Hello A/all, this is Truth Comes Out. It's the fourth chapter of my NCIS story and I hope to write many more with this OC. This was a tough one to write, it's the first chapter with no spanking but we finally find out who was behind the kidnapping. There will be a part 2 for this or rather a fall out which will hopefully come sooner than it's taken me to write this one. The only 'request' for a character getting in trouble I've had is asking if I'll include Ziva and don't fear she will be eventually included I just wanted to start with Kate. Don't forget I write to request for this one, so anything you want to see let me know! I do apologize for the insanely long wait, but I promise I never gave up on this story!
Summary: Sandy Jane Carter, Goddaughter of Leroy Jethro Gibbs is now home for Summer as is her Dad. The identity of the one behind the kidnapping is discovered. Sequel to Coming Home for Summer, Daddy Comes Home, and Boredom Buster. Contains Spanking of minors.
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS I am merely using the characters for my own and others entertainment.
Warning: This is a spanking fic. Don't like don't read. Will contain the spanking of minors and adults again, don't like don't read.
~o~
Sandy was relieved to finally be able to sleep in her own room at home, she loved staying at her Godfather's, but there was something about sleeping in her own bed. She had enjoyed the meal with just her Dad, but they both did their best to ignore the elephant in the room that was her missing mother. After dinner and cleaning up she curled up on the couch with her Dad watching Harry Potter together.
"Alright Sans, bedtime sweetheart, I have to get up early and I'll be dropping you at Uncle Jethro's before work, but I should be finished early as well and we can do something together tomorrow afternoon," Mike told his daughter when the movie ended. He patted his daughter's thigh and pressed a kiss to her temple.
Sandy gave a half-hearted sigh of protest but got up anyway, she was used to getting up early, but she also knew sitting in NCIS headquarters all day would be extremely boring and she didn't want to be short tempered due to lack of sleep. "Night, I love you Dad," she replied.
Mike smiled at his daughter. "I love you too sweetheart."
Sandy walked upstairs and quickly got ready for bed and turned her light out, it didn't take long at all for the teenager to fall to sleep.
A couple hours later something woke Sandy up. She blinked not sure what had woken her when she heard her father moving around and talking to someone, she couldn't make out the words, but her Dad's tone suggested he was pissed off. She climbed out of bed and made her way over to the door to find out what was going on.
"I told you to kill the cheating bitch…" Mike growled.
Sandy froze by her door, that was definitely her Dad's voice, but whom he wanted killed was a mystery. She pressed her ear to the door hoping to hear more.
"I don't care! Kill the fucking bitch… Sandy isn't protected now! She's home, in bed asleep, with just me here… You better hurry though and make it look good… Once you have her the bitch's body better be the next thing NCIS find… Yes, kill her first! I want this over with."
Sandy had heard enough. She backed away from the door as quietly as she could, trying not to panic and trying to think and come up with something to do. She didn't understand what was going on, but she knew enough to know she needed her Uncle Leroy. She grabbed her mobile and the kidnappers' phone from her bedside table and made her way into her bathroom, locking the door behind her. Sandy was never more thankful her Godfather rarely slept, and that Tony's apartment was having work done so he was there as well. She hit one on her phone's speed dial and waited for her Godfather to answer.
Gibbs was working on the boat in his basement and there was one phone he kept on him that he answered no matter what, only a very small number of people had the number and first on that list was his Godchild. "Sandy? It's two in the morning, what's going on?" He asked.
"Uncle Leroy, I think my Dad is working with the kidnappers," Sandy whispered as loud and as fast as she dared.
Gibbs frowned. "What makes you say that Sandy?" He asked. It wasn't that he thought Sandy would lie to him, but he wanted to know what lead her to that conclusion.
Sandy quickly relayed the one-sided phone conversation she had heard, doing her best to speak clearly, but not too loud and not too quiet.
Gibbs was already moving as his Godchild confirmed the nagging suspicion he'd been having. He grabbed his gun and ran up into the house, he continued up to the bedrooms and shook his senior field agent awake. "Get dressed and call Kate and McGee, get them down to the Carter house now," he ordered. "Sandy, are you safe?" He asked.
Tony woke up groggily but was quickly awake when he realised Sandy was in danger. He was up and getting dressed while phoning Kate and repeating the orders.
Sandy bit her lip. "I'm in my bathroom, the window is small enough for me to climb out of, but not big enough for an adult, the door has got a lock and bolt, but it could be kicked open," she explained.
