Title: Life Changes

Based off of: NCIS/ Jericho

Plot: Kate and Gibbs on their way to visit Kate's family when a mushroom cloud appears in the distance. But what's the reason for it and

Pairings: Kate/Gibbs and Jake/Heather

I don't own anything. Well any OCs...are mine.

Chapter One: End of a normal life

Gibbs asked "Kate why do you want me to go with you to Jericho?"

Kate replied with "Well it's a family reunion and I'm not taking DiNozzo."

Gibbs asked, "He did something stupid last time?" in a tone of voice that made it sound a bit like a joke.

He then added "Yeah I'll go."

Kate Todd sat at her desk to call her Father to tell him she was coming and would be there by Friday. She sighed and

Heather Lisinski stood as the bus started down the road talking into a cell phone speaking about how the bus had to stop for repairs and that they should be arriving at the school soon enough. Suddenly the signal died and she looked at her phone in confusion and with a shrug set it away. She then sat in an empty seat as the class began singing, "Old McDonald had a Farm." between laughs.
Jake Green stood inside of the family house listening to his Mother's cries of joy that he had finally came home.

"You could spend a week to talk about what I could have been doing."

Then the stern lecture of his father that was about how he disappointed he was with him and about his Grandfather's money. He was about to leave in defeat when his mother said, "Let's see your grandfather."

After a short while of driving he stood in front of a grave as his Mother explained about what had happened to him. Then after a few minutes she took a wad of money out of her pocket and handed it to her son who in exchange had to listen about how his father would understand and how he had a few trials of his own.

"He can't know about this." Jake sternly said as he started to leave.

"Why don't you stay a few days?" His mother offered but Jake refused and started for his car.

"Gibbs I think we're lost." Kate sighed as she looked down at the map she was holding. "We should have taken the last road..." as Gibbs ripped the map from her hands. She frowned and looked out of window before adding, "Why didn't you ask for directions an hour ago?"

Gibbs said, " I know where we're going. Plus we're supposed to be there on Friday so we have another day to find this place. Why didn't we just go by plane Kate? It would of saved us time." as he began looking for a sign or even a landmark. Kate looked over to Gibbs in confusion at his last comment and she took a breath.

Kate then sighed, "That still doesn't excuse..." then she added, "Just forget it."

Gibbs frowned and growled, "I know where we're going. See." as he pointed to a sign which read:

Kansas City- 362

Wichita-196

Jericho- 47

Kate sighed knowing she was beat fair and square as she began adjusting with radio, which was sounding rather static. After a few minutes Kate shut it off and looked out of the window where something like a mushroom cloud caught her eye. Kate couldn't believe it and it took her a few tries

"Uh..Gibbs..you should look over here!" Kate nearly shrieked as Gibbs looked over he accidentally crashed into two other cars. They both sunk as low as they could as a blast sounded and the windshield cracked sprinkling glass on top of them. Kate felt her grip on consciousness slipping and she began to black out praying that everything was all right. Gibbs followed her quickly into the darkness.

Kate sat up and shook her head at the shattered windows and looked over next to her. She looked over and saw Gibbs covered in blood.

"Gibbs.." she said beginning to freak out. "Oh my God.."

She then winced and looked at her arm, which had a huge gash on it. Kate then tried to open the car door to get out when she found herself into darkness.

Kate sat up gasping and looking around the car seeing that Gibbs had gotten out.

Jake Green woke up with a start and rubbed his forehead. In his mind he repeated the question of "What happened?" over and over again as he exited the car dusting glass off of him. He then started over for one of the cars and spotted a couple that had died instantly and sighed as he started over for the other car. He saw a sliver-haired man exit the vehicle and rush over to the other door and quickly ran over to see what was wrong.

"Is something wrong?" Jake asked as a woman with dark brown hair exited the car. Both looked over suddenly at the appearance of the man.

"I-I think we both are. Who are you?" Kate said first before Gibbs could say anything.

"I'm Jake Green and you are?" Jake asked quickly.

"I'm Special Agent Kate Todd and this is..."Kate began when Gibbs interrupted by just saying " Special Agent Gibbs." as they pulled out their I.D.s.

Jake looked around and asked, "Where were you heading?" after a moment to let everything sink in.

Gibbs said "Jericho." and Kate added "We were on our way there when this all happened."

Jake nodded and said, "I guess we should start there. It is the closest place we can go." and the group started down the road. Only talking a few times until the three saw two young elementary school kids running towards them shouting loudly "Please help us!"

Jake asked quickly "What happened?" causing Kate and Gibbs to lean forward.

The kids cried as they told the story about how a deer ran in front of the bus and that it had stopped.

The bus appeared in sight as the sky began to darken into night. One of the kids cried, "Hurry! Hurry!" and they darted ahead of them onto the bus. Jake, Kate, and Gibbs quickly followed them inside of the school bus and almost immediately Kate, Gibbs, and Jake saw that the driver was dead and began to discuss what they should do.

"We should try to help who is hurt first." Kate said causing both Gibbs and Jake to nod in agreement.

After a few moments Jake went over to a woman who was sitting in one of the front seats. He asked "Are you hurt?" to her and she answered with "My leg but just worry about them." and she pointed at the kids behind her.

Jake stood up and shouted, "Is anyone hurt?" to the whole bus. A kid in the back raised his hand and said, "She stopped breathing. Once the bus stopped she kind of just--" he then imitated the girl in front of his face. Quickly Gibbs and Jake went over to the seat where the girl was sitting.

Before Gibbs should even have a look Jake asked "Does anyone have a pen?"

One of the kids said, "I have a pencil."

Jake shook his head and said, "We need a tube. Does anyone have a--a straw?"

A young girl jumped up and said " I do!"

"Okay can you hand it to me?" Jake asked as she handed him a juice box.

"The straw's too thin. Does anyone else have a straw?" Jake then added as five or six others raised their hands. "Okay give your straws to...what's your name?" to the girl from before who answered Julie. "Okay give your straws to Julie." Then he turned to Gibbs and said, "Hold her shoulders down in case she wakes up." who without question held the girl down.

Kate and a few of the school kids had to look away as Jake preformed a emergency tracheotomy on the girl using a pocket knife and the straws which were used to get air inside of her.

"Where'd you learn how to that?" One kid asked.

Jake answered "Military school."

"Where you a solider?" the same kid asked.

"No a screw-up." Jake answered again.

Jake then started for the driver's seat as the girl began to wake up and he started to attempt driving to the town but not before trying to use the bus' radio. When he got an answer he was told to wait there but after an hour or two he chose to drive back. He soon noticed the bus would soon run out of gas and Heather then instructed the students that if the bus stopped to walk about to town.

"How are we supposed to get there?" a few others asked.

Jake paused for a moment before answering with " Once you get to the stop sign..take a left."

"Which way's left?" a voice asked causing Jake to sigh.

Heather said quickly "Everyone raise your hands." causing the group to do as she told. "The hand that makes an 'L' is your left." The students nodded and Heather turned over to Kate, Jake, and Gibbs and asked what there names were. After a brief introduction the bus saw a few lights coming from Jericho.

Kate said "The town's still standing. That's good."

"Um.. Miss Lisinski are we having school tomorrow?" a small girl asked as the bus stopped on the main street where a crowd of numerous parents stood.

"I don't know." Heather answered as the doors opened and Jake said "Help them.." as he looked down at his leg then at Heather who gave a small smile as if to say 'Thank you.' Then Jake's mother came on to the bus to help him get to one of the ambulances that stood outside waiting to take anyone to the med center.

-To be Continued-