For the record though we all know I don't own NCIS or any of the characters except Tiff, her mom, step-dad and friends.

The year was 1984, a seven year old Tiffany Rickards was just returning home from school when a man pushed away from the pickup he was leaning against and headed across the street towards her. Tiff stopped and looked up at him. He reminded the young girl of her Grampy Jack but she didn't know why.

"Hi there," The man said crouching to her level.

"Mom says I'm not supposed to talk to strangers." Tiff answered.

"Well she might be right about that. I'm Gibbs."

"Tiff and now you're not a stranger."

"Is your mom home?"

Tiff nodded and led him up the front walk. She opened the door and dropped her backpack by the door then headed for the kitchen. "Mom, there's a guy who wants to talk to you." Tiff called to her mother.

Marie walked out of the kitchen to scold her daughter then saw the man. Her heart stopped in her chest. "Tiffany, your snack is in the kitchen. Now. Don't argue." Marie answered. Tiff frowned and went into the kitchen. "What are you doing here?" Marie hissed.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Gibbs asked.

"How'd you find out?"

"You shouldn't have taken her to Stillwater. Isn't hard for Dad to put two and two together. She must be seven, eight maybe."

"Now is not the time for this." Marie tried to put him off.

Meanwhile Tiff had picked up the cookies and plate and walked to the doorway where she could hear but wouldn't be seen and just in time to hear Gibbs speak, "Then when would you like it? I'm not leaving here without some form of agreement that I can see her at least once a month."

"You don't have that right." Marie answered.

"You're actually trying to deny she's my daughter?" Gibbs asked.

"Legally she isn't. Nick's name is on her birth certificate and he's the only father she's ever known."

"If you didn't want me to find out why did you keep taking her to Stillwater? Two years Marie? Of course he was going to figure it out."

"I can't take it back Leroy but don't upset her life. Besides you'd be a single father and you're a Marine. No judge is going to give you custody."

"I've been married for two years, Marie. You remember Shannon?"

"And now you want my daughter so you can be a happy little family? No way." Then a car pulled into the drive. "Just forget about her Leroy, please." Gibbs looked at the girl he thought he loved in high school and shook his head there was something in her voice but he wasn't going to give up on his little girl like he had on his relationship with her mother.

Later that afternoon while Marie and her husband Nick talked in Nick's home office, Tiff snuck into the kitchen and picked up the phone. She called her Grampy Jack in Pennsylvania and waited for the older man to pick up. "Jackson Gibbs." The older man greeted.

"Grampy? It's Tiff."

"Sweetheart, do your parents know you're calling?"

"Irrelevant. Is it true? Are you really my grandfather?"

"What happened, sweetie?"

"A guy stopped by; told me his name was Gibbs but Mom said Leroy. Is he really my dad?"

"Let me—"

"No." Tiff said cutting him off before he could ask for her parents. "Tell me the truth."

"Yes, he is your blood father. Your mom met Nick while she was pregnant with you."

"Oh. Do I have to go live with him now?"

"That's something your parents will figure out but know that he does love you and that he would like it if your mom would let you visit."

"Thanks Grampy Jack." Tiff hung up and Leroy Gibbs wasn't spoken of for nearly a month.

xxxxxxxxx

Then there it was just before Thanksgiving and a couple weeks before Tiff's birthday Gibbs showed up again. "Here's the paperwork Marie, sign it or I'm suing for full custody." Gibbs said.

"I haven't even told her Leroy. It's not easy to tell a seven year old that her dad isn't who she thinks he is and that the only dad she's known spends more time at the capital because he can't handle my past."

"You don't have to tell her about Nick. All you have to tell her is that I'm her biological father and she only has to see me once a month." Gibbs answered.

Tiff entered the kitchen. "Don't have to tell me that either. I know who he is. I heard Mom and Dad arguing about it so I called Grampy Jack. He told me about Gibbs, that he was my blood dad and it's just one day a month."

"It's one weekend a month. Leroy lives in D.C. You'll stay all weekend with him and his wife Shannon." Marie said signing the papers.

Once she finished Gibbs looked them over. "You also have a half-sister named Kelly. She'll be two in January." Gibbs said sticking the papers in his suit jacket pocket.

"You didn't tell me you had another daughter." Marie said.

"You never asked. Come on we'll get your bag packed, Tiff."

"You're taking her this weekend?"

"Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, I just would have liked a little warning."

"Mom, would it hurt?"

"Her bed time is at eight on Sundays, have her home before then." Marie sighed.

"Thank you, Mommy." Tiff said. "So a sister?" Tiff asked as the plane headed for D.C.

