Emma's Story

Chapter 1

"DiNozzo, stop at that deli you like in Georgetown on the way back to the office."

"Sure boss."

Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo parked the car across the street from his favorite deli and he and his boss, Senior Special Agent Jethro Gibbs went across to get lunch. There was the usual lunch crowd because this was a very popular spot for a quick but tasty sandwich and they made great coffee which was why Gibbs had chosen it. While they were standing at the front waiting for a table to clear, DiNozzo scanned the crowd for lovely ladies. The one he saw did not make him happy.

He quickly turned to his boss and said, "You sure you want to wait? We could get a sandwich somewhere else."

Gibbs looked at his agent and then past him over his shoulder. What he saw didn't make him happy either but it explained Tony's sudden urge to leave. At a table near the back sat his wife. With anther man. Holding hands with the man, and as Gibbs watched, kissing him. Gibbs felt his blood pressure rise and at the same time he noticed DiNozzo was carefully pushing him backwards out the door.

"Don't do it Boss. Let's go."

"We're going. Give me the keys."

DiNozzo did as he was instructed. They got in the car and Gibbs took a deep breath before starting the car and heading to his house. He had long suspected his wife was unfaithful but he had chosen to ignore it at least for the time being. He didn't really care that his wife was having lunch or whatever with another man; what he cared about was his daughter. Where was she while her mother was out screwing around? That was what Gibbs was worried about.

Pulling into his driveway Gibbs told Tony to wait. He went in the house and immediately heard his ten month old daughter crying. Gibbs ran up the stairs and into her room. Emma was standing in her crib, face red and tear stained but as soon as she saw her daddy she reached up her arms and smiled at him. Gibbs' heart broke in a million pieces at the sight of his child in so much distress. Her diaper was soaked and her onezie was wet from her tears. He picked her up and held her against his chest, whispering in her ear and soothing her with his expert touch.

"It's okay Emma, daddy's got you. It's okay now."

Gibbs stepped to the landing and called out for DiNozzo who he knew had not waited in the car but was standing at the foot of the stairs. Emma was quiet now but clinging to her daddy with all her might.

"Tony, come here."

DiNozzo hurried up the stairs and into Emma's room. Gibbs had the child on the changing table putting a dry diaper on her. Next he got her dressed and picked her up holding her lovingly against his shoulder. DiNozzo always marveled at the change in his boss when Emma was around. Gibbs went from being the stern, in-charge, Federal Agent to the soft-hearted, loving dad.

"Listen to me and don't ask any questions. I want you to take Emma in my truck to the Navy Yard. Take her to the nursery and I'll be there as soon as I can. If I'm not there by the time you guys are ready to go, please take her home with you. There are bottles and formula and food and all her stuff in the bag by the door. I have something I need to take care of. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Boss what are you going to do?" Tony didn't like what he was seeing on Gibbs' face.

"Not what I'd like to do but I am going to put a stop to this. Tony, this is not the first time this has happened. No one else needs to know that. I need you to take care of Emma right now so I can take care of the rest of it. Okay?"

"Sure boss." Tony reached for his goddaugher and she went happily to him. "Come on sweetie pie, we're going to work."

"You sure about this Boss?"

"Yeah. Go on."

As soon as Tony was gone Gibbs went to his bedroom, opened the closet and got out his wife's suitcases. Then he began emptying her drawers into the cases. He took all her hanging clothes and put them in large trash bags which he carried to front hall. He packed all her toiletries, cosmetics and personal doodads from the bedroom in a duffle bag. In twenty minutes he had cleared the bedroom of all her possessions. He went through the house picking up personal items of hers and a couple of pictures of Emma and put those in another small duffle bag. Finally he carried all the bags, duffles and suitcases to Brenda's car. He filled up the trunk and the backseat and then he went back in the house to wait. He had been home for about an hour when he heard a car pull into the driveway. He heard two car doors open and close.

Gibbs told himself to be calm. He stood up and went out onto his front porch. Needless to say, Brenda and her "friend" were surprised to see him.

"Jethro, what are you doing home?"

Gibbs ignored her and walked toward the man. His right hand was on his weapon but he resisted the urge to draw it. He controlled his anger and spoke in a very quiet but very scary voice to the man who had stopped in his tracks when he saw Gibbs.

"Get back in your car and drive away. If I ever see you on my property again I will kill you. Understand?"

The man turned and walked away without replying.

Gibbs turned his attention to his wife who was standing about three feet away from him. She started to speak but Gibbs held up his hand and she closed her mouth.

"All your clothes and personal belongings are in your car. Get in it and drive away. Don't come back. The divorce papers will be sent to your parents' house. Don't call me, don't ever let me see you around here again or I promise you, you will regret it."

"Just a damned minute. You can't do that. Where is Emma? You can't just throw me out on the street. This is my house too."

"The hell it is! Don't you dare act like you care about Emma. You left her here alone. She's a baby you stupid bitch! You don't leave a baby alone! I know this isn't the first time but by god it is the last! Now, get out of my sight before I do something I'll regret."

"Jethro, please, I can explain. The babysitter was supposed to be here….."

"Shut up! Get in the car and go, Brenda or so help me god I'm going to hurt you! Do not come back here, ever!"

Gibbs took her by the arm and propelled her to her car. He opened the door and shoved her in the driver's seat.

"You are going to be sorry you stupid bastard. You try taking care of a crying baby all day! You can have the brat, I never wanted her anyway!"

That did it. Gibbs pulled his Sig and pointed it at her. The look on his face told her if she didn't drive off in the next five seconds he was going to kill her. She got the car started and managed to get out of the driveway before Gibbs lost all control.

When she was gone, Gibbs looked at his shaking hand and realized for the first time he had drawn his weapon. He sank down on the porch step and forced himself to calm down. He didn't think he had ever been so angry in his life. He was almost as angry at himself as he was at Brenda. He had known when they got married it was a mistake but he wanted to be a father to the child he had helped create and he feared what would happen to her if he wasn't around. So, he married Brenda and tried to make the best of it. From the beginning he knew she was not a good mother and that it was only a matter of time before he divorced her. He had also known he would get Emma somehow. Today was not how he had planned to manage that but he guessed it was as good a way as any. He had no doubt that Brenda would stay away; she certainly didn't love him and now he knew for certain she didn't love Emma either.

TBC