Chapter 57

Thank you all for your lovely reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS. If I did many, many things would be different. LOL Tony and Ziva would be together. Jenny might not be dead but I lean toward Gabby myself.

NCIS

The aftermath of the water fight lead to many of Ducky's towels being used and soiled with mud and grass. The laughter still continued into the kitchen as Abby and Samantha served up the meal of brisket, potato salad, Texas pinto beans and Samantha's apple cobbler for dessert.

After dinner the family went into the parlor and Gibbs started a fire in the fire place. Even though it was early April it was cool especially since most of Ducky's guests were wet from their water fight earlier. Sam and Gibbs had settled in on Ducky's sofa with Kelly laying her head on Samantha's lap. Abby and Tim were sitting on the love seat and Tony and Ziva were sitting on the floor near the fire. Ducky and Rachel were sitting in the two large wing backed chairs opposite the love seat.

They were all talking and laughing about the water fight and plans for the wedding. "Rachel you will join us for Kelly's party on Saturday, May 30." Samantha replied.

"Kelly's party? Is it her birthday?" Rachel asked sipping her tea.

"No," Tony laughed. "Our munchkin wants a "bachelorette party" before the wedding. She has it all planned out." Looking down at Kelly who had fallen asleep on Samantha's lap, Tony had to smile at the little girl. "Boss, has she told you where we are going?"

"Has not said anything to me. Has she said anything to you Sam?" Gibbs answered.

"She told me but I am sworn to remain silent." Abby giggled looking at the sleeping angel. "I can't tell anyone until the day of the party. I am just the adult to make the arrangements and get the refreshments."

"She is some kid." Gibbs smiled running his fingers through her brown curls.

Samantha looked down at her sleeping daughter and then at her watch. "Guess we need to be getting this munchkin home. School tomorrow."

"For you too?" Gibbs gave her a questioning look. Samantha smiled and nodded yes. Nodding back at her but with a questioning look over at Rachel and then back at his fiancé he got up and lifted his sleeping daughter up on his shoulders. She grumbled but then cuddled into his neck. He turned to Ducky and smiled. "Thanks Duck. Had a great time today."

"Thank you all." Ducky replied. Samantha and Rachel went into the kitchen and retrieved all the pans from their meal and with Tim's help got them into the trunk of the Toyota while Gibbs got Kelly into her booster seat.

Tim put his hand on Samantha's shoulder and whispered "Are you sure about tomorrow, Sam?"

"I am Tim," she smiled "Sure I am nervous but what are the odds of that happening again? It was Gibbs I was worried about." Tim nodded and kissed her on the cheek. Just then Gibbs looked up from putting Kelly in her seat and glared at McGee. Samantha sensed Tim's heart rate rise. She smiled and placed her hand on Tim's arm. "Really Jethro, have you not upset him enough."

Gibbs just shook his head and held out his hands in an "I was not doing anything" posture. Rachel could not help but giggle.

After saying their good-byes Samantha, Rachel and Gibbs got into the car and headed off toward home. The rest of the team got into their cars and after waving at Ducky they headed home as well.

NCIS

Gibbs pulled the car into the driveway of his house and after opening doors for Samantha and Rachel he got Kelly out of her car seat without waking her. "Leave those pans in the trunk, I'll get them after I put our princess to bed," he whispered as Samantha opened the door for him.

"Good night Gibbs. I think I will be heading home now. I really enjoyed being with the team. I think Kate would have enjoyed it too." She motioned to Samantha to walk her to her car. She then reached into her purse and handed Samantha a card. "I heard what you told Tim. If you have any problems tomorrow feel free to call."

"I don't think I will need to Rachel. I plan on taking things one day at a time and enjoying every minute of this ride," Samantha smiled, " I might need you again if …."

"Something else happens." Rachel smiled. "Feel free to call me anytime. You have a great family now and I can see that you all love each other." Samantha nodded as Rachel got in the car.

"Rachel I meant what I said. Please feel free to join us anytime and of course you have my personal invitation to the wedding."

"Thank you Samantha. I would love too. I will call you later. You call me anytime you need to." Rachel patted Samantha's are

Samantha came back into the house to find Gibbs sitting on the couch with a beer in his hand. He smiled up at her and patted the seat next to him. She sat down next to him and he put his arm around her. She then noticed a diet coke sitting on the table next to her. "You two have a nice talk."

"Sure," she smiled.

"Now really, I want the truth. You ok with going to school tomorrow." He pulled her closer and bent down and kissed her neck.

"I am telling you the truth. I will be fine because I have to be." She opened her coke and snuggled into his side. "What happened just set my anxiety going about losing you. That's all, really."

He tilted her chin up so that he could look into her eyes. She was smiling up at him and he saw the truth in her eyes she showed no fear. "Do you want me to drive you in the morning before I go into NCIS?"

"You are so sweet. No really I'm fine." She took his hands in hers and began to kiss his knuckles. "You have to start back tomorrow too. You need NCIS as much as they need you. Kelly will go with me."

Gibbs pulled her into a hug wrapping her in his strong arms. He whispered into hair. "If you are sure,"

Samantha pulled back and looked him in the eyes. "Look at my Jethro. I can do this. I will do this."

"Your stubbornness will win out huh?" She smiled and leaned in to kiss him on his cheek. He moved his head slightly and his lips captured hers in a passionate kiss. The couple continued to kiss holding each other close.

