Title: The cello
Author: WriterKos
Rating: FR15
Parings: McGee/other, McGee/Ziva, Gibbs/Shannon, Ziva/Tony
Characters: Everyone, a few historical characters
Genres: Drama, AU, Character Study, Historical Crossover
Warnings: War, historical setting and a crazy mix of people.
Summary: Why do all Buchanans play the cello? A tale of war, blood, family feuds, love and hope. AU with very known faces and some not as much. Joy Buchanan story #20
"Why do I have to study cello?"
The low voice of a child broke Timothy's focus from the financial report he had been asked to review while at home. Thanks to Joy's initial months of pregnancy, Gibbs had become quite lenient in letting the young man do some home office hours whenever it was possible just to hang around Joy and his brand new adopted daughter.
He lifted his gaze from the rows of numbers and codes to find little Lynn looking at him with a serious expression on her face, a cute frown marring her forehead and a mutinous glint in her eyes. Since the child had moved into the Buchanan-McGee household a couple of weeks before, after the conclusion of Mara's case, she had been slowly adapting to the routine.
There were some ups and downs, but the joy of having a small member in the household was enough to give strength to the couple so both Joy and Tim were able to endure whatever curve ball life might throw at them.
"Well…" McGee fisted his eyes tiredly, glancing at the clock which marked two pm, before settling back on the sofa, "you don't really have to study cello, you know. We've only suggested because you needed an extracurricular activity and as Stephy is already taking classes…"
Lynn's pout became even more pronounced. "But it's boring… and I'm not good at it. I don't wanna."
"It's not boring… it might be a little bit difficult in the beginning but once you get the hang of it…"
"But why cello? I saw other instruments in the conservatory. Why something that's almost bigger than me?"
McGee sighed, tapping lightly the side of the sofa indicating that she should sit by his side, being promptly obeyed. "You know… I think it more about tradition than anything else."
The little girl looked at him confused, so he hurried to explain.
"I actually asked Joseph about that a while back. You see, every Buchanan knows how to play cello. And there's a pretty neat story behind it."
"Story?" That perked the little girl's curiosity, so she snuggled closer to McGee in the sofa, jumping to sit right beside him looking at him, curious and ready for story time.
Putting away the papers he had been trying to make heads or tails for a case, he sat down comfortably and lifted his arm, signaling that the girl should rest against him so he could begin, being happily obliged. Once adopted father and daughter were settled in, McGee paused long enough to put the tidbits of facts in order in his mind before he began.
"It all happened a long time ago, in a time when kings and queens still ruled the land…"
"And princes and princesses!" She squealed, getting a chuckle from him.
"Well, where there are kings it is bound to have princes, right?" She giggled as he poked her in her ribs, tickling her and getting a squeal of delight. "Anyway, the story of the Buchanan cello begins in a time the monarchy was still strong in France, where court was held in honor of the Kings and Queens and musicians were employees of the court... and in Italy where the music was commissioned by the Church in the valleys of Tuscany and Umbria…"
a/n: Well, this story is going to be an interesting tale. I have been thinking about the family cello and why the Buchanans are so attached to it. Totally AU in some parts, delving in historical moments spanning through three centuries of History. Hope you enjoy it.