Chapter 18
Thanks for the reviews and story alerts. Working hard on this story.
Again I don't own anything. I teach school so I am always broke. LOL
Abby and Ziva drove Julie Williams and Kelly to Gibbs' house. As they pulled up Ducky was already in the driveway waiting for them. The four got out of the car and headed for the door. Ducky unlocked it and let them in. He was watching Julie very carefully. He could see that she had been hurt. He desperately wanted to visit with her. He smiled at Kelly. She was a beautiful little girl. He was worried for her as well.
Abby reached down and took Kelly's hand when they entered the house. "Miss Waverly said to get you on the computer to watch some cartoons. I am Abby would you like me to join you?"
"Miss Waverly says you are her friend. I like your dress." Kelly said as they walked up the stairs.
"Thank you Kelly" Abby said. She looked back at Julie. "Don't worry I will take care of her" she mouthed in Julie's direction. Julie smiled and wiped a tear.
Ducky came up to the young woman and offered her his hand. " My name is Dr. Mallard my dear. We really need to check out that bruise on your shoulder. " She was very apprehensive but the ease of Ducky's manner told her that he was here to help her. "Ziva, let's take her up to Jethro's room. That way we can have some privacy from little ears."
Ziva nodded and escorted Julie up the stairs. Ducky picked up his phone and called Jethro.
" Hey Duck. You examined her so soon."
"Oh no, Jethro. I just got here. Ziva just took Mrs. Williams up to your room. Can I visit with Samantha for a moment?"
Gibbs handed Sam the phone. "What do you need Ducky?"
" What can you tell me about her relationship with her husband?"
" Not much really Ducky. She has not been very open with me about that but Kelly sometimes is afraid that if she does anything wrong she will be punished. She has many issues with self-esteem. I have tried to love her through her issues."
"Probably fears he will turn his anger on her." Ducky told her. " I will try to talk to her mother about that. Kelly is upstairs with Abby watching cartoons"
"Ducky, she is very afraid we will have to call CPS and she will loose Kelly."
"That makes total since in her situation. I will check her out physically and try to get her to talk. She may need you to visit with her. Are you two on your way?"
" We have a stop to make first. I promised Kelly McDonald's for lunch. I don't know when she has last eaten."
"That sounds like a plan. See you both soon."
Samantha hung up the phone and turned to Jethro. She had tears in her eyes. Gibbs knew that she was being so strong for Julie and Kelly but they were alone now. Her thread was about stretched to the max. He pulled the car over and turned off the engine. "Jethro, we need to get food and get to your house. Kelly needs me." She wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Teachers don't get paid enough," he smirked.
"What do you mean?"
" This is not just a job to you now is it?" He grabbed her hand and held it tightly. "What can I do for you? The last 48 hours for you has to have taken it's toll."
Samantha looked into his eyes and saw nothing but love. She knew he would never hurt her like Julie's husband did. He was there for her. Just then the tears began to flow. She could not stop them. He just put his arm around her let her cry. After a few minutes, she stopped crying and wiped her eyes. "Thanks for being here Jethro. I can face things now. Let's get going. I know Kelly is hungry."
Jethro just smiled and started the car again. He made a mental note to talk later. This was far from over.
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Ducky carefully walked into Gibbs' room. Ziva had gotten Julie a glass of water and they were sitting on the bed talking. "Ziva will you stay here with us. Now Mrs. Williams, where are you hurting?"
" My shoulder. He pulled it very hard. Thank goodness he was not really mad last night."
"Then why did Kelly stay in the shed all night. Did you pass out?" He noticed a bruise next to her ear. "He threw you into something. Did he not."
Julie was tying to be careful what she said. She was very, very worried that these people would try to take Kelly from her. Understanding her apprehension Ducky reached out and held her hand. "Mrs. Williams, we are here to help you and Kelly. I know this is not your fault and I would not do anything to take Kelly away from you. I want both of you to be safe. Please let me help you."
She looked into his eyes. He reminded her of her grandfather and he always took care of her. "Yes, I fell and hit my head against the wall. My head does hurt. I might have passed out for a while. When I woke up I went to check on Kelly. She was sleeping on the air mattress in the shed so I covered her up and left her there."
"Did you husband not leave last night after you altercation?"
"No he didn't. I was afraid to bring Kelly back in. So then I must of slept longer than I thought." Ducky used his flashlight to check her eyes. "I am alright doctor?"
"Yes my dear, this time. But I am concerned about the next time. This is not going to stop. Have you suggested counseling for your husband? Sounds like he has a very bad case of PTSD."
" I tried that once," she said. She then showed him the scar on her leg. "He pushed me into the glass sliding door while Kelly was at school. I never brought it up again."
