A/N: So I know I should probably be working on Seventeen Again, but this thing would not leave me alone! It started out as something small, that is until I realized that you can't introduce a child into Gibb's life without some kind of a backstory. And this is the result. Plus, I was really in the mood for something lighthearted and cute.
I don't anticipate this being very long, but then again, I didn't intend for this to be more than one chapter to begin with and that is just not happening, so we shall see where this ends up.

This is set shortly after Honor Code (that's where I got the idea) but before Undercovers. Let's say November 2nd.

Disclaimer: I claim Alana and the Hewitts, but no one else.

"Daddy!"

Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs turned from his conversation with Director Jenny Shepard at the shout; a small collision just below his knees let him know that the child had reached her destination. Gibbs knelt down, allowing the little girl at his feet to burrow into his chest.

"Shh," he stroked a hand down her hair as she began to sob.

"Daddy it hurts," she whined through the tears.

Gibbs glanced up at Jenny who stared back at him her expression something between a glare and worry. "What hurts, baby girl?" Gibbs turned back to the child. Instead of answering she shifted enough for Gibbs to see her arm. There was blood running from a gash just below her shoulder. Jenny gasped at the sight; Gibbs had a few choice words he felt were more appropriate. Without wasting a moment more Gibbs picked the girl up, cradling her in his arms, indicating with his head for Jenny to follow him, and made his way to the elevator. The ride down to Autopsy was silent but for the soft sound of the girl's slowly fading sobs as she slipped into unconsciousness from a combination of exhaustion and blood loss.

Jenny trailed him as Gibbs entered Autopsy, already calling for Ducky. The elderly medical examiner glanced up, saw the bundle in Gibbs' arms and immediately grabbed his medical kit, joining Gibbs at the table he'd laid the girl upon.

"Oh my dear Alana," Ducky hissed in sympathy as he caught sight of the wound. "Jethro, what happened?"

"Don't know yet Duck," Gibbs didn't take his eyes off Alana as he spoke. Ducky simply nodded and got to work.

"Jethro?" Gibbs spun quickly having forgotten Jenny was in the room. She tipped her head to the side and Gibbs joined her by the doorway. They stood in silence for a moment, both watching Ducky tend to Alana. "She's yours?" Jenny asked, voice soft.

Gibbs shook his head, surprised to see what looked like relief in Jenny's eyes. "Don't know who her parents are," he explained, "She showed up on my doorstep two years ago in real bad shape. Never did find out what happened. She's been living with an old marine buddy of mine ever since."

Jenny's eyes softened as he spoke. "That doesn't explain why she calls you Dad," she noted softly.

Gibbs grinned at that, "She stayed with me for a while, wouldn't stop calling me Dad." Jenny nodded, refraining from saying anything more as Alana was stirring. They both stepped closer to the table as she woke up.

"Ducky?" Alana asked as her eyes blinked open and settled upon the medical examiner, "Where's Daddy?"

"Right here kiddo," Gibbs stepped forward. Alana smiled happily, standing up on the table to wrap her arms around Gibbs' neck.

She caught sight of Jenny over Gibbs' shoulder and stared. "Daddy?" she tugged on his shirt, still starring at Jenny.

"Hmm?"

"Is that Jen?" she asked, pointing. Gibbs turned to follow her finger hoping that Alana didn't mean who he knew she meant.

Sure enough she was pointing directly at Jenny. "Yeah," he told Alana, trying, unsuccessfully, to hide his surprise from Jenny.

"Will she be my mommy?" Alana whispered to Gibbs, but not quietly enough for Jenny not to hear.

Jenny tried not to let her amusement at Gibbs' discomfort show when he glanced at her. Gibbs didn't answer Alana's question, just picked her up and a said, "Say goodbye to Ducky."

"Bye Ducky!" Alana called obediently over Gibbs' shoulder as they exited Autopsy, Jenny following.

