What Rule 12?

Chapter 9

*Nick POV*
We get to my place and we all go inside.
"Oh hey Ellie, I need to go and get my car and give McGee's his. I'll be back" I say
"Okay. Be safe." She says
I nod and kiss her temple then go back to the car. I start it up and drive to McGee's. I go and knock on his door and Delilah opens it.
"Hey Nick, what's up" Delilah asks
"Hey Delilah. Is McGee here" I ask
"Hey  Nick. Are you bringing my car back" McGee asks
"Yeah. Also could you take me to pick up my car from the naval yard?" I ask
"Sure. I'll be back Delilah. The twins are asleep so they should not be any trouble" McGee says
She nods and the two of us head out to his car. I toss him the keys and we get in. He drives to the naval yard and he parks next to my car.
"Thanks McGee. See you tomorrow" I say
"Yeah. Do you know why Gibbs told me not to come in until 1:30" he asks
"Yeah. Because he's meeting with me, Ellie, and the director tomorrow to try again to convince him to let me stay and for me and Ellie to still be together" I say
"Okay" he says
"Have a good night McGee. Thank you" I say
"You're welcome" he says
I get in my car and he drives off. I get in my car, start it, and drive home. I go to the front door and realize it's lock. I grab my keys out and unlock the door then walk in. I go to the kitchen and see Kensi and Deeks each drinking a beer and Ellie talking with them.
"Hey" Ellie says noticing me
"Hey. You all okay?" I ask
"Yeah. I just locked the door because I still wasn't comfortable being without you" Ellie whispers
"Okay" I say kissing her temple
"Well I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed. See you all in the morning" Ellie says
"Good night Ellie" Kensi says.
"See ya bright and early" Deeks says
"I'll be right down to talk. Just give me a few" I say
They nod and then Ellie and I go upstairs. We go to my room and sit on the bed.
"You sure you're okay with me telling them what has happened" I ask
"Yes. I'm positive. Gibbs brought them here to help with our situation. So they should know our situation before tomorrow. And I want them to hear it from us not from us when we are being forced to tell them" she says
"Okay cariño, sleep well. I'll be up in an hour or so." I say
We share a short sweet kiss on the lips and then I go back downstairs. I go to the kitchen and sit on the island.
"So you guys asked what Elaine meant. That is a long story" I say
"That's okay. We have the time" Kensi says
"Okay. So when I started at NCIS, Bishop was already working there. When I first saw her I thought she was beautiful but she was married. So I put on the tough guy act and pushed my feeling down. Eventually she and her husband got a divorce because he cheated on her and my feeling resurfaced. But before I knew it her brothers showed up and were asking who she was dating. I knew it wasn't me and to push the feelings even further down I told them she wasn't my type. Well a few months later her boyfriend proposed. She didn't answer and then the a few days later he got shot and killed. I didn't want to hurt her anymore and I knew she built walls so I kept rejecting what I felt for her. Well eventually I went and talked with her brothers and they helped me figure out that I really did like her and Jack, one of our team members, helped me realize Ellie had feelings for me. So I asked Ellie to be my girlfriend and she accepted. We then had to hide our relationship because Gibbs has some rules and rule 12 is to never date a coworker. Well we only kept it hidden for a week before Gibbs found out. We told the others on the team and they were okay. Then five days ago Ellie was going to work and she got in a car accident. A person kidnapped her. Gibbs and I went and told the director about her being gone and about mine and Ellie's relationship. He didn't like that and made me choose her or the team so I chose her. However, Gibbs told me to work this case before I leave. So we worked the case and found Ellie. My step brother, who I never knew, kidnapped her to take revenge on me. Gibbs killed him and he shot me in the shoulder. I'm okay, but Ellie got raped so she is still struggling with that emotionally and mentally. Gibbs is also still fighting with the director about me and Ellie being allowed to work and be together. As of right now, I am no longer a part of NCIS but that could change" I say
"Wow. I am so sorry" Kensi says
"Yeah. That must be rough. I know Kensi and I were both a little nervous about telling everyone about us but they all already knew and luckily since the director is scared of Hetty and also is not in LA, we were able to still be together" Deeks states
"Yeah. Well that's why you two are here. Gibbs wants to use the two of you to help convince the director that Ellie and I can remain together and both of us stay on the team" I say
"Oh we will definitely try our hardest. If it doesn't work out well I will help you find a job" Deeks says
"Thanks Deeks. Now we better head to bed because Ellie will not be too pleased if she has to wake all of us up" I say
"Okay" Kensi says
I turn the lights off and lock up then we all go upstairs. I show them the guest room and then I go to my room. I go to the connected bathroom and change into pajamas then crawl into bed. Ellie curls into me right away and continues sleeping.
