Sam pushed her food around her plate. She was not happy. Dear God. I never expected Amaia to bring Mentxaka home with her! And she called him Kepa. She's in this, whatever it is, up to her neck. I have got to get out of here. I am sure Mentxaka realized that I recognized him from somewhere. That man has the eyes of a killer.

Sam was dimly aware of faltering conversation going on around the table. She concentrated on pushing pieces of lamb from one side of her plate to the other and back again. Abruptly she stood up, walked across the kitchen, scrapped her plate into the trash bag and walked out of the kitchen.

Sam hurried down the hall to her bedroom. Grabbing a sports bag out of her wardrobe she stuffed clothes, personal items and cosmetics into it. Vance said to get out. Gibbs said to get out. Well, I'm getting out. Slipping the bag over her shoulder, Sam headed for the front door. As she placed her hand on the door handle, someone reached from behind her and grabbed her wrist.

Eneko Mentxaka spun Sam around to face him. "Going somewhere?"

Sam struggled in his grip. "Out. And it is none of your damned business where."

"I think it is. I think you know me from somewhere."

Sam snorted. "No. I just don't like strange men in my home. Amaia knows this. She knows we have rules. Rule number 1. No bringing men home. My personal rule number 1: someone breaks Rule 1 I leave home." That was a lame thing to say.

"But I am an old and dear friend of Amaia's."

"I don't give a rat's ass if you're the Pope! Let me go!"

Again, Sam attempted to twist out of Mentxaka's grasp. She was aware of Amaia standing slightly behind Mentxaka eyeing her coldly. She is just going to stand there and let him hurt me! Possibly kill me. Oh God. My wrist. What has he done to it?

Mentxaka was smiling icily at Sam's struggles. Sam brought her left foot back and raked her boot-heel down his shin. Mentxaka swore and raised his fist to swing.

"If that blow lands, it is the last thing you will ever do on this earth." Roslyn's voice held frost. She stood in the hallway, the barrel of a Glock 9mm trained on Mentxaka's head.

I forgot Ros had a backup piece!

"You will unhand my friend. NOW!"

Slowly, Mentxaka released his grasp on Sam's wrist. Sam wrenched the door open with her good hand. Shooting a grateful look at Ros, she raced out of the house to her car. The door swung shut behind her. Within a couple of minutes they heard the engine of her car start up and the car drive away.

Ros kept her gun trained on Mentxaka. He raised his hands. Amaia spoke softly. "Kepa would not have hurt her."

"That, Amaia, is the biggest load of bull crap I have ever heard." Roslyn's tone was loaded with contempt.

She gestured with the gun towards to door. "Get out. Do not come back. I don't care if you are Amaia's friend. You ever show your face around here again and I'll put a bullet in it. Several bullets."

Mentxaka edged towards to door. He never took his eyes off the gun. "It was a misunderstanding."

"I don't think so. I think you are a vicious, bullying little piece of excrement who gets off on hurting women. Now get out of this house." Her finger tightened on the trigger. Mentxaka fled, the door slamming shut in his haste to get away.

Ros turned a cold eye on Amaia. Amaia was furious and it showed. "Why did you do that? Why did you side with Samantha? You have said yourself how odd it is that she leaves the house at all hours and simply turns up at work. Kepa caught her leaving, we could have had answers."

"Brutality is never the answer. And to be frank, where-ever it is Sam goes, it is her business. Not yours. Not mine. And certainly not Kepa Urkullu's." Ros gave a lopsided smile. "Maybe Sam has a boyfriend. And the good taste not to bring him home."

Amaia sniffed. "Boyfriend. That icemaiden?" Amaia snorted and stalked up the hallway. Ros holstered her weapon, locked the front door, then retired to her bedroom and bolted the door. Just in case Amaia's nasty little man comes back.

GIBBS' BASEMENT

Gibbs heard his front door open violently and then slam shut. Dropping the hammer he was using on the workbench he headed for the stairs. Whoever that is, they're in one heck of a hurry.

Sam appeared at the top of the stairs. Her usual overnight bag from her car over one shoulder, another larger sports bag on the other. She stumbled down the stairs; almost falling in her haste. Gibbs grabbed her, drawing her down into the basement. He removed both bags from her shoulders and guided her to the room's only chair.

"What happened?"

Sam was gulping for air. "Amaia brought Mentxaka home. I was taken by surprise. My reactions were off. Mentxaka noticed. You and Vance told me to get out. I tried to get out. He tried to stop me leaving."

"He did what?" Gibbs' tone was furious.

Sam held up her arm, "He hurt my wrist." The statement came out as a whimper. "Amaia called him Kepa Urkullu. She knows he is here illegally. I think she would have let him kill me." The last sentence was barely a whisper.

Crouching down beside the chair, Gibbs gently took Sam's arm in his hands, sliding the sleeve up and away from her wrist. He stared in horror at the rapidly swelling wrist with bruise marks obviously caused by a human hand. Gibbs gently lowered her arm onto her lap and looked up at Sam. It was obvious the woman was trying hard not to cry. "You need medical attention. I'm calling Ducky." How did she manage to drive here with her wrist like that? She must have been in agony.

Sam nodded. She brought her arm up against her chest, using her good hand to cradle the injured wrist.

Gibbs got to his feet, picked up his cellphone from the workbench and called Ducky. The medical examiner was quick to answer.

"Jethro. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

"It's not a social call, Duck. Grab your medical emergency kit and get over to my place immediately. I need you."

