The past week had been rather rough. With everyone recovering from Eli David's visit, a double homicide to investigate and school to prepare for no one had been the most pleasant of moods or easy going spirit. So it was not unexpected that most dinner times were spent in silence if they ate together at all. Gibbs had been over several evenings with CJ because Ziva and Tony didn't know when they would be getting home. It was on one of these nights that Gibbs decided he would hand out some advice before school started again. Sitting in the living room he called to his 'niece' to join him.

"Whatcha want?" she answered before she even made it all the way into the room.

Patting the sofa beside him he started "I thought we could have a little chat".

"Really? About what? I haven't done anything I shouldn't have" CJ responded somewhat guiltily.

"You have a guilty conscience, my angel" smiling at her now nestled into him on the couch.

"You blame me?"

"No… I just wanted to … make a suggestion…" raising his eyebrows to indicate he wanted her full attention before he began.

Tilting her head up so that she could look him in the eye she Hmmm'd.

"CJ … last year was … well… not your best year"

"You can say that again"

"I was thinking that maybe you could, turn over a new leaf, and maybe at least TRY and stay out of trouble this year. Whatda ya think?"

"Of course I'm going to stay out of trouble Uncle Gibbs… you know I walk the straight and narrow ALL the time" giving him one of her most charismatic smiles she'd inherited from her father.

"CJ" giving he the 'look'.

"Ya, I don't really have much choice do I, if ANYTHING happens I'll get blamed anyway. I think my bigger problem will be if someone else decides to do something I'll catch it instead" CJ responded indignantly.

"You made your bed, now you have to lay in it" he said matter of factly.

She loved her uncle very much but that wasn't at all the response she was hoping for. He could give her a little sympathy. She shuffled away on the couch as he stared at her.

"CJ, come here, you know I love you, that's why I want you to keep your nose clean this year."

"I WILL"

"Good" signaling with his hand for her to come back and cuddle in. "Let's watch a movie".

And with that the conversation was over. CJ nestled in his arm and watched the movie while he watched her. She really was growing up fast, and really she was an amazing kid. She may have a propensity for trouble but it was generally good natured fun that got out of hand rather than deliberately trying to hurt someone.

The last few days before the start of school flew by so fast CJ could hardly believe that tomorrow would be the first day of her last year in elementary school.

She sat at the dinner table eating once again in silence as her parents hurriedly finished theirs in preparation of one of them returning to the office to keep working. The other was going to do to what they could from home. They wanted someone to be home with CJ for tomorrow morning. CJ hung out in the living room flicking through channels on the tv trying to find something to watch but really her mind raced with the prospect of the new year starting. When her mother finally shoo'd her up to bed she was in a bit of a funk about the impending school day.

Waking up to hear the rain pouring down outside her window did nothing to lift CJ's spirits. After breakfast, she showered and brushed her teeth, packed her backpack and was about to leave when Ziva stopped her in the front entrance. "Good Luck, my little one" laying a kiss on the top of her head.

"Bye mama" CJ responded sullenly.

Ziva smiled after her daughter, and hoped beyond hope that this year played out differently.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Steven and CJ arrived at school and quickly made their way to the gymnasium. The school year always started this way for the 7th and 8th graders as the principal called out homerooms and directed the students to the correct classes. Once again Steven and CJ were in the same class and they made their way to Ms. Lowell's room. Class schedules and locker assignments were handed out in homeroom and everyone picked desks. There was an aspect of the new year that CJ enjoyed; it was the new start, the new beginning that it afforded you.

Every morning the school had announcements over the PA system before classes started, it included the national anthem, the pledge of allegiance and any announcements regarding school activities that the student body would want to know. As soon as these were over students headed to their first classes. CJ sat only half listening to this morning's ramblings as they were pretty standard first day of school explanation of rules, introduction and welcoming of new staff etc. So CJ was struck unaware when the announcement ended and Mr. Thompson the principals voice was heard to say "CJ DiNozzo please report to the office immediately." The entire class turned to glare at CJ; all with the "What did you do now?" look on their faces. Great, she thought I haven't even been here and hour and I'm in trouble. What in the world did they think I did, I haven't had time to do anything yet. Steven offered to take CJ's belongings to the first class and pick her a desk. CJ accepted as she made her way in a daze towards the office. This was a route she had walked many a time but in those instances she always knew why and could prepare for it. She was making this trek blind.

As she walked into the main office area Miss Parkin smiled and offered a joyful hello. CJ still apprehensive as to her predicament was unable to fully engage in the conversation. It was only a few seconds before Mr. Thompson stuck his head out of the office door and motioned for CJ to join him. Taking a deep breath, holding her head up high and squaring her shoulders CJ walked into the principal's office. She stood in front of his desk as she had so many times before in what could be called an 'at ease' military stance. Mr. Thompson smiled. He leaned back against the front of his desk arms folded across his chest looking at CJ.

"CJ I have a job for you" he said finally breaking the awkward silence. CJ's head snapped to look at his face and read his expression.

"A job?" she said tentatively.

"Yes, a job. Miss Parkin seems to think that you are a good kid who only gets into trouble because you aren't busy enough. And because I would like all of my classrooms, teachers and supplies to stay in one piece this year." He paused, making sure to catch CJ's eyes and smiled a broad relaxed smile. "I have decided to help keep you busy."

"O…K…" CJ was only a little confused but decided that just listening was the best course of action.

"I've decided that it is now your responsibility to do the morning announcements."

"Pardon me?" CJ didn't think she'd heard him correctly. Do the morning announcements, she'd been at this school for 8 years and the principal had ALWAYS done the announcements.

