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Chapter 54
Thank-you to my three consistent reviewers. It is always a wonderful feeling to get reviews on each chapter. Thank-you to all my new story followers. This has been a fun ride.
Disclaimer: I own nothing concerning NCIS.
Samantha cuddled into Gibbs' arms and was asleep before the movie was over. Kelly quietly tapped Gibbs on the shoulder. "Dad, Mama is asleep" she whispered.
He put his finger up to his lips. "Sh!" She smiled at him which turned into a yawn. "Baby girl, looks like it is bedtime. You have had a hard day, just like Mama."
"Ok Dad. Can you read me a story?"
"Sure if I can. Let me see if I can get your Mama upstairs and in bed without waking her. You get ready for bed." She nodded and then skipped off toward the stairs. Gibbs helped Samantha lean onto the couch as he wiggled out from behind her. She mumbled something unrecognizable and then went back to sleep. He maneuvered her arms around his neck and then he lifted her up bridal style. She snuggled into his arms like she had always belonged there. She murmured "I love you."
He carried her upstairs to the bedroom that in about six weeks would be theirs. He gently laid her down on the bed and carefully removed her shoes. After covering her with a blanket she snuggled down under the covers. After watching her sleep in what he now considered their bed for a couple of minutes, he went to find Kelly.
Kelly was just coming out of the bathroom she was wearing her Strawberry Shortcake pajamas. "Teeth brushed etc?" Gibbs asked her.
"Yes, I have my favorite book picked out. It's called Make Way for Ducklings."
Gibbs smiled at her. He remembered reading that before many, many times. "I remember that book. I read it a long time ago."
"Did you read it to your Kelly?" she asked as the two sat down on the bed. Kelly snuggled into his side as he took the book from her.
"Yes, I remember reading it back then but I think my mother read it to me when I was your age" he told her smiling.
"Dad, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure baby, you can ask me anything?" He patted her hands and looked down at her.
"Why is Mama so sad? She hasn't said much since we left school. She looks funny. It's like she looks at you but does not see you. I called her Mama today and she did not notice. I tried to ask Abby about it but she said to ask you."
Gibbs took his free hand and wiped it down over his face. How was he going to explain something to her that he did not quite understand himself? She could not have PTSD really. He hoped. She was a Marine. Granted she had not served in combat but she was well trained. If she hadn't today could have gone much worse. "Well she was really scared today. She was worried about you and your friends."
"Why Dad? You were there and you promised to keep us safe. I was never scared. You are my hero" She smiled and taking his hand.
Gibbs smiled at the little girl. "Glad she has faith in me. I knew what I had to do but I knew that this guy was just screwy enough to cause problems." He thought patting her hand. He turned to Kelly and put his arm around her. "Thanks for you trust baby girl but Mama was the true hero. She kept the bad guy busy so I could sneak up on him.
"Then why is she so scared? She did a good thing. She kept us safe."
"That I can't answer. Just give her some time. She just needs to rest, let her face heal and find her smile again," he told her.
"Maybe on Sunday when we go to Ducky's to work on his yard for the wedding she'll find her smile. I mean doesn't she always say that family helps fix being sad."
"She is such a special kid," he thought. "Kelly girl, you might be right at that. A day with family might just be what she needs. Maybe you and Abby can help her find her smile. Let's read your book before you fall asleep on me." He kissed the top of her head and started reading about Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their eight babies. Kelly snuggled into his side and was asleep before the family of ducklings went on their walk to the Public Garden.
NCIS
Tony and Ziva drove up into the parking lot of the NCIS building. They had bickered all the way from Gibbs' house who was going to be the lead interrogator of Sgt. Wilson. Ziva was mad. This man had killed a woman four years ago, was a member of a drug smuggling ring and had threatened to hurt members of her family. She was more than mad. She was pissed and seeing Samantha so scared and worried just made her madder.
The two walked into the lobby and then stepped into the elevator. Tony had not said much about the day's events except to argue with Ziva about being lead interrogator. Tony turned and hit the emergency stop button. He reached over and wrapped Ziva in his arms pulling her close to him. "Hey Ninja, are you all right?" he whispered into her ear.
