Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or any of it's characters.

Chapter 2

"Do you honestly think you can just show up after nine years and expect me to let you see Taylor just like that?"

"Why not? I'm her mother."

Gibbs closed the door behind him before grabbing Melissa by the arm and marching her towards the rental car. He held open the rear door.

"Get in."

He waited until she slid across to the far side of the car before getting in beside her and slamming the door.

"You are NOT her mother, you gave up that right a long time ago. You just happen to have given birth to her."

""Jethro I …."

He cut her off. "Did you even think about Taylor before you decided to show up at the door?"

"I have every right to.." Again Melissa didn't get a chance to finish."

Gibbs was trying hard to keep a hold on his temper. "Didn't you at least consider picking up the phone and calling first?"

"Are you going to let me see Taylor or not?"

"Right now? No. I'll have to talk to her first. Where are you staying?"

Melissa fished through her purse, before handing him a card.

"I'll call tomorrow. In the meantime stay away from her.

With that, Gibbs climbed out of the car, wondering what the hell he was going to say to Taylor.

*******

He followed the sound of voices into the kitchen. They both looked up as he approached.

"Taylor, why don't you go and watch some TV."

She looked up at him in surprise. "You actually want me to watch TV?" Normally he didn't like her spending too much time doing that.

"If you don't want to that's ok."

"No, I do." She moved quickly before he could change his mind.

"Something wrong?" Patricia watched as he took Taylor's empty seat.

"Could be." Standing up again he started hunting through the cupboards. "I need a drink."

Realising he was rattled, Patricia retrieved a bottle and glass for him. Both sat down, and she waited for him to explain.

"That was Melissa." He took a drink.

"Melissa?"

"Taylor's mother. She wants to see her."

"But Taylor didn't recognise her."

"I'm not surprised, she was only two when Melissa left."

"And she hasn't seen her since?"

He shook his head, before taking another drink.

"So why the sudden interest now?"

"That's what worries me. I have no idea what her agenda is, but I'm sure it's not down to maternal instincts, because she never had any." Gibbs drained the rest of the glass.

"What are you going to do?"

"I told her I'd talk to Taylor first, then let her know tomorrow. At least that'll give me some time to find out what she's up to."

"What if Taylor want's to meet her?"

"I won't stop her, but I'm not going to let her do it on her own either. I don't trust that woman!"

*******

Gibbs followed Taylor up to bed, and waited for her to climb in before sitting down beside her.

She looked at him warily. "I didn't do nothing."

He ignored the double negative. "I know you didn't. I just want to talk to you."

"Bout what?"

"Your mother."

Taylor picked at the stitching on her cover. "What about her?"

"She wants to see you."

"But she lives in San Francisco."

"What if your mother was here, would you want to meet her?"

Taylor looked up at her father. "She's here?"

He just nodded.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why's she here?"

He shrugged. "Just think about it, I'm not gonna stop you from seeing her if that's what you want." Leaning over he kissed the top of her head. "Get some sleep, you've got school in the morning."

Yeah like that's really gonna happen now Taylor thought as her dad switched off the light and left her alone.

*******

Taylor lay curled up in the dark, unable to sleep. The harder she tried to think, the more confused she became. Each time she managed to convince herself that it would be good to meet her mom, she either became angry about the fact that her mother had left her, or worried that her mother wouldn't like her. By the time morning came, and Taylor had to drag herself out of bed she was tired and cranky. She still didn't know what she was gonna do, especially after coming up with another reason why her mother was here.

*******

Jethro and Patricia were already in the kitchen when Taylor put in an appearance. She could feel them watching her as she helped herself to a bowl of cereal, but tried to ignore them. After last night Taylor was not in the mood to speak to either of them. "Patricia's going to give you a ride to school today." Her dad mustn't have picked up her 'Leave me the hell alone vibe'.

"I wanna walk. Jason's waiting for me."

"Jason left ten minutes ago. If you walk you're going to be late."

"I'll walk fast." Taylor lifted her backpack and made a beeline for the front door.

"I'd rather you went with Patricia today."

Taylor paused, but showed no intention of returning to the kitchen. "Why? I'm not grounded anymore."

"That's easily fixed." He threatened.

"Fine. I'll wait at the car."

Patricia joined her minutes later, keys in hand, but didn't mention her bad mood. Taylor was grateful for that, and the drive to school was short but silent. As soon as the car stopped Taylor was out and making her way over to Jason, she'd spotted him sitting out front as they'd driven past.

"Thanks for waiting."

"Hey, I waited for ages."

"Whatever." She turned and walked away from him, but not in the direction of the school building.

He chased after her. "Where are you going?"

"Just leave me alone Jason." She kept walking.

"Aw come on, you can't be that pissed because I didn't wait." The sound of the school bell came from behind them. "We're both late now anyway."

"No, you're late. I'm not going."

He glanced behind him to make sure no one was watching. "Well then neither am I." Jason had seen Taylor angry before, but never in a mood like this. He didn't want to let her run off on her own.

Taylor didn't object, so Jason just fell into step beside her. She'd tell him what was going on eventually.