Author's Note: Well, here it is...the finale, and I must say I had so much fun writing this story! Thank you all for the kind reviews!

Abby Sciuto rolled over in her coffin and yawned. She had slept soundly, even after her ghostly encounters from the previous evening. The sound of her phone ringing startled Abby.

"McGee?" Abby said as she stifled a yawn.

"Good morning...Merry Christmas." Tim McGee said happily.

"Same to you." Abby said as she got out of her coffin.

"Abby, I was wondering...and you don't have to feel obligated. I was thinking maybe you would like to come to breakfast with me this morning. My mom always complains about having so much left over food, and Sarah will be home." Tim McGee explained.

Abby smiled to herself. She'd never met McGee's parents before, but she adored Sarah.

"I'd like that. I can be ready in twenty minutes." Abby said happily as she hung up her phone.

"Great. I'll pick you up." McGee said happily as he tried to hide the excitement in his voice.

"It's only breakfast." Tim McGee reminded himself as he drove towards Abby's apartment.

Abby Sciuto stood in front of her open closet. She wanted to wear her favorite outfit. The pink and black plaid skirt, and argyle sweater with skull and crossbones, but it was missing. It was then that Abby realized that her encounter from the night before had been very real, and that Shannon Gibbs had Abby's clothes. It made Abby happy though and she reached for a pair of black pants and a hot pink sweater instead. Abby waited in the lobby of her building and McGee's silver Porsche pulled up.

"Merry Christmas!" Abby said as she got into the car and kissed McGee on the cheek.

"Merry Christmas to you too!" McGee said happily.

"Thanks for inviting me. I'm sure your mom's food will beat my lame waffles any day." Abby commented as she scrolled through her contact list in her phone.

"Calling somebody?" McGee asked as he merged onto the freeway.

"Yeah! I always call Gibbs when I wake up on Christmas morning." Abby explained.

"Cool." McGee said as he paid attention to traffic.

Abby glanced at her phone quickly and did a double take. She had absentmindedly moved passed Gibb's name in the list. Abby saw a listing that had never been there before. It simply read "Gloria Cell" Abby glanced at the number. It was the area code for New Orleans. Abby had never had her parent's cell numbers before, but now for some reason she did.

Abby decided to send a quick text message. It simply read: "Hi mom, it's Abby. Merry Christmas!" After eight years Abby wasn't sure exactly what to say, or if there was any one right thing to say.

Abby glanced through the window of the car and up at the sky.

"Thanks Paula." Abby whispered.

"Did you say something?" McGee asked as he exited the freeway.

"Nope." Abby said as she proceeded to call Gibbs and wish him a Merry Christmas.

"Here we are." McGee said happily as they pulled to a stop in front of a blue and white colonial house in Maryland.

"Nice place." Abby said as she made her way to the front door with McGee.

"Abby!" Sarah screamed as she opened the front door and wrapped Abby in a huge hug.

"Tim?" Mrs. McGee said from behind Sarah.

"Hi mom!" McGee said happily as Abby and Sarah broke their embrace.

"Hey kid!" Mr. McGee shouted from the living room.

"Hey dad." McGee replied.

"Who is this charming lady?" Mrs. McGee said as she eyed Abby.

"Mom, this is Abby. She works with me. Her family is from Louisiana so I thought it would be nice if she joined us. Sorry I didn't call, but you always make so much food anyway. I figured one guest wouldn't be a bother." McGee said as he stared at his shoes.

"It's no bother at all." Mrs. McGee said as she smirked at her son and hugged Abby.

"Mom...don't start, she's just a friend." McGee said plainly as he moved into the living room.

It seemed Sarah McGee was the only one who noticed the disappointment in Abby's face as McGee made his comment.

"Hey dad...this is my friend Abby from work." McGee said in a squeaky voice as he introduced Abby to his father.

"Nice to meet you Abby...welcome to our home." Mr. McGee said as he stood up and extended his hand, which Abby shook.

"So Sarah...how's school?" Abby asked casually as the family sat down for their breakfast.

