CHAPTER 13

When Gibbs leaves the interrogation room he has no idea what surprise awaits him in the bullpen. He stops first at the observation room to find it empty. Vance had not stayed to hear the entire interview. Gibbs quickly steps inside, stops the tape and then ejects the disk it was recorded on so no one else can see or hear it. He then picks up a phone on the wall and punches three quick numbers.

"Yeah, Gibbs. Have Phil return to observation."

As he is leaving the room, he notices Agent Hendricks, who had been waiting at the end of the hall has returned to his position outside Hart's door. Gibbs nods to him and then heads in the other direction to see what his team has uncovered before he authorizes Hart to be returned to the holding cell, just in case there is something else he needs to cover.

As he reaches the stairs, he sees Phil exiting the elevator to return to his post. They lock eyes for a moment and then a quick nod between them as Gibbs turns and takes the stairs two at a time.

His steps falter as he enters the bullpen and the scene that meets his eyes there. Tony is sitting on the edge of his desk, flirting with Holly who is seated casually in his chair. She sees him coming and feels a bit uneasy at his instant frown. Tony doesn't see his boss coming and continues to turn on the charm, hoping he is making an impression on her. The impression she has of him is not exactly what he was hoping for. With Gibbs standing directly behind his senior field agent now, holly smiles seductively up at the younger man and huskily lowers her voice to tease him. "You like to live dangerously, don't you Agent DiNozzo?"

He gives her his trademark smile, known to bring women to their knees. Maybe his flirting was paying off with this woman he knew should be off-limits to him. He leans down, resting his hand on the desk only inches from where her crossed knee is visible below the edge of her tight skirt. Just as his mouth opens to answer her, a strangled groan escapes him instead. The blood brought to an abrupt stop from entering his brain by the death grip around the back of his neck. Gibbs' grip on his neck pulls him back upright and off his desk in one smooth motion. Holly tries not to laugh as DiNozzo stands on his tip toes, trying to relieve the intense pressure that is causing him to see spots before his eyes now. He winces and quickly offers a quick, if not completely innocent explanation to his boss.

"Just keeping your... guest company til you got here , boss." Gibbs maneuvers him away from his desk, turning him towards his own seat before releasing his grip with a gentle shove. DiNozzo takes the silent hint and hurries back to his own chair while rubbing the lingering pain from the back of his neck.

Holly tries to hide her grin and waits until Gibbs has finished glaring after the younger man. When he turns his glare on her she slowly uncrosses her legs and stands up to face him. "Jethro, you seem tense... is something wrong?"

"Yeah, Holly ... you could say that. You're distracting my team." He gives her a gentler version of his warning glare and she just purrs softly as she inches closer to him.

"So... is this because I was talking to Tony or... are you this possessive of all your team?"

His frown deepens as he steps up until their faces are mere inches apart, then lowers his voice to whisper, "Possessive of what's mine."

"Good to know..." He interrupts her playful response and causes her smile to falter.

"What are you doing here, Holly?"

She takes a moment to step back, put some distance between them and let out a slow, controlling sigh. It was his tone... the same one he used at the hospital. The same one that indicated she wasn't allowed inside his inner circle. Then, before she has a chance to respond, Gibbs' cell phone rings and he looks away to answer it.

"Gibbs." He listens to his boss on the other end, briefing him on a new turn of events in the case with Hart. His frown deepens as his mind works quickly to try to figure out who leaked the information about Hart being in custody and the information she gave up so quickly. "Yes sir, Director... I'm on it."

He hangs up and then turns to glare at her once more. She has no idea what she's supposedly done to be on the receiving end of that look, but she quickly defends herself. "Gibbs, I was asked to be here."

He looks from her to the upper deck of the walkway that leads to Vance's office. Then quickly drops his gaze to McGee and snaps, "McGee, have Hendricks bring Ms. Hart up here please... on her way back to lock up."