"Yes, her name is Kelly. You can sleep in her room." Gibbs answered. "We bought you a bed but Shannon won't have it set up by the time we get home."

"Do I have to call her Mom?"

"No, Shannon will be fine."

"What should I call you?"

"Gibbs."

"But one day I could call you Dad?"

"When you're comfortable," Gibbs answered trying not to show his emotions.

Tiff nodded and didn't make another peep until the walked into the parking lot of the airport. That's when he lead her to a truck. "The first time I saw you, you were leaning against a pick up." Tiff noted. He just looked at her and she rolled her eyes. They drove to the house and as they walked up to the door Tiff took Gibbs's hand. He paused and looked down at her but then continued on. They got inside where they removed their coats and Tiff stretched but couldn't reach to hang hers up. Gibbs helped her then heard Shannon call for him.

"That you?" Shannon called walking into the living room with Kelly on her hip.

"Shannon, this is Tiffany or Tiff." Gibbs said.

"Well hello there." Shannon said setting Kelly down then crouching to meet the young girl.

"Hi." Tiff answered.

"Tiff, this is your sister Kelly." Gibbs said.

Tiff greeted her sister then the younger girl hugged her. Tiff hugged her back and looked up at Gibbs. He only smiled at her.

In 1991 a 14 year old Tiff stared down her mother. "Come on Mom, it's just one week. Dad's shipping out and I want to make sure that Kelly and Shannon have everything packed up for their trip back to D.C."

"I said no Tiffany Anne. You've got school."

"But I'm not going to see him for nine months."

"Fine, as long as it's ok with the school." Marie answered knowing there was no way that the school would allow Tiff to be excused for that long without a death in the family.

"My guidance counselor said as long as all my teachers knew, a week long absence to see my dad ship out is fine."

"There is just no winning with you. Your dad is going to be upset."

"If you mean Nick, I haven't seen him in 2 years and Gibbs will be happy I got to come." Marie shook her head and Tiff ran to pack. Later that afternoon Tiff landed in California where her dad and Shannon picked her up and Kelly rushed to her big sister.

"Tiffy!" Kelly cried.

"Have you gotten bigger? I swear you're bigger than last month." Tiff answered as she hugged her now seven year old sister.

"Not much." Kelly answered. "How long are you staying?"

"Kelly." Shannon warned. The younger girl was upset every time she realized Tiff could only stay the weekend and longed for Tiff's three week summer stays.

"A week, if that's alright. I know Dad's shipping out in a couple of days but ..." Tiff started.

"That's fine sweetie. I could use the help to keep her busy as I finish packing," Shannon said.

The family spent time together before Gibbs had to leave. Nearly a week later, after camping on the beach before he left then spending time at the Gibbs' Camp Pendleton home, Shannon had everything packed and loaded into the moving van. Then Tiff suggested a fast food lunch before she had to go to the airport. All three ladies enjoyed their lunch and as they walked out the front door of the dinner, Kelly pulled on her sister's hand. "Wait, I forgot Nina," Kelly said. Nina was Kelly's favorite doll that Tiff and Jethro, as she learned Shannon called her dad, had gotten for her two Christmases prior.

"We got it." Tiff said to Shannon and then lead Kelly back to the booth. Shannon hovered by the door; her eyes on her girls. Kelly climbed into the booth and grabbed her doll as the dinner was filled with the sound of breaking glass. "Kelly, get down!" Tiff yelled as glass flew at her from the now shattered front window. Tiff dove after her sister to take cover under the table when something sharp and hot tore through her right shoulder.

"I've got good news and bad news." The doctor said sitting down next to Shannon.

"What's the good news?" Shannon asked.

"She is going to be okay. The first bullet just grazed her left hand. We stitched it up and it'll heal soon. Same with the glass cuts on her face. The bad news is the second bullet tore through her shoulder. It will be in a sling for a couple weeks and then she'll have to do some PT but she will be fine." The doctor said.

"When can we take her home?" Shannon asked.

"You mean when can I take her home?" Marie asked entering the trauma unit.

"You must be Marie Rickards."

"Yes, Tiffany's mother."

"We're hoping as soon as she wakes up. She passed out from the pain in the ambulance. She should be waking soon." The doctor answered.

"Have you called her father?" Marie asked.

"He's serving overseas." Shannon told the doctor.

"It's not life or death unless she takes a turn for the worse so it is up to you to contact the chaplain on base and they will get the news to him overseas."

"Can we see sissy now?" Kelly asked.

"Right this way." The doctor stood and the three followed.

