Chapter 56

Disclaimer: I totally love NCIS but do not own anything.

Author's note: Updated on Saturday night but Fan Fiction was being a pain.

Samantha and Gibbs spend the rest of the evening dancing, talking and enjoying their date. The feelings between them grew stronger and with each passing event either good or bad they grew closer and closer. It was around midnight and they were dancing in the middle of the room to "When you say nothing at all" by Keith Whitley.

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word, you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing

Chorus:
The smile on your face let's me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
A touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall
But you say it best when you say nothing at all

All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd
Old Mr. Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine

When the song ended Samantha looked up into his piercing blue eyes and smiled. "That song says it all. There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me. When you touch my hand tells me you will catch me when I fall. I totally love that," she said to him as they continued dancing even without music.

He rubbed his thumb along her healthy cheekbone and then following it up with feather like kisses. "I will always be here to catch you when you fall. I promise you no drunk driver will stop me from being with you." She kissed him back and then rested her head on his chest listening to the sounds of heartbeat. She breathed in his scent of sawdust and Old Spice.

"I will hold you to that Gunny." Just as she spoke she had to stifle a yawn.

"Was a long night for you last night? Waking up several times had to wear you out," he whispered kissing her hair. "Let's head upstairs and get you tucked in."

"Just a few more minutes Jethro. This was such a wonderful evening I don't want it to end."

He smiled and held her closer. "Me either." Another romantic song started on the stereo. They continued to dance with only the sound of the music and their beating hearts filling the room.

When the music ended Gibbs looked down at Samantha. She was beginning to doze against his chest. "Looks like the ball is over Sleeping Beauty," he whispered. He carefully grabbed her around the knees and lifted into his arms. He started toward the stairs with Samantha snuggling into his neck. He carefully carried up the stairs and into their room and lay her down on the bed.

She grabbed the pillow and pulled it closer to her. "This was such a magical night" she mumbled as she snuggled into the bed.

"Just wait until our wedding night," he whispered. "Sleep well darling. I'm going downstairs to clean up." He kissed her on the cheek and started downstairs to clean up from their date wishing deep inside that she would get a good night's rest and no nightmares.

NCIS

Samantha slept late the next morning. She had spent the night nightmare free. Gibbs had come up to the room about 2 am only to find Samantha curled up under the covers of the bed. Her curly auburn hair was cascading across the pillow. She had gotten up and changed out of her black dress and was wearing her t-shirt and sweats. Gibbs could not help but smile as she watched her sleep. "How did I get so lucky," he thought to himself. He quickly changed into his sweats and t-shirt and cuddled in close and fell asleep smiling contentedly smelling her hair.

When Samantha did wake up she reached out expecting Gibbs to be in the bed with her. First panic started to set in. "Where was he? Was last night all a dream?" she thought. She then reached out and touched the pillow where he would have put his head. Sitting there was a piece of paper. Samantha smiled and picked it up. "Don't worry Sweetheart, I am downstairs. I wanted to let you sleep. Come down when you wait up. I am starting the food for Ducky's." She read it and smiled to herself. "Why do I ever worry? I really am the luckiest woman that ever lived," she giggled to herself.

Samantha jumped up and started down the stairs. She could hear him whistling in the kitchen. She smiled to herself and continued on down the stairs walking into the kitchen. He was dressed in his dark jeans, a blue Polo shirt and sneakers. Samantha could not help but let out a wolf whistle as he bent down to pick up a potato he had dropped on the floor. "Like the show," he said without turning around.

"Totally, you look quite handsome this morning."

"Getting close to afternoon. We told the team we would be there at 1300. Rachel should be here in about an hour."

"Really, I slept that late. What about the brisket for tonight?" She started to panic.

"Relax sweetheart. I put in on last night after I put you to bed" he told her.

"What did I do to deserve you?" Samantha replied walking over and putting her arms around his neck.

"It is me who is the lucky one." He kissed her lips softly and grinned. "Food's almost ready. Why don't you go upstairs and get yourself even more gorgeous that you already are?"

"Well thank you sir. You know how to make a lady feel wanted." She kissed him on the cheek and started up the stairs. "I love you."

"I love you more." He replied watching her walk up the stairs.

"I love you most." She said as she stepped into the guest room.

NCIS

When Samantha had finished her shower and got dressed she came down stairs to find Gibbs and Rachel were sitting in the living room talking. Samantha met Rachel with a smile. "Hi Rachel. You ready for a day of yard work."

"I have my yard jeans and sneakers on. Hey, you look better today. Did you rest better last night?"

Samantha smiled over at Gibbs and there was a soft blush on her cheeks. "Oh I slept wonderful no nightmares." Rachel eyed both of them with a raised eyebrow.

Gibbs felt a little embarrassed by the conversation so he grabbed some of the food and headed out to the car. "Everything is almost loaded. You two can head to the car."