Alana stared at Jenny as they entered the elevator. She squirmed out of Gibbs' arms as the elevator doors closed; scrambling over to Jenny the moment Gibbs put her down, holding out her arms in a clear desire to be picked up.

"Lana," Gibbs began, but Jenny cut him off.

"Its fine Jethro," Jenny bent down to pick Alana up, being careful of her injured arm and taking the time to examine her thoroughly for the first time. She was only slightly surprised to find that Alana's long hair, which fell in waves down her back, was a red so dark it could be mistaken for brown. Green eyes stared up at her from a slightly tanned face, the chub of her cheeks the only fat on Alana's body. Her plain purple t-shirt and jeans were dirty, as were her blue sneakers.

Alana caught a strand of Jenny's hair, leaning back just a bit so she could see the woman's face, "My name's Alana. Daddy told me who you are. He likes you."

Jenny arched an eyebrow at Gibbs. "That's good to know," Jenny smiled down at the girl in her arms. Alana nodded, laying her head on Jenny's shoulder, twirling the strand of Jenny's hair around her tiny fingers.

Gibbs resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Lana, how did you get in?"

"Tony bringed me," Alana's voice was muffled. Jenny rested her chin atop Alana's head, surprised at how attached to and protective of this little girl she felt.

The elevator doors opened onto the squad room and Jenny followed Gibbs to the bullpen.

"DiNozzo!" Gibbs barked as they got closer.

Tony glanced up and seeing Alana in Jenny's arms came out from behind his desk to meet them. "Boss, you found her." Gibbs nodded, giving Tony a minute to check on Alana.

"Hi Tony," Alana mumbled, turning her face towards him without removing her head from Jenny's shoulder.

"Hey Gibblet," Tony reached out, stroking a hand down her hair, "How's your arm?"

"Ducky fixted it," she showed him.

"Good job," Tony told her, turning back to Gibbs.

"Gibblet?" Gibbs lifted an eyebrow at his senior agent.

Tony shifted uncomfortably under Gibbs' gaze, "Abby made it up. Y'know, 'cause she calls you Daddy…" Jenny stifled a laugh at the glare Gibbs was giving Tony.

"Daddy, can I see Abby?" Alana asked.

"In a bit," Gibbs' glare disappeared as he looked at Alana. "We need to talk first."

"About Mark and Susan?"

"Yeah."

"They didn't waked up Daddy. They was sleeping and they didn't waked up and there was red on the bed," Alana buried her face into Jenny, sobbing. Jenny's eyes widened a little in the horror and she recognized for the first time that what she'd thought was dirt on Alana's clothes was actually dried blood.

"DiNozzo," Gibbs began, but Tony was already grabbing his things. "Take the others, you're in charge until I get there." Tony nodded, motioning to the others to follow him, his face set. McGee and Ziva hurried after him, exchanging confused glances and looking to Gibbs and Jenny for some kind of answer. They of course received none, and didn't pause in their rush to the elevator.

Gibbs stepped up to Jenny as the team hurried away, rubbing Alana's back soothingly. "C'mon baby girl," Gibbs spoke quietly, "Let's get you down to Abby so Jen and I can work."

"No," Alana tightened her grip on Jenny.

"Lana…" Gibbs really didn't want to fight.

"It's okay, Jethro," Jenny told him.

"You sure Jen?"

"Yes," Jenny adjusted Alana in her arms. "I don't have any more meetings today. She can stay in my office while I do paperwork."

Gibbs nodded, thanking her silently before rushing to his desk, grabbing badge and gun and following his team. Jenny waited until he was gone, stroking her hand along Alana's head and back. She glanced back at the stairs and decided she didn't want to attempt it. Resting her head on Alana's Jenny made her way to the back elevator.

Several minutes later Jenny was settling a now sleeping Alana onto the couch in her office. She pulled the blanket from the back of the couch, tucking it around the little girl. Thoughtfully Jenny wiped the tear tracks from Alana's cheeks before placing a kiss on the girl's head and making her way to her desk.