A couple hours later Tiff had finally come around and looked frantically around the room, calming when she saw Kelly watching her intently. "Stop staring, I'm fine." Tiff said smirking.

"Mom, she's awake." Kelly said. Shannon smiled from her seat next to Kelly.

"I see you're ok." Tiff said. She also noticed Nina was tucked under her left arm and figured Kelly had done that hoping the doll would wake her sister or at the very least keep her safe. Kelly nodded and an older man entered the room. At the very least he was in his late 40s maybe even 50s. "Who are you?" Tiff asked turning her head in his direction and seeing her mom on her right. The man stood next to Marie.

"What would your father say if he heard you?" Shannon asked.

"Manners are important Tiff." Tiff deadpanned.

"Special Agent Mike Franks, NIS." The man said showing his badge and ID. "Tiffany Gibbs? I need to ask you a couple questions about what happened."

"You probably know more than I do, Special Agent Franks." Tiff answered, "And it's Rickards. I didn't find out Gibbs was my dad until I was eight so I kept my step-dad's last name."

"Ok, I would like to know what you remember."

"My sister forgot her doll. We went back to get it and I remember seeing the window shatter. I hollered for Kelly to get down and as I ducked for cover under the table something tore through my shoulder. I wasn't paying that much attention to anything other than Kelly."

"Did you see anything out the window?" Franks asked.

"No sir. All my attention was on my sister until I saw the window shatter out of the corner of my eye. What's with NIS's interest in the injuring of a Marine dependent? It's not like I was killed or in any sort of real danger. Shouldn't you leave this for the local cops? I mean I'm not even a full time dependent and it happened off base."

"Can you think of anyone who would want to hurt you? Anyone at all?"

"No sir. The only one who knew I was in California this week was my mom." Tiff motioned to Marie. "Everyone else knows my dad lives in D.C."

"If we have any more questions we'll be in touch. Here's my card if you think of anything else." Franks said, holding out a business card. Tiff moved to take it but found her right arm in a sling and her left palm bandaged. Marie took the card instead. Tiff then nodded. "Mrs. Gibbs if you have a moment?"

Shannon stood and looked at her girls. "Tiff, keep an eye on your sister."

"Yes, ma'am," Tiff answered.

Shannon followed the agent into the hallway. They spoke for a moment then Shannon reentered the room. "You don't remember anything else?" Shannon asked.

"Nothing. I may be snarky and come off a bit brash but I don't lie. Dad would tan my hide if I were a liar." Tiff answered.

"The doctor said we could go now." Shannon said. She gently helped Tiff up and Kelly helped her sister put her shoes on.

"Are you coming with us?" Kelly asked, squeezing her doll tight in her arms after taking it back from her sister.

Tiff looked at her mom then shook her head. "My mom is going to bring me down there so I can get my stuff but then I have to go home." Tiff said. "Don't you worry. I am going to see you in June though and wild horses won't be able to keep me away."

Once Tiff got back to North Carolina she attempted to put California out of her mind but her best friend wouldn't let her. "Tiffany whatever your middle name is, what happened to you?" He said rushing up.

"You know what happened to me Henry." Tiff answered, staring at her locker trying to figure out how to get her backpack off and open the locker without flexing her hand which would tear the stitches out.

"No, I don't. The principal was being particularly tight lipped about it."

"Be a dear and open my locker." Tiff said.

"Why can't you?" Henry asked.

"Uh hello, stitches in my left hand and I can't use my right arm."

"Right." Henry opened the locker and removed the books Tiff would need, dumping them in her backpack.

"You're too good to me."

"Hey Henry!" A voice called.

Tiff and Henry both looked and saw an older boy coming towards them. "Hey Jamie," Henry answered.

Tiff looked at the floor hoping he wouldn't ask about her arm like a lot of others had. "My dad asked if you could get this to your dad." Jamie said.

"Sure, though I'm certain your dad will see him before I do." Henry answered. Henry's dad was owner of the only gas station in town. His mom was the Jr/Sr high principal. "Oh Jamie, this is my best friend Tiffany Rickards. Yes, the congressman's daughter and Tiff, this Jamison Hammond." Tiff looked up at the boy she was being introduced to. "His dad is the self-proclaimed mayor because he knows everything that goes on in this town and he owns the general store."

"Nice to meet you and Nick is my step-dad. My real dad is a Marine." Tiff said.

"Lives in D.C. I know. Shame about the shoulder but you'll be ok." Jamie said.

"How'd you find that out? My mom only told the principal."

"I was in the office when she did. I have to get to class. It's on the other side of the school and if I'm late Major is going to rip me for it. Later Henry, Tiff. Oh and Henry, take her bag. Can't be easy hauling it around with a busted shoulder." Then Jamie took off.