" Well then I think we need another plan. Why don't you try to get some rest my dear?" He heard Gibbs' car drive up. "That must be Samantha and Jethro with the food. You rest awhile and I will bring yours up to you."
"Tell Miss Waverly, thank you."
"Of course."
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Samantha and Jethro came into the house armed with a happy meal and chicken sandwich for Julie. Both of them looked around. "Bet Abby has Kelly upstairs watching cartoons and Ducky and Ziva are in your room with Julie."
"You take Kelly her food and check on her. I will talk to Ducky."
"Ok, Jethro."
" Please sit down and rest that arm. After I talk to Ducky, I will bring you some pain medicine. You have really overdone it today. I can see the pain and exhaustion in your eyes." He handed her the Dr. Pepper and the happy meal to Samantha and gave her a more than friendly kiss on the lips. "I mean it. Talk to Kelly and rest that arm."
She smiled at him. She was not going to argue. Her arm did hurt and she could barely hold her eyes open. She watched him take Julie's sandwich and head to the door of his bedroom. " I am so very lucky to have found him," she thought as she gently tapped on the guest room door.
Abby opened it and smiled at Samantha. "Kel, look who's here?"
"Miss Waverly, you did bring me a happy meal. Thank you so much. I am really hungry."
" I can imagine you are honey. Did Abby find you some cartoons?" Samantha handed her the food and smiled. For a Goth Abby was a bit strange but her taste in cartoons were like hers. She had found a group of Looney Toons. "Watching Bugs Bunny. Does not get any better than that."
Abby smiled, "Unless you are watching Top Cat." Samantha looked at her new friend. "Well Abby we really need to discuss your taste in cartoons. I love Top Cat."
Abby laughed. "Tony introduced me to him. " "Sounds like DiNozzo to me Abby." Samantha smiled at Abby as she sat down carefully next to Kelly on the bed. Abby saw the pain in her eyes. "Your arm is hurting. I will go find Gibbs and get your medicine." Abby left the room and went looking for Ziva or Gibbs. Samantha was in pain.
"Miss Waverly," Kelly said between bites. " I am sorry for causing trouble. I did not mean to make you hurt."
" I am fine Kel. We need to take care of you. Remember what I told the class. I am here to help you with anything. I love you."
" Is my Mommy going to be ok?"
"I am sure Ducky will take care of her."
Kelly giggled. "You call him Ducky. Why? He does not look like a duck."
Samantha smiled. " You remember that book I read to you, Make way for Ducklings."
"Yes,"
"Do you remember the main characters?"
"That's easy, Miss Waverly. They were ducks, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard."
"Well Ducky's real name is Dr. Mallard. Do you now know why we call him Ducky?" Samantha smiled because she knew. Miss Waverly had told the class that a Mallard was a kind of duck. "That's funny."
"What's funny?" Gibbs said as he entered the room carrying a diet coke and Samantha's pain pills.
"Calling Dr. Mallard, Ducky." Kelly told him. "A Mallard is a kind of duck. We read about them in a book."
"Make way for Ducklings" Gibbs told her. " I remember that book, Kelly. Captain Kangaroo used to read that one to us."He handed Samantha her pills and she took them willingly just as Abby walked in.
"Really Gibbs, Captain Kangaroo. Who's that?"
"Abby you really are young aren't you. That was the best kids show on television when I was growing up. I read the books he used to read every year. " Samantha told her.
Gibbs smiled at her. " Can't forget Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit."
"Absolutely. Maybe there are some clips on YouTube for you Abby. " Samantha winked at Gibbs.
" Hi Jethro." Kelly said. "Is my Mommy ok?" He sat down next to her on the bed and put his arm around you. "Hey yourself. Yes Ducky told me she is fine. She is eating and we are talking about what to do to keep you both safe."
Kelly had finished eating and she leaned next to Samantha on the bed. Her eyes were very droopy. "Looks like someone is sleepy." Kelly snuggled in next to Samantha and soon fell asleep.
Gibbs gently ran his hands through her hair. He whispered to Samantha. " You join her. Ducky and I are working on a plan to keep them safe."
Samantha smiled and rested her head back on her pillow. "Let me know what I can do. When I wake up." Samantha fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. Gibbs smiled at Abby and they both tiptoed into the hall.
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"Tony just called. They need you back at your lab, Abby."
"Alright Gibbs. You will keep me posted."
"Always Abby." He kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks for you help today."
"No problem, Gibbs. Is this bothering you? After all her name is Kelly."
" A little Abby. Samantha does not know and don't you tell her."
"She needs to know Gibbs. She loves you so much."
"I will tell her when I am ready. She knows there is something but not the specifics. "
" Don't wait to long Gibbs or she will figure it out for herself." Abby gave him a hug and started down the stairs. He knew she was right but he had to take care of Kelly and her mother.