Jenny settled down in her chair, pulling the first file toward her; glancing at Alana every few minutes.

NCIS

Tony tossed Ziva the keys as they made it to the garage. "Get us there fast," Tony told her, sliding into the passenger seat. Ziva and McGee exchanged another look before McGee slipped into the back and Ziva grabbed the wheel.

The drive was, as always, fast and sickening. The moment the car screeched to a halt outside of the Hewitt's residence Tony jumped from the car. He pulled the key Gibbs had given him from his pocket, opening the front door without issue. There was little sign of any struggle until reaching the back rooms.

Lamps were broken, tables overturned, and the lock on the door to the master bedroom had been ripped from the doorframe. McGee and Ziva joined him as Tony slowly eased the door open.

The scene that greeted them inside was not a pretty one. Mark and Susan were draped along the bed, one atop the other. Blood covered almost every inch of the sheets and there was a decent amount splattered across the walls. "You two, process in here and the hallway," Tony told the other two before slipping back outside.

"What's with him?" McGee asked Ziva once Tony had left. Ziva just shrugged in response.

They got to work without any more talk. Eventually Ziva broke the silence between them, "I did not know Gibbs had a daughter."

"He doesn't," Tony had appeared in the doorway, startling both agents. "Gibbs found Lana two years ago. She was really badly beaten up, we spent weeks trying to find out what happened to her. We never could find out what had happened to her, or any relatives. Gibbs set it up so she could come live with these guys when Social Services wouldn't let him keep her. But she never stopped calling him Daddy."

McGee looked back at the victims, "And now she finds her adoptive parents murdered." Tony and Ziva nodded sadly and the three went back to work in subdued silence.

NCIS

After leaving the agency Gibbs made his way to his house. He hurried upstairs to the guest bedroom, grabbing an old NIS sweatshirt and a beanie from the dresser in the spare bedroom. He then made his way to the closet in the back, taking a moment to find the booster seat stored on the top shelf of the closet. He paused a moment, remembering the day he and Shannon bought it. Shaking his head against the flow of memories Gibbs focused his mind on Alana and the problem at hand.

He dumped the booster seat in the trunk of his car, tossing the sweatshirt and beanie up in the passenger seat; speeding away from his house almost as soon as he had arrived. His mind was only half on the road as he sped to the Hewitt's house; his thoughts consumed with Jenny and Alana.

He'd already decided that he wasn't going to let Alana slip away this time. If she wasn't safe with Mark then he wouldn't trust her with anyone. And he was hoping that Jenny would be willing to help.

Gibbs arrived at the crime scene all too soon for his taste. With a heavy sigh he climbed from the car, pulling his NCIS field jacket and hat from the back seat of the car. He slipped the jacket on as he made his way to the house, pulling a pair of gloves from the pocket and tugging them on before opening the door.

Ziva was in the front room when he entered. She stood the moment she saw him, "Ducky has already taken the bodies back to NCIS." Gibbs nodded, making his way further into the house. McGee was in the office, transferring all data from the Hewitt's home computer and laptops. Gibbs simply nodded to the younger man before continuing on his way.

He was unsurprised to find Tony standing in the middle of Alana's room. The senior field agent turned when Gibbs stopped in the doorway, "I wouldn't let Ziva or McGee in here." Gibbs nodded in understanding, Alana was as much Tony's little girl as she was his.

Slowly Gibbs made his way into the room. He was glad to see that little had been disturbed; just the usual mess of toys and clothes that always covered the floor of a child's room. Gibbs opened the closet, knowing that there was a bag inside somewhere. It didn't take long for Gibbs to find the black duffle bag decorated with a bedazzled skull and crossbones that Abby had given Alana the last time she'd visited. He tossed the bag to Tony, "Pack it."

"On it Boss," Tony made his way to the dresser immediately.

