NCIS
Don't Push but Don't Hesitate
Chapter 5
What now
"And I just want to scream….what now. I just can't figure it out."
~Rihanna
It was heated and familiar with the subtle essence of coffee. As his fingers threaded through her hair she gripped the lapels of his jacket. It was impossible to resist responding to his kiss when she had been dreaming of this moment for a long time. The challenge was not getting carried away but Jethro ended the moment before that could happen with a gentle tug of her lower lip between his teeth.
"I had to do that at least once." Jethro told her.
Samantha was left speechless over the fact that he kissed her and simply nodded.
When they stepped out of the elevator almost immediately after Jethro's confession Tony was reaching the bottom of the stairs and McGee was at his desk. Jethro intended to ask the Senior Field Agent what the Director wanted from him but the phone on Sam's desk interrupted the process.
Samantha took the call and when she did the smile that had been on her lips since Gibbs kissed her faded in and instant.
"Thank you for your call…No, I'll find another lawyer myself." She replied to the caller.
When she hung up with a frustrated sigh the team gave her a questioning look in unison.
"My divorce lawyer just kicked the bucket…know any good ones?" The question was directed at Gibbs who would know better than anyone who to contact.
"I'm looking at the best one I know." Gibbs told her.
"Unfortunately I'm out of practice. I'd ask my father but he's in the middle of a trial." Samantha replied.
"I'll get you the number of my Dad's lawyer Sam, he recently started a law firm in the area." Tony offered.
"Thanks." Samantha nodded.
"Least I could do." Tony shrugged.
The agents returned to work on the current case. It was determined by the autopsy that there were defensive wounds on the deceased which obviously suggested another party was involved in the death. When it was revealed by Abby that there was another set of prints on the body Tony and Samantha were sent to find out more about who they belonged to. Samantha willingly allowed Tony to take the wheel which was unusual for the pair but she needed to opportunity to take a breath.
"What did Jenny want?" Samantha asked as they left the Navy yard.
"What makes you think I was with her?" Tony wondered.
"Tony, you were on the stairs when Gibbs and I came back and I don't know of any reason why you would have been in MTAC. Why were you with Jenny?"
"Why do you keep referring to her as Jenny?" Tony asked in another attempt to avoid answering his partner.
"There is a part of me that still thinks of her as a Junior Agent. I'm not ready to call her Director." Samantha shrugged.
Tony nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense."
"Are you going to answer my question?" Sam pressed.
"It's no big deal Jenny just wanted to make sure that your return was not going to be an issue." It was a lie but Tony crossed his fingers that she believed it.
Instead of responding Samantha turned her attention to the window. The pair of agents were both silent for a while as they made their way to their destination. Tony broke the silence when it had stretched for an uncomfortable length of time.
"If I gave you information about the conditions of your divorce do you promise to keep it to yourself?"
Samantha turned her attention away from the cattle ranch they were passing. It wasn't entirely shocking to hear that Tony knew something she didn't about her pending divorce. Considering her husband was his frat brother she half expected this confession.
"That depends on what you plan to share." Samantha said truthfully.
Tony did not hesitate to continue.
"I had lunch with Steven a few days ago and he told me he wants you to have it all for the trouble he's put you through. The house, the vehicles, the pets and the money it's all yours." Tony told her.
"That's what the serpent told you?" Samantha raised a skeptical brow.
"Sam." Tony sighed. It was exhausting to be in the middle of this situation.
"All I am interested in getting back is my dog and the Ferrari. My share of our assets would be nice too but he can keep the house and the racehorses." Sam replied.
"Why not the house, I thought that was your dream home." Tony asked.
"That was before you found me fighting for my life inside of it. Let's face it Tony, even with a gun under my pillow every night I'd never feel safe within those walls again. I have nightmares as it is without being in that house." Samantha explained.
Tony cringed at the not so distant memory that Samantha had mentioned.
"Well when you put it that way I can understand how you feel."
"I honestly hope you never understand how I feel Tony. Steven didn't just break a few of my bones he broke my heart and damaged my trust. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy."
The partners pulled up to a suburban farmhouse in Virginia belonging to the victim's family. They stepped out of the vehicle in unison ready to deliver the unfortunate news and gather any information they could find to continue the investigation.
"I think you might want to use this." Tony advised as he removed a stick of lip balm from his pocket.
Samantha blushed and took the cosmetic product. As they approached the front door and Tony rang the doorbell she applied the Chap Stick while mentally crossing her fingers that he didn't make the connection between the state of her lips and her time alone with Gibbs.
