Chapter 53

Thank you DS2010, torontogirl 12, Kikilla14 for faithfully reviewing each chapter. I received 3 new followers after chapter 52. Thank you everyone who reads but does not review. I enjoy writing this regardless but knowing others are enjoying it fills my heart with joy.

AN: I do not own NCIS or any story line involved with the show.

Previously on NCIS

Samantha had her back turned when a man entered through the gate of the chain link fence that surrounded the playground. Gibbs saw him immediately and he noticed a bulge in the pocket of the jacket he was wearing. He told Kelly to stay near the tree and he started walking toward the man.

Just as if she could sense something was wrong Samantha turned and saw the man. She gaze locked with Gibbs. He signed. "Gun" and nodded toward the man. "Security measures.

Upon sending the message to the team, Samantha looked over at Gibbs and he just knew it had been sent and help was on the way. He nodded and gave her a small grin of confidence. The look in his eyes gave her the strength she knew she needed to do to protect her kids. In all the training she had with the Marines she knew she had the ability to stand up to that gun he was pointing at her. She had to. It was her job to protect her students. Also, she knew Gibbs was on her side and would help her at all costs.

The next few moments were just a jumble. She fought back the best she could. She was determined not to back down. Even after he hit her in the face she had to be strong despite the fear that was in every part of her body. Each step Gibbs took toward her the terror she was feeling began to lessen.

Before she knew it Gibbs had disarmed the shooter by putting his ever-present knife in his back. Her eyes locked with Gibbs confident blue ones as Gunny Sergeant Wilson dropped the gun. As if on autopilot she carefully lifted the gun off the ground with two fingers. She held it until Tony took it away from her.

She barely heard Gibbs tell her to take the students into the building. She looked at him. All she wanted to do was race into his strong arms. She needed his strength and his calming voice. She wanted him to make her feel safe. But her job was to take care of her students so she forced herself to blow the whistle and line the students up to return them to the building.

She walked toward the building the students following behind her. As she reached the front door of the school it totally hit her. She turned around and scoured the line of kids looking for Kelly. "Kelly, where is Kelly?" she thought. She wanted to leave the kids and race back to the playground and find Kelly.

Just then she saw Gibbs coming toward with Kelly wrapped in his arms. She released the breath she did not know she was holding and turned to continue on into the building. Mrs. Brown met her at the door. "Miss Waverly, thank goodness you're safe." She had the other first grade teachers take the students back to their classrooms. She had arranged for Mrs. Hernandez to take Samantha's students into her room to watch a movie. "Your class is covered, Samantha. Go into the office and have the nurse check out your cheek."

Samantha acknowledged Mrs. Brown with a nod and walked past her into the nurse's office. She sat down on the exam table that was against the wall. She had not said a word since it had happened. All she wanted was Gibbs. The nurse tried to hand her an ice pack and inspect the rapid swelling from the wound. Samantha pushed her hand away. She just sat there stone faced not moving, not talking just staring out the window.

Abby had been released from lockdown and was almost running down the hall when she encountered Gibbs and Kelly in the hallway. "Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs are you all right?" Gibbs smiled at the Goth and winked.

"Where's Samantha? Please tell me she is ok."

"She's not hurt Abby. Not sure how "fine" she is. Ducky in on his way to check her out." Gibbs told her. "Kelly, will you go with Abby while I check on Samantha?"

"Sure Daddy," she whispered. "Please tell me Mama is going to be ok."

Abby and Gibbs both looked at each other. This was the first time Kelly had called Samantha Mama. "Come here munchkin. Let your dad go in and check on her. Ducky is on his way. He will make sure she is fixed up." Kelly smiled and reached out to Abby. Abby took her in her arms. "Hey munchkin, let's go join your friends I hear they are watching "Lion King 1 ½". Tony says that is a great movie." Kelly smiled and they left Gibbs to check on Samantha.

Before Gibbs got to the nurse's office he heard Samantha almost scream out at the nurse. "Leave me alone. I am fine. I need Gibbs. Where is Gibbs?" Gibbs did not stand on ceremony. He burst into the office. He had heard that tone in her voice before. She was on the verge of a panic attack. He pushed past the nurse who gave him an indignant look.

