Chapter 27

Disclaimer: Not sure I mentioned this recently but I do not own NCIS. I am waiting with bated breath for September 25 for the season opener.

Julie was overwhelmed with the generosity of Team Gibbs and obvious love that Samantha had for her little girl. She felt that she could not ever express the gratitude she had for the team. They had made leaving her husband and starting out on her own so much easier. Ducky had called her shortly after they met and offered her a sympatric ear when she needed one. Gibbs had come by a couple of times just to check on her and help her with some repairs needed in her apartment that the landlord refused to do. Tony had sent her a large bouquet of flowers on her birthday. Abby and Tim had brought her a lab top so she could start a couple of online classes in hopes she could find a better job and have more time for Kelly.

Samantha just stood and smiled as Kelly rattled off all the presents she got and about the party. Julie's boss just stood in the background glaring at the group. "Mrs. Williams, you really need to get back to work. Have this happy family time on your own time. I don't pay you to jabber with your daughter." Samantha smiled a Julie whose face looked so tired and drawn.

Giving the man an evil glare Samantha put her hand on Kelly's shoulder. "Come on baby girl. You can tell Mama all about your day tomorrow. Gibbs is waiting dinner for us." Kelly smiled and ran up to hug her mother. Julie's boss just glared and walked away disgusted. Kelly grabbed Samantha's hand and waved at her mother as the two went out the door. Julie wiped a tear. She wished she could follow them out the door and be able to enjoy this day with her daughter. Deep down inside she had a feeling that she would not ever be there to see Kelly grow up. She knew that she would need to have that talk with Samantha as soon as possible.

"Miss Waverly," Kelly asked as they got to the car. "Why is that man so mean?"

"He's just unhappy baby. You know you called me Samantha earlier and I kind of like it. After all I am your friend now instead of your teacher." She smiled at the little girl as she was strapping her into her car seat.

"I like that idea." Kelly giggled as Sam kissed her cheek and tickled her.

Samantha turned on the radio and they two sang along with it as they drove over to Gibbs' house. As they drove up into Gibbs' driveway Samantha could see Gibbs truck, Ziva's curser and Tony's mustang. Ducky's Morgan was not in the drive. He probably had to go home and check on his mother. She grabbed her phone and dialed Gibbs. "We are out front. Just wanted to give you a heads up."

"Bring her on in. We're ready." Gibbs told her.

Quickly she unstrapped Kelly from the booster seat and they walked in hand in hand. Samantha let Kelly go into the house first. She could smell the beef brisket that Gibbs had cooked as she walked into the door. Just as they walked into the house Kelly saw the doll house sitting near the front window. Samantha had helped Gibbs finish it. The wood of the house inside was stained a beautiful brown color and the outside was painted white and on each window there was a little window box. Samantha had put flowers of many colors in each box. It even had a working porch light and a doorbell.

Kelly's eyes were wide with delight. "It is so beautiful. Thank you Gibbs." She ran up to him and hugged his legs. He picked her up and kissed her on the cheek holding her tight. " You are so welcome baby girl, " he choked remembering the day he had give his daughter Kelly her hand crafted bedroom set with matching doll furniture. "Samantha helped on a few things."

"Kelly, you and I are going to work on the decorating together on our Saturdays. I bought you some dolls to live there. You have a whole family." Samantha motioned to the wrapped box next to the house. Samantha came up next to Gibbs and gave the little girl a hug too.

Wiping the tears from her eyes Abby spoke up. "I would love to help too if you two need some help." The girls looked at Abby and both grinned and nodded at the Goth.

Just then DiNozzo spoke up. "Never thought I would say this to you Boss but I think we have had enough sappy stuff. I am hungry." The whole team laughed and headed into the kitchen where dinner was ready and waiting. Kelly quickly told everyone where to sit. She sat down at the head of the table since she was the birthday girl with Gibbs and Samantha on each side of her. She insisted that Ziva and Tony sit next to each other as well as Abby and Tim. Samantha smiled and whispered to Gibbs as they were getting their food. "Looks like a little girl is doing a little matchmaking."

"Ya think" he whispered back smirking.

"You ok with that. I mean Rule 12 and all."

"Going to happen sooner or later."