There was no answer after the first ring or the second. Tony raised his fist to start knocking, prepared to announce they were federal agents when gunshots came from behind the house. Samantha abandoned the porch to catch and calm a spooked horse that had come from around back. In the meantime Tony drew his weapon and went around the side of the house. Samantha secured the horse before following her partner. What they found when they reached the barn was the victim's girlfriend standing over the body of what they would learn was her best friend. There was a gun in her hand and she was shaking like a leaf.
"Go home Sam, it's late. Finish that paperwork later." Gibbs ordered from his desk.
Samantha failed at her attempt to cover up a yawn. As it turned out the Marine that was found dead had been beating on his girlfriend for quite some time. When her best friend since childhood who was also obsessed with her learned of the abuse he took matters into his own hands. When he confessed to her what he had done and that it was for her she felt threatened. The girlfriend made the mistake of rejecting her hero who pulled a gun on her for denying him her love. They fought and the gun went off resulting in the scene that Tony and Samantha walked in on.
Fortunately Abby and Ducky were able to prove the claim to be plausible with a ballistics report and an autopsy. Samantha was having a difficult time separating herself from the abuse aspect. She couldn't help wondering if Tony would have killed Steven if she hadn't begged him not to.
As of this moment Samantha and Gibbs were alone in the office. The other half of the team had already left for the evening and there were only a few agents remaining on the floor. The team leader abandoned his desk and moved to stand in front of hers. Samantha removed her reading glasses and looked up at him.
"Come on, I'll take you home." Jethro insisted.
Rather than argue Samantha saved what was left of her energy and shut down her computer. As she stood Jethro moved around her desk to remove her jacket from the back of her chair and helped her into it. In the elevator not a word was spoken about their earlier exchange. It was not brought up during the car ride to her place either. Instead they were quiet until they reached her building.
"My roommate won't be home for over an hour, do you want to come up?" It was clear that Samantha wanted company.
Gibbs smirked but knew it was best to decline the offer despite how tempting it was.
"Nah, I've got a date with a bottle of bourbon and a boat." Gibbs said.
Samantha laughed halfheartedly. "I don't trust myself either…Goodnight Jethro and thanks for the lift."
"Hey Sam, don't forget rule eleven."
Samantha promised she wouldn't before going inside.
The agent entered the apartment with a sigh of relief that her long day was over. There was nothing she needed more than a long hot bath and a therapy session with her best friend. Once the door was locked and her weapon was secure in her bedroom Samantha made her way into the bathroom where she filled the tub and lit some lavender candles. Just as she was about to settle in for a soak the phone she left in the living room began to ring.
"Can't get a moment of peace." Samantha mumbled to herself.
The brunette snatched up her phone from the coffee table where she left it and answered hastily.
"Fielding."
"Samantha." The voice on the other end was gentle and warm.
"Dad, how are you?" Samantha asked trying to sound cheerful enough not to cause concern.
"I'm well, taking a stroll through the park." Mr. Fielding replied. "How is my girl?"
"I'm fine Daddy."
"That might work on your mother but I'm not as easily fooled. What's wrong?"
"I don't know where to start." Sam admitted.
"How about you start with how your first day back went?"
"It was a complete disaster…"
"Tomorrow is another day kid, keep your head held high and ask God for strength." Mr. Fielding advised after listening to the details of his daughter's day.
"I will Dad, thanks for listening. I love you." Samantha replied.
After exchanging goodbyes with her father Samantha hung up the phone and returned to her bath. The second he finished refreshing the water there was a knock on the apartment door.
"Perfect timing." Samantha grumbled sarcastically at no one.
Leaving the bathroom for the second time she went down the hall to answer the door. Glancing through the peephole she discovered nothing but a unique pair of eyes.
"Who is it?"
"Candy gram." Tony announced, confirming her suspicion.
Samantha laughed and unlocked the door. When she opened it she was surprised to find Tony was not alone. At his feet was a freshly groomed golden retriever wearing a big red bow around his neck. Samantha thought she might burst into tears of joy. Falling to her knees she greeted her beloved dog who was equally thrilled to be reunited with her.
"I could kiss you." Sam told DiNozzo.
"It wouldn't be the first time if you did." Tony chuckled.
Samantha rolled her eyes and invited him inside the apartment.
"How did you manage to bring me George?" Samantha asked, referring to the dog.
Tony did not answer verbally but he did reach into his jacket and produced an envelope.
Samantha took it and sat on the couch with George at her feet. Inside the envelope was a divorce agreement signed by Steven and his lawyer. The papers were drawn up by the attorney Tony had recommended earlier that day and only needed Sam's signature.
The Italian joined his partner on the sofa.
"You're free Samantha and everything you wanted is yours."
"What now?" Samantha whispered.
"That's for you to decide."