"I didn't break it! It wasn't cooperating, so I asked it to nicely," Kelly insisted sitting beside Gibbs who was currently trying fix her broken AC.
"By kicking into submission" He stated flatly not looking up from the damaged internal piping. "Big fan of torture are ya, Kels?"
"No. Not a fan. Torture isn't nearly as effective as it looks in the movies," she a bit defensively.
"Might have to reconsider your morals, you did quite a number on the filter here. Could've came and got me earlier instead of making it suffer."
"Well look-you want a smoothie? I have fresh fruit."
"Sure."
Standing up she headed to the kitchen and set to work pulling the drinks together. The local market in town was fully stocked with loads of fruit to make the smoothies she was obsessed with. Mamey, mangoes, strawberries, bananas, everything that it took to make her happy in this cold world. She had made Mike and her father some with all the excess fruit she bought and they liked them well enough. It took a lot of fruit to cover all the protein and extra vitamins she laced her father's drink with and Mike kept spiking his claiming he like he needed a little extra "stank" in it to make it digestible. They lived like pirates.
Once the smoothies were ready, she padded back towards the back window of the living room and sat back down handing her dad his smoothie.
"Manage to revive it?"
"Just barely. Gonna need a part for the long term. You'll be fine for the night though."
"Yay, thanks, Papa Bear," she cheered laying her head on his shoulder sipping from her drink.
He simply kissed her hair in response and packed his tools back away.
The knock her door startled her a bit. She made eye contact with her dad and silently conveyed that she wasn't expecting anyone. She got up and headed for the door and saw Maria through the window.
"Hola Maria. Que paso?," she asked opening it. Maria had never been here so Mike must've have told her where she lived.
"Hola Kelly. Señor Gibbs esta aqui?" Kelly nodded and led her inside where Gibbs was sitting in the living room.
"Señor Gibbs, phone call. She sounds muy upset," she said handing the phone to Gibbs. He took it and answered, his easy expression immediately shifting. Kelly left the room to give him some privacy and offered Maria a smoothie.
About 10 minutes later, Gibbs walked back in to find Kelly and Maria conversely passionately in spanish over half drunken smoothies. Kelly noticed him during a pause in the conversation and arched an eyebrow. "Gotta head to Washington on the flight," he stated lowly.
"Everything alright?"
"Yeah some trouble with an agent. Got herself into a little trouble."
Gibbs could tell she could see through the vague explanation but didn't elaborate and she didn't ask. He handed Maria her cellphone, thanked her, and watched her leave.
Kelly knew this would happen. Something would call him back, but it didn't feel like enough to keep him there judging by the set of his jaw. He was trying to make this an in and out visit. She also knew he wasn't gonna let her help. He picked up his bag and smoothie. "I'll be back as soon as I can, Kels."
"Ziva's good person. She's being framed. I hope you can clear her."
Gibbs paused and looked up at her. She continued, "I was having tea with Amus over phone this morning. He told me a cafe in Georgetowne exploded. Three people died, and Ziva is a...person of interest. FBI's Most Wanted list."
He nodded. "I'm sorry I have leave so soon. I have to go help her."
"Don't be. I know you do. I'd think less of you if you didn't go. Let me know if I can..help."
He smirked, shook his head at her, and kissed the slit down her eyebrow, a new habit of his. There was no way on earth he'd risk her safety.
"Can come with me to the airport though. Need someone to drive Mike's truck back."
Kelly couldn't drive, not really, but Mike couldn't drive him at this time. Siesta had done a number on him by now. Not that he wouldn't try anyway.
"Okie dokie," she agreed and followed him outside and into Mike beat up pickup truck.
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Mike's truck had to be from the eighties, though the condition made it look like something from the fifties. She was surprised each time the thing even cranked. She drove slowly and easily since the roads were so empty in town. All she had to do was keep pushing the pedals. Couldn't be too hard right? The problem came when she had to get on the highway with other cars.
"Do me favour when you get back?"
Gibbs turned to her confused and nodded. He wouldn't deny her much.
Pulling onto the highway she looked over at him and smiled, "Teach me how drive when you get back?" His eyes widened as she floored the gas to catch up with an opening and merge into busy traffic.
"Jesus, Kelly! Slow down!" Gibbs shouted clutching on to the side of the car.
"Why? With all these cars going 80 out here?"
"Wouldn't have asked ya to drive if I knew ya didn't have a license" he barked through gritted teeth.