"What grade is he in? The other side is senior high school." Tiff said as Henry did take her bag.

"Tenth," Henry answered. "He has ROTC first thing; now, let's get you to class since you won't tell me what happened." Tiff sighed and softly told him what happened. "No way."

"Yeah. I don't know why me but I'm grateful it wasn't my kid sister."

"So that's why you were gone for a whole week?"

"I was gone that long because my dad was deploying. I got shot my last day out there."

"That's insane."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By the time June rolled around, Tiff's shoulder had healed and she was up to 98% mobility. Tiff knew the other two percent probably wouldn't come back but she didn't really care either. Her three week vacation to D.C. had come up and one night as she was telling Kelly a bed time story Shannon entered the room. She didn't say a word just stood and watched. Once Tiff tucked her sister in and said goodnight she left the room.

Shannon checked on Kelly then followed Tiff. "I have some bad news."

"What's wrong?" Tiff asked pulling the M&Ms out of the cupboard that Kelly couldn't reach.

"Dad was injured overseas. He was in a coma when they air lifted him to Frankfort. From there they flew him here. He's in Bethesda. He's still in a coma."

"Go. Kelly and I will be fine. Take your time."

"Sweetheart, you're only 14."

"And Dad taught me how to load and shoot his gun. I'll be fine. It's not like Kelly's awake. She's fast asleep and I will be in a couple hours. We'll be fine."

"Honey, he's been in a coma for six days."

"Ok." Tiff put away the candy and pulled out the ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate syrup. "That requires something stronger than candy. I know. Will it make you feel better if I call Grampy Jack and see if he'll fly down? It'll only be a couple hours."

"Tiff I—"

"Mum, I've been on my own plenty of times. Only difference is now I also have to look after a sleeping kid. Please be with Dad. Get him to wake up." Shannon finally agreed and raced to the hospital. Tiff called Gibbs's dad and Jack told he was on the first flight down.

xxxx

Six days later Jethro was still in a coma and Shannon couldn't stop either girl from going to the hospital any more. After about four hours Shannon convinced Kelly and Jackson, who had been watching the girls, to get food but Tiff sat stubbornly by her father's side. Looking around and seeing she was completely alone Tiff took his hand and pleaded to him. "Dad, listen, I don't know what's going on in that brain of yours but please wake up. Mom and Kelly need you and well I do too. Please Daddy, please come back. Please." Suddenly she felt pressure on her hand. Tiff looked down in time to see Jethro's eyes fly open. "Dad?" Tiff asked.

He gagged on the tube in his throat and Tiff put a hand on his shoulder.

"Easy, I'll get the doctor." Tiff said. The tube was removed and the doctor asked him what seemed like a ton of questions before leaving the pair alone.

"You're alive." Jethro croaked.

"Uh yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Tiff asked confused.

"The chaplain he told me ... He said that you had been shot. He couldn't tell me more than that and I couldn't ask Shannon. When I called your mom she never let me talk to you."

"You thought I was dead?" Jethro only looked at her. "The first bullet grazed my hand, four stitches and you can barely tell there's a scar; it's the second one that had everyone so worried." Tiff pulled the collar of her shirt off her shoulder. "The doctor said it tore through muscles or something. Four weeks in a sling then six weeks of PT after that. I met a cute guy though at my school. He's a couple years older but real cute. Guy by the name of Special Agent Mike Franks was looking into the shooting but wouldn't tell me anything."

"Agent?" Jethro asked.

"NIS. Naval Investigative Service. He really wouldn't tell me why they were interested in a Marine dependent getting wounded. I thought that was something they'd leave for local cops. Obviously not. I still have no idea why he was looking into it."

"Kelly and Shannon?"

"Down in the cafeteria. Your dad's here too. Is that why you were in a coma for nearly two weeks? Because you thought something really bad happened to me?"

"Maybe."

"Doc said all your tests came back normal and he couldn't explain why you were still out. If something did happen to me I'd still want you to take care of Shannon and Kelly. They need you too, you know. Especially Kelly. She'd probably handle losing one of us but not both."

Jethro lifted an arm and Tiff smiled. She climbed up on the bed and cuddled next to her dad.

"I love you." Tiff whispered.

"Love you too." Jethro answered. That was how Shannon and Kelly found them when they came back from lunch.

"Jethro." Shannon breathed.

"Daddy!" Kelly cheered. Both girls rushed to the bedside. Shannon took his hand and Kelly climbed up on the bed.

I do hope you liked this. Part two just review then click the button. Thank you so much.

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