"Good night cariño. I love you and everything will turn out okay." I whisper
I kiss the top of her head and drift off to sleep.
————————————————————————
I wake up in the morning and grab my phone. I look at it and see that it is 4:30 in the morning. I only slept four and a half hours. I quietly get out of bed and grab some clothes. I change in the bathroom then go downstairs. I write a note and go back upstairs. I put it on Ellie's phone then go back downstairs. I get down there and see Deeks.
"Deeks it's only 4:30 in the morning. What are you doing up" I whisper
"I could ask you the same thing" he replies
"I'm going for a run" I say
"I'll join you" Deeks says
We walk out of the house and we start jogging.
"So what is the real reason for you being up" I ask
"Oh uh that. Yeah a few years ago me and one one of my team members got kidnapped and tortured pretty badly and I still get nightmares from it every once in a while. When I do wake up from them I can never fall back asleep" he says
"Wow. Sorry about you getting tortured" I say
"Hey it's alright. It's sort of part of the job" he says
"Yeah but no" I say
"Yeah. I guess you're right. So why are you up?" He asks
"I just couldn't sleep. I guess I'm just worried for both mine and Ellie's sake. She's really struggling mentally and emotionally right now and I'm worried that the worst will happen and if she isn't stable and I can't work with her, something will happen in the field and it will be really bad" I say
"I totally understand. But hey, everything will be okay. I trust that Gibbs will be able to finally convince the director to let you be together and work. If not, then we will get Hetty and Pride, from the New Orleans office, to help convince him" Deeks says
"Yeah." I say
We continue our run and then finally return to the house. We get back there and it is 5:30. We go inside and Ellie and Kensi are in the kitchen cooking.
"No no no. Ellie our of the kitchen. You do not know how to cook well" I say
"Kensi why are you even trying" Deeks asks
"Because we are hungry" Kensi says
"You couldn't have waited until we got back" I ask
"We didn't know how long you'd be" Ellie says
"Gosh you two are so alike." Deeks groan
"Get over it" Kensi says slapping him
"Yeah okay. Well let's just go get doughnuts for everyone and head in early. Everyone go get dressed. Ellie we can stop by your place so you can get dressed" I say
"We don't have to. I stopped by my place on the way to work yesterday and grabbed a few days worth of clothes" she says
"Of course you did" I say
We go upstairs and Ellie and I go to my room. I grab some clothes and go to the bathroom. I take a quick shower and change then head downstairs. I get down there and the other three are ready.
"What took you so long" Deeks asks
"I had to take a shower. We did go on a run" I say
"Oh yeah" Deeks says
"Deeks you went on a run and didn't take a shower. You're disgusting. You are not sleeping in the bed tonight for that" Kensi flips out on him
"Okay okay. I'm sorry. I'll take a shower as soon as we get back here" Deeks says
We all go out to the car and I start it up. I drive to the doughnut shop and go to the drive thru. I order a bakers dozen and then once we get the doughnuts I drive to the naval yard. I park the car and we all go in. Kensi and Deeks show their LA badges and we all go upstairs to the squad room. I look at my watch and see that we still have a half hour till we meet with Gibbs. The four of us are the first ones here so we take the elevator to Casey's lab to see if she's here. We get down there and it's empty. We go back up to the squad room and to the conference room. I set the doughnuts down and the girls each grab two.
