Year 9

What a day, what a case! He really hadn't cherished the idea of going back to Still Water, there were far too many memories there, not all good ones either, but he was glad he had. He had managed to put some ghosts to rest.

It hadn't been a surprise to him that his team got on well with his father. Jackson Gibbs was a good man, a friendly man, and as for his team, well DiNozzo in particular just wanted to know what he had been like when he was younger. Then there was Abby. Abby just got on well with everyone.

One of the reasons he never wanted to go back was the memories he had of Shannon. It was in that small town, in a shop window of the main street that he had first seen her. She was the most beautiful person he had ever met, both inside and out. She had taught him so many things in the short space of time he had known her. When you love someone as much as he had loved her, no amount of time together was ever long enough. If loosing Shannon, and Kelly, had taught him anything it was to show those you care about just how much they mean to you. Despite that fact he never told his team how proud he was of them, they all knew of course, the words never had to be said. It was Abby that he really wanted to show his feeling to, once he figured out exactly what those feelings were. He loved her far more than a colleague, far more than just a friend; far more than as a daughter in fact he didn't just love her he was falling in love with her.

An idea began to form in his head as he saw the teams gear being loaded into the boot of the car and the bickering about who would sit were started. As he would be doing the driving it meant he would choose who he sat next to, no competition really.

This was the part he was dreading, Tony talking to his Dad.

"Hey jack, I just gotta know some things, I got a lot of questions"
"You got two DiNozzo"

"Were do I start?"
"You got one left"
DiNozzo turned to Gibbs "that doesn't count. Ok" then back to Jackson "The Rules, did he learn them from you, I mean did you teach him all the rules?"

"I'm Sorry Son" Jackson replies "I didn't teach him much of anything"

"He taught me to drive" Gibbs said snatching the keys from DiNozzo.
"Oh no no boss not back seat middle hump I got that that thing we talked about."

"Take 'um" Jackson said handing his son the other car keys "it's just cluttering up the garage"
"You're a great man Jackson Gibbs. Thanks for the sweater" Tony took the keys from Gibbs and headed for the black sedan.

There was so many things Jackson wanted to say to his son but were to start, "I now you hate it when I use a hundred words when a couple will do, but give us a call sometime."

"It's the least I could do"
"goodbye son"

Gibbs embraced his father for the first time in a very long time "bye dad"

"Tony give Ziva the keys"
"but Boss" he saw the look on Gibbs face "yes Boss"

"Tony, McGee in the back Abbs with me" he then turned and walked down the street.

Abby gave Jackson another quick hug before chasing after Gibbs which was not an easy thing in her platform boots. She found him starting into a darkened garage.

"Wow Gibbs she's beautiful"
"Yeah she is" he said looking at Abby "you ready to go?"
"You do know Tony's going to hate me know, right?"
"Why?"
"you know he wants to drive this or at least sit in it...and I'm guessing by the look on your face Tonys not going to be getting anywhere near it"
"Correct as always Abbs"

He opened the passenger door for her and watched as Abby very carefully climbed in before he shut the door and got in the drivers side.

With a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face he turned to Abby ad said "Buckle up"
"yes sir!"

Gibbs hit the gas pedal of the 1970s Yellow Dodge Charger with RT suspension and it roared to life for the second time in as many days. He sped out the garage and down the street, his agents shocked faces soon disappearing in the rear view mirror.

Abby laughed "Have to say I like this side of you Gibbs"
"and what side would that be?"
"THE WILDSIDE" she laughed

"It's a long drive back, fancy stopping for something to eat on the way home?"
"You know you never have to ask Gibbs" Abby turned to look at him "I'm all yours"