Chapter 4

It was evening, the day was done, and Gibbs was in his basement, working on his latest project; a special cabinet for Dabi. Gibbs looked up from his work at the sound of someone slamming his front door.

"Dad, it's me!" Dabi yelled.

A moment later, she appeared at the top of the stairs. As she made her way down the stairs, he studied her critically. She looked tired, more so than usual.

"Where's the good stuff?" she asked.

"You're only nineteen; you're not allowed the good stuff," he replied.

"Honestly Dad? Right now I don't frickin' care," she shot back. She found his bottle of bourbon, poured herself a shot, and before he could warn her not to, knocked it back.

He watched, trying not to grin, when she suddenly slammed the glass down and started coughing. "Holy Mary Mother of Jesus!" she swore when she could finally breathe again.

"Feel better?" Gibbs asked, resuming his work.

"No." She came over and flopped down on the chair next to the bench.

"What's up, kiddo?" he asked.

"What the hell have I gotten myself in to?"

"In what way?"

"The bakery. I've got a contractor who won't give me a straight answer about anything, like when he'll be done. The bakery renovations are a week behind schedule and I'm not seeing anything to suggest he's actually getting anything done, especially not since my water heater blew." Gibbs winced at that. "The same goes with my apartment. I've been without hot water for a week now. And I'm trying to keep the bakery running pretty much on my own. It's like none of the lawyers or the accounting departments will take me seriously."

"What about Owen?"

"If it weren't for him, I'd be up shit creek without a paddle. He's what's stopping me from totally drowning. I have two new department heads who are starting to get too big for their britches, just because, again, I'm a kid, so what could I possibly know?"

"Sounds like you need to pull everyone together and use a club on some heads."

"Don't tempt me. I might hit them hard enough to drive 'em into the ground and bury them," she growled.

Gibbs smiled at that. "Tell you what; the contractors won't take you seriously because you are a kid. However, I've had more than my share of experience in dealing with people like them and I have a vested interest in having the bakery and your apartment up and running."

"You do?" she asked suspiciously.

"Yeah; it keeps you safe, and if you're safe and I know you're safe, then I'm going to worry less."

"So if I give you the numbers and names, you'll do the yelling and inspecting?"

"I'll do one better; I'll bring in a contractor of my own to have a look around."

"He good?"

"She," Gibbs corrected. "And she should be; she's like you; she took over her father's business about six years ago."

"And?"

"And he was in business for over forty years, so she learned the job from the time she started crawling."

"Sounds good to me. Bring her in."

"As for the lawyers and accountants, as a family member of NCIS, you are entitled to assistance from JAG. I'll scare up a contact to act on your behalf."

"Thank you."

"And the two new department heads? Set Owen on them, with the warning that they either shape up or ship out. You're the boss and you may have to do some firing to get the point across." Dabi nodded, already resolving to text Owen in a bit. "How are things between you and Leo?" When Dabi's face started turning pink, Gibbs got the idea of another problem.

"I... Ummm... They're good, really good," she stammered.

"But?"

"Lately I've been, umm, struggling with, well, physical reactions that I don't quite understand," she admitted.

"In what way?"

"Sometimes, when he gets real close and I can smell him, especially if he's been working out, I start having trouble breathing. I can feel my eyes going wide and I can feel a tightness in my stomach. And I start aching down there," Dabi explained. "And all I can think about is kissing him, but knowing that won't be enough. I want him in ways I don't understand, and I'm terrified. I know what sex is but I don't understand these physical things."

"It's called arousal. Your grandparents didn't cover sex much, did they?" Gibbs guessed.

"It wasn't a topic that ever really came up. Jewish law forbids sexual contact, any kind of sexual contact, outside of marriage, so other than the 'your body is your business' and 'don't let strangers touch you' kind of thing in elementary school, it wasn't exactly talked about."

"I thought you said they followed the faith but not always the law."

"They did, but I kind of got the feeling that the whole sex thing was a bit uncomfortable for them."

"So it never really got covered because they probably didn't know how. And if you didn't ask, they didn't say. I'm guessing you haven't read any romance novels?"

"Never really interested me." Gibbs nodded in understanding; he never could see the attraction either. "And Leo's like the first guy I've ever really, really been with. Eric was sweet but I wasn't in any hurry with him. Think vanilla ice cream verses a super-duper banana split with three inches of real whipped cream, caramel and chocolate drizzle, and six cherries." Gibbs winced. "What do I do? Everything I've read says sex the first time hurts, and if it's supposed to be so good, why does it hurt?" Dabi asked.