"Samantha," he whispered softly taking the ice pack out of the nurse's hands. "Sam, its Jethro. I am here. Ducky is on his way." He sat down next to her exam table and put his arm carefully around her shoulders. "Sweetheart, please look at me. You have an ugly looking bruise swelling up on your cheek where he hit you. Please let me put some ice on it."

She still refused to look at him but when he put his arm around her she leaned into him and carefully laid her head on his shoulder. Taking the ice pack Gibbs carefully placed it in her right hand. On instinct she lifted the ice pack and put it on her face.

Gibbs began whispering softly in her ear and stroking her hair. "You are safe. The kids are safe. Kelly is with Abby and Wilson is on his way to NCIS." He began to rock gently still humming and stroking her hair. "Try to stay calm. Ducky is on his way to check you out."

Just then Ducky walked into the outer office. "Good Afternoon my dear," he said to the secretary, "I am Dr. Mallard, and I understand Miss Waverly is asking for me."

Gibbs heard his friend and whistled. "In here Duck." Mrs. Brown walked out of her office. She had been on the phone with the school superintendent giving him the most current information on the incident.

"She is in here, Doctor," she said as she motioned to the door into the nurse's office. Ducky nodded and walked into the room with his bag in hand. He saw Gibbs and Samantha sitting on the table holding each other tightly. Samantha had an ice pack to her ever swelling cheek and she was crying softly. "No signs of a panic attack, yet" he thought as he neared the couple. He walked up and brushed his hand down Samantha's hair. "Well Samantha let me get a look at that cheek now will you?"

Hearing Ducky's soft soothing accent Samantha looked up at him and he saw a hint of an acknowledging smile. She nodded and pulled the ice pact away from her face. The doctor examined her face which was now becoming many shades of blue and purple. Her eye was starting to swell shut. Ducky carefully wiped away the tears that were building up in her eye and Gibbs looked at his friend and whispered "Is it broken, Duck?"

"Quite possibly Jethro. So Samantha my dear it is best we get you to Emergency and get that x-rayed." Ducky smiled and took her hand. "Now dear, how are you in here?" He pointed to her head. That is when the tears began to fall. Gibbs just pulled her closer. Both Ducky and Gibbs watched her closely. They were very concerned she was headed for a panic attack.

NCIS

Tony, Ziva and McGee got Wilson back to NCIS and put him in interrogation. They all knew that Gibbs would be in to question him. Despite that he was still on medical leave he would not want anyone who endangered Samantha and Kelly to be questioned by anybody else but him.

The trio made their way back up to the bull pen. "You heard from Abby." Tony asked McGee as the two sat down at their desks. They needed all the information on Wilson ready for when Gibbs came in.

"No," Tim answered, "I am starting to get a little worried about that. Guess she is still in lock down."

"Abby is fine, Tim" Ziva replied as she joined them in the bull pen. "She just called me. Seems your cell is going to voice mail." Tim looked down at his phone. Somehow in all the excitement he had shut it off. "She is with Kelly in the classroom watching a movie."

"Glad she is ok. Did she say anything about how Sam is?" Tony asked.

"She is worried. Samantha was almost incoherent when she walked into the school." Ziva told them.

"Not another panic attack." McGee said under his breath.

"Nothing yet according to Abby." Ziva told him. "She was just sitting in the nurse's office refusing medical treatment." Just as if on cue Tony's cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID. "Gibbs," he mouthed toward his colleagues.

"Hey Boss." Tony answered putting the call on speaker.

"We are heading to Bethesda. Ducky thinks she had a broken jaw and it needs to be checked out." Gibbs reported.

"Boss? Anything else. How's her mental state?" Tim asked.

"She's in shock Tim. Ducky thinks it may hit her later."

"We have Wilson in interrogation. Just waiting on you." Tony interjected.

"Ok DiNozzo get me all the background on both cases and I will be in as soon as I get Samantha stable."

"On it Boss."

"Gibbs, where are Abby and Kelly?" Ziva asked.

"Still at the school. There has been a steady stream of parents picking up kids since news got out about the lockdown." Gibbs told her. "Abby's car is at the school but I bet she would love to see you Tim."

"I will catch a ride over there, Boss and pick them up." Tim suggested.

"Thanks Tim, take them over to my place unless we need Abby in the lab." Gibbs was talking more than he had ever talked in his life.

