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-Kellz

Chapter 13

Following Morning

The aroma of fresh coffee drifted into the master bedroom where Gibbs had been soundly sleeping until it made its present well known. Opening his eyes, he saw Abby setting his favorite cup on the bedside table. She hadn't notice him stirring until casting a glance at his previous peaceful face.

"Good morning," She softly greeted with a warm smile.

"Morning." Gibbs returned the greeting, matching her tone and everything. Sitting up, he stretched, remaining sitting on the bed and reached for her, drawing her in. "Mmmm..." He sighed, happily with a smile on his face. "Wish we could stay here in this peaceful and innocent moment forever."

She looked down at him, her left hand on his shoulder while her right played with his hair. "I do, too." When he looked up at her with that unguarded smile that was only seen in front of her and the kids, the world seemed to still.

Until Mikey interrupted their moment. "Mommy, I can't carry her."

Both adults looked at the doorway where Mikey was trying his best to carry his sister into the room. Of course, Stella was protesting in his arms. They laughed at the scene.

Mikey set her down, looking at them as if they were crazy. "What?"

"Nothing, son." Abby said, still quietly chuckling. She broke away from Gibbs and picked up a waddling Stella. "Come here, sweetie." Stella happily went into her arms.

Gibbs held out his arms for Mikey. "C'mon Bub. Let's go." Mikey bolted for his father, squealing when his father stood up, lifting him above his head.

The family went downstairs, leaving the untouched coffee cup steaming away.

Hours Later

Gibbs watched Mikey get on the bus to the local daycare. Stella was going to stay with Abby in the makeshift lab, staying in a playpen while her mother worked.

Returning to the office, he carried his favorite to-go cup, sipping on it. His team were searching for anything that would help them. Tony had paired up with Brandon going over Leon's past; Tim, Tara, and Max were looking through bank records, etc. He noticed Ziva on the phone, talking very irritably in Hebrew. She glanced in his direction, connecting eyes, before looking back down at the table, writing rapidly.

Walter came up behind him, standing next to him. "You know, Gibbs, our teams work well together." He stated, coffee cup in hand and staring at what Gibbs was.

Gibbs took a sip of his coffee. "Yep." He said softly after swallowing.

"How's the Director?" Walter asked, glancing at Gibbs, who was still staring at their teams.

Finally, after a few minutes, Gibbs turned to Walter. "His wife's dead and the kids are hanging on for dear life." He answered with compassion.

Walter regarded him, seeing a whole different side of the ex-Marine. He should have known Leon's "A" team was somewhat close to him. Gibbs turned back around, leaving him alone to his thoughts as he drew the attention to both of their teams.

"Whad'da got?" He asked, setting his cup on Tony and Brandon's table.

"Not much, Boss." Tony answered with hesitation. "Just this."

Brandon showed him the documents. Walter, who had just shook out of his thoughts, came forward, still sipping on his cup. "B?"

Brandon looked up before looking back down, thumbing through his set of documents. "From the name Dav-eed," At this teasing, Tony glared and Ziva picked up a paperclip. Tony smiled. Brandon continued, "supplied us, I've found more information on Ishmael Jarrah. He's from Baghdad; went to college in America, specializing in political business; he lives in Roswell, New Mexico. No family." Brandon looked up at the two leaders, expectantly, hoping for a compliment from them both.

"All right. Gear up. We're headed to New Mexico." Gibbs announced. His team, except for Ziva who was still on the phone holding up one digit, were getting up and grabbing their bags. "What is it, Ziver?"

"Jarrah doesn't live there anymore!" Ziva announced, bolting up and heading over to Gibbs with the notepad in hand. She should it to him. "He lives in the outskirts in Texas."

"That's not that far from New Mexico," commented Tony, looking at Brandon.

"Yeah," Brandon teased, looking back at Tony. "You can just hop over the hurdle."

Both leaders looked at each other before Walter tilted his head in their direction. Gibbs reached up and slapped them both on the back of their heads. Tony winced, not surprised; Brandon on the other hand acted similar to the first time Tony got smacked.

"Wally?" Brandon asked, shocked before looking over at a very amused Gibbs. "Did he just..." he started, rubbing his head.

Tony rubbed his own head. "Oh yeah, he did. He does."

Meanwhile the remaining members of Teams Gibbs and Morris were laughing (Gibbs) and shocked (Morris). The bosses turned and walked out of the building.

"You get used to it." Tony said, slinging the strap onto his left shoulder. The team members scurried to meet up their rightful boss, with Ziva speeding up to catch up.

Four Hours Later

Gibbs stepped out of the airport, his duffel bag slung behind his back supported by his left hand, and instantly squinted his eyes. The falling sun sprouted a beautiful sea of colors as it slipped into bed for the night. Instantly, he pulled his sunglasses from his suit jacket and slipped them on. The wind tousled his silver-hair.

He glanced back at his team. Tony sprouted his sunglasses and listening to that iPack-thingy or whatever that his wife and son were always raving about. He remembered what she had done with his – saved for their son. He just recently got it for his birthday. Anyway, he shook his head, back to Tony. His second-in-command had his backpack on completely, carrying his duffel by the straps with his left hand. Ziva had her bags in a similar position with her musical thingy in her ears, but she was checking out her surroundings. Always the assessor, Ziver. He mused. McGee was next to him, wearing his backpack like Tony and Ziva, but his duffel was on the ground as he focused on his navigator-thingy.

Gibbs realized the younger agent was talking to him. McGee glanced at him and stopped when he realized Gibbs hadn't been listening to him. "You okay, Boss?" Tim asked with concern.

"Yeah." Gibbs answered, distractedly. He glanced at the agent. At the man's concerned expression, Gibbs gave up. "Just reminds of a long time ago, in a different place."

McGee deduced what he was talking about, choosing not to bring that devastating time up. Instead, he lowered the device and checked out his own surroundings. "You know, Boss, if I ever travel out of the US, I'd rather have you with me than someone who don't know what they're doing." McGee smiled.

Gibbs was touched, but then he rose an eyebrow.

McGee got that scared look and started stuttering his words. "Of course, Tony and Ziva would be there too, but just saying."

"You feel safe with me." Gibbs patted him on the back. "I get it." He looked down at the device. "You aren't gonna need that, though." He started walking to the car that just arrived.

"Why?" McGee sounded, confused and uncertain. He shoved the device in his bag, grabbed it, and caught up to him. The others did as well.

Gibbs bent over enough to look in the car, then stood again. "Because this car already has one." He pointed.

McGee smirked as he took the keys from the valor. He muttered a thanks before pressing the trunk button. The group dumped their bags in the back and then got in. McGee sat in front, handing the keys to his boss and messing with the navigation system.

"Where am I going, McGee?" Gibbs asked as he got ready to leave.

"Hang on just a sec." McGee finished, pressing the last button. "Just listen to it."

What ever happened to carrying a folded up map and drawing the lines to your designation. Gibbs thought as the voice started speaking. Maybe I should have either McGee or DiNozzo drive. Definitely NOT Ziva. God, I'm getting too old for this crap.