Chapter 37 - 相違 Difference

We drove through the main gates of the Navy Yard a little after six, so the night was already upon us and many agents had already left for the day. Tony and Ziva shook us awake, watching worriedly how sluggishly we moved out of the car, both of us having to stop and support ourselves against the door of the car to get the feeling and the blood back into our lower limbs.

We both looked concerned to Gibbs' car and we were happily surprised to see a gentle smile on Keiko's face as Jimmy chattered away non stop, holding the baby in his arms with an ease of someone used to it. Both left Gibbs' car and turned to us, waiting for Gibbs to leave the driver's seat.

Gibbs looked at us before glaring at Jimmy, who was still talking about nap time and proper feeding techniques.

Tony, upon hearing Jimmy's knowledge on the subject, couldn't refrain from commenting on it.

"Since when you're so good with babies, Jimmy? Are you hiding a gremlin junior somewhere?"

Jimmy cooed to the baby in his arms, before looking at Tony. "No, but I used to babysit the children of my second cousin once removed. They were a handful but I've got now great experience with nap time and diaper changes, bottle feeding and stuff."

We all looked at each other smiling, fascinated by discovering this unexpected facet of our dear autopsy gremlin.

"If I ever have children again, I already know who will babysit for me..." Gibbs muttered ironically, bringing smirks to all our faces.

Jimmy, however, took him literally.

"Really?"

We all followed Gibbs to the elevator, where he put his eye to be scanned then turned with a scowl to Jimmy, growling at him.

"NO!"

Keiko took a step back but I put a hand on her back and pushed her into the elevator.

"His bark is worst than his bite. Don't worry." I whispered to her ear as I guided her in.

Finally we were all on board, going to the bullpen.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

The bullpen was mostly empty when we stepped out of the elevator and it was with trepidation that we looked around the familiar orange walls, a little bit surprised that there was nothing different from the time we left.

For us an eternity had come and gone but everything was the same.

We were different, not NCIS.

Director Vance was on the steps towards the mezzanine, looking down at us. His eyes immediately went to the Japanese woman and the little bundle in her arms, which Jimmy had returned to Keiko in our short trip up.

His gaze landed on Gibbs before finally moving to us, measuring us up and down. We approached our desks as one human mass with Keiko in the middle. A squeal brought our attention down, where Abby was standing with my father.

"Oh, my God, let me see the baby!" Abby bulldozed her way between Tony and Ziva and stopped before us and Keiko, looking enamored with the small blanket in Keiko's arms.

Keiko took a step back, looking frightened by the pale woman in pigtails looking excited at her. Abby noticed the effect she was having on her, so she toned down her enthusiasm, speaking softly so she would not startle the slumbering child.

"Please please, let me see her."

Tony and Ziva shared a look before talking with Abby, who gently took the baby from Keiko's arms and broke into a huge grin.

"Abby, you knew?" Gibbs stared at his Goth girl, who looked confused from Gibbs to us.

"What, you didn't ? Joy told me to organize everything for their arrival. From paperwork to diapers." She said looking at Gibbs, who now was glaring at me full force.

"Women's stuff, uhm?" He remembered my little private talk with Abby, so there was no denying it.

"Yep," I said pushing Keiko a little forward. "Keiko, this is a friend of mine. Her name is Abby. She has something to tell you and also to show you."

"Oh, you are so right. Come, you're going to love it."

Abby gently put a hand on Keiko's shoulder, guiding her down the corridor towards the conference rooms in the back always mindful of the precious cargo in her own arms.

"You had it all planned, didn't you?" Gibbs asked, looking from me to McGee.

McGee kept his gaze at Keiko's back for a moment before turning to Gibbs.

"Not really, Boss. We knew what we had to do but we had no idea how to pull it off. We weren't even sure if we would be able to get this far." He admitted softly, looking tiredly at Gibbs with a sad face.

I went around Tim and took two steps further, until I was standing before my Dad who had stayed in front of Tim's desk, just watching us reconnect.

I breathed deeply feeling my composure going down the drain as I fidgeted in front of him.

"Hey Dad."

"Hey Kiddo."

"Ah..."

My father has always known what to say whenever I needed to hear something. He has also always known when words are unnecessary.

"Come here, kiddo"

I sniffed before jumping into his arms, feeling him squeezing me in a tight embrace showing all his care and worry for me.

"Welcome home, Peanut."