"I'm fine" she said softly.
Tony put his finger under her chin and slowly lifted her chin so he was staring into her dark brown eyes. "Bull, you're not fine. This whole thing has pissed you off. It has pissed me off too."
She stared into his eyes and smiled at him with a Mona Lisa grin. She blinked away the tears that had formed in her eyes. "I really am fine Tony. I am pissed at him for doing this to Samantha. Here she had managed to accept that Gibbs was not going to die before her wedding and was really excited about being a bride. Then this yank-off comes along and causes her to doubt Gibbs making it alive to the wedding. Or her for that matter. She is afraid that her happy ending will never come."
Tony placed a soft kiss on her lips and then smiled at her. "Its jerk-off Zee but I get what you are saying. Do you think she is really more scared about losing Gibbs than she lets on?"
She kissed him back and then looked up into his eyes. "Yes Tony, I do think that is what she is afraid of. Remember her aunt and uncle warned her that he would not show up. She has been so beaten down by them that she does not think she deserves a happy life." As she was telling Tony this she remembered how she had been beaten down emotionally after she returned from Somalia. Tony and Gibbs had been her salvation. Gibbs was a father figure and Tony was her friend, partner and now lover. Both men were her rocks. She could only imagine how Samantha felt about losing Gibbs. It would kill her if something happened to Tony.
As if on cue, Tony could almost always seem to read her mind. He gently kissed her again. "Not to worry Ninja. We will get her that happily ever after. I promise. Might even swing one for us too." He winked and then hugged her close to him and then after patting her on the rump he started the elevator. She gave him a glare but in her eyes he could see that she was not really mad at him just amused. "Maybe tempted fate there" he thought. He then turned to her, "Hey Ninja, let's go have a little fun with our prisoner."
She nodded and smiled. "This is going to be interesting."
NCIS
Across town Tim pulled into the parking lot of Abby's apartment building. She had been really, really quiet on the ride over. She had been deep in thought. "Hey beautiful, penny for your thoughts." Tim smiled.
Abby looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Not really just thinking."
"Abby sweetheart, there is something wrong. You're crying. What's the matter?" Tim leaned over and put his arm around her shoulder.
"Sam," she said. "I'm worried about her. Did you see her face? She was looked just like a Zombie. "Tim gave her a questioning look. "You know that blank stare. Her eyes were just blank, no feeling, no emotion etc."
"Could be PTSD? He did hold a gun on her Abbs, threatened her life, and threatened the lives of her students. Gibbs was out there too. You can't tell me that would not cause even Gibbs a moment of stress."
"I know that could be it but I really think it is something more. My gut's telling me there is more?"
"How about we just stop worrying about it for now? Gibbs is with her and he will call someone if she needs help." Tim suggested kissing her on the cheek. Deep down in his gut he knew that neither one of them would stop worrying but they could try.
Abby nodded and gave him a weak smile. Tim got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side to open the door for her. Abby got out of the car and put her arms around his neck. "You are so good Timothy McGee. How about joining me upstairs for a movie? Maybe we can order pizza and just try not to worry."
"Sounds like a plan Miss Scuito." He cupped her chin and looked down into her eyes smiling. He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips.
NCIS
Gibbs stayed with Kelly until she was fast asleep. He then wrapped the blanket around her and turned off the light. Before stepping out of the room he looked down at his little girl a smile formed almost effortlessly on his lips. His life had really taken a different turn than he would have ever guessed. Just then he heard Samantha calling his name from the bedroom. The anguish in her voice twisted his gut into a large knot. "Another nightmare" he growled rubbing his hand down his face. Then he raced into the bedroom to find Sam sitting up in the bed hugging the pillow tightly in her arms.
Gibbs sat carefully down on the bed and tried to take her in his arms. She pushed him away hugging the pillow tighter. "He's gone. How am I going to be able to go on this time? He is dead. Whatever did I do to cause this?"
