The office was quiet, all his team members were busy with their assignments and Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs sat at his desk and looked more closely at the letter that was addressed to him. Turning over the envelope Gibbs opened the letter.

Dear Jethro,

I don't know if you will remember me but its been over twenty five years since you and I have seen each other. I was a waitress at a coffee shop that you used to frequent called the Daily Grind near the Camp Lejune. You came whenever you had leave and spent hours at the bar talking about your life. I would spend the early hours of the morning listening to you. I'm not sure how long all that talking finally led to something more but it did one night after you walked me home to my apartment. Our intimate relations lasted only that one time, as you were shipped out soon after that for more intensive training and I never saw you again. I heard through some of the other officers that you got married and then you were shipped out to the Middle East. I had some difficulties tracking you down, but I was able to find your work address so I hope that sending this letter to you there isn't a problem. I am currently living close to DC and was hoping that we'd be able to reconnect. I realize that this is a strange request but I do wish to speak to you directly. My contact information is located below.

Thank you for your time, with sincere regards Cecilia Jenkins.

Gibbs remember the young woman that worked at the coffee shop. He hadn't given her much thought over the years though, but as he sat thinking he remembered Cecilia as pleasant woman, with a happy smile and sparkling eyes that showed all her emotions. He had visited the coffee shop mostly to see her, but the coffee had been good too. He had also been writing Shannon during that time too and their relationship although long distance was also starting to go in a direction he was interested in going, guilt after that one night affair had made Gibbs take the first transfer out of Lejune. Gibbs looked at the contact information below and turned to his computer to send a brief reply to Cecilia. Just as he finished the email the phone rang.

"Grab your gear!" Gibbs barked and his team jumped into action.

Gibbs walked slowly into the coffee shop. After a few emails back and forth they thought it fitting to meet up with each other in a place similar to where they met. Gibbs had already grabbed his coffee and sat facing the door.

"Jethro?" A woman approached the table. She looked gaunt and frail, her hair was cropped short to her head and her skin looked washed out despite the makeup that was tastefully applied and although the outfit she wore had a very attractive appeal the cloths hung on her body. The woman smiled and the sparkle that Gibbs remembered returned to her eyes.

"Cecilia." Gibbs returned and stood to help her with the chair.

"Well you haven't changed too much. A little greyer around hairline but still very much the same" Cecilia smiled warmly.

"I wish I could say the same thing to you." Gibbs started.

"I know I look like crap." Cecilia started. "I was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. I've fought the good fight these past few years, but there isn't much more the doctors can do now that it's spread into my lungs."

"Cecilia I'm sorry."

"So am I."

"Is that why you sent me letter? You wanted to tell me personally?" Gibbs continued to question.

"I heard that you were a NCIS Special Agent, you sound like your investigating a crime scene or something." Cecilia smiled and pulled out a small envelope from her bag. "Yes Gibbs I'm trying to connect with people before this crazy disease takes me away. Although connecting with you is more personal than the rest." She pushed the envelope towards him. Gibbs took the envelope and opened it pulling out several items including a few photos. A young girl was in several of the pictures with Cecilia through various stages of life. The girl looked a lot like Cecilia but there were several features that looked vaguely familiar.

"Your daughter?"

"Yes." Cecilia nodded.

"She's beautiful." Gibbs returned politely.

"I'm glad you think so Jethro, because she is also your daughter as well." Cecilia shared.

Gibbs looked down at the pictures again and then back up to Cecilia.

"Excuse me?" Gibbs asked again.

"I tried to hint at this in the letter I wrote to you. I didn't know any other way to tell you." Cecilia took a deep breath. "I included some more personal information about Hannah in the envelope. I figured that you might have access to someone who could run a DNA test if you need one. Before you walk away from me again, I just want to share with you that you do have a daughter. I wasn't dating anyone else at the time and the dates work out perfectly. I raised Hannah mostly on my own her entire life and she isn't currently looking for you. She knows that you have another family and it was my choice to keep her from you. She's not a child to ask too many questions, she's loyal and loving. I just wanted you to know before she possibly showed up at your door." Cecilia paused, the small speech she just gave looked like it wore her out. "It was good seeing you again Jethro, the contact information I gave you will allow you to connect with Hannah as well if you want too." Cecilia stood up, paused to gain her balance and turned to leave. "Have a good life Jethro." Gibbs stood and watched Cecilia leave before turning back to the pictures of the woman that apparently was his daughter.