Chapter 8

Thanks to those who are following this story. I am starting another one but want to have all my ducks in a row before starting it.

Again thanks to all who are reading my story. I enjoy writing it so I hope you enjoy reading it.

Looking up from her hand to that beautiful sleeping face he heard the chorus playing in his heat.

"To the World you may be just another girl,

But to me Baby, you are the World"

" You are fast becoming my whole world," he whispered hissing her hand and then he kissed her softly on her lips as her eyes fluttered open.

When she saw him she managed a small grin. "I thought I sent you to work," she hoarsely whispered.

" I don't take orders from you," he smirked and kissed her softly again. Gibbs looked into her eyes and saw that she was beginning to feel pain. "Are you hurting?"

" A little. Just so glad to wake up with you here. I know I said for you to find the killer but-"

Gibbs finished her sentence "but you are glad I am here." Samantha nodded. She was in more pain that she told him and he knew it. " I am calling the doctor. You need something for the pain. Your arm is beginning to hurt and it is more that a little bit. I can see it in your eyes."

"Can't keep secrets from you. Can I?"

"Nope. As DiNozzo says I am a trained investigator." Gibbs kissed her hand and rung the buzzer for the nurse. Colleen answered right away. "Any problems Agent Gibbs."

" Yes Samantha is awake and beginning to hurt. Can you get her something?"

"Glad she is awake. I will page the doctor. He will be in shortly." Colleen answered from the speaker.

"Doctor is on the way sweetheart. Do you feel like telling me about tonight or do you want to wait? Not going to push you." Gibbs sat back down in the chair he had pulled up next to her bed. He held her hand and looked in her eyes. He could tell she was hurting and that was killing him to see her in pain.

" I think I had better. This way you can find her killer. Gibbs this whole night was a mistake. I should have insisted that we go see you. It is my fault she is dead and I am here in this hospital bed." Tears began to roll down her face.

"Honey how could you have known this was going to happen?" He gently sat next to her on the bed. He desperately wanted to take her in his arms and take away both kinds of pain. Her physical pain and her mental aguish that comes from feeling responsible for something out of your control. He gently rubbed her uninjured arm and looked into her deep green eyes.

"Jethro she told me she was in trouble and was scared. My gut told me I needed to tell you about everything she said this morning but I had promised to keep it to myself. Once she showed me the text messages I insisted we come to you. That is why I called you from the restaurant. I was going to ask you to meet us at your place. Then the gunmen came in and well you know the rest."

"Ok, I am here now. Tell me what she told you."

" After I saw the text messages she admitted to me that she was totally afraid of her commanding officer. He was blackmailing her. Money is missing from several accounts and there is an audit coming."

"Did she take the money?"

"She said she didn't but he had pictures of her working on the computer that did transfer the money at about the same time the money went to the bank in the Cayman's. I told her that McGee could trace and prove it was not her. I got really concerned because I was with her and -" Samantha was nervous and was rambling on almost not stopping to take a breath. Gibbs kissed her on the forehead and then put his finger to her lips.

"Calm down now Sam. You are safe with me. We will get to the bottom of this. I promise," Gibbs told her just as the doctor stepped into the door way.

" Hope I did not interrupt anything," he said smiling. "I am Dr. Kelly Brackett. I was the emergency surgeon on your case Miss Waverly."

Gibbs stood up and held out his hand " Special Agent Gibbs doctor. Thanks for taking care of my girl."

" How are you feeling right now?"

" Well I am a little dizzy and my arm is starting to hurt a lot." Gibbs took her hand but did not look surprised she was in more pain that the doctor knew.

" Well let me take a look and then we will get you some pain killers. You have a shattered collar bone and the bullet was right next to it so we had to dig a little to get it out. That is what is causing you the pain" Just as he began his examination he looked up at Gibbs. "You might like to step out while I examine her."

Gibbs looked at Samantha for conformation on what he should do. " He can stay doctor. He is a tough marine and I need him here."

Dr. Brackett looked at both of them and realized they were very close. He checked the wound and then checked her pupils. "Looks like you are doing fine. Your eyes are equal and reactive so it you have a concussion it is a light one. You will have to keep your arm as still as possible for a while then we can put a cast on it."

" Guess I won't be going horseback riding tomorrow. Will I? Doctor, how long am I in for?" Samantha asked. " I am not one for hospitals or staying still."

"Well do you have someone you can stay with? I don't want you alone until we can get a cast on that arm."

Gibbs immediately said, " She does. You can stay in my guest room." He had no intention of taking no for an answer and Samantha had not intention of saying no. She needed him close and she was still afraid of the gunmen.

"Well in that case let's say Sunday. I want to keep an eye on your head injury and make sure your blood level is back to normal. Sound alright to you two."

"Guess it will have to" Samantha said smiling up at Gibbs.

" I will send the nurse in with some pain medication and check back on you this afternoon." Dr. Brackett left the room and Samantha smiled at her soon to be roommate.

"You ok with coming to my place. I refuse to let you be alone right now." Gibbs told her.

"Just fine." She looked at him with a smirk. "I don't think I could stay alone right now. I am independent but not that independent."

" Anything else Olivia told you" he said taking his place back next to her on the bed.

" She told me something this morning before I called you that really puzzled me. She said she had an insurance policy to keep her safe but then when I talked to her she seemed paranoid." The nurse came in and put some medication into her IV.

"You should be feeling better soon."

" Insurance policy. What would that be? Any ideas what or where?"

" No but you might check her apartment in Virginia or at her room at the Navy yard," Samantha told him. The pain in her eyes was beginning to lessen and Gibbs could see that she was getting sleepy.

" You don't have to worry. I have a guard outside until we find the killers just for your safety," he whispered. " And I am not planning on going anywhere for awhile."

She had just dosed off just as his phone rang. He answered it quickly so she would not be awakened. "Gibbs," he headed for the door.

" Boss," Tony replied, " They found the SUV"

"Ok have it towed in for Abby." Gibbs looked at his watch 0200. The team needs a break he thought. Not much more we can do tonight if the gunman ditched the car. " Call Northfork and get someone to check out Sergeant Olivia Stone's apartment. Our witness said she mentioned something about an insurance policy on the people who were after her. Maybe it is there. When you cat the SUV in, send the team home. It is 0200 and we all need some rest not much more we can do tonight. Tell them to be in at 0900 tomorrow."

" Boss tomorrow is Saturday." Tony lamented.

" I know I had plans too but we need to solve this case." Gibbs barked into the phone.

" Right Boss. See you in the morning" Tony replied hanging up the phone.

Gibbs looked at Samantha. He was beginning to care for her deeply. She was fast becoming his world and could he venture to say love. Since his three romance mistakes he had vowed to himself to never say "I love you" to another woman unless he truly meant it with his whole heart. He had caused to much hurt for his ex-wives and he did not want to hurt Samantha ever. "Maybe I need to consider telling her about Shannon and Kelly first," he whispered.

"Since the death of David, I would bet she would understand my reluctance. Guess I have some serious thinking to do" Holding her hand he laid his head down on the bed and allowed himself to dose off.