A/N: I always intended to finish this story. Just thought I could take my time. But of course, if I know someone is waiting on how this goes on I'll speed it up a bit. Thanks for the friendly review.

X

He stepped off the boat and went to the clubhouse.

Erin felt numb. But at the same time her mind was racing. She tried to understand what had

happened in the last hours. This morning everything had been fine. She had felt comfortable,

had enjoyed this new way of life that was too good to be hers. Part of her wanted to and could

believe that this could be true for her. That she really could stay with Gibbs, feel save and

look into the future with a smile. But of course she had always reminded herself, that this was

not real. Facing the fact that it was over was something completely different though.

She just now realised how much she had hoped all this could be true. And she had to face the

fact that she didn't want to continue living her life the way it had been before she'd met

Gibbs. She didn't want to be alone again, didn't want to have to watch her back all the time.

She knew she wouldn't be able to stand that again. Ben would find her. He always had. There

was no place safe enough to hide. She closed her eyes. She really didn't know what to do.

Maybe she should just sit here and wait until it was over. Just when she was ready to give up,

when she gave in to the inevitable, her mind started to wander off.

She saw Gibbs sitting at the helm of the "Morning Glory", totally at one with himself,

enjoying a day at sea. She saw him approaching the "Spirit" on that small outboard in the

storm. She saw herself resting comfortably in his arms. Saw them work together on the boat.

The last days with Gibbs passed before her eyes, like she was no part of it, like she was just

an observer. And yet, she was part of it. She could feel his arms around her, feel his warmth.

She recalled the way he'd looked at her, all the things he had said just by talking with his

eyes.

She tried to hold on to these memories when reality dropped in again. She didn't want to

wake up; she wanted to stay in this dream forever.

And then she realized, that looking back, she was not afraid of him. She had not been

prepared for the way she saw him at the office today. It had been a shock, but it was not in her

dream.

A bit calmer now, she had to admit that he had not acted different towards her than he had

before. Agent Gibbs and her skipper were two sides of his personality and had always been.

And she knew for sure that the skipper might be the only chance she'd ever have to change

her life. If anyone was strong enough to stand up to Ben, it was Gibbs.

For the first time in her life, she found she had the chance to make a choice. All she had to do

was to go up to the clubhouse. All she had to do was to ignore that nasty little voice that told

her not to trust Gibbs.

She had never thought about changing her life, because there never had been a chance to do

so.

And if this was the chance she had, she would take it. "Break Ben's spell", she knew it was

not that easy. Ben was not only past, he was also future. She would have to tell Gibbs about

him, at the latest when he demanded to see her the next time. But not now.

She got up and slowly went to the clubhouse. With every step the knot in her stomach grew.

How would he react? Or was she late already?

When she entered she saw Gibbs standing at the counter and talking to the clerk. She hesitated

and just when her feet had decided to turn and walk away, Gibbs turned around.

Their eyes met and the way he looked at her was the lifeline she needed to make the last steps.

When she had reached him, he slowly raised his right hand and ever so gentle touched her

cheek, never breaking eye-contact.

"Ready to go home?" he asked.

"I already am home," she answered, and she was.

Will be continued