(AN) Hello and welcome to Chapter Three of Recovery. I hope you all enjoy and remember to Read and Review.

In this chapter, we'll see more of Audrey attempting to get back to normal by herself, and Emma beginning her therapy, where we'll meet Dr Benson.

Credit once again to DS2010 for some of the dialogue.

Disclaimer; I don't own NCIS, all characters and locations are owned by CBS, Belisario Productions and Paramount Pictures.


Chapter Three

Showing an Act


Later one evening, a week after returning home, Audrey was in the kitchen washing the dishes. As she was loading the dishes into the washer, the brunette heard Kevin calling out to her. "Honey, the news is on," his voice said, "Come on, the dishes can wait."

"Kevin, I'm almost done, I'll be right there." answered Audrey.

Audrey then heard the door slowly creek open as she bent down to put the last of the bowls in the dishwasher. As she closed it, the young woman heard feet coming up behind her.

"Honey, I said I'll be." began Audrey in annoyance as she turned to face who she thought was Kevin.

However when she fully turned around, Audrey gasped in horror as she saw Thomas Jackson leering at her before grinning wickedly.

"How can you be here? You're dead." cried the woman in a panicky voice as her heart quickened, and she stood there frozen with terror, "It's just a dream, it's just a dream."

Audrey attempted to run, but Thomas was too quick, and wrapped his arms around her middle. "Audrey, Audrey, I know you want me, baby, let me show you." he sneered, dragging the struggling woman backwards.

"No! no! you're dead!" yelled the brunette in terror.

Audrey then broke free and ran to the back door but yelled in fear when Thomas suddenly appeared in front of it. She then ran to the kitchen door only to find that too blocked by the man. Thomas then backed Audrey into one of the counters. He then shoved the brunette to the floor before crawling on top of Audrey, who fought back, but it was no use.

"NO! I saw your body, you can't be here." cried a terrified Audrey.

"Audrey, of course I'm not dead, I'm right here." sneered Thomas, "Now come on baby, you know you want it."

Get away from me. NO! I said NO! get away from me," screamed Audrey in fear as she managed to push Thomas off her and attempted to crawl away, only to be dragged backwards by the feet, "Wake up Audrey, wake up, it's just a dream."

"Don't be that way, baby, you know you want me. And you know this isn't a dream." stated Thomas as he crawled on top of Audrey, and pulled down her pants while she cried for Kevin.

"No!" screamed the brunette as she attempted to hit Thomas, only for him to punch her in the gut, leaving the woman breathless.

"I'll have you one way or the other, and it can be nice or not," said the former Navy Officer seductively as he caressed her cheek before slowly unzipping, "Now nobody will ever want you again, and your husband won't ever want to touch you again."

Audrey's eyes widened as Thomas dropped his pants and leaned over her.


Kevin entered his and Audrey's bedroom and saw his wife tossing and turning while screaming and crying. "Get away from me, get away from me, no more." she pleaded in terror before flailing her arms and legs about as if fighting unseen figures.

Kevin quickly ran over and got in next to her before gently shaking her shoulder.

"Audrey? Audrey, stop, it's me, Kevin. Wake up Audrey." pleaded Kevin as he continued to shake his wife's shoulder.

The middle-aged man was suddenly thrown back as Audrey's fist connected with his face, causing a small amount of blood to come trickling from his nose. He quickly crawled back on to the bed and began gently touching the brunette's arms.

"Audrey, sweetie, wake up, it's only a dream." begged the Navy Analyst.

After several minutes, Audrey's eyes shot open and she looked up while attempting to get her breathing under control.

"Kevin, oh Kevin, it was awful," cried Audrey in a panicky voice before suddenly noticing her husband's bleeding nose, "Oh, Kevin, I'm so sorry, I thought you were Thomas, I don't know what I was thinking."

"It's okay, Audrey, it was just a nightmare," assured Kevin in a comforting tone before gently rubbing his nose, "And my nose isn't broken. I'll just clean up and then you can tell me what happened."

"No, I can't." replied the brunette in fear.

"Audrey, remember what the Doctor said, talking will help." said Kevin as he walked through to the bathroom and began cleaning his nose.

"Okay." whimpered Audrey, sighing in slight annoyance.

After a minute, Kevin came through from the bathroom and came to sit next to Audrey before wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulder.

"I-I was in the kitchen washing the dishes, then you called out to me," answered Audrey in a terrified whisper, "Then I thought I heard you coming up behind me, b-but when I turned around it was Thomas and he, he."

The brunette began sobbing loudly. Kevin simply gave her a hug. "It's alright now, honey." he assured in a comforting voice.

Soon, Audrey calmed down and the two got into bed.

"How's your nose?" asked a concerned and guilty sounding Audrey.