Gibbs took one last look around the room. The miniature boat Gibbs had built for Alana's birthday that first year was sitting in a place of honor on her nightstand. There was a small stack of movies next to it, that he was sure were from Tony. The sight of the stuffed black bear Abby had given her was tucked under the covers made Gibbs smile; she apparently still slept with it every night.

McGee and Ziva were finishing up when Gibbs made his way back out to them. He nodded to the two agents and waited in the corner for Tony, who joined them momentarily.

"All set?" Gibbs asked. At the confirming nods from his team Gibbs waved them outside. Ziva and McGee piled into the van but Tony refused to move. The other two looked between him and Gibbs in shock, hoping that there wouldn't be a showdown. Gibbs didn't give any sign of annoyance, which only served to worry McGee more. "Ziva, McGee, take the van. DiNozzo, put that in the trunk," Gibbs didn't wait around for them to follow his orders, climbing behind the wheel to the car immediately.

Tony waited a moment to see that McGee and Ziva didn't wait around before dropping Alana's bag into the trunk and joining Gibbs up front. They were almost back to the Navy Yard before Tony broke the silence, "Boss?"

"Mm?" Gibbs grunted.

"You're not going to let her go this time… right Boss?" Gibbs was silent, waiting for the rest of what Tony had to say. "Because I will do everything to keep her with us and I know Abby will too. And if you won't fight for her Boss then I will."

"DiNozzo, I have every intention of keeping Lana," Gibbs told him. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he'd never been prouder of Tony than in that moment.

"Good Boss," Tony nodded, he knew that he'd been rather close to insubordination in his comments, but couldn't bring himself to feel even remotely sorry.

NCIS

Two and a half hours of paperwork later Alana began to stir. Jenny placed her glasses on top of the file she had been reading and sat next to Alana on the couch.

Alana's eyes blinked open as soon as she felt Jenny sit down. She flipped over onto her back and smiled at Jenny.

"Hey," Jenny smiled back at the little girl, reaching over to ruffle her hair. "Did you sleep well?"

Alana nodded enthusiastically. She crawled over to Jenny, pulling herself onto the woman's lap and hugging her tightly. Jenny wrapped her arms around Alana, once again surprised at how content she felt at having the girl in her arms.

Gibbs entered the room at that moment, stopping in the doorway at the sight before him. Jenny glanced up, not surprised to see him, but surprised at the gentle smile on his face. "Jethro," she greeted.

"Daddy!" Alana jumped from Jenny's lap to fling herself at Gibbs.

"Hey baby girl," Gibbs lifted her up, spinning her around. Jenny smiled, standing and approaching the pair, marveling again at Gibbs' way with children and the effect this little girl had on him.

"Daddy, I'm hungry," Alana informed him as soon as he had her on her feet again.

"Thought you might be. Tony has food for you," Gibbs squatted down to her level.

"Tony's here?" Alana bounced up and down on her toes. Gibbs nodded and Alana shot out of the room.

"Alana!" Gibbs called, his voice going stern.

Alana was back in the office in an instant. She stood before Gibbs, arms hugged behind her back, biting her lip as she stared at her toes. "Sorry Daddy," she mumbled, eyes darting up and back down.

Gibbs sighed, "Lana, we've been over this, you don't go running off on your own."

"Okay Daddy."

"Okay," Gibbs stood, "Let's go."

Alana smiled up at Gibbs before running over and grabbing Jenny's hand, dragging the woman to the door, "C'mon!"

Gibbs smirked when Jenny didn't protest, a small smile playing on her lips as the four-year old dragged her along. Gibbs followed them without a word.

Halfway along the catwalk Alana stopped and spun around, glaring up at Gibbs. He shared a glance with Jenny before kneeling, "What?"

"You never ansid my question!" Alana continued to glare.

Gibbs smiled just a little and crooked a finger at her. Alana obligingly leaned forward, not letting go of Jenny's hand. "You have to ask her," Gibbs stage whispered.