Immediately Gibbs knew what the dream was about. He took her hands firmly in his. He looked at her and started talking softly. "I'm here baby. He did not get me. I am not dead. Feel me touching you. That was all a dream. You are here in our house in our bed. All is ok."
Her eyes seemed to acknowledge what he was saying. She blinked several times and looked into his face. A small grin formed on her lips. "Jethro, it is you." She removed her hands from his and put them on his face. "You're here. You're not dead."
"No sweetheart. Wasn't even hurt," he smiled then kissing her gently on the lips being ever so careful of her bruised face. "I'm not going anywhere. We are going to make it down that aisle. You are going to be Mrs. Gibbs. I promise."
Samantha smiled and then kissed him again. "You sure. Things seem to keep trying to stop us. First Kelly's father shoots you and then this."
"Fait seems to be dealing us some obstacles but we are stronger than all of them." He carefully moved to his side of the bed and pulled her closer to him. She was now leaning on his chest with her hand gently rubbing his chest. Gibbs began tracing circles on her back. "We can get through this. Sam, are you still worried that I'm not going to show up on June 6?"
"Jethro I don't know what I feel. All I know is that I love you and being here with you helps me."
"Sweetheart, do you think your anxiety is back?" He had not wanted to bring it up just yet but it seemed like a good time.
"Not sure. I don't know what is happening to me. The nightmares are horrible and when I am awake I just can't seem to focus on the good stuff only the bad things that have happened." She told him. "Can we just table this for awhile? Right now I just want to enjoy you being here. You holding me and Kelly asleep down the hall." Just then a light of recognition sparkled in her eyes. "Did Kelly call me Mama today or is that something else I dreamed?"
"She sure did."
"Was she hurt that I did not notice?"
"She's concerned about you but not hurt. We can fix it in the morning." He continued to rub her back. "Feel like trying to sleep again or do you want something to eat."
"Abby and Kelly fixed supper. They brought you a plate but …"
"I did not eat much," she finished his sentence.
"Exactly." He kissed the top of her head. "You want me to heat it up while you get a shower and get comfortable."
"I would like that and I could use…"
"A Diet Coke." He finished her sentence getting up from the bed. He held out his hands to her to help her up. Getting up she leaned into his arms again. He kissed her hair and hugged her to him. "You're staying here tonight in our bed. I want you to know I am here and am not going anywhere," he whispered to her.
"Sounds like a plan." She looked up at him and gently captured his lips again. "Ok Marine this lady's hungry, dirty and just plain tired. How about getting on the stick?"
"Yes ma'ma." She pulled away from him and headed toward her room for a change of clothes. She made her way into the bathroom. She had not seen her face since the injury. She looked up into the mirror. The sight of her swollen face shocked her and she screamed.
Gibbs had not made it downstairs when he heard her. He stepped into the bathroom. "What's wrong?"
"Jethro, this is hideous. I look like a monster. Kelly must be scared to death." She was just staring into the mirror. "Was there anything broken?"
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Kelly's a tough little girl. She was not scared. She knows the guy hit you." He began kissing her neck and then nuzzled his nose into her hair. "Don't you remember the doctor did a CAT scan and nothing is broken just bruised?"
"No I don't, I guess I was just a little out of it."
"A little. The doctor gave you some pain pills and a steroid pill for the swelling. Doc said you would be fine in no time."
Samantha kept looking into the mirror. "Jethro, this might not be cleared out by the wedding. What kind of bride will I be with the dark circles of this bruise still on my face?" Tears started to fill her eyes.
"You will be a beautiful bride. I can't wait to see you coming toward me at Ducky's. I am positive I won't see any dark circles." He hugged her closer.
"Jethro I just wanted it to be perfect."
"It will be perfect. You and I are getting married that day. That is all that counts. You will be the most beautiful bride ever. I promise." He turned her to him and looked at her face. "Hey at least you will not have to worry about the something blue," he smirked.
Samantha couldn't help but smile at the pun. "Very funny Marine. How about you get downstairs and get my food. Maybe a shower will lighten my mood."
"On it boss," he said as he left the room. He could not help but smile with the hope that she was slowly returning to normal.