"It's fine, honey," insisted Kevin in a comforting tone, "I'm just worried about you. I know you probably don't want to talk about what happened just yet, but it'll help."

"I don't want to be coddled like a child," retorted the brunette, "And I don't want to make you feel worried. I can't even begin to imagine how scared you and Tommy must've been."

"Don't try and make this about me and Tommy," replied the Navy Analyst, "Yeah it was scary, but we're both glad you and Emma are home and safe. And when you and Emma are ready to talk I'll be right here for you babe."

The couple then cuddled up to each other. After several minutes they both fell asleep.


Emma was trembling in fear as she found herself tied to the bed in that room that she had been kept in. Thomas was slowly approaching her with a riding crop.

"N-no, no please just let me be." pleaded Emma in a mortified whisper.

"YOU LIVED AND SHE DIED!" bellowed Thomas in fury, "My precious baby died and you lived, now you'll DIE TOO!"

The young blonde tightly shut her eyes as Thomas raised the riding crop above his head.

"NO! NO! NO!" wailed Emma in fear.


The eleven year old attempted to roll over and cried out as she felt herself roll out of the bed and on to soft carpet. The girl opened her eyes and heaved a huge sigh of relief as she saw her bedroom. Tommy then walked into the room.

"Are you alright, Emma?" asked Tommy in concern.

"Oh, Tommy, it was horrible," cried Emma in terror as she ran over and sobbed into her brother's chest, "I-I thought I was back in Thomas' place."

"It's alright Emma, it was just a nightmare," assured Tommy in a comforting voice while hugging his sister, "Now come on Dad's making breakfast."

"Okay." replied Emma.


The two siblings went downstairs and ate breakfast with their parents. Emma noticed the large plaster on her dad's nose, and Kevin quickly explained what happened. "Your mom's got one mean left-hook." he said; Tommy nodding in agreement.


After breakfast, Audrey got prepared for work, despite being warned to take it easy, the brunette felt she could handle it.

Audrey came downstairs and saw Kevin, who looked at her in bewilderment. "Why are you dressed for work honey?" he asked curiously.

I have to get ready for work, I need to be there by 8 this morning." explained Audrey.

"What? I thought you were going to take some time off?" questioned the Navy Analyst in confusion before seeing her face turning angry, "Did you clear it with your Doctors?"

"No, but I'm fine really, I want to go to work, I'm tired of being home or in bed all the time." insisted the woman.

"But, honey you just got out of rehab a few days ago, don't you think you should wait until the doctors clear you for work?" said Kevin, "We talked about this Audrey, you agreed to wait a week before going back."

"Well I changed my mind and I want to go to work. Besides all I'll be doing is staring at a computer and filing papers," answered Audrey, "It's not like I'm going to carry a gun or something."

"If you're sure," replied Kevin, sounding not so sure. He had a feeling it might not be a good idea, "How about I drive you?"

"No, I can drive thank you very much. I don't need a babysitter Kevin!" snapped Audrey in irritation before sighing, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-

"It's okay, dear." sighed Kevin in defeat, still not sure this was a great idea, but he didn't want to argue since she was so determined.


Audrey arrived at work just a little before 8. Only a few people were in, so she went to the kitchen to get some coffee, and after gulping down the drink, she returned to her desk, and turned her computer on.

While checking her emails, the office started to fill up with people, phones started ringing, people started talking and a normal day had begun. Except Audrey was not so sure now this was a good idea, but she sat at her chair, firmly concentrating.

"you can do this, girl." said the brunette to herself in determination.

Turning back to her computer, she didn't see her boss Randy, a tall man with short brown hair and a beard stare at her from his office. He was wondering what she was doing back so soon. He then exited his office and walked over to the woman before lightly tapping her on the shoulder, causing her to turn round to face him.

"Welcome back, Audrey, you didn't tell me you were coming back today," said a surprised Randy, "Are you sure you're up for it?"

"Hello Randy, good to see you." greeted Audrey as she moved in to hug him, "Yes, I'm up for it, I can't just stay home staring at the walls, I need to work. I'm fine really, Randy, I can do this."

"If you're sure." he said, sounding a lot like Kevin did this morning.

"Yes I'm sure." declared Audrey.

"Okay, but you're only working half day today, okay, just to ease into things." said Randy firmly.

She had a rebuttal that she was fine and could work the whole day, but decided to play along for now and show him she was fine and could work all day.

"Okay, Randy, fine." answered a reluctant Audrey.

"Good." replied the man, going back to his office, "and it's good to have you back, Audrey."

Randy closed the door to his office to start his day, but, also keeping a weathered eye on Audrey.


Meanwhile, Kevin was driving in his car with Emma sitting beside him. They were heading for Emma's first appointment with Dr. Benson, and the young girl felt somewhat nervous. "Do you think this Dr. Benson will be nice?" she asked.