When he came into his bedroom Julie Williams had finished her sandwich and was sleeping on his bed. Gibbs motioned to Ducky to follow him outside. "You keep an eye on her Ziver. She might need your help."
"Sure Gibbs."
Once they were out in the hall Gibbs turned to Ducky. " Ok Duck, what do we do?"
"If we arrest this monster, she might not press charges because she is afraid of loosing Kelly."
" I was just thinking about that Jethro. Let me make a few phone calls and see if there is an opening in a shelter for battered women. I am out of my league here."
"Sure Duck."
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Gibbs had call a friend in the JAG office and found out the procedure for what they had to do. He had talked to the base commander. Since the abuse had occurred on a Military base Gibbs was instructed to call the Family
Advocacy office. While he was waiting on a response, he checked on Kelly and Sam. They were still asleep. Then he went down to talk to Ducky. " I am sorry Jethro I am at a loss because they are military dependents."
"I called a friend at JAG and I got the procedures. Waiting on Family Advocacy to get back to me."
"We have to get them out of that house. From what I gather the violence is escalating,"
" I know Duck. The commander I talked to is going to find a place to billet them under an assumed name while they investigate. Can you write up a report on Mrs. Williams' injuries?"
"I will Jethro. I will have to go back to the office for that. I will also need pictures. Could you get Samantha or Ziva to get those and email them to me?"
"Sure Duck and thanks."
"No problem."
After Ducky left he went back up to the guest room. He needed to talk to Samantha if she was awake. He stepped into the room and just stood there watching them sleep. She would make a great mother someday. He thought just as he saw her eyes open. " What's up?"
" Do you feel up to talking to Mrs. Williams? We are working on getting her a place to stay away from her husband. Ducky needs some pictures for an incident report."
"Jethro, the military will not take Kelly away from her."
"No. They will investigate the incident and then decide what to do about it."
"Where would they move them?" Samantha got up carefully and they stepped out into the hall.
"Bethesda most likely. "
Samantha's jaw dropped. " Then I won't be her teacher anymore."
" Probably."
Samantha walked quietly into Gibbs' bedroom. She glanced at Ziva, who was dozing in the chair. Julie was awake and looking at the ceiling. "Kelly ok. "She whispered.
"She is napping in the guest room. "
"What happened to you?"
" I could ask you the same thing. I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time." Samantha sat down on the bed next to Julie. " I hate to ask but Ducky needs some pictures of your injuries for the report. The base commander is working on getting you and Kelly another place to stay."
" I knew that was coming. Where?"
" Probably Bethesda. You would be billeted there under an assumed name. Then Family Advocacy will get your husband some help."
"They won't try to take Kelly."
" No. Navy wants to keep families together."
Samantha got the pictures Ducky needed and sent them by email. Gibbs got the call and they were coming to take Kelly and Julie to Bethesda. Gibbs had dispatched a couple of agents to get the things they would need. The base commander had brought Jonathan Williams into his office and was holding him there for questioning. Things were falling into place to keep the family safe.
Kelly was awake and was watching cartoons when their ride pulled up out front. Samantha was watching cartoons with Kelly when Gibbs entered the room. "Time to go Kel," he said. "The men are here to take you and your mommy to a safe place." Kelly looked scared. " I don't want to go." She grabbed Samantha's free hand. " If I go you won't be my teacher anymore."
"No Kelly I won't but I can be your friend." Samantha wiped the tears out of her eye. "Come on Kidlet let's go find your mother."
Samantha looked at Jethro and gave him a weak smile. She was hurting and this time he could not make it better with a pain pill. She walked Kelly downstairs where her mother was waiting by the door. "Miss Waverly, I would like to thank you for all of this."
"No problem. I want you and Kelly to be safe."
"Thank you Agent Gibbs for everything." She gave him a hug.
"No problem. That's what I am here for. Now if you need Samantha or me here is my card. " Samantha grabbed the card and got a pen off the mantle. "Here is my cell phone. Call me if there is any problems or you just need to talk." Samantha said scribbling her number on the back. She got down and looked into Kelly's eyes. " You work hard for your new teacher baby and call anytime. I may not be your teacher anymore but I will always be your friend." She looked up at Julie. "Yours too. I mean it.
Julie grabbed Kelly's hand and they walked out to the car. Ziva and Gibbs stood next to Samantha. They knew she was going to loose it any minute. " I really hope this works Gibbs." Samantha leaned against his chest tears falling down her cheeks. "I have a really bad feeling about this whole thing." Gibbs held her carefully as not to hurt her arm. He hoped she as right and this would keep them safe but his gut was telling him otherwise.
Sorry this was a little grim but it is a grim topic. Next chapter will be Thanksgiving dinner and it will be a happier time I promise. This is not all we will hear from Kelly and her mother. That part of the story is not over.