"Woah make sure to leave some for the others" Deeks says
"There's a reason I got a bakers dozen" I say
We keep a small conversation going while eating our breakfast. Finally at 7:55 Gibbs walks into the room. He sets his coffee down, grabs a doughnut, and sits down.
"Thanks for the doughnuts" he says
"You're welcome boss." I say
"Gibbs this is Detective Deeks and Agent Blye" Ellie says
"Nope. Not yet 8. I still have three minutes to myself" Gibbs says
I look at Ellie and we both have a questioning look on our face. I guess he makes sense though because he's probably tired from fighting this battle with the director. At 8 sharp there is a knock on the door and then the director walks in.
"Agent Blye, Detective Deeks, What re you two doing here? I have not heard from Hetty that she was sending you two to help with a mission" the director says
"I requested their help on a case that I'm working" Gibbs says
"Is that why I'm here? Are you informing me of this case" the director asks
"You already know the case sir. It is about me and Agent Bishop. Sir, I know you are worried about us being in the field and that it will fog our judgement. However, I think it will make us better. I think it will make us more aware of things that are going on because we will want to make each other more protected." I say
"Agent Torres-" he starts
"I'm sorry sir, but I am not here as an agent right now. Remember I quit and you pretty much fired me. I am just here to get a job back and as support for my significant other" I interrupt
"Yes. Ok well I still don't see your point" the director says
"Come on Leon you know I created that rule for me because I was scared of my own personal life. It worked pretty darn well for Abby and McGee and also for Ziva and Tony" Gibbs reasons
"Director if I may" Kensi says
"What is it Agent Blye" the director asks
"I am not sure if you know this, but Marty and I are married and have been married for a year and a half. We worked together and then we started dating and were still partners and now we are married and still partners. We always have each other's backs in the field and Deeks has actually improved more because he knows if he slips up and causes me to get hurt Sam Hanna and G. Callen would ring his neck. However that is not the point. The point is that I think Nick and Ellie being together in a relationship and in the field is a great idea" Kensi says
"I don't think so" the director says
"I really didn't want to have to do this" Ellie sighs
Us four all look at each other and nod. Gibbs and the director give us a questioning look. Ellie grabs her laptop and messes around. A few seconds later Dwayne Pride and Henrietta Lange appear on the tv screen.
"Dwayne, Henrietta" the Director says
"Leon I hear there's a problem going on with some of your agents" Dwayne says
"Yes. Well no. Well yes" the director says
"You four leave. The four of us need to talk in private" Dwayne says
We all nod and walk out. We go down to the squad room and continue our small talk.
*Leon Vance*
The four walk away and I sit down in a chair.
"Leon why did my people come to DC" Hetty asks
"I figured you knew" I say
"No. Jethro requested so I sent them" Hetty says
"Gibbs what is this all about" I ask
"It's about Nick and Ellie, Leon. They are two of our best agents and you are firing one of them just because you are not wanting them to have a relationship and work together" Gibbs says
"I do not see a problem with my two agents. Even Mr. Callen and ms. Kolcheck work fine together when they hit bumps in their relationship" Hetty says
"Yes well I did not really know about Detective Deeks and Agent Blye until today." I say
"Vance, none of us see what you're getting at. We all think that it is fine. Heck if Sonya Percy was still around her and LaSalle would probably be dating and I'd be fine with that. I'd be ecstatic for them" Dwayne says
"Fine fine. They can date and be partners. However, as soon as one of them slips up because of their feelings for each other Agent Torres is gone. And Gibbs next time you burn a rule please inform me" I say
"Will do" Gibbs says
I thank Hetty and Dwayne and end the call. I go to my office and close the door. I sit at my desk and ponder about if I'm going to regret this decision or not.
*Ellie POV*
After about 15 minutes we hear two doors slam and then a few minutes later we see Gibbs.
