Chapter 15

School is out today. No more teaching until August. Hopefully I can post more chapters on this story and my other Earthquake Reflections soon. I am planning on writing each day before my 18 year old gets up and takes over the computer. Thanks for all the reviews and story alerts.

The movie ended too soon for Gibbs. Not that he was really watching it. He had seen it before with Samantha. He was enjoying holding her and the company of his "family". Samantha had cuddled into his arms like she had always been there. Remembering that day when he almost ended his life had renewed his resolve that staying alive despite all the pain was worth it. Now more than ever, he had a family again.

The group had found some popcorn and someone had started a popcorn war during the movie. He wasn't sure it wasn't Samantha. She fit in with them just like a comfortable glove. Why had he been worried?

"Guess we need to go home." Abby said seeing Ziva and Samantha's drooping eyelids. "Work tomorrow. Right Boss?" She looked at Gibbs and smiled.

"Yes Abby we need to process Isley and build an iron clad case. I don't what him to wiggle out of a murder and attempted murder charge."

McGee and Abby got up and started for the door. Abby turned and came back to give Ziva a hug. She then hugged Gibbs and gave Samantha a hand hug. "You going to be here tomorrow right Sam."

"Yes, my friend here is not letting go back to my place until the doctor releases me to go back to work."

"Ok, if el Jefe will let me off for lunch tomorrow I will bring you lunch."

"Bring lunch for Ziva too." He looked at Ziva who grimaced. "She is staying here with Sam. "

"Gibbs I can come in tomorrow. My head is not that bad," she protested. Gibbs glared at her.

Samantha got up and looked at Ziva. "It is a waste of time to argue with it Ziva. I have seen that set in his jaw before and you are not going to convince him to change his mind. "

"I was planning to go home tonight." Ziva added.

"Nope Ziver you are staying here. I want to keep an eye on you. That guy hit you pretty hard. You and Sam can take care of each other tomorrow."

Abby, Tim, and Tony knew that tone and realized Gibbs meant business. "Come on Abby. I will give you a ride home." Tim came over to Samantha and shook her hand. "We really have not got to talk much. Glad you are safe and I had a good time tonight."

"We really need to get to know each other" Samantha said. "Gibbs has told me a lot about you." Gibbs gave her a stare as he stood up and came up behind her. "Will you quit flirting with my male agents," he whispered into her ear. She just gently elbowed him in the stomach and smiled.

Tony walked up to Ziva and looked her in the eyes. "You going to be ok" he whispered.

"I am fine Tony," she said. "I will call you tomorrow."

After the others left, Gibbs sent Ziva to his room to get some sleep. He helped Samantha up to the guest room and got her comfortably into the bed with pillows to support her arm without the sling. He then went down and got her another pain pill. She was not going to hurt on his watch.

When he walked into the room she was wiping tears from her eyes. "What's wrong sweetheart? Is your arm hurting? I have your medicine right here." He gently sat down on the bed next to her.

"It is not that bad."

"Then, what's the matter?" After she took the medicine without much protest, Gibbs sat down beside her on the bed and she snuggled into his arms just like she had always been there and would always belong there.

"Just happy I guess. I have been alone so long. Tonight was fun. I really enjoyed it." Gibbs carefully lifted her chin and kissed her softly on the lips. Their kiss then got more passionate. Gibbs wanted her to know that she belonged with him and he was not going to leave her.

Finally they came up for air and he looked into her eyes. "You are not alone anymore. It has been a long time for me too."

"Guess we were meant to be." Gibbs reached over and turned out the light. Samantha grabbed his hand and laced her fingers with his. They fell asleep content to just be together.

Gibbs woke up to the smell of coffee brewing and the sun streaming through the window of his guestroom. He looked down at Samantha. She was still sleeping peacefully. No nightmares about Isley or her shooting. He was very glad for that. Maybe she would escape any trauma from what she had been through. If Sam is here, who is fixing coffee?

"Ziva," he thought. " She has always been an early riser."

Gibbs carefully got up. He did not want to wake her. She mumbled something and fell back asleep. "Get some more rest. You deserve it." Remembering that she had called her principal on Saturday about a sub for the week he knew she could just rest all she needed.

Gibbs headed down the stairs toward the kitchen. Ziva was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea and reading the newspaper. "Thanks for the coffee Ziver." Gibbs told her. "Anything about Isley in the paper."

"No, a shooting of a navel officer or a marine did not make the news. Guess we need to know more about the congress fussing among themselves," she laughed.

"Remember Ziva Congress pays our salaries." He smiled. "Sam is still asleep and I am headed up for a shower. Can you really keep an eye on her today? I am concerned that yesterday may come back to haunt her."

"Sure Gibbs. She seems to be taking things in stride. "

"She is a lot like you in that respect." Gibbs kissed her on the forehead. She gave him a questioning look. "You both act like women of steel but inside you let things get to you. Matter of pride I think."

Ziva shook her head. "How does he know so much?" she thought.

Samantha was still asleep when Gibbs left. He kissed her on top of the head and stuck a note into her hand. He had moved her computer back up to the guest room so she could watch her movies.

As he drove toward NCIS headquarters he wondered about the events that this day would bring. He had to question Isley. He wanted an airtight case against him. Knowing he had to control his anger at this man for putting Ziva and Samantha in danger, because he would cause trouble in the prosecutor's case, he decided he needed another cup of coffee and a visit to Abby's lab before he met with him. Abby had a way to make him a little calmer.

When he walked into the bullpen Tony and Tim were already there and working hard on getting their reports done. "Morning Boss" they both said as Gibbs sat his coffee down on his desk and turned on his computer.