After he went outside Rachel turned to Samantha. "You two didn't …."

Samantha blushed even redder. "Oh that no. I would have given in if he asked but he didn't. I think he has big plans for our wedding night."

"So why the change? We had a very romantic night anyway. Not a single nightmare," she smiled grabbing her purse. "We had better get out there. He might leave without us."

The two stepped outside to see Gibbs loading his garden tools into the back of Samantha's Corolla. He closed the trunk and opened the driver's side back door for Rachel. Then he went around to the passenger's side and held the door for Samantha. As she got in he leaned in and kissed her. "Figured you would not mind using your car since we have a passenger."

"Smart idea." Gibbs then went around and got into the driver's side. He started the car and backed into the street. Samantha reached to turn off the radio.

"I don't mind if you want to leave it on." Rachel said from the backseat.

"Me either." Gibbs smiled at her. They started the 30 minute drive over to Ducky's. Rachel noticed that Gibbs was enjoying the country music as much as Samantha. When Kenny Chesney's "The World" came on the radio both of them sang all the words and Gibbs reached across the console and grabbed Samantha's hand. The song ended just as Gibbs stopped at the stop light. He leaned over and kissed her while they were waited for the light to change.

Rachel smiled at the two. Gibbs had never been one for public displays of affection. The light changed to green and they were still kissing. "Hump!" Rachel cleared her throat as the car behind them honked. The couple pulled apart both a little red faced and smiled as Gibbs pulled into the intersection.

Neither of them spoke about the incident during the rest of the drive. Just as they turned on Ducky's street the radio started playing Rodney Atkins' song "If you're going through hell". Both Gibbs and Samantha smiled. "Sounds like our theme song." Samantha giggled.

"Well we have had our share of troubles," he said looking into the rear view window at Rachel.

"Song shares a good thought though. But the good news
is there's angels everywhere out on the street, Holding out a hand to pull you back up on your feet" Rachel quoted the song.

"Got that right." Both Samantha and Gibbs said in unison. When Gibbs pulled into Ducky's drive Abby's hearse and Tony's mustang were parked in the drive. The three got out of the car and carried the food into the house.

NCIS

After putting the brisket in the oven to keep warm and the rest of the food in the fridge the trio joined the others out in the backyard. Kelly saw her family coming out on the patio and she ran to them with her arms wide open. "Mama, Dad I missed you so much." Gibbs and Samantha hugged and kissed their little girl.

"We missed you too, baby" Samantha smiled. Kelly looked over at Abby and winked.

"Looks like you and Dad had a nice evening." Kelly giggled, "I can see you are smiling more. See Abby I told you it would work."

"What worked?" Gibbs asked.

"Giving you two sometime alone." Abby replied taking Kelly's hand. "It was all her idea. She figured you two needed a date night."

Gibbs put his hand on his hips and tried to give them a glare but it ended up being a smirk with the twinkle in his eye. "Thanks baby girl," he whispered.

"Well are you guys going to sit around all day? We really need some help over here." Tony joked. "McGardener here is not much help."

"Never said I had a green thumb Tony." Tim added.

Gibbs just shook his head. "What's the plan Duck?" he asked.

"Well Jethro we have some manual labor tasks that you and the boys here can help with and some flowers need planting. Abby, Kelly and Ziva have been working on over there by the trellis." He motioned over to the garden. "Then the grass needs mowing and stripped as well as the roses need a good trim to get them ready to bloom."

"Ok Duck, we will get started." He started over toward where Tony and Tim had been roto-tilling fertilizer into the soil. Samantha grabbed his arm before he left.

"Remember you are not back to full duty Marine. Take it easy," she whispered. "I need you healthy for things to come." She kissed his cheek and smiled.

"On it Boss. Take it easy." He kissed her back and went to join the men.

"Well Rachel my dear I did not know you were joining us today. It is wonderful to see you." Ducky said turning his attention away from the bride's comments. Samantha giggled at his slight embarrassment at her last comment.

"Well Abby called me yesterday about those two," she smirked "Seems Samantha has been having nightmares."

"Ah yes. I suggested to her that she see someone. I did not know you had been called."

"Seems that it was really Kelly's idea. She was worried about her Mama."

"Sweet Kelly. She is really advanced for her seven years. Can I interest you in a cup of Earl Grey?"

"That sounds wonderful Doctor. I have never been much for gardening." Rachel told him. She followed him into the kitchen.

"Well Samantha's brisket smells lovely," Ducky smiled. "Jethro is one lucky man. She is sweet, loving and a very good cook."

"Well doctor, I think Gibbs cooked this himself. He put it on last night after she went to sleep."

"Jethro is a man of many talents." He smiled as he put the kettle on for tea.

