The title came from an amazing quote from Supernatural's Bobby Singer "Family don't end in blood, boy."
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or Supernatural
After Shannon and Kelly were killed, he knew there was something missing in his life. One can't just go from being a husband and father to living as a bachelor again. It's not like flipping a switch. He thought at first revenge would help, and while it was immensely satisfying to be personally responsible for his death, it did nothing to fill the emptiness that plagued him. He tried to fill the hole in his heart with another woman. He tried that several times, but nothing came close to the love and devotion he held for Shannon. He continually tried and failed to find anything that would fill the void. That was when he got his team. It started with just him and Tony but eventually grew to include Abby, Tim, Ziva, and at one point, Kate. Having so many people depend on him, he began to notice the hole getting smaller.
In an instant, all the paternal instincts came flooding back to him as if they had never left. He was fiercely protective of them and there was never a doubt in anyone's mind that he would die for them in an instant if the need arose. He loved them like a father would his children because in his eyes, that's what they were- a family.
A/N: I'm so glad to finally post something again! Thank you for reading; please review. God Bless you all.