Chapter 40

Sorry this took longer to post. I have been sick for two weeks so between work and a major sinus infection my NCIS friends had to take the back seat. I am felling better now so here is the next chapter.

I don't know NCIS or any of the characters or any story line. This is all my own ideas.

Gibbs was in the backseat holding Kelly who was quietly sleeping in his arms. Samantha was sitting next to him rubbing Kelly's back. The couple was keeping a very close eye on their little girl. Samantha had only been her official guardian for less than an hour and she was being very protective of her.

Tony and Ziva drove carefully back to NCIS. Both partners were deep in thought. Ziva could not help but remembering back to the day she heard about her mother's death. She remembered the since of loss she felt that day and almost every day since. "Thank goodness she had Gibbs and Samantha," Ziva thought. "Those two will never let her feel the emptiness or the horrible since of loss I experienced."

Tony was just staring at the road. He was torn between remembering his mother's death and the confession he was going to have to make to his boss. Ziva sensed he was upset and she reached over and grabbed his hand gently rubbing his hand with her thumb. Tony was drawn away from his memories. He looked at her and smiled. "You ok," she mouthed.

"Ask me later," he whispered as he pulled into the NCIS parking garage. He quickly parked the car and they all got out and headed into the building.

Tony and Ziva got the evidence out of the trunk and followed Samantha, Gibbs and Kelly up to Abby's lab.

Abby was helping McGee trace Joseph's cell when Gibbs came in carrying. Seeing Kelly was asleep she signed "Is she ok?" Both Gibbs and Samantha nodded. Then Samantha signed "As well as we can hope for."

"Put her on the futon in my office. There is a blanket in the drawer," she whispered. Gibbs nodded and carried her into Abby's office and laid her down carefully. She snuggled into Bert and was sleeping peacefully. He then stepped out and joined Abby and Samantha who were discussing the whole day.

"Sam, you ok?" Gibbs asked wrapping his arms around her.

"Not sure Jethro," she turned and laid her head on his chest. "I have not had time to process the whole thing. I am so worried about Kelly. I don't want that SOB to have any more contact with that baby. She deserves a family that will keep her safe."

"Well looks like Julie chose a good candidate." He kissed her on the cheek. Just then Tony and Ziva walked in carrying the evidence that had been collected. "Abby, check this stuff out. We need all the evidence we can to convict Joseph Williams of killing little Kelly's mom."

"Totally on it Gibbs."

"Boss, can I talk to you about something? " Tony asked. Gibbs looked at him waiting for him continue. "In your office."

Gibbs gave Sam a hug and whispered in her ear. "Don't leave the building."

Samantha saluted him with a small smile. "Absolutely Boss. Could we get someone to go out for some food? Bet Kelly will wake up soon and I don't know when she ate last."

"Call the bullpen when she wakes up and I will send someone to McDonald's" he smiled as he followed DiNozzo toward the elevator.

Tony stepped into the elevator followed by Gibbs. When the elevator started Gibbs hit the emergency stop button. "Ok DiNozzo spit it out."

"Well Boss, first I want you to know I did not open the envelope about Kelly's guardianship by accident. I did not open it at all. Looks like Joseph opened it."

"I knew you would not be that careless, Tony. So he knows that Sam is Kelly's guardian now that Julie is dead. With that restraining order and the accusations of abuse this pretty gives him little chance of getting custody."

"But, that would not stop him from trying to take her boss and he would not think twice of hurting anyone who would stand in his way. Sam would fight for that baby with her life."

"Me too. DiNozzo. Nobody is going hurt that little girl on my watch. Now let's stop this little moment of true confessions and get out of here. We need to find this bastard. NOW." He hit the emergency stop button and the elevator started again. "Make sure Abby knows she needs to check the envelope."

"On it Boss." Tony replied as he quickly exited the elevator.

"Oh and Tony. Not a word to Samantha about this. She has enough on her plate right now."

"That is why I sort of made that mistake Boss." Gibbs nodded and smiled to himself. That was the reason Tony had not been given a huge slap for mishandling evidence.

NCIS

Meanwhile down in Abby's lab Samantha was just staring at the computer screen. She was deep in thought. Something was bothering her about the whole Joseph situation. "Sam, Sam," Abby called. "Earth to Samantha."

Abby finally brought her back to reality. "What Abby?"

"Kelly is awake and calling for you."

"I can't believe I was so out of it." She ran into the office just as Kelly ran out into her arms. She was crying and was almost hysterical. Sam picked up the little girl and held her tightly in her arms. "I am so sorry baby. You are going to be fine."

Between sobs she cried "Gibbs, where is Gibbs? I need Gibbs."

"Baby he is working on catching your daddy. I am here." She hugged Kelly close and began to sing a silly song in her ear.

This calmed Kelly and she settled down hugging Bert tighter. "Sam, I am hungry. I did not get to each lunch." Abby walked in just then and handed her some peanut butter crackers she kept in her desk for emergencies. She then kissed her on the forehead and left the office.

"Usual Kelly, "Abby yelled over her shoulder. " Chicken nugget Happy Meal with apples and sweet and sour sauce. With a coke for the drink."

Kelly nodded yes with a small grin. "Right on Abby, I did not get lunch either Abbs." Samantha said.

