If Kelly lived and Shannon's younger sister offered a helping hand in raising her what would happen?

NCIS

Raising Kelly

Chapter 1

The Plan

Recently discharged Gunnery Sergeant Leroy Jethro Gibbs entered his home on crutches dressed head to toe in a black suit. Just a few steps behind him, carrying his eight year old daughter in her arms, his late wife's sister. Kelly had fallen asleep during the long drive home from the cemetery where Shannon was laid to rest. The streaks from her tears of despair still remained on her angelic features making the entire situation that much more heartbreaking.

After crossing the threshold Jethro nudged the door shut with one crutch while using the other to maintain his balance. Meanwhile Shannon's sister Samantha was removing her heels from her aching feet making sure that she did not disturb Kelly in the process.

"I'll bring her upstairs." Samantha whispered.

Jethro gave a curt nod in her direction and made his way over to the couch where he planned to spend his time sleeping until he was back on his feet.

Samantha began to climb the stairs with Kelly thinking the entire time that she needed to continue to harness her emotions in front of the child. Every breath was a challenge as she forced herself to avoid breaking down. Shannon was the most beautiful person she had ever known and without her the world felt cold and unfamiliar.

At the top of the stairs Kelly began to wake from her slumber with her arms still draped over Samantha's shoulders. "Are you going to stay with us Aunt Sam?" The child wondered tiredly.

"Go back to sleep sweetheart, you've had a long day." Samantha replied. She had a habit of avoiding any questions she didn't quite know how to answer.

Without argument Kelly nodded and quickly dozed off again just as Samantha tucked her into bed and removed her shoes. It was only late afternoon but a nap before dinner was exactly what Kelly needed after a day full of crying her eyes out and saying goodbye to her mother.

On her way out of the room Samantha closed the door a majority of the way, leaving it slightly ajar in case Kelly needed anything. As she was making her way back downstairs there was no mistaking the sound of Jethro gasping for air.

Alarmed at first by this Samantha's instinct was to rush to his side. Then it occurred to her that he had been holding in his emotions all day as any man would do in the presence of so many not to mention his own child. Taking a deep breath Samantha sank down onto one of the steps and decided to wait. The last thing she wanted to do was interrupt when he clearly needed his time to grieve.

At this point Samantha had only shed her tears in the privacy of her own apartment. It was pride that kept her from losing control of her emotions at the memorial service and the burial site. Samantha hated the idea of crying in public because she refused to be labeled as weak by others who couldn't possibly understand what she was going through.

Now it was impossible to be strong, it couldn't be done with Jethro's sobs becoming heavier and Kelly's screams of extreme emotional pain from earlier echoing in her mind. As she sat there Samantha's eyes stung and her heart physically hurt. An instant later she was sobbing uncontrollably herself into the palms of her hands.

If Jethro heard her which was more likely than not then he had the good sense not to mention it. After releasing what she had been keeping bottled up for a solid half hour or so Samantha managed to pull it together enough to finish her descent down the stairs.

When she made it to the living room Samantha's suspicions were confirmed when she saw that Jethro's eyes were still wet and slightly red. It was probably just as obvious to him aside from her sobbing that she had been crying as well.

"Take a seat, we need to talk." Jethro told her.

Samantha nodded and padded her way over to the couch in her bare feet. Taking a deep breath she perched on the edge of the cushion beside him. It was difficult to look him in the eye so instead she focused on her well manicured nails praying for the aching in her chest to clear.

"I need your help Sammy." There was no point denying the fact that his injuries sustained in Kuwait would render him useless for a good amount of time.

At the sound of her nickname that only Shannon could get away with using the brunette eside him shot a glare in his direction. Fresh tears threatened to spill from her youthful eyes. "Don't ever call me that again." She whispered warningly.

Jethro met her gaze and sighed heavily with the realization that he had unintentionally struck a nerve with his fragile sister in law. "Never again." he agreed.

Samantha nodded and ran a shaking hand through her chocolate tresses. "You need me to help." She stated, reminding him of the topic of conversation he initiated.

"I can't do this alone, not right now. Samantha I don't know how to raise Kelly by myself, especially not in this damn condition." In frustration he threw his crutches across the room making a dent in the wall which he could care less about at the present time.

"How do you expect me to help, I don't know the first thing about raising children. I don't have an ounce of maternal instincts. I'm surprised I can successfully manage to take care of myself." Samantha replied.

"I trust you Samantha, Kelly loves you and I'm desperate. Don't make me ask your mother for assistance." As a last resort Jethro attempted to use a bit of humor.

All Samantha could do was smile weakly and it ended up looking like more of a grimace. The expression faded quickly from her features and needing to think it over she looked around the room, purposefully avoiding eye contact.

The statement about not having any maternal instincts was true. At least that was the way she saw herself. Many times she had changed Kelly's diaper when she was a baby, fed, clothed, and bathed her. On numerous occasions she took care of her while Shannon went to run errands or needed time alone. That was different though wasn't it? It had to be different.

During those times Samantha wasn't being responsible for Kelly because she had no choice, she was doing it as a kind favor to her sister. Of course she loved Kelly, who didn't love that little angel but being a mother was more of a sacrifice than being a doting aunt. There was no question that Samantha would take a bullet for Kelly, in a heartbeat, without hesitation. However risking her life wasn't the same as giving it up to raise her.

"What exactly are you proposing Jethro?" Samantha asked in a fearful whisper after a considerable amount of time passed.

"I understand that law school takes up a lot of your time so to make it easier maybe it would be best if you move in with us. It would be on a temporary basis, at least until I am on my feet again and find a job." Jethro explained.

Samantha paused once more to consider the options. As of right now she had her own apartment just off the university campus. If she moved out the place would be claimed by someone else before the door closed behind her. The choice was either to sublet or move out for good. Leaving Kelly and Jethro to fend for themselves was not an option when he was practically begging her to help him out.

"It's not like you to ask for help let alone admit that you need it." Samantha couldn't help but point out.

"I know, but I'd sooner swallow my pride and admit defeat than allow Kelly to be without a mother figure." Jethro answered honestly.

"Referring to me as a mother figure is a bit of a stretch Jethro." Samantha laughed halfheartedly.

"You are more like Shannon than you know Samantha. You have the ability to give her a piece of her mother that she will never find in anyone else." Jethro said reassuringly. "Will you help me?"

Samantha fell silent again but this time she didn't take as long to come back with an answer. "For you and Kelly, I will do anything."