"You don't need a license to drive, you need a license if you get caught driving."
Gibbs should've known she couldn't drive since she had been riding a scooter around town since she got here. But most 16 year olds at least had a permit for before 9 o'clock driving. There weren't any side lines on the highway so he couldn't even ask her to pull over.
"For God sake use your mirrors, Kelly."
"How am I supposed to use all three at once?," Kelly argued genuinely confused.
Gibbs looked at her and thought he was gonna have a coronary right there. The car swerved just nearly missing an 18 wheeler, "Whoops."
"How'd ya manage to get to this point without driving lessons, Kelly?"
She shrugged, "Ochoa usually drives. It's never been a problem til now."
He scoffed and shook his head.
She glared him, "You know you're one to talk, from what I hear you're not exactly getting any awards for road safety any time, officer."
"Eyes on the road!," He yelled as she just barely missed seeing the signal for a car switching lanes in front of her. The airport exit was upcoming and she was in the wrong lane to get off. She looked at Gibbs and he looked at her.
"Kelly..." he warned.
"You might wanna hang on," she smiled serenely.
Gibbs grabbed the handle on the hood as she crossed four lanes of traffic almost straight across. He just closed his eyes and prayed she'd at least survive this if he didn't. By the time he opened his eyes they were pulling into the airport drop off lane.
"You know this car isn't as clunky as it looks. Great speed and handling on it," she said cheerily. Gibbs didn't answer her. Instead he took out the phone she lent him and called Mike.
"Hey Mike, need you to grab a cab and come pick up your car from the airport….No, nothing is wrong with it. I'm sure Kelly'd love to explain why when you see her." He snapped the phone shut and ignored Kelly's protests. No way in hell he was letting her drive back.
He got out the car and walked over to her side. Leaning his arms on the window he said lowly,"Wait for Mike to come get you."
She pouted, "It wasn't that bad."
Gibbs leaned in to kiss her eyebrow and rubbed her cheek with the pad of his thumb. He whispered, "Stay out of trouble and stay with Mike while I'm gone. I'll call you when I land. Love you, sweetheart."
"Love you too, Daddy." He half-smiled at her and took his ticket and passport from her. Kissing her hair one last time, he took off and headed for his flight.
Kelly watched him go and pulled into a parking space next to the drop off area. Kelly waited obediently for Mike to show up.
Twenty minutes later, a small yellow cab pulled up and Kelly got out of the truck to meet Mike. She pulled a few pesos out of her front jeans pocket to pay the driver.
"Kelly, what you do this time?" He said as soon as he got out of the cab.
"Nothing. He's just being all twisty since he has to head back. Doesn't want me driving alone when its about to get dark." If Mike knew about the highway incident she'd never hear the end of it.
"Can't blame 'im. The police around here are funny at night unless you're holding a few hundred pesos to buy your way out a ticket," he said catching the keys Kelly tossed him.
Kelly and Mike headed back together and argued about the probability of Gibbs returning to work. Mike said being there would only drive him back here, and she didn't disagree. He wasn't motivated enough yet. But Kelly bet him that if he was called in again for the right case, under the correct circumstances, he'd crack.
"Yeah, right. If anything being back twice would make him disconnect his Maria's phone."
"Fine. I bet you a year's worth of drinks at Carlo's Cantina that if Dad gets called in one more time, he'll be staying for good."
"Oooh, but are you good for it, Kelly belly? Uncle Mike would hate to drink away all your allowance money."
"Yes Mikey, I am. And if I'm right, I'm taking that fancy teak jacuzzi back to Washington with me."
"Gonna fill up Daddy's backyard with a buncha pubescent boys? I'd buy tickets to that fallout. No wonder he has me on babysitting duty."
Kelly laughed at the thought her father pulling up seeing a bunch of half-naked boys in his yard.
"I got fresh pack of cards from the airports. Feel like losing your pension check?"
One week later
By the time Gibbs had wrapped thing up with the FBI and cleared Ziva, Kelly had already swindled Mike out of everything but the shirt on his back.
"I'm out," Mike sighed frustrated that she managed a full house for the fourth time.
"Don't feel too bad Uncle Mikey. At your age-"
"Finish that sentence and I'll shoot you like I should have 3 hands ago," he growled and went in search for another beer. Kelly laughed at him and gathered her chips.
