Hello! So this is my first NCIS fanfic. Things may be OOC so please be gentle and reviews and friendly criticism are always nice! Enjoy!

The Diner: familiar, comforting, and good coffee. All the things Gibbs needed when he need food, coffee and something else besides his boat and bourbon. He always got his black coffee here, since the sludge at work was "not coffee".

He walked in and sat at his usual red booth, some other customers were on the other side of the diner. Within minutes like clockwork, Elaine the waitress showed up with a fresh, full pot of coffee and an empty mug.

"Mornin' Gibbs," she said smiling. He nodded, giving a slight smile.

The diner door ringed open, Gibbs and Elaine turned to see who it was; it was a young lady. She was in her early twenties wearing a diner uniform.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, Elaine," the girl said frantically. "My mom-"

"At ease," Elaine said trying to comfort her. "You're not fired. Just get ready for the day."

The girl nodded and went through the backdoor to hang her coat up.

"She new, Gibbs," Elaine warned the marine. "Try and be nice."

"I'm always nice," he replied. She walked away laughing, he couldn't help but softly chuckle as well. He continued to sip his mug of coffee, both hands on the mug to warm him up.

Suddenly, he heard a commotion behind him; it was the new girl and a customer. The customer, from what Gibbs could tell, looked like a miserable man that no one could please.

"Hey, blondie," the customer said to the girl in a rough, rude voice. "What's taking so long?"

"Sir, I just got here," she replied. "What can I get you?"

"I asked for my eggs over-easy and these are over-medium."

"Really? I can never get my eggs like that. Gotta ask the chef how he does it." She sounded impressed.

"Just get it done already, blondie."

"Sir-as much as I hate calling you that-you already ate most of the food on that plate. You really want to complain about diner food?"

"Just do your job like a woman's suppose to do it: quiet."

She grabbed the plate and let the chef know the order was incorrect. Gibbs was still watching her, her unimpressed expression on her face reminded him of himself when Tony would go on with one of his movie references. Then the food was done.

"Elaine," she called out. "Do we have any stain remover?"

"No. Wh-" Elaine started to ask but then the girl 'accidentally' spilled the plate of food on the customer's lap.

"I spilt something. I'll get your check, sir."

Gibbs put his head back down and started laughing to himself. After laughing, he finished his cup of coffee. He got up from his booth and went to the bar to pay and get his coffee-to-go. By now, the grumpy customer had left.

"Janie, could you pour me a black coffee in a large to-go cup?" Elaine asked her.

"Janie," Gibbs thought to himself. "So that's her name."

Janie poured the coffee and went over to Gibbs to hand it to him.

"That was pretty ballsy what you did back there," Gibbs said to her.

"Life's too short and Mom always says never to take the petty stuff seriously."

"Your mom sounds like a smart lady."

"Former First Sergeant, she better be. So what's your rank?"

"Mmm?"

"The haircut, the black coffee. Mom says 'no such thing as an ex-Marine'. So, what's your rank?"

"Former Gunnery Sergeant." Then Gibbs pulled out $10 from his wallet and gave it to Janie.

"What's this for?"

"For being you."

Janie tipped her hat to Gibbs and Gibbs left the diner to go to NCIS. Janie looked at the bill and looked up at a departing Gibbs. She couldn't help but remember his eyes; they sparkled ice blue but at the same time, they looked so sad and lonely.

But hey, he was just another customer... right...?