The Good Neighbor

Chapter 2

AN: Thank you for the reviews and story alerts. Please let me know what you think. I will entertain any suggestions on how Abby, Gibbs and the team will help Sarah.

Sarah Layton tossed and turned on Gibbs' couch. Her head hurt and she was embarrassed to be so dependent on Leroy Jethro Gibbs. She had tried to change a light bulb in her laundry room and had fallen. As usual her husband was gone and Gibbs had once again rushed to her rescue. She met his friends and Dr. Mallard was sleeping upstairs just in case she had trouble with her slight concussion. That made her feel even worse that somebody had been inconvenienced for her. Finally she figured everyone was asleep and she could slip out and go back to her house next door. She quietly folded the blanket that Gibbs had put on her as she dozed on the couch and started toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Gibbs asked. He had been resting in the large reclining chair at the end of the couch. "Ducky wanted someone to keep an eye on you. "

"Jethro, I'm fine." Sarah told him.

"No you're not. I have been watching you all night. You have been tossing and turning."

"You've been sitting there all this time?" Sarah asked him.

"Yes" he replied, "Ducky said you needed to be observed so I observed. I can tell your head hurts and it hurts badly." Sarah started to protest but thought better of it. Gibbs reached over and turned on the lamp near him. He took notice how the light affected her eyes. He then looked at his watch and noticed that it was about eight hours since she had fallen. "Ducky said after six hours you could have something stronger that Tylenol if you wanted it."

Sarah looked down at the floor rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Sit down Sarah. I'll get you something for her headache." Gibbs told her. She started to protest but her head really hurt so she did what Gibbs told her.

Gibbs went into kitchen and returned with a glass of iced tea and a pain pill. He sat down next to her and handed her the pill and tea. "This will help with the headache," he told her. "Had a few concussions myself and Ducky always gives me these." He smiled and took her hand. "Now why were you sneaking out of my house?"

"I have imposed enough on your kindness, Jethro."

"Let me decide that. Have I ever given the impression I consider you a burden." Gibbs looked her in the eyes. "Now why don't you lie down and get some more rest." He got up off the couch and gently grabbing her shoulders he helped her to lie back on the pillow and then he covered her with the blanket.

Sarah started to protest but the look on his face told her it was futile to argue with him so she allowed her aching head to sink into the pillow. She then covered her eyes with her arm. Gibbs stepped back into the kitchen and got an ice bag and placed it over her eyes. "This will help."

"Thanks," she replied, "I just don't like to depend on others."

"Why not?" Gibbs asked

"I don't deserve it, "she mumbled.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you deserve to be taken care of sometimes? You don't have to be the Lone Ranger all the time."

"This from the man who spends hours in his basement alone."

"Didn't use to be that way."

"I remember." Sarah shifted on the couch putting the ice bag on the coffee table. Gibbs sat down on the table next to her. "I remember a very caring man who let others in but that was before we lost Shannon and Kelly. She was my best friend." Sarah had tears in her eyes.

Gibbs shifted to change the subject. He did not want to talk about them. "Sarah, I noticed the bruises on your arms. Who hurt you?"

"I don't remember." Sarah looked at him. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Is Myron hurting you?"

"He did not mean to. I got in the way and his moved me," she blurted out.

"Sarah, he should never be allowed to hurt you. When are you going to realize that he doesn't deserve you?" Gibbs was getting angry. He could not ever understand how she could keep defending him after all these years. "Sarah, you have to face facts. He mistreats you. I remember Shannon telling me about the day you moved in. I was on weekend bivowack and Shannon saw you moving in by yourself. She thought you were either divorced, widowed or your husband was deployed. "

Flashback

Sarah and her daughter Janice carrying boxes into the house next door to Shannon Gibbs. She had noticed them working all weekend. The woman and her daughter seemed to be alone. Shannon decided she needed help so she walked up to the two ladies. "My name is Shannon Gibbs and this is my daughter Kelly. You look like you could use a glass of iced tea and a break."

Sarah Layton smiled at the red head and her daughter. She was not one for asking for help and had never been comfortable talking to others but Shannon was different. She seemed to really care. She had noticed them watching her all day. "Thank you" Sarah replied. "That would be so nice. Janice is getting a little tired."

