Chapter 22

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Samantha started back to work on the Monday after Thanksgiving but Gibbs refused to let her drive so he would take her to school and either he or one of the team would pick her up. This went on until Samantha threw a small fit the week before Christmas break and insisted she could drive herself.

Despite Gibbs reluctance she also moved back to her apartment and they went back to their dating schedule. Sam cooked dinner on Tuesday nights, Gibbs took her out on Friday, and if he were not on call she would be at his house all day Saturday and Sunday. A couple things had changed however. She usually stayed in the guest room Saturday night and the couple usually had Kelly on Saturday afternoon. Kelly's mother had taken an extra shift on Saturday afternoon so she could save for an apartment off base.

One Saturday, Gibbs and Samantha came home after a lovely afternoon with Kelly. They had taken her ice skating at the local mall and to a kid's movie. Both adults had a wonderful time and so had Kelly. They dropped her off at the Williams' new apartment and stopped off to pick up Chinese food.

Once inside the house while Samantha, `who was now free of her sling and cast was setting out dinner Gibbs took a minute to go through the mail that was piling up on the table by the door. Usually he would not look at it for days but tonight he had a gut feeling he needed to check it.

"Dinner's ready Jethro. Anything interesting in the mail."

"Not really just bills and advertisements. " He started to put down the mail and join Samantha in the kitchen until an envelope caught his eye. It looked like an invitation. He opened the first envelope which was addressed in very elaborate handwriting. Inside was a second envelope, which held a wedding invitation. "Who would invite me to a wedding? I am really bad luck," he thought. Just then he recognized the name of the bride. It was Maddie Tylor, his daughter Kelly's childhood friend. At the bottom was a handwritten note:

Please try to come Jethro. It is the only way I can have my best friend Kelly at my wedding.

Samantha came into the living room. She saw the pained look on his face. "Something wrong." She walked up and put her arm around his waist. "Can I help?"

Gibbs pulled away muttering "I can't go. I just can't but I have too."

"Jethro, what's wrong? "

"Nothing. I am fine. Let's go eat."

"Not until you tell me why you are so upset?"

"Don't push this Sam. I don't want to talk about it" He glared and her. She knew then not to push it. He had something on his mind and he would work it out on his own.

They sat down at the table. Samantha ate slowly and watched Gibbs carefully. Her gut was telling her that he needed to talk about this. She saw a pained look in his eyes and tears were forming as he ate in silence. She knew that she needed to do something to ease his pain. Samantha picked up her plate and moved to the chair next to him. She carefully put her hand on his arm and laid her head on his shoulder. "Can I help?" she asked quietly.

"No" he answered flatly. "Sam I think you need to go home tonight. I have to work on my boat."

"Are you sure Gibbs?"

Gibbs looked at her angrily. She had seen that glare before but never towards her. Samantha smiled back at him and started to clean the table. "Just go home Sam. I need to be alone." With that Gibbs stomped off and down the stairs to the basement slamming the door as he went.

Samantha continued to clear the table but she wiped away a small tear. She really was upset that he would push her away.

Meanwhile down in the basement Gibbs poured himself a big glass of bourbon and started sanding on his boat. He always felt better when he worked out his emotions on his boat.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

About three hours later Gibbs was sweaty and a little drunk. During that time he had fought with himself back and forth over wither or not to go to the wedding of his daughter's childhood friend. He also was in the middle of a conflict of how to apologize to Samantha as well as tell her about Shannon and Kelly.

He knew that Samantha would be sitting up waiting for him to call. He loved her and despite his frustration with the memories Maddy's invitation had brought up he had to talk to her. Coming up from the basement, Gibbs grabbed his cell and called Samantha's phone.

Standing in the middle of his living room he let the phone ring. Just as he was about to hang up he heard a cell phone ring from upstairs. He followed the sound. It was coming from his guest room. He walked carefully up to the door of the guest room.

Gibbs looked into the room and there lying on the bed was Samantha beautiful as ever. She must have fallen asleep waiting for him to excise his demons. He wished that he had not put her through such pain. Gibbs carefully sat down on the bed next to her and gently stroked her hair. "I am sorry sweetheart," he said softly. Slowly her eyes opened and she looked up into his loving eyes. "Hey," she said. "Did you work things out?'

"Working on it," he smiled. "Why did you not go home?"

"One, I did not want to and two I did not have a ride. I was totally sure you wouldn't want me to walk to my apartment in the dark."

Gibbs just smiled and motioned for her to sit on his lap. Samantha snuggled into his embrace. They sat that way for a while just enjoying being together. Samantha laid her head on his shoulder. "I am almost afraid to ask but are you doing better?"

"I think. I had some things to think about, Sam."

"You know I don't need to know."

Gibbs held her close and gently caressed her back. "I may be a man of few words but you need to know this. I want you to know." She just snuggled in closer.

"Who is Maddy?"

"She was my daughter's best friend when she was eight. You read the invitation."

"You made it hard not to. You threw it on the floor of the living room."

"It caught me by surprise."

"I saw the name Kelly. Was your daughter's name, Kelly?"

"Yes." Samantha saw the tears welling up in his eyes.

"I am sorry Jethro. Us going out each Saturday with Kelly had to be torture."

"No, that sweet little girl has really made a difference in my life. Just like you have."

"What happened to your Kelly?"

"She was murdered along with her mother." After saying that, Gibbs got quiet and just held her tightly. As he remembered his commanding officer handing him the telegram telling him they were dead.

"Gibbs," Samantha said slowly. "Do you know who did it?"

Gibbs cleared his throat. "Yes, he was a drug dealer from Mexico. Shannon saw him murder a Navy officer. He shot the NIS agent protecting her and Kelly. They were killed in the resulting car accident." Samantha could feel his body tense. She held him closer, this time laying his head on her shoulder. "I am so sorry Gibbs and you were overseas I guess."

"I was in Kuwait," he choked out. He was close to letting go of all the pent up emotions and Sam knew it.

"Is that drug dealer in jail?"

"He escaped to Mexico but he was killed." Samantha knowing Jethro that was all she needed to know.

"I am sorry Jethro. I really can't imagine what that was like. I am here for you if you need me." Gibbs looked into her compassionate eyes and broke down sobbing. Samantha got up out of his lap sat down on the bed and took him in her arms. She rocked him gently as he sobbed. Either party said anything as the emotions Gibbs was feeling overwhelmed them. Samantha just rocked slowly and ran her hand through his hair. She cried softly with him. Finally Gibbs gained control of his emotions and wiped his eyes. "Gibbs, you ok."

He looked into her tear filled eyes and smiled wiping tears from her cheek. "I will always need you. Maddy's invitation got to me. My Kelly will never have a wedding. I will never get to walk her down the aisle."

Samantha held him closer. "I love you. "

"I love you" Gibbs answered. "Thanks for not going home."

"Just promise me something. Please never send me away again. That hurt so much. All I want is you. As I told you before what happened before is your choice to share or not." This time Gibbs took her back into his arms. He kissed her on the forehead, her eyes, both her cheeks and then his lips found her mouth. The passion expressed in that final kiss told Samantha he would never send her away again.

"I promise sweetheart and I never break my promises." Samantha smiled and kissed him again. The couple knew that they could not be apart tonight. Gibbs reached up and turned off the light. They both got comfortable in the bed. Samantha lay down on her side and Gibbs spooned up behind her. "Thank you for disobeying orders and staying here," he whispered.

"Sorry Boss" she joked. "Good night."

"Good night." He whispered into her ear. "I will always love you."