"Good...the three weeks off is kinda nice. I'm thinking about going to London for a summer program. If dad lets me." Sarah said as she looked at her father sheepishly.

"Sarah...we've talked about this. I know it's for school but it is a lot of money. Maybe if you find a part-time job between now and then we'll think about it." Mr. McGee reminded his young daughter.

"That is so cool. You can learn all about Shakespeare and Chaucer, and see where they lived!" Abby said happily.

"Do you girls know each other?" Mrs. McGee interjected, a puzzled expression on her face.

McGee kicked Abby sharply under the table and the color drained from Sarah's face.

"Yeah. We all went to a Brain Matter concert last spring." Abby explained happily.

"Really?" Mrs. McGee said as she eyed Sarah.

"Yeah, remember that one weekend when I stayed with Tim instead of going all the way home? He and Abby already had tickets, and thankfully Abby knows the people in the band, so they got another ticket for me quickly." Sarah explained.

"How nice of you." Mrs. McGee said as she looked at Abby.

"It was so much fun!" Abby said enthusiastically.

Under the table McGee gently rested a hand on Abby's leg, sad that he had kicked her. He should have known she'd find a way to cover for Sarah. Much to McGee's surprise Abby gently rested a hand over his, as if to say all was forgiven. The breakfast continued on, full of lighthearted chatter, and Abby explaining what she did at NCIS.

"We best be going." McGee said as he stretched and glanced at his watch. It was just after one and Ducky was serving dinner at three.

"Well Abby it was so nice meeting you." Mrs. McGee said as she and Tim headed out.

"Thank-you for having me on such short notice. I really appreciate it." Abby said.

"Friends of Tim's are always welcome." Mrs. McGee said with a kind smile.

"Sarah...we must go to another Brain Matter concert...soon." Abby said with a grin as Sarah hugged her.

"We must...they rock!" Sarah said with a giggle.

"I'm sorry I kicked you." McGee apologized the moment they were in the car.

"Don't be. I would have been nervous too." Abby said honestly as they sped of towards Ducky's house.

"Thanks for covering for us." Tim said as Abby pulled her phone out of her purse. She hadn't checked it at all during breakfast and she wasn't surprised to see she had several missed messages from friends, all with warm wishes for the holiday.

Abby scrolled through the messages, and the last one surprised her. It was her mother.

"We've missed you! Merry Christmas! Dad and I would like to talk to you. Can we come to Washington soon?"

Abby cried when she read the message. It was delightful, that after eight years of silence they would become a family again. It wouldn't be easy, and the road would be bumpy, but they were her parents after all, and Abby wanted them back in her life.

"Abby? Are you okay?" McGee asked with concern.

"I am fine." Abby said as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Do you need to stop somewhere?" McGee asked, wondering if Abby was sick.

"No. My mom texted me." Abby said softly.

McGee smiled to himself. He didn't know the particulars, but he knew Abby's relationship with her parents was strained to say the very least.

***Christmas Day, Mallard Residence***

Ducky rolled over in his big bed, and shivered against the cold. He loved his beautiful home, but it was so drafty in the winter. He could hear Tyson growling.

"Be there in a moment." Ducky said as he got out of bed and slid into his slippers.

Tyson, Contessa, and Winston were all sitting outside Ducky's bedroom door as usual, waiting to be let out.

"Merry Christmas...yappy creatures." Ducky said with a smile as he bent down to pat each dog on the head gently.

The dogs wagged their tails in thanks at the show of affection as they made their way downstairs and out into the front yard. Christmas Day was cold, but clear, and Ducky couldn't wait to have the team over. The night before had been interesting to say the least, and as soon as the dogs were done with their business Ducky headed back inside and picked up the phone. There was one call he was eager to make.

"Mmmphhh...good morning." Jordan Hamilton said groggily as she answered the phone. She had barely slept a wink last night. She had a lot on her mind and if it had been anyone else she would have let the phone ring.

"Merry Christmas!" Ducky said cheerfully.

"Merry Christmas!" Jordan replied with all the enthusiasm she could muster.

"How was your party last night?" Ducky asked as he dished up breakfast for the three corgis that were watching him intently.

