TRADITIONS

By Peppe1951

Summary: Gibbs and his team celebrate Christmas in Stillwater, PA this year.

Warning: Disciplining of an adult. Don't like? Don't read! Disclaimer: NCIS belongs to CBS and Paramount; I only write about them.

Chapter 9

Tony was the first to make it down the stairs early Christmas morning and walked into the livingroom to view the tree with all of its gifts arranged underneath. He went immediately to the gift Ziva had taunted him with the evening before trying to decide whether he could wait until the others had joined him or not when his eye caught a package that wasn't there the night before.

"I wonder what this is," Tony murmured to himself. His read the tag on the package and was surprised to see it addressed to his boss from Santa Claus himself and couldn't stop himself from picking it up and shaking it.

It was heavy and sounded like it was big but in one piece. "That had better not be breakable DiNozzo," Gibbs growled as he entered the room followed by the rest all still dressed in pajamas and robes.

"It's for you, boss," replied Tony as he handed it over, "the card says that it is from Santa Claus."

"From Santa, eh," repeated Gibbs as he glanced at his father.

"It's not from me, son," Jack replied to his son's unasked question.

Gibbs frowned and sat down to open the mysterious present. He opened the box to find a letter, which he read out loud.

"Dear Jethro,

I know you have been good this year but have been missing the companionship and love a family gives. With your extended family this has been fulfilled; however something is needed to keep the peace and because of that this present is for your use only. Apply it only when needed and know that when applied with love the sting it imparts will be lessened as the lesson is learned.

With the boys it will probably be used often but hopefully the girls will not need the lesson it offers as much.

Love,

Santa Claus

P.S. Tony I couldn't swing the bushel of switches this year I hope this gift will be a big improvement and will impart wisdom when applied.

Gibbs looked in the box to find a wooden paddle, beautifully made, smooth to the touch and inscribed as the "Traditions Begin Here…Use Often and Misbehavior Will Disappear."

Gibbs picked it up and swung it experimentally before turning to Tony and saying, "Come on DiNozzo; let me try my new paddle out on your butt. I want to see if it is as good as the letter indicates."

Abby and Ziva led the laughter that erupted from the room. "Come on big brother, see if Dad can make you yell," taunted Abby.

"Hey, that's not funny," responded Tony as he moved closer to the tree, making sure he was as far away from Gibbs and his new paddle as he could. "Who wrote that letter and gave him that package," he demanded from all in the room.

"It was Santa, Tony; he must have heard you yesterday when you said you didn't believe in him," insisted Abby, "because it wasn't me…

honest."

Tony went from person to person and all denied that they were the author to the letter or the giver of the paddle. "Boss, are you sure you didn't do it to get me back?"

"No DiNozzo, it wasn't me either and why would I; I have other implements to do the job quite nicely. We are going to have to accept Abby's explanation that it was Santa that did it and if you keep up your accusations I will be forced to try my new paddle out on your butt," Gibbs replied seriously.

Tony nodded accepting his explanation for the time being, "Okay, okay I believe."

"In my home in Louisiana we always have someone is the family to play the part of the Christmas elf and they hand out the presents," explained Abby. "It is one of our traditions and it can be a tradition for our new family now. I'll play the part this year."

She went under the tree and pulled one whose tag said to Leroy from Dad and handed it to Gibbs; then she dived back under and located gifts for them all not stopping until all had been found and delivered then they sat down and opened all of their gifts.

There were sweaters, scarves, ties and socks, jewelry and pictures given; some were personal and others got laughs but smiles abounded as every present was opened and commented on and they were left with a spirit of Christmas or Hanukkah for one and all and most importantly a new tradition had been found for the family made up of Gibbses and honorary Gibbses…a tradition that they had each other for all times.

The End

Merry Christmas