"I plead 'not guilty', Boss. Vance is in charge of the whole affair. I can give your retirement speech if you like. Thank you, Boss." Tony replied as Gibbs lightly slapped the back of his head.
"You need to quit calling me Boss, Tony." He said quietly. Tony shook his head.
"You will always be my Boss, Gibbs." Tony said seriously, looking him straight in the eye to make sure Gibbs knew he was not joking around. Gibbs just nodded slightly, taking his comment for the compliment it was.
Chapter Thirty-Seven: "One door closes; Another door opens"
NCIS- September 3, 2014
Twenty-three years. A lot can happen in that amount of time. A child could be born, grow to adult hood and start his or her own family in that span of years. Or they could have taken the career route, by finishing sixteen years of schooling and taking the first tentative steps into a rewarding and exciting vocation.
Yes, twenty-three years is a very long time. In today's mobile, instant gratification society, it was unusual to find anyone willing to stay with one employer for five years, much less twenty-three. Oh, one might stay in the same profession, but job-hopping was a profession all of its own. It was the varied experiences that read well on a resume these days, not necessarily the loyalty and stability of staying in one place.
Some might say that staying in one place for so many years spoke of an unwillingness to take chances, of a fear of the unknown and the refusal to leave ones comfort zone. For many people, this would be an accurate depiction, but not for one Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Twenty-three years. Gibbs could recall to the second when he made his decision to work for NIS. Fall of 1991: His reasoning was personal, his motivation fueled by a devastating loss and coming off his own injury which resulted in him being in a coma for days. He joined NIS to avenge the deaths of his wife Shannon and his daughter Kelly, not the most noble of reasons for applying for a new job.
His own tragic experience gave him an empathy few could match. He found a release in being able to help the families of the victims whose names came across his desk. He could relate to their pain, to their anger. He could be their voice.
As he worked and learned under the tutelage of Mike Franks, and later Riley McAllister, he discovered that he was no longer driven solely by past events but that he had a true calling in law enforcement. His first assignment as a non-commission officer in the military police had served him well, allowing him to expand his knowledge of military law enforcement. And as he discovered when he was given his own team, he developed a passion for sharing and passing on his vast knowledge to others, those special young men and women he personally chose to stand with him.
Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs stood today in the large conference room at NCIS, surrounded by his co-workers and family. Gibbs was not one to stand on ceremony, and had famously refused to attend any previous event that in any way involved him. But this one ceremony, the last one of his career, was not one he could avoid.
Gibbs winced a few times, uncomfortable with the glowing accolades spewing forth from Clayton Jarvis, the Secretary of the Navy and Director Leon Vance. He caught Mimi's eye, trying to not change his expression since the room could see him, front and center.
She smiled wide at him, knowing he hated all of this fuss, but was so proud of him that she couldn't disagree with what was being said. Lily grabbed her hand and squeezed it, smiling at her mom. Her other hand was holding Jackson Gibbs, sitting to her right. He was watching the podium intently, his blue eyes clear and proud.
"Agents, family and friends, I give you for the last time, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs." The room erupted in thunderous applause, the assemblage jumping to their feet as a single-celled organism. Gibbs stood uncertainly at the podium, overcome by the surge of emotion crashing over him like waves from the ocean. Finally, he held up a hand.
"Don't make me use this." He said into the microphone. At that, everyone started laughing and clapping again. Tony grinned and touched the back of his head dramatically, wincing as if Gibbs had just given one of his famous head slaps.
The room finally quieted, wondering if the ever silent Gibbs would actually speak more than two words.
"Mr. Secretary, Director: thank you for your kind words. I'm not one to expect or demand praise; my thanks have always been in getting the job done, solving the case, seeing justice served and giving the victims the closure they need and deserve. I'm not a saint, I've made mistakes. I've done some things I'm not proud of." Gibbs looked down for a minute.
When he looked back up, his eyes were bright. "But no matter how the job got done, it did get done. We did our jobs and I stress the 'we'. I didn't do this alone. I'm not an educated man; I couldn't do this by myself. What I know I learned as a Marine, I learned as a probie NIS Agent, and I learned while working with the best damn team any one could ever ask for." Gibbs turned to look at Tony, Ziva, Stan and Tim, who were standing to the side on the stage. Two members of his team were no longer here: Caitlin Todd and Brent Langer.