"Because for first time girls, they've never been penetrated before, so the muscles haven't been stretched like that before. If you have a hymen, that has to be broken, and no matter how careful or good a guy is, it's going hurt. But from the sounds of it, Leo's a pretty good guy, so he'd want to make sure you felt good and that your pleasure is just as important as his."

"I'm guessing condoms are a must?"

"And so is birth control, using some personal lubricant, taking your time, and going with the flow. There's no harm in exploring each other. Believe me, that can be the best part," said Gibbs, a knowing grin on his face. "Even the condoms can be fun..."

Dabi stared at her father, eyes wide and face going red. "I'm guessing that's the reason the sex stuff industry makes money hand over fist?"

"And why at least one quarter of my murder cases involve affairs," he groused. "Catch up with Abby; she'd be able to help you more. You're turning into a woman, sweetheart, and there are some areas that are best handled by another woman. Normally that would be your mom, but since that's not possible, talk to Abby or Bishop, or even, God help me, Diane. They'll understand." Dabi bit her lip and nodded. "Just make sure that when the time comes, it's what you want, not what you're being pushed in to," he cautioned her.

"What about this whole 'no sex before marriage' thing? It's part of Jewish law and, from what I understand, part of the Catholic doctrine thing too."

Gibbs grunted. "Do you consider yourself Jewish?"

"I had a bat mitzvah when I turned sixteen, but it was more of a birthday party than an actual traditional Jewish celebration, so no, not really. I follow the faith, just not always the law. Not everything in the bakery is exactly kosher, and I recently took in an order for a lady who was helping her gay brother get married to his long-time partner. I wound up suspending one of my workers for verbally bashing the LBGT community in a way I really didn't approve of. Told her she had a choice; button it or beat it. She buttoned it."

Gibbs nodded. "And Leo?"

"His older brother, Mikey, married his long-time girlfriend last month, and from what I gathered, they were living together for about a year before then, so I'm guessing it's not really a big issue, especially since they had a really cute little boy with them that Leo said was his nephew." Dabi groaned and put her hands in her face and elbows on Gibbs work bench. "I've seen the way Leo looks at me sometimes, and it's like he's stripping me with his eyes, and the whole room goes so damn hot."

Gibbs tapped her on the shoulder, and when she looked up, he spoke. "Go with the flow. Use protection, make sure it's what you want, but go with the flow. As for everyone else, let me flex my muscles a bit. Sometimes having a federal agent in the family can come in handy."

"Does that include Uncle Toby?"

Gibbs grinned. "I'm sure he'd be happy to help. After all, you made his wedding cake."

"Yeah, and I got conned into making a birthday cake for Emily," Dabi groused. "She was asking for a pink princess cake with sparkles, but then I got a text from her last night asking if she could have a cake with Queen Elsa from that Disney movie, Frozen, on it. Complete with icicles, of course."

"Of course," said Gibbs, grinning.

"I'm not saying I can't do it, I'm just saying it's going to be one mother of a challenge."

"And you're always good with a challenge."

"Yeah? Well, this is one challenge that's killing me."

Gibbs smiled at his daughter and did the one thing she needed the most; he put his arms around her and gave her a tight hug. "You'll be just fine, sweetheart, I promise."

Dabi finally came home a few hours later. After talking to Gibbs, she'd gone to see Abby, who had offered her the same advice regarding sex, her company, and the contractor, even going as far as promising to see what dirt she could dig up on the guy. Then, having come to a decision, she'd made a stop at a local drug store.

Leo was in the kitchen, standing next to a large pot of water on the stove, that was starting to steam. Dabi recognized the pot; that was how they were getting hot water at the moment. Then her eyes went wide; Leo was in shorts and nothing else.

"Hi," she said, swallowing hard.

He looked up and smiled. "Hey," he said. "How did the visit with your dad go?"

"Good," she replied, forcing herself to hang up her coat, put her purse on the hallway table, and take off her shoes. "He knows another contractor, a woman whom he has high praise for, and he's going to bring her in and get her opinion on things. As for Sheldon and Archie, he said I may have to do some firing to get the message across. I'll talk to Owen, get him to play the heavy if need be. Whatcha up to?"

"Oh, getting some hot water for a sponge bath. I really miss the hot water tank," he said.

"So do I," she admitted. "Hence Dad doing the contractor thing. He also said I was entitled to JAG assistance and, no surprise there, knows someone who can give us a hand."

