be something really special for Sarah. She deserves it."

NCIS

Sarah looked beautiful as she left the beauty parlor. They had redone the color so the auburn of her hair was brighter and it set off her greenish tent eyes beautifully. Sarah had walked down the street to meet Gibbs at a nearby coffee shop. He noticed her immediately as she entered the door. So did every man in the place. She had removed her coat as she entered the diner. She was wearing a tight fitting turtle neck shirt and a pair of tightly fitting low rise jeans with a belt. She was also wearing leather boots that came up to her knees. Her auburn hair was now pulled up in a ponytail much like Ziva's and the hair at the back was curled with so many curls that they bounced as she walked. The ladies at the salon must have also done her make up because she looked even more beautiful now that she did before. As she neared the booth Gibbs stood up and kissed her gently. "Wow!" was all she managed to say. Sarah smiled and returned his kiss with a little more passion. "What's that for?" Gibbs whispered as he escorted her into the booth next to him.

"The look in your eyes and to let the gawkers around here to know I am taken." She smiled as she reached for the menu that was on the table. Gibbs could not help but chuckle at her change in manner of the last couple of month.

"Someone is learning. Are you turning into an ingénue my dear?"

Sarah smiled coyly. "Maybe, does that intrigue you Agent Gibbs?" Gibbs smiled and kissed her.

"Maybe later. Now I'm hungry." Just then the waitress cleared her throat.

"What can I get you?" she smiled at them. "How long have you two been married?"

The couple smiled. "Not married" Gibbs paused "Yet!"

"Well you look like you have been together forever."

Sarah then smiled and chuckled. "We have just not as a couple. Best friends that's all." The waitress smiled and nodded.

The two quickly ordered and then continued their conversation as they waited on their lunch.

NCIS

After lunch Gibbs drove slowly home not really wanting lunch to end but when he noticed Sarah yawning he took a more direct route. "Somebody is in need of an afternoon nap." Gibbs whispered.

"What makes you think that?"

"I am an investigator and you are yawning." He smiled as he pulled into the driveway. "How about we turn on a movie and relax? We both have been working pretty hard this week and you did have some stress this morning. How are you doing with that?"

Gibbs got out and walked around the car and opened the door for her. "I'm fine. It is time I stood up to them. Rachel has been telling me to fight for what I want in life. "She reached up and patted Gibbs on the cheek. "And I know you are part of what I want."

Gibbs smiled at her as he opened the door for her. Sarah walked past him. "Pick us a movie. I need to get more comfortable."

"On it Boss." Gibbs joked.

A few minutes later Sarah reemerged from upstairs. She was now wearing a NCIS sweatshirt and a pair of sweats. Instead of boots she was now wearing a pair of lounging socks and was carrying a blanket. She went to the kitchen and grabbed a beer for Gibbs and a diet coke for herself. "I'm ready."

"If you are that cold I could make a fire." Gibbs smiled.

"No need I am quite warm now." She set the drinks down on the coffee table and plopped on the sofa. "What are we watching?"

"McClintock or True Grit?"

"Ok comedy or drama. Good choices both. We watch McClintock about a month ago. Let's watch John Wayne's best movie."

"Already in the player." Gibbs winked at her. He quickly joined her on the sofa. He put his arm on the back of the sofa. Sarah wrapped a blanket around both of them and snuggled into the curve of his arm. Gibbs started the movie with the remote and the two settled into a comfortable silence.

It was not long before Sarah's breathing evened out and he knew she was asleep. "I love you so much" Gibbs whispered just as he arms went to sleep but there was not a chance he was going to move her. He sat watching the movie and thinking about how the night's events would unfold. He smiled to himself.

Author's Note: I am stopping this chapter here. I will continue to work on the proposal and Abby's party next. It is all planned out and I am kid less today so I am really going to get another chapter up tomorrow. Can't promise it will happen but I will surely try. Please review and let me know what you think. I really enjoy hearing from you.