Gibbs nodded. "Right, we're going to get over to you as soon as possible, stay there and stay on the line. If you need to get out of the window can you escape to safety?" he asked. Now that his senior agent was up, he was making his way downstairs and grabbed his car keys as Tony followed after him talking to McGee.
"The window is in reach of a tree that I can climb down if I need to," Sandy answered. Her Godfather's calm but focused attitude was helping Sandy calm herself.
"Understood, for now I want you to stay there and keep your phone on you no matter what. If you hear movement in your room get out of that window and conceal your phone somewhere," Gibbs instructed.
"Yes, Uncle Leroy, please hurry," Sandy whispered.
By now Gibbs was in his car and he tossed the phone to Tony. "Keep talking to her and keep her calm, let her know we are on the way," he barked.
Tony accepted the barked instructions without a word; he was as keyed up as his boss at the moment. "Yes Boss," he acknowledged. "Hey Sandy, we're on our way, Kate and McGee as well," he informed the girl who might as well be his sister.
"Thanks Tony," Sandy replied. She moved closer to the bathroom door straining her ears to hear the slightest movement.
"What's going on San? Is your Dad ok?" Tony asked. He wasn't privy to anything beyond what his boss had said and that wasn't much.
"He's part of it, Tony, he wants them to come get me, I heard him on the phone," Sandy whimpered. Now the shock was fading the pain of that was like a knife in her gut.
"Shit Sandy… I'm sorry, we're coming to get you, everything is going to be fine," Tony reassured. He wasn't sure if he believed it himself but, if Sandy were taken, he would tear the country apart with his bare hands to find her. "You'll be absolutely fine little sister." It was the first time he'd ever verbally acknowledged the honorary title Sandy held in his eyes even to himself, knowing he could lose her made him realise she truly was a little sister to him, blood be damned.
Sandy couldn't help but smile, despite the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "I love you too big brother," she choked out thickly.
Gibbs put his foot down almost to the floor of his car.
"We're coming for you Sandy," Tony reminded her.
Sandy fell silent and pulled the phone from her ear as she thought she could hear noises, "Tony… I think I heard something," she whispered worriedly.
"Boss, she thinks she can hear something," Tony relayed quickly.
"Tell her to get out of there, we're two minutes away, remind her to conceal her phone but keep the line open," Gibbs ordered.
"Get out San, we're two minutes away, hide your phone on you but don't end the call," Tony instructed hurriedly.
"Okay Tony, see you soon," Sandy replied hopefully. She put her phone inside the waist band of her panties, grabbed her dressing gown off the back of her bathroom door and hurried over to the window, opening it, climbing up, and squeezing herself out of it. It was a snug fit and she was definitely right in her assessment that no adult would fit through, at least no adult big enough and strong enough to take her against her will.
"Call Kate, find out how far she is, when we get there, you're going straight round the back get Sandy and get her to safety, that is your only priority," Gibbs ordered.
Tony grabbed his own cell and a quick call to Kate, she told him she was sat outside waiting for instructions.
They pulled up on the opposite side of the house and Tony was out before they even stopped moving.
McGee pulled up seconds later.
Gibbs quickly took in the scene, seeing the van parked outside. "Kate, the driver, McGee through the front, I'll take the back, remember Mike has military training and is possibly armed, we don't know numbers, but we want to take them alive if we can," he informed his team.
"Yes Boss," Kate and McGee responded.
Tony meanwhile was making his way into the garden, he spotted Sandy as she scaled the last couple feet down the tree and he silently but quickly made his way to her. "San, come on, we need to get somewhere safe," he urged speaking in a low non-carrying tone.
Sandy jumped but managed to stay silent hearing Tony. "I know where we can go," she replied in the same low tone. She grabbed Tony's hand and started hurrying towards the end of the garden.
Tony moved so he was shielding Sandy's body with his and ran with her.
They got to the fence at the bottom of the garden and Sandy felt along it blindly until she found the loose panels that she and her friends had found. "Here, it leads to an alley way which will take us to a grassy area next to the road," she told Tony. She slid the panels out of the way revealing a gap Tony could just about fit through.
"Go, I'll be right behind you," Tony urged.
Sandy nodded and scrambled through the gap.
As Tony climbed through, they both heard the sounds of gunshots being fired in the house.
Sandy immediately clapped both hands over her mouth to hold in her own scream.
Tony shoved himself the rest of the way through and wrapped his arms around Sandy and pulled her to his chest. "Shh, it's ok San, breathe honey," he whispered.