"Good." He watched as she came closer. She seemed to have made up her mind about something and it showed in her eyes. When she was close enough, she lifted her face for a kiss, which he gladly gave. But then she didn't stop there. Instead, she started running her hands up his chest and moving a heck of a lot closer. "What are you doing?" he asked, covering her hands with his. He liked what she was doing but wasn't sure if she knew where it could lead to.

She shrugged, a shy smile on her lips. "Just liking what I see and wanting to get a bit closer."

"If you get any closer, we're going to have a real serious problem," he cautioned.

"We already do," she replied huskily. "I'm just finally willing to do something about it. Tell you what; I'll wash your back, if you'll wash mine."

"If I wash your back, I can't promise you I'll stop there." He could feel the blood rushing to his groin and prayed for the strength to stop until he could get some protection.

"I don't want you to. In fact, I want to see every inch of you," she admitted.

He groaned. "I don't have protection," he admitted. Her next words sent him over the edge.

"I do."

And when she lifted her face again, that was the last coherent thought he had for a while.

Two days later:

"This is Mary Conners," said Gibbs, introducing the petite woman in jeans, t-shirt, with her black hair pulled back into a braid. She wore steel-toe boots, and carried a hard hat and covered metal clipboard.

Over the last two days, Dabi had worked with Owen to weed out staff members that were causing problems. This had resulted in the firing of Archie, formerly the head of the bread and buns department, and the suspension of Sheldon, head of the pie and basic cake department, for a week. Owen had recommended another worker, Ben, in place of Archie, and Dabi had subsequently agreed. Two other workers had also gotten fired as a result of their behaviour and attitude towards Dabi and the bakery.

A staff meeting had gotten the message across; Dabi was the boss. Yes, age-wise, she was just a kid, but the bakery was hers. Work with her, and the bakery would continue to operate as it currently was for the next generation, at the very least. Go against her, and she would be forced to start trimming things down. As for back-up, the junior staff was reminded of Owen, Leo, and Gibbs, along with Sharee.

"I may not always know what I'm doing, but I'm doing the best I can. You either work with me to help me keep this place running so that we all keep getting a steady paycheck, you show me the same damn respect I have tried to show each and every one of you and anyone who comes in here, or you get the hell out," Dabi said.

Later, some of the senior staff, the ones who'd been with the bakery for years, quietly confronted her.

"It's about damn time you laid down the law," said Doris, one of Dabi's favourite people. The woman had been with the bakery for almost ten years and was quite content to keep doing what she was doing.

"I hated doing that," Dabi confessed.

"Yeah, I know, sugar, but you had to. This place is yours now, and that means you have to make it yours. Sometimes that means playing the bitch to get things done," Doris soothed.

"If it's any comfort, those of us who know you, like really know you, we're behind you a hundred percent," said Bruce. He'd been with the bakery for just as long as Doris and was very proud of Dabi, or Kid, as he usually called her. "We'll back you with regards to the younger staff."

"Thank you, all of you."

Then Gibbs had brought in Mary Connors of Connors Construction.

"Ma'am," said Mary, offering her hand, which Dabi shook, before doing the same to Owen. "Gibbs says you're having problems with your current contractor, something about a blown water heater and being a week behind schedule?"

"And no longer taking my calls after I refused to pay him, as per Dad's advice," said Dabi.

"Good girl," said Mary. "Let's have a look around."

Within an hour, not only had Mary cussed out the other contractor for a cheapskate job and the blown water heater (that should have never happened, had the asshat followed the proper protocols!) she also had a rough plan for a much better apartment layout design that Dabi loved.

Then she'd watched in amusement as Mary made it very plain she liked what she saw in Owen.

"I want his number," said Mary, later when Owen had gotten called away on something.

"I can't give you his private cell number because that would be a violation of privacy, but I can give you his work number," Dabi replied, quickly scribbling the number down. "I use it to text him all the time." She grinned. "Call him my emergency contact."

"I'll make some excuse," Mary vowed. "How does he like his coffee?"

"Hot, black, and strong."

"My kind of guy."

Later, Gibbs quietly said to Dabi, "You're wearing one of Leo's shirts."

"Yeah, I am. Grabbed it off the floor this morning because I was in a bit of a hurry," she replied.

"It doesn't hide the mark on your neck. I take it you resolved that particular problem?"

Dabi just smirked at him and the smirk told him all he needed to know. He leaned close and said quietly, "Get on the Pill, fast."