Chapter 8

Wednesday November 10th, 2010
Washington DC
Washington Hilton and Towers Hotel
International Ballroom
10:49 p.m. E.S.T

It was that time of year again. Time for the annual Marine Corp Birthday Ball and once again Vittoria found herself in attendance, only this time she was on the arm of probably the most powerful man in the room. Robert it turned out had been a Marine before becoming a Senator. This was the first opportunity he'd had to attend the ball in a number of years seeing as two years earlier he'd been nearing the end of an election race and they'd been in Paris the year before. Even though she had told herself she wouldn't, she couldn't stop herself from scanning the group in search of one person in particular. She wasn't surprised when she saw him there with Jenny Shepard on his arm, a stab of sadness running through her at the sight. She loved Robert, just like she had loved Nick once upon a time but neither of them had ever touched her heart the way this man did. But she'd been hurt by that love, yet despite that, her heart still yearned for him and that was why she had walked away from him again almost two years earlier when he and Sara had found her. She had been afraid. The words she had sung that night had been true. If he had said it that night, told her that he loved her, she didn't know what she would have done because she was afraid to let herself love him again. She wasn't Shannon and could never hope to live up to her memory. Over the years she had known him a small part of her had always suspected that he only spent time with her because she was Sara's friend and one of the last ties he had to Shannon. He proved it to her that night they had spent together after his accident.

Seeing him again after so long affected her more than she had originally thought it would. She thought she'd managed to put those feelings aside, to forget about them. Turned out she was wrong. The last thing she needed was Robert to see her because he'd be able to read her feelings in her eyes, he always could. Which was why she now found herself in the ladies restroom, splashing cold water on her face, David waiting patiently outside the door to give her a few minutes of privacy after having cleared the room for her.

After taking a few minutes to compose herself once more and fixing her make up, Vittoria made her way out of the ladies restroom, intent on finding Robert and not leaving his side for the rest of the evening. She felt David fall into step behind her, only to be grabbed a few seconds later before she could reenter the ballroom, and dragged down the hallway and forced into a room just down from the restrooms. Spinning around when the light flicked on overhead, she was surprised and ultimately frightened by the person standing before her. "General Leery?" she asked in confusion. "What's the meaning of this?" she demanded.

"You of course, Aliana," Leery said as he stalked towards Vittoria, causing her to back away from him, her back eventually hitting the wall. "I've thought of you everyday since we were last together yet every time I look for you at Winterfell they tell me the same nonsense about you not being there anymore."

"I gave up that life years ago," Vittoria said.

"Once a whore, always a whore, Aliana," Leery said as he grabbed Vittoria's head and pulled her towards him, kissing her forcefully.

As much as she struggled, Vittoria couldn't pull away so she resorted to the only thing she could think of. She bit his tongue.

"You bitch!" Leery raged as he pulled back, quickly backhanding Vittoria across the face, forcing her to the ground.

Vittoria took the chance, now that she was on the ground and tried to crawl past General Leery, only to find herself grabbed around the middle and hauled back to her feet before being slammed into the wall behind her. "I'll scream you sick bastard."

"Try it and you'll be dead before anyone can hear you," Leery said putting one hand around Vittoria's throat and squeezing, cutting off her airway slightly as she tried feebly to remove his hand from her throat. "Did you think you could run away from me? Did you think I wouldn't find you? I own you Aliana. You belong to me. That $100,000 I paid you for your services two years ago tell me so."

"That was a one time deal General. I never made you agree to that price," Vittoria gasped.

"Maybe not verbally but you made it impossible for me to say no, not the way you were dressed. You're body…oh God, your body…I just had to have it. Just had to feel what it was like to have you ride me, and ride me you did," Leery sneered lasciviously as he ground his pelvis into Vittoria so she could feel his rock hard member.

"You're disgusting," Vittoria snarled as she suddenly slapped him, raking her nails across his face, catching him off guard just enough so she could try to escape his clutches.