She had liked hanging out with Mike this past week. He was a sore loser, but that's what made it so fun. Over dinner and cards they swapped stories of botched undercover assignments and compared battle scars. He had upped her shoulder wound with a bullet to the knee he took in Germany in the 80s. They laughed about old partners and stakeout sessions in cars that reeked out takeout. She didn't talk about this stuff with her father, not wanting to sound flippant. He still blamed himself for allowing it to happen. But with Mike everything was much lighter and anything was fair game.
Gibbs walked through the door rather abruptly with bloodshot eyes looking like he hadn't slept in days. The case had really worn him out and he was more worried about Ziva than he would have liked to admit at the time.
"Daddy!" Kelly hopped up and ran towards Gibbs smacking into him full speed. He grunted but returned the hugs just as tightly sighing contently, laying small kisses on her forehead. Having her back in his arms calmed his fears that she was in some kind of danger without him knowing. They had talked everyday he was gone but hearing she was okay and seeing it for himself were different things.
After this past week of dodging the FBI and dealing with uncomfortable confrontations with old friends, he was glad to be back with someone he wouldn't have to let down again. He looked over her shoulder and silently thanked Mike for watching her while her was gone.
"Glad you both haven't killed each other."
Kelly giggled, "Well Mike was gonna about 3 minutes ago. He doesn't like to lose."
"Mike doesn't like to lose," Mike mocked bitterly in a girlish voice. "Bullshit, Caught her counting cards when were down at the Cantina. They lay crooks across the coals for stuff like that."
"I won my prizes fair and square, Uncle Mikey."
"Lose ya shirt did ya, Mike?" Gibbs quipped stepping into the living room with one arm still around Kelly.
"Everything but! She let me keep my shoes, but won the laces off me."
Kelly smiled innocently at Gibbs and ignored Mike's whining, "Everything all cleared up?"
Gibbs smirked at her, "Like you don't already know."
"Touche. Glad everything worked out. Hungry? I'm making Chiles en nogada. Maria gave me the recipe to try."
"Starving, thank you." Gibbs settled in the living room with Mike with a beer finally letting go of the stress of the case. Being back gave him feelings of longing that he hadn't expected. He kept telling himself Mexico was where he belonged. He felt relaxed here and past was squared away back in Washington where it belonged. Ever since Kelly had returned, he felt more at home here than he did in that empty house. He even put the house on the market to release his connections to DC for good.
Gibbs was determined to make a life in Mexico. He wasn't going back to NCIS. He'd be able to actually enjoy his time with Kelly. He liked being able to talk and play with his daughter everyday. Having her show up had shocked him to all hell, but it had given his life meaning again. Grounded him to the earth in a way he hadn't been before. He had a reason to get up every morning, he didn't need to drink himself to sleep anymore. She wasn't an adult yet so that made him feel like he had a few years before he lost her again. He could spend all his time with her uninterrupted.
At least that's what he thought. Until he came back to Washington to pack the house and Tobias came by needing help with his daughter, Emily. When he told Kelly on the phone that he wouldn't be back for a few days because of it, she mumbled something to Mike about taking his jacuzzi home. They always wagered together so he didn't think much of it.
For some reason, he was the only one who could help. Again. He was starting to think no one would allow him the quiet life he so desperately wanted with Kelly. The case had drained him more than the last and thrilled him in a way he'd been trying to squash as he sat in the basement looking through old photos of Kelly and her mom. A pang hit his chest looking at his first wife with his daughter. At least I have one of them back, he thought. He couldn't ask for more. He couldn't ask for them both back. No matter how much he wanted it. Losing his wife had made him unsuitable for anyone else. As many of his wives had told him, he'd always love Shannon and her memory more than them. But, god, losing his daughter had been what had driven him near the brink of insanity. He tried to fool himself with a parade of redheads who weren't his wife, but never had he ever tried to be a father again. Didn't feel like he deserved it. Not after he failed Kelly.
When Jen appeared and tore him a new one about his job, it snapped his resolve. He wanted his job back. But he had his girl to consider now. Would she want to come back? She seemed to enjoy Mexico and living with Mike. Her friend Cho-something lived there and she had left town more than once to see him. Would she be willing to give that up? He wasn't leaving her in another country. That wasn't an option. If she wanted to move to half way across the world, then he'd pack up move her wheverever she desired. They wouldn't be separated again.
He called her that night from the basement running his hands over the boat he'd left behind.
"Hola Papa!"
Gibbs smiled to himself at her cheery greeting, not yet over being able to hear her voice again whenever he missed her.