NCIS

Work continued into the afternoon, grass was mowed, bagged and discarded. Flowers were planted and the rose bushes were trimmed ready for new spring growth. The entire team had spread grass fertilizer on the grass that was starting to green up as the weather got warmer. Tony went to get the hose so he could start the sprinkler on the grass when an idea hit him. After turning on the water he decided to sneak up on Ziva and squirt her with the water. He was almost near her ready to spray her with the cold water when she ducked and the water hit Gibbs square in the face. Tony dropped the hose and turned beet red. "Uh sorry Boss I was aiming for Ziva," he stuttered preparing for the head slap of all times.

Gibbs got an evil grin and walked toward the hose. "DiNozzo you are so dead," he growled. He grabbed the hose and started walking toward Tony swinging the running hose closer and closer to drenching his senior field agent.

Abby slipped up behind Kelly. "Told you this would start sometime. Didn't expect your Dad to get involved but let's get our supplies," she whispered. Kelly nodded and both girls headed toward Ducky's garden shed.

After they went inside they came out carrying a box full of loaded squirt guns and large basket full of loaded water balloons. Both Abby and Kelly giggled as they each got a squirt gun and several water balloons. Kelly came up behind Gibbs and tossed it at his head. When the balloon hit its target, Gibbs turned around to find his daughter doubled over with laughter. He then turned the hose on her smiling as the spray of water hit her in the legs.

Tony came up to the box of squirt guns and grabbed a super soaker and headed off to find a victim hoping that this time he could get Ziva.

Ziva on the other hand looked at McGee with a questioning look. "Seems Abby and Kelly came prepared for a water gun war."

"I don't understand water gun" she asked.

"It is a gun loaded with water," he told her as he grabbed a gun and headed toward Abby who was sneaking up on Samantha. Ziva picked up a gun and fired the water ammunition at the ground. Seeing it was water she decided that she would use her Ninja skills to get the drop on Tony.

Someone then pulled a gun on Tony who took the full shot right in the chest. Just then another enemy hit Ziva with a bomb. Even Kelly was involved in the fight. Gibbs stalked behind the gunman his gun firmly in hand. His shot hit Ziva square in the back drenching her back with the cold water. She turned around hit Gibbs square in the face with the stream from her gun.

Rachel and Ducky had been inside checking on the food when they heard the yelling and laughter coming from the back yard. They exited the back door to see then entire team including Gibbs involved into a full scale water war. Water guns, water balloons and the water hose spraying water everywhere. The troops were all dripping wet and laughing. Ducky started to say something when a water balloon hit the ground right in front of him splashing water up onto his pants. Rachel had to suppress a giggle seeing the look of astonishment on his face.

Just then Gibbs grabbed the hose from McGee's hands and started toward stalking his fiancé. She was unaware of the threat as he inched toward her. He began to splash her legs with the hose. She then turned and fired a water balloon bomb hitting him on top of the head. The glare he gave her was so stern for the first time since the "fun" had started she was not sure this was still in fun.

"Jethro, remember this was all in good fun," she said hesitantly backing away from him as he began to twirl the water from the hose like a lasso inching closer and closer to her with each twirl.

"Oh I remember this was all in good fun. Just never thought my own fiancé would betray me by hitting me with a water bomb." He started walking closer with a hint of vengeance in his eye.

"Come on Jethro." Samantha was really not sure that he whether he was joking or allowing his famous temper to control his actions. "I would never betray you."

"But sweetheart I'm not mad just want to get even," he smiled as he sprayed her with the hose. Then grabbing a water balloon he then grabbed the front of her shirt and dropped if firmly against her chest. The look on Samantha was a mixture of surprise and laughter. Just then she slipped falling against his chest as laughter overcame her. The sudden extra weight pushed him back and slipping on the mud created by the water fight they both fell down. Gibbs was covered with mud with Samantha in his arms both doubled over with laughter.

Kelly quickly joined her parents on the ground smiling and laughing. She had grabbed the last of the water balloons and proceeded to break it over her father's head. "Got you Dad." She smiled. He proceeded to grab her and he started tickling her.

The sound of her laughter filled the backyard. The entire team was dripping wet but very, very happy. Rachel looked at Samantha and winked. "Looks like this team is really a family after all, Kate." She said to herself looking up into the sky.

Kelly hugged her Mama and Dad. She looked at Samantha. "Hey Dad," she said pointing to Samantha. "Mama got her smile back."

Gibbs looked at Samantha whose face was almost glowing with happiness. "Yes she did Baby." First he kissed Kelly and then he lifted Samantha's chin and firmly kissed her on the lips. "I'm a whole lot messier but I am very, very happy," she whispered.

"Me too. Me too. And the best is yet to be."

Please let me know how the water fight sounded. I really wanted to portray the fun this group could have if the writers of the real show would just let themselves go.