Chapter 1
I am an NCIS agent, directly under Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. I am the newest member to the team of Anthony Dinozzo and Timothy McGee and Leroy Gibbs, also known as Tony, Tim, and Jethro or Gibbs. I’ve been working with them for almost two years. A few months after I started at NCIS I started dating a Navy Seal named Chris Jones. For the first few months it was perfect…until it wasn’t. At first it was just small hurtful comments. Then we both got into arguments, constantly. We both would get in screaming matches. He left on a tour in Afganistán. It was perfect again. Once he got back it got worse than before. At first it would be him just yelling and hitting a wall. Then he moved to hitting me. It’s been happening almost everyday for months. Yesterday I went to the doctor because I had felt terrible for weeks and kept throwing up. I found out I was around two and a half months pregnant. Today I went to work like normal. There was a new case. A lieutenant had been stabbed to death. The case was quickly closed, the husband did it. I went home and I was praying that Chris wouldn’t be mad and that he would just leave me alone. As soon as I stepped inside he started yelling. I was on the verge of having a panic attack and couldn’t comprehend what he was saying. He shoved me hard against a wall and punched me. This lasted for about ten minutes before he finished and said he was going out. I had finally had enough. I decided today was the day I was going to leave, if not for me than for my child. I was terrified. I packed all I could into a bag, grabbed my keys and left. I didn’t know where I was going, but somehow I ended up at Anthony’s apartment. I don’t fully remember getting out of my car or going inside. I just realized once I was at his door. I just stood there for a moment, not knowing whether to knock or just go back home. Before I could back out of it even more I knocked, hoping he’d answer. After what felt like forever he opened the door and said “Probie?” I was paralyzed in fear. Anthony put his hand on my arm and I jumped. I started crying. He pulled me into a hug. Through sobs I said “I-I can’t do it anymore.” Anthony just held me tighter the more I cried. After about thirty minutes I had calmed down enough to talk. Anthony brought me over to the couch. Once we both were sitting on the couch he asked “What happened?” In a soft comforting voice. I said “H-he hit me…again.” I could clearly see the change in Anthony’s demeanor as he heard that come out of my mouth. He had his suspicions about who, but had no real proof until now. His voice was still soft, low, and full of concern as he asked “Y/N, who hit you?” I couldn’t stop shaking, I was afraid to admit that I suffered through my husband’s abuse, especially for as long as I did. After a few minutes I finally had gained the courage to speak. “Chris.” He just looked at me, like he was waiting for me to continue. I quietly said “Please don’t tell them yet.” Anthony nodded in agreement understanding I meant Gibbs and McGee. There were a few more moments of silence, neither one of us wanting to break it. After about twenty minutes he said “Do you wanna talk about it?” I say “I don’t know…I want to, but I feel like if I say anything I’m gonna break down crying…” He asked if I have anyone else to stay with, I say “Nope. My closest family lives in Origen and because I spent all my time at work or with him, I don’t have any friends here besides you guys.” I started to cry a bit more and he pulled me close. He wrapped his arms around me and held me as I cried. I fell asleep like that, in his arms. It was the best sleep I had in months. I woke up around 0900 in a bed, by myself with a blanket draped over me. I woke up to the sound of Jazz softly playing and someone cooking, it smelled like white rice and something I couldn’t exactly place. I got up and walked through the small apartment into the kitchen. Anthony was making fish with white rice. I leaned against the counter and he looked over to me. He asked “How did you sleep?” I said “Better than I have in a while.” He asks how I feel and I say “Umm…anxious, scared that he’s gonna walk through that door and demand that I come home.” Anthony says “We still have that Halloween party at Abby’s tomorrow. If you aren’t up for it she’ll understand. If you need me to stay with you I can.” I had completely forgotten about the party. I had a costume and everything….but it was forgotten at my house. I said “I don’t know if I will be, but can you do me a really big favor?” He gave me a questioning look as he plated my food. I said “I forgot my costume at my house…can you please get it for me? If I go home I won’t be able to leave.” He agreed saying “I’ll go get it in a few hours, just focus on eating your food. I made one of your favorites.” while smiling. I started to eat. We both sit in a comfortable silence while eating. Once we both finish he says “So we’re both off today. Should we do something or just stay in and watch movies all day?” After a minute I say “Umm…movies.” He stands and takes our plates to the sink. We both go to the living room and I sit on the couch. He asks “DVDs or Netflix?” I say “Netflix is easier, but it’s up to you.” He picks up the TV remote, turning on the TV and sitting with me on the couch. He asks what movie genre and I pick action. About half way through the movie my phone starts buzzing. I check it and it’s Chris. He’s texted me around twenty times and is now calling me. I let it go to voicemail. About thirty seconds later he calls again. This goes on for about ten minutes. Anthony puts his hand out and I give him my phone. He powers it off and says “He isn’t important. You are and everyone can live without you for today.” He pulls my head down to where I’m resting it on his shoulder. He has his arm wrapped around me. We stay like this for hours. Around 4:30pm I sit up and look at Anthony. I said “I just realized we have work tomorrow and I didn’t bring any work clothes…fuck.” After a moment Tony says “Doesn’t he have to be at the Naval base all afternoon and night?” I say “I think so.” He stands up and says “Then let’s go get whatever you need now while he isn’t there. I promise I’ll be right beside you and if he does come home I won’t let him near you.” After a moment I got up following him. The drive there was silent. Once we got there he noticed I was very agitated. He turned off the car and unbuckled. He then rested his hand on my knee and said “I will be right beside you the whole time, but if you can’t do it right now that’s ok. We can go back to my apartment if you need.” I say “I wanna at least try. If I show up in something different than normal or call out we both know they’ll immediately know something’s wrong. And Abby will probably show up at my house.” Me and Anthony went inside of the house. He asks “do you want me to go with you or stay here?” I say “Come with me please.” He nodded and we went into my room. I grabbed a duffel bag out of the closet and started packing clothes.