"Hey, Kels, you okay? You and Mike behaving?"
"I'm fine! I just ate and made another smoothie. Mike let me answer the phone even after he won it off it me so I guess he's being nice."
"Listen, Kels, I wanted to run something by you. What would you think of living in DC again?"
"Permanently?"
"Mhmm."
"God, finally!"
"What?"
"Do you know how long I've been waiting for you to ask?"
"You want to be in DC?"
"I want you to take your old job back. It's where you belong."
"Didn't say anything about NCIS."
"But that's why you're staying."
"It might be.." He trailed off grudgingly.
"It is."
"Would you okay moving back in with your old man again?"
She paused. "You want me to move in with you? In the old house?"
"Mmm. Unless you have some friends you'd rather stay with?" Gibbs trailed trying to keep the disappointment out of his voice. He had gotten used to her being around and nothing made him happier than the idea having her here with him again. But if she wanted her own space, he'd give her that. Maybe she'd been away too long to want to live her father again…
"Can I paint my room?," She asked hopefully. She remembered the Pepto Bismol pink her room had once been and while she loved it at the time, she had changed since.
Relief washed over Gibbs as he let his fears melt away and couldn't help the laugh that followed, "Sweetheart, I'll paint the whole thing pitch black if that's what you're into now."
Kelly giggled,"No, I'm actually more into turquoise these days."
"I'll run to hardware store and get some swatches. Gonna need my things from down there. Would ya mind-"
"Dad, I've literally been packing as you've been talking. You didn't bring much so I'm already done. Mike is booking me a flight now, and I'm on my way to pay the accumulated tab on my cottage. Need anything else from down, here?"
Gibbs smiled, "No, should be it. Call me when ya land."
"Aye eye, Gunny. Over and out."
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Her landlord was a nice, shorter lady with long hair and a sweet smile. Sometimes she would come by with bread baskets and fruit of what she didn't sell at the market. Kelly would miss her and the landlady was genuinely sorry to see her go. She paid her rent in full ahead of time and made conversation whenever they saw each other. She kept the cottage in impeccable condition and had even fixed the air conditioner without reducing the repair costs from the rent.
Kelly handed her the keys and hugged her goodbye with promises to visit and recommend her to friends.
Ochoa pulled up outside of Mike's house and honked his horn. She kissed Mike's cheek and headed out. "Thanks again, Uncle Mike", she called over her shoulder.. He had become family over these past couple months. She suddenly wished he didn't live so far away. He waved from the porch and watched her go.
Choa drove Kelly to the same airport she had dropped her father off at.
He stopped in front and helped her unload her things from the trunk.
"Guess this is goodbye again, Cho."
"Never goodbye, just until next time, Captain."
"Choa about everything, thank you I don't know what I would've done. I-"
"I love you more, babe. I'm gonna miss you buddy."
She was getting so soft lately. She hates goodbyes. She looked at him teary eyed and realized how much she really loved her friend. She wasn't used to being without him. They were never more than a stone's throw away from each other for more than a few days. That wouldn't be the case anymore. So for the first time in their friendship, she jumped forward and hugged him as tight as she could.
"I love you. I'll miss you. How am to supposed to live without you?"
He enveloped her in his famous bear hugs and whispered lovingly, "You're not. Don't get all on gooey on me now. You better call me at least once week and come visit."
She laughed and pull away just enough to look in his warm brown eyes, "I'll stab you if you don't do the same. I'll tell your Mom, too."
He rolled his eyes, "Don't even get that woman started."
She giggled, pulled away, and grabbed her things. "I'll see you when I see you Cho."
"I expect weekly updates on my new favorite government snitch."
"Shutup."
"Run off and catch your flight, babes."
Kelly hugged and kissed once more and ran off before she missed her plane.
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Six hours later, she knew why they called it the Red Eye. The fastest available flight didn't have first class so she rode the whole way there with a some guy basically sleeping in her lap and a toddler kicking the back of her seat. TSA had tried the last nerve she managed to preserve during the flight and if one more person bumped into her, so help her god, she'd open fire in this airport. It was 2:30am and she prayed her father would be here soon as she exited the deboarding area and walked towards the door dodging the greeters waiting for other passengers.
In the distance she spotted a silver-haired man staring at her. She stopped and stared back. After a moment or so he smirked and approached her.
"Thought you wanted me to shave, Kels," he said handing her smoothie from a local shop.