Gibbs didn't even consider the brief moment Vivian Blackadder was a part of team Gibbs; her time was so short, and quite honestly he couldn't stand her. Even the four month tenures of Agents Michelle Lee and Daniel Keating were not ones he wanted to think about. They had been two of Gibbs's three choices under duress and he didn't want to think about the time period when Vance had split up his team and how it all ended. Dorneget had been a temporary assignment, even though Tony took him on for his team. His team by extension-Abby, Ducky and Jimmy- were seated in the first row with Mimi, Lily and Jackson.
Ziva brushed a tear away and then took both Tony's and Tim's hands in hers, as Stan place his hand on Tim's shoulder. Gibbs cocked his head and gave them one of his famous looks. "I can't say the last twenty-two years have been 'fun', but I wouldn't trade them for anything. I came to NIS a lone, broken man. I leave NCIS today as a man who has been healed, by his family who has stood behind him even when they shouldn't have, a loving family that is growing, and will soon be larger…" At that Mimi blushed and rubbed her belly.
Gibbs grinned widely as he watched the mother of his child beam at him. "I leave my team today in better hands than when I started. DiNozzo…" Gibbs turned to his Senior Field Agent/now Team Leader.
"Tony, knowing you would be leading my team helped me to make this decision. That and knowing I would have a newborn in the house." The room started sniggling at that. Tony grinned and pointed his finger at Gibbs.
Gibbs eyed Tony, looking him up and down. "You'll do." He murmured softly, mirroring the words he spoke as he left all those years ago. He looked out one last time, thinking sadly of Jenny, Kate and Mike, no longer there to stand beside him; thinking fondly of Tony, Ziva, Tim, Stan, Abby, Ducky and Jimmy, who would be there to carry on in his absence, and thinking of Lily, who would soon begin her own journey within the NCIS family.
He looked at his family on the front row and smiled softly. "Lastly, I want to thank my father for teaching me a sense of right and wrong and instilling in me a strong work ethic. Lily, I am so proud to call you my daughter and I am excited for you as you begin your own NCIS story. Enjoy it, learn from it; share it. And don't stay out too late." Everyone chuckled at that, while Lily rolled her eyes while trying to wipe her tears. Mimi…" Gibbs paused as he looked deeply into his wife's eyes.
"You know you always say to me, why use many words when one will do. Well, this is one time when one word won't be enough. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for bringing light back into my life, for having the guts to take this Gunny on, and for taking this journey with me. Let's go home."
Everyone stood again and clapped, Mimi cried as Gibbs enveloped her in a big hug. Tony wiped his eyes, trying to hide his own tears. He held Ziva close to him, needing her warmth to keep him grounded, surprised at how emotional he felt about something he had known for two and a half months.
Ziva patted his chest as he took some deep breaths. She watched Abby crying softly in Gibbs' arms, Tim rubbing her back, and Jimmy trying to make her laugh.
Jimmy. Ziva remembered she wanted to talk to Jimmy and thought she better get to him before everyone dispersed. Speaking quietly to Tony, she slipped from his arm and made her way over to where Jimmy was standing.
"Hi, Jimmy. How are you doing? I haven't had a chance to talk to you for a while." Ziva said softly, smiling brightly at him.
Jimmy's wide smile wavered slightly, but then he recovered. That told Ziva all she needed to know. She put her hand on his arm and led him out into the hall. Jimmy looked confused but followed Ziva until they found an empty office.
"What are we doing, Ziva?" Jimmy asked, a little nervous to be alone with her.
Ziva looked thoughtfully at him, trying to decide how to begin.
"Is everything ok, Jimmy? You and Breena both seem; I am not sure what it is I want to say…but I feel like something is wrong." Ziva looked worried, her voice laced with concern.
Jimmy's eyes widened, then he slumped into a chair. He looked down, crossing his arms across his chest.
Ziva sat next to him and touch his arm. "Jimmy, you do not need to say anything if you do not want to. I just want you to know you have many friends who care about you and Breena. One of us is always available if you need someone to talk to." Ziva stood to leave, but Jimmy stopped her.
"No, Ziva. Please stay. You're right…everything is not ok." He put his head into his hands, taking a deep breath. Ziva frowned, suddenly far more concerned about this young couple than she had been.