"Uhhh, all right. But it would be quicker if he just took her through the basement corridor, boss."

"McGee! Do not make me repeat myself!" He glares at the timid young man and it is enough to have McGee nodding like a bobble head doll as he quickly picks up the phone to make the arrangements for the agent to walk Hart through the bullpen area on her way back to lock up.

Gibbs then turns his attention back to Holly, who is looking just as confused as McGee did and lowers his voice to ask, "Did you do this?!"

"Do what, Jethro? I just got here..." Her words trail off as her eyes are suddenly drawn to the upper deck walkway which is quickly filling up with men in expensive suits and uniforms encrusted with lots of shiny insignia. She recognizes most of the faces as they in turn stare back down at her and her words die off in understanding. "Ohhhh..."

Gibbs follows her gaze and sees that most of the names on the list he just presented to Ms. Hart were now standing on the upper deck, shoulder to shoulder at the railing. All looking down at him with identical creased brows and frowns that left no doubt they were not happy about what was taking place. At the end of the line, Director Vance looked from the line of high-ranking political men to Gibbs and gave him a slight inclination of his head.

Gibbs suddenly understood what was going on and is just turning back to Holly when he catches movement out of the corner of his eye. All eyes in the room shift to the new arrivals as Agent Hendricks leads a defeated looking M. Allison Hart towards them in handcuffs. This was a parade of shame... all for the benefit of the men whose privacy had been invaded by this woman. They wanted her to see them... and to know the power they held over her now.

Holly steps back behind Gibbs' desk, knowing what is happening and not wanting to be any part of it. She is just now realizing why Director Vance asked her to come here... the confrontation wasn't just between those men and Hart. She was a part of that confrontation... she just didn't know what part?

Hart looks up from walking with her head bowed to make eye contact with the man who had outsmarted Colonel Bell, the Cartel and herself. Agent Gibbs meets her gaze for a brief moment before rising to again take in the men watching her go by. Hart follows his gaze upwards and her steps falter as she recognizes the men Bell paid her to spy on and blackmail when it suited his needs. It was at this moment that she truly realized her life... the life she worked so hard for... the power, privilege and respect... the life of outrageously expensive restaurants, clothes, shoes and everything else she wanted was gone. The cold glaring eyes of those men were like daggers right through her and she saw them for what they were... pallbearers at her funeral.

As Ms. Hart is led between the desks of Gibbs' team, she falters; pulling against the hand around her arm. Agent Hendricks is about to tug her on when he catches a slight motion from Gibbs and allows her to his prisoner to stop in front of Gibbs and Holly. She stares from one to the other, knowing she only has one last card to play. The look she gives Holly is dripping with the venom of a woman who's lost the battle with another woman as she gestures towards the gallery above them.

"This isn't over yet... after they find out about you... and her!? You think they're going to tolerate that?"

Holly stiffens at the implied threat that the men above them 'owned her' in some way. Does Hart know something or is she just guessing that most of the men up there are also listed in Holly's little black book. She is about to respond when Gibbs, who had been silently wondering the same thing, decides to put an end to that question. He reaches out to Holly and she hesitates only a moment before placing her hand in his and moving to his side. They both see Hart's eyes open slightly, shocked that they would openly admit their relationship here... in front of the very men Holly has been silently protecting for the past five years.

"Don't know what you think you got, but we've got nothing to hide." His arm comes up to rest around Holly's shoulders possessively as his eyes flicker to the man beside her. "Get her out of my sight, Hendricks."

"Yes, sir, Agent Gibbs. Come on, let's go." Hendricks once again gives her arm a firm grip as he tugs her into motion once more. They watch her leave the area and when Gibbs looks back up, the eyes are on him, not Hart.

"Hey." He looks down at Holly's softly spoken word. She is looking at him also and the worry in her eyes is obvious. Gibbs knows she would let him deny it... if he chose to; to save his career and reputation. "It's okay..."

