"How was that mum?" Kelly asked, she knew her time was up & the explanation would have to come fast.

"Fine sweetheart, but what is going on? You're a nervous wreck I can tell, your hand is so far down you back your almost scratching your backside! Is it this case your working on with the lovely gentleman here who has barely stopped pacing nor let go of his side arm?" Shannon asked gently.

FLASH TO MTAC

Gibbs heard her voice for the first time, it was like an angel's voice, he then suddenly remembered why he recognised his little girl in the first place. It was the back scratch! How could he not have remembered sooner, she had developed that habit since she was about 3, always scratching her back when she got nervous or scared, even during the night, when she had nightmares, so much so that sometimes he'd have put cream onto it to sooth some of the scratches.

The comment that Shannon had finished off with did bring him comfort though, McGee was making sure he would be ready for anything.

END OF MTAC FLASH

"Here's the thing mum, something's come up that's kind of changed things for us, a lot. I need you to allow me to make a pretty big choice for you." Kelly said looking at her mother, finishing off with a whispered "We're leaving"

"Darling, everything I have ever done has been for you to lead a good life, nothing could have changed that much to make me choose anything different. I'm sorry sweety, I can't" Shannon said, looking a little down

(MTAC: Gibbs was both proud & annoyed with Shannon, she was doing what she thought was best for their kids, but she was also putting up a fight to Kelly's attempt to get her out)

"Mum, you do remember F6 don't you?" Kelly said, she hadn't wanted to go down this path, but it was clear she would have to.

"Of course I do, I invented it remember, but sweetheart, this situation is not something I will not allow you to change, its too dangerous, I'm sorry sweetheart, F1"

(MTAC: Gibbs now starting to getting more annoyed in a heartfelt way, he also knew that Kelly was stressed & was about to say something that would shock her, he took some deep breaths)

Kelly breathed deep "Mum, this time, you don't get to veto my choice, this choice that I am making, it's been agreed upon by a vetoing authority already & I've been given permission to veto your veto"

"K, what are you taking about? I am the only person who can veto in this family" Shannon was confused, and it wasn't just the side effects of the drugs, she had no idea what her daughter was saying.

"No mum, your not" Kelly just looked at her mother, as the realisation hit her as to who Kelly was talking about.

"Darling, your father is gone, he can't veto anymore sweetheart. You need to let him go, it's been 20 years and as hard as it is we need to move on. Not a day goes past that I don't think about him & wish beyond all hope to see him, but.."

"Mum stop…Dad is….well, he's as gone as you are to Nix" Kelly said.

McGee had managed to hook the device & started the program without anyone seeing, Shannon didn't even notice, but that was probably because she was more focused on her discussion with Kelly. Luckily there wasn't another sole out in the garden, perfect McGee thought, he had taken the swipe card off Kelly already, so as soon as the programs worked, he'd swipe & they'd be off.

Shannon was stunned to say the least. "What are talking about?"

"Just think about what I said. Listen, we don't have a lot of time, I know things are happening fast & you haven't had a chance to process anything, but things are going to get a little crazy really soon, I need you to just go with us, you'll understand everything soon enough, but until then, you just need to trust me mum." Kelly didn't want to say much more until they were out of the place, not when she might have been overheard.

"Sweetheart, what is this about? Tell me" Shannon was getting anxious & worried, to go along with her confusion.

"Not here, you just need to trust me, trust the people I say are ok… …trust them, because he trusts them, ok?" Kelly was now regretting her decision to not take a comms unit, it would have been easier if he would be able to just tell her what to say to make her understand she had to leave.

(MTAC: Gibbs hard exterior was masking how he felt on the inside, he wasn't really coping, listening to his daughter trying to convince his wife that he was still alive & that she should go with her, was proving a challenge, he wasn't the only stubborn person in the family he thought. He was also proud of the way Kelly was handling the situation, but he could tell she was getting stressed, her voice kept cracking as she spoke.)

Shannon looked liked her mind had wandered off to somewhere else.

"Mum, can you do that? …Mum, do you trust me? ….Do you trust him?" Kelly prodded, she needed to make sure her mum was on board before they moved.

Shannon looked at her with eyes that looked close to tears.

"Yes sweetheart, of course I trust him, just like I trust you, we always trust in this family F2" She said smiling, maybe it was true, maybe her beloved man was still alive.

Kelly smiled nodding to McGee to say, she's ready.

(MTAC: Gibbs let out a sigh of relief upon hearing her agree to go, soon he would see her, but first they had to get out & it was almost time. He had already heard Tony & Burley start their cars, it would go down any minute)

AU: Time to go! Will the plan work & will everyone get away cleanly as planned?