"Daddyyy," she drawled sleepily and shuffled into his arms taking the smoothies and sipping it gratefully with her head laid on his chest He smelled like sawdust again. He kissed her hair gently and took bags from her. Leading her to the Charger parked out front he asked, "Enjoy that smooth, luxury flight back? Coffee's top of the line too."
She glared at him. He smirked at her, "That good, huh? Hate I missed out on round two."
Her father had thankfully drove cautiously for her sake, but she had almost spilled her smoothie twice and her stomach was doing so many turns she couldn't even finish it. Stepping out the Charger, she looked up at the house and the nostalgia crashed into her like a tidal wave.
The years had passed, but the house remained the same. It was a little older, but still the same and well taken care of. She stared up at the window to her room and remembered looking out it on rainy days when it was too wet to play. Back then her parents would put on movies and bake cookies with her. Between her eating half the cookie dough and her father eating the cookies right off the sheet, her mom used to complain that they never left her any.
The front yard that used to be littered with her toys, was now impeccable devoid any life. The driveway that was once a mural of stick figures and "Maddie + Kelly" markings, looked power washed.
She could tell other people, other women, had been here and left there own marks if the painted over chips and nicks in the window sill and porch were any indication. Like scars that were still visible.
The house looked like a shell of what it used to be. It was just a house now. The resounding sense of loneliness made her take a step back and a wave sympathy made her chest tighten just thinking about lonely her father must have been. How did he come back here everyday knowing she and her Mom were gone? She suddenly hated herself for not finding her way back to him sooner. He had needed her and she was trapped doing some maniac's bidding across an ocean.
Gibbs caught Kelly looking up at the house when he walked up behind her and could see from posture that she was either blaming herself, or feeling sorry for him. Gibbs didn't need anyone's pity, especially not his daughter's.
"Kels, you okay?" His voice seemed to startle her and turned and looked at him masking her tears.
"Yeah, just weird to finally be home is all.."
"C'mon, lets get you inside before the mosquitoes eat ya up."
They walked on the porch together and Gibbs pushed the door open letting her in first and, for the first time in what felt like forever, he locked it behind himself.
Kelly stood in the middle of the living room surprised to find it emptier than the outside of the house. There was one couch, no rug, and an old tv set up against the wall. The kitchen table was foldable with two chairs, and from here she could see the kitchen was almost completely bare. She knew already what he would never actually tell her. This was all that was left after 3 divorces. The fresh wave of sympathy was washed away by the boiling rage she felt for these women who had reduced his living conditions. Where was the furniture her mom had picked out? Her drawings from schools? The house was painfully spotless, devoid of life and love.
Gibbs stood behind her and sighed. He knew she wasn't gonna like what she saw. Diane has replaced the furniture Kelly remembered as a kid with something she had deemed more "modern" while he was at work one day. He'd been furious but the damage was done and the furniture had been donated.
She had packed his more personal things away and replaced everything else. She took it all with when she left though, and he used some old furniture from storage to take up space.
He didn't want her to feel bad for him. He never used this room anyway and it wasn't like he couldn't have added more to it, he just never saw a need.
"Basement hasn't changed. Your room was packed up, but everything is in the attic. Was gonna buy you a new bedroom set, but figured I'd let you do that."
She didn't answer him. Just kept staring at what was left. She turned and buried her face into his chest trying to hold back her screams. "I'm sorry I didn't come back sooner, Daddy."
Gibbs shrugged in forced nonchalance. "Would've if you could've. I'm sorry I didn't come get you."
"Dad-"
"Hey, don't. Okay? Stop blaming yourself."
She bit her lip and nodded,"You, too."
Gibbs pretended to not hear her request. It was an impossible one anyway.
Gibbs took her upstairs and showed her where the extra soap, towels, and washcloths were. He told her to wash the trip off and join him in the basement when she was done. He knew she'd need a few hours of work to shake off that jetlag that would make her groggy and cranky, but not tired enough to actually sleep.
He headed back downstairs and grabbed her bags to place them in his room. She'd stay in his room until they could decorate hers, or at least put in a bed in it. Whatever she preferred.
They could go shopping later and she'd have her things sent from the safehouse.
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
He'd been telling the truth about the basement, Kelly thought once she had made her way back downstairs. It looked the exact same way it had before she left and that offered a sense of home the rest of the house hadn't. It seemed he'd been adamant about this space.
