Leroy Jethro Gibbs woke up the next morning and noticed that Jen wasn't in bed. He was a normally early riser, but with Cassie being home he'd taken liberty with his morning routine in case something came up. He'd been hoping that the conversation did not happen last night. The idea of Jen leaving scared him. He'd really enjoyed having her around. He'd missed it when they weren't working and could be normal. Mostly he just missed the family he'd lost.

For the most part Jen wasn't just another ex-wife. Hell she wasn't an ex-wife at all just an old girlfriend/partner he'd knocked up while they were working special ops together. He'd tried to do the right thing by her but Jen being who she was would have none of it so they'd agreed to co-parenting. When Cassie of course got older and started to understand that whole divorced parent's idea from friends she often questioned her parents on the issue. Jethro had of course been honest with her saying that they were never married they just lived separate lives. Cassie understood for the most part her parents loved her and would keep her safe. Now that she was older he wondered if she found it odd they weren't married but spent time together.

"Daddy?" asked Cassie outside the door.

"What sweetie?" he said as the door opened.

"Where is Mom? Did she have to go out of town? She said that she would watch the funeral with me,"

"Sweetie she just went into the office early so that she would be home earlier. You feeling ok?" he asked as she stumbled toward the bed.

"Kind of dizzy. Tired,"

"Yesterday was a lot of activity. Tell you what; you go get into bed and I will bring you some aspirin and juice. I need to get ready to go to work, but I can be a little bit later today,"

"Daddy," she said looking at him like he was crazy.

"Go on, get into bed missy," he said as she walked back across the hall.

Jethro went downstairs to find his father sitting at the kitchen table.

"Morning Leroy,"

"Morning Dad. Did you see Jen before she left?"

"Yes I did. You two get into a fight last night?" he asked

"No, she just thinks it's time for her to leave is all. I told her she could stay,"

"That woman is just as in love with you as the day you two met. Jethro you better not let her get away again,"

"Dad, it's complicated. I better get this up to Cassie,"

"She all right?"

"Just kind of tired after yesterday is all," he said taking the tray upstairs. He walked into the room and set the tray next to the bed.

"Dad, everything OK?"

"Yeah everything is fine Cassie. Why do you ask?"

"Just that Mom and you seem happier together than when you were apart. She's more relaxed not yelling and cursing you out all the time. You love mom right?"

"Cassie, remember when you were little and I told you that Mom and I love each other apart not together?"

"Yeah but you never married,"

"Right well, I still do love Mom and she loves me, but we still aren't living together. We do however love you a lot,"

"I know, but with you and Mom staying here together doesn't that change anything?"

"I would love to have you here full-time sweetie, but you need a parent with you more that what I can be here. Mom has a little bit more flexibility with her schedule."

"Why don't you ask Mom to marry you?"

"Listen why don't we finish this conversation later tonight? I have to go get ready for work. By the way you have homework to do. I'll have grandpa bring it up later,"

"Dad…" she moaned

"I know but you can't afford to get behind right now. Besides, you'll be back there soon enough. I love you," he said kissing her

"I love you too," she said kissing him back.

Jethro got ready for work and checked in on Cassie before he left. For some reason Cassie didn't want him to go to work today. As he was almost ready to leave there was a knock at the door. He answered it and found a kid on the other side. Not just any kid but a boy. He almost lost it but decided to be nice instead.

"Hello may I help you?" asked Gibbs biting his tongue

"Yeah is Cassie home?"

"She is. May I ask who you are?"

"I'm a classmate of hers. She missed the funeral and some of her classmates made a card for her. I just wanted to drop it off,"

"OK, well she's sleeping at the moment but I'll make sure that she gets it," said Jethro taking the oversized envelope.

"How is she doing?"

"She's getting better and tell her friends thank you for their concern. She'll be back in school in a few weeks," said Jethro getting irritated by the kid the longer he looked at him. IT was bad enough the kid looked all of twelve but the fact he was standing in front of him asking about his daughter made him almost scream.

