DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS.

Just love writing about them!

Chapter Six

When I returned home Ms. Hannigan was finishing up a sale.

"Jack so good to see you home safe and sound," she cooed.

"Thanks for minding the store. I really do appreciate it," I told her nodding a greeting to my customer.

"Oh any time. You work too hard. You need some time off as well as another set of hands around," she intimated.

"Things aren't so tough, small town and all," I tried reining her in. I knew she was referring to more than just the store, but I was getting rather settled in my bachelor life style. Despite appreciating some fine company now and then, I wasn't looking for anything permanent.

God help me if I ever did. Leroy I'm sure would take the last step and disown me. At least I discovered during the past few days that we could be near each other civilly.

"I'll see you home," I offered.

"Don't worry about it. Thanks for the offer, but I can manage on my own. No need to close the store on my account," smiling devilishly she added, "Unless you would like me to stay until after closing. I can stick around a few more hours."

"Oh, that won't be necessary. You just be careful going home then," Jack led her to the door holding her elbow.

"If you're sure," she asked begrudgingly. Jack nodded. "Alright. Remember there are a few frozen meals set aside for you."

"I appreciate that Margaret," and I truly did. After Marie died she was one of the more frequent visitors to bring meals to Leroy and me. They were some of the finest, too. For some reason Leroy ate the least when she brought them. Guess he suspected even back then she was hoping to catch my eye.

He was always pretty observant, so perhaps she was. I certainly was in no condition to notice. All I cold think about was waking up everyday, surviving and taking the best care I could of my son. Just wish he could've seen that.

Closing time came and I locked up. Making my way into the kitchen I saw evidence that Margaret had been playing housekeeper too. I shook my head half smiling at her attempts to woo me. With anyone else she might be successful, but not with me. Her meatloaf was spectacular though.

A few months late a letter from Shannon arrived announcing that she had settled into a small town in North Carolina near Camp Lejeune where Leroy was still stationed and continuing with his sniper training. He was becoming an integral part of the Corps and she didn't hesitate to display her pride in every word she wrote about him.

She was going to be teaching at the elementary school in St. James. Her parents had relocated there to be supportive of her and to make sure she wasn't too lonely. She sarcastically jibed that she thought their reason had more to do with making sure she didn't elope with Leroy and deny them the opportunity for a proper wedding.

Jack smiled realizing that she was as much in love with his son as Leroy was with her. A wedding while not imminent seemed to be unavoidable in their future. Jack suddenly held his breath wondering if he'd get invited. He let the breath out knowing at least Shannon would think to invite him.

He sat down to reply to her letter. Congratulating her on her teaching position and trying to express as much as possible all the pride he felt for her. He thanked her for informing of his son's hard work and well being. 'Don't be too quick to dismiss your parents' intentions. They love you and want what's best. I'm sure they trust you, Shan let them be there for you.' Those words were ones I wish my son could take to heart, but he was too stubborn to ever see my good intentions as anything more than tiresome and meddlesome.

I sent of the letter hoping that as her life got busier with her career, she would still have time to keep me up to date.