Episode 4- Happy Families
Plot Outline: It's been three years since the team last saw each other. Abby and McGee are married and have a daughter, Rose. Kate never died and she and Tony married with two sons, Anthony Jr. and Jethro, Jimmy and Breena have a daughter and a son, Jasmine and James. Gibbs married Jenny who didn't die and Ducky remained the handsome and kind grandfather figure for the family. (A possible future alternate plot for 'Life Before his Eyes' –Season 9 episode 14)
Gibbs stood, gun in hand, as a young man pulled the trigger on the weapon aimed directly at Gibbs' chest. Time seemed to stop and everything seemed to gain an iridescent sheen of white over its already extraordinary brightness. Mike Franks sat down in the seat beside the one Gibbs had just vacated.
"Probie, sit." He instructed, pulling Gibbs' seat out and patting the cushion.
"Mike? What's going on? What's happened?" Gibbs asked as the bullet hovering in the air, clattered to the floor with a soft and muffled thud.
"This, Probie is the time when you decide whether or not you want to live or die." Mike said simply, nursing a beer in his right hand which seconds before had been empty. Gibbs stared shocked. Of course he wanted to live, what sort of a question was that?
"Of course I want to live, Mike. Jenny's at home waiting for me," Mike lifted his eyebrows with a look similar to what Tony would have given him at this statement. "Don't say it."
"Wasn't gonna, Probie. Good for you." Was all Mike said and slapped Gibbs on the back. Gibbs rolled his eyes and sat beside Mike at the bar.
"What do I need to decide, Mike?" He asked.
"What there is to go back for… or what there is to leave behind." Mike explained. "I'm sorry, Probie, but from here you're on your own."
"Why, Mike? I need your help…" Gibbs turned to where Mike was meant to be sat, only to find he'd disappeared. He turned to Mike's lonely beer bottle, still half full, took a swig and settled down to contemplate his life.