Chapter 9

The clock read two-thirty AM. Emma rolled over in Gibbs’ bed, which he had insisted she use. She even invited him to share the bed but he said he’d take the couch.

Climbing out of the bed, Emma stumbled down the hall. She went down to the living room. On the couch was the blanket and pillow Gibbs had pulled out of the closet but the man himself was nowhere in sight.

Emma tried the door that she assumed lead to the basement, after searching everywhere she could think of finding him.

Gibbs looked up as he saw Emma coming down the stairs.

‘I found you’ Emma signed, with a smile. She walked over to him, eying the boat.

‘What are you doing up?’ Gibbs asked, setting down the sander.

‘I could ask you the same thing.’

‘I was thinking’

Emma smiled. ‘That’s trouble’

Gibbs smiled back. “Yeah” He laughed. ‘Couldn’t you sleep?’

‘I did for a while’ She shuddered. ‘Bad dreams’

Gibbs walked over to her and she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Stephen was my brother. But the others he killed, they had nothing to do with me or you. Why?”

Gibbs pulled back. ‘I’ve been wondering that all night’

Emma nodded, walking around him to the boat. ‘I see the boat fetish runs deep with you’

‘It’s not a fetish’

‘Whatever you call it’ She picked up the sander and began to run in gently across the wood.

Gibbs walked up behind her, noticing that she appeared to actually know what she was doing. He stood behind her, watching for a long minute. Sighing, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.

Emma tilted her head to the side. “fetish” she muttered.

Gibbs took the tool away from her and turned her around to face him. He kissed her gently.

Her hands suddenly appeared between them. ‘I think I’m a little old for a quickie on the basement floor, Jethro. I would feel it in the morning.’

Gibbs couldn’t help but laugh. He kissed her cheek. “Not tonight” he said, picking up the sander.

Emma nodded and walked over to the workbench. She picked up the spare sander and went to work on the far end of the bed.

Gibbs watched her for a moment. ‘Emma, you should go back to sleep’

‘Jethro, I don’t want to deal with another nightmare.’

Gibbs watched Emma as she worked careful on the board in front of her. “Come on” He tapped the boat to get her attention. ‘Let’s go to bed’

‘You don’t have to…’

Gibbs smiled. “Come on” He waved her to him, then together they headed up stairs. They climbed into bed together. Holly curled up against Gibbs’ side, falling into a deep dreamless sleep.

Emma woke the next morning to the smell of coffee and pancakes. She smiled a moment before climbing out of bed and heading downstairs. Gibbs turned, hearing her coming. ‘Coffee?’

Nodding Emma asked, ‘What time is it?’

Gibbs handed her the mug, then signed, ‘Around 6:30 am’

‘What?’ Emma set her cup down quickly. ‘I’m going to be late for work!’

‘Don’t worry, I’ve got it worked out’ Gibbs signed, before putting a few pancakes on a plate and sliding them over to her, with a fork. ‘Your boss said she heard what happened to your brother and you can have as long as you need. I told her you’d be out all week.’

‘What?’ She snapped, 'Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a substitute to teach deaf children?!'

He sighed, staying silent for a minute. ‘Finish eating and I’ll take you to work’

‘What?’ She looked, shocked at how easy persuading him had been.

‘Well the director wanted me to keep you indoors in a secure location but we should be able to continue with life as usual.’

Emma looked over at him, then started eating the pancakes. ‘These are really good’

‘I’m glad because I don’t normally cook’

Emma laughed. ‘Why am I not surprised?’

‘Oh, Tony dropped by around an hour ago with some clothes from your house’

‘You let Tony go to my house’

‘I didn’t have a whole lot of choices. He lives the closest to you and we only just got the all clear on your house’ Gibbs shrugged. ‘I’m sure your house is fine’

Emma nodded, she walked over and picked up the black bag pack on the floor. Gibbs nodded when she held it up. She walked to the bathroom, and was back as Gibbs finished cleaning the kitchen. He turned and nearly laughed. Her hair was pinned up in a way he hadn’t seen it and her clothes were very business causal. She had the teacher vibe. ‘Ready’

‘Alright’ Gibbs collected his things and they walked out. Her car was still at NCIS so Gibbs drove his car. They drove in silence and Emma jumped out of the car when he parked.