"Nice." Jordan said, still angry Ducky hadn't joined her.

"Good." Ducky replied.

"I was wondering...were you still planning on coming over a bit early?" Ducky pressed. He wanted some quality time with Jordan before their guests arrived.

"I was." Jordan said as she sat up in bed.

"Lovely. That will be perfect. I will see you soon." Ducky said softly.

"I'll be ready in an hour." Jordan said as she hung up.

As promised Jordan was at Ducky's house an hour later, loaded down with gifts.

"This will work out well." Ducky said as he took gifts from Jordan's arms and placed them under the tree.

"What?" Jordan asked suspiciously.

"You can stay here while I go get mother. That way the turkey won't burn." Ducky said with a chuckle.

"You look so cute." Jordan said with a smile. Ducky was still in his navy and red striped pajamas.

"You look so pretty." Ducky said as he leaned in and kissed Jordan's cheek.

"Why thanks." Jordan said as the pair made their way to the kitchen.

As they walked down the long hallway Ducky surprised Jordan by reaching out and wrapping her hand gently in his.

"Donny!" Jordan said with an astonished giggle. He rarely displayed his affections so openly.

"So, Jordan I've been thinking...." Ducky trailed off as he and Jordan busily began preparing their Christmas meal.

"Do you have plans for New Years still?" Ducky asked.

"I do." Jordan said softly. She was trying to keep her negative thoughts to herself. "I invited you to join us, but you declined...remember...something about too soon, and making a spectacle." Jordan re-played the conversation in her mind.

"Mother always said that it was rude, to invite oneself, but since the invitation has already been extended...I know I declined once, but I've been thinking. May I join you and your friends for New Years?" Ducky asked quietly.

Jordan looked at Ducky unexpectedly. She hadn't thought he'd say something quite like that. Jordan hesitated for a moment, she really didn't want to cry in front of him.

"Jordan?" Ducky asked cautiously.

"Oh...I'm sorry, I guess this potato was too fascinating for me." Jordan said absentmindedly as she stopped chopping the potato in front of her.

Ducky laughed at the small joke.

"I think it would be just lovely to have you there. I'm actually looking forward to it." Jordan said as she met Ducky's gaze.

"And I am looking forward to being there." Ducky said with a small smile.

"Then we're agreed." Jordan said as a sense of peace came over her for the first time in weeks.

***Christmas Morning, Tony's apartment***

Tony dragged himself out of bed, he was painfully hung over and it had been a long night, but he had something he had to do. He made his way to the closet, and sure enough the red dress he had held onto as a souvenir was missing.

"It was real." Tony said breathlessly in his empty apartment.

Tony dressed quickly and headed out before he lost his nerve. He had grabbed the essential items to complete his task, and drove to Ziva's apartment as fast as he dared. He knocked on the door to her place and stood there smiling.

A sleepy Ziva David was clad in blue satin pajamas adorned with snowflakes and her hair was a tangled mess. Tony laughed riotously when he saw her.

"Tony?" Ziva asked as DiNozzo pushed his way through to Ziva's front hall.

"Merry Christmas, or Happy Belated Hannukah, whichever term you prefer." Tony said unsure of what was the correct thing to say.

"What is in the bag?" Ziva demanded as she yawned loudly.

"Christmas essentials." Tony said as he set the bag down on Ziva's couch.

Ziva rummaged through the bag.

"Children's movies?" Ziva questioned.

"Christmas classics. They're called clay-mation. We've got all of them, the Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty...the whole club is here." Tony said with a smile.

"Popcorn?" Ziva asked.

"For caramel corn, a DiNozzo family classic." Tony explained as he headed to Ziva's kitchen and began rummaging around for pans.

"What are you doing? It is not even ten a.m." Ziva said as Tony placed a large pot on the stove, and got into her refrigerator, acting as if he had always belonged in the apartment.

"I'm showing you my version of an American Christmas morning." Tony explained.

"I don't get it." Ziva said, unaware of the implications her words would have.

Tony stopped as he poured popcorn kernels into the pan. He set the bag down and stood in front of Ziva.