Alana's face lit in understanding and she spun back to Jenny, tugging her down so that they were on the same level. "Will you be my mommy?" Alana asked as soon as Jenny's knees touched the ground. Jenny hesitated, her eyes going a little wide. Knowing that his presence was not needed Gibbs backed away, letting them have this conversation.

"I… um…" Jenny wasn't really sure how to answer that question.

"Pleeeeeeeeease?" Alana begged, "Daddy said you'd be a good mommy."

Jenny sighed, she really didn't want to disappoint this little girl and the idea was, actually, rather appealing. "Alright," she smiled down at Alana.

"Yay!" Alana cheered and flung herself at Jenny, enveloping the woman in a hug that would have knocked both over if Gibbs hadn't seen it coming. Struggling to keep a straight face Gibbs helped Jenny to her feet, Alana refusing to let go. Without a word he led the two down the stairs, his hand upon Jenny's lower back in case she slipped.

They made it to the bullpen without incident and Alana gave Jenny one last squeeze before squirming down and running over to Tony. Gibbs led Jenny over to his desk, letting Tony take charge of Alana. At his desk Gibbs pulled out a bag of Chinese takeout, handing a container and a pair of chopsticks to Jenny. She accepted them without comment, her eyes on the team, McGee and Ziva having joined Tony and Alana. Gibbs leaned against his desk, and Jenny settled next to him, quietly enjoying the scene before them.

Jenny started when Gibbs dipped his chopsticks into her carton, extracting a piece of chicken; she glared up at him, he only smirked back.

"She sure took to you fast," Gibbs broke the silence.

Jenny shrugged, her gaze focusing once again upon Alana relaxing with the team. Picking up another piece of chicken she did her best to sound nonchalant, "She says it was your idea."

Gibbs grinned, "Can't believe she remembered." Meeting Jenny's questioning gaze he shrugged, "She asked me if I knew anyone that would be her mom."

"And you said me?" Jenny didn't bother to keep the shock from her voice. She was flattered, just surprised that Gibbs would ever have thought of her. Gibbs just shrugged. Jenny let it go, she had other questions for him that didn't involve quite so much emotional baggage. "Why didn't she just stay with you?" He'd have made a wonderful father, especially to this little girl.

"Couldn't," Gibbs shrugged, "Work." Jenny nodded though she had a feeling that was Social Services' decision, not his.

At that moment Alana broke away from the group, headed towards them, "Mommy!"

Jenny didn't fail to catch the shocked looks from Ziva and McGee. Tony, however, didn't seem surprised in the least, in fact, he almost seemed disappointed. Jenny left her food on the desk, squatting down to Alana's level, "What is it, sweetheart?" The endearment had slipped out unintentionally, but it felt right so Jenny let it go.

"Tony said you gotted shot a longd time ago like Daddy," Alana stopped before Jenny, rocking on her toes.

Jenny nodded, "I have been."

Alana's eyes went wide, "Did it hurt?" Jenny nodded solemnly. "Did Daddy kiss it better?" Tony's guffaw at the innocent question was silenced by two identical glares.

Much to her great relief Gibbs rescued Jenny from her predicament. He dropped his food on the desk and scooped Alana into his arms. "Kissing some owies doesn't work, Lana," Gibbs explained.

"Does it work on these owies?" Alana showed him her arm.

"Of course," Gibbs placed a gentle kiss to the bandage on her arm.

"Mommy too," Alana declared. Jenny smiled, complying quickly with the little girl's wishes. Alana wriggled from Gibbs' grasp, returning to Tony. "Mommy and Daddy kissed my owie and maked it all better," she informed him proudly.

"That's great Gibblet. You think when your daddy smacks me on the head you can kiss it and make it better?" Tony asked. Alana shook her head seriously. "No? Why not?"

"Because Daddy said it's pashmint and pashmint is supposed to hurt," she was very serious. Ziva and McGee burst out laughing at the shock on Tony's face; Gibbs grinned and Jenny covered her mouth to suppress her own laughter. Alana smiled proudly up at the adults around her.

"Someone told me that there was a Gibblet up here," came a voice from the entrance to the bullpen.