"Don't worry, of course she'll be nice," assured Kevin, ruffling his precious daughter's hair, "She came highly recommended from your Aunt Jack. And remember, it's okay to be nervous the first time around, Peanut."

"Well, as long as these nightmares stop, I'm fine." replied Emma.

They soon arrived at the building, and Kevin parked the car in the car park. He and Emma then walked into the building and up to the reception desk where a young blonde woman was sat.

"Hello, I'm Kevin Daly. My daughter has an appointment with Dr. Benson." informed the Navy Analyst.

"Let's see, Daly, Daly," muttered the woman, typing away at her computer before smiling up at them, "Ahh yes, go through to the waiting room and Dr. Benson should be with you shortly."

"Thank you." thanked Kevin.

He and Emma then headed over to the waiting room and sat down in rather comfortable seats. After a few minutes a tall, thin woman with long red hair came out of a door. "Emma Daly?" she called out.

The two got up and headed over to Dr. Benson. "Hi there, you must be Emma Daly," she said as the young girl and her dad followed her into a Therapists office, "And you must be her dad Kevin Daly. I'm Dr. Jenifer Benson. Jack Sloane told me to expect you."

"Yes, she recommended you to us." stated Kevin as he and Emma took a seat.

"So, Emma why don't you draw me something first while I talk to your dad." suggested Benson, indicating a nearby desk with some paper and pens.

Emma nodded in agreement, went over to the desk and soon began drawing. Jenifer then turned to face Kevin.

"So, Kevin what exactly happened to your daughter and wife?" asked Jennifer quietly, "Jack was very brief, but she said something about a kidnapping."

"Yeah," answered Kevin solemnly, "About twelve weeks ago, Audrey and Emma were abducted and held captive by a man named Thomas Jackson. Jackson hated Emma because he hated the fact she was born after his daughter died, he also had obsessive feelings for Audrey. She and Emma were held at his house and tortured for nearly four days... he also raped Audrey. Thankfully they were rescued by NCIS, and Jackson was killed."

"Oh my God," gasped Benson in utter shock and disgust, "I was also expecting your wife though, where is she?"

"She's... having trouble opening up," informed the middle-aged man, "She talked to me this morning about a nightmare, but she thinks she'll be fine and that her nightmares will go away, but I can tell she's not coping."

"Hopefully she'll come round," said Benson, "I once dated a guy that had trouble opening up. He was tall, silver haired, had a severe coffee addiction, and mostly stayed in his basement."

"Making boats by any chance?" questioned Kevin, chuckling slightly.

"Yes," answered Jenifer in surprise, "You know him?"

"Oh yes I've met him." chuckled the Navy Analyst.

"Finished!" declared Emma as she walked over to the desk and put her drawing down so that everyone could see.

The drawing showed what was clearly supposed to be a scared looking Emma being backed into a corner by a large man wearing black clothes and a balaclava.

"Who's that big man, Emma?" asked Jenifer curiously.

"Moose." answered the young girl meekly.

"Who's Moose?" asked Benson, taking notes while wearing thick, round glasses.

"One of the men who helped Thomas kidnap me and Mom," explained Emma in a terrified whisper, "H-he tortured me, he battered me, he used a riding crop and a taser on me, he even tied me to a bed just so he could beat me some more."

"I remember him," snarled Kevin, "Jackson sent me videos of him and that Moose guy torturing you and your mom, I felt so helpless."

"H-he keeps visiting my nightmares," said Emma in a distraught voice, tears welling up in her eyes, "He hits me and I can't-

Emma immediately began sobbing. Kevin wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

"It's okay Emma, you did great," assured Benson, taking notes, "Well I think that's enough for today. How about we make this a weekly thing?"

"That would be a great help." replied Kevin, shaking the woman's hand.

He and Emma then left.

"You ready for some food?" asked Kevin.

"Yeah." replied the young blonde sounding calmer.

The two then walked out of the building, Kevin hoping that these sessions would help Emma and that Audrey would open up.


As they approached the car Emma turned her head and caught a glimpse of a familiar looking tall, tan-skinned woman with long curly dark hair that she'd only seen tied into a ponytail.

"Aunt Ziva?" thought the young girl to herself in complete confusion.

"What's up, Emma?" asked Kevin in confusion, turning to where Emma was looking by which point the woman had vanished.

"I could've sworn I saw," began Emma before shaking her head, "But no, it couldn't have been."

The two then hopped into the car and Kevin drove off.


(AN) Well that was Chapter Three. I hope you all enjoyed, and remember to Read and Review.

So yeah, Benson is pretty much a homage to Olivia Benson, complete with the glasses. We'll be seeing more sessions between her and Emma.

The next chapter will feature more of Audrey's day, a nice cameo from Gibbs and some more Kevin and Audrey. moments.

Until then, this is TimeLordMaster108 signing out.