*Next day*
Me and Tony fell asleep together on the couch last night. I woke up before him. It’s currently 0600. We have to be at work at 0800. I quietly remove myself from the couch. I grab my bag and start going through it picking out something to wear. I settled on a black pair of comfortable suit pants, a white t-shirt, and a black blazer with black lofers. I make breakfast, scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. Right as I finish Anthony walks into the kitchen. I plate the food and hand Anthony his plate. We sit at the island together. He looks at me and says “You ready to go back to work?” I think for a moment and say “I’m not sure, but now’s a better time than never.” He nods his head in agreement and says “I’m sure it’ll go fine.” I say “We both know it won’t be much longer til Gibbs finds out…he always knows.” Anthony agreed and we finished our food in silence. Once we finish I head to work. I got there a few minutes before Anthony. I spot Tim at his desk as I walk in. I sit my things down on my desk and say “Hey Tim.” He looks at me and says “Hey y/n, you ok? You look nervous.” I give a small smile and say “Yeah I’m good.” The next few hours went by like normal, we had a case, once we saw the body we came back to the office. After our lunch break Chris stopped by. Me, Anthony, and Tim were sitting in the bullpen. Gibbs was on a coffee run. I heard the elevator open and saw Gibbs walking through with a coffee in his hand while talking to someone. Right behind him is Chris. I freeze in my spot. Anthony, and Tim look up. When Anthony sees Chris he curses under his breath. Tim says “Hey Chris. Stopping by to see y/n?” Chris says “Yeah. I need to speak with her for a moment.” Anthony stands and moves beside me, almost in a defensive way. He says “You couldn’t just text or call?” The team always seemed to distrust Chris. They first met him about a year ago. Gibbs gave Anthony a confused look. Ton didn’t change his firm expression. He kept eye contact with Chris. Chris said “Yeah or maybe I just wanted to see my girlfriend.” He was getting more defensive. When he said that he kept his voice low and calm. In a small quiet voice I said “Tony, it’s fine. We can talk.” Gibbs and Tim both noticed the change in my voice. Tim just looked at me while Gibbs turned to Tony. I couldn’t see it, but I could almost feel the tension in the room as Gibbs realized something was going on. Gibbs stood in front of me, blocking me off from Chris. Chris said “Oh wow. Now you too? You won’t just let me talk to my fucking girlfriend?!” Gibbs is naturally very intimidating. He has a stone cold face and isn’t moving a muscle. He calmly says while raising his voice just enough “I think you should leave. Obviously she doesn’t want to talk to you. She has work to do.” Chris says “No, I’m not fucking leaving until I talk to her! In private!” Gibbs takes a few steps forwards, stopping directly in front of Chris and says in a loud voice “Leave now or I will escort you out myself.” Chris turns around and leaves. I just stare at the ground. Tony crouches down and asks “Are you okay?” I say “Mhm.” without looking up. Gibbs looks at Tony then to me. He says “y/l/n, with me.” I glance up and see him walking to the elevator. I quickly get up to follow. I feel tears starting to fall as the panic sets in. Gibbs presses the button on the elevator as I stand beside him. As the doors open we step inside. Once the doors close Gibbs pulls the emergency stop button. He turns towards me. I keep my eyes on the ground. He says “So you going to tell me or do I have to ask?” I say “Umm…I don’t know.” He says “Y/n, what was that? Why’d he come in here yelling about talkin’ to you?” I say “Well…I haven’t answered any calls or texts from him in a few days.” Gibbs says “Ok? Did he do somethin’?” I nod my head as I feel more tears falling down my cheeks. He softens his voice and asks “Y/n/n, what did he do?” After a minute I say “He…he h-hit me.” There’s a moment of silence before Gibbs says “He’s been hittin’ ya?” I nod my head. He pulls me into a hug. He kisses the top of my head and says “I’m sorry. He won’t get near you again.” We stay like this for a few minutes before he pulls away.
