Chapter 60

AN: I can't believe this story is at 60 chapters and 181 reviews. I really enjoy when I get reviews. Thank you all for the support and to those that keep adding me as a favorite author.

Previously on NCIS

The couple began strolling along the street toward Gibbs' house past several local bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. Gibbs and Samantha were chatting about the wedding and the parties that were planned when they walked up on a stranger. He was standing in front of them. As Gibbs made the move to walk around him he spoke. "Hey Samantha, long time no see."

Samantha blinked her eyes to focus them the stranger who seemed to know her. She recognized him immediately. Gibbs could feel her body tense and felt a death grip on his arm. He looked into her eyes. She looked as if she had seen a ghost. "David," she whispered, "Gibbs, its David. How?"

Gibbs shook his head. "David? Are you sure?"

"Yes Samantha it's me. I know this is a surprise. How have you been darling?" the man replied.

"How have I been? They told me you were dead. You did not show up to our wedding. That was over 15 years ago. Where have you been?" Samantha buried her head in Gibbs' arm. She was crying. "This has to be the bourbon. I have to be imagining this."

Gibbs rubbed his hands through her hair. "It's ok sweetheart. We will fix this. We will get to the bottom of this." He then looked at the man who was standing in front of them. "Ok, David, is it? She needs some answers. First where have you been for fifteen years? Why you would do this to her? I need you to come with us back to …"

"NCIS." David finished his sentence. "Yes Agent Gibbs I know who you are and also your relationship with Samantha."

"David," Samantha replied. "We need some answers. I need to know why. Not that it changes things but I need to know." She looked at Gibbs and smiled. Then she signed "I love you and nothing is going to change that."

Gibbs saw David scowl at both of them. His gut was doing cartwheels. Something was wrong here very wrong. He just did not know what it was. He looked into Samantha's eyes and grinned. Then he signed back, "I love you too. Don't worry we will fix this." Then he picked up the phone and called McGee. "Call the team. Meet me at NCIS"

"Is Samantha all right Boss?"

"She is physically ok and with me. I'll explain more when I see you. Call Abby and Ziva too. Won't need Ducky for this."

"Ok, I'll call Ducky and see if Kelly can stay with him. Sounds like she does not need to be there."

"Kelly, good idea McGee. Tell Duck I will fill him in later." Gibbs hung up the phone and looked at Samantha. "We will get to the bottom of this. I promise."

NCIS

It had been almost two hours since Gibbs and Samantha's world was rocked by the appearance of David Curry, Samantha's former fiancé who was believed killed by a drunk driver on Samantha's wedding day. Gibbs had called Timothy McGee who came and picked them up and brought all three back to NCIS. David was placed in the conference room while Team Gibbs decided what to do next.

Samantha was securely placed in Abby's lab with a Cafpow and she was resting on Abby's futon. The cafpow had helped sober Samantha up and she was dozing on the bed trying to avoid the pounding in her head from the bourbon.

Gibbs had McGee to start researching records to see where David had been for 15 years. Tony had contacted Las Vegas police for the report of the accident that supposedly reported David Curry dead. Ziva was looking through flight records to track Curry's movements over the past several days. Gibbs was pacing the bullpen like a caged animal. David had agreed to a DNA test and he was waiting for Abby's findings. He wanted to talk to this guy. He had questions. First where had he been all these years? Next why show up here now and upset Samantha? What was going on? He gut was spinning. He knew something was wrong here terribly wrong.

"Boss that was Dorneget. Curry is getting irritated. He wants to talk to Samantha." Tony replied as he hung up the phone.

"Tell him have a cup of coffee. I'm not ready to talk to him yet."

"Uh uh Boss," McGee stuttered "Don't you think that's Samantha's call?"

Gibbs turned toward McGee and gave him a death stare. McGee kind of leaned back in his chair. He did not wish to question Gibbs but he did believe they should follow Samantha's lead on this one. Just then McGee's computer pinged. "Got something Boss," he said relieved to change the subject. "Looks like Curry had been living in Mexico. Most of his expenditures were in a small town south of Juarez. His current address in a small ranch outside of Juarez. From what I can tell he has not been in the states for about two years or more."

"According to customs, he entered the country three days ago through the port of Juarez at El Paso. He then took a plane to Albuquerque, and then transferred to a flight that brought him to DC. He arrived on Wednesday." Ziva added.

"Vegas police are emailing the accident report. Should be here soon. Report will include the autopsy report. Should I call Ducky in?"

"Tony, he is babysitting Kelly." McGee interjected.

"DiNozzo, call Palmer and see if he and Brenna can go stay with Kelly and get Ducky in here. I want to know what the hell happened. Why Samantha was told he was dead?"

"On it Boss."

Just then Gibbs' phone rang. "On my way Abbs. Is Samantha?"

"Asleep," she answered as he hung up the phone.

"Heading to Abby's. She has something on the DNA."

He headed toward the elevator taking long strides almost running.

