Cassie spent the afternoon helping her grandfather. She thought about what the therapist had told her about the funeral. As much as she wanted to she was scared to watch it. If she watched it then it would be too real. She also contemplated the letter but she decided she would wait on that. She understood what the doctor was telling her but it seemed so wrong.

"Cassie, you OK?" asked her grandfather walking into the den. He could see her mind hard at work.

"I'm OK. Grandpa, would you say I'm a bad person?"

"No, you are anything but a bad person. What's going on inside that head of yours?" he asked sitting down next to her.

"I was mad at Daddy for grounding me for getting suspended. I called Erik and he came to pick me up. He knew I was grounded. I saw him the night before in the front yard. He kissed me. He'd been nice to me and I wanted him to think I was cool so when he suggested we go check out the party I said yes."

"What you did was wrong but you are not a bad person. Everybody makes bad choices. Erik made the choice to come when you called. He could have just said no. He hurt you though didn't he?"

"Yeah, but I really liked him. He told me that I made him mad and that's why he hit me. He apologized every time. I know it was wrong, but I like the attention I got from him,"

"I'm sure you did, but a guy who lays a hand on any woman isn't really a man but a coward. Do you understand that he was wrong to use that against you?"

"Yeah I'm starting to. I'm just so confused. I mean he hurt me, but I really like him a lot grandpa. Pretty messed up reasoning don't you think."

"Sometimes the hardest ones to let go are the ones that hurt us. We want to change them and make them into something they aren't. You made a mistake but you'll learn and make a better one next time. Just know that you are not responsible for other people's choices. You are a beautiful girl Cassie. You deserve to be treated like a princess. You'll find the man of your dreams. This is just a stepping stone. It will get better."

"Thanks grandpa," she said hugging him

"I love you,"

Cassie fell asleep for a few hours. Jen and Jethro arrived home right before 7. They walked into the house and Jackson was in the kitchen preparing the food to grill.

"Hey Dad, how'd it go today?" asked Jethro

"It went well. That girl is one brave girl Jethro. She a fighter that's for sure."

"Where is she Jackson?" asked Jenny

"She's in the den sleeping. She was upset earlier because she thought she was bad person for everything that happened."

"Poor baby," said Jen

"Yeah, how'd the therapy go?"

"We are heading in the right direction. It's just going to take time for her to trust her own judgment again. She watch the funeral?"

"No, but I can tell she wants to. I think she's just scared of it being too real," said Jackson.

"I'm going to go get changed the rest of the team will be here soon," said Jethro heading up the stairs. Jenny went to check on Cassie. She was asleep on the sofa in the den.

"Cassie, honey, wake up sweetheart."

"Mom," she said groaned

"Hey sweetie, how you feeling?"

"I'm OK, did the team get here?"

"They are on their way. If you want to watch the funeral and want some company just ask. I'll watch it with you,"

"I'm scared Mom. I don't want it to be real. I'm scared what his parents are going to say,"

"They can't hurt you. Your Dad and I won't let them.

"Hey, we'll do it together OK? We should get ready for dinner. You need some help upstairs?"

"Sure," she said sitting up. It took a little bit for her legs to move since the accident. Jethro was on his way down and saw the two.

"Hey baby, how are you doing?"

"I'm OK Daddy."

"We'll be right down Jethro," said Jen helping Cassie. They got changed and Jen did Cassie's hair. Jen missed spending quality time with her daughter. She would have to change that after all this drama was cleared up.

"Mom, do you hate me?"

"Hate you? Cassie, no! Sweetheart I could never hate you. I might be disappointed or sad, but I could never hate you. Why do you ask such a question?"

"Well, I just figured that with you and Daddy fighting about things more now than before…"

"Listen to me miss. Your father and I have a very complicated relationship, but it's our relationship. We both love you and that will never change no matter what. When Daddy and I fight it's mostly over you. We have different opinions on what we think is right for you. Your father and I did love each other at one point. We loved each other enough to make you. We still do love each other but in a different way. Just because you might make a mistake and we get upset doesn't mean we hate you. Promise me if you feel confused about things you'll say something? I never want you to think we don't care what you think or feel."

"Promise,"

"Good let's get downstairs I hear the rest of the group arrived and Dad must be almost done grilling,"

Cassie headed downstairs while her mother sat on the bed fighting back the urge to scream. While everyone else was getting their food Jethro snuck upstairs to find Jen still sitting on the bed. She'd been crying and there was no hiding it from him.