"What's not to get?" Tony asked as his eyes narrowed slightly.

"You are being so generous. It is not like you." Ziva said as she glared at Tony.

"Well..this is different." Tony said as he looked into Ziva's pretty brown eyes.

"How so?" Ziva asked.

"I love you." Tony blurted out. He couldn't stop himself, and there was no holding back now. He had to do this before he lost his nerve.

Tony stood frozen as he stared at Ziva. She was either going to hug him or kill him. She did neither. Instead Ziva closed the space between them and kissed Tony on the lips, softly at first...then with more passion. Tony responded by kissing back happily. The only thing that ended their kiss was the sound of the popcorn popping.

"I have to get that...before it burns." Tony said as he ended their kiss.

Ziva looked slightly dejected as Tony walked away.

"Don't worry my little crazy ninja girl...I will be back for more." Tony said as he smiled at Ziva.

"Tony...your phone has rang four times." Ziva said in annoyance as the couple sat cuddled up together on Ziva's couch.

"Hand it to me." Tony said begrudgingly, he didn't want anything to interrupt this time with Ziva.

"Dad?" Tony squeaked in surprise as he answered his phone.

Ziva's ears perked up. She knew that Tony and his father had a complicated relationship, and she listened to one side of a tense conversation.

"Antigua? That sounds great for Christmas!" Tony said as he smiled at Ziva.

"Yeah. I could, I have some time I have to use up before February. Is the last weekend of January good for you? My boss should let me go then." Tony explained.

"Great...hey I'll call you later in the week just to make sure. Enjoy all that sunshine, and merry Christmas!" Tony said happily as he hung up the phone.

"Tony are you all right?" Ziva asked. She had a tense relationship with her father, and she could understand if Tony needed to talk.

"I'm good. In fact, I'm going home for the first time in years." Tony explained as he leaned in and kissed Ziva.

***Jenny's Driveway, Christmas Day***

Jenny Sheppard got into Jethro's car.

"Merry Christmas!" She said happily.

"Merry Christmas." Jethro said as he smiled back at Jenny. She looked so beautiful.

"What are you staring at?" Jenny asked slyly as she caught Jethro eyeing her appearance.

"Just enjoying the view." Jethro said teasingly as he headed for Ducky's house.

"Oh Jethro...you always were the coy one...weren't you?" Jenny teased right back.

"Something like that." Jethro replied with his crooked smile.

***Ducky's House, Christmas Dinner***

"Hello Matthew!" Mrs. Mallard said happily as she opened the door and greeted Gibbs and Jenny.

"Who's the floozie?" Mrs. Mallard asked sharply as she eyed Jenny.

"Mother! That is Jennifer, and she is a very nice lady." Ducky said sharply as he stood behind his mother.

"Right. Donald, what have I always told you?" Victoria Mallard said as Jordan Hamilton bit her tongue to hold back laughter.

"Mother, now is hardly the time!" Ducky said as Jenny and Jethro removed their coats.

"Donald! What have I always said about red-heads?" Mrs. Mallard pressed on.

Ducky looked at Jenny apologetically and sighed.

"They're all tramps." Ducky said in a low voice.

"They are." Mrs. Mallard said as she headed back to the kitchen, humming an old jazz tune.

"I am so sorry!" Ducky apologized as he looked at Jenny.

"Ducky, it's okay I understand....I just hope I'm that spunky when I'm ninety-six." Jenny said with a smile.

"Thanks." Ducky said as he introduced Jenny and Jordan.

Gibbs glanced at Ducky. He was surprised that Jordan was there, but it was nice.

"Everybody is in the sitting room." Ducky explained as they headed down the hall.

"Merry Christmas!" A chorus of voices shouted as Gibbs and Jenny entered the sitting room.

Tyson growled from his vantage point by the hearth.

"Nice to see you too." Gibbs said as he patted the dog on the head.

"Merry Christmas!" Abby yelled as she ran up behind Gibbs and hugged him.

The surprised Gibbs had been attempting to stand upright, and instead he knocked his head hard against the hearth.