"You're not going anywhere bitch," Leery snarled as he grabbed Vittoria and back handed her once more, hard enough to make her head spin as she crashed to the floor. "You've left me no choice Aliana," he said as he pulled Vittoria's wrap off her arms before flipping her over so she was on her back, straddling her waist and sitting lightly on her legs, to keep them pinned to the floor as he struggled with her to tie her wrists together with her wrap before climbing off of her and pulling her to her feet. Looking around quickly he found what he was looking for and forced Vittoria against a different wall, this one, side on to the door, forcing her hands over her head and fastening her wrap to a hook on the wall.

"Why are you doing this?" demanded Vittoria through her tears, knowing full well what the General intended to do. "Please don't do this," she pleaded when she felt his hands on her body, one going inside the bodice of her dress to kneed one of her breasts while the other one trailed up under her skirt, ripping her panties off before starting to caress her.

"Well now that's something I never expected to see," Leery said as he continued to manipulate Vittoria's body. "Is that really fear I see your eyes Aliana? It's not like this isn't something we haven't done before, granted I was usually the one tied up and you were the one…" he trailed off when realization dawned. "Oh that's going to make this all that much sweeter," he said as he pushed her dress up and pried her legs apart and up off the floor before stepping between them, leaning against her to hold her weight up as he quickly undid his pants, pulling out his rock hard member.

"Please don't do this," Vittoria pleaded again through her tears as she felt him position the head of his cock at her entrance. "Oh God, please don't…"

"Scream and you die," Leery said as he grabbed hold of Vittoria's throat once more with one hand while he wrapped the other around Vittoria's waist so he could control his trusts seconds before slamming into her dry as Vittoria sobbed in pain. "Oh God…"

"Oh God is right," came a voice from the side. "Release her and step back."

A few minutes earlier…

This had been the first time in two years that he'd seen her in person and she was still just as beautiful as he remembered her to be, more so even if that was possible. It was hard for him to take his eyes off of her; despite the annoyance it caused his date. He had noticed her leave the ballroom a short while earlier and was starting to get a little worried when more and more time passed but there was still no sign of either Vittoria or the Secret Service agent that had been shadowing her all night.

"Something's wrong," he said worriedly a few minutes later.

"Is that your famous gut talking?"

"Yeah. Listen Jenny, I need you to find the Secret Service and tell them something's wrong," he said standing up.

"Jethro, where are you going?" demanded Jenny, careful not to raise her voice so as to draw attention to them.

"Just do as I said, Jenny. Find the Secret Service," Jethro said before walking away. He made his way out of the ballroom the same way he had seen Vittoria go earlier, noticing the only things out this way were the restrooms and a few other doors which he assumed led to supply closets. Upon closer inspection, there was something off about one of the doors, he couldn't say exactly what but his gut told him it was important. "Damn it," he cursed when he opened the door, only to find David sprawled out on the floor, slowly coming to. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," David said rubbing the back of his head as Jethro helped him to his feet. "Oh God, Bluebird…" he trailed off as he tried to stand up only to collapse back to the floor.

"Stay here. Contact the Vice President. I'll find her," Jethro said as he made his way out of the room, quickly checking a few of the other doors, finding the rooms empty. When he reached the last room he heard noises coming from the other side.

"Oh God is right," he said stepping inside the room, the scene before him the last thing he ever wished to witness. "Release her and step back."

"Stay out of this Gunny," Leery sneered when he took in the uniform of the man standing in the doorway, making sure to keep a tight hold on Vittoria so that he stayed buried deep within her.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, General," Jethro said as he aimed his gun at the General. "Release your hold on her and step back," he said as he cocked the hammer on the gun.

"You're going to shoot me to protect the honor of some whore?" demanded Leery.

"No. I'm going to shoot you to protect the honor of the wife of Vice President of the United States," Jethro said. "Now release her and back away. I won't ask you again, General." When General Leery made no move to let Vittoria go, he left Jethro no choice but to fire.

Vittoria cried out when General Leery slumped and fell sideways, Jethro having shot him in the temple, killing him instantly and his weight was suddenly removed from her, causing her to drop so that all her weight was suddenly hanging off her bonds. The minute Leery slumped sideways, Jethro was on the move and kicked him sideways so that he could get to Vittoria, helping her down from the wall, untying her hands and holding her close while she cried, Robert and the Secret Service arriving seconds later.

