Authors Note – this is set before Mike Franks meets his grand daughter. Just something that occurred to me one night. Hope you like it. And as usual, a bit of whumpage thrown in (needlessly some might say) :D. Also apologies in advance for my lame attempt at Spanish. And as everyone knows, I own nothing NCIS related (besides my Season 1-6 boxsets)!!!! It's all belongs to CBS!

NCIS HQ

Leroy Jethro Gibbs was tired. It had been a busy week, heck, a busy month. He struggled to even remember the last day he'd had off. He sat at his desk and looked over at his equally exhausted team. They had done another fine job wrapping up their latest case. It was 4pm on a Friday evening. They were busy completing the paper work that went hand in hand with solving cases.

"Hey," he called rousing them from their concentration. "Call it a day. This can wait until Monday morning." Thankfully Redmond's team was on call for the weekend.

Tony looked up with surprise, unsure if he'd heard correctly. Gibbs usually liked his cases all wrapped up and put neatly to bed long before his team got to bed.

"Eh, seriously Boss?" he asked timidly.

"Yeah, get outta here," Gibbs smiled unnerving Tony slightly.

Tony didn't need to be told twice. He took his back pack and jacket and scurried around his desk, bidding his compatriots a good night as he ran. He was quickly into the elevator and on his way home. Ziva stood up and packed away her things and within a few minutes had also left. Gibbs continued typing his report. A few minutes later he looked over and realised that McGee was still there.

"No where to go, McGee?" he asked.

"Just finishing up, Boss. A couple more minutes and I'm done," McGee replied.

"Okay," Gibbs replied standing up from his desk. "I'm going to say good night to Ducky. See you Monday."

"See you, Boss," McGee replied.

Gibbs hopped into the elevator and arrived down at autopsy. Ducky was sitting at his desk in the corner when he entered. He had his desk drawer open and was enjoying a sneaky glass of Scotch.

"Ah, Jethro, won't you join me?" Ducky said taking another glass from the drawer.

"Well, you know how I hate to see a man drink alone, Duck," Gibbs replied with a wry smile. He accepted the glass that Ducky offered him and took a large swig from it. He was about to hop up and sit on the nearest autopsy table when his cell phone rang.

"Yeah, Gibbs," he answered unimpressed by the interruption.

"Senor Gibbs? This is Juanita Munoz. I am a friend of Senor Miquel. We met when you stayed at his beach house," she began.

"Yeah, I remember you, Juanita. What can I do for you?" Gibbs asked.

"It's Senor Miquel. I think he is ill but he refuses to see a doctor. He insists that he is fine but I know there is something wrong. The day before yesterday I found him unconscious on the beach. He said that he stayed out in the sun too long, but I know him, Senor Gibbs, it was more than that," she explained.

"Does he know you're calling me?" Gibbs asked.

"No, Senor Gibbs. He will be so mad when he finds out," Juanita replied. Gibbs knew she was right. Mike would be fuming.

"Don't worry, Juanita. I could do with some Baja sun right about now. Leave the stubborn son of a bitch to me," Gibbs said shaking his head.

"Thank you Senor Gibbs. Muchos Gracias," Juanita replied before ending the call.

"Is there something wrong, Jethro?" Ducky asked after overhearing the conversation.

"That was a friend of Mike Franks. She says he's ill but in denial. She wants me to try and talk some sense into him," Gibbs explained.

"And will you?" Ducky asked.

"There's only one way to do that, Duck. I'll have to pay him a visit. I'll see if I can get a flight over the weekend. Might even stay a few days, I'm due some vacation days anyway," Gibbs said sipping his drink.

"Good for you. You will come back this time?" Ducky said with a smile, referring to Gibbs retirement to Baja a couple of years previous.

"Maybe," Gibbs laughed as he and Ducky clinked glasses and toasted his unexpected vacation.

----------

Once he got home that night, Gibbs packed a few t-shirts and jeans in a hold all. He deliberately packed lightly as he had only planned on spending a few days in Mexico. He phoned an airline and managed to book a seat on a flight to Tijuana leaving Dulles early the next morning. His mind wandered to his old friend. He couldn't help but wonder what was wrong. He knew if there was anything wrong that he would probably have to drag it out of Mike. He was never one to complain or one to ask for help. He and Mike were a lot alike. They were both fond of their own company, gave their very soul to their jobs and as a result sacrificed the trappings of family and a home life. Knowing what it took to make it as an agent was probably what helped maintain their close bond, even though they were separated by hundreds of miles. He was one of Gibbs few good friends. He hoped whatever his illness, he wasn't going to lose his friend.

------------

Next morning his flight left on time. He dozed for most of the flight and felt relaxed and refreshed when they landed in Tijuana. He caught a taxi from outside the terminal and it took him to Santa Tomas the nearest town to where Mike lived. It was a good walk to the beach where Mike had his cabin but Gibbs found it relaxing. He slung his hold all over his shoulder, put on his baseball cap and sunglasses and strolled along the roadway until he reached the beach house. He could see Mike sitting on a deck chair on the veranda, cooler box on the ground beside him. As Gibbs neared he let a yell.

