A slight change in mood in this chapter as we learn a bit more about Celeste.

The MCRT was much admired at the Navy Yard but most of the employees were glad they didn't have Special Agent Gibbs as their supervisor. Once a year, however, those same people wished, momentarily, that they were on the MCRT; this was because each Columbus Day Gibbs hosted a cook out in his yard. Perhaps it was his Grizzly Adams persona, his back to basics attitude but Gibbs was the meanest griller in Washington – in a good sense. For one day a year the second B stood for Barbecue.

The team would bring salads, desserts and baked goods but Gibbs supplied the essentials: meat, ice cream and beer. Tony was a particular fan of Columbus Day as he had memories of spectacular celebrations at Ohio State University in Columbus. It had taken a few years but Gibbs had finally got through to Tony that wet tee shirt competitions were not going to form a part of Columbus Day celebrations in his yard.

The guest list had expanded over the years and now included Agent Fornell, the Director and his family along with Jimmy and Breena Palmer. This year the list had grown still further to include Celeste and, if he was still in town, her brother Sam.

McGee had managed to get over his disappointment about Sam's beard and had come to like the guy even if he occasionally thought he was a bit too geeky, a bit too prone to explain how he had written a particular program. Tim also suspected that Celeste had guessed that he had thought Sam was Samantha and had allowed him to dream his dream. He had to acquit her of outright lying or deception but he was beginning to think she wasn't completely perfect after all.

Tim was also trying to think of a way of letting her know that he had experienced a miraculous reversal of his supposed dairy intolerance as, once again with a more or less complete straight face, Celeste persisted in sending him dairy free cakes and diet suggestions. It didn't help that Tony had brought into Celeste's misconception with increasing enthusiasm. McGee was beginning to suspect that he would soon have a soy intolerance.

"Hey, McMoo," Tony greeted Tim when he arrived at Gibbs, "great news. We bought a soy based ice cream for you. They only had vanilla flavour, no rocky road or chocolate chip but your body will thank you for it."

Tim groaned, Gibbs always bought the most delicious creamy ice cream which had clearly never been near a soy bean and now he would be deprived of it.

"And," continued Tony with relish, "Celeste has been doing research into sprinkles. It's a good thing you've been picking them off all this years. Those colours are just so bad for you. She thinks you shouldn't even risk having them on your donuts to start with."

Tim groaned again and Gibbs passing by, delivered a head slap and the words, "Leave him be, DiNozzo!"

Tony grinned and then smiled even more broadly as he caught sight of Celeste's horrified expression. It was the first time she had witnessed Gibbs' version of tough love.

"Not to worry, my dear," said Ducky smoothly gathering her up, "it's just one of Jethro's little ways. Now, would you be kind enough to join me on that bench in the shade over there. My weary bones need a little rest and I hate to sit alone."

Celeste gazed at him and smiled, "Of course, Dr Mallard. I understand. Tony has told me that you barely manage to get through even a two hour working day and you have to sit down for most of that."

Ducky grinned, "Touché, my dear. Yes, for my years I still lead a very active life. Forgive my duplicity, I should have just asked for the pleasure of your company."

Celeste happily put an arm through the one extended by Ducky and they went to sit on the bench. Abby bounded up to them,

"I'm in charge of drinks," she announced, "what can I get you?"

"I would like a cup of tea, Abigail," said Ducky, "I can trust you to make it in the right way."

"Indeed you can, Ducky," said Abby enthusiastically, "I approach it all very scientifically. Would you like tea, as well, Celeste?"

"Does Agent Gibbs have any fruit teas do you think? Or green tea?"

Ducky choked, "I doubt it, my dear. And the tea will only be green if it has gone mouldy."

"I'll find you something," said Abby with determination, "even if I have to invent it."

"Abigail loves a challenge," said Ducky as Abby left on her mission, "but you may need to put on a brave face, my dear, when she comes back."

