She softened a little and leaned into Gibbs as if trying to hide.

"She has to find me, I guess."

Gibbs moved a little so that he could embrace her with both arms.

"I'm sure, she will."

Erin stifled a yawn.

"Want to go to bed?"

Erin shook her head. No, she didn't. She wanted to stay in his arms forever. But maybe he

wanted to get some sleep. She attempted to sit up but Gibbs cautiously held her back.

"Don't go. I love to sit here holding you. Wanna try and rest your feet on the berth and take a

nap?"

Erin didn't think she'd be able to sleep with him being so close, but she liked the idea of

remaining in this comforting embrace a little longer. So she did as he had suggested and lay

there, listening to the wind and the sounds from the moored boats, once again whishing this

could last forever.

Gibbs felt her relax in his arms. He was deeply moved by this hint of beginning trust. He was

well aware of the fact that he most likely was the first man she'd ever let come so close out of

her own choice. It made him feel strong and proud. And he realized how much he had missed

to care for someone, to be there for someone who really needed him.

He remembered that this side of him had led to his first marriage. His first wife had really

needed him to care for her and protect her, to be her knight in shining armour.

But he had never dared to talk to her about his job, about things that had bothered him, about

the ugly sides of life he was confronted with regularly on his job. He had felt he couldn't

burden her with his problems and as a result she hadn't understood his moods and he'd felt he

hadn't got the back-up he'd expected to get in a marriage.

His second and third wives had been the direct opposite. They both were strong, self-

confident and independent women. But they didn't need him. They had a life of their own

also because he was working long, unpredictable hours. They didn't like him being protective,

didn't want him to take the lead when he was home. And he spent even more time at the

office, because he knew he wouldn't have the chance to live out the other side of his being at

home anyway. The outcome of this was: They felt neglected, got enraged at his apparent non-

reaction and finally hit him with a tool of their choice.

Gibbs smiled inwardly. He had just found the answer to one of the big questions in his life:

Why didn't his marriages work out, when he liked the concept so much?

He'd had to neglect one side of his being in each of his relationships.

And he also found the reason for his feelings towards Erin.

His instincts had been right. She was his perfect match.

She was strong, well organized, able and used to care for herself and willing to take the lead

in situations she knew she could handle. And at the same time she needed as much love, care

and comfort as he ever would be able to give.

He caressed her hair, barely touching her to make sure he wouldn't wake her up when the

words of an old song by Bill Withers came to his mind:

Lean on me, when you're not strong

And I'll be your friend I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long, till I'm gonna need

Somebody to lean on.

He closed his eyes, enjoyed the feeling of Erin's warm body leaning against his and dozed

off, a content little smile on his face.

Some hours later, on his way back from his work-out at the gym, Gibbs' cell phone rang. It

was Abby.

"Hey Abs, what's up?"

"Hi skipper," she giggled. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

"Don't call me skipper unless you're a sailor," Gibbs returned.

He didn't sound angry at all and Abby once again wondered about how different he was from

the way she'd known him.

"I wanted to tell you yesterday, but it all went so fast when you had to go back to the harbour.

By the way…is everything ok out there?"

"Yeah. Erin pulled quite a stunt, I'll tell you sometime later. What did you want to tell me?"

"We got another one. Captain Tracy Howard. A guy dressed all black and wearing a mask and

gloves subdued her on her way back home from the academy. He beat her up badly and raped

her, but she's alive."

"Let me guess. No DNA found?"

"Right. Kate interviewed her. She couldn't describe him because it was dark and because of

the mask. Said he's over six feet tall, heavily built and white. And he told her to 'tell them the

Benjiman is back'."

"The Benjiman? Did you run that through the computer?"

"Yeah, sure. It's not like we don't work at all when you're not here. Couldn't find anything

helpful though. We don't even know if it's the same guy."

"I whished I could go back to work."

"I'll keep you informed, Boss."

"Thanks Abs. By the way… what do you think about Erin?"

"She's smart, focussed. I don't think she missed one single word I said while she was here.

And there's something about her….might sound a little weird, but you know me…"

"...Yeah?"

"She's got an old soul. That's about the only way I can describe it. When I look in her eyes I

get the feeling that she's seen much more than you normally do in one lifetime."

"You're wise beyond your age yourself, Abs."

"Well, thank you. Gibbs….?"

"Not now, Abby, but you'll be the first to know, promised!"

Gibbs had arrived at his house and they ended the call. Gibbs emptied his mailbox and found

what he had hoped for. A large envelope containing all the forms needed for Erin to get her

ID and a temporary driver's license, which was important if she decided on taking the job the

Jones' had offered.

After a quick check-up on the house and a short visit to his boat-to-be, he headed back to the

marina.