I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS.

A/N I want to thank all those who have kindly reviewed. It makes my day! Hope you continue to enjoy this story. As always any advice is appreciated!

Chapter 14

Grandpa Gibbs heard Jack approaching and called out, "Hey, son. What brings you here today? Don't you have a store to run?" He looked up to see the state his son was in and concern overwhelmed him. "By God Jack. What has happened?"

"It's Leroy, Dad. He's finally gone too far with his temper. He broke Wanda's shop window. She insisted on calling in Hank. He actually took Leroy down to the station." Jack's head fell heavily; the stress taking its toll.

A hard hand gripped his shoulder. "You're not alone in this, son," his dad reminded him. "Why don't you leave the boy here for the weekend? You take a break and your mother and I will see what we can do to help him out."

Slightly shaking his head in defeat, Jack cried, "I feel like I'm losing him. I reach out, but he's like a specter. There's nothing solid to grab a hold of. He's just SO angry."

"I think you both need some space," his dad nearly ordered. "Leave him. I promise to return him in one piece," he jested, attempting to lighten the dark mood enveloping Jack.

Jack nodded and tried to smile, but he truly saw no humor. "I should throttle him," Jack pinched between his eyes.

"Do you want to deal with him before you leave?" his dad asked.

'I feel I should, but I'm afraid if I do then leave him, he'll see it as deserting him."

"Let me take care of it then. I'll explain I'm just delivering a message for you," she clapped Jack on the back and walked him up the stairs to say goodbye to Jethro.

Seeing his sullen son sitting alone Jack wondered how such a small frame could harbor so much anger.

"Leroy," he called to gain his attention. His son looked up at him a little less defiantly, a touch of fear perhaps sparring with the wrath. "I'm going back to the store. Granddad and I decided you will spend the next few nights here. I'll pick you up on Sunday."

Always logical Jethro stated, "I don't have any other clothes here."

Thinking after all that had transpired in the past few hours that should way down on his list of concerns, but at least it was an easy problem to rectify. "I'll bring a bag of stuff from home, after I close up." Jack walked over to his son and knelt down to look him in the eyes.

"I wish you would talk to me and let me help you, son." Jack was nearly pleading. "I love you Leroy," he put his hand on his son's shoulder much like his own father had done to him earlier trying to pass on the strength of his love through that simple touch. He only felt the shoulder tense up and saw his son's face flinch slightly before he looked away.

Sighing he removed his hand, stood shaking his head and swallowed the sob he felt trying to escape his lips. "Bye, son," he managed leaving through the front door.

Jethro sat there sensing the pain his father was experiencing. He wasn't proud he was the cause, but thought it evened out the pain he was feeling himself. The next presence he felt was one filled with grave disappointment and quite a bit of anger.

"That was quite uncalled for, I'd say," Grandpa Gibbs lectured. "Your father is trying to reach out to you and help you heal from losing your mother. It's not easy for him, especially since he's hurting inside from losing his wife." He watched the youngster to see if he was getting through to him, but his expression didn't change.

"Don't you think your father is hurting?" he tried a more direct approach. The answer he got surprised him.

"He was making her unhappy. She tried to fool everyone that things weren't so bad, but I saw through her act. If he really loved her, she wouldn't have had to fake it."

"Son, I don't know what was going on between your mom and dad. That was their own affair. I gave some advice to try to help, but mostly it wasn't my place to interfere," his grandfather felt a little off kilter trying to explain what a married couples' relationship is like to a boy so young.

"Well he didn't care and now she's gone," a small gasp escaped Jethro, but he reined in the tears before they could flow.

The older man stared at him. What were they going to do for him? He knew that the delinquent behavior needed to be addressed and hoped that dealing with that infraction would help down the road.

Before any more could be said, Grandma called them to dinner. It was a quiet meal. The couple having a mental conversation like only long married couples could. Jethro managed to eat everything on his plate, though he didn't remember what any of it was.

As he began to slide off his seat he was stopped by his grandfather's voice, "Wait in your seat until I've finished my meal. I have a message to deliver from your father."

Jethro hung his head. Much of his anger had slipped away with the passing time. Now he was filled with regret. He knew what the message would be and unfortunately just how his grandfather would deliver it.

When his granddad stood, he slipped off his chair and followed him upstairs. It was not a brief message and one Jethro thought he would carry around for at least a few days.

Afterwards he went to lie down on the bed to find some comfort. He heard his father's voice and made his way down to him. Contrite he stood before him watching his own toes, until he heard his grandfather clear his throat.

He snapped his head up to look into his father's face, "I'm sorry," he whispered just loud enough for all to hear. Jack almost smiled seeing a glimpse of the son he used to know. He picked him up and held him tightly to his chest.

When Jethro's arms slowly made their way around his neck to return the hug Jack mouthed a 'Thank you' to his dad. In return his dad gave him a small smile and a nod, but inside he was far from certain things were going to be okay for long.