Gibbs was drinking his coffee as he glanced out the window. The sky was cloudy. He noticed movement and saw that Jo was walking up to his house. He put his cup down and walked to the front door. He opened it before she had a chance to knock. "Hi." He smiled at her.
"Hi." She tried not to feel too foolish. She had to do this. "About the other night, Lisa can be a bit nosy and she shouldn't…"
He shook his head. "It's fine. Like I said don't worry about it."
There was a tone in his voice that made her believe him. "Lisa feels really bad about it."
"She shouldn't. She didn't do anything wrong." He leaned in the door frame and pondered if he should ask her inside. "Why don't you tell her to come over here and I'll tell her myself she has nothing to feel bad about."
Jo smiled at him. "That would be nice but Lisa is staying over at a friend's house. I'll come by with her tomorrow how does that sound?"
"Sounds like a plan. What about you? Want to come inside? I feel like I owe you a cup of coffee." That was one lame excuse.
She shouldn't but she wanted to. "A cup of coffee sounds great."
He stepped aside as she walked passed him. She heard him close the door behind her as she headed to the living room. She sat down and just waited as he walked to the kitchen. She knew where this could lead to. She wasn't an idiot; she had seen the way he had looked at her. Not to mention she knew that she was attracted to him. She hardly knew him but she had always been a good judge of character. She said nothing as he came back in to the living room. She accepted the cup of coffee that he handed her.
He sat down and watched as she blew on her coffee. "So tell me about yourself?"
She thought about what he had said and carefully selected her next words. "Not much to tell. Born and raised in New York. I spent most of all my life there until a few years ago."
When she didn't say anything more he wondered if he should press on. No one, unless, they wanted to hide something had that little to say about their life. He was about to ask something else when she spoke.
"What about you?" She drank some of her coffee while watching him.
He didn't really hear himself as he told her about his life from where he was born until how he came to be where he was today. Not in so much details but enough to satisfy.
They both sat in silence for a little while as Jo contemplated what to say. She sighed as she drank the last of her coffee and caught sight of her watch. "Oh, I didn't realize that it was that late. I have to get up early tomorrow." She sat the cup down and as she stood he did the same. Suddenly they were face to face. She could tell there was a desire in his eyes and she was sure he could tell she felt it too.
He had an overwhelming desire to kiss her but the timing felt all wrong. Still she was so close and the way she looked at him told him she wanted the same thing. He started to lean closer but as he did she backed away.
She didn't dare to look at him. "T.. thanks for the coffee." She said right before she almost ran out of the room.
Again he heard the door open and close. Damn it, why did it keep ending like this? And yet, something told him there was something else. He took her cup and with his own he headed back to the kitchen. There was really nothing he could do about it now.
Jo closed her front door and locked it. What had she been thinking? She couldn't go there. No matter how handsome he was, no matter how caring, friendly and helpful she could not let herself fall for this man. However, she knew she was already starting to.
~POOF~
The following day he still felt frustrated not knowing what to do. Why had he tried to kiss her? He had seen the way she had looked at him and really thought she wanted the same thing. He threw away his towel and left the bathroom. He walked through the bedroom and out to the hall as he heard the knock on the front door. He went downstairs and once he was at the front door he opened it. He smiled when he saw that it was Jo and Lisa.
"Hey." She needed to keep it cool. Act casual.
"Hi" He said to Jo before he kneeled down and looked Lisa straight in the eye. "Hi there kiddo. Want to come in?"
"Yes."
Lisa walked inside as Gibbs stood up now facing Jo. "I'm glad you came." He told her.
Jo simply smiled and tried not to let him get to her. As usual she walked in first and he was right behind her.
As they got to the living room Gibbs motioned for Lisa to join him. "Come here. I want to show you something." He waited until the girl was by his side and then he offered her his hand. She hesitated but only slightly before she took it.
Jo walked behind them as they made their way upstairs. She wasn't sure what to think as they stopped outside the room where door had been locked.
Gibbs smiled at Lisa and opened the door.
Lisa's mouth turned into a perfect o. inside was a rom colored in light pink, light blue and some touches of light green. There was a bed with in one of the corners with a blue lamp on the small table next to it. There were two bookshelves with books, some toys and stuffed animals. There was a desk opposite the bed that had pens, another lamp and some papers strewn about. On the wall over the bed was a huge poster of horses. A few toys lay on the floor.
Gibbs kneeled next to Lisa again. When she looked at him he spoke again. "I don't want you to feel bad about being curious about this room. Actually I'm glad you were. It reminded me it was time to come in here and if nothing else it needed dusting." He tried to joke but the girl in front of him didn't react. She continued to look at him with a serious face. "What I mean is don't feel bad. It's fine. It really is." He gave her a smile and this time he was rewarded with one back.
Jo watched them both carefully.
Gibbs let go of Lisa and stood up. As he looked at Jo he wasn't sure what to make of her expression. A quick drawn smile and then she looked away. "Would you like something to eat?" He hoped she would say yes.
Jo looked back at him. "That would be nice."
~POOF~
They soon settled in a routine. Jo and Lisa would come over every other day and they would all have dinner together. He got to know her better, got to know Lisa and he in return revealed some more of his life.
He didn't try to kiss her again but now and then he caught her looking at him. He knew she was interested but she never made a move. He wondered if he tried to kiss her again would she react in the same way.
What really changed everything was one evening a little over a month after Jo and Lisa had moved in.