"Ow!" Gibbs managed to say before he was knocked out cold.

"Oh my God!" Abby yelled as she let go of Gibbs, not realizing he had knocked himself out.

Gibbs slumped down on the hearth, and Ducky and Jordan rushed over to Gibbs.

Jenny stood back, watching the scene unfold, she had been talking to Ziva. Now, as Ziva stood watching Jenny, she couldn't help but notice the fear in her friend's eyes. Jenny was concerned for Jethro.

"Jethro! Jethro open those eyes!" Ducky said as he yelled Jethro's name.

Abby was now crying, becasue she knew she had caused Gibbs' slight mishap. Suddenly, Tim McGee didn't care who was watching. Nothing mattered to him but Abby. Rule number twelve meant nothing when she was in pain. McGee wrapped his arms around Abby and attempted to soothe her nerves. His hug must have worked, because Abby's tears lessened quickly afterwards.

"What have you done to Matthew!?" Mrs. Mallard yelled as she eyed Jenny.

"Nothing." Jenny said, still in shock. She had never seen Gibbs pass out before, and it scared her to death. She had seen him in a coma, once but that was a completely different situation.

"I don't believe you! You're after his money!" Victoria Mallard accused sharply.

At that comment the entire group howled in laughter. The idea that Jenny would be after anybody else's money when she had plenty of her own was absurd, not to mention that after so many wives Jethro had most likely been taken to the cleaners financially speaking.

"What money?" Gibbs asked groggily as his head rested on Ducky's knee.

"Don't worry yourself about that now. You hit your head on some bricks...at least you didn't fall into the fire...thank goodness." Ducky said as he eyed Jordan.

Jordan stood up quickly and ran to the front hall where Ducky always kept his black bag.

"I'm fine Duck." Jethro said quickly as he sat up.

Diziness struck Jethro, and he winced in pain.

"Don't sit up." Jordan said softly as Jethro leaned back.

Obediently, Jethro lay back against the hearth, and waited for Ducky to examine him.

"Why do you listen to her, but not me?" Ducky asked as he began shining a light in Jethro's eyes.

"She's prettier." Gibbs said in a whisper.

"Very true." Ducky said as he waved his fingers in front of Jethro's face.

"Jordan...a moment." Ducky said as he and Jordan spoke in hushed whispers.

"I agree." It was the only audible part of the conversation, and Jethro knew that two doctors agreeing on something was either really good or really bad.

"You don't have a concussion." Ducky said as Jethro smiled back at him.

"I know." Jethro said happily.

Jenny let out a sigh she hadn't realized she'd been holding in, and Ziva and Tony both noticed the relief wash over Jenny's face.

"But...you have had a very serious head injury within the past year." Ducky said softly.

"Yeah...so?" Jethro said as he tried to stand up, but Jordan placed a hand on his shoulder, keeping him down for the moment.

"You really shouldn't be alone tonight." Ducky said as he eyed Jordan.

"He's right." Jordan whispered back.

"I'll...figure something out." Jethro said as he eyed Jenny from across the room.

"Good. We don't need you getting hurt again." Ducky said as he stood up and extended a hand to Jethro to help him up.

With a slight groan Jethro stood up and headed immediately for the couch. He had a raging headache, and was slightly dizzy.

"I'll get an ice pack." Jordan said as she headed towards the kitchen.

"Thanks." Ducky and Jethro said in one voice.

"Boss? You okay?" Tony asked with concern as Jethro held his head in his hands.

"Fine." Gibbs grumbled.

"You know Matthew...sex is the best medicine." Mrs. Mallard chimed in.

"Mother!" Ducky scolded as he tended to his best friend.

"It's true... I broke my leg when you were only two, and your father and I did it every night. The doctor could never understand why my leg healed in four weeks." Mrs. Mallard said with a proud smile.

McGee blushed bright red as he glanced at Abby. She was so used to Mrs. Mallard that nothing fazed her. McGee however wasn't so used to her carefree banter.

"She can't tell me what she had for dinner last night...but that she remembers." Ducky said as he sighed and rolled his eyes at Gibbs.