Gibbs doesn't give her a chance to finish as his free hand comes up to frame her cheek. His arm curls tighter around her shoulders, drawing her in for his kiss. His mouth drops to hers gently at first, giving her time to react. When she doesn't shove him back, he knows he made the right decision. His lips press more firmly against hers, tipping her back with the force of his silent message to her.

All eyes are on them now with shock, uncertainty and disbelief clearly visible on the faces of the men standing alongside Director Vance. His own expression is one of consternation mixed with amusement. Leave it to Gibbs to throw his warning back in his face. During their conversation in the observation room, Vance warned him to be discreet with his relationship with Holly Snow. This was Gibbs' idea of discreet... and his response to Vance's warning. It was also a silent message to all those looking on. Holly was his and he would not tolerate anyone messing with her... unless they wanted to answer to him.

As Gibbs refuses to relinquish his hold on her, she finally relaxes and allows him to take her in another kiss. This one is more gentle and sultry than the first. A soft chuckle works its way up her throat and she couldn't be happier as her mouth yields to the demands of his and allows him to deepen the kiss.

His team is equally shocked and their expressions range from Ziva's happy acceptance to McGee's shock at his bold display at work to DiNozzo's worried glances at the row of powerful men staring down at them. When the two continue to kiss as if no one was watching them, DiNozzo sees Vance's frown deepen.

"Uhm... boss? Hello? People watching here..." DiNozzo's call across the desks has no effect on the couple, now fully embraced and oblivious to those around them. DiNozzo turns back to Vance and gives him a helpless shrug as if to indicate he tried.

Vance just shakes his head and lets out a sigh of resignation. If this was how it was going to be... then he had some damage control to do and from the worried looks on the faces now looking at him; it needed to be done right now.

"Gentlemen, may I suggest we adjourn to my office so we can... discuss the matters at hand?"

All of the men nod in agreement, wanting guarantees up front that the obviously intimate relationship between the most dangerous woman in D.C. and the man many of them secretly fear would not be a problem. They give the couple below them one last look, then begin to file back into Vance's office. Vance is the last in line and as the others disappear and he glares down at DiNozzo. With a silent slashing motion across his throat, Vance sends his silent demand for him to make them stop.

DiNozzo gulps in a deep breath, knowing Vance has tasked him with reminding his normally stoic, by the book boss that this was not the time or place for this kind of thing. He steps out from behind his desk, intent on approaching the couple when Ziva's hand darts out to stop him by planting itself firmly on his chest.

"Let them be, Tony."

"Vance... you saw him! I can't..." Tony is clearly torn between wanting to enjoy the scene before him and knowing there will be hell to pay from Vance if he does.

"Relax, DiNozzo." Gibbs finally pulls back from the woman in his arms and turns his attention to his second in command. "No need to panic."

"I... no, boss... I wasn't... It's just that Director Vance..." Tony points up towards Vance's office and then falls silent as the grin on his bosses face tells him he is fully aware of the reaction Vance had. "Aaahhh, I get it! Very smooth boss... you're still playing the role, right? Holly as your girlfriend... that was all for the benefit of Ms. Hart, right?"

Gibbs shakes his head and leans over to gibe Holly a gentle kiss on the temple before explaining the obvious to his clueless second in command. "Nothin' pretend about it, DiNozzo."

"Tony, close your mouth. Is it so hard to believe that Gibbs and Miss Snow... have become more than friends?" Ziva was always more in tune with people's emotions than her partner.

Tony looks from her to Gibbs, then to Holly as a sudden realization hits him. "Oh...OH! You know... that stuff I said earlier... I wasn't... I was just..."

Holly laughs softly as Tony begins to turn redder as he tries to explain his flirtatious comments from earlier. Gibbs looks to her confused, but she just shakes her head and responds, "Believe me, Tony... I didn't take anything you said seriously."

