Jethro Gibbs grinned to himself as he drove towards the Hamerton Summer Camp in South Carolina and thought of the reunion ahead. As always, however, the happy thought was tinged with bitterness. Jethro Gibbs' wife Shannon had been killed ten years before and while he knew he would never quite get over the loss he gave thanks every day that their daughter Kelly had survived the crash which killed her mother. Gibbs could never think of Kelly without thinking of Shannon but he had learned to live with the overtone of pain.

Gunnery Sergeant Gibbs now worked out of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina as a trainer but had been helping out at Camp Pendleton for two weeks. In that time Kelly had been at Camp and wasn't expecting to see her father for another week. Gibbs' assignment had been cut short and he had lost no time in making his way to South Carolina.

Gibbs pulled up at the gate and spoke to the man standing watch, he approved their caution,

"Jethro Gibbs. My daughter Kelly is here," he said showing them his ID.

The man searched on his computer, "Ah, yes. Do you want me to put a call out to her?"

Gibbs smiled softly, he preferred the idea of surprising her, "Nah, that's OK. But hey, do you know where she is right now?" He peered at the guy's name badge, "Sid?"

Sid obligingly looked at his computer again, "They finished lunch about an hour ago. Nothing scheduled for another hour or so. But she's probably by the pool. That's where they tend to hang out. You know where it is?"

"Sure. Not my first visit. Thanks, Sid."

Sid lifted the barrier and Gibbs drove through and found a parking spot. Kelly had been coming to this camp for five years now and had always enjoyed her time here. Gibbs walked towards the pool and grinned when he saw a group of teenagers sunbathing on the green outside the dining hall but then he frowned. A tall young man was standing to one side gazing at the youngsters intently. Gibbs bristled, there was something he didn't like about him: he was dressed in shorts and tee and had a large hat pulled down over his eyes, he looked almost predatory as he stood there and it made Gibbs feel uneasy.

Gibbs walked up to him smartly, clicking his heels to make a noise. The young man looked at him for a second but then returned to his brooding. Disquiet bubbled to the surface and Gibbs' hand shot out and delivered a head slap, the hat was dislodged and tumbled to the ground. As the man hastened to pick it up, Gibbs got a better look at him and realised that he was older than he had first thought, probably nearer 30 than 20. That made Gibbs even angrier,

"Hey," barked Gibbs, "Find someone your own age!" and he stalked off. He could hear the laughter of the teenagers and thought he had probably done enough to scare the pervert off for the moment. He'd make sure to alert the camp leaders of the potential problem.

Gibbs' hand tingled as he walked towards the pool. He was puzzled by the strength of his reaction but found that the young man reminded him of someone. He tried to track down the memory and realised that he was like a boy who had joined Gibbs' school in Stillwater for a few months. He had come from a wealthy family and had somehow looked down on his temporary classmates, he had a habit of looking at people, weighing them up and finding them lacking. There had been something of that in the way that this guy had been surveying the teenagers.

Memories were set aside as he reached the pool and spotted Kelly sitting with her feet dangling in the water. She happened to look up as he drew near and she squealed with delight when she saw him. A moment later and she was hugging him fiercely,

"Daddy! I didn't know you were coming!"

"Got out a week early," said Gibbs as he dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

"Why didn't you let me know?" she asked.

"Thought you liked surprises," said Gibbs.

"Dad!"

"Enjoying yourself?" asked Gibbs.

"Yeah, it's great. Some fascinating people here. It's fascinating."

Gibbs rolled his eyes, fascinating was obviously the in word for the summer.

"Hey, come with me to get some coffee," he said.

"Sure, Dad. How long is it since your last one?" she asked.

Gibbs grinned again; Kelly tried to run his life for him. And, he had to admit, that he largely let her. The troops he trained would be amazed if they could see how smiley and amenable he was with his daughter.

"Because too much caffeine isn't good for you," she said earnestly as they walked off arm in arm. "We had a really fascinating talk about it. You'd be surprised."

Gibbs shifted position so his arm was around Kelly's shoulder and pulled her in tight. "Missed you," he whispered. "Now, tell me what else you've been up to."

It was probably as well that Gibbs was naturally quiet; his daughter rarely gave him a chance to speak and so it was as they sat in the dining hall and caught up. After Gibbs had drunk two cups of coffee, Kelly said,

"Where are you staying, Daddy?"

"I'll go into Hamerton. See if I get a place at the motel. You want to get dinner with your old man?"

Kelly pretended to consider this option and then nodded brightly, "But you're not old, Dad. Well, not very. You know, you could always dye your hair."

Gibbs spluttered.

"There are some very safe products out there. Gentle on the scalp. It's important to think of things like that."

A suspicion crossed Gibbs' mind, "You're not thinking of dyeing your hair, are you?" He reached out and picked up a strand of the red hair he loved so much.

"No-o-o," said his daughter a little unconvincingly, "But perhaps a streak. A blonde one …"

Gibbs tilted his head as he considered this. Perhaps a blonde streak wouldn't be so bad.

Kelly was adept in reading her father, "Or a blue one," she offered. "I'll go get my purse," she said into the resulting silence. "See you by the car in ten."

