Chapter 7

Gibbs and Jenny caught a flight out of the Dallas Fort Worth Airport late Friday afternoon. It was after midnight by the time they arrived back into DC. Gibbs dropped Jenny off at her house before heading home, with Grace sleeping soundly in the backseat. When he pulled into the driveway he could see a dim glow coming from his living room. He parked the car, got Grace out and headed for the house leaving their luggage until the morning.

Gibbs walked in the door and could see Abby sleeping on the couch in the living room. He smiled as he took Grace upstairs. As he got halfway up the stairs he could smell fresh paint. He turned the light on in Grace's room and looked around in awe. He was quite impressed with the work Abby had done while they had been gone. Gibbs tucked Grace into bed and kissed her forehead before turning her light off and going back downstairs.

Gibbs stood at the doorway of the living room and watched Abby sleep for a moment. He smiled as he realized everything was just as it was supposed to be. Grace was home and their family was whole again. He grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and covered Abby, waking her in the process.

"Gibbs?" she said groggily.

"Go back to sleep Abs," Gibbs whispered as he rubbed her shoulder.

"Is Grace home?" Abby asked lifting her head slightly.

"She's upstairs sleeping," Gibbs said smiling. "You did a beautiful job on her room. Thank you."

"Thanks," Abby said in the middle of a yawn, "everyone helped. It wasn't just me."

Gibbs brushed Abby's hair away from her forehead and kissed her goodnight. "Go back to sleep Abby," he said quietly, "I'll see you in the morning." Abby smiled and laid her head back on the pillow. Gibbs pulled the blanket over her shoulders and rubbed her back for a moment before disappearing to the basement.


Tim headed for Gibbs' house first thing Saturday morning. When he arrived he found Abby sitting on the couch watching TV.

"What are you doing here?" they asked each other at the same time.

"Well," Tim paused, "I wanted to see if Gibbs brought Grace home with him. What about you?"

"It was late when I finished painting so I decided to crash on the co… Wait a minute!" Abby stopped and glared at Tim. "How did you know Gibbs was back?"

McGee quickly tried to think of an explanation. "Um, lucky guess," he said hesitantly.

"Hmm," Abby said, staring Tim down, "never trust a computer hacker."

"Did Gibbs bring Grace home or not?" Tim asked desperately.

Before Abby could answer they heard a noise behind them. They turned to see Grace standing in the doorway staring at them as she sucked her thumb and clutched her blanket.

"Hi Grace!" Tim said.

"You're up!" Abby added. They both hurried towards the small child causing her to back away slightly. "You're scaring her!" Abby scolded Tim.

"Me?" Tim said. "What about you!"

"Where's Daddy?" Grace asked.

"Come here Grace," Tim said as he picked her up. "Daddy must still be sleeping?" he said hesitantly as he looked at Abby.

"Daddy's sleeping in the basement Sweetie," Abby said. "Do you want to watch TV with me and Timmy until he gets up?"

"Daddy will come and get me when he wakes up?" Grace asked.

"Yah," Tim said nodding his head.

"Of course he will Honey!" Abby added. "Do you want to watch The Lion King with us?"

"Lion King? With Simba?" Grace asked excitedly.

"Yep!" Abby said as they all sat down together on the couch. "It's at the part where Simba just met Timon and Pumbaa."

"After that we can play in my new room!" Grace said.

Abby and Tim smiled. "You like your new room?" Abby asked.

"It's berry beautiful," Grace said,

"I'm glad you like it," Abby said. She started the movie again and watched as Tim held Grace. She wanted to hold Grace too but she was happy watching Tim interact with her. It was obvious how much Grace meant to him if he was over at Gibbs's house early on a Saturday morning checking on her.


Gibbs stretched as he woke up and he quickly realized he wasn't in his bed. He slowly recalled the night before and remembered falling asleep under the boat on the mat Grace usually slept on. The commotion upstairs had awakened him. He rolled off the mat and stretched again before going upstairs. He found Tim, Abby and Grace watching TV in the living room.

"McGee, what are you doing here?" Gibbs asked.

"Daddy!" Grace quickly got off Tim's lap and hurried towards Gibbs. Gibbs moaned as he picked her up. "Are you sick Daddy?" Grace asked concerned.

"No Sweet Pea," Gibbs said smiling. "Daddy's just too old to be sleeping in the basement anymore." Gibbs kissed the tip of Grace's nose making her giggle.

