CHAPTER 19

With the setting sun, Gibbs and Sam walk hand in hand back to the cabin with Parker following behind as he continues to practice skipping stones across the long grass of the meadow. Sam is a bit nervous about having him behind them since his aim was still a bit lacking in control. She points out into the distance and her son rolls his eyes and makes sure his next stone doesn't fly past them quite so close.

As they step up on the porch, Sam disengages herself from Gibbs and gently pushes him towards the chairs situated along the porch. "Why don't you guys hang out while I get dinner started?"

Gibbs understands and takes the farthest chair, then waits for Parker to plop down in the one next to him. Sam knew her son needed to spend some 'guy time' with Gibbs; especially after having shared a room with Tony for the past two days. They sit in silence for a while just enjoying the dusk and Gibbs slowly tips his chair back until he is leaning against the wall on the back two legs. A moment later, Parker mimics his position and his chair wobbles a bit at the unfamiliar position. Gibbs' hand comes out to steady his chair until he is settled, then releases it without a word as he waits for the boy to say what's on his mind.

"Gibbs..." Parker hesitates, obviously not sure how to bring up this topic. "What... what's it like?"

Unsure what he is referring to, Gibbs gives the boy his full attention. What was what like? His job, killing the man who had tried to hurt them? Being a federal agent? He waits, but when Parker doesn't continue, he gently prompts him, "What's what like?"

"Sex... you know... like with my mom." Parker has turned a brilliant shade of red as the blush seems to encompass his entire head and neck. Of all the possibilities; this was not what Gibbs expected him to ask... especially out of the blue.

He hesitates a long time, shocked and trying to regain his composure so he can even answer that question. Or should he just shut down this line of questioning right now? He knows the boy doesn't have anyone to talk to about growing up, so he takes a deep breath and tries to calmly divert his thoughts.

"Parker, not gonna talk about that... what's between your mom and me... is private."

"Oh... OH! Gees, no! I didn't mean... you know, like WITH my mom! ugh! I meant..." He nervously fidgets in his seat, almost upsetting his chair from its perch. Gibbs again reaches over to steady the chair and when Parker sits still, his hand lands on the bony shoulder with a gentle squeeze.

"What? You mean sex in general?" He tries to hide his smile, not expecting to have the 'birds and the bees' talk with him right now.

"Well... I know all about sex." He chances a quick glance up at the older man and Gibbs tries to hide his amusement, but a smirk quivers at the corner of his mouth.

"You do, huh?"

"Yeah, I mean the internet is... you know... it's all out there." He again chances a quick glance up to Gibbs before looking back at the chair frame between his legs. He fidgets for a moment, digging his thumbnail into the weathered wood before he gets to his real question. "Tony said... he said you and my mom... it was different... like a solar eclipse."

"A solar eclipse?" Gibbs tries to keep his voice calm, although finding out that Parker was talking to Tony about sex... in particular his sex life, was a bit disturbing. "You and Tony were talking about sex?"

"Kinda... he said what you and mom had was... like an eclipse... you know a rare occurrence that you know you shouldn't stare at, but can't look away?"

A sudden cough has Gibbs leaning forward suddenly to bring his chair back to all four legs as he tries to disguise his laughter. When he has himself under control, Gibbs rests his elbows on his knees and studies his hands for a moment as he decides how to answer that.

"I think... what you're asking about is love Parker... not sex." He glances over at the boy and sees some confusion on his face. Obviously the boy's extensive knowledge of sex didn't include the emotional side.

Parker once again mimics Gibbs' posture and leans his chair forward to rest his elbows on his knees. His serious expression shows he is giving the older man's statement some serious thought.

"Love and sex are two different things... although they normally go together." He rubs his hands together and hesitates before he answers his original question honestly. "And yeah... what I have with your mom is pretty special. Don't know if it's as rare as an eclipse, but finding the right person isn't always easy."

Parker digests this for a few moments and seems to accept it because he smiles and turns to look at Gibbs. "So the love is good?" Gibbs merely nods in agreement. "And the sex is good?"

"Not goin' there, Parker." Gibbs gives him a stern glare and the boy just grins, knowing he's found a topic that the normally unflappable man is uncomfortable with.

"I like your house... it has a basement and a yard... like a normal home." He fidgets with his hands, wondering if his hint was out of line.

"You want to live at my house? You sure about that? It's pretty far away from your friends."

"I'll still see them at school... besides, mom is happier when she's there too."

"Hhmm, she is? Well, that's something to consider." He grins over to the boy and studies him for a moment. Parker seems more relaxed, having gotten that off his chest so Gibbs decides to let the serious talk go for now. He leans back in his chair, tilting back on two legs once again. "What else did you and DiNozzo talk about?"

