We were at the park now, sitting by the lake and waiting for my NCIS friends to show.

I had changed bracelets, and kept fiddling with them.

For the sake of politeness to other people, I had taken the holster off of my new belt, but had still shoved the knife into the compartment. It fit snuggly, and you couldn't even see it unless you were A) really close and B) if you knew where to look in the first place.

It rested in a spot that I could curve my arm around and get the knife with my fingers, then pull it out. It might be useful to have another concealed knife now. Especially with how jumpy the team was lately.

I bit my lip, trying again to think of any logical answer for their behavior. I found myself wishing that my brother was here, he was a behavioral detective after all.

I paused, he couldn't be here, but I could call him. I don't know why I didn't think of that before.

Stepped a bit away from my friends, but still in their line of view (Now they were starting to get paranoid too) and dialed my brother's number. After a few rings, he picked up.

"Kiley? Happy Birthday!" His voice came from the other end. He sounded exhausted.

Making a split second decision, I chirped cheerfully back, "Hey Spen! Thanks! My friends are already making sure it is a happy birthday. I just want to call and check in on how you were doing. Any headway with the case so far?"

Knowing him, he hasn't slept well already, and it was proving to be a difficult case. There was no sense in worrying him further, especially when it might not be anything at all.

I heard a sigh, "Not really. But you shouldn't worry about that right now." Pot meet kettle. "Hopefully we'll finish up soon. I think we're getting closer to catching the unsub, so we might make it back within a two week time period."

I stifled a sigh, "Alright. Just be careful, okay?"

There was a pause, "You too. Sorry, Hotch is coming in. We're giving our profile, I'll talk to you later."

Then he promptly hung up.

I sighed, tossing the phone back and forth in my hands, and tried not to think about what had gotten the team so on edge. It had something to do with me. Otherwise they would be far, far away from me.

Tony had been guilty about something, so maybe he pissed someone off? And said someone happened to know about me? But why would they go after me? I was states away. It didn't make sense!

I had been right in my assumption last night. This was going to give me a headache. It already was.

I sighed and put my phone back into my pocket. I turned to walk back towards my friends, only to be tackled to the ground by someone.

I yelped as I connected harshly with the ground, and the person on top of me cheered. "Told you she wasn't paying enough attention, Tim!"

Abby. Seriously?

Why is it always me?

I sighed and looked up at the person straddling my waist. Abby looked the same as she did when she had to dress up somewhere. Even if it was still was odd to see her without a lab coat.

She smiled broadly at me, "You look pretty, Kiley!"

Then hands were suddenly lifting her off of me, and Eric was lifting me to my feet as Lucas pulled Abby a few feet away.

I sighed and let my head drop to my hand as the others filed around us. Trish and Ziva exchanged steely glances, Michelle was staring at Abby with unveiled interest, like she wanted to take a picture, Lucas was staring at Tony with his arms crossed and a small smirk gracing his features, Eric was giving McGee a stare down, and I looked up at Gibbs helplessly. Jason, meanwhile, was just staring at everyone with a happy go lucky expression on his face.

Gibbs smirked at me, well aware that the two very different groups were going at it, and handed me a coffee while he sipped his. With a small smirk, I took it and cheered him as our companions continued to give each other death glares.

Minus Jason. Who was now walking over to the ducks sitting in the lake.

Trish stepped closer to Ziva, who raised her chin with a sly grin, bordering on defiant. Trish returned it with a wolfish edge.

Eric towered over McGee, but McGee just looked up at him with a bored expression.

Meanwhile, the ducks were getting very close to Jason. Who looked gleeful at the proximity.

I sipped my coffee and exchanged a bemused look with Gibbs.

Lucas was sizing Tony up now, and both were a foot from each other, trading matching sarcastic grins. Making them look eerily like twin Chesire cats.

Michelle and Abby were grinning maniacally at each other, and looked ready to take over the world together.

Jason was now getting chased by the ducks.

Gibbs and I exchanged another glance, and began to walk away.

Jason was now screaming, because apparently, the ducks didn't like him, and they were biting him.

Everything continued on as Gibbs and I stepped into the tree line on the paved trail.

NCIS

I guided us towards a branch off in the path, towards one of my favorite places in the park. Gibbs followed me without question, and I felt myself start to relax at his constant, calm presence. If Gibbs was next to me, nothing bad would happen to me.

We finally walked to my favorite place. My friends had no clue about this place. It was the one place I could think, yet be hidden completely from the world.