"Here you go." Jordan said as she delicately perched an ice pack on top of Gibbs' head.

"Thanks Jordan." Gibbs said politely.

Dinner was served an hour later, a huge feast of ham, turkey, potatoes and stuffing.

"What a meal!" Ziva said happily as she pushed herself away from the table.

"Wonderful." Jenny said as she felt Jethro's hand lightly caress her thigh under the table.

"Why thank-you. It is always a pleasure to entertain." Ducky said happily.

After dinner Jordan and Ducky cleaned up while the rest of the team played bridge in the parlor. Gibbs was dealing when he noticed Jenny slip out for a moment. She returned, and glanced at him quickly, unable to make eye contact.

In the kitchen Ducky was humming as he and Jordan finished putting leftovers into the refrigerator.

"Mmm." Ducky said as he wrapped his arms around Jordan from behind.

"You're a good hugger...has anybody ever told you that?" Jordan asked flirtatiously.

"A German girl once...Helga, a bit statuesque for my liking, but sweet nonetheless." Ducky teased back.

"I like this side of you." Jordan said honestly as she closed the refrigerator and gently ended the embrace she shared with Ducky.

Ducky leaned in and hugged Jordan again. He bent down to whisper in her ear.

"Stay...tonight...please..." Ducky said in a low soft voice that sent chills down Jordan's spine.

Unable to speak, overwhelmed by surprise, Jordan mustered a nod as Tony barged into the kitchen.

Jordan and Ducky ended their hug quickly.

"Sorry...uh...boss man needs some fresh ice..." Tony said awkwardly as he held up the ice pack.

"I'll get it." Jordan said happily as she bustled around the kitchen.

"Thanks!" Tony said as he grabbed the ice pack and headed for the parlor.

"Goodnight to all and to all a Merry Christmas!" Ducky shouted as his guests left.

Gibbs smiled as he noticed that McGee and Abby as well as Tony and Ziva had arrived together. He hoped that several people would be busy breaking rule number twelve if it made them happy.

Inside Tony's car Ziva reached for Tony's free hand and gripped it tightly as they sped off.

"You know Tony...I have never seen your apartment." Ziva said with a coy smile as she looked at Tony.

Tony floored the gas, very aware of the point Ziva was trying to prove.

"Do you mind if we stop somewhere?" Abby asked as McGee started his car.

"Where?" McGee asked.

"I'll let you know." Abby said with a small smile.

Twenty minutes later McGee realized where Abby had directed him to. A small park with a gazebo in the middle, brightly shining with Christmas lights.

"Care for a walk?" Abby asked as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

Tim got out of the car and followed Abby. The two stood in the middle of the gazebo.

"Wow...the last time we were here..." McGee trailed off as he admired the Christmas lights.

"The last time we were here, things were very different." Abby said as she placed a finger over McGee's lips to shush him.

"Not the good kind of different either. Not the different that I'm proud of. I rejected you, and a really thoughtful gesture. Now, I'm the one who's worried, who's afraid of rejection." Abby said softly as she leaned in and removed her finger from McGee's lips.

"Abby why would I reject you?" McGee asked as Abby's soft lips replaced her finger.

McGee instinctively wrapped an arm around Abby's waist and kissed her back passionately.

"So?" Abby asked quietly after their kiss was over, the couple was still in the gazebo, wrapped in one another's arms.

"So what?" McGee said.

"Was it good? I mean did you like it?" Abby asked. It was their first kiss after all.

"It was better than good." McGee said as he leaned in and kissed Abby again.

"You know Jethro...you really shouldn't be driving if you're not allowed to be alone." Jenny said as they headed towards Gibbs' car.

"She's right Jethro!" Ducky yelled from the front porch.

Part of Jethro did it because it was the responsible thing to do, but part of him did it because Ducky and Jordan were watching, and he knew he'd get an earful if he didn't listen to the doctor's orders. He tossed the keys to Jenny, and she smiled smugly back at Ducky and Jordan who only waved as Jenny and Gibbs drove off.

"Would you care for a drink?" Jenny asked as she pulled into her own driveway and smiled at Jethro.