Abby soon returned with something obviously tea like for Ducky and something rather less identifiable for Celeste but which she accepted with apparent pleasure.

"So, Celeste," said Ducky after taking a refreshing sip of his drink, "what part of the country do you come from? Anthony tells me that you have only recently moved to Washington."

"That's right. I was working at the M.I.T. library but I wanted a change. I wanted to have the excitement of a capital city and I wanted to work in a public library."

"Why?"

"I think public service is important," said Celeste, "I guess that's one of the reasons I was attracted to Tony." She waved to Tony who was the other side of the yard but watching her.

"Indeed," said Ducky, "I also have dedicated my life to public service in one way or another. And I don't regret it for one moment. Why … but no, I want to hear about you. I don't want to bore you with the story of my life."

"I doubt it would be boring, Dr Mallard," said Celeste sincerely.

"Well, you might not say that when you get to know me better," said Ducky meditatively, "some of my co-workers are sometimes a little less than patient about my digressions. But it is one of the delights, and perils, of having a butterfly mind. I just hop from one thing to another and some people find it rather tiresome, I fear."

"I think it is probably a sign of someone with many interests, Dr Mallard," said Celeste taking a sip of her drink and deciding against a second.

"You are very polite, my dear," said Ducky, "but please, unless you prefer not to, do tell me about your life before coming to Washington."

"Are you checking up on me, Dr Mallard? Making sure I'm good enough for Tony?" asked Celeste with a slight smile on her face.

"Perhaps," admitted Ducky, "but I have to admit to an insatiable curiosity about my fellow human beings. So do indulge an elderly man."

"All right," said Celeste, "but it's a bit difficult to say where I come from. I was born in Africa and my parents spent most of their working life there. Sam and I were sent to boarding school in the States and went out for the summer vacations."

"My word," said Ducky, "how exciting."

"Not always so exciting, Doctor. Sam and I missed our parents a lot. Don't get me wrong, it was a good school and we were happy but …"

"I understand," said Ducky, "so you have boarding school in common with Anthony as well as other things."

"Yes, I suppose so," said Celeste and Ducky was surprised to see a look of sadness cross her face. It seemed that Tony had been watching closely and he came over when he saw her expression change.

"Ducky," he said lightly, "do you mind if I steal my girl away. We've been here ages and I haven't got to spend any time with her yet."

"Of course," said Ducky, "I mustn't be selfish. And besides, it smells as if Jethro has reached a critical point in his flame throwing. I must ask him if he has grilled my haggis properly. Do excuse me."

Left alone, Tony sat down by Celeste.

"You OK?" he asked.

"I'm not sure if it's just the meat that's being grilled or me as well," joked Celeste.

"We can leave if you want to," offered Tony.

"Of course not, I'd be surprised if they weren't asking me questions. Besides. I want to give Tim that llama milk cheese!"

"You, my love, are a wicked woman," said Tony, "and one after my own heart."

NCISNCIS

Some hours later, as evening began to draw in, and people began to tire, the atmosphere in the yard grew quieter and more reflective. Gibbs, getting a little twitchy with all the company, withdrew to his basement for a few moments of peace. He was surprised to find Celeste there, gazing at a half made rocker.

"I'm sorry," she said when she saw Gibbs, "I didn't mean to intrude."

"That's OK," said Gibbs, "I just came for some quiet."

"I'll go."

"Didn't say that," said Gibbs, "stay. If you want."

"I like your house," said Celeste.

"You do?" said Gibbs in a surprised voice, "it's nothing fancy."

"That's why I like it. It's simple but it means something."

"Ducky thought he might have upset you earlier," observed Gibbs.

"No, of course not, he couldn't do that. I'll tell him so later."

"What then?"

"I was talking about my childhood. It made me, well, not unhappy but a bit sad."

"Boarding school?" said Gibbs, "why was that?"

"My parents worked abroad. Africa mostly."

"And they couldn't keep you with them?" asked Gibbs.