"Boss did you slam the doors?" Nick asks
"No. That was the director" Gibbs says
Gibbs comes down the steps and over to us. I go to get off of Nicks desk but Gibbs stops me. He goes closer to Nick.
"Hold put your hand" Gibbs says
Nick does so and Gibbs place Nick's gun and badge in his hand.
"Welcome back to the team" Gibbs says
"Thank you sir." Nick says
"Kensi and Deeks thank you for coming. Hetty expects the two of you back at work in two days." Gibbs says
"Your welcome Agent Gibbs" Kensi says
"Oh yeah, detective Deeks, if I could give you some advice" Gibbs questions
"You may" Deeks responds
"File to become an agent. From stories that Henrietta has told me, you'd make a great agent." Gibbs says
"I can't do that sir. I'm able to help more people as a detective I feel. I like being the liaison. Yes, I might get picked on by my coworkers but I still like it none the less" Deeks says
"Alright. Suit it yourself" Gibbs says
I look at my watch and see that it is 12:30. I hear the elevator open and see McGee step off.
"Hey McGee" I say
"Hey Bishop. Torres. Hey boss. Hello Agent Blye and Detective Deeks" McGee says
"You must be the Timothy McGee. You friend Anthony DiNozzo told us all about you." Kensi says
"Really? Well I hope it's some good things" McGee says
"Yeah. Mostly just all the nicknames he has for you and how great you are with technology" Deeks says
"Figures" McGee sighs
"Grab your gear." Gibbs calls
All five of us grab our gear and head to the elevator.
"You two don't have to come" Gibbs says
"Hey you called us to help. We're going to help with whatever until we have to return" Kensi says
"Alright. We're going to take two vehicles then" Gibbs says
"I'll go with you boss" McGee says
"I'm going as well. Nick you get those two" I say
"Alright" Nick says
We get to the garage and I follow McGee and Gibbs to a car. I get in the back and the other two get up front. Gibbs starts it up and drives off.
"You good Ellie?" McGee asks
"Yeah. Why" I ask
"Well I figured you'd want to ride with Nick" he says
"Yeah no I'm good." I say
"Ellie if you need to take a few days off you can. Just let me know. I know you are dealing with things. Do you want to go back home for a bit" Gibbs asks
"No I'm good I mean it's going to take time to get over but I need to be working. I just, I don't know why I didn't want to ride with Nick" I say
"Alright we're here. McGee go be boss. Ellie and I will be there soon" Gibbs says
McGee nods and walks off.
Gibbs gets out of the car and looks at me. I get out as well and we walk in the opposite direction of the scene.
"Are you okay? Is it your relationship with him or something completely separate" Gibbs asks
"I don't know Gibbs. I'm never this vulnerable. I feel like I'm so weak" I say
"Hey Ellie, it's okay to feel like that. For so long you put up walls. Nick found a way to break them down. You no longer have those walls but you have him. You need to use him. He will be your wall. I know I'm tough on all of you, but it's okay to be vulnerable. You are not weak. You are strong. You are so strong" Gibbs says
"Thanks" I smile slightly
He gives me a hug and kisses the top of my head. We go over to the others and Nick comes over to me.
"You okay" he asks
"Yeah." I say
"Well Jimmy said it was suicide. So we are all good here." mcGee says
We all go back to the office and after hanging out there for a bit Deeks, Kensi, Nick and I head out. We get in the car and head to Nick's place. We go inside and Nick and Deeks head to the kitchen to make dinner.
"So what's it like to work with someone you're in a relationship with" I ask
"I like it. I feel more protected and I know that someone will always have my back." Kensi says
"Okay" I say
We continue talking until dinner. After dinner we watch a movie and then head to bed.
Are you okay from today cariño?" Nick asks
"Yeah. I'm better now. Gibbs talked with me" I say
"He cares about you like your his own daughter" Nick says
"Yeah" I smile
I curl into Nick and drift off to sleep.