"Jen..." Jethro groaned. He was hoping she'd drop him off at home and be on her way.

"One night in the guest room won't kill you." Jenny said as she put the car in park.

"I don't have pajamas." Jethro said.

"That's never stopped you before." Jenny replied as she exited the vehicle, and blushed as she reminisced. It had been delightful, discovering his dirty little secret.

Jethro grinned...she had remembered.

"Only in inclement weather." Jenny mused aloud as she unlocked her front door.

"Only." Jethro said...hanging onto the word. He only wore pajamas to bed when he was cold. Other than that, he preferred a more natural state of things.

"Would you care for a drink?" Jenny asked as she headed into the study with Gibbs following closely behind.

Gibbs winced as he sat down on the leather couch.

"That's right...you probably shouldn't." Jenny said knowingly. A head injury and bourbon did not make for a good combination.

"I've done it before." Jethro said quickly as Jenny poured two glasses of bourbon.

"Doesn't mean that it's recommended." Jenny said as she headed over to the couch and handed Jethro a glass of bourbon.

"Enabler." He said teasingly as he sipped the amber liquid.

"Mmmm...good brand." Jethro said as he eyed the bottle.

"Worth every penny." Jenny said as she stared into his blue eyes.

"It is." Jethro said as he clinked his glass with Jenny's and they both drank.

Jethro eyed the large portrait of Jenny's parents that hung on the far wall. It seemed strange that he had spent so much time in the study, and had never noticed it before.

"I miss them so much." Jenny said sadly as she eyed the picture.

"I miss my girls." Jethro said with an honesty that surprised both him and Jenny.

"I can't imagine." Jenny said sympathetically.

"She died young, didn't she?" Jethro aksed, and he could see the pain flash in Jenny's eyes.

"I...I ..shouldn't have asked." Jethro said quickly as he got up to pour himself more bourbon.

"I was five, and she was in labor with my little brother, they just didn't make it." Jenny said as she downed her bourbon.

Jethro handed his now full glass of to Jenny, knowing she needed it. It was one thing they both had in common, they needed liquid courage to talk about the past. Jethro refilled the second glass and sat back down on the couch.

"My father never talked about it...and I always spent time thinking that was okay, because it was easier for him. I was well into adulthood before I realized how hard it had been on me. I have so few memories of her. I wonder sometimes, if he had talked about her then maybe, just maybe I'd remember her better. Sometimes I feel guilty. I can't recall the sound of her voice, or the scent of her perfume, but I know that she wore perfume every day." Jenny said as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Jethro rested a gentle hand on Jenny's shoulder. He was surprised at her candor, but also appreciative. She never opened up like this, and he considered himself special.

"I think that's why I'm lucky. It's hard to deal with, especially this time of year, but I'm always grateful for the memories. I got fifteen great years with Shannon, and eight wonderful years with Kelly. I think about that a lot too. Our time together was short, but happy." Jethro said as he lifted his glass to his lips.

Jenny's tears ceased as she watched him practically chug his bourbon. She knew he was fighting back tears and Jenny felt privileged that he'd open up and share something so deeply personal with her. Sharing wasn't his usual style, and she knew that it must have been difficult. Jenny wondered if his hit to the head had knocked something loose.

"Refill?" Jethro asked as he stood up and took Jenny's glass from her hand.

"Sure." Jenny said with a small smile. She didn't have to be anywhere the next day, and on account of his head injury Jenny knew that Gibbs wouldn't be in the office the next day.

Jethro refilled both glasses and sat the bottle back down on the desk.

"We had better slow down, especially you." Jenny said with a smile as she eyed the half-full bottle.

"You're right." Jethro said as he tried to cover up the fact that he had almost tripped over his own two feet.

"Jen...I need the keys to the car." Jethro said suddenly.

"No, you're not supposed to be driving...and you've had far too much to drink." Jenny chided.

"Who said anything about driving?" Jethro quipped.

Jenny heaved a sigh and handed Jethro the keys.

"Stay here. I'll be right back. I promise." Jethro said as he headed out to the car.

