Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.

If there was one holiday Leroy Jethro Gibbs dreaded the most it was Christmas. It was not that he minded the TV and newspaper being full of advertisements feeding into consumerism, or the carols that seemed to be playing in the stores even before Halloween these days, or even the beautiful decorations. No, what Gibbs minded the most was the loneliness he felt. Of course, he would never admit to being lonely but he felt it all the same. He missed Shannon, god, how he missed her and his little girl, Kelly. He would have done anything in the world to bring them back if he could. Now his father was here and digging around in the attic. What his father was looking for Gibbs could only wonder. He listened to the muffled curses coming from above his living room before heading down to work on his boat. He might get some sanding done before his dad came back down.

He had barely picked up the sand paper when Jackson Gibbs called, "Leroy, where are you? I found something in the attic."

Gibbs sighed and headed upstairs. Whatever his dad found was sure to bring back memories and he sure as hell would rather forget.

"Yeah, dad, what've you got?"

"I found these boxes, and a tree box. I thought we could decorate for Christmas." Gibbs stared at his dad in disbelief. He had to be kidding. Jackson knew that Christmas was Shannon's favorite holiday. There was no way he was decorating for Christmas. "What do you say, Leroy?"

"I don't think so, dad. I mean, I'm never home. Seems like a waste of work. Why don't we just go work on my boat?"

"Enough with the boats, Leroy. You can't even get them out of your basement. Why build something just to tear it down or let it rot?"

"I get them out."

"Yeah, how?"

"Secret." Gibbs pulled the tree box towards him and began to pull out branches, sorting them by the colored ends. He knew the best way to shut his dad up was to work on something else. Soon his dad joined him in the sorting and the silence.

A few hours later the tree was assembled and the lights were on the branches. "You want to use these chili pepper lights too, Leroy?"

Gibbs glanced at the lights his dad was holding. Shannon's chili pepper lights. She had hung them in their kitchen because she liked the soft glow.

"Nah, the white lights are fine, dad."

"Hey Leroy, you remember that Christmas you spend with Shannon's family? The year there was a blizzard?"

"Yeah, dad. I remember." He did remember. Due to the blizzard, they had been stuck at Shannon's parents for a week. It had been a week straight from hell, in Gibbs' opinion. Shannon's too, she could only tolerate her extended family for so long. Gibbs had woken up one morning to find her gone from the bed. A quick look out the window revealed that she was bundled up and shoveling out their truck. Gibbs had smirked and quickly dressed and grabbed the extra shovel to help his wife.

Shannon was standing in the tiny kitchen in their military base housing giving Gibbs time to check out her ass and legs; she was making dinner judging by the smells that were wafting through the house to the front door. Gibbs shut the door quietly.

"Jethro!" Shannon squealed and ran straight to him, hugging him in delight and bringing his lips down to hers for a kiss. Gibbs kissed her and grinned. No matter how quietly he shut that front door, she was always running to meet him. He picked her up, by her thighs, and carried her into the kitchen.

"Hi baby, miss me much?"

"Mmm… very much," she said, placing her head on his shoulder.

"So, what've you got?"

"I'm not a recruit, Jethro."

"Sorry, old habits die hard."

"You just broke rule number six. Never apologize it's…"

"…A sign of weakness, I know," Jethro finished for her. "Am I allowed to ask what's for dinner or does that break another rule?" Gibbs asked.

"Nope, it doesn't and yes you are. I made beef pot roast, with potatoes, carrots, celery and onions. There's brownies in the oven and I was just finishing a fruit salad when you got home. Set the table?"

"Humm… I musta done somethin' good. Want to tell me what it is?"

"You'll see," Shannon smirked and her green eyes sparkled a sure sign she was up to something. Gibbs grabbed plates, small bowls for the fruit salad, napkins and utensils and began to set their card table for dinner.

"Our furniture is crap, Shan."

"Hey, your Marine salary isn't exactly bringing us heaps of cash."

"Hey! I love the corps!"

Shannon kissed his cheek lightly. "I know you do, babe. Besides, I like our furniture."

"The table wobbles."

"Then shove some cardboard under the leg."

"This really doesn't bother you, does it?"

"Why should it, I have everything I want right here." Shannon hugged Gibbs and dished up dinner.

When they finished eating, Gibbs helped himself to a brownie and asked, "So why did I deserve my favorite dinner again? I haven't been especially good. Unless you're bribing me."

Shannon sighed. "Okay. My dad called. Don't look like that."

"Like what?"

"Like someone pissed you off."

"Maybe someone did."

"Ya think? Anyway, he wants us to come for Christmas and stay a few days."

"Oh, god, Shan, do we have to?"

"They're my family, Jethro. We don't have to see Jackson if you don't want. I did send him a card. I filled out your vacation request forms."

"Some vacation."

"Leroy Jethro Gibbs! I thought you loved me."

"I do. I'm not gonna win this one, am I?"

Shannon crossed her arms and grinned, "Nope. Give up, tough guy."

"Christmas with the Fieldings. Joann and Frank are gonna kill me."

"A Marine is scared of my mom and dad?"

"Marines don't get scared."

"Oh yeah?" Shannon smirked.

"We get even. I'll do K.P. You go start packing."

"You too, we leave in the morning for Stillwater. And if you try to delay us, I will kick your butt." Gibbs groaned. It was gonna be a long holiday.

"Hey, Leroy, you okay?"

"Yeah, dad, just remembering," Gibbs said, reaching for an ornament and placing it on the tree.