"Ali!" Robert cried when he raced into the room and took in the condition of his wife, who was still in Jethro's arms, Secret Service taking up positions outside the doors while the head of Robert's detail remained in the room with them. "My God, what happened? Who did this?" he demanded as he walked over and took Vittoria from Jethro, who stepped back and revealed the dead body of General Leery.

"I found her Secret Service agent unconscious in one of the supply rooms," Jethro said. "He," he said indicating Leery, "was in the process of…"

"Process of what?" Robert demanded looking between Vittoria and Jethro, Vittoria refusing to look at either man.

"He was raping her, Sir," Jethro said quietly as Vittoria broke down in Robert's arms. "When he refused to release her he left me no choice but to shoot him, Sir."

"Thank you Gunnery Sergeant…" Robert said, holding out his hand to Jethro, holding Vittoria tightly with the other.

"Gibbs," Jethro said. "And actually it's Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Sir. I work for NCIS now."

"Well, thank you all the same," Robert said. "I think it's best if I get Ali home and taken care of. Again, thank you Agent Gibbs, if there's ever anything I can do for you, just let me know."

"Of course, Sir," Jethro said as he watched Robert pick Vittoria up and carry her from the room, Secret Service falling in around them as they escorted Robert and Vittoria from the building out the back door.

Thursday November 11th, 2010
Georgetown, Washington DC
Gibbs' Residence
1:55 a.m. E.S.T

Jethro slowly made his way inside, after having finally convinced Jenny that no, he was not spending the night with her. He wished she would get the message that that part of their relationship was over permanently. There was only one woman he wanted anymore and she was currently married to someone else. He had accepted the fact a long time ago that he had somehow screwed up and driven Vittoria away from him. Driven her right into the arms of another man, who then threw her away like a piece of trash. What he wouldn't give to be able to do things differently. If only he'd never pushed Vittoria away in the first place back when Kate had first been attacked. He was the reason their relationship had never really been given a chance. He'd been afraid to truly let another woman in after he lost Shannon and by the time he realized just what he truly felt for Vittoria, it was too late.

With a sigh he made his way towards the living room and went straight to the liquor cabinet, pulling out a bottle of scotch and a glass. He definitely needed a drink after the events of the evening. After filling the glass and putting the bottle down, he picked the glass up and turned around, intent on getting changed before heading down to work on his boat some. He never felt the glass slip from his fingers nor heard as the glass shattered on the floor as he took in the people standing in his living room.

Wednesday November 10th, 2010
Las Vegas, Nevada
LVPD Crime Lab
Layout Room
11:45 p.m. P.S.T

Flipping over the crime scene diagram, Sara frowned as she compared the evidence to the diagram. Something wasn't right there...sighing she closed her eyes and rubbed at her temples, God, she needed some sleep, who knew a baby with a cold could be so...adorable yet leave you wanting to cry with him? She hoped Lindsey was getting some sleep since the girl had taken over babysitting at night for them...majority of the time it wasn't a problem Aiden slept all night, had since he was three months old. But with this cold...

Opening her eyes she took a breath before focusing on the scene once more, only to have her phone ring, snagging it from her hip she flipped it open, "Sidle?" she asked, she kept her name professionally to avoid confusion.

"Sara, it's Jethro," came the tired voice over the phone.

"Jeth?" she asked surprised as she set the file down. "What happened? Is everyone okay? You just called me Sara..." she trailed off, stopping herself from babbling anymore.

"You need to be on the first flight to DC," he said.

"Okay..." Sara trailed off. "Are you going to tell me why now or wait until I get there?" she continued as she turned and started packing up the evidence.

"It's not something we should talk about over an open line," he said. "Just get here. I'll be at home when you arrive," he said hanging up.

Sara looked at the phone before hitting Gil's speed dial as she finished packing up.

"Sara?"

"I need the rest of the night off and perhaps tomorrow."

"Aiden?" he asked concerned.

"What's wrong with Aiden?" she heard Greg asked in the background.

"He's fine as far as I know," she rushed, not wanting him to worry. "Jeth just called, told me to get my butt to DC tonight, said it's something he can't talk about on an open line...he called me by my name Gil..."

"Okay," he answered after a moment. "I'll do the paperwork when I get back to the lab. Go out there, don't worry about Aiden, I'll call Lindsey and Cath okay?"

"Thanks," she smiled, relieved, "Love you, I'll call as soon as I know something."

