Chapter 3 – Gibbs
Gibbs found his way back to the booth with a new glass of bourbon. He'd agreed to the bet to appease DiNozzo and his ego, but in all reality, he wasn't into picking anyone up at a bar, let alone leaving with her.
He took a gulp of bourbon and looked around the bar. He saw DiNozzo sitting alone at the bar, peeling at the label on his beer bottle. Tim was nowhere to be found.
Attaboy, Tim!
As he moved his gaze away from DiNozzo, he noticed a woman at the end of the bar, swirling her straw around in her drink. She had long, fiery red hair that stopped at the small of her back. He smiled as he continued to look her way. After a few minutes, a man strode up to her, and leaned against the bar to her right. They appeared to be having a conversation, but Gibbs could tell by her body language that she wasn't enjoying it. Suddenly, the man grabbed her roughly by the arm and pulled her off of the barstool, nearly causing her to fall to the floor.
Gibbs got up, leaving his bourbon behind, and made his way across the bar. As he got closer, he could hear the woman pleading to be let loose. The man was shaking her around.
"Hey." Gibbs said, stepping up to the couple. "Let her go."
"Who the hell are you?"
"Someone that can make your life a living hell," Gibbs said, glaring at him. "Let her go."
"This is none of your business," the man slurred at Gibbs. He grabbed the redhead by her hair and yanked her toward him, brandishing a knife. "I'm going to teach this bitch some manners."
Gibbs immediately went for his gun, and pointed it at the drunken man, whom he perceived to be a possible boyfriend, or husband. He wasn't about to let him leave with her.
"Drop the knife."
"Make me."
Gibbs turned his aim to the man's foot, and took a shot. The bar area cleared, and the man went down on the hardwood floor.
"You shot me in the fucking foot! You crazy bastard!"
Gibbs took out his handcuffs and pulled the man's hands behind his back. He looked up at the bartender, who was watching with wide eyes.
"Call the police, and an ambulance for his foot."
The bartender nodded and went to make the call. Tony, who had heard the commotion, joined them.
"What the hell happened?"
"Take this guy outside and wait for the LEOs, DiNozzo. He'll be spending the night in jail."
"Will do."
Tony grabbed the guy and yanked him out of the bar.
Gibbs turned to the readhead, who was sitting on a barstool, shaking like a leaf.
"Are you all right?" Gibbs asked.
"Y-yeah, I think so. Thank you for stepping in when you did."
"Anytime, ma'am."
"I'm Charlene," she said, holding out a hand.
"Jethro," he said, taking her hand in his. "Would you like to get out of here? Maybe get a cup of coffee?"
"That'd be nice."
Charlene slipped her arm in his, and he led her out of the bar.
NCISNCISNCIS
Tim joined Tony out front as the local LEOs took away the man Gibbs arrested.
"What the hell happened?"
"Gibbs stopped a guy from possibly murdering his wife. LEOs just took him away. Where have you been, Probalicious?"
"Um, in my car… doing… stuff…"
"Wait a second – did you score?"
"I don't want to talk about it – where's Gibbs He was supposed to meet us out front."
"I'm not sure."
"Hey fellas!"
Tim and Tony looked over at the front door. The bartender was standing there, leaning out.
"That fella you came in with left a few minutes ago. Had a pretty redhead on his arm."
"You've got to be kidding me! He shot a guy and he gets the girl?"
"I tell it like I see it, guys. Have a good night."
Tim waved in acknowledgement and the bartender went back inside.
"What now?" Tony asked.
TBC…
So… who will be running around the Navy Yard in the nude? The Epilogue will be coming soon, with the exciting conclusion!