True to his word Jethro returned a minute later, a large black box tied with a bright red bow under his arm.

"Jethro...I thought the whole team agreed...no gifts." Jenny said as Jethro set the box on her lap.

"I've been hanging onto this for just the right moment." Jethro said as he sat down next to Jenny.

"Oh Jethro!" Jenny said as she looked down at the box and recognized the logo instantly.

"Well?" Jethro said with a small smile.

Jenny tore through the bow and opened the box, she then proceeded to tear through the candy-cane striped tissue paper. A squeal of delight escaped Jenny's lips, and tears sprang to her eyes instantly as she removed a white cashmere coat from the box.

"Oh my gosh!" Jenny said as she looked at Gibbs.

"I've had it for years. I went and got it to replace the one you left on the plane. But...we got reassigned before I could give it to you." Jethro said as he stared at the floor.

"I love it!" Jenny said as she flung herself into Jethro's arms and hugged him tightly.

"I knew you would." Jethro said as he thought of how much she had loved the first jacket.

"We never got reassigned...I broke up with you." Jenny said dryly. It was her one regret in life.

"It's Christmas...I didn't want to start anything." Jethro said softly.

"Such a gentleman." Jenny smiled at him, still seated in his lap, his arms wrapped around her tightly.

"I try." Jethro said as he stared into Jenny's pretty green eyes.

"Well...since you've already broken the rules..." Jenny said flitatiously as she got up off of Jethro's lap and headed to her desk.

"What?" Jethro asked.

"I couldn't resist the temptation." Jenny said as she pulled a small box from one of her desk drawers.

"The salesman said it would be perfect, once I explained your personality." Jenny said as she handed the box to Jethro.

"Go ahead." Jenny said as she nudged Jethro's knee with her own.

Jethro slowly opened the box, savoring the surprise. Inside was a tiny brass bell, engraved with his initials LJG.

"It's for your boat...whenever you finish it." Jenny said happily as Gibbs stared at the small but lovely gift.

"Thanks, it's lovely. It's really nice quality. Well-made, very thoughtful." Gibbs said politely as he admired the bell.

"The salesman said that it would be the perfect addition.

"It is." Jethro said happily.

Jenny scooted closer to Gibbs on the leather couch.

"Jethro..." Jenny began.

"Yeah?" Gibbs asked impatiently.

"Do you believe in second chances?" Jenny asked as she stared past Jethro, unable to meet his gaze.

"I never used to...until today." Gibbs said honestly.

"What changed?" Jenny asked as she looked into his blue eyes, now unafraid of what she'd see reflecting back.

"Everything." Jethro said as he leaned in and kissed Jenny with a passion and fervor he hadn't felt in years.

As their kiss deepened a million things flashed through Jethro's mind. She could fire him for this. She might think it was a mistake.

"That was amazing....I've missed you so much." Jenny said breathlessly as she moved so that she was now straddling Gibbs.

"I missed you too Jen." Jethro said as he leaned in to kiss Jenny one more time.

"I can't say I'm surprised." Jenny said as she let out a happy little sigh.

"About what?" Jethro asked, he could see sunrise peeking through the curtains of Jenny's bedroom. They had been up all night.

"Mrs. Mallard's recommendation. You seem just fine to me." Jenny said as she ran a gentle hand across Jethro's back.

"I'm better than fine." Jethro said happily.

"Me too." Jenny said as she curled up next to Jethro.

"You should try to get some rest." Jethro said, knowing Jenny was still awake.

"I can't." Jenny said knowing that Jethro would never understand.

"Why?" Jethro pressed.

"Dreams. Lots of them, and fitful sleep in between, then a deep sleep afterwards." Jenny explained, unsure of whether or not to elaborate. Last night had seemed so real, but she wasn't sure. She's had that happen before where a dream was so fresh in her mind that it seemed like reality, but she was positive that Gibbs who was always such a sound sleeper would never understand.

"I know what you mean." Jethro said as he rolled over and began rubbing Jenny's back, hoping it would lull her to sleep.

"Thanks." Jenny mumbled into her pillow, knowing it was all she needed to say.

THE END