[b][center]A Family Affair[/center][/b]

[i]The week before Christmas. (Chapter 1)[/i]

"Well Mr Palmer, your first Christmas as a married man," Ducky began to say as he passed over the liver of one deceased Petty Officer, "Are you and Breena going to the In-laws?"

"Oh yes Dr. Mallard," Jimmy smiled, before frowning, "Should be fun…..not. I would rather be working…..I think."

"Nonsense, this time next year you'll be playing Santa to your son." Ducky reassured the lad.

"You think so Dr Mallard?" Jimmy replied now looking more cheerful.

"Oh I know, Jimmy my boy, but enjoy your 1st in-law Christmas." Ducky replied as he continued to go about his work.

-oOo-

"Do you have to do this every year Leroy? I mean why can't we spend some time together?" Jackson Gibbs pleaded down the phone, "Leroy, I'm not getting any younger…."

"Dad," Gibbs half shouted half prayed down the phone, "It's my job…I have no family….."

"You have me son, or should I say I have you…surely we can spend some time together at this time of the year?"

"Why….everything OK dad….something you ain't telling me…have I got to call your Doctor?" Gibbs asked with concern in his voice.

"No son, I just wanted….." Jack continued the sound of disappointment in his voice.

"Dad, murders don't just stop for Christmas…..OK Ziva isn't Christian…and yes she is working."

"Son," Jack continued,

"What Dad….?"

"Nothing…"

-oOo-

"Junior….Christmas?" DiNozzo Senior asked down the phone.

"Dad, what about it? You never did get me anything I wanted when…." DiNozzo Junior replied shouting down the phone.

"I did….sometimes." Tony's father replied.

"Yeah, I wanted a mother, and a father, a family, a stable life…you gave me…." Tony cried with frustration.

"Junior, please….I'm not getting any younger, come to Monte Carlo…..Monaco."

"Dad you're not hobnobbing with the Grimaldis' are you?" Tony questioned, hoping that this was not the case.

"No, but I do have a job here," his Dad replied, as Tony could almost feel the smile.

"Oh yeah," was all his son could muster in answer.

"Yes, I'm minding a friend's apartment….." Tony's dad continued.

"Minding?" Tony began to question.

"Ok house sitting." Tony Senior replied.

"House sitting….meaning you have no money….you lose it in the Casino?"

"Yes…no…..I'm…"

"A sitting tenant…a squatter…..yeah?" Tony finally managed to ask.

"Please son….I have nowhere else to go."

-oOo-

"Father I will not…I have been home for Chanukah, I need to give my co-workers their time with their families. Someone has to mind the fort, so to speak…yes I know I am Americanised now and yes I have my obligations to my employer." Ziva replied sighing.

-oOo-

"Penny, no I can't…OK I won't…I love…yes," Tim stammered down the phone, "Yes my job…..and Abby…we have had ….you know….. relations…..Penny, I know you are a relation to…but he is your son….ok my father…..safety in numbers…..I don't think I can get time off." Tim finished, as he shut his cell off.

"Problems, McGee?" Gibbs asked.

"No Boss, just Penny….my grandmother was wondering if I was intending to spend Christmas with the family, I told her I had put my name down to work…as much as I love my family, a day with my father would be like…"

"Spending the day with me?" Gibbs asked.

"No Boss, at least I can talk to you…sometimes." Tim added now looking down at the report.

"Only sometimes?" Gibbs questioned.

"Well yes you do sometimes have a rather abrupt attitude….sorry," Tim answered looking into the ice cold eyes of Gibbs, before looking down.

"Tim…..am I really that bad?"

"No Boss….I think I'm more in awe of you," Tim concluded.