"I got a new bedroom!" Grace proudly told Gibbs.

"I know," Gibbs said, matching Grace's excitement. "It's beautiful, huh? Do you know who did that for you?" Grace shook her head. "Abby, McGee, DiNozzo and Ziva did that just for you. Do you have something to tell them?"

"Thank you for gibing me a new room," Grace said. Gibbs hugged her before handing her back to Tim.

"Hey!" Abby protested. "It's my turn to hold her!" Gibbs took her back from Tim and handed her to Abby.

"I'm going to get coffee," Gibbs said as he headed for the kitchen. "She better still be in one piece when I get back."


Abby insisted on making breakfast for everyone and she recruited Grace to help her. Tim filled Gibbs in on everything he'd missed until Abby called him into the kitchen. The counter was lined with mixing bowls, pans, and other assorted dishes. Grace was standing on a chair in front of the cabinet covered in flour that was also coating the countertop and floor. Abby normally didn't make such messes but cooking with a four year old was almost guaranteed to be messy.

"What happened in here?" Tim asked quietly, hoping Gibbs wouldn't hear.

"Will you help Grace with the biscuits while I start the gravy?" Abby asked as she removed the sausage from the pan.

McGee looked at the floury mess. "Um, sure, what do I—"

"I couldn't find a biscuit cutter so just use that glass I got out," Abby interrupted. "Roll the dough out, cut out the biscuits and put them on the pan. Grace will show you how to do it."

Gibbs stood in the doorway unannounced and smirked as he watched the sight before him.

"Hi Daddy," Grace said. Tim and Abby turned quickly and were horrified that Gibbs had seen the mess.

"Hi Cutie," Gibbs said.

"Don't worry Boss!" Tim quickly said. "We'll clean it up!"

Gibbs nodded, "I know." He refilled his coffee and sat down at the dining room table with the newspaper.

After a southern style breakfast of sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy with a little Cajun kick that Abby added, Gibbs helped Tim clean up the kitchen while Abby took Grace upstairs and got her cleaned up.

"How is it that the men always get stuck cleaning the kitchen?" Tim asked while wiping the countertops off.

"That's life McGee," Gibbs said as he washed the dishes.

After the breakfast mess had been cleaned up Tim and Abby went home and Gibbs took Grace out to do the grocery shopping. That night, after they'd had dinner Gibbs started a movie for Grace then went down to the basement to work on his boat for a little while. He hadn't been down there long when Jenny showed up.

"What's up Jen?" Gibbs asked.

"I just wanted to see you," Jenny said awkwardly. Gibbs took Jenny's jacket and laid it over the stair railing then kissed her cheek gently. She regained her confidence before continuing. "I had a really good time in Texas Jethro, I mean obviously I wish it had been under different circumstances but I'm glad everything worked out."

"I had a good time too Jen," Gibbs said, "but next time we go out maybe we can pick somewhere a little closer to home."

Jenny laughed at Gibbs attempt at a joke and playfully hit his chest. Gibbs grabbed Jenny's hand and held it against his chest. He looked into Jenny's eyes making her slightly uncomfortable. Gibbs had a way of making you believe he could see beyond the surface and read your innermost thoughts. Jenny knew that was part of what made him such a good agent but when he used it on her it often made her squirm.

Gibbs' gaze moved from Jenny's eyes to her lips as he moved closer to her. He tilted his head down towards hers, still studying her. Jenny tilted her head up to Gibbs and slowly closed her eyes. Gibbs closed his eyes and pressed his lips to Jenny's, lightly at first, until he remembered how easy it was to be with her. He moved his hands up her back and cradled her head as he kissed her.

"Oooo! Daddy is kissing a girl," Grace sang from the stairs.

Gibbs smiled against Jenny's lips before pulling away and chasing Grace up the stairs. Grace screamed as Gibbs chased her into the living room. She jumped onto the couch and curled up into a ball. Gibbs tickled her sides causing her to squirm all over the couch. He caught her before she fell and sat down with her laying in his lap, laughing. Jenny stood in the entryway to the living room and watched Grace giggle while Gibbs stared adoringly at her. Gibbs smiled at Jenny and patted the couch next to him.

"Why don't you go put your jammies on Sweet Pea," Gibbs said. "Then I'll read you a bedtime story."

"I wanna stay up with you Daddy," Grace said in the middle of a big yawn.