Sandy nodded against Tony's chest and tried to breathe. She released her hands from her mouth and gripped Tony with all the strength she had, feeling herself shaking violently.
Tony rubbed Sandy's back and cooed comforting nothings to her. When he felt her shaking, he relaxed some, shaking was a good sign, it was just the adrenalin wearing off and evidence that she wasn't going into shock. "You're ok Sans, it's just the adrenalin wearing off now, come on, Gibbs, McGee, and Kate will be fine. We've got to get ourselves to the car, local Leo's will be here soon," he rambled on knowing it would help calm her.
Sandy nodded and tightened her grip on Tony momentarily before letting go and breathing deeply. "This way," she murmured. She headed off in the direction of the road, going on what felt right rather than sight; it was pitch black here in the alley.
Tony pulled her tight to his side; he thought the danger for them was over. That was until a blinding pain struck the back of his head.
Sandy leapt away when she felt Tony fall trying to put some distance between herself and their attacker.
"Hey girly, your Pops said one of us should wait out here, he told us if you struggled we should feel free to have all kinds of fun with you, so feel free to struggle all you like little girl," a male sneered.
Part of Sandy was terrified, but the instinct to survive was stronger than her fear. She immediately sized up her opponent, her Godfather had taught her more forms of self-defence than most mixed martial artists knew. She knew exactly where to hit, and how hard, to take an opponent out. She was also aware of her own weaknesses; she was fourteen, about average height, maybe on the smaller side, stronger than the average fourteen-year-old definitely and a lot fitter, but she was currently bare foot in a t-shirt, panties, and a dressing gown. Still she balanced her weight, standing strong and raised her fists to defend herself, all while tracking her opponent's movements and trying to find a weapon. As she was still alive, she figured they weren't allowed to kill her yet, but that wouldn't stop them from hurting her.
The guy just laughed. "Oh sweetheart, that's just too cute. Are you going to fight off the big bad guy trying to get you?" he taunted.
Sandy ignored the taunts, and instead stepped forward, landing a solid punch to the guy's nose, followed by a quick jab to the throat. As he struggled to breath, she stepped back next to Tony and grabbed his gun. She held it up steady aiming at the guy. "Hands up, or I'll shoot," she barked. She felt a lot more confident having landed the first attack and holding a weapon in her hands.
The guy managed to recover from the jab to his neck and glared at the girl. "Oh, you're going to pay for that one you little bitch," he spat. "I'm going to make you choke on my cock you little whore!"
Sandy released the safety on the gun. "I mean it hands up and back away or I will shoot," she repeated. She didn't know how she was keeping her voice so steady or how her hands weren't shaking violently, but she was thankful for it none the less.
"You think you're so tough, I'm going to enjoy destroying that delusion of yours." The guy walked forward, no intention of stopping.
Sandy knew her first two shots were lucky, this guy had every advantage over her and there was no way she could fight him off physically, he'd been overconfident and not expecting her to attack him. Now that she had landed a couple lucky shots she wouldn't get anymore and if he got any closer, he'd be able to overpower her easily. Letting her lessons take over, she slipped her finger over the trigger and squeezed, controlling the kickback as her Godfather had taught her. What she hadn't been taught, and wasn't prepared for, was the way a bullet impacts a guy's chest and the blood coming back at her. She dropped the gun in horror and dropped to the floor trying not to be sick. She crawled to Tony and tried to shake him to wake him up. "Tony, Tony get up, we have to move," she choked out.
Inside the house, the hired kidnappers had done the job of taking care of Mike for them; two had taken bullets to non-vital parts, the other two of the hired muscle men valued their life above the money they were getting paid and surrendered. Kate and McGee had it all under control, with Gibbs cuffing the not yet conscious Mike, though he wanted to punch his former friend. When the gun went off, he turned in the direction of the sound. "Kate, take over, I'll go find out what that was," he barked.
Kate nodded her agreement and hurried over to finish handcuffing and securing Mr Carter.
Gibbs got up and hurried towards the sound. He made his way through the garden and found the gap in the fence, remembering when a young Sandy had showed him. He pushed through carefully, his gun out ready.
Sandy had managed to switch her phone torch light on to check to see if Tony was injured. She was shaking almost violently and still trying not to throw up everywhere.
Due to the torchlight Gibbs could see his Goddaughter shaking DiNozzo, he couldn't see everything, but he could see she was extremely upset. "Sandy, we heard a gunshot," he whispered.