NCIS
Sgt. Wilson had been sitting in the interrogation room for hours. He had not talked to anyone except the guard who put him there. He had not talked to him much. He had not even had a restroom break in hours. Just when he was about to complain, the door opened and in walked Ziva and Tony. They both had their game faces on. Wilson was a little taken back by the intensity on their faces.
"Having a nice day, Wilson," Tony asked. "Was it fun waving a gun in front of a bunch of first graders?"
"Bitch would not get my son." Wilson growled. "Hey who does a guy have to see to get something to eat and drink around here? This is totally a joke. I have been in here for hours."
Ziva looked at him with anger in her eyes. "That bitch you referred to is my friend," she told him as she came up to him looking into his eyes. Tony knew that look. He had seen it many times. Ziva was angry. Angry enough that had this been when they first met she would have pulled out her knife and slit his throat.
Tony sat down in the chair opposite of Wilson. "What son? We searched for him. You have no children."
Wilson sneered at him keeping a constant eye on the angry Israeli next to him. "Just found out about him. His bitch of a mother kept him from me for eight years."
"There is that word again." Ziva moved around behind him. She placed her hands on the back of his chair and almost growled into his ear. "I suggest if you want to live that you do not use that word again around me."
Tony saw the look on Wilson's face. He was scared really scared of Ziva. He almost laughed out loud. "I suggest you listen to my partner. She is ex-Mossad and I can't promise she will follow the law in this matter. You killed a woman and we have proof of that. We then we have the threat to harm a school teacher on school property which after the Sandy Hook shootings is a Class A felony in DC. Care to tell us about your smuggling pursuits. Might be able to convince the DA to cut you some slack and you won't get life."
Ziva leaned down and whispered into his ear. "I suggest you listen to my partner. I would love to hurt you and ways that will not show. You make my skin crawl." Her breath was hot on his neck and Tony could again see the absolute fear in his eyes. "My partner is right. Life in prison is too good for you." Just then a look of surprise entered Wilson's eyes; Ziva glanced down at the puddle that was forming below Wilson's chair. He had wet his pants.
Tony looked at Ziva and smiled discreetly with mischief in his eyes as Wilson started singing about the smuggling ring. He was naming names of Navy/Marine personnel that were involved. They would be busy rounding them up the rest of this ring for weeks.
Tony looked over at Ziva. He could not wait till he could get her alone. He loved the way she looked when she had succeeded at scaring a suspect into confessing. Him peeing his pants in the prospect just put the icing on the cake.
NCIS
Samantha stepped out of the bathroom into the master bedroom of the Gibbs house. Leroy Jethro Gibbs was sitting on the bed with her reheated supper sitting on a tray along with the silver and red can of Diet Coke. He smiled as he looked at his fiancé. She was wearing her "I am in love with a Marine" t-shirt and a pair of sweat pants. She had washed and blow dried her hair and it was hanging loosely around her shoulders. Before he thought he let out a wolf whistle. "Do you know how beautiful you are?"
"Even with this horrible bruise on my face."
"Think of it as a badge of honor, because of it 120 6 and 7 year olds are safe. Safe and home with their families including your own daughter." Gibbs got up off the bed and walked toward her his arms open for a hug. Samantha almost ran into them and he then wrapped them around her in a big bear hug.
"Thanks Gunny. I needed to hear that." They walked arm in arm over to the bed and Samantha sat down and ate the pasta and meat that Abby had fixed for her.
After she had finished she scooted back onto the bed and sat against the headboard where Gibbs had piled up the pillows for her. "Feeling better," he asked sitting next to her.
"A full stomach puts a different slant on things. Hopefully I can get some uninterrupted sleep tonight." She leaned her head on his shoulder and he took her left hand in his fiddling with her ring.
"Let's hope so." Samantha held him closer and then leaned up and kissed him.
I am stopping here for Chapter 54. Planning a really fun Sunday for Team Gibbs, Samantha and Kelly. Going to work on it next with plans to post it Sunday night. Thanks for all the reviews and story alerts. Posting soon. Thanks in advance.