"On it Boss," Tim answered as he grabbed his to go bag and headed toward the elevator.

"Keep us posted on Samantha, Boss." Tony jumped in. Tim looked back at Tony and motioned for him to call him with updates. Tony nodded. Gibbs grumbled an ok and hung up the phone.

"Sounds like this really upset Samantha, yes." Ziva said.

"I hope not but I would bet she will be upset. Gibbs will have to keep an eye on her." Tony told her.

"We all will." Ziva added.

NCIS

When they had left George Washington Elementary school there was a steady stream of parents coming through the front doors to sign out their students to out after the lock out. Several parents tried to thank Samantha as they walked out but she just managed a nod and a week smile to acknowledge their praise and thanks. Gibbs was very protective of her as they put her in the Dodge Charger that Ducky had driven instead of his Morgan.

Ducky drove while Gibbs and Samantha got into the back seat. She snuggled in close still holding the ice bag on her face. Gibbs reached for his phone and called DiNozzo to inform him they were headed to the ER and to get someone to take care of Abby and Kelly.

Samantha had not said a word to him since it happened. Frankly except for yelling at the nurse she had not said anything. That had him worried. Noticing Ducky looking at him in the rear view window he noticed the look on his old friend's face conveyed the same concern.

Ducky drove up into the driveway of the ER. Gibbs helped her out of the car and they walked into the double doors. Gibbs walked up to the desk. They made a chart and told them to wait in chairs. The nurse's attitude made him furious but he kept it in check for Samantha.

A few minutes later Ducky entered the waiting room, seeing them sitting cuddled together he walked toward them. "What's going on? Why is she not headed for x-ray?"

"Not an emergency." Gibbs growled still stroking Samantha's hair.

"Jethro, "Ducky whispered. "Relax, I 'll take care of it." Ducky left then and went to the desk. Gibbs could see that Ducky was now having a highly heated discussion with Gibbs' now favorite nurse. After a few minutes Ducky came over to them both. "They now have a room for her and an ER doctor friend of mine will be in a few minutes."

"Thanks Duck." Gibbs replied helping Samantha up. He looked back at Ducky. He could see concern on the old man's face.

"Take care of her Jethro." Ducky admonished "Call me if you need anything. I will be here for a while."

"Thanks Duck. Call Abby and keep her posted." The nurse got Samantha a wheelchair. She sat down her hand always in constant contact with him.

The nurse took them back to and exam room. After a few minutes Dr. Doug Greene stepped into the exam room. "What seems to be the trouble in here?" Doug Greene was about 60 and had a very mellow bedside manner. "Ducky said you had a bruise but he did not say it was this beautiful. " He smiled and pulled the ice bag away from her face. "Now Samantha does this hurt?" She nodded her eyes still staring forward. Her hand was still gripping Gibbs' shirt. Gibbs looked at the doctor a worried look in his eyes. "Relax Agent Gibbs, Ducky informed me about all aspects of her condition," he whispered. Then turning to Samantha he checked her pulse and respirations. He looked at Gibbs and smiled. "Things look good Samantha. Your airway seems clear and despite this beautiful bruise I don't think it is really that bad. We need to get a CAT scan and check for breaks. I don't see any deformities." He walked toward the door. "The nurse will be in soon to take you up for your CAT scan."

Gibbs smiled at her and looked her in the eyes. "Hey sweetheart, you are going to be fine. Look at me Sam. You are safe."

"Where's Kelly?" Samantha said shakily. It was the first words Gibbs had heard her say since she was yelling at the nurse earlier.

"Abby took her to our place. She was not hurt and is more concerned about you."

Samantha smiled weakly and then snuggled into him. "Good. Wilson?"

"Tony took him to the shop. He is a suspect in a couple of NCIS cases." He told her. He gently leaned in and kissed the unhurt side of her lips. "Glad you are back with us."

"What do you mean?"

"Babe you have been kind of out of it for a while. You had Ducky a little worried," he quipped.

Samantha reached over and pulled him closer cupping his face in her hands. "Just Ducky, huh." Gibbs shrugged his shoulders and smiled as he leaned in and kissed her forehead.

The nurse came in and helped Samantha into a wheel chair. "You can wait here for us," she said to Gibbs. A look of terror filled Samantha's eyes. She reached out for him with both hands.