Sandy moaned and scrambled away from Tony, turning around and emptying the contents of her stomach all over the floor.
Gibbs hurried to her and rubbed her back, switching on his own torch and catching sight of the dead body, the gun on the floor and the blood splattered all over his goddaughter. "Easy Sandy, I've got you, breathe, that's it," he soothed. He didn't say that it was all okay; he didn't say she was fine; he knew damn well it wasn't all okay and she certainly wasn't fine.
Sandy leaned against her godfather and finally just sobbed. She liked to think of herself as tough, prime Marine material, but there were some things a fourteen-year-old couldn't go through without just crying.
Gibbs held his Goddaughter and let out a sigh of relief when he heard Tony groan as he began to come to. He rubbed Sandy's back and kissed the top of her head, trying to help her calm down.
Tony groaned as he came to, the last thing he remembered was guiding Sandy… "Sandy!" He called.
"Easy DiNozzo, she's here and safe," Gibbs reassured quickly. He needed to find out what happened, but he could do that when his Godchild wasn't so distressed. He continued to sooth Sandy, but unfortunately, he knew he needed to get her to base now. He heard the sirens of the local Leo's and gently guided Sandy to her feet, looking at Tony standing up. He made sure his senior field agent was steady before leading him and guiding his Sandy out of the alley and into the lit street. He told the local Leo about the body in the alley and a sharp glare made it clear that Sandy wasn't to be questioned without himself and a lawyer present. He guided Sandy to his car and helped her in, motioning Tony to get in with her before locking the door after making sure they were both okay.
Gibbs knew he'd be throwing rule thirteen out of the rule book for Sandy, whilst whatever had happened was definitely a case of self-defence, he was not going to allow anyone to speak to her without him and the best damn lawyer he could find. He went back in to help Kate and McGee finish up and get everyone back to base, it was going to be a long night.
Kate and McGee had handled things perfectly, so Gibbs was able to get everyone back to base without issue, Mike was going to wake up in interrogation and he intended to go in knowing everything. He hated to disturb Ducky, but there was no one he trusted more to check over Sandy and DiNozzo and keep them company. He'd be posting a guard at the door, but he needed his Godchild and senior field agent safe before he could concentrate. He was glad they were both holding one another, hopefully Sandy was reassuring DiNozzo she was okay and DiNozzo was providing Sandy a feeling of safety and protection. As much as he wanted to look after them himself, he wanted to nail Mike's ass to the wall, and he didn't trust anyone else to get what they needed from him.
The interrogations with the thugs he'd hired to kidnap and kill Annabel and Sandy couldn't have gone better, they were all more than happy to roll on Mike and shift as much of the blame onto him as possible. They told them where to find Annabel's body, which Kate and McGee were dispatched quickly to confirm. When Kate called to corroborate their story and identified Annabel as the body Gibbs had DiNozzo bring Sandy up to the bullpen and kept an eye on the pair himself so Ducky could go and confirm cause and time of death for Annabel. When Ducky's findings also matched the thugs story, what they were saying was generally accepted as truth. They had enough to put Mike away without even talking to him, and Gibbs was half tempted to just have him transported to Leavenworth and leaving everything to the lawyers, but the heart-breaking whispered conversation he'd overheard in the car meant that wasn't an option.
Flashback
It didn't take Gibbs long to get back to the car and he could admit to himself that he almost didn't want to get in. He wasn't sure how to go about even beginning to fix this for Sandy, to make her feel better, and that was a situation that just didn't sit right with him. He gave himself a mental head slap and got in the car, if nothing else he could assure Sandy she had a home with him as long as she wanted, and he knew the whole team would rally around her to support her. He turned on the engine and decided to let Sandy lead the conversation, if she wanted any conversation, when he realised, she and DiNozzo were talking in hushed tones. He decided to listen to what they were saying and only speak if necessary.
"Why Tony… why did he do this? Why did he… why did he say they could hurt me… why did he want me d-dead," Sandy whispered in between her sobs.
Tony clutched Sandy closer to him, kissing the top of her head. "I don't know baby doll, I'm so sorry, but I just don't know," he whispered back.
Gibbs didn't know either, he didn't even want to know, he couldn't think of a single possible reason Mike could ever have for wanting this, but if Sandy wanted to know then he was going to get the answer!
"But what did I do… I must have… he's my… I just don't understand," Sandy sobbed brokenly.