After their tea Kelly and Shannon joined in and helped them empty the U-Haul van. Shannon and Kelly also started helping them unpack. Kelly was three years younger than Janice but they became fast friends. It was not long before the couple of girls could be heard giggling up in Janice's new room.

"Sarah, is your husband deployed?" Shannon asked cautiously.

"No, he is not in the military. He's at work. Seems his boss would not let him off after all. Someone called in sick and he could not find anyone else." Sarah told her.

"All weekend?"

"Afraid so. It always happens like this. I need his help and he has to work or something comes up."

Shannon eyed her friend carefully. She was not sure she totally believed that he was working all weekend. She planned to keep close tabs on Sarah Layton. She had a gut feeling she needed more than a friend.

Both Gibbs and Sarah were remembering that first day the Layton family and Gibbs family crossed paths. "Jethro, she was my best friend, you know. I had never had a true best friend before Shannon and have not had once since. She was like my sister." Sarah confessed.

He looked down at her on the sofa. "I know. She really loved you like a sister. "He reached down and took her hand again. "Promise me something."

"If I can." Sarah replied.

"Will you think about what that bastard is doing to you and what he has done to you all these years? He has abused you mentally for years now he his is starting to abuse you physically. No husband who truly loves his wife would ever hurt her."

"Jethro, I can't." She just turned toward the back of the couch as if to block off the emotions he had brought to the service. The fear of trying it on her own, the feeling that she deserved all she got, her love for Shannon that was in constant conflict with the love and devotion she felt for this quiet man who seemed to always come to her rescue when she needed him.

Gibbs had to turn away as well. Sarah always stirred deep emotions in him. At first it was their connection to Shannon, then anger that her husband treated her so badly and then lately he felt more for her than friendship but as long as she stayed married to Myron he would never act on those feelings. Gibbs just sat there watching her when he noticed her even breathing. She had fallen asleep. After wiping a tear from his eye he moved over to the recliner to continue his silent vigil.

NCIS

After leaving Gibbs' house Tim McGee, Abby Scuito, Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David decided to enjoy some dessert and coffee at a local diner. As the dessert was delivered, Abby started talking. "I really like Sarah. She seems to need our help though."

"I agree. She is a beautiful lady but she does not know it."Ziva added.

"McGoo and I were talking about that. I think the Boss really likes her." Tony jumped in. "I am sure you lovely ladies have some ideas already how to help her."

"That is what I wanted to talk about." Abby smiled.

"That was what we were hoping." Tim patted her hand. "What do you want us to do?"

"Well I have just started thinking about it but she needs to help with her self esteem. Did you see the way she dressed? She seems to want to hide her beauty if she even knows she has it." Both men nodded. "First off she needs a make-over."

"I agree but I don't think the boss cares. Did you see the way he looked at her? There is love there I think. "Tony replied taking a sip of his coffee.

"That was fairly obvious Tony. He wouldn't act on his feelings as long as her husband is in the picture." Abby added. "So first we build her self esteem and then we work on getting that husband out of her life. She totally deserves better."

"Abby, what if she does not want him out of her life?" Ziva jumped in. "She might still be in love with the bum."

"I don't think so Ziva. I saw her looking at Gibbs. She is in love with him too." Abby replied.

"So what do we do Abby?" Tim asked.

"Ziva you and I are going to take her shopping next Saturday. Hair, make-up, a new outfit, everything. Just a girl's day out." Ziva nodded.

"Abby, what if she refuses our help. She just might."

"We won't take no for an answer."

"So Abby what do we do in this plan?" Tony asked.

"Well, let's get the first wave started and then we start giving her the tools to kick this guy to the curb. Don't know just what she needs in that area until we get to know her better but she is now family and we do anything for family."

"Family? Abbs."

"Yes, I saw the way Gibbs looked at her and how she looked at him. She's family." Abby smiled taking a bite of her ice cream. "We are looking at the future Mrs. Gibbs, I think."

Tim, Tony and Ziva weren't as sure as Abby about the future but they knew they had to help in any way they could to provide their boss with the chance of happiness.

NCIS

Gibbs did not realize he had fallen asleep until he heard the pounding on his door. It was Myron screaming. "Gibbs, open up. I want to know where she is." Gibbs looked at his watch 0500. Gibbs rubbed his hand down his face and slowly got up and walked toward the door. "Jethro, I'll handle him."