"No way. I'm going with her," he insisted. "Not going anywhere." The nurse gave him a very annoyed look. He glared right back at her. "I said I am going with her." The nurse shook her head and they started toward CT.

NCIS

Tim caught a ride with the MP situation commander to the school. MP's had taken over the aftermath so NCIS had no further involvement. Tim walked past the MP's at the front showing his badge. He was directed to Kelly's classroom. Mrs. Hernandez met him at the door. "Well hello Agent McGee isn't it?"

"Yes, I was sent to pick up Abby and Kelly," he smiled. Upon seeing him enter the door both Abby and Kelly ran to him with open arms. He was taken aback by the force of both of them hugging him at the same time. "Timmy, where are Gibbs and Samantha?"

"Ducky took them to Bethesda to get Samantha's face checked out." He looked over to Mrs. Hernandez. "We will let you know what the doctors say."

"Thanks," Elena replied. Tim looked around seeing that most of the kids were gone. Noticing the look in his eyes Elena smiled. "Parents have been a little jumpy. Needless to say."

Tim and Abby both nodded their heads. "Glad we were here to help." Tim said. He reached down and picked up Kelly.

"Good-bye Mrs. Hernandez. I will see you on Monday." Kelly smiled as the three left the room. Abby turned around and handed Elena her card.

"All of the team's numbers are on this card. Call us if you need anything ever. "Abby replied giving Elena a quick hug. She then joined Tim and Kelly in the hall. "Ready to head home, Kelly Girl."

"Home? Can't we go find Mama and Dad?" she asked.

"Your dad sent us home. He will call let us know about your Mama."

"Abby, we could fix them some supper. That way when they get home they can eat."

"Smart idea kiddo."

NCIS

Gibbs stood in the waiting room while the doctor got her CAT scan. Samantha was dozing off when they brought her out in the wheel chair. Gibbs gave the nurse a questioning look. "She is coming down from the adrenalin high after what she's been through. She does not have a concussion so rest is the best thing for her right now." Gibbs nodded his head and grabbed Samantha's hand as they headed toward the elevator.

They arrived back to the cubical they had left to wait for the results of the CAT scan. With Gibbs' help the nurse managed to get Samantha back into the bed. Then she left and returned with a blanket. "Just keep an eye on her Agent Gibbs. She was so exhausted from her trauma she needs her rest."

"Thanks," he said taking the chair next to the bed. The nurse noticed how he never lost physical contact with her. She noticed how he was constantly virulent of her every breath. "He really must love her," she thought leaving the room.

As she was leaving the room, she was met by a very handsome man wearing a dark blue suit coat, light blue shirt and blue striped tie. "God he is handsome. That jet black hair is dreamy," she thought. Looking at him, she smiled and asked. "Can I help you sir?"

He smiled a dazzling smile. "I am looking for Agent Gibbs and Samantha Waverly," Tony DiNozzo asked.

"Right in here," she pointed. Just then the smiling man was joined by a lovely Middle Eastern woman. The look in the man's eyes told the nurse that she no chance with him.

"Did you find them Tony?" she asked.

"Right in here Ziva." Tony replied. Just then Gibbs stepped out of the curtains. "Sh! Sam's asleep." he said. "What you got?"

"Just checking in on you two, Boss." Tony replied.

"Still waiting on results of the CAT scan. Wilson still in interrogation."

"Yep. We have all the ammunition you need to question him."

"Good, I'll be there as soon as I get Sam settled."

"Ok Boss. Have you called Abby?" Ziva asked.

"No, nothing to tell her yet."

NCIS

Samantha was standing on the playground watching her section. The kids were playing and were behaving themselves when a dark haired man walked through the gate. She looked over at Gibbs who was standing with Kelly near the swings. The man pulled a huge gun and began firing. First she hit Kelly. She ran over to Kelly. She was bleeding out in front of her. Samantha looked up and saw Gibbs standing between her and the gunman. The man then pulled the gun again and fired hitting Gibbs in the head. She stood up as Gibbs fell to the ground. She looked down at her clothes they were covered with Gibb's blood and brain matter. She screamed. "Jethro, oh my god Jethro."

