NCIS

Don't Push but Don't Hesitate

Chapter 7

Fantasy

One week later

Samantha sat alone at the upscale bar just a few blocks from her apartment. As she waited patiently for Jeanne to meet her she sipped on club soda garnished with a lime wedge. The dress she wore was purchased on the streets of Paris courtesy of Jeanne. In fact it was laid out on her bed for her to find after work. Jeanne had left a note instructing Samantha to wear it and meet her at the current location. The dress was a head turning shade of red, the material soft and flowing. There was a slit that ran up to her left hip, exposing her sculpted legs. The plunging neckline created more drama but somehow the entire look was tasteful, leaving plenty to the imagination. A pair of nude heels and a subtle shade of lipstick completed the effect.

From the moment Samantha arrived she was approached by a few different men. Each of them tossed her a stale pickup line which she declined by giving them a glimpse of her wedding rings when she pretended to adjust her hair. Almost half an hour after she arrived, Jeanne walked through the door wearing a turquoise number that made her eyes pop. Instantly Samantha broke into a smile. Jeanne looked radiant as he located her best friend and joined her.

"You look stunning." Jeanne gushed as she perched on the empty stool beside Samantha.

"Thank you, you look spectacular." Samantha replied.

Jeanne smiled and ordered champagne from the bartender. When Samantha gave her a quizzical expression the doctor explained.

"We're celebrating."

"Celebrating what?" Samantha asked as she arched a brow.

"The divorce of course!" Jeanne spoke loud enough for most of the patrons to hear. Samantha suspected it was on purpose to gain male attention.

"Okay Dr. Seuss, but I'm not drinking anymore remember?"

The champagne was placed in front of them and after the bartender stepped away Jeanne leaned in. This time she was intent on keeping their conversation private.

"Sam listen to me, I forgive you. Yes, you were drunk that night but you were also vulnerable and he took advantage of that. I love you and no matter what happens you will always be my chosen family. Now," Jeanne turned to her original distance and held out her hand. "Give them to me."

Samantha was hesitant. There was no mistaking what Jeanne was referring to.

"Jeanne I-"

"They'll be safe I promise." Jeanne assured her.

Samantha knew she wasn't going to get out of it and she removed the wedding rings, placing them in Jeanne's open palm. The doctor took the diamond and the band, slipping them onto her finger which was coincidentally the same size as Samantha's. Next Jeanne picked up her glass and gestured for Samantha to do the same. The agent obliged.

"Here is to your freedom." Jeanne toasted.

The pair of roommates clinked their glasses together and drank. Not long after toasting and discussing their work week as they finished their glasses, Samantha and Jeanne migrated to a Latin dance club. It did not take much convincing from Jeanne to get Samantha on board. The agent had a passion for dance and spent her entire childhood and much of her adult life dancing as an extracurricular activity.

A few hours and many beverages later Samantha had danced with numerous men until her feet were blistered and sore. Jeanne had provided her with exactly what he needed which was a night to forget the pain she endured and remember who she used to be. The entire evening Samantha was enjoying herself but there was one thing she couldn't get off her mind. When the partying was over Samantha told Jeanne he needed to make one more stop by herself. The doctor was hesitant but Samantha convinced her that it was nothing to worry about. Jeanne ended up hailing a cab for her dear friend before departing in a separate car.

The ride to the familiar house did not take long. Samantha thanked the driver as she paid the fare including the tip. Taking a deep breath she waited for the cab to drive off before walking up to the house.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs was in his basement when Samantha found him. The tapping of her heels on the floorboards above caused him to look up. When he did she rounded the corner of the doorway and began descending the stairs.

Immediately his heart began pounding against his ribcage. His mouth went dry and without much self-restraint he let his eyes wander. Slowly and deliberately he took in the way the dress complimented her figure. The plunging neckline and her legs peeking through the slit rendered him speechless but her smile, the happiness in her eyes, that's what truly took his breath away.

Samantha approached the latest project, reaching out a hand and stroking the smooth unfinished wood. Eventually Gibbs managed to find his voice.

"What's the occasion?" He asked, indicating to her attire.

Samantha's smile widened and he detected a sparkle in her eyes, one he knew well.

"I've been celebrating the turning over of a new leaf." As she spoke she showed him her bare left hand.

Gibbs nodded, still rooted to the spot he was standing in when she joined him.

"I heard the news."

Samantha smirked and looked down at her feet as she perched on the edge of his work, between two of the boat ribs.

"Then why aren't you kissing me yet?"

"Samantha…" Gibbs intended to sound stern. Instead his tone was soft, almost inviting. Internally he kicked himself for it. The way she was looking at him diminished his self-restraint.

Dropping his tools onto his workspace Gibbs approached her then grabbed hold of her waist with both hands. He pulled her flush against him and though Samantha gasped in surprise she was equally pleased with his actions.

"Samantha, if you don't want this to go any further you better say so now." Gibbs told her as his eyes bore into hers.

Samantha ran her hands along his chest before loosely draping her arms over his broad shoulders.

"Shut up and kiss me."

And he did. Gibbs obeyed Samantha's order by leaning in and closing the gap between them. The kiss started out being soft and tender. Samantha was gentle as she responded to his lead. Tentatively Gibbs' hands began to wander to frame. Samantha slipped her own hands into his hair allowing him full control of the situation. Already her excitement was building. This moment was what she had been yearning for. Gradually the intensity of their kiss increased. Then suddenly Gibbs lifted her and instinctively Samantha wrapped a leg around his waist, the one exposed by the open slit in her dress.

A pleasant shiver ran down her spine as Gibbs' feather light touch with calloused fingers travelled from her ankle, past her knee, and along her inner thigh. Slowly Gibbs parted from her lips, kissing along her jawline toward her neck. Out of habit Samantha tilted her head sideways providing him with easier access to the most sensitive places on her neck which he nibbled just hard enough to elicit a moan of approval form deep within her. Unable to resist any longer he kissed along her throat traveling downward to where the plunging neckline of her dress ended.

Samantha watched as he unraveled her leg from his waist and crouched down before her. Next he kissed her bare knee moving slowly upward and toward her inner thigh, all the while watching her eyes darken. As he ran his tongue across the skin where her leg joined her hip, Samantha whispered his name. The tone she used was full of desperation. Suddenly without warning he stood and swept her into his arms. Samantha quickly melted into his grasp. As he began carrying her toward the stairs her phone began to ring. When he continued onward Samantha frowned.

"I should answer that." She said with a sigh.

"Ignore it, you are with me now."

Samantha wanted to obey him but the fact that her phone was ringing at this hour did not sit well with her.

"At this time of night it could be an emergency." Samantha reasoned.

Gibbs lowered her onto her feet. Though he hated to share her with anyone else at this moment he knew she was right. As she moved toward her clutch which she left on his workspace earlier he leaned against the rail of the stairs and waited.

Samantha answered the call on the last ring. All of a sudden she turned to face Gibbs. Something in her expression had changed. The color drained from her cheeks in an instant as he watched her listen to the caller. White as a sheet she lowered the phone from her ear, arm dropping to her side. The phone slipped from her fingers and slid down the length of her dress hitting the floor with a clatter. Samantha began to tremble and sway where she stood as the news she just received sunk in.