Finally they broke apart when Samantha's coo-coo clock stuck ten. Samantha pulled back first and smiled at him. "Bedtime?"

"Bedtime, "he groaned "I could get to hate that coo-coo."

"Me too, but if we are both going to work tomorrow we need to get some sleep."

"You have to get practical on me."

"Soon enough my darling. School will be out soon, we will be married and I am all yours." She put her hand on his cheek and smiled. "I promise it won't be long."

"I know and our first night will be fabulous." He smiled kissing her softly. "May I walk you to your door my lady?"

"Yes sir. I heard it's a rough neighborhood," she giggled as they stood up. He offered her his arm. She took it and he escorted her up the stairs right to her bedroom door.

He took both her hands in his staring in her eyes. "I love you with all my heart and soul," he whispered.

"I love you too." She put her arms around his neck and kissed him firmly on the lips. "Don't worry. I will be fine tomorrow. I promise."

"I know," he whispered. "Guess I had better be going home now." He smirked and then kissing her again.

"Well goodnight my love." She giggled playing along with the game. "I had a wonderful day today. I will see you at breakfast tomorrow."

"Very well my love." They kissed again and Gibbs then reached to open the door for her. Samantha smiled at him as she closed the door.

Samantha leaned against the door and sighed. "I am sure you will make that night memorable," she smiled as she began to get ready for bed.

Gibbs went down to the basement and started working on his surprise and as he worked he continued to plan their wedding night, smiling to himself as he planned.

NCIS

Gibbs worked several hours before he headed upstairs. As he walked past Sam's door he heard her music playing softly. He made mental note to talk to Abby about special music for their special night. He then carefully opened the door and checked on Kelly before he walked to the master bedroom door.

He stood staring at the door of what would be their room. The thought of sleeping in that room without her even if it was only holding her was unthinkable. So he turned around and went downstairs to rack on the couch. He grabbed the blanket from off the back of the couch and lay down. His last thought before he finally allowed himself to fall asleep was of her.

NCIS

Gibbs was standing on the street watching events unfold in front of him. First he saw the black SUV being driven by an NCIS agent but this time it was not Shannon and Kelly in the back seat but Samantha and their Kelly. He saw Pedro Hernandez drive up in his old ratty pick-up truck. He saw him pull out the rifle and shoot the driver causing the SUV to spin out of control and flip three times into the bar ditch. Unlike other times he was able to walk up to the smoking SUV and look into the window and see Samantha and Kelly dead. Samantha was lying with Kelly in her lap covered in blood. Both of them lay dead sprawled out on the back seat. Gibbs just stood and stared at the scene. His body began to shake and he collapsed down on the ground tears flowing unchecked from his eyes. "Not again. This can't happen again," he screamed waking himself up. He sat straight up and could feel the sweat running down his back. His heart was beating rapidly. First he shook his head trying to slow his heart rate and he tried to control his breathing. The panic he felt inside his soul was not subsiding. Then he decided to get a drink of the bourbon that was sitting in the basement.

He made his way down the stairs and poured himself a shot of bourbon. He took a drink staring at his work. He thought maybe working on a project for her would help his anxiety. Then it hit him the only peace he would receive that night would come from holding Samantha in his arms. Shaking his head knowing that he would have to wake her, he made his way up the stairs and before he knew it he was standing in front of her door. He just had to hold her, touch her, kiss her, and know that she was truly alive. He knocked quietly on the door. Just as he started to knock again Samantha opened the door with a concerned look on her face. "You ok," she whispered "Just had a feeling you needed me."

Gibbs just wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. "Just needed to hold you. Just wanted to make sure you were real. That you were here."

"What's wrong Jethro? Your skin feels clammy and I smell bourbon on your breath." She took him by the hand and led him over to sit down on the bed. He sat down next to her and took her in his arms. "Now tell me, what's the matter? You look pale and I know you have been crying."

Gibbs just pulled her closer. All he wanted was to be closer to her. He struggled to come up with the words to explain to her what was happening. "Just needed to hold you Sam." She looked into his eyes and kissed his cheek tasting the salt from his tears that were still falling.

"You had a bad dream, didn't you?" She reached up and started wiping the tears from his eyes. "I am here and safe. Nothing has happened to me." Gibbs pulled her closer kissing her cheeks making his way toward her lips.

"Just had to hold, touch and kiss you Sam. I think I can understand what you have been going through"

She smiled up at him. She took his hand and led him toward the head of bed. "You can stay here if you like," she replied sitting down against the pillows. "Trust me I know that fear." She patted the bed next to her. "We can cuddle here all night if that will help."

Gibbs let a smile form on his face and he had a glint of happiness in his eyes. He sat down on the bed next to her. She moved over allowing him to cuddle in next to her. The couple settled down against the pillows. Samantha was in Gibbs' arms using his chest as a pillow. He put his arms around her. He could feel her breathing against his chest and that simple action seemed to calm his rapidly beating heart. She sighed as he began to rub circles on her back. "You better now," she cooed as she began to doze in his arms.

"Absolutely. You sound sleepy. Thank you for understanding."

"Why wouldn't I? I love you Jethro," she mumbled.

"I love you too." He settled down and sleep began to overtake him. "Just want to keep you safe and in my arms forever." Samantha mumbled something but she was so groggy with sleep he could not understand. "Night my darling," he kissed the top of her head and then joined her in a restful sleep.

AN: This just seemed a good place to end things for this chapter. Chapter 58 will be up soon I hope.