Chapter 7

But Sam felt that he was not telling the truth. There was an undertone of hurt in his voice and she was sorry that her words had put it there.

"I was going to take you dancing after dinner but I have a feeling that I should take you home instead," Harm suggested.

"I think that would be a good idea," she agreed.

The rest of the meal was pretty awkward and he did take her home as soon as they were done eating.

"I'm sorry things didn't work out Harm. I hope it won't affect our working together."

"It won't," he told her as they arrived at her place. Once again she had a nagging feeling that something was 'off' almost like someone was watching her. She looked around as casually as she could before going into the house but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Over the weekend she avoided several calls from Gibbs by taking herself out to eat and then to a movie on Saturday evening. Because of her feeling that she might have been followed last night, she was on the lookout for it while she was out that day. She had noticed a white van behind her several times while she was out, but white vans were pretty common and it was never close enough that she was able to see the driver or license plate. Taking the long way home she saw the latest van following her drop away. Sam was glad to get home and lock her door.

Sunday she needed to get some chores done around the house and she figured that she would finally have to answer the phone call from Gibbs. What she hadn't expected was that he would just show up on her doorstep. With a sigh she let him in after answering the door to find him there.

"I've been trying to get a hold of you," he told her with an angry frown.

"I know," was her only reply.

"I was trying to let you know what McGee had discovered."

"And you couldn't call?"

"I called you eleven times yesterday!" he complained.

"But you didn't call today…today I was going to answer," she told him with a grin.

He pulled out the file he had brought with him and the two of them sat down at the table to go over what McGee had found out. Sergeant August Knorr had been born in Iran, he and his parents had moved to Italy when he was a child, where they had changed their names. Then August had changed his name again and had come to the US where he joined the Marines. Because of this Gibbs told her to keep a closer eye on Knorr.

Samantha was surprised that it was her secondary suspect that had the major red flag. She might have to switch her focus. Although her gut told her that her first suspect was right. The only thing she could think of was to keep her eye on both of them.

Telling Gibbs good-bye she ordered a pizza and while she waited for it to arrive she jumped into the shower.

After eating she reviewed the files Gibbs had brought so she had it in her head and didn't have to have any notes on her that could be found.

While she had been working that evening a phone call that would have far reaching influence on her life was taking place. The call had been recorded and would very soon be brought to the attention of someone who was very interested in her.

Morning coffee was a bit tense when AJ asked about her date with Harm before Mac left the break room.

"How did your date with Commander Rabb go, Samantha?"

"We had a pleasant evening Admiral, thank you for asking."

"I didn't know you and Harm were dating," Mac stated.

"Date. It was our first and our last," replied Sam.

"Why was that?" Mac asked only a heartbeat before AJ would have asked the same question.

"We just didn't 'click'. Harm is a nice guy, just not the guy for me."

Mac chuckled, "A lot of women feel that way!"

"I should get to work, the Admiral is a stickler for a good work ethic," she grinned at the man she was referring to. Topping off her coffee mug she left the room and went to her desk.

To be continued…