"I will get the agent Gibbs assigned to you two to head out right now. I will have him get your usual too, Sam. "

Samantha looked down at Kelly, "Guess she knows us pretty well Kel. You want to set up Abby's laptop for a couple of games or do you need to talk."

"Games," Kelly said. "Done talking for a while." Samantha knew from experience that Kelly needed to talk about her mother and her father but she was not ready. She needed time to process what had happened.

"Ok Kelly, I am here if you need me. " Samantha set up Abby's old laptop on her desk and got Kelly logged into her favorite online game. She then stepped into the outer lab.

"She ok." Abby asked as she looked up from her computer.

"Not sure Abby. She is not talking and that bothers me. We just need to get her life settled down. Spending the night in this lab will not get her the normalcy she needs." Just then the sound of Samantha's phone broke the silence of the lab. She picked up the phone. "Hello."

"Well hello Miss Waverly. How is my daughter?"

Samantha motioned to Abby to trace this call. "You realize that Gibbs is going to go ballistic when he knows you are calling me again."

"I just wanted you to know that Julie's guardianship won't stand up in court. I am her father and nothing is going to keep me from getting her back. Not even your precious Gibbs." That was it. That's the thing that was bothering her. He had opened the envelope not Tony. He knew what Julie had in mind. He was going to do anything to get Kelly. She feared what he would do to her if he got her.

"Not going to happen Joseph. Gibbs is not going to allow you anywhere near Kelly. Neither will I." Just then Gibbs rushed into the lab. "Keep him talking." Gibbs signed.

"Gibbs just came in didn't he? Let me speak to the bastard."

Samantha handed Gibbs the phone. "Gibbs," he barked.

"Well at last we speak Agent Gibbs. You have been trying to take my place in my little girl's life. You are not her father Gibbs. She is not your Kelly. "

"When I find you, you are going to pay for what you did to Julie and the years you have terrorized that precious little girl," Gibbs growled.

"Good luck. Keep an eye on your lady and yourself. I will get my daughter back." Then Joseph hung up.

"Abby did you and McGee get anything?"

"Not on my end I will check with McGee." Abby picked up her phone and called Tim.

Just then Gibbs' phone rang. "Gibbs"

"Boss, narrowed it down to two cell towers. He is in Silver Springs."

"Thanks McGee. Keep working on it. Send Tony and Ziva out to the area. Update the BOLO." He turned to Samantha. "How is Kelly?"

"She wants you Gibbs. We just sent for supper." Gibbs went into the office to find Kelly listening to a Nursery Rhyme on the computer.

"Hey Baby girl. I heard you wanted me. I am here now." Kelly jumped up and ran into his arms.

"Gibbs, will you keep my daddy away from me? He scares me. He hurt my mommy." She snuggled into his chest. Tears were now falling from her eyes.

Gibbs melted and hugged her close. "I will do everything I can to keep you safe baby. I promise, you know that." Just then the agent came in carrying their ladies' food. "Food's here Kel. Why don't you eat while the grownups work on a plan to keep you safe?"

Kelly grabbed her Happy Meal and her drink and sat back down at the computer. Her stomach won over her fear.

Gibbs took Samantha's hand and walked into the lab. "Gibbs," Samantha asked. "It's getting late. Are you planning on us staying at NCIS tonight?"

Gibbs had not thought that far. He was trying to catch a murderer but he had a family that needed him too. ". You would be safer here until we catch Joseph. I can keep an eye on you better here."

"I guess Kelly and I can curl up on the futon for tonight." Gibbs could see in her eyes she was worried but he knew that she wanted to go home. She needed Kelly home. "Whatever you say Jethro." He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her on the side of the head.

"Don't worry sweetheart, I will catch him and get you both home soon. I promise you."

Samantha looked into his eyes and saw nothing but concern for her and Kelly. She smiled and gently kissed him on the lips. "I will be good Jethro. You do what you have to do to keep us safe."

NCIS

Tony and Ziva drove to the address that McGee gave them. The whole trip to Silver Springs had been in silence. Both agents were torn up by Julie's death and Kelly being left alone. About halfway there Tony had reached over and silently grabbed Ziva's hand and she did not pull away.

Tony drove up to the house where McGee had given them and both agents got out of the house and neared the door. When Tony got to the door he noticed that the door was open. Both agents pulled their guns. The house was dark so each announced themselves as Federal Agents and carefully entered the house.

After clearing the living room, they headed to the kitchen where there were signs of someone was actually living there. The light was on. There was a note taped to the refrigerator. "Sorry you missed me Agent Gibbs," the note read. "Better luck next time. Keep an eye on your fiancé and my daughter. I plan to take care of both of them very soon."

"Damn!" Tony muttered. He picked up the phone and called Gibbs. Ziva quickly called McGee.

NCIS

"Damn," Gibbs growled hanging up the phone.

"What's up?" Samantha asked him.

"Tony and Ziva got to the house and Joseph was gone. The SOB left a note threatening you and Kelly." He started toward the elevator. "Sam, stay right here with Abby. I can't let anything happen to you or Kelly."

"Don't worry. We'll do whatever you say. Just go find this idiot." Samantha blew him a kiss as the doors of the elevator closed.

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps!

Semper Fi