Title: Life Changes

Based off of: NCIS/ Jericho

Plot: Heather arrives at Jake's house.

Pairings: Kate/Gibbs and Jake/Heather

I don't own anything. Well any ocs...are mine.

A/N: This is a short chapter.

Chapter Nine: How we knew

Heather was quickly escorted into the pick up truck. Once she managed to take a seat in the front Jake started the engine and began to start for the house. On the way there Heather sighed and told Jake that he didn't have to do this and that she could stay with Emily or someone else. Instead of pulling over or starting for "The Pines" he kept going towards the Green House despite Heather's objections and pleas.

Jake finally said after ten minutes "I insist Heather and it is not a problem."

Heather frowned and despite feeling like she was taking advantage of Jake gave in and finally choose to accept his offer.

As the truck got close to the house a nervous Gail Green paced around the porch. Just a short while ago she had received word from Eric that Jake had invited Heather to stay with the family and had rushed to clean up Jake's room that would become Heather's. Gail quickly went over to the truck once Jake had parked it.

"Hello." Heather nervously muttered as she opened the door.

Gail quickly pulled Heather into a hug like she was a daughter of hers. Heather for a moment attempted to hold back tears that were forming in her eyes. She hadn't been treated like that since she was a young child so she didn't feel comfortable at first. Gail started to reassure Heather by saying "You can stay here as long as you need a home. It's not a problem and we have plenty of room."

Heather who was trying to not cry started to break down in tears as she choked out "T-thank you!" After she realized Jake was watching her she turned bright red in embarrassment. Then the three entered the house and gave Heather a tour when Eric and April came back. Gail then ran off to greet them leaving Jake and Heather alone in the upstairs hallway.

Jake after a moment of pause suggested "Here I show you where you room is." and started to gently push Heather down the hallway past the bathroom and closet. They seconds later arrived in front of Jake's room which had a sign on it which had alerted Heather that she was taking a certain someone's room.

"Jake I-I can't take your room." Heather told him as soon as he opened the door and asked to look around.

Jake smiled and told her "I don't mind. Lately I've been sleeping down in the living room anyway." and watched Heather cautiously enter and look around. She then muttered a quiet thank you.

That night at dinner the family quickly learned that Eric and April had also lost everything along with Heather. A long silence followed until Jake asked if there was a change that any of the houses could be rebuilt. Sadly April had answered with a "No." causing the family to enter another long silence until Heather offered to the clear the table once everyone was finished eating.

"You don't have to." was what everyone had almost shouted at once.

"But I want to do my fair share."

"I'll help." April said when she realized that Heather wasn't going to give in. Both women quickly went into the kitchen leaving the others in silence. A loud knock at the front door interrupted them after a few minute. Jake quickly went to answer to learn it was Stanley, Kate, and Gibbs.

Stanley was the first to speak by asking if he wanted to head down to the tavern fro an hour. Jake called into the other room that he was going into the town and would be back around ten much to everyone's dismay.

Around nine o'clock the building was full of people who wanted to watch the only working television in both the town and possibly the world. As footage of a news report appeared over and over again people began guessing what cities were attacked and what if any cities were still standing.

Suddenly the ground began to shake causing everyone run outside and start panicking. After a few shouts of "Look up there!" Jake and the others looked up into the sky to see missiles flying over them and the rest of the town.

Kate gasped then asked no one in particular "Are those ours?"

"I think so.," replied Gibbs quickly as Jake went to get this father who was the mayor.

"Then somebody did attack us." Kate muttered as her family ran over to her asking if she knew what was going on. After ten or twenty which due to the clocks stopping was a guess that many of the people around made.

"Hey!" came a familiar voice from behind.

Kate turned around and saw Mimi behind her. She muttered, "Is that you? I thought you were--"

Mimi gave an uneasy smile and answered with "I was sent here at the last minute for work. Just a couple days before all of this happened."

"But didn't they just close the hotel a while ago? Where are you staying then?"

"I found somewhere to stay." Mimi replied quickly before blurting out "I thought I saw your boss around here. Don't tell me you brought him here with you! Did you?"

Kate tried not to blush and she muttered, "I did."

Shannon noticed her sister turning bright red and ran over chuckling "Yep she did. You should have seen them together a few days ago. It was so cute!" causing Kate to glare and elbow her sister in the stomach. Mimi gave a smile as Kate tried to restrain herself whenever Gibbs had walked back over.

"Mimi we should get going!" came Stanley's voice.

"Okay I'm coming!'

-To be Continued-