Disclaimer: I still don't own the two shows – heh...
a/n: I can't believe that no one caught the references to "A Monster's Ball" and "Stealing Thunder" - two very wonderful stories written by Jag Lady....and thanks so much to Jag Lady for allowing me to borrow your OC Emmie Stockburne.....I hope that you will all enjoy this latest chapter....happy reading....Laplandgurl
Chapter 5
Miami – Two Years Later:
"Hi, how can I help you?" the uniformed officer asked from behind the reception desk of the Miami-Dade Crime Lab.
"Hi," Randi replied. "I'm hoping that Lt. Horatio Caine still works here."
"He does, but he is not available at the moment," the male officer answered.
"Oh," Randi looked up at Jethro – who was holding a three year girl in his arms. "What was that lady's name Jethro? Emmie...?"
"Emmie Wolfe."
"Yes," Randi turned back to face the officer. "Is Emmie Wolfe on duty today?"
"Yes she is. Please take a seat over there and I'll call her to come and meet you."
"Thank you," Randi smiled at the officer before the three of them headed for the benches in the atrium. Talking silently in sign language.
Within several moments, Emmie steeped out of the elevator – heading for the reception desk. "Hi – you said that I have some visitors?"
"They're sitting over there," the officer indicated the padded benches.
"Hello," Emmie smiled at the couple accompanied by a little girl. "Oh Agent Gibbs and Randi – I remember you."
"Hey," Randi stood up with a happy smile, her cotton sundress rustling. "It's so nice to see you again Mrs. Wolfe."
"It's Emmie. And I'm happy to see you looking so good." Looking at Randi's long red hair, her loose cotton print sundress which matched the little girl's dress. "And who is this little darling here?"
"This is my daughter Jayma," Randi said – talking and signing. "Jayma, this is mommy's friend Emmie. Emmie helped us to find you when you were lost."
Jayma looked up at Emmie curiously, before saying. "Hi."
"She said 'Hi'," Randi explained.
"Well hello Jayma. It's so nice to finally meet you," Emmie said carefully as Randi signed. "You are getting to be a big girl. How old are you?"
Jayma looked at Jethro, who prompted by signing – 'three' before she signed. "Three."
"Oh and you're a smart little girl aren't you."
Jayma giggled and hid her face against Jethro's shoulder.
The elevator dinged and an familiar red-haired man stepped off the elevator – walking towards them. "Agent Gibbs and Miss Avalon. How are you doing?" The tall lieutenant smiled at the four of them.
"I'm doing just fine, Lt. Caine," smiled Randi as Jethro shook hands with Horatio.
"I'm glad," Horatio smiled. "I'm really glad to see that you've recovered from your experience. And is this your little girl."
"It is," Randi replied. "This is Jayma."
"Well hello Jayma. A pretty name for a pretty little girl," Horatio said, as Jethro signed his words.
"Me pretty," Jayma stated, much to everyone's amusement as Jethro translated.
"Now how may we help you?" Horatio asked.
"We just wanted to come by and introduce you to Jayma and to express our gratitude for helping me and for helping us find Jayma," Randi answered.
"No thanks are necessary. Just seeing you and Jayma back together and happy is thanks enough," Horatio responded.
"And Emmie," Randi turned towards the computer expert. "We can never thank you enough for arranging the use of your family's corporate jet to fly us to New York to be able to rescue Jayma."
"I'm just glad to be able to help reunite you and your daughter."
"So are you enjoying your visit to Miami?" Horatio asked.
"We are," Randi replied.
"I wanted Randi to have some good memories of Miami," Jethro said, looking at Randi.
"Well, I'm glad to be able to meet Jayma in person," Horatio said, smiling at the little girl – who was squirming in Jethro's arms. Before surprising everyone as she reached out towards Horatio. Horatio smiled with pleasure when Jethro allowed Jayma to settle in the red-head's arms. "Oh you are just a little charmer – aren't you darling. You are just so precious."
"Wow," Randi breathed, looking at Jethro.
"Yeah," Jethro agreed before explaining. "Jayma doesn't take to strange men easily because of her experience."
"That's understandable," replied Horatio.
"Lt. Caine has a way with children," Emmie chuckled. "All children just instinctively trust him."
"It's the same with Jethro," Randi laughed. "It's a gift."
"Da-da," Jayma signed before reaching back towards Jethro, who gathered her back in his arms. As Jayma settled back into Jethro's arms – she patted his cheek. "My da-da."
"What did Jayma just say?" Emmie questioned.
"My da-da," Randi translated.
"I don't understand," Emmie said curiously. "Why does Jayma call Agent Gibbs that?"
"Jethro and I got married last year," Randi smiled. "And Jethro adopted Jayma several months later."
"Well," Horatio smiled. "Then please accept my belated congratulations."
"And please accept my congratulations as well," Emmie said. "I hope that you two have a long and happy marriage."
"Thank you," replied Jethro, exchanging smiles with Randi, as Jayma reached towards Randi – signing. "Mama, me potty. Me potty now."
"Okay darling," Randi crooned, swinging Jayma into her arms. "Let's go potty." Looking around the reception area. "Excuse me – can you tell me where I can find the ladies room?"