Tony shook his head, "nothing little sis, there is nothing you could have ever done to have deserved this. I can't understand either, but no matter why he did this, don't you ever think it's because of you," he insisted quietly but firmly.
Gibbs felt his heart clench in pain when Sandy seemed to blame herself but allowed himself to relax slightly when it appeared DiNozzo had it well in hand. His eyes flicked up to the rear view mirror and he caught his SIC's eyes for a second and gave him a tiny nod of approval. He steeled himself to take on an interview he didn't want to do, he didn't want to hear Mike try and justify his actions, there were no acceptable reasons; but he would do anything for his Godchild and she deserved answers.
Flashback Over
That and that alone was the only reason he was even giving Mike the time of day. Not that he felt there was any kind of justification for what he'd done, but he knew he'd soon be facing similar questions and he wanted some kind of answer to give Sandy. Mike was awake now and he'd been left to stew long enough so Gibbs walked into the interrogation room, Kate was watching from the viewing room and McGee was keeping guard over DiNozzo and Sandy who were sitting in the bullpen. Gibbs did not want Sandy anywhere near autopsy whilst her mother was there, he hadn't even been able to break the news to her that she was dead yet.
Mike looked up when Gibbs finally entered the room, "what the hell is going on Jethro! I heard something in the house and the next thing I know I'm waking up here handcuffed," he demanded.
Gibbs ignored Mike and sat down in the chair opposite him, "you know there's only one phone that I answer no matter what's going on unless it's physically impossible to do so. A number only a very, very small amount of people have. I can count on one hand the amount of people I would drop everything, and I mean everything for and get to their aid no matter what. The person on the top of that list, I would have thought was on the top of both of our lists, is my Godchild. Imagine my horror when at 2am my phone rings and it's Sandy telling me her father is behind the kidnapping of her mother and wants her kidnapped too," he almost growled the last part.
Mike raised an eyebrow, "and you actually believed her? Jesus Jethro, I didn't realise she could pull the wool over your eyes like that, she got herself in trouble tonight, enough that I had to take my belt off to her and she's got more coming tomorrow… or rather later today. I admit I didn't see her going this far to get out of a well-deserved spanking, but she's always been rather wild and a bit of a handful, hence why Annabel and I had to send her to boarding school," he explained calmly.
Gibbs didn't rise to the bait and just raised his own eyebrow in response waiting silently for a minute. "And the fact that when we got there the kidnappers were there, that's just a coincidence? Or did Sandy have something to do with that too?"
Mike shrugged, "they could have just been a bunch of her friends she called to pretend to be the kidnappers," he replied easily.
"Could have been true, but that's not the case, they have been proven to be the ones who took Annabel and were there to take Sandy. Additionally I would be rather disturbed to find Sandy is friends with guys like the ones we arrested. Well any bunch of adult men around their age being friends of Sandy would have me very concerned," Gibbs supplied.
"Well knowing you were rushing over like a fool who's to say she didn't phone them herself," Mike argued. "And it's not like I've been here much, who knows what her mother let her get up to when I was gone," he snipped before he composed himself once more.
"And told them what exactly? I'm at my home come and get me?" Gibbs asked.
"Sure, why not? Something along those lines no doubt," Mike answered casually.
"Right and there's no way the kidnappers thought that might be a set up or anything," Gibbs pointed out the hole in Mike's theory.
Mike just shrugged again, "who knows, they clearly aren't that smart trying to mess with a Marine's family."
Gibbs shook his head, "you know I almost wish I could believe you, that my Godchild didn't have to live with the fact that her father organised the kidnapping and execution of her mother and was trying to have the same thing done to her. It would be so much easier to have this be a teenager throwing a temper tantrum over what she saw as an unfair punishment, but it's not that at all. They gave you up Mike, they confirmed you hired them, and all their instructions came from you."
Mike rolled his eyes, "and now you're taking the word of common thugs who would say anything to avoid a long jail sentence. Bloody hell Jethro I thought we were friends." There was a dangerous edge to Mike's voice now as he grit his teeth and almost glared at the NCIS special agent.
Gibbs stared silently at Mike and then at the folder he'd brought in with him, "it's a nice story, a good one, a few holes sure, but it might be enough to raise some doubt. However, you forgot rule 3… never believe what you are told. Double check. Everything Sandy said and the 'thugs' you hired said checks out, we've got the wire transfers from you to the kidnappers, we've got the phone you used to call them with, call logs confirming Sandy's story of when you were on the phone to them. They told us where Annabel's body was and how she was killed. You're done Mike, and the only reason you aren't sitting in Leavenworth already, is because I've got a little girl out there who wants to know why! Why her father wanted her hurt and killed and I'd like to have some kind of answer for her."
