A/N: This story started as a letter that I wrote to my husband who is in the Army and away from me. The letter below is tweaked a little, but close to the one I mailed him.

Disclaimer: If I owned NCIS do you think I would be awake at 2am writing


"Mail Call! Gibbs, one letter."

He takes his letter from his DI (Drill Instructor) and walks back over to his bed. Without even looking at the return address he knows who its from. He would recognize that writing anywhere. He can't help but smile as he turns the envelope over and sees a bulldog sticker. She knows him much too well. He has to remember to throw her a curve ball soon as a joke; he has to keep her on her toes. He eagerly lies back on the pillow to read the words she took the time to put onto paper just for him.

4/10/87 1:31 am

My dearest husband,

Here I lie in our bed with the miracle we made next to me and thinking of you. I can't sleep tonight. I wish that you were here for me to talk to. Then you could hold me tight against your chest and whisper into my ear until I finally did give into sleep. Unluckily for me you are half a world away in a room filled with other men sleeping just a bit longer before you are awakened to do your duty once again. I wish I could be your alarm clock instead of who ever happened to be on fireguard at the moment. I wish at night I could be your Battle Buddy instead of some other Marine. I wish there was more I could do for you and for us. I hate being apart. I miss you more and more every night. On the nights like tonight that I can't sleep I get sucked into selfish thoughts about how lonely the nights are. Then I remember that your alone too. At least I have Kelly while you only have pictures and memories for company. I have come to cherish the little time that we are able to talk on the phone once a week and have reread your letters so much the paper is starting to wear out. I wonder if the same is true for you. I can almost hear your retort as I sit here and write this. I find myself checking the clock and the calendar almost counting down the seconds until you are back in my arms. I'm lying here with my Marine sweatshirt rolled up like the teddy bear of a child thinking of you and all that you do and all that you stand for. Thank you. Thank you for being so strong, thank you for standing tall, but most of all thank you for loving me. So many of the things in my past I would not have been able to get through without your love, support, and strong arms to support me when I was too weak to stand. With all the changes happening in the world daily, it is refreshing to know our love can weather any storm. I love you more with every passing second. You give me strength.

SemperFi, my love, SemperFi

Shannon

He smiles and hugs her letter to his chest. Her words are such a source of comfort and strength. He knows that there is nothing he can do to ever thank her enough for the support she has given. He looks around the bay where he spends his down time and thinks that out of the 200 men in the room he is the luckiest one to have someone waiting at home that loves him so much.


A/N 2: I hope that this story wasn't too depressing for you. Please review and tell me what you tink!