"It's down the hall," Emmie said quickly. "Come on – I'll show you where it is."
The two men watched as the two women; one carrying the toddler walked down the hallway.
"Did you find who was responsible for Randi's and Jayma's abduction, Agent Gibbs?" Horatio asked, tilting his head with curiosity.
"Ah," Jethro groaned. "We are still waiting to go to trial. The man behind the whole mess is the former Director of NCIS – Leon Vance."
"Do you know why?"
"Yeah – it's because he is Jayma's biological father. And he decided that he wanted Jayma."
"Oh?' Horatio raised a questioning eyebrow as he raised his head to look Gibbs in the eye. "Why resort to kidnapping? Why not go thru legal channels?"
"Because he would have had to admit that he was a rapist and a murderer, Lt. Caine," Gibbs snorted.
"Horatio is fine. Whom did he murder?"
Jethro began explaining how Randi had been originally snatched one Halloween night as a diversion, to cover up a failed assassination attempt.
Down the hall, inside the ladies' washroom; Randi helped her daughter to use the facilities and lifted Jayma up so the toddler could wash her hands. "All done mama," the little girl signed with dripping hands.
"Not quite," Randi chuckled, reaching for the paper towels that Emmie passed to her. "Now you're all done. Your hands are now clean and dry."
"She really is a charmer," Emmie smiled, watching as Jayma disposed of the paper towels that she had used to energetically dry her hands.
"Thank you," Randi replied. "She's our pride and joy."
"So, how are you and Jayma really doing?" Emmie asked, as the three of them exited the washroom. Jayma toddling between the two women.
"Oh, a lot better now," Randi sighed. "It took me a lot longer to bounce back than it did Jayma. But having a really good therapist and a great family support system helped me to recover."
"And Agent Gibbs?"
"And Jethro too," Randi agreed with a slight smile. "He refused to let me give up myself. Refused to let me become a recluse."
"I'm so glad," Emmie murmured. "And Jayma? Did she suffer any ill effects?"
"Oh did she ever," Randi responded. "Jayma was quite clingy for several months afterwards. I couldn't get out of her sight without her panicking."
"That's quite understandable," Emmie nodded. "And were you the same way?"
"Oh yeah," Randi grimaced ruefully, touching her daughter's head. "And I still am to a certain extent, but I am trying not to smother her. I don't want Jayma to grow up with no self confidence."
"Well no wonder you feel that way. You two went thru a terrible experience."
Randi touched the scar on the side of her face with her acid burned fingertips; the scar that was hidden under her expertly applied makeup.
"Da-da," Jayma signed as she ran – giggling towards Jethro and Horatio.
"There's my Jayma," Jethro said, before swinging his daughter up in his arms.
"All done," Jayma grinned.
"Horatio Caine," scolded an attractive black woman; dressed in surgical scrubs, carrying a file folder. Stopping when she spotted the group. "Well, well. It's my Jane Doe."
"Hello, Dr. Woods," Randi smiled, hugging her former doctor. "I was hoping that we would be able to see you."
"You are looking really good," Alexx replied. "And please call me Alexx."
"Okay Alexx, but it's Randi – remember?"
"Of course I remember," Alexx chided, turning towards Jethro. "And Agent Gibbs."
"Doctor," Gibbs nodded.
"Oh for God's sake," Randi snorted. "Enough with the Agent Gibbs. His name is Jethro."
"Okay Jethro," Alexx chuckled. "Now, who is this little cutie pie?"
"This is our daughter Jayma," Randi replied. "Jayma, this is Dr. Woods, Dr. Woods helped to make mommy all better."
"All better?"
"That's right sweetie. All better," said Randi.
"Oh Randi," Alexx breathed. "She is so precious and adorable."
"Thank you," Randi smiled, as Jayma bounced in Jethro's arms – giggling and smiling; reaching out towards Horatio again.
"You want to come see me sweetheart?" Horatio's face glowed with pleasure as Jayma snuggled against his shoulder; sucking her thumb.
"Jayma looks good in your arms," Alexx teased her old friend gently – nudging a smirking Emmie's arm.
"That she does," Emmie replied.
Randi beamed as she watched the CSI and her daughter enjoy each others presence. "You're a natural at this Lt. Caine." Then turned towards Jethro. "Hon, umm...is there anymore juice in Jayma's backpack?"
"You're dipping aren't you?" Jethro frowned. "Here sit down." Jethro ordered – sitting his shaky wife down on the bench. Before reaching for the backpack and rummaging thru the pack.
"What's wrong?" Alexx asked, dropping her file folder into Emmie's hands – mindful of the curious child in Horatio's arms.
"Damnit, there's no more juice boxes in here," Jethro muttered, before looking up. "Randi's blood sugar is going too low. She needs some orange juice or candy."
"There's some juice in the break room fridge," Emmie said, remembering seeing a bottle in the fridge that morning. "I'll go and get it for Randi." Heading for the break room.
"Hurry," Horatio urged as he continued to hold Jayma – who was watching her mother with a frown on her tiny face. "Mama sick?"