Gibbs heard the blood curdling scream coming from behind the curtain. "Get Ducky, he's in the waiting room." he said to Tony.

When Gibbs entered the room Samantha was sitting on the bed tears streaming down her face and she was screaming. Gibbs ran up to her reaching to wrap his arms around her. She pushed him away. "Jethro he's dead."

"Sam, I 'm not dead," he exclaimed. "I am right here." Just then Ducky burst through the curtain.

He saw Sam's face she was pale. The look in her eyes was sheer terror and sadness mixed together. "Samantha my dear. It's Ducky. What is wrong?"

She responded to his soothing voice. "Ducky, Ducky, Jethro is dead. Wilson shot him."

"No my dear. He didn't. Jethro is safe, Kelly is safe and you are going to be just fine." He replied reaching for her hands. He looked over at Gibbs. "Get her doctor" he whispered. "She needs a sedative to calm her down." He then turned to Samantha. "Sweetie, Gibbs is just fine."

He reached her and took her hands in his. Then looking into her eyes he repeated again that she was safe, that Gibbs was safe, and Kelly was safe. Just then Dr. Greene came into the cubical. "What is the problem?"

"Ah Doug. She needs a sedative." Dr. Greene looked at him. "Apparently she had a nightmare. Her heart is racing. We have to help her." Dr. Greene stepped out to call for a nurse. Ducky motioned for Gibbs to come closer to the bed. "Talk to her Jethro. Maybe we can get her to realize it was all a dream."

Gibbs sat down on the bed and forcibly put his arms around her. "God Ducky. I can still feel his arms around me. I can still smell his scent of Old Spice, Sawdust and Bourbon."

"Samantha, wake up and look at me. You do feel my arms around you. I am right here. I am alive and holding you." She shook her head still disbelieving the words she heard. Gibbs held her tighter and began kissing her neck. He began whispering into her ear. Ducky could not hear what he was saying but the look on her face was telling him that she was beginning to calm down.

Dr. Greene came in with a hypodermic needle containing a sedative. "Hold on a minute Doug. I think Jethro is getting through to her."

"Jethro," she said as she turned to look him in the face. She cupped his cheeks and stared into his deep blue eyes. "Wait you're here."

"Yes sweetheart. I am here. Look at me, touch me, listen to me. It was all a dream. We are here together." He began kissing the uninjured side of her face. Her eyes lit up and she then wrapped her arms around his neck.

"It is you. You're not dead. You're here and I can hold you. It was all a nightmare?"

"Not Wilson pulling a gun but any of us getting hurt was a nightmare." He pulled her close and just held her. Neither of them wanting to let the other go for even a second.

Ducky came over and quickly took her pulse. He looked at Doug and smiled. "Heart rate is getting down to normal. She has calmed down considerable. Let's leave these two alone for a couple of minutes. Let me buy you a cup of coffee." The two doctors stepped out of the cubical to give the couple privacy.

NCIS

Immediately after stepping into the hallway Tony was there with a worried look on his face. "Glad the screaming stopped. How is she Ducky?"

"She is getting better. She had a nightmare that Gibbs had been killed at the school. Took her a little while to come back to reality." Ducky told him.

"Poor baby. That has to be rough."

"Well today and with her fear of losing Gibbs before the wedding must have caused the nightmare. I hope this is the last of them. "Ducky reported.

Ziva looked at Dr. Greene. "Well Doctor, how is she physically?"

"She's going to be fine. At least physically." Dr. Greene told them.

NCIS

Meanwhile inside the room Samantha and Gibbs were reconnecting. No words were spoken. They just sat there and held each other. Samantha was looking into his blue eyes seeing nothing but concern and love. He was running his fingers through her hair trying to calm her down.

After a few minutes Samantha spoke. "Jethro, I am so sorry I worried you."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. You had a nightmare."

"It just seems overwhelming. I was so scared out there. I was afraid for you, Kelly and the other kids. Is everybody all right?"

"Kelly is with Abby. Nobody was hurt, thanks to you. Does this hurt much? Where he hit you? I could have killed him on the spot when he put his hands on you." Gibbs growled.

"It doesn't hurt much." She laid her head on his shoulder. "I am fine."

"Sure you are." Gibbs smirked.