Parker laughs at the stern glare Gibbs gives him, knowing he is teasing him about the whole sex talk thing. Parker shoves his chair back with more expertise this time and shakes his head as he decides how much to tell him. "Not much... but he did say I couldn't ask for a better dad..."

"Hhmm..." Gibbs keeps his expression neutral as he realizes Parker just called him 'dad'.

"... and he said he wished you were his dad, too." Parker knew Gibbs was close with his team since he always called them his 'kids'.

Gibbs just nods his head slightly and continues to stare off into the darkening meadow around them. Tony's relationship with his own father was contentious at best and he knew the older DiNozzo had pretty much abandoned his son through most of his younger years. Tony had a lot of baggage about that, but he was like a son to Gibbs. And even if he never told him that, it felt good to hear the younger man felt the same.

Lying in bed in the early pre-dawn darkness, trying not to make too much noise, Gibbs lies on his back, his hands framing her waist as he straddles his hips. Sam had woken him with her mouth; exploring his body and Gibbs quickly responded to her new talents. He would not have said their sex life was lacking, but he had a new appreciation for her inquisitive mind now. Her hands are braced against his shoulders, gripping him firmly as her hips worked slowly over the hard shaft impaling her. She holds his eyes, moving her hips one way and then another to gauge his response and when he responded favorably, she would smile. He knew he couldn't take much more of her playful teasing, but he loved the sight of her above him and wanted to make it last as long as possible. His hands tightened on her hips as a groan escaped him as she lowered her hips once more, then paused with a slow rotation before rising up to do it again.

Gibbs pulls Sam a little closer, bringing her mouth down to his as he reaches up to kiss her hungrily. She moans into his mouth, twining her tongue with his as his hands still her hips as he takes over. His hips thrust up in quick strokes, driving into her deeply as he releases her lips to huskily groan, "Ahhh... I'm so close..."

She moans softly and presses kisses to his jaw, moving slowly along towards his throat where she gives herself up to his need and rests her head next to his as she whispers, "Mmmnnn, yes... feels... so... good..."

His arms snake up around her back, holding her tighter as he now arches his hips, driving into her hard and fast as he finally lets go. Their moans are muffled as much as possible, but when he feels her body trembling as she is pushed over the edge into the abyss of pure sensation, he can't hold back. He growls harshly as he jerks her body down hard onto his shaft, driving deeply into her tight canal as he joins her in that mindless moment when the world stands still.

After several moments, his hips jerk once more and he collapses, dropping their bodies back onto the bed in complete exhaustion. Sam lies limply on him, too drained by the intense sensations to even lift her head as she purrs softly in his ear. Gibbs' mind is numb, but his hands stroke slowly along her flanks as his breathing finally begins to slow. When they are able to think clearly, she slips off him to lie at this side. Not wanting to lose the warmth of her body, Gibbs tucks her into his side as his mind drifts lazily in his contented state. He recalls his conversation with Parker last evening and chuckles softly; causing her to lift her head from his chest with a curious inquiry.

"Parker and DiNozzo apparently talked about our relationship." His hand strokes down her arm and back up to her shoulder as he debates whether to tell her the whole truth. "Parker asked me about our sex life earlier."

"Damn it! I knew it was a bad idea to let Parker share a room with DiNozzo."

"Nah, it was okay. He really wanted to know about the love side of things, since... as he put it 'he knows all about sex from the internet'." He chuckles again as Sam's head drops heavily to his chest with a groan.

"Do I want to hear this?"

"Tony told him what we had was special, that's all. I think Parker just wanted confirmation."

"And did you tell him?" She gently strokes her hand through the hairs on Gibbs' chest, loving the rumble under her ear as he talked.

"Yeah, we talked." He combs his fingers through her hair before he adds, "He wants to live at my house."

"He does? He said that?" Gibbs feels her tense at his side.

"Uh-huh... said you're happier there too." He reaches around to gently guide her chin up so he can look into her eyes; wanting to see her reaction to that. What he sees is quickly hidden so he pushes the issue. "Sam... that true?"

"I... it is a nice house, but..." She nervously avoids coming right out and saying she would love nothing more than to live there with him. She has been living for so long on the edge, ready to pack up and leave at the first sign of trouble that she can only dream of a more permanent life.

"But what? Sam, we already decided to get married... what's the problem?"

"Married?! And just when did we decide that, Jethro?" She is surprised by his announcement as she raises up onto her elbow to give him her full attention now.

"Told you I wanted you and Parker in my life... and you agreed." He cocks his head to the side, looking at her as if her puzzlement was bizarre.

She shakes her head in disbelief, recalling that conversation, but not realizing he meant so much more. "I guess I need to listen closer, 'cause I missed the whole proposal part somewhere."

"I'm a man of few words... you gotta pay attention." Gibbs wraps his arm around her waist and suddenly rolls into her, pushing her onto her back as he now leans over her. He lowers his head for a slow, intense kiss that tells her this is no joke. When he pulls back, his hand gently traces her face as he huskily whispers, "I never thought I'd find... I love you and Parker... marry me."