"It's bedtime," Gibbs said. "I don't want a grumpy Gracie tomorrow." He stood Grace on the floor and patted her butt gently to get her moving.

"I should get going Jethro," Jenny said after Grace had disappeared upstairs.

"Are you sure?" Gibbs asked.

Jenny second guessed her decision before answering. "Yes, I'm sure."

Gibbs helped Jenny with her jacket. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, then her lips as they stood in front of the door. "Do you want to go do something tomorrow night?" he offered. "Abs can watch Gracie."

Jenny smiled. "What did you have in mind?"

Gibbs thought for a moment. "I guess it'll have to be a surprise," he said slyly.

Jenny laughed. "I'm not sure I like the sound of that," she teased.

"Pick you up at 1800?" Gibbs asked. Jenny nodded and leaned in for one more kiss before disappearing into the night.


Abby arrived at Gibbs' house at 5:00 the following evening with McGee. Tony and Ziva weren't far behind. When she left the previous morning Abby called Tony and Ziva to tell them Gibbs was home with Grace and after she'd gotten the phone call to babysit they all decided to come over and hang out with Grace while Gibbs was out.

Gibbs hurried down the stairs and found Grace sitting in Abby's lap on the couch. He tucked his blue polo into his jeans and fastened his belt. "Ok, I just ordered a couple pizzas, there's money next to the phone," he said pointing in that direction. "Call my cell if you have any problems." Gibbs checked his back pocket for his wallet and clipped his cell phone to his belt.

"We'll be fine," Abby reassured him.

"Don't forget she's allergic to peanuts," Gibbs reminded them. "Her epi-pen is—"

"Is in the medicine cabinet in the downstairs bathroom," Abby interrupted. "We'll be fine Gibbs. Go, have fun, don't worry about us."

Gibbs looked at his four agents sitting around his living room and knew Abby was right. He had full confidence in them to take care of Grace but he couldn't help but worry a little. He lifted Grace out of Abby's lap and gave her a hug and kissed her forehead.

"Bye Gracie," he said as he put her back in Abby's lap. "I love you."

"I love you too Daddy!" Grace said.

Gibbs paused at the entryway to glance around the living room one last time. "Have fun you guys," he said before hurrying out to his car.

"I didn't think Boss was ever going to leave," Tony said.

"Probably because you are here," Ziva teased. "He knows what you are capable of."

The doorbell rang before Tony could come up with a comeback. He hopped up, grabbed the money and traded the pizza man the cash for the food. "Dinner!" he called, walking into the kitchen. Tony was pleased to find Gibbs had ordered his favorite pizza. He put a piece of cheese pizza on a plate for Grace while Tim poured some Kool-Aid into a sippy cup for her to take in the living room. After Grace was situated the four agents filled their plates and joined Grace to watch TV while they ate.


Gibbs arrived at Jenny's house five minutes early. He was greeted at the door by Noemi. He walked in just in time to see Jenny descending the stairs. At Gibbs' request for her to dress casual she had chosen a button up the front emerald green top and blue jeans.

"You look beautiful Jen," Gibbs said as he greeted her at the bottom of the stairs.

"Thank you Jethro," Jenny said blushing slightly. "You don't look too bad yourself."

Gibbs kissed her cheek before helping her with her jacket. He extended his arm to her and led her out to his car. "Where are we going?" Jenny asked as Gibbs opened the car door for her.

"I already told you," Gibbs said. He leaned down and looked in the car at her, "it's a surprise."


"What do you guys want to do?" Abby asked as they finished up dinner. "I don't want to just watch TV all night."

"What's wrong with that?" Tony asked.

"We could take Grace somewhere," McGee suggested.

Tony shook his head. "That won't work. Gibbs didn't leave her booster seat."

"I know!" Ziva said. "When I was little we used to build forts in the living room with sheets and blankets."

"That sounds like fun," Abby said, "but who's going to go through Gibbs' closets to find the extra bedding?" They all stared at each then Ziva, Abby and Tim all looked at Tony.

"Whoa! Come on guys," Tony said holding his hands up in defense.

"What's wrong Tony? You're always going through my stuff," Tim pointed out.

"And you are always reminding us how good of an investigator it makes you," Ziva added.

"Hey Grace," Tony said. "Do you know where the linen closet is?" Grace stared blankly at Tony. "Where your dad keeps the extra sheets?" Grace shrugged her shoulders as Abby wiped the pizza sauce off her face with a damp cloth.