It was on one side of the lake, and it was an oak tree that branched out over the lake. The gnarled roots provided a comfortable seat on the ground, or I could climb up the branches and hang over the lake. It was peaceful, and it always was a nice place to go. If it rained, the tree protected me from the elements. If it was windy, the lake made a dazzling display. I had already drawn the tree numerous times, but I couldn't seem to draw it enough.

I sat down on the gnarled roots and looked up at Gibbs with a silent question. He sat down next to me and leaned his back against the tree trunk, mirroring my pose.

We stared over the lake, and a sense of calm settled over me.

"Happy birthday Kiles." Gibbs said softly, breaking the silence.

I looked over to him with a smile, and he handed me a package wrapping in thick brown paper. I smirked again, shaking my head, and accepted the gift.

I put it in my lap and unwrapped it. I couldn't stop the small gasp that escaped me.

There was numerous items in the package. One was a small, leather bound journal with a leather band around it, keeping it sealed shut. I opened it and was greeted with drawing paper. Next was charcoal pencils, wrapped in twine to keep them together, and held in a small blue pouch that attached to the journal.

The last one though…..

It was a wooden carving. Of a wolf. The wolf was sitting down, staring at me with a curious tilt to its head. His tail was wrapped around his feet, and his ears were alert, pointed at me.

It was as long as my hand, and about as wide as my wrist.

I picked it up gently, reverently, and turned a blinding smile towards Gibbs. He just smiled a smile that I couldn't decide was proud, or just happy. Maybe both?

"You can paint it if you want." He said after a moment.

I grinned at him again and began inspecting the wolf. Gibbs had even carved fur onto the wolf's frame, and instead of him sitting on a piece of wood, Gibbs had carved his paws, his stomach, and the bottom of his tail.

The amount of devotion he put into the small figure made warmth flood through me, and left me smiling at the wolf. I knew exactly how I would paint it too.

"Thank you, Gibbs. I love it." I said as sincerely as I could.

A warm hand settled on my neck, right where the shoulder connected to it, and I turned to see Gibbs giving me one of his rare, completely open and free, warm, happy smiles. I smiled back at him, allowing him to see how much it meant to me.

"Good." Was his reply, and with that, we turned back to the lake. But the warm hand didn't leave me, just migrated to the other shoulder and pulling me towards Gibbs. I settled against his side and watched as the breeze tugged out reluctant waves out on the lake.

NCIS

Several minutes later, the peace was interrupted by twin phones ringing.

Gibbs and I exchanged a look, before pulling out our phone.

"Gibbs."

"Kiley here. Hello Trish, something the matter?" I was talking in a sing song voice.

Despite Trish chattering in my ear that I shouldn't have run off like that, and Jason screaming in the background, I could hear Tony yell at Gibbs,

"We lost Kiley!"

"You shouldn't have run off!" Trish finished.

I shared a smirk with Gibbs, then replied, "I'm with Gibbs."

"She's with me, Tony."

Tony seemed to sigh in relief through the phone, and Trish huffed. "Of course, you two just had to run off gallivanting through the wilderness."

Jason screamed again. Apparently those ducks weren't happy with him still. I could hear Lucas laughing at him.

"We'll meet you at the willow tree. Make sure you bring the team with you." I instructed.

Trish sighed, "Fine. We'll meet you at the willow tree, with the team….. You're lucky it's your birthday."

I snorted, "Lucky me. See ya."

I hung up the phone and looked at Gibbs, "Yours too huh? They certainly pay attention."

Gibbs huffed in what could be called a laugh, and his lips twitched upwards.

"I told them that we'd meet them at 'our' willow tree." I continued as I stood up. I took another drink of coffee and offered Gibbs my hand.

He smirked at me, but accepted it and allowed me to pull him to his feet.

Once both of us were up, I led us away from the oak tree.

NCIS

"I'd appreciate it if you would quit vanishing." Trish said crossly from her place on one of the willow branches.

The others were sitting in the grass, or leaning against the tree staring at the lake.

I grinned cheekily, "You'd get bored then."

Trish shook her head, "We're adults. Hide and Seek is for kids."

I raised an eyebrow at her, "I'm 17. I am a kid! Legally, I'm not an adult. Besides, it's mandatory to grow old, it's optional to grow up."

Trish put her head in her hand and sighed in exasperation while the rest of them grinned at me.

"So, are we going to stay here forever?" Michelle asked, looking between Trish and me.

"Nope! We're going to go everywhere and anywhere today!" She announced as she dropped from the tree. She hit the ground near me and bounced upwards, throwing an arm over my shoulder. "Come on then!"