Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or any of it's characters and The Rose isn't mine either.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs sat at his desk after a long day of cold cases, thinking about one of the most important women in his life, his mother. Tomorrow was her birthday and her favorite song had been playing in his head for most of the day.

' Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed.'

That line brought a clear image of McGee and Abby to his mind, because anyone that knew that particular couple realized that McGee loved Abby to the point of drowning her with the intensity of his emotion.

'Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed.'

That was Ziva and Michael Rivkin, if it was any of the people he knew. Michael tore Ziva's heart straight to her soul and probably killed any chance she would ever have of finding a real relationship, because she no longer could put that kind of trust into another person.

'Some say love, it is a hunger an endless aching need.'

Even though several people came to mind when he heard this line, the strongest was the image of Tobias Fornell drinking Pepto Bismol by the gallon during his time apart from Diane was the strongest. All the Pepto in the world didn't fill the need that their mutual ex-wife left in his long-time friend.

'I say love, it is a flower and you, it's only seed.'

He smiled softly to himself, as he debated the idea of asking the one person who had burrowed into his heart little by little over the years out to dinner.

'It's the heart, afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.'

McGee once again came to mind and that heartbreaking comment about joining the monastery after the fiasco with that assassin Amanda.

'It's the dream, afraid of waking that never takes the chance.'

Tony and Jeanne formed a clear image in his mind, because when they awoke from the dream reality that was created by Jenny deception it was a disaster.

'It's the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give."

That line fit Jenny to perfection. Jenny could never give herself to any relationship enough for it to work.

'And the soul, afraid of dying that never learns to live.'

That was his line, since Shannon's death he was so afraid to lose another part of this soul to the grim reaper that he had truly stopped living.

'When the night has been too lonely and the road has been to long

And you think that love is only for the lucky an the strong'

Jimmy and Breena came to mind because they seemed to be the exception in the misfit group of heart broken that served to prove that love might still be possible.

'Just remember in the winter far beneath the winter snow

Lies the see that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes the rose.'

Gibbs once again looked over the almost deserted bullpen and decided to take a chance.

"Tim would you like to come over tonight for steaks over and open flame?"

AN: Just a little something to try to get the creative juices following again. Hope you enjoyed and as always please review with your thoughts and comments. :) stray