Gibbs looked up from sanding the boat to find her at the top of the stairs in the green USMC shirt that had always been her favorite. As she descended the stairs with her beloved drink of choice, he tossed her a fresh sanding block that she caught easily with her other hand and set to work. They worked together silently through the night until about 4am. Since it was Friday, Gibbs and Kelly had one last weekend before his schedule set in.
"Got anything to keep you busy during the weekday, Kels?"
Kelly looked at him confused. Had she not told him? Running back through their boat conversation she could've sworn she had. She thought his memory might be still fuzzy on him. Then she realized she told him she got a job, just not the nature of it.
"Uh yeah. Thought I told you. Amus set me up with an FBI job. I have to go see the supervisor Monday about it."
Gibbs took a sip from his mason jar of bourbon, "Some kinda internship?"
She paused and then whispered, "Nope. The real thing."
Gibbs' face screwed up like he didn't want to believe her,"You're going to be a FBI agent?"
"Well, only really part-time. Since I'm still a minor."
"What department, Kelly? Better not be gang or drug related," he said almost yelling now.
"Dad, calm down. It's not anything like that."
He relaxed a bit and prayed she would tell him something like accounting or Human Resources.
"It's with the BAU-" she started calmly trying to pacify him but he soon cut in.
"Serial Killers, Kelly?!," he yelled not even bothering to control his temper now. His voice seemed especially loud and harsh in the quiet, empty house.
"It was my choice. Out of everything else, it was the best option."
"Kelly-"
"Dad, there's no reason to be up in arms. I know you don't approve and I don't like it either. I hate the FBI, but it was either this or something similar. I didn't have a choice and I'm doing it to protect Choa and all the other Institute kids that are being left alone because I agreed to this."
Gibbs rubbed his hands roughly across his face not able to keep the endless scenarios of her getting hurt, or worse, running through his mind. It was one thing for him to do this, but it was whole other for her to be dragged into this line of work. He tried to think about her previous work as little as possible and it was easier when he felt that it was all behind her. But now he'd spend every minutes of everyday worrying about her more than he already did.
"I just got ya back, Kels.." Gibbs whispered.
"And you're not losing me."
"I could."
"You won't."
"You don't know that." He said sharply.
"You're right, I don't. But I'll be careful and do my best."
"You had better," he growled at her.
Silence settled between them. "You mad at me?," she asked self-consciously. She didn't want him to be upset or worry. She knew she could handle what was thrown her way. But she didn't want it to come at the cost of their relationship.
"No," he said without hesitation and pulled her into a hug. "I'm not happy bout it, but I'll be damned if it drives a wedge between us."
"So we're okay?"
"Always."
Kelly couldn't help the yawn that came out of her, the weight of the day finally making her tired enough to sleep.
"Let's get you to bed, sleepyhead."
"Where are you gonna sleep if I have your bed?"
"Couch."
"No, you'll hurt your back."
"Back's is fine."
"No it's not. Share with me. Your bed is big enough. And don't argue, I'll bug you all night if I have to."
He rolled his eyes and agreed. He sent her up first while he double checked the windows and the doors making sure they were all locked up for the night.
His team didn't know he was back for good just yet, so he didn't have to worry about explaining the locked door yet should any of them need him this late.
Gibbs soon joined Kelly in the room where she was already out like a light, legs spread across the bed. He snorted and thought, Is this how you share, Kels? He gently moved her to the side and settled next to her. She promptly rolled back over and snuggled into his side. He laughed silently at her wild sleeping habits that she apparently hadn't grown out of. Gibbs wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close kissing her hair as she snored gently. They had a busy few days and things were about to change for them. Their schedules would be different and he'd have to keep an eye on her to make sure she didn't work herself too hard. He needed to call Tobias in the morning for information. He knew he was being overprotective, but it made him feel better knowing he had someone he trusted to check in on her and right now Tobias was the only person who knew about Kelly being back. Gibbs shook the thoughts from his head and tried to find some sleep. He could worry in the morning.
Author's Note: This chapter was longer than the others so I hope you all likeD it. I've seen some suggestions for the BAU team and I'll take them into consideration as I continue to craft the upcoming chapters. I did see one about a Reid x Kelly pairing but I'm unsure about it since Kelly is still solidly a minor and Reid has to be around 23-26 when the story starts. A touch illegal but I do love the idea so keep them coming. As always leave me reviews and let me know what you liked, hated, and anything you'd like to hear more about or specific scenes and cases from either show you wanna see come to life in this Universe of mine.
Love and rockets,
AW
