Disclaimer I don't own NCIS

I've had a story similar to this in my head for a year or so now, and I've finally decided to write it. Now the second chapter and possibly third will be a crossover with CSI : Miami. But I will change it to that when it comes to it. (no real need to have seen CSI : Miami b4 though).

Okay, so in this story it is series 5. Erm, I will say this now so no one moans (not that you would (: ) If you are wanting a happy go lucky story line then this isn't it, this will be really angsty and most likely make you cry at some point as well as laugh too hopefully.

Errmm oh yeah ships: JIBBS romance/friendship at the beginning.

JONY friendship only.

Shannon/Gibbs romance

So please enjoy…

Leroy Jethro Gibbs is a man few people believe to understand, yet one even fewer actually do. Three people to be precise: Shannon, Kelly and Jenny. They are the only people that have ever truly understood him. Others had come close such as Ducky and Kate, yet neither had ever gotten to the peek. Shannon had always understood him since the first day they met, like it was meant to be. She had been the love of him life for many years, Kelly had been young but then again the most amazing person he had ever met. Losing them two ad broken his heart, he'd never expected to love again. Then Jenny had arrived, she was fierce and beautiful, the most intelligent and caring woman he had ever met. She had taught him something he never expected to learn again, she taught him to love again. Then she left. And God knew they had both been tipped and rocked all over the place but there they stood; fourteen years after they had first met, kissing under a strand of mistletoe strategically placed by Abby.

Tonight was Christmas Eve. The whole team, Abby, ducky and the director were gathered at Gibbs' house. There was a party in full swing as they all laughed and danced. Jenny though couldn't help but feel nervous exited and sad. Because yesterday she had found out something that would make the man she loved the happiest she had ever seen him, the nerves were in case it all went wrong. At the same time as making him happy, she would tear her heart into a thousand pieces, he would smile and she would lose the love of her life forever. Now as she kissed him, her head told her to stop because she was only worsening the agony. Yet her heart told her to continue because she was saying her last goodbye.

The clock struck 22 00 and Jenny pulled away with a sad smile. Walking away she left Gibbs feeling content for the first time since Paris. The party continued as she walked outside, she rested her head against the wall and breathed in the cold winter air. She took deep breaths keeping back the tears that threatened to come flowing out. As a car pulled up she composed herself and walked over. Out walked a red headed woman, she was older than Jenny by a few years, she wore smile lines and her red hair wasn't quite so bright. But she had a softer appearance; she wore a white blouse and jeans with pumps, and wooden jewellery. Although older she was none the less beautiful. She was followed out by a younger red head. She was only in her twenties; unlike her mother she had a much more unique style. She wore her long bright red hair lose yet curled. Skinny jeans were paired with a patterned t-shirt and black blazer with rolled up sleeves. She wore patent leather black stilettoes. Her mother's make up was natural yet the girl's was heavier with black eyeliner and mascara making her lashes look longer. Beauty radiated off the pair, and whilst the daughter was the splitting image of her mother she had blue eyes which were all so familiar to Jenny. Standing with the pair she felt slightly left out, they were both happy and relaxed, one was young and the other had aged well while Jenny felt like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Jenny walked out of the shadows and greeted the pair. She had told to the older woman about the man they were here to see. Told her about the history and his loves, but missed out herself. Because telling them of her relationship would make matters only harder. So Jenny was simply the director to both women, and that was how she wanted it.

"Mrs Gibbs, Miss Gibbs." She greeted both women.

"Kelly please, I get called by my surname so much at work."

"And it's Shannon."

"Very well."

"Before we go in, I want to thank you, for doing this. I thought I'd spend my whole life with just the memories of my dad, not I get to see him again. Honestly you have no idea how much this means to me, to both of us." Said Kelly. Jenny was surprised to see the younger woman was not filling up. But then again after all she had been through she was used to putting on a brave front.

"Gibbs, he's an amazing man. This will make him happy and after all that he has been through, all he's done for others it is about time he had a miracle of his own. It was only my pleasure." Replied Jenny.

"Can we go in!"

"Kelly!" scolded her mother."

"It's fine, fifteen years is a long time, you are bound to be exited, come on." Stated Jenny as she led them inside. Yet she wanted to say something first so left them just outside the door.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Christmas had never gone hand in hand, well not in a long time. But this year was different, it wasn't because of the presents, because of the party or music, it was simply because this year he was surrounded by his quirky, dysfunctional adopted family. Tony was chasing around Ziva with a sprig of mistletoe in his hand, Ducky was talking Tim's ear off or as he saw it enthralling the younger man. Only Ducky didn't see the glances he gave to Abby which screamed 'help me!' Only she was busy with the music, or at least that's what she told herself.

