-Note: Jenny has her man cut hair like in Once a hero. Heather's hair is shoulder length. And this is my version of judgment day. Jenny, Tony and Ziva came back from Decker's funeral on time with no problem. It is about a week after Decker's funeral. Jenny doesn't have mystery illness. -

Amanda Marie Gibbs Shephard ran to her mother, Jennifer Shephard, to wake her up. Today was the 4th of July. Her birthday. Amanda had been begging her mom to take her to the parade ever since she found out about it, however Jenny worried she might not be able to take her daughter to see the parade on her birthday because of work. Being the Director of a Federal Agency and a mother wasn't very easy. She often missed many days they had planned for just the two of them to be together, having a mother-daughter day.

By the time Amanda reached Jenny's room, Jenny knew her daughter was awake and coming to her room. She decided to act like she was asleep and when Amanda least expected it she would give her a tickle attack just to hear her daughter laugh. Her laugh always put a smile on her face, even when she was sad or didn't feel good.

Amanda slowly opened Jenny's bedroom door trying not to wake her mom. She tip-toed to her mother's bed, crawled up onto the bed and over to her mother. Now Amanda was right next to her mother about to wake her up, when Jenny's arms popped out from under the covers and started to tickle her. Amanda started to laugh.

"Mommy! Mommy! Please stop!" said Amanda as she kicking her feet in the air as Jennifer tickled her.

"Happy Birthday, Princess. I love you." Jenny stated as she kissed Amanda's head with a smile.

"I know, Mommy. I love you too." Suddenly Amanda grinned, jumping up and down on the bed. " I'm eight today, Mommy!"

Jenny smiled at her daughter.

"I have a surprise for you downstairs on the couch. Go see what it is," she ordered. Amanda went running to see what it was. Jenny followed her, waiting for the moment her daughter's face lit up.

"Auntie Heather!" Amanda cries as she saw her aunt lying on the couch and threw her arms around her.

"Hey, baby girl." Heather hugged her back. Jenny watched from the bottom of the staircase.

"Are you coming with me and mommy to the parade?" Amanda asked.

"Yes, I am."

"Amanda, go get dressed." Jenny said, "And I'll make breakfast."

"Okay!" Amanda went running off to her room. Jenny smiled after her daughter.

"You've raised a good kid, Jenny," Heather stated.

"I know."

Jenny's mind drifted to Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Amanda's father. He didn't know about her. Jenny never told him. And how could she? She left him to further her career. He didn't fit in her 5-point plan. Jenny had always regretted leaving him. She'd broken his heart. How could she tell him they have a little girl? It would probably make Amanda's life complicated. Going from house to house every week, how ever they worked it out. Jenny didn't want that for her daughter.

"I'm going to make some eggs, bacon and toast. Want some?" Jenny asked, walking to the kitchen.
Heather smiled. "You know I want some. That's my favourite breakfast." Heather followed Jenny.

"I know. Its Amanda's too. Hey! Did you have time to grab other clothes before coming this time?" Jenny asked getting eggs and bacon out.

"No, I didn't. And yes I know. I can wear something from your closet. We are the same size and twins after all." Heather started the toast.

"With some differences that all twins have." Jenny added happily.

"Jenny?"

"Yes?" Jenny start making the Bacon and Eggs.

"How's that Agent Gibbs? I thought you were starting a relationship with him a month ago but you haven't said anything about it. Is he okay?" Heather looked at her sister watching her.

"I broke it off." Jenny answered. "Again," she murmured.

"Why? I thought you really liked him." Heather asked curiously knowing how much Jenny loved this man. She could see it in her eye when she talked about him.

"I'm his boss. I shouldn't be dating one of my agents. That doesn't look good. He also has a rule against dating a co-worker. Wouldn't want him to break one of his precious rules. Rule #12 never date a co-worker." Jenny said not looking at her sister as she thought, 'I like to think I inspired that rule.'

"Okay, that has never stopped you before and that wouldn't stop you now. What's the real reason?" Heather asked.

Jenny sighed then looked straight at her sister. "He's Amanda's father."

"Oh... I see."

"I'm not sure if I'm ready to tell him. If I can tell him. I've no way of knowing the impact it would have on Amanda. I know Jethro is great with kids, but how would he feel about me keeping her from him all these years? I've been director for 3 years. I see him everyday at work. He'll want answers. I would too in his position. What if we fight over it?," Jenny flipped the eggs and bacon. "Jethro and I have a good relationship right now. If we fight it will make things awkward and even more awkward if I tell him that we have a daughter. Amanda won't understand why her parents aren't together. Why she has to go from house to house every weekend. I don't want that for her. No child should have to go through that." Jenny explained thinking of her childhood with Heather. Going from one parents' house every week. Jenny's and Heather's parents spit up when they were six. They didn't understand why suddenly their mom was moving out. Why they only got to see her every other weekend. Jenny was a mommy's girl, so this was harder on her than Heather. She had cried every time their dad came to pick them up. The weekends always felt so short. Jenny was scared that if she told Gibbs Amanda might have a life like that. That was the last thing Jenny wanted for her daughter.

"I know and you know Amanda needs a father. You can't be both parents. And don't even think about even trying to be both. You're a Director of a Federal Agency and a mother. You need some rest from at least being one of them for a little bit once and a while. What if he doesn't get mad? I know you want to be with him." Heather buttered the toast, placing it on a plate on the table." You guys have a little girl. And he obviously still has a lot of feelings for you. He wanted to be with you and was willing to break one of his precious rules as you said. He broke it with you before. He likes you a lot. If he gets mad and won't let the anger go that means he didn't want you in the first place," Heather explained ending with a slight smile.

Jenny smiled.

"Thanks, Sis. "

She put the bacon and eggs on plates.

"But rule #12 didn't exist when I knew him. I like to think I inspired him for that one," Jenny added. The sisters chucked.

-So, Probies. What do you think? Is it good enough for me to right more? Please comment below and let me know. All comments good or bad are welcome-

-Oh, yes. I did my best on the grammar, kiki102 fixed all or most of my bad grammar. So, please give her some credit it please.-