Just then Ducky and Dr. Greene reentered the cubical. "You two ready to go home." Dr. Greene said.

"What about my cheek?" Samantha asked.

"Nothing's broken just bruised and swollen."

"That is great to hear. Can we get out of here? I think we both will be better off." Gibbs grumbled.

"Well I want you to take these prescriptions for pain killers and steroids to get the swelling down. Don't sleep on the injured side and come back in if you have any trouble breathing." Dr. Green informed them.

"Don't worry Doug. I will keep an eye on her injury." Ducky added.

Samantha was still holding tight to Gibbs who was more than ready to leave this pop stand. He wanted to get her home and let her get some real rest. "Just get the paperwork."

Ducky smiled at them. "I'll get the nurse in here with your discharge orders." Doug told them. "I'll bring the car around." Ducky added.

NCIS

Kelly and Abby were working diligently on supper when the phone rang. Tim answered it quickly. "Glad to hear it Tony. See you soon."

Tim came into the kitchen and was immediately barraged with questions by Kelly and Abby. "Was that Tony? Is Samantha ok? Are they coming home?"

"Yes nothing was broken. They are sending her home with pain pills and steroids for the swelling."

"Yay they are on their way home." Kelly said jumping up and down. Abby gave Tim a look of concern. He smiled back at her. "Not sure" he whispered.

NCIS

Ducky, Samantha and Gibbs reached the house just minutes before Tony and Ziva. Gibbs helped her out of the car. He was still insisting on a constant physical connection with her. He wanted her to know he was there every second. They walked into the house and were immediately met by Kelly. "Mama, are you ok?" she squealed running up to hug her legs. Samantha looked at her. If she noticed Kelly calling her Mama she did not acknowledge it. Gibbs helped Samantha over couch and Kelly climbed up next to her. Gibbs smiled down at Kelly. "She is fine."

"Yes Kelly I am just fine. Doctor said I will have this beautiful bruise for awhile but nothing is broken." Samantha pulled Kelly into her lap. "Are you ok?"

"I am fine now. Glad you and Dad are home. Abby and I fixed you something to eat. Do you want us to get you some?" Samantha smiled down at the little girl.

"That would be wonderful, Kelly girl." Abby came over and took Kelly's hand and led her in the kitchen. They soon returned with a plate of food for both Gibbs and Samantha and set them on the coffee table.

Samantha started eating carefully since her jaw was very painful. Gibbs motioned for Tony to meet him outside. Gibbs whispered to Samantha. "I will be right outside. Need to talk to Tony." She smiled up at him but nodded her head.

When the two were outside Tony looked questioningly at his Boss, "What's up Boss?"

"I want you to handle the interrogation of Wilson. Just handle the whole matter. I won't leave Samantha right now."

"On it Boss. Ziva and I will take care of things."

"Thanks Tony."

The two went back into the house and Gibbs joined Samantha on the couch. Tony motioned to Ziva to leave. Ziva went up to Samantha and placed her hand on her shoulder. "We need to go now Sam. Call me if you need anything." Samantha nodded thanks. Tony and Ziva headed out to the car. "I'm worried about her." Ziva told him.

"Me too and so is Gibbs. He wants me to handle things for him. He is not leaving her for awhile." Tony told her. Ziva smiled and nodded yes. They two got into the car and headed toward NCIS.

NCIS

Abby and Tim left next knowing the little family just needed to be alone. Abby was worried about Samantha and insisted that she call her on Saturday.

Ducky was next. "Jethro call me if you need anything. Make sure she takes a pain pill tonight. Her jaw bone is not broken but it is probably very painful. That might also help keep the nightmares away."

"I'll try Duck. Not leaving her alone tonight anyway." Gibbs told him and his friend left.

Gibbs came back into the house. Samantha and Kelly had started a movie and were cuddled together on the couch. Gibbs joined them and sat there with his arms wrapped around Samantha. She looked up at him and smiled. "Ducky wants me to take a pain pill tonight right."

"Yep. Will ya?"

"Sure this really hurts," She pulled his arms tighter around her. "Promise you will stay with me tonight," she whispered.

"Not going anywhere. Want to hold you all night. Want to protect you the best I can from the nightmares," he whispered back kissing her on the neck.

"Thank you. I would not want to sleep anywhere else tonight except in your arms."