"Hey Jen, everyone's eating. You OK?"

"No, Jethro. Do you have any idea what I just was asked by our daughter?"

"No, what happened?" he asked sitting down next to her

"Cassie ask me if we hated her because of our fighting,"

"What? Oh sweetheart. You told her no right?"

"Of course I told her no. I told her we fight about what's best for her not about her! God Jethro I never thought anything could hurt so much," said Jen leaning against him.

"I'll talk to her later. Are you OK?"

"I'm better,"

"Come on let's go downstairs. They might be getting the wrong ideas," said Jethro with a smirk. Jen just slapped him on the arm and walked downstairs.

"There you two are. Everything OK?" asked DiNozzo trying to seem casual.

"Yes, Tony everything is fine," said Jethro head slapping him

"OW!"

"Come on guys lets go out back and play keep away or something from Ziva," said Abby with the Frisbee.

While the 'kids' played keep away from Ziva or rather lost at keep away from Ziva the other 'grownups' sat and watched them. Jen watched Cassie with a careful eye as did Jethro to make sure she didn't over do it.

"How's she doing Jethro?" asked Ducky

"She's better than she has been. Therapist says we are at least going about things well. She wants us to get Cassie to admit to her involvement in what happened rather than taking the whole thing and putting it on her. The physical therapy will just take time. I just want her to be happy again,"

"She looks pretty happy to me," said Jackson watching her jump onto the dog pile of Tony. They watched them horse around until it was starting to get cold. Jethro had to call it quits for them. Cassie would be the one to get sick.

"Ok guys bring it in. That's enough for tonight. Cassie, come put a sweatshirt on," said Jethro as the crew made their way over to the chairs. Jen handed Cassie the oversized sweatshirt.

"Anyone want some dessert?" asked Jen to the group. They all nodded yes. Jen went inside with Jackson to help.

"Cassie, you OK?" asked Tony looking at her

"Yeah, I guess I'm kind of tired,"

"Why don't you head in sweetheart?" said Jethro

Cassie went inside and joined her grandfather and mother in the kitchen. They knew she was tired. They also knew she would fight sleep if everyone stayed.

They served the dessert and suggested they all go home for the night. Everyone left and Jethro cleaned up the food with father while Jen got Cassie into bed.

"Tonight was fun," said Jen handing her the pills.

"Yeah it was. Hey Mom?"

"Yes,"

"Would you watch the funeral with me tomorrow?"

"I would do that. Get some sleep,"

"Would you tell Daddy to come up?" she yawned

"I will," she said kissing her and heading back down.

Jethro walked in and sat down on the bed. He smiled at Cassie. He missed these moments with her. The fact she even asked for him was a good feeling. He knew in a few years she may not want him around as much.

"Big day huh?"

"Yeah, I've been thinking about everything and I know that I shouldn't have snuck out and gone to the party Dad. I also know that keeping what Erik did a secret was bad. I guess what I want to know is that you don't think less of me for it,"

"Cassie, I love you so much that it hurts to watch you hurt. I hate what he did to you and I wanted him to suffer because of it. I also know that we can't change what happened. I just want you to know that just because a guy says one thing and does something else like hit you it isn't love. It's abuse. You have the right to feel safe and loved Cass. I certainly don't hate you for it,"

"Mom told you about what we talked about,"

"Yeah, Cassie, I want you to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted. Mom and I haven't always been able to agree on how best to make you happy. Doesn't mean we don't love you OK?"

"OK," she yawned.

"It's been a long day get some sleep," he said kissing her and turning out the light.

"Would you leave the door cracked?"

"Yeah, goodnight sweetie," he said going back downstairs.

Later that night Jethro got into bed next to Jen. Overall the day had been a success. Cassie had a good time as did they. He just wished he understood Jen's view of themselves better.

"Today was a good day huh?" said Jethro

"Yeah, it was good to see her smiling and laughing again," Jen

"Is she OK with everything else?"

"She asked me to watch the funeral with her tomorrow. I think that maybe I should start getting back to normal as well. You probably want your house back," said Jen

"No, actually it's been kind of nice having you both here,"

"Cassie will eventually need to start heading to school again. I'll stop by after work and get our stuff tomorrow."

"Jen, you don't have to go," said Jethro.

"Actually Jethro I do. It's been long enough. Time to move forward. Goodnight," she said turning out the lights.

"Night," said Jethro laying awake pondering how he was going to manage to convince Jen not to leave tomorrow.