"I appreciate you saying something. And Breena and I know we have a wonderful group of friends, the best friends anyone could ask for." Jimmy stopped to gather his thoughts. He looked up at Ziva, his eyes moist.
"Please don't tell Breena I told you. She…she doesn't want anyone to know, but I…I can't…" Jimmy stumbled over his words.
"Oh, Jimmy. Let me help you." Ziva had a sudden thought, but she wouldn't know until Jimmy confirmed her fear.
Jimmy nodded his head, taking a few moments to regain is composure. "Breena, well, we: we found out Breena was pregnant last month, but…" Jimmy started crying quietly.
Ziva was devastated, especially in light of her comment to Breena about pregnancy. "I am so sorry, Jimmy. It is not fair that you and Breena had to experience this. Is there anything we can do? Is Breena well?" Ziva knew having a miscarriage didn't always have to be a medical emergency, and since no one had been notified Breena had been in the hospital, she assumed that there had been no complications. But it wasn't necessarily a simple thing, either.
"Yes, Breena is ok, at least medically. It was very early, so she didn't have to have a D&C. But she is heartbroken and really hurting. I've tried to comfort her, but she just won't let me." Jimmy's face crumpled in sorrow.
Ziva sat quietly and considered her words. "And you are hurting too. I will not say anything, Jimmy. But if you need to talk, I am always here for you." Jimmy engulfed her in a big hug, catching her by surprise.
"Uh…am I interrupting something?" Tony looked shocked at seeing his wife in the arms of another man, especially Jimmy Palmer. Jimmy immediately dropped is arms and turned a beet red. Ziva gave Tony a look he couldn't interpret other than to "drop it".
"Gibbs is getting ready to leave with Mimi. I thought you would like to see them off." Tony eyed Ziva carefully, not sure what was going on, but not too worried about her. Jimmy on the other hand, looked ready to faint. "Ok there, Palmer?" Tony asked.
Jimmy nodded mutely and bolted out of the door. Tony turned to Ziva. "What in the hell was that about?" He turned back toward Jimmy's retreating back.
Ziva shook her head. "He and Breena need our prayers right, now. That is all I can say. Please do not ask me any more questions." Tony looked at her, his previous pseudo-annoyance changed to concern. He looked back in the direction Palmer had gone.
Gibbs' and Mimi's Home- September 17, 2014
"What are you measuring now?" Mimi called from the living room. Gibbs had been walking around the house since his retirement with a pad, pencil, and a measuring tape.
Gibbs' muffled reply was unintelligible, so Mimi groaned and forced herself to get up from the couch. She rubbed her belly contemplatively as she waddled into the kitchen, where Gibbs was presently standing on the counter.
"What are you doing in my kitchen?" Mimi looked up at him with shock. Gibbs looked down at her and grinned.
"I told you. We need a new kitchen. Now that I'm home, I'll have the time to do all the repairs and updates the house needs."
Mimi had her hands on her hips. "Sure you will. You're going to redo the kitchen while we have a newborn in the house, oh and by the way at the same time I need a place to cook." Her skepticism was written all over her face.
Gibbs lost some of his enthusiasm. "Well, I won't be noisy."
Mimi glared at Gibbs, and then burst out laughing. "Shit, oh dear. You bet your ass you won't be noisy." Mimi rubbed her belly and winced.
Gibbs immediately got down off of the counter and rushed to her. "Mimi, I'm sorry. I won't redo the kitchen. Here, sit down." He led her to a chair in the dining room.
"Jethro, you big silly dear; I am not angry at you. I think your son is letting me know he wants to be born." Gibbs looked shocked, and then scared.
"Now?" He checked his watch.
Mimi batted at his hand. "What? Is there a certain time frame during which babies are only allowed to be born? Here, help me up so I can go get ready." Gibbs nodded mutely, helping Mimi stand and led her up the stairs.
"What are you doing?" He asked, totally confused to see Mimi heading for the shower.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I am taking a shower and washing my hair. I am not going to look like a scuzz-bucket when I go to the hospital." Mimi turned on the shower and held her hand out to test the temperature.
Gibbs watched her, not daring to question her actions. Bailey had come up, convinced he was getting a bath. He looked at Gibbs, his face happy with his tongue hanging out in anticipation. Gibbs looked down at him and shook his head.