"There better be one of those with my name on it," he called cheekily. Mike Franks stood up and looked utterly shocked to see his old friend wandering towards his house.

"Well I'll be. What happened to you, Probie? Did ye take a wrong turn off Pennsylvania?" Mike chuckled when he realised who it was. "Or have you gone and retired for good this time?"

Gibbs joined in the laughter as he climbed the steps of the veranda. He hugged his old pal and received his welcome.

"It's good to see you, Jethro," Franks said slapping him on the back. "Sit your self down and tell me all," he said rooting down through the melting ice in the cooler box and drawing out a perfectly chilled bottle of local beer. Gibbs gratefully accepted it and topped it with ease. He drank, allowing the golden liquid quench his thirst and gazed out at the crystal clear ocean.

"I can see why you love it here, Mike," he said absorbing the scenery.

"What more could a man ask for?" Mike replied lighting up a cigarette. He started coughing almost immediately.

"When are you going to give those things up?" Gibbs asked him seriously.

"After thirty years of smoking, Probie, I think the damage is done, don't you?" Franks asked.

"Is it Mike?" Gibbs asked. Mike frowned at him. What did he mean by that?

"Why are you here, Probie?" Mike asked assuming there was an ulterior motive for the unannounced visit. Gibbs turned and leaned on the balustrade of the veranda.

"Juanita called me. She's worried about you," Gibbs replied honestly.

"That girl is unbelievable. She's gone and got it in her head that I'm sick. I'm not sick. I'm just getting older," Mike replied angrily. "I got a bit of sun stroke last week and she thinks my ticker is acting up. Looks like she's got you buying into her theory and all."

"If you say you're fine, Mike, then I believe you," Gibbs replied placating his friend. "The water looks good. Are the fish biting today?" Gibbs asked changing the subject.

"No idea, haven't been out yet today. Change your gear. I'll get the boat ready and we can see," Franks suggested. Gibbs changed into shorts and a t-shirt, put on sun lotion and was ready to go in no time. Mike had pushed his small motor boat to the edge of the water and waited for Gibbs to join him.

"Are you ready then?" Mike asked him as Gibbs swung the cooler box into the boat. Gibbs gave a quick nod and helped Mike push the boat into the water. Mike jumped on board quickly followed by Gibbs. He promptly engaged the motor to take them past the low breaking waves. Gibbs felt relaxed on the water and filled his lungs with the salty air. Mike followed the coast for a short while before heading out to sea. Eventually he stopped the motor and they drifted for a while. The two friends baited their fishing poles and threw in their lines. They fished, drank beer and reminisced about old times. They caught a few, threw back a few more and as dusk settled they decided it was best to head back to the beach house. As they landed their craft on the beach, Mike Franks handed Gibbs a bucket containing their catch.

"I caught 'em Probie, so you cook 'em," he grinned playfully. Gibbs snatched the bucket in mock annoyance and let himself into the beach house. He threw their catch into the sink and began the unenviable job of gutting them. He cleaned them masterfully none the less and soon he had them frying on a pan, their aroma reminding him of how hungry he was. Pretty soon the two men were sitting on the veranda watching the moon rise over the ocean, enjoying their meal.

"Not bad, Probie. I didn't know you could cook," Franks commented.

"You'd be amazed by my hidden talents," Gibbs replied.

"I'm sure I would," Mike retorted. He paused and appreciated the prettiness of the reflection of the moon on the crystal sea. "So, let's go to town," he suddenly suggested.

"What? Now?" Gibbs asked feeling the effects from his long journey.

"Aw, come on Probie. You're not that old," Mike mocked. "I'll even drive."

"Really? You mean you've got it working again," Gibbs replied referring to the wreck of a truck Franks had sitting at the side of the house.

"You sound surprised," Franks replied. "You'd be amazed at my hidden talents too, you know." Gibbs laughed and couldn't say no.

"Just let me get my wallet," Gibbs said standing up and returning inside.

"Yeah, you'll be needing that. Drinks are on you tonight," Mike shouted after him.

Much to Gibbs surprise the old truck made it as far as town. Mike parked it out front of a hectic cantina. They went inside and sat at the bar. They ordered beers followed by tequila shots. This they did for the whole night. The drunker they got, the looser their tongues became and the more uninhibited their topics of conversation. By 11pm they were quite a sight. Uncharacteristically for Gibbs he allowed his judgement to become impaired by the alcohol. Little did he know how he would suffer as a result of his loudness and bragging. The two gringos stuck out like sore thumbs in the bar. They attracted certain attention that they could have done without. One young lady in particular became very interested in a very drunk Gibbs and hung on his every word as he relayed stories of his military adventures. She encouraged his stories especially when he told her that he had been a sniper. She wanted to know about his kills and unusually for Gibbs he told her things he would never usually speak about. He found her interest flattering and his anecdotes flowed freely. Mike egged him on and plyed him with tequila all night. It was to be a costly night in more ways than one.

TBC

A/N - Just painting the picture with this opening chapter. Stick around for Chapter 2.