Gibbs watched her go and shook his head. Somehow he wouldn't be surprised if she had multi-coloured hair within the week. Still, at least she seemed to be being responsible about products. He drained the rest of his coffee and went out towards the car.

"Mr Gibbs," came a voice.

"Sheldon," said Gibbs, "Good to see you."

Sheldon Gracey, the camp leader, shook Gibbs' hand. "Didn't think you'd be here until next week. Nothing wrong is there?"

"Nope. Just got here earlier than expected. Kelly looks as if she's enjoying herself."

"I wish all our young people were like Kelly. You know, I'd be willing to offer her a job next year as a counsellor. She almost does it already."

"Good to know," said Gibbs. "I think she's found it fascinating this year."

Sheldon laughed, "Oh, you've picked up on that, have you? Let me tell you …"

But Gibbs' attention had wandered. Kelly was about a hundred yards away when her paths crossed with the predatory young man. As Gibbs watched, he spoke to her and pointed at her shoulder. He gestured that Kelly should lift the strap to her top and, when she did so, he leant it towards her and reached out a hand.

Gibbs wasn't as fast as some of the young recruits he trained but he still ran the hundred yards impressively fast. His right hand shot out and caught the young man squarely on the jaw. Moments later he was looking at his victim who lay on the ground nursing his face and looking completely out of it. Gibbs clenched his fists menacingly,

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he demanded, "What are you? Some sort of paedophile?"

NCISNCIS

Gibbs shifted uncomfortably when the young man groaned and opened his eyes. When his victim saw who was standing beside his bed he tried to back into the wall.

"Er …" said Gibbs.

"Did you hit me?" asked the man.

"There's been a misunderstanding," said Gibbs.

"Misunderstanding? You mean you didn't hit me?"

"No, I hit you."

"Why?"

"Like I said, there was a misunderstanding."

"And you hit me before, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Was that a misunderstanding too?"

"Yes."

The young man looked around uneasily as he realised he was alone with a stranger who had already hit him twice.

Gibbs picked up on the unease, "I asked Sheldon … and Kelly … to wait outside."

"Why?" The young man tried once more to flatten himself into the wall.

"Well," Gibbs' face suddenly flushed red; he felt as awkward as he had when he had first asked Shannon on a date and he didn't think he'd blushed since that day.

"Well?"

"Sheldon and Kelly explained things when we were bringing you into the infirmary," said Gibbs.

"What things?" The patient relaxed slightly as it seemed his attacker was on first name terms with the camp leader.

"Well, you see … I saw you looking at the kids sunbathing …"

"Yeah?"

"And then you spoke to Kelly. And got her to lift the strap on her top."

"So you hit me? Twice?"

"Yes."

A pair of grey-green eyes surveyed Gibbs thoughtfully. After an unnerving couple of seconds, Gibbs noticed that the eyes were twinkling, "Ah," their owner said. "I think I see."

"You do?"

"Tony DiNozzo," a hand was stretched out towards Gibbs.

"Otherwise known as Dr Tony," said Gibbs as he took the hand. "They told me."

"What else did they tell you?"

"That you're here as Camp physician. And that you're about to qualify as …"

"A dermatologist. Finished my residency and doing final studying for my boards. Then I'll be certified. I've just finished …"

"A rotation in paediatric dermatology," supplied Gibbs.

"Which is why …"

"Why you're fanatical about making sure the kids use sunscreen properly and don't stay out in the sun too long," said Gibbs sheepishly.

"Yeah. Perhaps I go over the top but when you've seen what I've seen … well, you would too. But I can appreciate that it could look a little odd."

"Or creepy?" suggested Gibbs.

"Yeah, perhaps I need to work on my technique."

"So, no hard feelings?" asked Gibbs.

Tony put a hand to his jaw, "I wouldn't say that."

"I …"

"But I have a feeling you pulled your punch, Mr … hey, I don't know your name."

"Gibbs, Jethro Gibbs. And yeah, I did pull it at the last moment."

"Ah, you had second thoughts?"

"No," admitted Gibbs, "But I realised you wouldn't be able to talk if I broke your jaw. And I needed you to talk."

There was a tap at the door and Kelly burst in,

"Dr Tony! I'm so sorry. Daddy isn't usually that crazy. He's just … well, I'm not sure what he is," she glowered at her father.

"It's OK," said Tony, "He explained to me … no, actually he didn't but I figured it out. And maybe I should be grateful."

"Grateful?" said Kelly.

"Parents are arriving this weekend to pick up their kids," said Tony, "I'll make sure I observe in a less creepy way."

"Good idea," said Gibbs.

"Yeah, I don't think my jaw would stand another round with you, Mr Gibbs." He smiled and then regretted it, "Ouch!"

"Daddy," said Kelly, "You're buying dinner for us … and for Dr Tony."

"That's kind," said Tony, "But …"

"it's the least we can do," said Kelly. "Isn't it, Daddy?"

"I guess," said Gibbs glumly as he wondered how long he'd be in trouble with his daughter.