The team enjoyed the meal and the girls minus Kelly quickly made work of the kitchen duties. Kelly went into the living room with the gentlemen and got Tim to help her with her DS game boy. Just as the girls walked into the living room with popcorn, DiNozzo suggested a movie. "Since you are the birthday girl, you get to pick."

"Samantha," Kelly asked giving her a puppy dog face. "You promised to ask Mama about Summer School. Did you ask her?"

"Summer school?" Gibbs asked. "Is that silly movie about a coach teaching summer school to a bunch of delinquents you made me watch once? I don't think so Kelly girl." Samantha grinned at him. He had really enjoyed especially when the teacher got arrested for giving alcohol to minors. He was wearing shorts and roller skates.

"He's right baby. Gibbs can't stand Chainsaw and Dave because they are idiots." Samantha smirked looking toward Gibbs.

" Gotta love WonderMutt though." Gibbs added.

Tony jumped in. "I mean that coach reminds me of someone. Don't you think? Maybe the boss."Gibbs walked behind him and slapped his head. "Sorry Boss. How about a Disney movie? Maybe the computer wore tennis shoes. Dexter reminds me so much of McGee"

Ziva looked a Samantha and shook her head and mouthed "He is never going to change is he?" Samantha smiled and nodded a no.

Tony put in the movie and the group got into their regular movie places. Ziva and Tony sitting in Gibbs lounge chair with Ziva in the chair and Tony on the floor in front of her. Tim was leaning against the sofa with Abby sitting between his legs leaning comfortably back against his stomach. He had his arms around her. Sam and Gibbs were sitting on the sofa with Kelly sitting between them.

About halfway through the movie Gibbs noticed that Kelly was relaxed with her head on his chest her breathing was slow and relaxed indicating that she had fallen asleep. He moved to kiss Samantha on her temple and motioned for her to look down at the sleeping little girl. "Think we should take her upstairs," he whispered.

"Let her sleep until the end of the movie. I kind of like just sitting here." She smiled up at him and snuggled into his arm that was behind her. She carefully tucked a wayward hair behind Kelly's ear and gently laid her head on Gibbs' shoulder. The team was not looking when Gibbs looked down at them both and smiled the smile of utter contentment.

After the movie, the couples began to move. The whole team noticed that Kelly had fallen asleep and Tony saw that Gibbs was also dozing with Samantha in his arms. He started to make a comment but Ziva gave him a jab in the ribs. The sound of his grunt woke both Gibbs and Kelly up. "Is the movie over?"She replied sleepily.

"Yes princess." Gibbs said "You slept through the whole thing. You have had a big day today."

"Come on baby. The girls and I need to get you to my place and get you bed. You want to be rested when you see your mother tomorrow." Samantha said patting Gibbs on his knee as she stood up.

Gibbs looked a tad disappointed. He had really hoped he could convince Samantha to cancel the whole sleep over thing. He wanted to fall asleep in next her as he did every Saturday night. He hoped that he would not have to wait too long for her never leave his side. He was planning to ask her to marry him on Saturday after Maddy's wedding. After all it was Valentines' day and he knew she was such huge romantic.

The girls grabbed some left over cake and left. Ziva drove with Abby and followed Samantha and Kelly toward Sam's apartment. The men were left with no cake and an empty house. Gibbs went to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and left Tim and Tony in the living room. The two men looked at each other. They knew Gibbs was headed toward the basement to work on the boat. That did not sound really interesting so they decided to head home. Both wishing that the girls had forgot about the girls' night out. "Hey Boss," Tony yelled into the kitchen "McGee and I are heading to the casa. Thanks for dinner."

"You're welcome DiNozzo, "he said as he came out of the kitchen. "Looks like a lonely night for all of us."

"You have that right." Tim said as they headed toward the door.

After the guys left Gibbs went down to the basement. He walked up to his work bench and added some Bourbon to his coffee. Just then his phone beeped. Samantha had texted him that she and the girls had made it to her place. It read "We are safe and sound at my place. Talk to you in the morning after Julie picks up Kelly. Love you Sam. "Gibbs smiled and then ran his hand down his face. Going to be a long night.

******Just a note for all those Mark Harmon fans out there, "Summer School" is a movie starring Mark and Kirstie Alley. Wish they had brought her in as a love interest for Gibbs. Would have been better than Jamie Lee.