"Not this time, Bailey. And don't ask me, I'm only the father-to-be. I guess she knows what she's doing."
"That's right, I do!" Mimi called out from behind the shower curtain.
Gibbs chuckled softly. "I'm going to call McGee and ask them to watch Bailey. I am assuming this will definitely be an overnight into the morning thing?" He had no clue what the game plan was, despite having gone to child birth classes with Mimi. He didn't recall any class that started with "once labor starts the first thing you do is take a shower and wash your hair."
"Good idea. I will be here when you get back." Mimi's called out in a singsong voice. Gibbs looked at Bailey.
"Want to go visit Jethro?" He pulled out his phone and punched in the numbers.
Tim and Abby's Home
Tim and Abby were downstairs in the family room doing laundry together, as Jethro snored on the sofa. Belle and Will were finally asleep, after a difficult day of teething issues. They were both exhausted and couldn't wait for the day to end. Tim jumped when his phone rang. Abby looked up from folding little clothes.
"Oh, I hope that's not Tony and you have a case." She whispered softly. Tim looked at the readout and raised his eyebrows. He held it up for Abby to see.
"Gibbs." He gasped. "Hey, Gibbs, is everything ok?" Tim knew that Mimi was due in three or four days, so this call was not totally unexpected.
"Hi, Tim. I hope it's not too late. Can you keep an eye on Bailey? Mimi thinks it's time to go to the hospital." In the background, Tim could hear Mimi's voice: "I don't think; I know!"
Tim smiled widely and looked at Abby. "Sure, I'll meet you at the gate. Ok, see you in a few minutes." He looked at again at Abby. "Mimi's in labor, they want us to watch Bailey tonight."
Abby clapped her hands in excitement. But then she frowned. "We can't go to the hospital…"
Tim had already started up the stairs. "That's right, Abby. Not tonight anyway. If Mimi still hasn't given birth by the morning, we can talk about it." Tim went outside and opened the gate.
Bailey bounded into the back yard and ran circles around Tim. "Ok, settle down, Bailey. Yes, I'm excited, too." They all went back into the house and Gibbs put down his bowls.
"So, how's Mimi?" Abby asked after she gave Gibbs a hug.
Gibbs rubbed the back of his neck. "Beats the hell out of me, Abbs. Better than I am, that's for sure. She's taking a shower right now." If Gibbs thought Tim and Abby would be shocked by that statement, he was disappointed.
"I better get back. I have no idea what's she doing, but she's calm so I guess I am, too. I'll call Tony and Ziva, but I don't see any reason for anyone to come down, at least tonight. I'll keep in touch." Gibbs gave Bailey's head a scratch and waved to Tim and Abby.
By the time he got back to the house, Mimi was downstairs and dressed. "I just need you to get the bag, and then we can go." She brought her hand to her belly again.
Gibbs reached for her. "Are you ok, Babe?" His face was creased with worry.
Mimi's face cleared. "I'm fine." She kissed her husband. "But we need to go. I called Lily, but I told her not to come to the hospital. It could be a long time before Drew decides to make an appearance."
Gibbs grinned. "We're having a baby, Mimi." He kissed her again. She smiled and stroked his cheek.
"I know, Jethro. I'm the happiest woman in the world right now." Gibbs kissed her deeply.
"I love you so much, Mimi Gibbs." He murmured into her ear.
Tony and Ziva's Home
Tony came up the stairs two at a time, looking for Ziva. She poked her head out of their bedroom door. "Shhh! You sound like a herd of dinosaurs. I just got Karina to go to bed."
Tony skidded to a halt and looked guilty. He took a quick peep into the nursery and held his breath as he listened to the sleeping sounds of his children. Sighing in relief, he grabbed Ziva's hand and pulled her back into the bedroom.
"Gibbs just called. Mimi's in labor and they are heading to the hospital." Ziva hugged Tony tightly as he relayed the news.
"How did Gibbs' sound? Is he ok?" Ziva was more worried about Gibbs than Mimi at this point.
Tony grinned and wagged his hand. "He sounded a little harried, but ok. He said Mimi was calm and in control." Ziva chuckled.
"Of that, I have no doubt. What are they doing with Bailey?" Tony had plopped himself down on their bed.
