Chapter 8
2013
"So your daughter was born a few months after that?" Gibbs asks and Emily nods, tears streaming down her cheeks. McGee cuddles her and she nudges him and indicates towards Gibbs with her head and McGee understands, she wants him to continue for her.
"She was born weighing 6lb 3oz, on February 12th, Emmeline's mother's birthday. We named her Aurelia Rosemarie and she took my surname… Well actually we double-barrelled it, Garrett-McGee." McGee says calmly, his arm still around Emmeline. " Em's attacker was never caught. The only thing she could say about him was that he was wearing a naval uniform."
"If it was dark, how did you identify a naval uniform?" Gibbs asks. Emily made a choked sound.
"When your mother is in hospital, Agent Gibbs, and you take her place in the family, you soon learn what a uniform feels like, especially when you wash 3 sets." She says. Gibbs looks confused. "My father and two older brothers were… are in the marines."
Gibbs nods, he thinks of Shannon and Kelly. Did Shannon know what his uniform felt like? He pushed that thought aside and returned his focus to McGee and this girl.
McGee takes a deep breath and mutters at Emily who smiles at whatever he's said. Ducky smiles at the remnants of love the two have for each other, and slowly begins to understand the note.
"So, this marine who attacked you, my dear, knows you have a daughter and used you and your daughter to gain a reaction from your father?" Ducky says at this Emily nods.
Emily turns to McGee and signs 'Raven'. Gibbs looks confused and McGee nods.
"Em wants to see Abby. They went to high school together. She is also Aurelia's Godmother." Gibbs nods and sends Tony to get her. A few minutes later Abby dashes into the room and Emily looks at her before getting up and falling into Abby's arms in tears.
"Abby, I'm a disaster! I failed." Emily sobs.
"You haven't failed. Not yet. Promise." Abby says clutching her friend tightly.
" I HAVE! I failed you, father, Darren, Mark, Timmy. And now I have failed to keep my daughter safe from a killer! Abby I've failed." Emily sobs and McGee turns to Gibbs.
"Darren and Mark are Emily's brothers. Em, why have you failed Abby?" He asks kneeling down beside her on the floor where she lies in Abby's arms. Abby sighs.
"We swore to protect ourselves against the bad men in the world- she thinks that because she was attacked she failed me and broke the vow. Which she didn't. I never realised you were the one to save her, Tim, thank you for that." Abby says sadly and squeezes his hand. Tim smiles and hugs Emily and Abby, muttering "My best girls."
Emily sits up all of a sudden, surprising McGee and sending him reeling backwards. " Em, what's wrong?"
"I've had an idea of how to find Aurelia."
"Good! What is it?" Tim asks.
"Elijah and James. They're on leave this week from their deployment on the USS Seahawk. She said she was going to spend time with them."
"You want to ring them? Is that wise, considering?" McGee asks, a concerned expression on his face.
"Considering what, Tim? Anyway I'm sure they'd love to talk with you too." Emily protests.
"Okay, I'll set up a video call to them on the base at Norfolk." McGee gets up. "Shall we move to MTAC, boss?"
Gibbs nods and they follow to MTAC.