Ultimatum

"Why can't we go?" Abby demanded once again, following closely on Jethro's heels as he moved from the living room into the kitchen.

"Abbs," he spoke patiently, "We have been over this- more than once, in fact. You and Tony aren't going, and that's final."

Abby's response was interrupted when Tony jogged downstairs and joined in the conversation. "Boss, you still haven't given us a good reason. Why can't Abby and I go to Stillwater for the Labor Day weekend, too? Your dad wouldn't mind, and we'd have fun."

Jethro was beginning to lose his temper. "You aren't going and that's final. I am going alone, and the two of you are staying here, or spending the time at your own places. That's it. I don't want to hear any more about Stillwater."

"You still didn't give us a good reason," pointed out Abby, deciding to throw caution to the wind and poke the bear further.

"In fact, you didn't give us any explanation at all as to why we can't go," Tony persisted. For good measure, he added, "Didn't you see Home Alone, Boss? There's no telling what could happen to the Baby Girl and me if left to our own devices! Wouldn't you feel bad if we got hurt or someone broke in and kidnapped us?"

"Right," Abby added. "So why can't we go?"

Jethro felt a headache starting. He pinched the bridge of his nose, then raised his voice and snapped, "Because I said so, that's why! Both of you look at me right this second."

Abby and Tony obeyed, and Gibbs narrowed his gaze at the pair.

"Let me say this one last time, then if I have to repeat myself after this, both of you are going to be sitting at home until the Friday afternoon that begins the Labor Day holiday. I don't mean enjoying yourselves, either. I mean upstairs in your rooms. You two were not invited to Stillwater, and you are not joining me on the trip. Now, both of you close your mouths and go watch television or find something to do. The conversation is finished." With that, he grabbed his cup of coffee and headed down the steps to the basement.

Tony and Abby raised their eyebrows at each other and smirked, then headed into the living room to plan.

The three of them had become a family by default, accidentally, but still a family. They worked together at NCIS, and most afternoons and nights were spent at the house of Gibbs, where Gibbs ruled and looked out for them at the same time. Though both had their own places, they rarely went there, but each had bedrooms filled with their belongings at their boss- and surrogate parent's- house. Their affection for him was genuine and obvious, and strangers often took them for father and son and daughter.

That showdown between them over Stillwater was on Monday.

Friday evening Jethro pulled into the driveway of his childhood home and cut off the engine, sitting just a second to take in the familiar sights. This was his first home, the house he grew up in with his parents, and now was solely the home of his father, Jackson Gibbs.

He grabbed his overnight bag from the backseat and headed in, determined to have a good weekend for his dad's sake. The two men had come through a rocky few years in their relationship, and were trying their best to mend the hurts and tighten the parent- child bond.

Jackson was thrilled at the visit, and greeted his son warmly, instructing him to get settled, then come down to visit before a late supper. Gibbs did, and came downstairs feeling relaxed and actually looking forward to a quiet few days.

He and his dad spent the next hour with Jethro explaining the intricacies of his job as they sipped cups of coffee. Jackson had visited NCIS, and wanted to know more about his son's day to day workplace activities.