"No? Because I thought... you said..." He stumbles over his words, realizing she had only been flirting with him. Shaking his finger at her now in a mock scolding fashion. "Wow... you are good at that illusion stuff, Miss Snow. Had me worried there... because you know, I was just kidding when I said..."

"Tony! Stop talking and take your shoe out of your mouth!" Ziva can't believe his stupidity sometimes and doesn't even mind when McGee corrects her misused word.

"Foot, Ziva. Take your foot out of your mouth... but in Tony's case I believe it's might be his foot, his shoe and part of his leg." McGee is grinning happily as he watches the senior agent make such a fool of himself.

"DiNozzo, shut up before I have to come over there and head slap you." He glares at Tony, but there is humor in his eyes. "Or snap your neck off this time."

Tony subconsciously rubs the back of his neck, realizing now why his boss put such a death grip on him earlier when he caught him flirting with his girlfriend. "Right, boss. Shutting up now."

They watch as Tony spins around and returns to his desk, followed by Ziva who can't hide the happy smile on her face. The look is matched by McGee who has begun typing loudly on his keyboard in a happy rhythm. Gibbs looks from one to the next, then jerks his head slightly and grins at the woman beside him.

"Come on... let's go for coffee."

They walk out together with his hand on the small of her back and the eyes of three curious agents following their every move. Once inside the elevator with the doors closed, Holly turns to him with one brow raised to finally voice her own questions.

"Want to tell me what that was all about, Jethro?"

"What?" He gives her a half grin, knowing exactly what she is talking about. When she continues to stare at him, he reaches over pull her closer, wanting to give her his full attention.

"What was that... very obvious display in there for?"

"Just wanted to set the record straight... that's all."

"And what record is that? Putting the President's cabinet, the Supreme court justice an all those other guys on notice?"

"Yeah, pretty much... but you left out Vance." Holly shakes her head in disbelief of his territorial display.

"Never took you for the caveman type, Jethro."

"Not... normally, but you and I both know this would be hanging over our heads otherwise." He reaches out to tenderly touch her cheek. "Vance knew about us. Gave me his version of approval as long as we were 'discreet'."

"In other words ... as long as you didn't rock the boat on the Hill, right?"

"Guess so. He knows I got axes to grind with a lot of those guys anyway. Figured with your insight, I could really make trouble for them."

"So you figured you'd just do one of those... what do you marines call it? A preemptive strike?"

"Got no intentions of stirring up trouble, Holly. Just wanted them to know how things stand... you're mine now. As long as they know that... and respect it, there won't be any problems."

She studies him for a moment and realizes he is completely serious. He wants everyone to know she is his now, which meant he planned on this thing between them lasting a while... maybe longer than that. Her hand comes out to stroke his jaw, gently tracing the frown lines away as she smiles up at him.

"Thank you." She continues to stroke his face as she moves in closer, standing on her tiptoes to bring her mouth up to his in a gentle kiss. "I love you too."

His arms curve around her body, holding her tightly against his chest as he takes the sweetness she offers. Her lips part on a gentle sigh and he growls softly as his tongue delves deeply in search of her own. They spend long minutes lost in their new understanding that nothing would ever come between them. They are lost in another slow deep kiss when a soft ding of the bell causes them to draw apart as the elevator doors open.

Gibbs had failed to push the button for the ground floor and therefore they were still sitting on the third floor bullpen level. Gibbs raises his head as he hears the familiar sarcasm of his second in command.

"Seriously, boss... you two need to get a room."

Gibbs glares over at him, but Tony just stands there innocently grinning at them and he can't stay mad. Gibbs just grins and reaches over to push the button this time for the ground floor. As the doors close, Tony watches Gibbs' attention return to the woman in his arms. When the doors are closed, DiNozzo stands there a moment, wondering what the odds were that Gibbs would hit the stop button somewhere between here and the ground floor so he could continue his sensual exploration of Miss Holly Snow. Knowing the answer to that question, DiNozzo lets another grin curve across his face as he turns toward the stairs.