"Love you too," he answered before hanging up.

Thursday November 11th, 2010
Georgetown, Washington DC
Gibbs' Residence
10:35 a.m. E.S.T

He was still in shock. He couldn't believe everything that had happened since the ball the night before. Not the events he had witnessed while there, his actions involved in those events nor what he had learned upon returning home afterwards. He hoped against hope that Sara would arrive soon. He could only do so much. He hadn't slept at all since calling Sara hours earlier but he was afraid to stray too far from the bedroom incase he was needed and he knew that while the agents would die for her, they were not there to offer her the type of comfort only her family could give her. He allowed the agents free use of his house, a couple agents taking up position in the lower part of the house to watch the perimeter, while a couple others got some sleep, agreeing to work in rotations.

"Damn it Brat, where are you?" he cursed quietly as he sat on the bed, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear.

"I heard my name?" Sara asked from the doorway behind him, David had let her in when he saw her coming up the walk.

"It's about time," Jethro said getting up and walking over to the doorway, leading Sara from the room and closing the door behind him as he led her back towards the living room.

"Planes do take a while to fly Jeth," she countered. "Why is Ali here?"

"She was here when I got home from the Marine Corps Birthday Ball last night," Jethro said.

"Okay..." she drew out slowly. "I'm unbelievably lost here so talk before I find a knife and threaten you with it. And no, I don't have post partum like Greg teases when I go a bit homicidal."

"She was attacked at the Ball last night. The creep took David out and dragged her off to a supply room. Unfortunately, I didn't get there in time to stop things but he paid for it with his life," Jethro said.

"He's dead, like dead? Dead, I can't even get to beat the crap out of him, dead?" she asked after a few moments.

"He's dead. I shot him in the head, it was the only way I could get him to release her," Jethro said. "Unfortunately, that's not the worst of it."

"It gets worse?" Sara asked slowly as she looked up at him. "How can it get worse?"

He never felt the glass slip from his fingers nor heard as the glass shattered on the floor as he took in the people standing in his living room. "Ali?" Jethro said in surprise, not truly believing what he was seeing as the woman stood up, her arms wrapped around her. "My God, Ali what happened? Where's the Vice President?" he asked as he walked towards her having noticed that she was shaking. "What?" he asked in shock when Vittoria signed something. "Are you sure?"

Vittoria nodded as tears slid down her cheeks as she continued to sign the words she couldn't bring herself to say.

"My God Ali, I don't know what to say," Jethro said, signing at the same time as he watched the woman in front of him crumble, quickly grabbing her and pulling her into his arms.

David nodded when Jethro looked to him for an explanation as to whether what Vittoria had just told him was in fact true. "It happened shortly after they got back to Blair House. We found him lying on the floor in her arms."

"She needs a doctor," Jethro said.

"I've already contacted my boss. The President's personal physician will be here shortly to care for her," David said.

"Thank you. Direct him upstairs when he gets here," Jethro said as he picked Vittoria up and carried her upstairs while she clung to him as if he was the only lifeline left to her.

"Okay I'm still very, very, lost," she drew out. "Do me a favor, call Gil tell him I'm here, I'm going to sit with my best friend...and find out how your nephew is, last I knew he had a temp and driving Lindsey up the walls..."

"Robert's dead Sara," Jethro said quietly from his spot as Sara started making her way out of the room.

She stopped and turned around to look at him in shock, "Tell me you're joking. Please tell me you're joking..."

"I wish I was, Brat," Jethro said. "By God, I wish I was," he said rubbing his face. "I didn't want to believe it myself when she told me but the President's physician confirmed it when he arrived to see to Ali. David heard Ali's cries when Robert collapsed and went running. He found Robert on the floor in Ali's arms."

"Jesus Christ," Sara whispered.

"This was the only place she felt safe coming," Jethro said. "I've been up with her all night waiting for you. She's sedated at the moment."

"Okay," she nodded slowly. "Call Gil for me, tell him, tell him this exactly. I need him to know that I'm going to be a few extra days, things went to hell, my sister's been attacked, and my best friend's husband died. Tell him not to say anything to anyone but get here if he can, okay?"