"Mama will be okay. Mama just needs some juice." Jethro signed, as Emmie came rushing back with a bottle of fruit punch. "It's not orange juice."
"This will do just fine," Alexx said. "It's loaded with sugar and that's what Randi needs right now." Watching as Randi drank the juice from the bottle that Jethro was holding. "Do you need anything else sweetie?"
"No," Randi answered, her hands no longer shaking.
"What happened? Did you forget to eat?" Alexx questioned, her doctor instincts kicking in, reaching over to place her fingers on Randi's wrist; checking her pulse.
"No," Randi shook her head. "This happened a lot when I was pregnant with Jayma."
"Randi," Horatio sat down on the bench, holding Jayma's on his knee. "Are you expecting?"
"Yeah," Randi replied, as her and Jethro exchanged glances. "I'm at the end of the first trimester. Umm...we wasn't going to mention it, but of course my blood sugar would have to dip."
"Are you under a doctor's care," Alexx asked.
"Yes, I saw my OB before we left Washington," Randi answered. "She just warned me to keep a close eye on my glucose levels."
"And you're okay to fly?" Alexx asked.
"We're not flying," Randi smiled. "We're driving. It gives me more opportunity to see more of the country."
"Besides that," Jethro said wryly – looking at Jayma. "We've found that flying bothers Jayma."
"How so?" Emmie asked.
"She really hates to have to sit for long periods of time," Randi chuckled. "At least with the car, we can stop and let Jayma run around to burn off her excess energy."
"Heh," Horatio chuckled – looking at Jayma, who was snuggled against his chest. "So are you feeling better now?"
"Yes I am," Randi nodded, as Jethro looked at his watch before looking at his wife – saying. "I really hate break this visit up. But we've got to get going if we are going to eat lunch before catching the show at the aquarium."
"Oh yes," Randi replied. "Jayma wants to see the dolphins."
"Come on Jayma," Jethro said, trying to coax an unwilling little girl from Horatio's arms.
"No, no. Me stay," Jayma pouted.
"You've made another conquest, H," Alexx chuckled.
"Come on sweetie. Don't you want to see the fishies?"
"Fishies?"
"Yes," Randi nodded. "Go see the fishies."
"See the fishies," Jayma's face brightened – scrambling to get down out of Horatio's arms; who carefully placed the little girl down on her feet. "Me go now."
"Little miss impatient," Jethro chuckled, swinging the backpack over one shoulder before taking a hold of Jayma's hand.
"Yes she is," Randi agreed, standing back up. "It was so nice to be able to visit with you Horatio and Emmie. And Alexx, I'm so glad that we got a chance to visit with you as well. I never got a chance to say thank you for taking such good care of me in the hospital."
"No thanks are necessary honey," Alexx chuckled warmly. "Just doing my job."
"No," Randi shook her head. "If you were only doing your job, you wouldn't have kept visiting me outside of working hours." Reaching out to give Alexx a heartfelt hug.
"Hey, you will have to keep in touch and let me know how you all are doing," Alexx said, looking at the woman who had come a long way since being left at dead's door.
"Emmie, I will never forget the kindness that you and your husband Mr. Wolfe have shown me. It's too bad that Mr. Wolfe was out in the field. I would have liked to have seen him as well," Randi smiled. "Please give him my best." Also giving Emmie a hug.
"I will and I agree with Alexx, you must keep in touch."
"And Horatio," Randi turned towards the CSI. "I haven't forgotten about you. Thank you for all you have done for me."
"No thanks are necessary," Horatio smiled at the petite woman, who looked so vastly happier than the last time that he had saw her.
"And the young man who kept visiting me in the hospital, Kyle – right?" Randi frowned.
"Yes, that's right," Horatio replied.
"Will you be seeing him anytime soon?
"I will," Horatio nodded with a smile. "Why do you want to know?"
"Well, I was hoping that you could give this to him from me," Randi said, slipping a envelope out of her purse – passing it to Horatio.
"I will make sure that this get's placed in Kyle's hands," Horatio promised, slipping the envelope inside his suit jacket. "And I also agree with Alexx, you take care of yourself and the little ones. And I hope that you and Jethro have a happy marriage together."
"Thank you," Randi chuckled looking at Jethro – who smiled a sheepish grin. "Can I have a hug?"
"Of course," Horatio smiled, leaning down so that Randi could reach him easier and kissing her on the left cheek.
"You all take care of yourselves. And Horatio? You keep doing the great job that you're doing," Randi said before turning to face Jayma. "Okay Jayma, let's go see the fishies."
"Fishies!"
"Say bye-bye to everyone first," Randi said, urging Jayma to wave bye-bye.
"Bye-bye Jayma," three voices said, everyone waving to the little girl – who was waving back at the three of them; watching as she toddled between her parents towards the front door.
"That is one lovely family," Alexx said, looking at Horatio and Emmie.
"I agree," Emmie replied.
"So do I," Horatio agreed. "So do I. I'm so glad for Randi, she deserves to be happy."
The three of them watched as the Gibbs' family drove away in their car before returning to their respective jobs.