"Yes… you heard me. Miss Parkin will have a list of announcements from all the teachers each morning, you will learn how to operate the PA system and you will run the announcements. I would also like to have each of the grade 8 students have a turn in helping you. It will also be your responsibility to organize a schedule of who is helping you on each day. Miss Parkin will provide you with a list of the grade 8 student names. I figure there are enough school days that each person should get around 3 turns."

CJ stood staring at this man as though he'd gone crazy. He continued to explain how CJ was to come to school each day and instead of hanging around outside for the bell she was to come to the office to prepare, starting tomorrow. Before leaving each night she would get a list of announcements for the next day that she should pick up before she goes home. Training was to start tomorrow.

Mr. Thompson dismissed her explaining that Miss Parkin would write her a hall pass and note to get into her first class and that he would see her at the end of the day to pick up tomorrow's list.

"Yes sir" was all CJ could get out before leaving the office and going to stand in front of Miss Parkin.

"You … arranged all this" CJ asked the young secretary sweeping her hand through the air directing her attention towards the PA system.

The smiling young woman just nodded her head. "You helped me out last year… I thought I would return the favour this year."

CJ stayed and talked for a few minutes, now that she knew she wasn't in trouble for anything she was better able to have a conversation and find out how Miss Parkin had been doing over the summer holiday. She wasn't sure how she felt about this little plan as she walked to class, hall pass in hand.

Entering first period quietly she placed her note and hall pass on the teacher's desk and quietly scanned the room for her belongings Steven was to place on the desk he chose for her. It was her assumption that the desk would be in close proximity to his and so she was surprised to find her things on the desk closest to the front, adjacent to the teacher's desk. With a quizzical look she caught Steven's attention. His returned expression was one of apology and then it changed to disgust as his eyes landed on the back of the teacher at the black board.

"OH" CJ mouthed.

"Nice of you to join us Miss DiNozzo, take your seat, there is no need for you to interrupt our studies further." Mr. Gillis spat out.

Wonderful, CJ thought Ms. Stewart had left the school but obviously her role had been replaced by THIS guy. It was going to be a long year.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

CJ returned home dejected and soaked through to the skin. She unlocked the door to the empty house and made her way to the shower. Maybe the warm water would cheer her up. Normally the quiet time alone was something CJ enjoyed but not tonight. It was the first night of school and she wasn't supposed to be home alone that night. After showering and putting on comfy clothes she started to make herself something to eat. Just as she was finishing setting the table for herself the front door swung open and in walked a large group of what looked like drowned rats. Tim and her father were carrying large bags of Chinese takeout, while Abby had several bottles of soda.

"Is Gibbs here yet?" Ziva asked just as the door pushed open to reveal the sodden ex marine.

"'m now" he growled, and then the corners of his mouth turned slightly as he saw the flash of appreciation in CJ's eyes.

They all traipsed into the kitchen and found the table set of one and CJ's meal alone on the table.

Everyone one of them looked to the lonely plate and then to CJ who's eyes were shiny with tears.

"I didn't think you'd come… you were all so busy… and…"

It was Tony who reacted first taking his daughter into his arms and kissing her on top of her head.

"It's the first day of school… we always do takeout on the first day of school… how else are we going to hear about your day… we've done it for 8 years… why wouldn't we come?" Tony kissed her again.

Everyone took their turn giving CJ a hug before they sat down around the table, quickly ripping into the bags of food. CJ stood a for few moments watching as her "family" handed out the neat little boxes of food and chop sticks and a pleasant chatter erupted. This is what the first day of school supper was supposed to be. This is what she needed. They had all come. CJ continued to watch contentedly but it was Gibbs who finally noticed she wasn't sitting and pulled out the chair beside him to indicate he wanted her to join them. Grabbing a box and chopsticks she finally joined the table.

The conversation soon turned to CJ with Tim asking "Hey… how was your first day of school?" And so the explanation of the day began. She explained how the new teacher Mr. Gillis was 'an idiot' and everyone one of the adults around the table started to admonish her for her pessimistic view this early on is the year all at the same time. Waving both hands in the air she quieted them all down and explained what had happened… him only choosing a desk for CJ … his less than pleasant welcome. And although they didn't want to admit it… they weren't really impressed with the man either. The adults all chose to remain silent instead of commiserating, they all knew if CJ didn't like a teacher things generally didn't go well for that teacher and they didn't want to encourage that.

CJ explained how the rest of her schedule went and although the other teachers were all ok, they weren't anything special and they certainly weren't Mr. Richardson. They laughed and joked about the year to come as a group and just as CJ was finishing her explanation she lowered her head, slumped her shoulders and in a soft voice said "And I … kinda… got called down to the office…. This morning…"

All eyes immediately looked at the guilty specimen that seemed to be sitting in front of them. Abby and Tim both gasped, Gibbs let out a low dangerous growl from deep in his throat. Ziva whispered "CJ" in a hushed tone. It was all Tony could do not to haul her out of her chair and show her what he thought about getting into trouble on first morning after having had numerous conversations about how this year was going to be different. Instead Tony simply but gruffly asked "WHY?"

Knowing she'd 'got' them all, she sat up straight and flashed her mischievous grin. Each one of them seeing her change in posture and demeanor visibly relaxed as she began to explain. She told them Mr. Thompson's plan and what she was to do. Everyone was happy for her and said that they were impressed with Mr. Thompson coming up with such a plan and following through. Both Gibbs and Tony were thinking to themselves that if they'd had principals or headmasters with that sort of initiative that maybe they wouldn't have gotten themselves into has much trouble either.

Even after everyone was finished eating no one left the table. The evening continued with everyone talking, joking and enjoying the each other's company. CJ spent a good part of the night just relishing the time she was spending with her 'family' and watching them all.

She went to bed smiling and feeling better about how things would play out at school.