A/N: Thanks for the reviews - they really help!

***JIBBS***JIBBS***JIBBS***

It was Wednesday afternoon, around 2:45 pm when Gibbs was startled by a knock on the door. Upon opening it, he found a young girl glaring up at him, a bit disappointed.

"Is Catherine here?"

He looked at her. She had brown, wavy hair that fell just below her shoulders and big blue eyes. "She's still at work. I'm going to take a guess and say you must be Missy."

"Yeah," she acknowledged, a bit distracted. "Hey, Mikey!" The girl ran past him into the house and scooped up the cat, holding him tight. Gibbs wasn't exactly sure what to do, so he simply shut the door.

"Does anyone know you're here, Missy?"

She looked at the strange man sitting across from her, trying to size him up. He seemed nice enough but she didn't get it. Her dad was a much better catch. "Well…"

Before she was able to finish answering, Jenny flew into the house, carrying a couple of bags. She stopped short when she saw Gibbs with the young girl. "Missy, I thought we said I'd pick you up."

"I had Laura's mom drop me off here instead of at my house."

Jenny sighed. "Does your dad know?" Missy shrugged. Jenny whipped out her cell phone and called Ryan. "She's at my house already. Yeah, I know. I'll drop her by later. Stop worrying."

Gibbs looked at both females, completely perplexed. Jenny took in the scene of the two of them, a smile coming to her lips. "Have you two been formally introduced?"

Missy shook her head. "But I know who he is. Can he leave?"

Gibbs tried not to laugh, and he could see Jenny shared his reaction.

"Missy, this is my friend Gibbs. He'll go upstairs while we talk."

"I thought Dad said he's your boyfriend now."

Jenny and Gibbs shared a look, both smiling. "Yes, he is," she admitted. Gibbs touched Jenny's shoulder before heading upstairs.

Missy rolled her eyes before joining Jenny on the couch. She whispered to Jenny, though Gibbs could hear. "I don't get it. My dad is much cuter than he is."

"That will do, young lady," Jenny said, lightly admonishing the girl.

At the top of the stairs, Gibbs simply shook his head. Kids. But her attitude allayed any guilt he might have felt over eavesdropping at the top of the stairs. He took a seat out of sight, listening to their interaction.

"Were you able to get the stuff?" Missy asked, sounding a bit embarrassed.

"Yes, it's right here. I got you a box each of pads and tampons, as well as a backpack to put them in so no one will be able to tell what you have in there, okay?"

Missy wrapped her arms around Jenny. "Thank you so much, Catherine. I didn't know who else to turn to."

Jethro's heart tugged at him. It made him wonder how he would have handled the situation with Kelly, had he ever been given the chance.

Jenny caressed the young girl's face, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "You can call me anytime and ask me anything. I'm really, really pleased that you know that."

"You'll stay my friend?"

"Absolutely. We're all friends, your dad and Gibbs too."

"Good. Dad needs friends. I guess we all do."

Jenny held the young girl's hand in hers. "You are very wise. So tell me, do you know what to expect? Are you having any cramping?"

"My stomach hurts a tiny bit."

"Yep, those are the cramps. Not fun. You scared at all, sweetie?"

"I was," admitted Missy. "But I talked about it with my friends and now you and I do feel better about it."

"You know, you can also talk with your father about it."

Missy snorted. "You've got to be kidding."

"It's not a bad thing, it's a part of growing up. It means you're not a little girl any more," Jenny said, trying to be reassuring.

"Well, if you want to tell him, it's okay. But I don't want him to talk to me about it if he knows."

"Fair enough."

"I guess I should get home."

Jenny smiled. "Pack up your things and let me run up to tell Gibbs I'm taking you home, okay?"

Missy nodded. Jenny headed up the stairs and smirked when she saw Gibbs sitting at the top of them. She helped him up and led him to their bedroom.

"I guess I don't have to fill you in," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "It's a strange fact of life. No daughter wants to tell her father about getting her first period. But he'd want to know, so I'm glad she agreed to let me tell him."

"You were so sweet with her. It was really beautiful," he said, taking her in his arms.

"I know what it's like to lose your mom when you're young. She's such a great kid. If there's anything I can do to help her or Ryan, after all they did for me, well I'm happy to do it."

He leaned his head down to rest on hers, sighing.

"What's wrong?"

Gibbs looked in her eyes, and she could see the sadness in them. "You would have made a great mother."

Jenny's eyes fought the tears that were forming. She backed away from Gibbs, quickly wiping away any moisture that had gathered. "Thank you. I… I should get going."

"Wait, don't…"

But in a flash she was down the stairs, motioning to Missy for them to leave. Once they were gone, Gibbs sat down on the bed, wanting to kick himself for upsetting her.

He thought about the young girl's visit and realized his coming back had not only taken away Missy's chance to have Jen as her new mom, but it had taken away Jenny's chance to be a mom. It was a lot to absorb. And he didn't really want to.

Gibbs went downstairs to the kitchen. He took out a tumbler and filled it with bourbon. He swallowed a generous amount, feeling the amber liquid burn as it made its way down his throat. He took a deep breath before finishing the rest of it and then refilled the glass.

By the time Jenny returned, a good portion of the bottle was gone. She threw her purse on the coffee table and walked towards the kitchen. She took in the sight before her.

"Wow. Looks like there's a little bit left. You sure you've had enough?" she asked, pointedly.

"No," he managed.

"When will it be?"

He looked at her. "When I can't feel anything."

She sighed, swallowing hard. "Jethro, what's going on?"

He turned away from her. "Nothing."

"It's pretty obvious something's bothering you." She sighed. "You haven't touched me, really touched me, since yesterday morning. Did I do something?"

Gibbs' head was swimming. The bourbon was affecting him but not in the way he had hoped. Instead, the sadness he felt was being amplified.

Jenny didn't know what to do. Should she leave him alone to sober up? Would he be more likely to talk thanks to the liquor? Was that even fair? It's fair - not like I poured it down his throat!

He slumped down onto the stool at the counter, finally facing her. She walked over to him, scooting his legs apart so she could stand closer to him. She threaded her fingers in his hair and tilted his head up so he would have to look at her.

"I'm so sorry, Jen."

Apologizing? He must be trashed. "What for?"

"For running your life."

Jenny shot him a look. "What?"

He looked confused for a second. "I meant ruining."

"Uh huh." Jenny rolled her eyes. "Good lord. You're not going to be making any sense now, are you?" She tried to get his arm around her to help him stand up. "Come on, let's get you upstairs or at least to the couch so you can sleep this off."

Jenny struggled with him too much, so she aimed for the couch, realizing they'd never make it up the stairs. He banged his knee on the way down.

"Well, that's going to hurt almost as much as your inevitable hangover," she said, shaking her head.

He slumped down into the couch, leaning his head against the wall. She arranged some pillows and coaxed him to lie down. She then took off his shoes and put a blanket over him and within moments he was asleep. She sat down on the floor, watching him.

"What the hell is going on with you, Jethro? I need you. Please stop pulling away from me. I miss you."

She crawled onto the couch to lay with him, pulling his arm over her, desperate to feel him close - even if he was unaware.