May 2nd 1996

Poor Penny, I felt horrendous for leaving her like that today but I have to do this and I just hope and pray she will understand it. I think she was getting used to having me round the house, and sharing my bed, so I don't know what she's going to do without me.

Ever since Dad died she's not been herself and it worries me. She barely eats, won't sleep and if she does sleep her night terrors are that bad that I'm sure the whole neighbourhood must hear her! It just seems easier to move her in to my bed than listen to her screaming.

But she's part of the reason I'm doing this; I want to make her proud when she's older, especially if she eventually finds out the truth.

Still, I can't believe I am finally an NCIS agent! I've been paired with an agent named Gibbs, very difficult to read, but he has the most amazing eyes and he is…well…HOT basically.

I can't wait to work on our first assignment together…we're off to Serbia.

NOTE TO SELF – Remember to write to Penny when we arrive.