Ziva laughed. "Looks like you're on your own Tony."

"I wonder if Gibbs is watching us on one of those nanny cams," Abby teased as Tony headed for the stairs.

Tony stopped and thought for a moment. "Gibbs can barely work his cell phone; he wouldn't know what to do with a nanny cam." He continued to the stairs. "Gibbs is going to kill me," he mumbled.


After a dinner filled with conversation about the past and all the good memories they shared Gibbs took Jenny to a putt-putt golf course. She was thrilled at Gibbs' surprise. There was something about being out under the dark, night sky on a brightly lit course filled with vibrant colors and fun scenery. Jenny held onto Gibbs arm while he paid for their equipment.

"You go first," Gibbs said at the first hole.

"I'm really bad at this Jethro," Jenny chuckled.

"That's ok," Gibbs said. "Not like we're on a league or anything. It's just us." Gibbs put her ball on the marked spot on the ground and helped her position her hands on the club properly. "Figure out where you want the ball to go and focus on how to get it there," he instructed.

Jenny hit the ball hard enough to get it through the obstacle but it stopped short of the hole. "That was good!" Gibbs complimented.

"Thank you," Jenny said, satisfied with her first shot. Gibbs first stroke put his ball through the obstacle and right on the other side of the hole. "Nice," Jenny said. Each got their ball in the hole on the next stroke.

By the time they made it to the end of the course Jenny had gotten the hang of it and her more competitive nature was showing through. Both were doing well but Gibbs was beating Jenny by a few strokes. Jenny had tried her hardest to catch up with him but Gibbs was better at putt-putt than she was and remained in the lead.

After they'd finished golfing Gibbs took Jenny to his favorite coffee shop and bought her a hot chocolate. The night air was a bit too cool for ice cream so Gibbs figured that was the next best thing. They sat outside on the patio and looked up at the stars while they drank.

"I had a very nice time tonight Jethro," Jenny said.

Gibbs smiled at Jenny. "I'm glad," he said, "I did too."

"So," Jenny hesitated, "are you going to tell your team about us?"

Gibbs laughed. "I'm sure they've already figured it out by now," he said. "They're all babysitting Gracie. I'm guessing the subject has come up."

"All of them are over at your house?" Jenny asked somewhat surprised.

Gibbs nodded after taking another drink. "They're over all the time Jen," he said. "Lonely, scared, bored, whatever, at least one of them shows up."

"It's almost like they're your kids too," Jenny pointed out.

"They know my door is always open if they ever need anything," Gibbs said.

By the time they finished their hot chocolate it was getting late. Gibbs took Jenny home, walked her to her door and kissed her good night. Jenny wanted more but remembered Gibbs saying he didn't want to rush into anything so she didn't push him. She knew better. She just hoped her patience wouldn't wear out before Gibbs decided to take it to the next level.

When Gibbs pulled into his driveway he could see the flasing blue light of the TV in his otherwise dark house. He quietly opened the front door and flipped the entryway light on. He could see sheets and blankets covering his living room.

"Hi Gibbs," Ziva said quietly. Gibbs wasn't sure where she came from.

"Hi Ziva," he said. "What's going on? Did you guys have fun?"

"We all had great fun," Ziva said smiling. "We made a fort in your living room and then made up stories for Grace. After that we played hide and seek then put a movie in for her until it was bedtime. Abby put her to sleep in her own bed but she would not stay up there. I am sorry Gibbs."

"It's ok," Gibbs said. "She usually comes back downstairs after I put her to bed too. Jenny thinks she doesn't like to be alone."

Ziva smiled when she heard Gibbs mention Jenny. After Grace had gone to bed she, Tony, Tim and Abby had spent a big part of the evening wondering what the two were doing. "Well she is sleeping under the fort with Tony, Abby and McGee," Ziva said.

"Why aren't you asleep?" Gibbs asked.

"I did not want Grace to be scared if she woke up," Ziva said. "I just wanted to make sure everything was ok."

Gibbs smiled. He knew Ziva's experience with children was limited and appreciated her taking every precaution. "Go to bed Ziver," he said. "You can sleep in Gracie's room if you want."

"I have a place next to Tony in the fort," Ziva said. "Nobody else wanted to sleep next to him. Big surprise."

"Good night," Gibbs said.

"Good night Gibbs," Ziva said.