NCIS

Abby's music was not blasting as Gibbs exited the elevator. He walked into the lab. Abby was busy at the computer and he looked into the office and saw Samantha sleeping soundly on Abby's futon. "What's ya got Abbs?"

He walked up behind Abby. She was looking at the computer. "Well Gibbs, I don't know what happened back on Sam's wedding day but according to the Armed Forces DNA data base this is David Curry. Do you know if Samantha identified the body?"

"No, that is something I need to ask her." He walked into the office and stared down at his sleeping angel. He really hated to wake her but he had questions. He bent down and began gently rubbing her arms. "Hey sweetheart, I hate to wake you but I need some answers." He bent down and kissed forehead and then gently down towards her lips. Just as he placed a soft kiss on her lips, her eyes fluttered open and she smiled at him. "How do you feel?"

"Like I've been hit by a truck," she moaned. "You wouldn't believe what I dreamed. I was drunk and David walked up and talked to us on the street."

He smirked, "I hate to tell you this sweetheart, but it's all true. You got drunk on a bottle of my bourbon and David Curry is sitting in the conference room wanting to talk to you."

Samantha rubbed her hand down her face. "I was so hoping it was all a bourbon induced dream. So it is him?"

Just then Abby walked up behind Gibbs frowning. "DNA confirms it Sam. I don't know how but this is David Curry according to the Armed Forces."

Tears filled Samantha's eyes and she reached out with her arms. Gibbs knew immediately that she needed his arms around her. "Why? Where has he been? I saw the body in the morgue. I identified the body. I was sure it was him. If it had not been him why did he not show up to the wedding?" The anguish in her voice tore at Gibbs' heart.

"All good questions. He wants to talk to you. I would bet alone."Gibbs soothed her.

"I won't talk to him alone. Please say you will come in with me," she pleaded with tears streaming down her face.

"Of course," he replied pulling her into his arms. Abby quietly slipped out of the room to give them some privacy. "Anything for you. Besides I have some questions for him myself."

"I 'm sure. I assume Tim has run his financials and anything else you can think of." She smiled and laid her hand on his chest. "Where has he been?"

Gibbs chuckled because she knew him so well. "He's been in Mexico for the last several years. Just came back into the country three days ago. He's been staying near Juarez."

"Did he come across the border at El Paso?" Gibbs nodded. She rubbed her head. "Wow my head hurts. Abby!"

"Yeah Sam, "Abby answered poking her head back into the office.

"You have any Tylenol. My head is pounding." Sam asked.

"Sure," Abby brought in two pills and a small glass of cafpow. "I know you don't drink Cafpow but the caffeine will help your head."

"Thanks Abby." She took the pills and downed the cafpow. She then looked up at Gibbs. "Let's get this over with."

"On it Boss. " He smirked helping her to her feet. She looped her arm through his and they headed out of the lab. "Abby keep looking for evidence. I want to know everything about this. DiNozzo should be sending you the accident report from Las Vegas soon."

"On it Boss," she grinned saluting him as the elevator doors closed.

The elevator had just begun to move when Samantha reached out and hit the emergency button. Gibbs looked at her surprised. "I wanted to talk to you alone before we go in to see David."

"What?" Gibbs had a puzzled look on his face.

She moved close to him and put her arms around his waist laying her head on his chest. "First I want you to know I love you and nothing is going to change that. Not one thing he says or does is going to change that I want to be your wife as soon as possible." She then looked up into his piercing blue eyes. "He left me Jethro without a word. I spent a lot of years mourning him. He stole my dreams. I want to know his reasons for spoiling my happy endings. You gave my dreams back to me." She began to rub her hands on his back. "You will give me my happily ever after. I know that."

"Wasn't worried," he smiled," but am glad you said it. I love you too. He would have a fight on his hands if he tried."

"Wouldn't want to see that happen," she smirked. She stood on tiptoe and captured his lips with hers. He deepened the kiss and they continued exploring each other until the need for air became impossible to ignore. "Guess we need to go visit with him," Samantha whispered breathing hard. Gibbs nodded and started the elevator. He was working on gaining control of his rapidly beating heart. He had to be strong for her.

NCIS

Gibbs and Samantha walked hand in hand out of the elevator toward the conference room. They could feel Tony, Tim and Ziva's eyes on them as they passed them in the bullpen. Samantha looked in their direction and signed "I'm ok." Tim smiled and nodded. "You are not alone," he mouthed toward her. She gripped Gibbs' hand and nodded in Tim's direction.

As they neared the door to the conference room Gibbs took Samantha in his arms and kissed her. "We can do this," he told her. She wrapped her arms around him and smiled.