"Of course," Jethro said tiredly as he rose. "She needs you now more than ever, Brat," he said as he walked over to her, kissed her on the forehead and made his way downstairs.

Turning Sara made her way upstairs and into Jethro's room. Vittoria appeared to be asleep, but Sara wasn't positive. Bruises were already forming on her face, and the wrist that rested near her head was raw...she did have to smile though at Jethro's shirt on Vittoria's still form. Crossing the room she carefully climbed onto the far side of the bed and lay facing her.

Feeling the bed shift underneath her, and knowing that Jethro had spent the night sitting either in the chair he brought in or on the side of the bed, the fact that the person laid down next to her told her it could only be one person so she slowly opened her eyes.

"Hi," Sara whispered.

As hard as she tried, Vittoria couldn't keep the tears at bay and instead of greeting her friend, she started crying once more.

Sara scooted across the bed to carefully wrap her arms around Vittoria as she cried.

"He's gone…he can't be gone Sara…he just can't…"

"I know, I know," Sara whispered. "It's okay, let it out... let it out Ali."

"Why Sara? Why? Why is God doing this to me? Why am I being punished this way? What did I do?"

"You didn't do anything; it was just his time sweetheart..."

"Maybe if I hadn't left the ball when I did then what Leery did to me wouldn't have happened and maybe…maybe Robert would still be here…"

"Shh, don't do this Ali," Sara argued softly. "None of this is your fault. Robert... it was just his time. He loved you to his last breath and he would be the first to tell you that it's not your fault..."

"But why did God have to take him the way that he did? He was fine one minute and gone the next. It's not fair, Sara."

"I know. It's never fair Ali. We just bear it and lean on those who love us to get us through."

"I don't know if I can get through this Sara. Not after…not after yesterday…"

"You can Ali," Sara countered softly. "Because I'll be there, and Catherine, and Lindsey and Gil and everyone else who loves you, will be there. And because there's a little girl that needs you Ali. A little girl you love more than life itself."

"Oh God Michelle. How do I tell her Sara? How do I tell her her father's dead? That he died in my arms?"

"You'll know the words when you see her. Want me to be there with you though?"

"If you wouldn't mind," Vittoria said trying to wipe her eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't think to call you first but I didn't know what to do and…I think I scared the crap out of poor Jeth this morning. First he has to save me from General Leery and then I show up unannounced and uninvited in his living room."

"It's okay, and I think he's happier you came here then say, ran for the hills," Sara smiled gently. "You feel up to getting up, we can go to the bathroom and get you cleaned up a bit?"

"If you'll help me," Vittoria said.

"Always," Sara smiled. "And I have make-up so...give me an hour or so, you'll look just as you do any other day, even if you don't exactly feel like you do any other day..."

"Thanks," Vittoria said as Sara helped her to her feet. "I don't have anything to wear."

"That is easy," Sara smiled. "I know a certain Secret Service agent who is unbelievably eager to help, if not a few of them."

"Let me guess…David right?" Vittoria said as they made their way into the bathroom. "He feels responsible for what happened at the ball."

"Remind me to smack him later for feeling that way," Sara sighed.

"I thought I was hearing things when I heard Jeth's voice. I've never been so happy to see anyone as I was to see him walk through the door."

"He comes in handy to have," she smiled as she helped Vittoria sit on the closed toilet.

"If he hadn't shown up when he did…Leery was going to kill me Sara, I just know it."

"Shh, don't focus on that right now."

"Brat?" Jethro called, knocking on the bathroom door a short while later.

"Yes, Bastard?" Sara called back.

"Can you open the door for a second?" he called back.

"Can I?" she looked at Vittoria.

"It's fine Sara. I got into his shirt somehow after all and I wasn't in much shape to tend to myself last night," Vittoria replied.

"Come on in Jeth it's open."

Jethro opened the door, staying in the doorway. "I don't mean to interrupt but I thought you'd want to know. Secret Service just arrived with Michelle. They pulled her out of class. The President wants her to hear about her father privately before it's announced publicly."

Sara glanced at Vittoria before looking back at Jeth, "Do you have a pair of sweat pants we can borrow?" Looking back at Vittoria she continued, "I have a shirt that will fit you, and we can do your make-up really quick..."