"Not really," said Celeste.

"And they couldn't come back to work in the States? At least until you were older?"

"I don't think it occurred to them, Agent Gibbs," said Celeste, "we stayed until we were about ten and then we came back for school." She ran a hand over the rocker seat, "Oh, don't think we were unloved. We were loved, very much. We always knew that."

"So why Africa? Why not come back with you?" asked Gibbs.

"Duty, Agent Gibbs. Mom and Dad were missionaries. They loved us but some things were more important than that. Tony tells me you were a marine. You must understand something of how they felt."

Gibbs nodded, remembering having to walk away from Kelly's tears, wishing he didn't have to but knowing that duty was somehow more important.

"And, even as a child, I understood it too but that didn't stop me wanting to be more important than their duty."

"What was school like?" asked Gibbs.

"Good in lots of ways but there wasn't much money. Well, missionaries aren't known for being millionaires! We always had enough but I spent a lot of time wanting more than enough. When you're alone you can start building your security in possessions, nice things. I still find myself doing that now. Tony understands that too."

"So, why do you like my house? It's not fancy."

"It reminds me of my parents' house. They live in Alaska now. No frills, all basic because they don't need or want anything more than that. And there's something admirable about that, something beautiful in the simplicity, the lack of waste. Your house is like that. That rocker will be lovely. I guess it won't be fancy but it will be wonderful because it will be all that it needs to be and because you'll make it as well as you can."

Gibbs nodded, finding himself oddly moved by this young woman who seemed to understand his house so well.

"I glimpse something good in your house and in my parents' home," said Celeste with a laugh, "but I know I'm not ready for it yet. I hope I will be one day but not yet."

"And Tony?" asked Gibbs, "Does he want that too?"

"Tony," said Celeste, "is probably nearer to it than me. No, don't look so surprised. Think of his apartment. He's got lots of lovely things but they're functional for him. His piano, his movies, his clothes, some books but he hasn't got a lot of peripheral things. He has what he needs and he's not really interested in the rest."

Gibbs considered this, he wasn't sure Celeste was right but he'd mull over it when he was alone.

"And in case you are deciding whether I'm good enough for Tony," went on Celeste, "you should know that I did go off the rails a bit. Bit of underage drinking, 'borrowing' a car – you know, the classic rebellion stuff."

"But it didn't last?"

"Nope. Duty works for me, too. Sam and I were brought up to care about people. Mom and Dad do it from sheer goodness and love but I sort of learned to do it because it was expected of me. And I can't help but do it too, but not quite so much out of goodness. It's duty, so I do it."

"I think you underrate yourself," said Gibbs, "other people have been brought up with duty but reject it pretty easily. I think there's a reason you stick with it."

"Perhaps," said Celeste, "it would be nice to think so."

"I think it's because you love people,, you care about them," came Tony's voice from the top of the stairs, "sorry to eavesdrop," he said, as he came down, "came to look for you and overheard you."

"That's all right," said Celeste, "nothing you haven't heard before. Agent Gibbs' cellar is a very easy place to talk in."

Gibbs looked a bit shocked at this idea but, on reflection, realised that many people had come for conversation over the years.

"So, you see," said Tony, draping an arm round Celeste's shoulder, "we've got lots in common. Although I think I've got the edge on the parental front. Senior wasn't exactly sacrificing me for some nobler purpose so I'm allowed to be more bitter than Celeste."

Celeste wrinkled her nose as she considered this and Gibbs suspected they had had other conversations about one-upmanship in neglect.

"And of course," said Tony, "you've forgotten the most important thing we've got in common."

"What's that?" said Gibbs, willing to play along as he suspected they had both let their guards down enough for the moment.

"Well, look at us, just think how gorgeous our children would be. The world would be a poorer, duller place without the combination of our genes," said Tony.

Celeste punched Tony lightly, "Idiot," she said, "come on. Agent Gibbs wants his basement back and I've got a llama cheese to give to Tim."