Tim and Tony were waiting in the living room as Gibbs was making a phone call.
Suddenly the door flew open and Lisa came running inside.
Tim and Tony looked up in time to see the little girl come running in. She was crying her hair was a mess and there was blood on her hands.
Tony got up and moved to her. "Are you ok?"
Lisa stopped not sure what to do. Who was this man?
Tim saw her looking around and he understood. "Maybe she's looking for Gibbs." He got up and hurried upstairs. "Boss!"
Gibbs yelled back. "I'll be right there McGee."
Tim stopped in the doorway to Gibbs' bedroom. "Boss, there's a little girl here that I think is looking for you. She seems scared and might be injured." Tim's words were out in a rush.
Gibbs' whole body froze. Right away he turned and ran past Tim. Could it be Lisa? He ran down the stairs and as he entered the living room he saw Tony trying to reassure the little girl. "Lisa!" He ran up to her and kneeled in front of her.
Tony back away and simply observed.
"Lisa, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" He looked quickly over her hands as she shook her head. In his mind he couldn't help but to be worried about Jo. Where was she?
"Someone is hurting mom." Lisa cried and tried to catch her breath.
Cold fear gripped Gibbs' heart. "Where? In your house?"
"Yes."
"Lisa, I want you to listen to me." He turned slightly and pointed at Tim. "That man is a friend. His name is Tim and I want you to stay with him until I get back ok?"
"Ok."
Gibbs got up as he gently pushed Lisa towards Tim.
Tim walked to toward the little girl and gently placed a hand on her back. "I'll take care of her Boss."
Gibbs brought out his gun and started to walk away with a quick pace. "Dinozzo."
"I'm right behind you, Boss." Tony gave Tim one last look before he hurried after Gibbs.
Tim took the little girl in to the kitchen. "Let's get you cleaned up ok?"
Lisa nodded but said nothing.
The front door was open in haste and Gibbs ran outside. He ran as fast as he could. He hoped that whatever was happening to Jo he wouldn't be too late to help her. He ran up to her house and threw the front door open. He heard Jo's voice and thanked god he wasn't too late. Suddenly there was a loud crash.
Tony followed Gibbs' as they followed the sounds.
Gibbs came into the large room and saw a man standing over Jo who was on the floor. It was clear she had been thrown to the wall. There was a gun in the man's hand. "NCIS. Freeze." He yelled as he aimed with his gun.
Tony saw the woman on the floor and aimed his gun on the man. The man halted but in one fast move raised his arm and turned. Tony didn't hesitate when he fired.
Gibbs fired right away when he saw that the arm moved in his direction.
The man immediately fell back on top of Jo.
Gibbs kept aiming at the man as he approached the body.
Tony kneeled down and felt for a pulse. He shook his head.
Gibbs lowered his arms, pocketed the gun and with Tony's help they moved the large man who was lying over Jo's legs. He saw the blood on her face from a huge gash on her forehead and gently patted her cheek. "Jo?" He was immediately relieved when she started to move and opened her eyes. She blinked a few times before she seemed to be focusing on him. Right away she tried to sit up and he helped her. "Easy."
Jo saw the body on the floor and then it all came back to her. "Lisa!" She yelled.
"Lisa is fine. She's at my house." He tried to reassure her. She wanted to stand and he helped her up on her feet.
She held on to him and her eyes came to land on another man.
Gibbs saw her confused look. "That's Tony."
Tony wasn't sure what to say so he gave her a small smile. He wondered if this woman knew about him when she didn't ask anything more and Gibbs didn't even explain anything more.
"I want see Lisa." She stumbled a bit but felt strong hands hold her in place. Her head was pounding.
He held on to her tight as he guided her from the room. He made sure she wouldn't fall when she wobbled. He heard Tony close the door behind them. "Tony, call Ziva and get her over here. I want you to check this scene over."
"On it boss." Tony wanted to go with them but he knew he should stay behind. He picked up his phone as he watched Gibbs walk away with the injured woman.
Gibbs held her close. "How is your head?"
"It's pounding like a sledgehammer." She answered truthfully.
She walked a bit stiff. "Are you hurt anywhere else?"
She felt a little sore but not much else. "No, don't think so."
He had to ask. "What happened?" When she didn't answer he tried again. "Jo, I want to help you but you have to talk to me?" When she suddenly stopped and looked at him there was look there he had not seen before. "Let me help you." She nodded, turned away from him and opened his front door.
She had to tell him. There was no way he was going to let it go now. When they walked into the living room and she saw Lisa her mind relaxed.
Lisa looked up and bolted from the couch.
Jo saw her coming and ignoring the pain in her head she kneeled and brazed herself when Lisa threw herself into her arms. "It's ok sweetheart. Mommy's fine."
Gibbs smiled sadly at the scene as Tim walked up to him. "Everything ok here?"
"Everything is fine." Tim tried to reassure him. He was curious to what was going on.
Jo drew Lisa back to look at her. "It's ok. We'll be fine."
Lisa started to cry again. "Does this mean we have to move again? I don't want to move again." Lisa threw her arms around her mother again and buried her face in her mother's neck.
That little sentence told Gibbs a lot. Someone was after them. He turned to Tim. "I want you to go over to the house next door. Help Tony and Ziva secure the place."
Tim nodded. "What about you?"
Gibbs looked back at Jo and Lisa still holding on to each other. "I'm going to take them to NCIS. Whoever is after them will not get them there."