"Boss, was Ziva ok this morning? No problems last night." Tony had a look of concern in his eyes that was beginning to tell Gibbs that he might have to revise Rule 12 soon. "Always knew I would have to bend on that one," he thought.

"She seemed ok, DiNozzo. She was up early as usual and already was showing signs of boredom. Hope Samantha can keep her busy today."

"Boss?" McGee carefully questioned. He had something to say but he was not sure it was the right thing to do.

"Spit it out McGee. What's up? Do we have a problem with the case?"

"Oh no Boss. Sergeant Stone's files have him dead to rights and since you and Tony witnessed his attempted murder of Samantha I don't see any problems with a conviction."

"Ok what's up?"

"Just wanted to say I had a great time last night. Samantha is very special. I hope we get to see more of her."

"Me too, Boss." Tony chimed in. " She is a lot of fun."

"You will boys. Now we have a job to do. We don't want to let Ziva or Samantha to have suffered for nothing. I want this guy put away now." He knew that his gruff Gibbs management style was not working this morning.

"On it Boss" They both replied and went back to work. There had been too much emotion in the room. Time to add a little testosterone to the day all three men thought.

Back at Gibbs' house Samantha had woken up and realized that Jethro was not still asleep next to her. She smiled to herself when she felt the note in her hand.

"Morning sweetheart. Did not have the heart to wake you. Headed for work. Get all the rest you need. Oh and my house does not need cleaning. Ziva is here if you need anything. Call me later. You are the world. Love Jethro.

Samantha smiled and carefully got up and headed downstairs. She found Ziva cleaning out the pantry. She had noticed when she woke up in there it was totally a mess and needed a total make over.

"Morning Ziva. Gibbs left me a note. He said his house does not need cleaning," she laughed.

"Have you been in here," Ziva replied. " It needs a total make-up."

" It is make over Ziva but you are right. It is terrible. There is stuff in there from the 90's I am sure." Samantha started her some breakfast. "Have you eaten Ziva?"

" Yes. Wait a minute I am supposed to take care of you."

"We both know Gibbs is being a mother hen. I can take care of myself. Let me eat and I will be in there to help you."

Ziva knew Gibbs would be mad if she let Samantha clean or work but seeing the look in her eyes she knew protesting was useless.

Gibbs went to Abby's lab reports in hand ready to go have a chat with one Mr. Isley. " You got anything for me Abbs. I am headed to interrogation."

"You have all my reports in that folder Gibbs," she said giving him an Abby hug. "You know that. Why are you here? Are Ziva and Samantha ok?"

"They are Abbs. I am sure they are both going against my wishes and cleaning my house." He smiled. " You ok this morning. I know you are not fond of change and things have changed some lately."

"For the better Gibbs. Samantha has brought the sparkle back in your eyes. She is not Jenny or Shannon but I know you love her. If you love her then she is tops in my book. I love you Gibbs and I want you to be happy."

Not sure what to say Gibbs just hugged her, kissed her on the cheek and muttered "I love you too Abbs. Always have and always will."

Smiling to himself he headed for interrogation. Abby had calmed his anger for Isley and he knew he could handle anything Isley tried to say.

Tony and McGee had stepped into observation just as Gibbs went through the door to question Isley. "Good morning," Gibbs muttered as he sat down in the chair across from Isley. He set his coffee down and opened the folder in front of him. " Before we start do you wish to say anything?"

"Why? That b***h Stone got what she deserved. Should have cut your little lady's throat when I had a chance." For the first time Gibbs had really looked at him. His nose was swollen and Gibbs could see where the bone had been broken. Both eyes were almost swollen shut and were many shades of purple and blue.

"Do I take that as a confession then?" Gibbs asked. "She really did a number on you."

" I want a lawyer. I won't be railroaded into prison."

Gibbs just shook his head. " I saw you attempt to murder Samantha Waverly and we have you dead to rights on the embezzlement of Navy funds and the ordering the murder of two Marines. Looks like you railroaded yourself."

" I still want a lawyer." Isley demanded.

"Fine with me. DiNozzo get this disgrace to the Navy out of here. Oh and get him the worst lawyer in the country."

Tony stepped into interrogation with Tim. They pulled Isley not so gently out of the chair and started to take him back to holding. All three agents saw how he walked out the door. He was moving very slowly. It made all three of them almost feel sorry for him. Samantha had hit him pretty hard in the groin and all three men understood that feeling. "Kind of glad you are in so much discomfort there dude. Doesn't pay to mess with a marine. Looks like she kicked your butt."

Gibbs just shook his head as the two agents led Isley away. That reminded him he needed to call Sam. He grabbed his phone and dialed her number. "Good morning." She answered the phone. He knew the minute she answered that she was not following his or the doctor's instructions. The country music was blaring and she sounded out of breath.

"I told you no cleaning," he barked. "Remember you were just shot on Friday. You have not been out of the hospital 24 hours yet."

"Who said we were cleaning, Boss." Samantha snickered.

" I know the music mix you are playing. It is your work music. What are you and Ziva up to?

"Nothing really. Did you get to visit with my friend?"

"Yes. He lawyered up," he told her. "You should see him Sam. He had a very beautiful broken nose and well, let's just say he is moving very, very, very slowly this morning. He's not going to forget you for a while."

"Good, serves him right. If you talk to Abby, Ziva and I were talking Mexican."

" I will tell her. Sounds like you are doing fine. Please don't over do it. I mean it."

" I promise Jethro. We are having a good time."

" You always do. Talk to you later."

As he hung up the phone he smiled. With Ziva and Samantha at his place he will be lucky to recognize it when he got home.