She doesn't answer right away, even though her heart is tripping along erratically with joy. Her hand comes up to caress his cheek as a smile spreads across her face with her teasing words, "Since you and my son have this all worked out... I guess I have to say yes."

Gibbs returns her smile and allows her hand to guide his lips down to hers for a slow, romantic kiss that expresses all of the love in their hearts. They spend long minutes just kissing and cuddling as the daylight begins to filter into the room.

After a leisurely breakfast and a few more stone tosses in the pond while Sam packed up their stuff, they were ready to head back to the city. Gibbs couldn't remember a time when he felt this relaxed... this content and he is looking forward to transitioning Sam and Parker into his home and into his life permanently.

They share the ride back in a comfortable silence, punctuated by periodic glances, smiles and their hands joined on the seat between them. Parker is in the back with his headphones on, playing his favorite video game, but even he looks up once or twice to smile when they exchange a glance and gently tighten their grip.

Gibbs knows there is still work to do on the Diering case, but when he drops Sam and Parker off at home, he has no doubts about their safety now. He leaves them with the intention of running home to change, but then realizes since this is Friday anyway, it wouldn't matter if he put in a couple of hours work in jeans. He heads straight to the office, curious to see how the crime scene was handled by the three young agents. Ducky was very capable of managing the scene, but even he wasn't as particular about how things were done as Gibbs was. He knew there would be no glaring mistakes by the young agents, but it never hurt to get on their case about some minor things... just to keep them on their toes.

When he arrives at the office, he finds his team at their desks, busily typing up their reports from the last few days. He walks in with his customary coffee and heads straight for his desk as he gets their attention with his usual impatience. "Talk to me, people... updates... now."

All three agents jump to their feet, coming to line up in front of their boss's desk. Gibbs sits down, looking from one to the next before he settles on McGee by pointing to him. McGee nods and points the remote to the plasma screen to bring up his information on the device found in the car.

"Boss... I finished my analysis of the triggering device in Diering's car... which you know was left with his sister. The device was controlled by a complicated micro-computer here..." He zooms the screen in to show them the tiny motherboard. Gibbs gives it a quick glance then turns his attention back to McGee with a look that indicates he was more interested in hearing what it did, not how it looked. "Right. So this computer was programmed into the electronic ignition of the car... with a pre-set counter."

"Counter? Counting what, McMath?" DiNozzo, having been out of the loop, was not comfortable with having his junior agent knowing more about the case than he did.

"Counting down the number of times the car was started and turned off. This particular computer chip was programmed to allow the car to be turned on twice... and turned off twice before it triggered the thirty-second detonation timer."

"Twice on and twice off? What would be the purpose of that?" This time the other three agents all look at Tony as if he was just a bit too slow.

"On to drive to NCIS... off to park it and turn it over to us. Then on when we drove it into the evidence bay... and off..."

"...when we parked it there and boom!" DiNozzo finally sees the whole picture and finishes Ziva's explanation.

Gibbs stares at the device on the screen, silently thankful that he found that scrap of paper in Diering's van. If he hadn't it could have been another disastrous explosion... this time with much more serious consequences. This reminds him of the van and he looks to his senior field agent.

"What about the van? Dorneget finished?"

"Well boss... the van, yeah... it's in the evidence garage... all of it." He scratches his head in a comic fashion as he grins over at his two co-workers. "I think you need to see that for yourself."

Gibbs gives him a glare, wondering what sort of fiasco awaits him in the garage. He finishes off his coffee and stands up with a frustrated sigh. As he steps out from behind his desk, the three agents step back, but Gibbs crooks his finger at his senior agent, "DiNozzo, you're with me."

The two men walk towards the rear elevators which will take them to the evidence garage. Gibbs waits until they are inside the car with the door closed before his hand snaps out to deliver a sharp head slap to the younger man. Caught off guard and not expecting the discipline, Tony cringes forward with a groan of pain, then quickly steps away from his boss to get out of range of a second blow.

"Ooww! What was that for, boss?" He rubs the back of his head and looks to Gibbs in confusion.

"For talking to Parker about my sex life, DiNozzo"

"Oh, hey, boss... no! We never... I mean, not like you're thinking..." He stops when Gibbs gives him that cold glare which clearly states he already knows the answer. Tony falls silent with a quick nod and again rubs the back of his head, "Won't happen again, boss... but..."

"But what!?" Gibbs turns to him and comes face to face so Tony gets the full effect of those icy blue eyes.

"Nothin, boss... just gonna say it was Parker who brought it... ah, not important." He again nods and shuts his mouth as Gibbs eyes narrow at his attempt to explain.