Vittoria nodded as Jethro disappeared only to reappear a few moments later, sweat pants in hand. "They might be a little big but they should fit."

Sara nodded and took them before turning to Vittoria. "Ready?"

"Do I have a choice?" asked Vittoria. "I'll need your help to get downstairs, if you don't mind."

"I'm with you all the way," Sara smiled.

"Thanks," Vittoria said.

"I'll see you ladies downstairs," Jethro said as he closed the door, allowing Vittoria to change in private with Sara's help.

A few minutes later Sara helped Vittoria make her way downstairs and into the living room where Michelle sat on the couch with Jethro.

"Mom," Michelle called out when she saw Vittoria enter, rushing towards her. "Mom what's going on? Why did the agents pull me out of class and where are we?"

"Michelle, Honey, the agents pulled you from school on Uncle Brandon's orders," Vittoria said as she carefully dropped to her knees. "The gentleman you were just talking to is an old friend of mine whose name is Jethro and this is his house."

"Mom, I don't understand. Why are we here? Where's Dad?" demanded Michelle.

"Michelle…Honey…"

"No…Mom no…"

"I'm sorry Honey. Robert…your dad, he died Michelle. Last night…"

"NO!" cried Michelle.

"Michelle, I'm sorry, there was nothing I could do," Vittoria said fighting a losing battle with her own tears as she pulled her crying daughter into her arms. "He died quickly. He didn't suffer Honey. Believe me Michelle, leaving us was the last thing he wanted."

"Pardon me, Ma'am," David said walking into the room.

"What is it David?"

"Ma'am, I have the President on the line asking to speak with you," David said.

"I can't…David I'm sorry but I just can't…not right now," Vittoria said, not letting go of Michelle.

"Ma'am…"

"I'll take it David," Sara said walking over and taking the phone from the agent's hand before walking out of the room.

"You won't leave me too will you, Mom?" asked Michelle worriedly, her head still buried in Vittoria's shoulder.

"I'm not going anywhere, Honey, I promise. I will never leave you," Vittoria said pulling Michelle closer.

"Good. Dad promised me you'd never leave me," Michelle said.

"Michelle, Honey," Vittoria began pulling away slightly so she could look at the young girl in her arms. "What did your Dad say to you?"

"He promised me that if anything ever happened to him and he had to leave me you'd always be there for me and that you would never leave me," Michelle said trying to wipe away a few tears.

"I'll never leave you, Michelle," Vittoria said pulling her daughter close once more.

'Ali what is it?' Jethro signed, having seen the look that crossed Vittoria's face when she had pulled Michelle close once more.

'He knew,' Vittoria signed back, not releasing her hold on Michelle. 'Oh God, he knew.'

'Are you sure?'

Vittoria nodded. 'You heard what she said. He told her if he had to leave her. He had to have known.'

'I am so sorry, Ali,' Jethro signed before getting down on the floor beside where Vittoria and Michelle were and carefully pulled Vittoria into his arms, careful not to disturb Michelle in the process.

When Sara reentered the room a few minutes later, she was unprepared for the sight that met her eyes. Jethro was sitting side on to Vittoria, holding her against his chest while Vittoria held onto Michelle.

"Ali?" Sara called softly as she crouched down next to her friend and laid her hand gently on her shoulder.

"What did Brandon say?" asked Vittoria quietly, not really lifting her head from Jethro's shoulder.

"He's authorized the press release and it's going to be given to the press in the next few minutes. Cause of death was a brain aneurysm," Sara said as Vittoria nodded suspecting as much given the way Robert had just dropped to the floor. "They're going to have him lay in state in the rotunda of the Capital Building until next week when the state funeral will take place."

"Okay," Vittoria said. "Michelle, Honey, can you get up?"

"Don't leave me," Michelle cried wrapping her arms tightly around Vittoria's waist.

"I'm not going anywhere, Honey, I just need you to get up so I can stand up. I need to go lie down for a bit and I don't want to do it in the middle of Jethro's floor. You can come with me if you want."

"Yes please," Michelle said pulling back just enough to let Vittoria get to her feet with Sara and Jethro's help. Once Vittoria was standing, Jethro helped Michelle to her feet before picking her up as he and Sara helped Vittoria upstairs, leaving mother and daughter alone in the master bedroom.