"Abby!" Alana's delighted cry at the appearance of the gothic forensic scientist was superseded only by the enthusiasm of the hug she bestowed upon her. "Abby, Abby," Alana bounced away from the hug now clutching Abby's hand, "Come meet my mommy." Abby obligingly followed along behind the bouncing four year old, "Mommy, this is Abby," Alana told Jenny once the two were standing before her and Gibbs. Abby's eyes went slightly wider at the announcement, a delighted smile beginning to form.

"I know sweetheart," Jenny told Alana.

"But…" Alana looked crestfallen.

Jenny was caught off guard by the ache she felt at Alana's obvious disappointment. "But you did a very good job introducing us," Jenny was rewarded by Alana's face lighting up into a huge smile.

Abby smirked, turning to the agents behind her, "Pay up DiNozzo!" Tony grumbled, pulling a twenty dollar bill from his wallet and handing it to Abby.

"Abs," there was a clear warning in Gibb's tone.

"Tony thought it would take Lana a day to start calling the Director mommy," Abby explained with a shrug.

Tony glared at her but any response he may have had was cut off by Alana yawning. "Time to go," Gibbs declared, scooping Alana into his arms.

Alana shook her head, "Don't wanna go."

"You'll see everyone tomorrow," Gibbs told her. Alana nodded, wiggling out of Gibbs' grasp to hug Abby goodbye. Gibbs fixed each member of his team with a stare, "Go home, be back here at 0700." The team and Abby nodded, each going to their respective desks to grab their things; Abby excusing herself from Alana to go down to her lab. Alana hugged first Tony then McGee before scrambling over to Ziva. Gibbs watched the girls with one eye as he grabbed his gun, badge, and car keys. Ziva hesitated when Alana stopped before her, arms open to the Mossad officer. Unsure Ziva glanced at Jenny who gave her a miniscule nod of approval. Still not really comfortable Ziva knelt down to accept the hug Alana wanted to give her.

Goodbyes finished Alana made her way back to Gibbs' desk, Gibbs coming around to meet her, "You ready?"

Alana nodded, taking Jenny's hand, "C'mon Mommy."

Jenny froze, "Um… Alana, I'm not coming with you.'

"Why not?" Alana was looking disappointed now.

"I still have work to do," Jenny hoped to avoid tears. She was suddenly glad that the team had decided not to hang around after they'd been dismissed.

"But Daddy said it was okay to go home."

"Gibbs doesn't—"

"Jen," Gibbs cut off whatever she was going to say. "Just go get what you need, bring home whatever you haven't finished." Jenny straightened up, anger flaring in her eyes, but Gibbs headed her off, "Lana, go over to the windows, make sure everyone leaves, okay?" Alana nodded and hurried off.

"Jethro, while I know you may not be fond of taking orders from me, I'd remind you that I am your boss and you will not order me around," Jenny informed him coldly.

"That has nothing to do with it," Gibbs bit back.

"No?" Jenny queried, eyebrow arching.

"No," Gibbs growled. Then he sighed, scrubbing a hand across his face. "She needs this, Jen," he indicated Alana with a jerk of his head. "She never had a mom, couldn't find one. And she's been waiting two years to meet you."

Jenny glanced at the tiny girl with her face pressed against the window and felt all the fight leave her. "Alright," she sighed. Gibbs just nodded, moving to join Alana by the window as Jenny climbed the stairs to her office.

When Jenny came back down the stairs she was surprised to find that Gibbs and Alana were still by the window, and was even more surprised to see that Alana was now wearing an old NIS sweatshirt.

"Where did you get a jacket?" she asked Alana as she descended the stairs.

"Daddy gived it to me," Alana reached for Jenny's hand the moment Jenny was on flat ground. Jenny looked up at Gibbs questioningly but he just shrugged at her. Jenny resigned herself to not knowing more than that and allowed Alana to lead her to the elevator.

Interesting enough to continue?