"No, really," said Tony, "I think I'll be better off staying in Camp. Rest up."

Kelly was determined that her father should make amends and came up with another plan, "We'll order in pizza and eat it here."

Tony and Gibbs shrugged and decided to cut their losses and agree.

NCISNCIS

Kelly had sat with Dr Tony and her father for a little while but soon the allure of her friends having a barbecue took her away. Tony was cautiously eating a slice of pizza when he suddenly groaned,

"What's the matter?" asked Gibbs.

"I just realised," said Tony.

"What?"

"Nurse Josie gave me a pain pill."

"So? Isn't that what they're supposed to do?"

"Yeah. But my fingers just went ping."

"Excuse me?"

"I get reactions to painkillers. Or at least, some of them. And my fingers pinging means that she gave me something I react to. I should have noticed but I was a bit off my game," he stared at Gibbs.

"Do you need me to take you back to your quarters?" asked Gibbs.

Tony looked longingly at the pizza, "Nah. I won't collapse or anything – it's just that … well, my verbal inhibitors might be switched off."

"What?"

"I'll talk a lot," said Tony.

Gibbs shrugged, "Hey, I'm used to chatty people, you've met Kelly."

"I have?"

"Yes, the girl who got the pizza."

"Oh. You mean, Miss Gibbs."

"Miss Gibbs?" asked Gibbs in amusement.

"Sure, it's important to keep the boundaries," said Tony, "Well, you know …"

"No."

Tony gestured towards himself, "When you look like this … and you're a doctor … well, sometimes people are attracted to me."

Gibbs looked at him solemnly, "In that case you should be grateful to me."

"Why?"

"Think that swollen jaw is going to put some people off."

The disgruntled look Tony gave him made Gibbs realise that it might be too early in their acquaintance for jokes so he decided to change the subject, "Why dermatology?"

"Huh," Tony looked a little touchy but the lack of verbal inhibitors had its effect, "I thought it would be a safe option. I mean nobody's going to call me out in the middle of a night for a pimple. Didn't figure I'd end up being assaulted!"

"I explained that," said Gibbs.

"And my father liked the idea," said Tony.

"He did?"

"Yeah. He didn't really approve of me being a doctor but he thought dermatology would be lucrative. You know, face lifts, Botox ... He agreed to pay some of my fees if I went into dermatology."

"And that's why you did it?" asked Gibbs feeling a slight sense of disappointment.

"It's why he thinks I did it," said Tony. "But I became fascinated by it. And yes, I know acne can seem like a joke but it's not when you're a miserable teenager. If we can make life a bit less angsty, well, that's a good thing in my book. And psoriasis … eczema can all ruin lives. Skin cancer …dermatology is a lot more than zits."

"You care," said Gibbs.

"Man needs something to believe in," said Tony. "You know that too."

"I do?"

"You tried to see me off even before I was looking at your daughter. You defend people, Mr Gibbs. That's good. Perhaps it would be good to check next time but I applaud the sentiment. Your daughter's a lucky girl."

"Not sure she'd agree right this minute," said Gibbs ruefully, "I don't think she'll forgive me as quick as you did."

"She knows she's lucky," continued Tony. "It's a great thing to have a parent who wants to protect you, look out for you …" his voice trailed off.

Gibbs looked at Tony and glimpsed a sadness behind the words, he guessed Tony was thinking of his father who would finance success but not a dream.

"I don't make apologies …" began Gibbs.

"You don't?"

"No. But I'm sorry I hit you."

"Why don't you apologise?" asked Tony.

"Does it matter?"

"I guess not. Just seems odd to me."

"I figure it's better to do something practical to fix the situation," said Gibbs, "Words are empty but deeds aren't."

"Oh," said Tony. His eyelids were beginning to droop as if the painkillers were catching up on him.

"And I can't think of anything to make this situation right," admitted Gibbs.

"Miss Gibbs said you're a Marine trainer," said Tony.

"That's right," said Gibbs surprised at the change of subject.

"When you train your new recruits, make sure they know about always packing sunscreen. And that they know to use it. And maybe a big hat, like mine, to protect the neck and ears." said Tony. "That'll mean something good comes out of this." Tony saw Gibbs' surprise. "Hey, like I said, I'm a fanatic about this."

"You got it," said Gibbs.

"Great. Now, I'm going to bed. What do you call it?"

"Hit the rack," said Gibbs.

Tony nodded.

"Make sure you hit the head first," said Gibbs with an attempt at humour.

"Think you already took care of that one," said Tony sourly. Then he smiled to show it was a joke. "Good night, Mr Gibbs."

"Dr Tony," acknowledged Gibbs.

Tony went a few paces and then turned back, "By the way, I looked at Miss Gibbs' shoulder because I thought she had a mole which looked odd."

Gibbs jerked up straight, "Is she OK?"

"Yeah, she's fine. It was a cookie crumb – it fell off when she moved her strap." He grinned cautiously, "Goes to show that being a dermatologist isn't always as exciting as it was today!"

"Go to bed, Doc," said Gibbs. "And, thank you."

AN: I couldn't quite let go of the idea of Tony the dermatologist.