Seeing the game was up Mike let out a grim laugh. "Her father huh? I don't know… her mother was a cheating whore so who even knows if the little bitch is mine. This kid on the mission with me going on about some hot MILF he fucked back home, turned out it was my wife, Annabel Carter the Marine Corps whore! Who knows how many guys she's fucked and there's just no way her spawn didn't know too, no doubt she'll be just the same as her slut mother! I was doing the world a favour getting rid of those two! And I know you slept with Annabel too! Probably going to sleep with the little slag the first chance you get if you haven't already!" He raged.
Nothing had prepared Gibbs for this, he knew Annabel well enough to know she'd never have cheated on Mike. The even sadder part was that Sandy had worshiped the ground her father walked on and if she'd even suspected her mother of being disloyal to her father Gibbs would stake his life on her informing her father. If nothing else Sandy would have definitely told him! To know that Annabel had died, and Sandy had lost both her parents over some misguided assumption that Mike had concocted in his mind was heart breaking. Shaking his head Gibbs stood up, "if you truly believe that then you're an even bigger idiot than I thought was possible, that little girl out there idolised you. If she thought for one second her mother was betraying you she'd never in a million years have been on her side, she'd have told you in a heartbeat. As for the possibility of Annabel even considering having an affair… that's almost as ridiculous, that woman adored you and was one of the proudest Marine wives it has ever been my pleasure to know. Enjoy Leavenworth Mike, don't expect visits." He walked out of the room intent upon going to his Godchild and hugging her. He was not going to dignify Mike's other accusations about Sandy with any kind of response. He knew he still needed the story of what had happened in the alley but right now he just needed to hold Sandy.
Kate met Gibbs as he left interrogation, "there's no evidence to suggest Annabel ever had an affair Gibbs," she insisted quickly. "There was nothing to even hint at the idea, besides it goes completely against her character…"
"I know Kate," Gibbs interrupted. "Go write up your report, the night is not over yet," he instructed. He entered the bullpen and saw the concerned expression on McGee's face as DiNozzo had Sandy clutched in his arms on his lap. Both were silent and almost still though DiNozzo was rocking them both slightly and his hand could be seen rubbing Sandy's back, seemingly unaware of what he was doing. Neither of the pair seemed at all aware of anything going on around them, both lost in their own minds. He was loath to halt the comfort they were seeking from one another, but he did need to find out what happened, if for no other reason than so he could figure out how best to protect his Godchild. He walked over to DiNozzo's desk and knelt in front of the pair, "DiNozzo, Sandy, we need to talk about what happened in the alley."
Sandy startled a little when her Godfather seemingly appeared out of nowhere and let out a little squeak.
Tony's eyes immediately flashed to Gibbs the second he approached their vicinity showing he was much more aware of what was going on around him than it would seem.
When her Godfather's words registered Sandy paled some and burrowed further into Tony, clinging to him, as the moment she'd pulled the trigger replayed in her head in agonising slow motion. It almost felt like she could feel the blood spraying on her face again as her ears rang with the sound of gunfire from close range when she wasn't wearing ear protectors.
Tony clutched Sandy a little tighter as she pulled closer to him, wanting to shield her from this like he'd been unable to shield her from what she'd had to do.
Gibbs saw the spasm of guilt that crossed DiNozzo's face and could see how reluctant his godchild was to even think of the event let alone talk about it. "I know you don't want to, and the last thing I want to make you do it relive it, but I need to know so I can protect you baby girl," he murmured to her softly, so only the pair could hear.
Sandy swallowed nervously but nodded making a move to stand.
Tony reluctantly released Sandy, wanting to hold her forever and never let her go, but knowing this was needed. "I'll um…" he started.
"You'll come!" Sandy insisted quickly eyes wide with panic, she didn't want Tony out of her sight.
Gibbs nodded in agreement, "I need your story too DiNozzo," he confirmed. He stood and gathered Sandy into his arms, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, he was through fighting his need to hold her. "We'll get through this," he promised her. He led the pair to an empty conference room and let them share a seat, Sandy curling up on DiNozzo's lap for comfort. "DiNozzo?" He asked, wanting his story first.