"OK, bye," said the kid running off to the car waiting on the street for him.

Jethro stepped back inside. He didn't want to give the card to Cassie right now so he stuck it in the office and went to work. The last thing he needed was another guy trying to weasel his daughter into dating them. He wasn't ready for her to see boys again.

When he got to work he wanted to go talk to Jen. The team was working on cold cases at the moment. They actually looked like they were working when he got there until a paper airplane hit him in the head.

"DiNozzo, knock it off!" said Jethro glaring at him

"Oh sorry boss, that wasn't meant for you,"

"How's Cass?" asked McGee

"She's fine. Little tired from last night's events, but she's good. I'm going to talk to the director. No more playing around," he said going upstairs. He swore some days he had six kids instead of one.

He got to Jen's office and announced he was there before he walked in. Jen was working away and hardly noticed him.

"Morning director,"

"Agent Gibbs, something I can help you with?"

"Yeah, your daughter is all concerned you left without a goodbye this morning,"

"Did you tell her?"

"No, I am not going to hurt her anymore than necessary. A student from her class dropped a card off at the house this morning,"

"That's so nice. She must have been happy to know they care,"

"I didn't give it to her,"

"Why not?"

"It was a boy who dropped it off,"

"Leroy Jethro Gibbs you'd better call your father and tell him to give her that card. You know that she cares a lot about what her classmates think of her,"

"What was the kids' name?"

"Didn't ask,"

"You didn't ask?"

"Well no and he didn't tell me,"

"Sometimes your daughter is more mature than you are,"

"Jen I was serious about you staying,"

"I can't Jethro,"

"Why not?"

"Because a long time ago I wouldn't have given it a second thought."

"Why now then?"

"Because I had to make a choice to protect myself,"

"From me?"

"No, from myself. Jethro, I let you leave me the way you thought you let me go. I can't go back and change things now. We are who we are."

"Not even for Cassie?"

"What happens when one of us gets another job? Or isn't there a rule about dating your co-worker?"

"We I think we are way beyond that Jen. We broke that rule the second time we went undercover together. There are no excuses for you to use. Come on Jen what do you have to lose?"

"OK, my point exactly. We couldn't keep it professional back then so why do it now? Besides one of us would have to give up our career. We both know you wouldn't and I am director so that's just out of the question,"

"What if for no other reason than our daughter?"

"Excuse me director but the SECNAV is on line two,"

"Thanks Cynthia. I have to get back to work Agent Gibbs," she said motioning for him to leave.

Jethro went back downstairs in a fouler mood than when he came in. Jen was being nothing other than stubborn. Maybe if they actually date they would get to see the real true side to each other. It wouldn't be that weird to date would it? The only thing is Cassie might find it odd, but she was 15year old girl who thought almost everything her parents did was weird. Was he trying to convince her or himself?

"Come on Jethro, get a grip. This is Jen Sheppard you're talking about. The most self-absorbed woman you have ever met. She isn't going to give up her life for you. Just have to use different tactics. Do you really want to put up with her all day every day? Yes, you love her, but what are you willing to give up to make this work? She screwed you over in Paris remember? Who's to say she won't do it again? People change right? Jen has changed. Heck you've changed. You aren't that growly bear everyone once thought of you before. You're more open with your past. Heck you've practically adopted all the team members in some way shape or form. You love her. Deep down you love her same as the first time you saw her.

"Boss, you with us?" asked Tony who'd been talking about the case they were going over. He noticed the glazed look in Gibbs' face since he started. He especially noticed when he went into a whole stream of unrelated movie references and nobody stopped him.

"Yeah, I'm following," he said going back to work.

Upstairs Jen was contemplating everything Jethro had just proposed. What was her deal? She loved Jethro still. They'd been really great parents to Cassie. It wasn't like this was the first time this had been brought up. This was something she daydreamed about for the last ten years of their screwed up relationship.

