This was written for the prompt 'free day.' (300 words)
It is set sometime after season 15.
Free (Loader) Day
Fornell's voice came ahead of him down the basement stairs, "I thought it was just ex-Federal agents who were home in the middle of the day."
Gibbs looked up from his sanding. "You didn't expect me to be here, why are you here?" he asked.
As Fornell neared Gibbs, he scrutinized him. Gibbs narrowed his eyes back at Fornell and jerked his head in offering at the bourbon bottle.
Fornell poured himself a drink and told Gibbs, "Bishop called me, said it was a tough case."
Gibbs shrugged. "Team solved it," he said.
"Not that kind of tough," Fornell said. "There was a kid?"
Gibbs' poker face cracked for a few seconds before reasserting itself. "We nailed the bastard," he answered.
"How's McGee doing?" Fornell asked.
Gibbs replied, "He went home to his wife and their kids."
"And you gave the whole team the day off," Fornell said.
Gibbs nodded. "It was a lot of late nights," he said.
"You getting softer?" Fornell asked.
"Maybe smarter," Gibbs said. "It's okay to give the team a night in their own beds and a day for getting caught up with their lives after a long case."
"And you?" Fornell asked. "You sleep last night, in your own bed?"
"I'm getting close to finished with this boat," Gibbs answered.
Fornell shook his head. "Never doubt it," he said. "Bishop is quite the analyst." Then he clapped his hands together. "You have time to shower and shave. The team's meeting at McGee's for supper tonight. My job is to bring you."
"The team hired you?" Gibbs asked jokingly.
Fornell nodded. "I've had a very full day," he said. "Between this and rescuing the neighbor kid's cat from a tree, I forgot to defrost dinner. You're my meal ticket, so go! Get cleaned up!"