"Bailey is with Jethro as we speak." Tony looked toward the nursery. "I feel bad we can't be there with Gibbs. He was there for us, both times." Ziva kissed him softly.
"Why don't you go? I am fine here with Karina and Jack. We will join you in the morning if the baby hasn't come." Tony kissed her deeply.
"You are so amazing. Are you sure? I really want at least one of us to be there with him." Tony stroked her hand.
"Well, it will be either you or me." Ziva answered softy. Tony shook his head.
"Nope, not gonna' happen. I'll give Tim a call and see if he wants to join the 'Expectant Dads Club'." Ziva chuckled and patted his arm, watching him as he called Tim.
Walter Reed National Medical Center
Mimi and Gibbs were admitted fairly quickly, as expected. "Who's on call tonight?" Mimi asked the nurse as she settled in the room.
"Dr. Iredale pulled the lucky ticket tonight, but Dr. Trent said to call him if you should come in." Kathy answered. She quickly and efficiently got Mimi's vital signs and finished her admission check-list.
Mimi chuckled at Farley's insistence at being called. "That's just like him. Well, if it looks like we're in for a long night, we can put off that call for a while." Mimi grabbed the patient gown and prepared to change her clothes.
Gibbs helped her as much as he could without getting in her way. The nurse looked at him. "We're going to do an internal exam, and check on the baby. You can stay or…"
"I can stay." Gibbs smiled. He wasn't going to miss a single second of the birth of his son, not if he could avoid it anyway. Mimi smiled at him and grabbed his hand.
Lying back carefully, Kathy examined Mimi. "Sorry, Mimi; I know this isn't too comfortable. Things are just starting. The membranes are still intact." She took her gloves off and then washed her hands.
"Get comfortable. I see you brought a book and a deck of cards. You seem to have this all planned out." She laughed.
Gibbs had looked wary when he saw the deck of cards come out. He and Mimi had been known to spend an evening or two playing cards, but that was the last thing on my mind. Mimi saw his expression and chuckled.
"I know what you're thinking: 'If we were going to play cards, we could have done that at home'." Mimi looked wistfully at her husband.
"That's probably true, especially if I had a twenty-something body and this was my first baby." She looked down for a second. "But my forty-three year old body may decide to buck the system and take its own path tonight. I can't take any chances, Jethro. Not with your son."
Gibbs crushed her in a hug. "And I can't take any chances, not with you." The moment was interrupted by Gibbs' phone ringing.
"And so it begins." He chuckled. "It's Tony." He told Mimi as he held up the phone.
"Hi Tony. Everything is fine, no baby yet. What? McGee too? Are you crazy?" Gibbs listened quietly for a few moments.
"Yeah, ok. I…we appreciate it. I'll be out in a bit." Gibbs ended the call and rubbed his eyes. Mimi touched his arm.
"What was that about?" Mimi didn't know if she should be worried or angry.
Gibbs looked at her, his eyes moist. "Tony and Tim are in the waiting room. We were there for them; they want to be here for us."
Baby next chapter, I promise! This story is winding down to a close. I doubt if I will get beyond forty chapters, but I will let you know when the time comes. For those wondering about the years of Gibbs' service: in my 'verse, it is 2014. Gibbs did not join NIS until after the deaths of Shannon and Kelly in February 1991; From "Hiatus", we know Gibbs' injuries when he was a Marine occurred after their deaths, and I am assuming he went back right after their funerals and then immediately got injured. It would have taken a couple of months for him to heal, and he probably got a medical discharge from the Corp. He then sought out Mike Franks in the San Diego office to demand action on finding their killer. Mike leaves Gibbs the file, and then he goes to Mexico and kills Pedro. Was Gibbs employed by NIS at that time or did he join NIS after he killed Pedro? I think he was already working there, but who knows? Anyway, I figure it may have taken awhile for Gibbs to get find Pedro and do his thing. It may be closer to twenty-two than twenty-three. Regarding "Team Gibbs"- I think everyone knows that Stan was on his team before Tony was. Many of you, but not all may also know that Brent Langer was also on his team before Tony, quit and went to the FBI. Gibbs brought him back when Vance split up the team. Thanks as always for reading, please leave a review to let me know if you like how the story is going. And welcome to my new readers and favorites.