AN: I wrote this awhile back and finally decided to post it. It's the first of what will probably be several one shots inspired by songs. I'm gonna post them collectively under one story, but they won't necessarily be the same universe.
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AN2: This story is inspired by the song "X's and O's" by Trisha Yearwood.
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Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or "X's and O's".
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The mantel above the fire place held three pictures. The first was a slightly worn, black and white image in a dark frame. Abby had learned at a young age that it was a picture of her grandmother. It was the only picture Jenny kept of her mother on display. The glamour shot was next to a picture of Jenny; it was taken not to long after she became director. Jenny's red hair was pulled back with a clip as a pearl necklace, given to her by Gibbs, adorned her neck. She was wearing one of her signature suits and heels. The particular picture was much less serious than her normal director facade as her attention was on Gibbs and Abby behind the camera. Lastly on the mantle was a picture of a five-year old Abby with her hair pulled up by red ribbons in pigtails. Her smile was brighter than the sun and her eyes sparkled.
If you just simply looked you would only see pictures of three generations. To someone who looked beyond the mantle you would see the pain behind keeping the pictures there. For someone who knew everything you would notice the envelope signed by a seven-year old pinned down by the middle frame.
Abby walked into her father's house with out bothering to knock. She already knew he could be found in the basement like always. Even if she was in her twenties not much had changed since she was seven. The first thing she did upon entering was admire the pictures on the mantle. Unlike every other time she thought to look at the envelope. She was shocked to find her own sloppy second grade scrawl on the front. With a shaky hand she pulled out the worn letter inside.
Dear mommy,
Hi mommy, daddy said you went to live with grandma and that we will too years and years from now. I miss you, but I bet grandma is happy to see you. Daddy won't admit it, but he misses you too. Sometimes at night I hear him crying. I asked daddy why you had to go. He said it was your time; I guess that makes since.
I got a 100 on my spelling test last week. Ms. Cassidy says I'm very advance for my age. Science is my favorite subject; we made rockets Friday. We had to team up and Timmy was my partner. Timmy is the bestest friend, well and Kate. She likes to draw and she even drew me a picture of a bat. I have to go study for this weeks spelling test. Love you mommy.
Your daughter, Abby
XOXO
Abby felt her eye water as she finished the letter written so many years ago. She noticed the splattered water marks already on the paper from what she assumed was from her father reading it.
"You asked me to send it to mommy. I thought putting it under the frame was the second best thing," Gibbs gruff voice spoke from behind her.
Abby turned around as Gibbs promptly wiped her tears. "Is it weird I didn't remember writing this till now?"
"You were seven I'm pretty sure there are many things you don't remember; like that time you got into Jen's make-up," Gibbs replied.
Abby giggled. "Oh I remember that. Katie gets into mine all the time."
"How is my granddaughter?" Gibbs asked.
"Timmy is taking her to the park today so she's excited," Abby told him.
Gibbs lead Abby to the couch. "So you came here?"
Abby sighed. "Today and her birthday are always the worse."
"I know I miss her too," Gibbs said as he wrapped his arm around her. They sat in a comfortable until it was finally broken by Gibbs, "Want to come help me with the boat?"
Abby nodded as she followed him down to the basement. The letter once again placed under the middle frame.