"No you stay where you are. I'll handle him." She started to protest but knew she would not win so she just relaxed back down into the pillow.

Gibbs walked over to the door. "Hold on I'm coming." He opened the door and Myron rushed in the door. Gibbs could never see what Sarah ever saw in him. He was about 5'7 and weighed about 300 pounds. He was losing his hair and because of the family's constant need for money he had several darkened teeth. He was always so "busy" he was always in need of a shower and today was not different. Basically he smelled. "She's here, Myron. She was changing the light bulb in the laundry room and feel. I had a doctor friend look at her and he did not want her alone with a concussion."

"I want her home Gibbs. She does not belong here. Sarah get your butt of this man's couch and get home." Myron screamed. Sarah started to get up off the couch.

"Wait a minute Sarah. I want Ducky to check you out before you leave." Gibbs walked over to the couch and stood between Sarah and her angry husband.

"She's fine Special Agent Gibbs." Myron grumbled. "Now Sarah get up and go home." Ducky entered the living room and walked calmly over to the couch.

"NO! " Ducky replied firmly. "I am her doctor and she is not leaving here without me examining her." He walked over and reached his hand out to Sarah. "Come along my dear let me check you out. I will not release you to leave if you have any issues." Ducky led her over to the stairs. "My bag is in the guest room. We will be back shortly gentlemen. Mr. Layton, I suggest you calm down before we return or there is no way in hell I will allow her to go with you." Gibbs had to fight the urge to smile knowing that Ducky had not authority to keep her from going but Myron did not know that.

NCIS

Upon entering the guest room Dr. Donald Mallard walked over to the dresser to retrieve his bag. "Sit down my dear. How is your head feeling this morning?"

"Jethro gave me a pain pill about 2 am and it seems better now that I woke up."

"Well let's check you out. " He shined his pin light in her eyes and both pupils were equal and reactive. She seemed to be healing nicely. "I really wanted to talk to you. You don't have to go with him if you don't feel safe."

"Thank you Dr. Mallard. I know that. He is just angry. He has always been jealous of my relationship with Jethro and Shannon. He does not really want me to have friends."

"You realize that is another sign of abuse and it is Ducky to my friends. I consider you my friend." Ducky informed her.

She smiled at him. "Thank you Ducky. I know he wants me all to himself. He has even tried to keep me from my daughters. That is not ever going to happen. Before my parents died he did not want me to visit them without him."

"I really want to help you."

"I understand that. My problem is that is my house and I refuse to leave it." Sarah told him.

"You could kick him out."

"I know that but he can't support himself and I am afraid he could take my house. I just don't have the strength to fight him." Sarah just looked down at her feet. She could not look Ducky in the eye. Ducky sat down on the bed next to her and gently put his arm around her shoulders.

"Well, Jethro, his team and I are here for you. All you need to ask for our help. Remember that."

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I understand that and I will consider all you have said."

"But you are going back." Sarah nodded. "Just remember to call any of us or NCIS if you need anything." Sarah patted his hand on her shoulder got up and walked out the door.

NCIS

Gibbs was still standing in the living room staring at Myron trying his best not to beat the crap out of him. He looked up and saw Sarah coming down the stairs. He had seen that look in her eyes before. She was going back. He knew it immediately. He looked at her. There was a sense of pleating in those deep blue eyes. He signed. "Please don't go."

She answered back. "I have to. "

"You two stop that. Sarah, you know I hate when you sign. I don't understand sign language." Myron demanded.

"Sorry. I won't do it again." She walked past Gibbs and walked toward the door. As she passed Myron, he turned and stared at Gibbs. Sarah did not see the death glare but Gibbs did. It was like stay away from her or else.

Ducky came down and joined Gibbs in the living room as the two walked out the door. Myron made sure to slam it as he walked out. "She really needs our help Jethro."

"I know Duck. Not sure she wants it but I refuse to let him hurt her again. Is she doing alright physically?" Ducky nodded. "At least that is something." Gibbs walked over to the window and watched the couple return to their house in the early dawn light. He thought to himself. "If I have anything to say about it you will be away from him soon. I promise."

Well here is Chapter 2. Please let me know what you think. All reviews will be greatly appreciated.