"Get a grip on yourself Jen. You are the respected director of a federal agency. You can't go having an intimate relationship with your agents. Even if he is the father of your daughter. Who's to say he won't go find some other woman? Then again who else are you going to find that is loyal to a fault and always has your back? No, you can't because it would screw up everything you've worked for right? What exactly are you achieving? Being alone? No, you're working toward being an accomplished woman who lives…alone. He's never done you wrong Jen. Sure you've screwed up with him but that was your mistake your doing right? He's forgiven you. You are practically living together at the moment as it is. You aren't exactly sleeping in the guest room down the hall. He loves you and your daughter. What the hell is your problem Jen?"

The day went slowly for both Jethro and Jen. Jethro was preoccupied with the fact a boy had shown up at the house and what in the world was he going to do tonight when he had to confront Jen. Jen on the other hand was contemplating what she was going to do about Jethro and Cassie. Leaving with Cassie would be hard on both of them, but leaving Cassie alone with Jethro would break her heart. She would not be able to make Cassie choose between her parents. It was hard enough when they were fighting over who had her for what weekend.

"Director, are you OK?" asked Cynthia who had walked into her office and been standing in front of the desk nearly ten minutes without so much as a hello.

"Oh I'm sorry. I must be daydreaming. Was there something you needed?"

"I was going to go over your schedule for the rest of the day and parts of tomorrow. Director are you and Agent Gibbs fighting?"

"No, Cynthia Agent Gibbs and I are just fine,"

"You just seem like two high school kids trying to ask each other out to prom," said Cynthia cringing before she could stop the words.

"We are just trying to figure out the next step is all."

"How is Cassie doing?"

"She's much better. Doctor says she can go back to school next week. Is there any way for me to go home early today? I promised Cassie I'd watch the online funeral with her tonight,"

"I am sure we can rearrange some stuff. Are you and Agent Gibbs thinking about living together permanently?"

"No, we haven't even discussed it. I mean we are doing what is best for Cassie right now. Being her parents is our first priority,"

"With all do respect ma'am you two should just do it,"

"Excuse me?"

"I mean as in live together. Your practically living together as it is. Why put yourselves through the agony. You still love him. You would get so bothered when he walked in here unannounced every day. He loves you but is just to afraid to ask,"

"Cynthia, my schedule. I do not need advice on my relationship with Gibbs. We are perfectly fine just the way we are."

"Right sorry director," said Cynthia going back to the schedule.

Meanwhile back at Casa Gibbs Cassie had her own situation to deal with. Erik's best friend Ryan was wanting to see her. She hadn't hardly talked to anyone at school since the accident. She'd really liked Ryan. Ryan was the one that had somewhat pushed them together. Ryan had been dating one of Cassie's friends Melissa. Melissa broke up with him after she found out what kind of guy Erik was.

"Hello?" asked Cassie answering the phone.

"Hi Cassie, this is Ryan. How are you?"

"I'm doing OK. What do you want Ryan?"

"Well I was wondering if you and I could talk. I know that Erik was kind of a jerk but he really was a good guy. I just thought you might like to talk to someone."

"Thanks Ryan, but I'm not sure that we should. With the way things are going with his parents. I know you are practically like a son to them,"

"Actually I can't stand his parents. I could use a friend I don't have many at the moment. Do you think it would be ok if I came by?"

"I don't know if you should,"

"Please a few minutes just to talk,"

"Ok, but you have to leave before my parents get home. I don't want my Dad to hurt you,"

"Trust me I have heard about your Dad the last person I want on my bed side is your father,"

"Ok, I'll be here. Just knock on the door," she said hanging up the phone.

"Cassie, everything OK?" asked her grandfather walking into the room

"Yeah grandpa everything is good. A friend of mine wanted to stop by and talk. Is that OK?"

"Sure what's their name?"

"Ryan he was friends with Erik,"

"I don't know Cassie you sure your up for it?"

"He just wants to talk. I kind of want to hear what he had to say. It will only be a few minutes and I will have him gone before Dad comes home,"

"All right, but be careful. You need me I'll be inside OK?"

"Thanks grandpa," said Cassie getting up and going outside.