Tony followed his Boss into the conference room and immediately latched onto Sandy as soon as he could. "I went round the back as you ordered and saw Sandy scaling the last part of the tree, I joined her and we hurried to the gap in the fence, we heard gunshots but I decided to press on with getting her to the road so we'd be safe. I didn't think to check the alley for anyone or anything, I don't even remember getting hit in the head," he quickly recalled. "I'm so sorry Boss, Sandy, I should have been more careful I should have known someone might be there," he apologised weakly.
Gibbs shook his head, "you did good DiNozzo, you couldn't have known, it was impossible to see anything there anyway." He focused then on his Godchild. "Sans I need to know baby girl; I need to know everything." He was sure any lawyer worth their salt could easily put this as self-defence, but he didn't want there to be even the slightest possibility of doubt.
Clutching at Tony to give her strength Sandy slowly and haltingly told her godfather everything, starting from hearing the noise and climbing out of her bathroom window. "He… he said my D… he… um my Fa… that my D-Dad said they could hurt me… that if I struggled, they could 'have fun' with me," she repeated feeling sick to her stomach. "He wasn't focused, didn't take me as a threat and I was able to land two hits, one to his nose and one to his throat, which stunned and winded him enough to give me enough time to get Tony's gun. I… knew I wouldn't get another hit off, he would be ready for another attack and I'm small and I was barefoot I knew I couldn't overpower him. I told him to p-put his hands up. T-to back away or I'd-I'd shoot. He wasn't listening and was getting closer; he wouldn't stop coming… I… I aimed at his chest and… and…" she stopped and struggled in Tony's arms. "Lemme go I'm gunna be sick!" She sobbed.
Tony had initially held Sandy tighter when she struggled but the announcement that she felt she was going to be sick saw him let her go.
Sandy scrambled to her feet and dove for the wastepaper basket vomiting up bile.
Gibbs followed Sandy over and gently rubbed her back holding back her hair and trying to give her any comfort he could.
Tony sat rigid as the full weight of his mistake hit him like a freight train. His lack of attention and focus had resulted in this, it was his fault Sandy had been forced to kill, to take the life of another person. Gibbs would never forgive him for this, hell he would never forgive himself for this.
"And I pulled the trigger, I shot him in his chest, I shot him, he wasn't listening and wouldn't back away, he didn't believe me again. He wouldn't stop coming, I had to shoot or he was going to hurt me but, but I killed him. I'm so sorry I… " Sandy sobbed.
"No, none of that, don't you dare apologise baby girl. He didn't give you a choice, if you hadn't pulled the trigger he would have hurt you, you did nothing wrong. I'm so proud of you baby girl, it's over now, I won't put you through that again, I'll write up your statement for you and you'll just need to sign it. DiNozzo will co-sign as witnessing it too, that should be enough, but I'll be contacting a lawyer to make sure," Gibbs told her firmly but gently. He looked around seeing DiNozzo hadn't joined them yet and one look at his face showed Gibbs all he needed to know; his SFA was drowning in guilt. For the first time in a long time Gibbs wasn't sure what to do, he couldn't leave his SIC struggling to cope with his emotions, and he couldn't leave Sandy to suffer. They both needed him, but he wasn't sure he could give DiNozzo what he needed.
Tony's head snapped up when he heard his name, "of course Boss, whatever Sandy needs," he insisted. He pushed his guilt aside so he could focus on Sandy and her needs, it was his fault she was like this and he'd do anything she needed to make it up to her.
Sandy slumped against her Godfather as silent tears streamed down her face, the nausea had finally passed, and she was exhausted.
Gibbs saw how Tony was able to pull himself together for Sandy's sake and kissed the top of her head. "DiNozzo, take Sandy with you back to the bullpen whilst we wrap this up," he ordered. He hoped continuing on like normal would help DiNozzo pull himself together.
Tony nodded and stood to collect Sandy, wrapping her in his arms as he guided her back to the bullpen and retook his seat at his desk, holding her close in his arms.
Gibbs had Kate and McGee make sure everything was tied up without a single hole whilst he typed up Sandy's report. He didn't know when a good time was to tell Sandy the news about her mother; he was pretty sure she already suspected what had happened, but he was loath to hurt her further. He couldn't hide it forever though and decided to go down to Ducky to ask him. He handed over the report to DiNozzo and Sandy, "read through that to make sure you're happy with it, then sign and date it. I'll be back shortly," he told them softly. He took the elevator down to autopsy his heart clenching seeing Sandy's mother laying on the slab. Sandy was an equal mix of her parents, but she took a fair amount of her mother's physical traits and eyes closed laying there it could almost be his godchild.
