It was too hot to be September. Tony sat in a stuffy office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, studying the case file of a dead Marine who it seemed Gibbs knew. Ziva, who was not used to working in such close confines, paced like a caged tiger, while McGee tried, yet again, to access the colonel's phone records on the ancient computer. A suspect was fidgeting in the small interrogation room behind the team. Gibbs was no where to be found.
--
The sounds of the day care center echoed around him as he stepped in the front door. He showed his ID and swiped his pass card to enter the second set of glass doors.
"Hello, Jet," one of the teachers said, approaching him, "Are you here for Gabriella?" He nodded, asking himself why he would have any other purpose for his visit.
"They're outside right now," the teacher said. Jet thanked her and headed back to the door he knew led to the playground. He paused to watch the group of three and four year olds as they scampered around the play equipment. One little girl looked up from where she was playing cops and robbers and her face lit up. She ran to him, her brown pigtails flying.
"Daddy!" she cried excitedly. Jet knelt down and she rushed to wrap her little arms around his neck. He lifted her up and swung her around enjoying her laughter. She laughed just like her mother did.
"How are you, Gibby?" he asked, settling the three year old comfortably in his arms.
"A lot better now that you're here," she said, with a smile, "Why are you here?"
"Well," he said, knowing full well that she'd most likely already guessed his purpose, "Somebody told me you wanted to see some new-fangled dog movie. And since I was down here I thought that I should spend some time with my special girl."
"Can we get popcorn at the movie?" Gabriella asked, excited.
"I might even let you get candy I you promise not to tell your mother," he whispered conspiratorially in her ear. He set her feet on the ground and patted her back.
"Grab your gear," he told her with a smile. She ran off to do just that. He caught the teacher's eye and pointed, receiving an affirming nod. Gabriella came running back to him and nearly dragged him out the door.
Jet borrowed a car seat from the center under a prearranged agreement. They drove to the movie theater and purchased tickets, popcorn and gummi bears. Jet patiently sat through the whole ridiculous movie, which Gabriella loved. She danced around him as they left the theater, chattering about the movie and repeating her favorite lines. Jet reached for her hand as they entered the parking lot. A glance at his watch told him that if he didn't get his little girl back to the daycare center her mother would start to worry.
"Daddy," Gabriella piped up from the back seat, "Did you remember my ribbons?" It was a tradition between the two of them that each time Jet showed up unexpectedly, he brought her a pair of hair ribbons to wear on her braids. He pulled today's from his pocket and handed them back to her with a half smile. They were white with red and blue stars of various sizes on them.
"Daddy, they're beautiful!" she cooed. His smile expanded. The ribbons were also a way to let Lynn, Gabriella's mother, know that he'd been in town if he didn't have time to see her. Of course, now that Gabby could talk, the silent communication wouldn't have been necessary. But these ribbons held a deeper meaning. These were the chosen signal that told her to lay really low. Caitlin would know what they meant.
He left his daughter at the classroom door with a gentle pat on the back, and watched as she scurried off toward one of her friends. He watched her play for a few minutes before turning and heading out to the car. A few deep breaths and a sip of coffee later and Jet Jennings faded into the background, allowing Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs to emerge.
And Gibbs had an interrogation to perform.
