"Everybody I have an announcement to make." Gibbs said.
"What is it?" Abby asked.
"I am retiring as soon as Kate returns from maternity leave." Gibbs announced.
Everybody gasped and had shocked looks on their faces. Shannon was the first to speak.
"Are you sure that's what you want Jethro?" she asked.
"Yeah are you sure it's not just because you had a bad day yesterday?" McGee asked.
"I talked to Vance about it yesterday and I have been thinking about it for a while." Gibbs replied.
"How long?" Jack asked.
"I started thinking about it after we adopted Tony but when I first realized it needs to happen soon it was after Ducky died." Gibbs explained.
"So in a few months I am going to have a baby and be Senior Agent?" Kate asked.
"Yep" Gibbs replied.
"Best of luck to you." Ziva replied.
"Thanks" Gibbs replied.
"I hope you enjoy it sir." Randy added.
"Oh I will." Gibbs replied.
"You can't go!" Abby cried.
"It's alright Abbs I will visit all the time and my basement is always open." Gibbs assured.
"So you'll definitely be at my graduation?" Maggie asked.
"Of course I mean before it would have had to take a huge crisis to keep me away." Gibbs replied.
"You going back to Mexico?" Jimmy asked.
"Well if we didn't have Tony yes but since we have him I'd rather stay here." Gibbs explained.
"I never thought I'd see you retire early. That being said I am so glad I won't have to worry about you all the time anymore." Shannon replied.
"It is me we're talking about Shan." Gibbs joked.
"Now Leroy" Jack warned.
Tony had remained silent through the conversation and had started to fall asleep. Since it was so late Jack let everyone stay with him. He gave Kate and Maggie the guest bed. Jimmy and Randy slept in Jethro's old room, Shannon, Ziva, McGee and Abby slept on the floor, and Gibbs took the couch. That left Tony and baby Kayla. In the end Jack put Tony in with him and he made a makeshift crib out of a drawer for Kayla. The McGee's put Kayla to bed while Jack tucked Tony in.
"Tony do you understand what's going on with your dad?" Jack asked.
"He's sad and wants to leave me." Tony replied.
"He is sad because he had a very scary thing happen to him yesterday but he isn't leaving you." Jack explained.
"Then why is everyone talking about him leaving?" Tony asked.
"He is leaving his job which means that he will spend his time at home from now on it's called retiring." Jack explained.
"OK" Tony replied.
Jack sat on the bed and watched Tony as he fell asleep. He hated the way he came into their lives but he was happy that he had.
Once everybody had settled down Kate ducked into the guest room to make some calls. First she called Seth and filled him in on what was going on. Then she called Vance and told him that Gibbs and Tony were safe and that they would all be heading home in the morning.
When he got off the phone with Kate Vance set his phone down beside him and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Leon is everything OK?" Jackie asked.
"Yeah they found Gibbs and Tony in Stillwater and both are safe. Kate said they'd all be driving back to D.C. in the morning." Vance explained.
"That's great." Jackie replied.
Even though everything had turned out fine that did not ease the fear Vance had in his heart. What if they hadn't found them?
The next morning everybody woke up about seven to head back to D.C. since Vance had given the case to another team. So team Gibbs could focus on finding Gibbs they did not need to report in that day. So they could have slept later but the McGee's had to get home to Kyle who was staying with Seth and Zach and Kate needed to get home to her them. After thanking Jack for his hospitality and saying goodbye they climbed into their cars and drove home.
The Gibbs family dropped Maggie and Jimmy off at school on the way home so they'd get credit for half the day. When they got home Shannon changed and headed to work leaving Gibbs alone with Tony. Gibbs set Tony on the couch then headed into the kitchen to make them lunch. He picked up a piece of bread and spread the sandwich sauce out on it as he did he stared out the window. He was so glad that he was retiring. Even though he knew Tony would be in school most of the time he was looking forward to having more moments like that. Just hanging out making Tony's lunch and being home when he got home from school actually being home at holidays. That was his one regret with his girls especially Kelly was that he was rarely home for holidays and birthdays. Things were going to be different with Tony he was going to be a stay at home dad. When he retired when Maggie was a kid he ditched them for Mexico and once his head was clear he realized how cruel he had been. Now he was retiring and going to live in DC with his family. He was glad that everybody had been supportive of him. Once she was assured that he was sure Shannon had been relieved she hated having to worry about him all the time. Especially now since Tony had so many issues he needed two parents. The team had been surprised but understanding and supportive. Even though their reactions had seemed negative he knew Abby and Kate supported him. Kate was just unsure if she could handle a baby and being lead agent but he knew she could. She did have Seth who had raised Zach alone so he would have no problem being the main parent. Since he did freelance website design he could even take the baby with him if need be. As for Abby she was just worried that Gibbs would forget her. He could never forget Abby or any of his team for that manner. What he had said was true his basement was always open. He also realized that Maggie and Jimmy were going away to college in the fall. He had wanted them to attend Georgetown but they had both gotten into Florida State with scholarships so he couldn't complain. It was going to be weird having them not be at home anymore though. Even before they took him in Jimmy spent as much time with the Gibbs's as he did at home. Now they were going to be in a different sate. Jimmy was going to major in pre-med and Maggie was majoring in criminology. She was already talking about joining NCIS. Actually it had been her dream since she was little. He had always hoped that she would change her mind and want to do something safer no luck thought. She was just as stubborn as he was once she got something in her head there was absolutely no stopping her. As for Jimmy Gibbs could see him following in his uncles footsteps and becoming a Medical Examiner. He may even wind up working for NCIS one day as well. He finished making his and Tony's lunches. He carried them out and they ate together. After lunch he put Tony down for a nap and went to work in the basement. That evening the family had gathered around the table Maggie and Jimmy were talking about homecoming which was the next weekend. Gibbs leaned back into his chair and smiled he was so glad to have his family. After Tony had been put to bed and Maggie and Jimmy were settled on the couch watching television. He and Shannon stepped into their room. They sat on the bed and talked about the future. Shannon said that she wasn't ready to retire just yet. She wanted to work as long as she could. Gibbs would have to retire from field agent duty in November of the next year anyway after he turned fifty five. He could become a suit but him and Vance had decided that he would hate that. So he was just retiring.
The next morning Gibbs woke up and headed to work it felt weird to think that he wouldn't be doing that much longer. He sat at his desk and began to do his paperwork. It seemed like he had just sat down and then the day ended. He dismissed his team and headed out the door. He came home to find his family waiting for him. He smiled when he saw them sitting there on the couch together. They had made him who he is. Though he wasn't there and did not approve his dad was why he joined the Marines. Shannon was why he had a family in the first place. She wasn't there either but Kelly was why he worked for NCIS. Maggie was why he stayed with Shannon and NCIS. Tony was why he was retiring. As for Jimmy well he was why he kept his rifle on the wall. High enough to where Tony couldn't reach it of course.
A/N: New chapter up Monday. Please review thanks.