"Jethro! What brings you down here?" Ducky asked as he quickly covered Annabel's face with the sheet.
Gibbs could see the effect performing this autopsy on Annabel was causing Ducky, he might not have known her as well as he knew Sandy, but he had considered the woman a close acquaintance, if not a friend. "I've not told Sandy about this yet. I'm flying blind here Duck, she had to shoot that man. I'm concerned that even hearing this will completely break her let alone seeing it," he admitted.
Ducky gave his friend a sympathetic smile and put his hand on his shoulder. "Sandy is a very strong young lady and she has you and your team, with you beside her even if she does break it will not be beyond repair my friend. Hiding this from her will do more harm than good, I fear. The man she trusted above all, nay the person she trusted above all others has betrayed her in a most odious way. You must prove to her she can indeed still trust in you, as she always has, by continuing your policy of always being honest with her. To hide this now, she will see it as lying and yet another betrayal and that my friend, that I believe may be the thing that breaks her."
Gibbs nodded as Ducky confirmed what his gut told him, "we're about wrapped up upstairs, I'll speak to her and maybe bring her and DiNozzo down shortly, depending on whether she wants to see her now or not."
"How is young Antony?" Ducky asked.
Gibbs ran his hand through his hair, "he's taking this hard, I'm pretty sure he blames himself for Sandy's current state. He only seems to be able to focus when he focuses on her, they seem to be drawing comfort from being with one another. Hopefully after some rest and down time he'll be back to normal."
Ducky was not so sure Jethro was right in this instance, normally he'd never question Gibbs' thoughts on his 'kids' but from what he saw of Tony he definitely blamed himself. Tony had grown up an only child with a less than ideal childhood, as much as he cared for Abby and Kate, he was infinitely closer to Sandy. He'd been charged with her care and in his care she'd been forced to take a life, causing her significant emotional pain, added to the fact her mother was dead and her father was behind everything adding onto her pain, Tony was going to try and shoulder all of that. He could see Jethro was going through enough himself now though so held his council, Jethro did know his 'kids' more than Ducky did and might be right. "I'll get this one put away, neither of them needs to see him," he informed Jethro.
Gibbs nodded and patted Ducky on the shoulder, "thanks Duck." He left autopsy deciding his whole team would be taking a week downtime at the nearest opportunity, including Ducky and Abby.
When Gibbs came out of the elevator Kate went up to him, "everything is wrapped up, Mike is being transported to Leavenworth and the hired kidnappers to the local lock up. McGee's and my reports are on your desk," she informed him.
"Thanks Kate, if there's nothing left to do go home, we're taking today off and I'll speak to Tom about getting us all some down time, we need it," Gibbs let her know.
Kate glanced back at Tony and Sandy and couldn't help but agree that they needed the down time. "Thanks Gibbs,"
"Doors always open," Gibbs reminded her seeing her looking at Tony and Sandy. "When Tom signs off on the downtime don't make arrangements, I have some team training things we need to do."
Kate normally would protest having her downtime taken up, but she'd come to care for Sandy as well and having them all around her might be the only thing that helped her get through this. "Yes Boss," she agreed.
Gibbs dismissed McGee as well, telling the young probationary agent to go home and get some sleep before he finally approached Sandy and DiNozzo again. "Baby girl, I need you to listen to me carefully here. You'll always have a home with me, but if there are other family members you'd rather me contact to take you in you just let me know," he told her softly. "You don't need to decide immediately, but your Mom's downstairs with Ducky if you want to see her," he informed her as gently as possible.
Sandy had already put two and two together in her head, they'd been here long enough that had her mother been alive she'd have been at least offered the chance to go see her in whatever hospital she was at. Hearing it confirmed was just another chunk ripped out of the giant hole that was already inside her. She let out a keening cry and reached out to her godfather. "D-don't… don't send me away U-Uncle Leroy," she sobbed.
Tony let Sandy go when she reached out to Gibbs, his guilt mounting at the devastating news that Annabel was dead. On top of being forced, by his stupidity, to kill tonight, Sandy had been betrayed by her own father and lost her mother. He didn't understand how she could stand the sight of him, let alone be able to seek comfort in his arms.
Gibbs took Sandy into his arms and hugged her tightly, "never baby girl, never, if you want to stay with me then that's what will happen," he promised her cradling her to his chest.
~o~
There you go; the next installment in the Sandy universe. I hope you liked it. Review and let me know please.