Gibbs steps back to his original position and stares at the numbers as they arrive at the basement level. Just before he steps out a smirk emerges on his face as he gives DiNozzo a gentle shove out ahead of him and teases, "Don't wanna have to separate my boys..."

Tony glances back over his shoulder at his boss and sees the smile, but more than that, he hears the term and grins happily. Gibbs considered him one of his boys... part of his family and that meant everything to him. As Gibbs comes out into the garage, his attention is drawn to the row after row of organized bins. All labeled, color coded and arranged in rows according to evidentiary value. In the middle of it all was the van... now stripped down to its bare frame with the interior, wheels, axles and engine having been removed. Those vehicle parts were also tagged and labeled in a separate area. The only thing not removed from the van was the brown paint on its exterior.

Gibbs stops in disbelief as a sigh of frustration makes his nostrils flare; and telegraphing his anger. Tony stops beside him and with a grin, leans in to whisper, "Before you go all Gibbs on him... remember, you told Dornie to analyze ever scrap and fiber."

Gibbs glares over at his agent, tempted to head slap him again, but then realizes he is right. He had been very specific in his instructions to the young agent. He looks back at the mess with a shake of his head and notices the young agent standing amid his chaos with a clipboard in his hand. He takes a calming breath and weaves his way through the rows to speak to Dorneget. Unseen by him, DiNozzo gives the younger agent a quick thumbs up of encouragement.

"Hope to hell you know what all this is, Dorneget." Gibbs stops before him with his hands on his hips, challenging the young agent.

"Yes, si... Agent Gibbs, I do. I have it all sorted, tagged, analyzed and cataloged by significance. I just didn't impound it until you had a chance to go over it first."

Gibbs looks over the clipboard sheets handed to him, noting that he'd done a damned good job of listing the evidence, what did not appear to be evidence and where it was located in the van. After giving the boss a few minutes to review the list, Dorneget leans in and taps the edge.

"If I could draw your attention to page two... lines thirty-seven through forty-one?" He waits until Gibbs flips to that page and reads the entries. "These are the items of most interest and you'll note they appear to be his diary... or manifesto, if you prefer."

Gibbs looks over the remaining items, glancing around at the bins now and then to put a visual reference to the written descriptions. When he is done, he hands the clipboard back to the young agent who is waiting nervously. Gibbs gives him an intense look, as if seeing the young man for the first time before he responds.

Good work, Agent Dorneget... now get this stuff impounded... except for thirty-seven through forty-one. Put those in the temporary locker so you can work on them later."

"Later, sir?" Dorneget hadn't thought about his assignment past getting this van processed and had assumed he would be returning to his normal assignment answering phone tips that came in to NCIS.

"Well, yeah, Dorneget... you gotta finish up with that diary stuff, write your reports...oh yeah... and put that van back together so we can ship it off to the impound yard." Gibbs gives the vehicle one last look and turns back towards the elevators with a shake of his head at how the young agent had taken his instructions to heart.

"Right! I'll get on that, right away." Dorneget is on cloud nine at having been given a nod of approval for his work. He can't believe he'll get to spend more time doing field work... or follow-up from field work on Gibbs' team. This was his dream assignment and apparently he hadn't screwed it up too badly.

"Dorneget!" The young agent stops in mid-stride as Gibbs' barks out his name from across to room. When he has his attention, Gibbs continues, "I don't want to see you in the squad room until you've showered and changed... understood?"

The young man looks momentarily worried as he looks down at this rumpled clothes and then sniffs his armpit. Was he really that bad? By the time he looks back up, Gibbs and DiNozzo are back in the elevators on their way to Autopsy to check in with Dr. Mallard.

By the end of the next week, Dorneget was strutting around the other probationary agents with new confidence. He had finished up his temporary assignment and reluctantly returned to his old job, but a last second comment by Gibbs had eased the transition. He'd met Dorneget by the elevator to tell him he'd done a good job and they would keep him in mind for future field assignments. That was all that was needed to give the young agent the boost he needed to do his menial job of answering phones while he waited for his next opportunity to be called up to the big leagues and work with Gibbs' team again.

Ducky had nothing but good things to say about the young agent as well... which was more than he could say for the other two. They had lacked initiative and focus during the scene at the safe house and needed a lot of direction. Aside from that, the scene had not been screwed up and it was handled much as Gibbs thought it would.

His final report to Leon Vance was done after he received the report from Dorneget on the ramblings of Diering about how NCIS, and Gibbs in particular was responsible for the death of his son. They discovered that his son had actually been investigated by Gibbs years earlier and as a result of that investigation, Gibbs had recommended that Evan Diering and the other sailor involved be re-assigned. It was that recommendation that resulted in Evan being assigned to the ship that ultimately had the explosion that killed him. Now that all the pieces fit together, they were able to get back to their normal workload and let the politicians deal with how they wanted to handle the cover-up of Knowles' sudden removal from office.

THE END.