"Yes we can." Samantha grabbed the doorknob and they entered the room. David looked up at her and smiled. "Damn," she thought "he still can charm you with a smile. Never realized it but he acts a lot like Tony." David walked up to her and held his arms out for a hug. "Do I look stupid? I have not seen or heard from you for 15 years. You show up here and just want to walk back into my life like nothing ever happened." There was anger in her voice when she looked over at Gibbs. He could see the fire in her eyes. David was in for a tongue lashing of monumental proportions. David stepped back and just stared at her. Samantha walked over to one of the chairs at the table. Gibbs carefully pulled out the chair for her. He sat down next to her reaching under the table for her hand. He wanted to keep physical contact with her so she had his support. "Sit down David."

"So you know I am telling you the truth. DNA results must have come back." He looked at Gibbs who nodded at him. He then sat down in the chair across the table from them. "I know you have questions Sammy."

"You're damn right I do and don't call me that. I buried that name along with what I thought was your body." She squeezed Gibbs' hand. "Let's start from the beginning. Where have you been all this time?"

"I have been in Mexico."

Samantha shook her head. "Why did you fake your death?"

"Well that takes some explanation." Samantha sat back in the chair still holding tight to Gibbs' hand. Her posture was that she was ready to hear a bagful of lies. Gibbs could see the hatred in her eyes.

"I'm sure. Get started David. I don't have the patience I used to."

"Well I owed money to some bad people. They wanted me to force you to give me some information I knew you did not have. I refused to do anything for them. They threatened to kill me and you if I did not do what they asked."

"What information?" Gibbs jumped in.

"They never told me."

"Then how did you know I didn't have it." Samantha blurted out.

"All I know is it was about your father."

"Daddy? Why?"

"Well darling he was a police officer and was involved in some important cases. Cases that somehow involved these people." David told her. Samantha looked at Gibbs. He nodded. "Give me the name and I'll get McGee on it," he signed.

She grabbed a piece of paper and wrote her father's name and social security number on it. "What is all this signing? You did not know sign language when we were together did you?"

"No. I learned it when I went back to college to become a teacher." Gibbs squeezed her hand and got up going to the door. He opened it and handed the paper to Dorneget. "Get this to McGee. I want a full history on her father," he whispered.

"Where is he going?" David glared at Gibbs.

"You don't get to ask the questions here David. So why did you fake your death again? If I did not have this information, why would these people need you?"

David looked at her in surprise. "I owed them a lot of money. Either I got the information or I went to work for them. You would not let me go without an explanation."

"Damn straight. I would have helped you. We could have paid them off together. We could have done something. David, you put me through hell." She was almost screaming at this point. "Ok if that was your decision to leave me, then why come back now? I am getting married in four weeks. I am adopting a daughter. My life is all falling into place. I was happy not knowing you deserted me." Gibbs came back and sat down next to her. He put his hand on her back and began rubbing circles trying to relax her. She looked into his eyes and saw nothing but love and compassion. He always knew how to comfort her.

"I know Sammy. I was a coward."

Gibbs stared at David after his admission. "That's right. Again why now?"

"They sent me here."

"Do they think Samantha now knows anything about this information?" Gibbs interjected.

"Yes, they do."

Gibbs looked at Samantha. She shook her head. "I only have a few things left from my family and nothing that would do with Daddy's work. Mostly special things about our family. He was my dad who happened to work for the police department."

Gibbs turned to David. "Who is behind this? Tell me. Maybe we can find out why they think my fiancé had information."

"I can't tell you. They will kill me." David blurted out.

"Well big deal. You're already dead right." Samantha looked at him with hatred in her eyes. "Daddy did not have anything on these guys or they would be in jail. That was that kind of cop he was." Tears were filling her eyes. Her father was her hero. Gibbs put his arm around her shoulder. "Gibbs I'm done with this guy. This does not make since. Why would these guys want something from me? I was sixteen when they were killed. Daddy would not have left me anything on these guys. This is all lies. We are not getting anywhere." Tears were now streaming down her face. Gibbs gave David an evil glare. He still had questions for him but not with Samantha in the room. Also he needed to get some more information on this guy. "Jethro, my head is killing me and I feel like crap." Samantha got up and started toward the door. "I'm done with you David. Go back to your criminal friends. I have a new fiancé and I know he won't leave me." Gibbs got up and followed her.

"Stay here Curry. I'm not through with you just yet."Gibbs growled. "This seems too coincidental and I don't believe in coincidences." Gibbs escorted Samantha out into the hall. Samantha turned to him and fell into his arms sobbing.

"This is surreal Jethro. Who would have thought we would be dealing with this four weeks before our wedding? We should be choosing a wedding cake, planning parties and we should be planning out honeymoon."

"Don't worry Samantha. We will get to the bottom of this." He kissed the top of her head. "Besides the honeymoon is already planned." He smirked looking into her eyes. "And it is going to be a hot one," he whispered into her hair.

That caused Samantha to grin and hug him tightly. "I can imagine. It's keeping me up nights." Gibbs wiped her eyes with his handkerchief.

"Me too," he growled. "We will figure this out. I promise." The two headed toward the bullpen. Gibbs was ready for some answers and he wanted them now.