As Jenny walked in Abby did as she had been requested and turned the music off. She didn't know why but the director had asked her to do so and as it seemed important Abby had agreed to do so. The room fell silent and all eyes went on Jenny. "Jethro, I know we agreed not to get presents this year but when I found these two yesterday, and it was only yesterday, I thought I had better give them back to you. Happy Christmas Jethro." As she spoke he could hear all the emotion in her voice, excitement, regret, sadness, nerves all in all she sounded so bitter sweat. He didn't understand why until he saw walk through the door two people who he'd never expected to see. "shan, kell?" he questioned in barely an audible voice.

"Hello Jethro." Shannon responded.

"hey dad." Said Kelly.

Speechlessness was something Gibbs was not often yet now he was. He walked over to where they stood and placed a hand on Shannon's face. She was more beautiful than he had remembered. Gently he kissed her and she smiled. "I love Shannon." He said.

"I love you too Jethro." The red head responded.

"Erm, about to be sick here!" stated Kelly in a sarcastic tone.

"Kell." Responded Jethro a huge smile on his face. "Look at you all grown up, 25, just how your mother used to look." She just laughed, and he hugged her, both of them. He couldn't ever remember being that happy in a long time. In that moment just the three of them existed.

"Aren't you going to introduce you to your friends Jethro?" questioned Shannon.

"Yeah dad, who's the fit one?" questioned Kelly looking at Tony.

"Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, but you can call me tony." He said stepping forward, only to receive a head slap.

"Try hitting on my daughter again DiNozzo and it'll be more than your head I slap got it?"

"Yes boss, won't happen again boss."

"Dad!" responded a shocked Kelly, meanwhile Shannon just laughed.

"What are you laughing at?" questioned Gibbs whilst hugging his wife.

"Jethro, she is 25, stop being so protective!"

"Hang on I told you when she was born I was locking her in her room until she was 30! I meant it."

"Dad!" said Kelly.

"Any way Jethro, introduce us!"

"Oh, yeah sorry shan. Right this is Tony who you have already met, he's my senior field agent. Tim and Ziva are my other two. Then there is Abs, who is our forensic scientist. I suppose in a way Kel, they are all your siblings. Then this is Ducky, he's the granddad of the group…" Gibbs introduced them all, not even realising Jenny was missing. They all were talking and getting along for the next half hour, then Ducky silently excused himself and went outside.

xXx

Jenny had left the party 45 minutes before, now she was at outside. It was so hard to watch Jethro with Shannon, she was happy for them, both of them. At the same time though it was like someone was stabbing her through the heart. It was too hard to stay and watch. That is why she was not sat on the edge of the path round the back, staring into the sky.

Ducky walked up behind her and placed his jacket over her bare shoulders. She smiled at the gesture. "What are you doing out here my dear?" he questioned as he sat down.

"Needed some air Ducky."

"Now we both know that's not true." Silence fell between the pair. "It was a very selfless thing you've done my dear."

"Selfless or stupid Ducky?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Because by making him happy I've lost him."

"Now we both know that isn't true."

"So why is it you out her and not him?" silence fell again. "Any way, it's over now, I've done what I wanted now it's time for me to take the back door."

"Jennifer…"

"I…I could die Ducky, I'm not going to give him his family back then make him watch me die."

"You wouldn't be making him my dear…"

"No but he'd do it. It's time to face the face the music."

"Jennifer you have never taken the back door."

"No, but I am this time. I'm ill Ducky, he can't fix it and it'll kill him to watch. 'Sometimes you have to accept what is in front of you and move on', didn't you tell me that?2

"I did my dear."

"I have a brother, Horatio, he lives in Miami and has asked me to come and live with him. I'm going there tonight. The hospital says it would be better because nurses would be nearer and by not working the chances of it working are higher. Some days I have good days, some I have bad days. Recently the bad has outnumbered the good."

"And NCIS."

"I've quit."

"It was your dream though."

"Sometimes your dreams just aren't what life had planned."

"I can't say I think it's the right decision all around my dear, but I've learnt one thing about you over the years and that is not to attempt changing your mind. I wish you all the best my dear." He responded kissing her cheek.

"Here is my new address." She said handing him a piece of paper. "Tell Shannon I have given Jethro a week of leave time. Give the address to those who notice I'm gone and you are all welcome. One thing I ask though Ducky…"

"Anything my dear."

"Don't tell Jethro until you absolutely have to. The whole point of this had been to make him happy. I don't want to wreck all that."

"Goodbye Jennifer." He said hugging the younger woman.

"Goodbye Ducky."

As she left he knew the whole world would change now, and he couldn't help but feel sorry for the younger woman, because by making the man she loved happy, she had ripped her heart in two. That was something few women would ever do…

Please review and let me know what you thought.

Thanks for reading

xxx