Chapter 51

Abby was still feeling well and she was doing work for NCIS at home. It mainly consisted of verifying questionable lab results for agents by checking analysis at the out sourced labs. She was working on another paper for publication. She continued to work on other projects, including getting all of her photos organized and copied into albums.

She smiled warmly as she looked at her Paris pictures. Gibbs was incredibly photogenic. He was also camera shy. Étienne was not shy. He was bold and confident of himself in a different way than Gibbs. His smile fairly smoldered with controlled sexuality and promise. Both men were sensual, tactile and loving. They were deeply emotional and sensitive. They both projected the appearance of a quiet, strong, protective masculinity. Étienne and Gibbs had blended in very positive ways. She was the happiest woman on earth.

Almost 10 days after he helped SecNav and the security directors break Pembroke Gibbs and Mike Franks were coming home from the airport. Franks had asked if he could come and visit with Abby and the "Giblet." Gibbs was suspicious there was more to the offer than met the eye, feeling Mike wanted to be here for the birth. Abby was more than happy to have him come. She loved Mike. She loved him even more because of his importance to Gibbs and the deep love the two men had for each other. Franks was regaling Gibbs with stories of Amira.

"I'm telling' ya Proby that little girl is brighter than the average tot. She's already figured out how to turn on the cell phone and dial out. I told Leila we shouldn't leave the phone out and we didn't. That little genius of mine, she watched and saw where we were keeping the phone. She pushed a chair to the cupboard, climbed up and got the phone, pushed #3 and called Abby!"

"So that's how she was able to call us! We wondered… She talked for a long time without you or Leila coming on."

Gibbs chuckled and with a grin he opened his mouth to say more when suddenly his eyes widened and he gasped. He automatically pulled over to the side of the street and drew deep breaths, almost panting while gripping the steering wheel tightly.

"Proby…Proby! What's wrong, talk to me!" Mike reached out to grasp Gibbs forearm.

Gibbs was very pale and turned toward Mike.

"We have to get home, Abby… It's Abby. The baby… their calling me." his voice hoarse and strained.

"Alright then Proby… You keep talking to them. Get out and let me drive… Move Marine!"

As the car headed home at a breakneck speed Gibbs spoke to Mike without looking at him.

"I thought you didn't believe in ESP Mike."

"I saw too much this year to believe things are all in the here and now anymore. If an old bastard like me can change his beliefs there's hope for the rest of the assholes maybe. You, Ab's and the Giblet are living proof. What're ya feelin' now?"

"Just fear, love, fear… No one's answering the phone. I know she's not out of the house Mike! Our neighbor Mrs. Taylor was sitting with her." Gibbs kept trying the number.

"Damn Proby… What the fuck is goin' on?" Mike threw the car up onto the sidewalk hitting the horn all the way to go around slow traffic. Mike had his phone out and hit a speed dial number.

"Toby, it's Abby… Get there now! Call Tony, Gibbs and I are about 5 minutes out. Need backup!"

Mike didn't wait for a response. He put the Nissan's gas pedal to the floor. He cut corners at the cross street lights and went around other cars. He screeched to a halt in front of Gibbs and Abby's house. The two men approached the house with guns drawn. Mike nodded to the back door, Gibbs nodded back.

Moving in a half crouch Gibbs approached the front door. He saw it was not tightly latched. His breathing was harsh, he forced himself to slow it down. He didn't want to be given away by the sounds. He listened at the door, then pushed it open carefully.

Soundlessly he cleared the stairs in his vision and then stepped forward to clear the living room. Mrs. Taylor lay on the living room floor in a large pool of blood. As Gibbs knelt to touch her neck in the vain hope there was a pulse Mike came in from the kitchen silently. He shook his head in sadness looking at the elderly lady. He then held up 1 finger and then made a slash across his throat. Gibbs nodded and rising turned back to the stairs.

He turned to Franks and counted 5 and made a negative gesture and another at 10. Mike nodded, understanding Gibbs was telling him which creaking stairs to avoid. They moved up in a swift silent climb, skipping the traitorous stairs.

At the top of the stairs Gibbs turned left to clear the guestroom he had used for so many years as his own. Mike moved in to clear the master suite and came out quickly. Jethro's eyes were wide as he saw the bed clothes mussed and half on the floor. Mike quickly reached out and grasped his shoulder strongly. He tipped his head toward the room at the end of the hall, Kelly's old room, now Jackson's nursery.

The two men moved cautiously toward the door. They both sidestepped and Mike reached for the door handle. Jethro made ready to come in low, Mike high.

Jethro held up three fingers, gradually counting down. On three Mike threw the door open. There at the foot of the crib stood Sallah Ste-Germaine and her Pet Santos.

"Welcome home Étienne! Comment très spécial vous voir de nouveau!

It seems you neglected to tell me a very important piece of information about your courtesan. We have spent a little time together, getting acquainted so to speak. She reminded me that we actually spoke once upon a time. It was before you came to live with me. Ce n'est pas important pour notre situation actuelle. I told her this because I know you very well. You will make the right decision. Put your gun on the floor Étienne."

"Permettez-elle d'aller."

Abby's green eyes were huge in her pale face. Tears slid slowly down her cheeks. Gibbs' gun muzzle never wavered. It didn't appear that Sallah was aware of Mike's presence. Sallah pressed the tip of an Exacto knife hard against Abby's abdomen. Tears of blood came crawling slowly down toward her groin. With a cold smile Sallah pressed harder.

"Non! Je le réprime!" Gibbs cried.

He lay the gun down in front of him, hands up in the age old gesture of surrender. Sallah smiled a cold smile as she continued her speech.

"She also told me you did not remember her when she first met you in Paris. I wondered at the time why you were distracted at the Opera. But after all, how could you pay proper attention to me when you had just met every man's dream. A beautiful, tall, tattooed prostituée. Able to suck and fuck to your hearts content. No limits, no expectations. Isn't that so my dear?"

Sallah had Santos there holding Abby around the neck with a gun against her head in addition to the Exacto. Gibbs was terrified for her.

"Don't do this Sallah."

"Sallah? Sallah? You dare Étienne? You truly dare to speak to me thus? I should eviscerate her simply because of your consummate rudeness."

"I sincerely apologize My Lady."

He bowed his head without actually taking his eyes off of Abby's. He saw faith and love in her gaze. A plan began to form in the periphery of his mind.