"I'm on my way, Jethro." Ducky cut the call.

Gibbs looked down at Sam. "I'd better call Vance." Sam nodded. She was hunched in on herself, biting her lip. Gibbs gently touched her shoulder. "No-one is going to hurt you here Sam. You are safe." She looked up at him. Her cool grey eyes were dark with pain, but held total trust in him. "If it hadn't been for Ros and her backup piece, I don't think I would have got away." Sam twisted a smile. "Ros threatened to shoot him. I think he realized she was serious."

Once again, Gibbs flipped his phone open and called.

"Vance. What is it Gibbs?"

"Leon. Mentxaka has made contact with Amaia. Sam was taken by surprise, and she says Mentxaka may suspect she recognized him."

"Is Sam all right."

"No. Mentxaka tried to prevent her leaving. Ros intervened. Threatened to shoot him."

"What happened to Sam?"

"Injured wrist. Looks like Mentxaka has tried to break it with his bare hands."

Leon Vance swore savagely.

"I've called Ducky." Gibbs paused. "Leon, what do you want us to tell him? We're close to blowing this op."

Leon Vance was silent for a moment. "Bring him in. Tell him everything. Dr Mallard is no stranger to covert ops."

"The FBI won't like it."

"The FBI can take a hike. If necessary I will remind Director Hutchins that the incompetence of his agents has lead to one of my agents being injured. And yes, Gibbs, I know Samantha is a liaison officer, not an agent, but the same principles apply."

"Won't get any argument from me, Leon."

"That will make a change! Keep me posted and I'll see you both in the morning. I assume that regardless of what Dr Mallard says, Sam will be with you in the morning."

"Only way to keep her safe, Leon."

"Agreed. Now I have a few phone calls to make. Night Gibbs."

"Night."

Gibbs turned to see Sam looking at him. "What won't the FBI like?"

"Ducky being brought into the loop."

"Ducky being brought into the loop about what?" They both turned towards the stairs. Dr Donald 'Ducky' Mallard was descending the stairs to the basement.

"You break any laws getting here, Duck?"

"I was only stopped once. I merely informed the officer that I was a doctor on his way to a bona fide medical emergency. Lucky he didn't check my ID too closely and see that I am a Medical Examiner, not an ER doctor."

Ducky came across and placed his medical kit on the workbench. He looked down at Sam cradling her wrist against her chest. "You'd best let me have a look at that young lady. Jethro, you can bring me into the loop, as you said, whilst I work."

30 MINUTES LATER.

Ducky was gently sipping the bourbon Gibbs had poured for him. Sam sat in the chair, a clean white bandage wound tightly around her wrist. "You're fortunate that you have strong bones, Samantha. The pressure that this Mentxaka placed on your wrist could easily have snapped it like a twig. As it is, it is badly sprained. You'll need to keep it strapped for at least two weeks. Most likely three."

He looked at Gibbs. "Have you come up with a cover story yet Jethro? Within a very short space of time people are going to know that Sam is under your roof. The most logical one is that the two of you are..." Ducky paused.

Gibbs smiled gently. "Breaking Rule 12, Duck?"

Ducky raised his glass to Jethro. "That's the joy of having your own rules, Jethro. You can break them if you choose."

"It would make Gibbs look like a hypocrite," Sam said softly. The painkillers Ducky had given her were beginning to work and she could think clearly without trying to do it through a haze of pain.

"Not necessarily, my dear. After all, no-one really knows where and when Cupid's arrow will strike." He chuckled softly.

Sam went slightly pink.

"You and Gibbs know the truth. As do I. As does Director Vance. When all this comes to a head, the rest of the team will learn the truth. Besides, my dear, I do believe they may surprise you."

Sam sighed. "I can live without any more surprises at the moment Ducky."

Ducky put down his glass, and picked up his hat and bag. "I'll say goodnight, and I will see you both tomorrow." He headed for the stairs. Halfway up he stopped and turned to look over the rail. "You might want to stage a little demonstration. A kiss, a cuddle or something like that. Just to get the word spread without actually having to say anything. I suggest with Mr Palmer or Agent DiNozzo as a witness. They both gossip worse than old women. The news will spread right around headquarters within the hour." Chuckling softly Ducky headed back up the stairs. Gibbs and Sam followed him up the stairs. For once in his life, Gibbs locked his front door. I want Sam to feel safe.

They headed towards the bedrooms. Sam went into the guestroom and Gibbs into his room.

Sam lay in bed in the dark staring at the ceiling. Sleep would not come. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see were Mentxaka's cold eyes. She rubbed at her bandaged wrist. With a sigh, she flung the blankets back and got up.

In his room, Gibbs also lay awake. A soft tapping on his door caught his attention. Sitting up he flipped on the bedside lamp. His door opened gently. Sam peered around the door frame. "Gibbs...."

"What is it Sam?" Gibbs voice was gentle.

Sam came into the room. She had her two hands locked together in front of her. She looked at him, her expression nervous.

"Sam?"

"I don't want to sleep alone!" she blurted.

Gibbs turned the blankets back. "Get in."

Sam scurried across the room to crawl in beside him. Gibbs put his arms around her holding her close for a moment. He switched out the light. They lay there in the dark. Gibbs stroked Sam's hair. "I will not let Mentxaka hurt you. I will protect you. You have my word on that Sam."

"I feel safe with you, Gibbs."

Gibbs voice was soft in the darkness. "You are safe with me."