A/N: Sorry for the delay everyone, it's been a crazy few weeks! but here's a new chapter! To all my followers & favourites, welcome aboard! To my reviewers, thank you! Reading your comments brings me joy & keeps me inspired to keep writing, so keep them coming!
To my Guest Reviewer: Yes, everyone that's Gibbs helped are returning the favours :) Gibbs chat with Tony, might have been a little out of character, but don't forget, he's starting to change now that he's got his wife back by his side.. so he's realising he has to talk lol. As for Tony getting his own team, don't forget, we're still back at the end of S3, so he's still pretty young, but he'll definitely be getting more leadership opportunities, that's for sure! As far as other DPB characters.. not sure who else I'll be bringing in, Harm is my favourite JAG actor! But you never know.
Now, let's check in with a few people...
"Harry! We're leaving in a few minutes" Ted called out.
"Yep, I'm ready" Harry responded entering the kitchen, he was already dressed in his uniform & saw that his dad was too.
"Good, we're picking up your grandfather on the way" Ted responded, he took a second look at his son "are you ready for this son?" he asked as he brought him closer.
Harry took a deep breath "yea dad, I am, I prepared with one of Michael's people yesterday, I'm ready"
"You'll do fine Harry" Martha commented, she then saw Jackson emerge from their spare room "anything you need Jackson?"
"No thank you my dear" Jack responded "I doubt I could keep anything down the way I feel anyway."
Martha shared a sad smile "I know what you mean, but this is big step in the healing process, so it's good to get it going so quickly. And to see the people get what they deserve for all the heartache, now that will be satisfying to say the least."
Ted nodded "it's a step on the road to recovery for everyone Jack, for you as well as them. Everything will work out, I'm sure of it"
Martha smiled "yes it will, but we should get going" she commented as she herded the men out the front door, but then she saw her husband start to walk around back "Ted, where are you going?"
"Just going to make sure Jeff & co got into Jethro's ok, they should have arrived more than an hour ago, but I haven't heard anything" Ted answered. He wanted to make sure they kept on track with all the works.
"I'm sure Jeff has gotten in just fine, besides we don't have time, we want to make sure we get there on time" Martha responded.
Tim was finishing up to get ready, he knew he was running early, but he didn't want to be late getting to the court house. Sure he wasn't testifying, but he wanted to be there to show support to his boss & to Tony. Tony had often said, he'd gone to court with Gibbs as he was Gibbs' 2nd to give support, to not just the case, but Gibbs & he wanted to do that for Tony.
The past week had been crazily busy trying to get reports written & everything done, he'd been exhausted. But thinking about it, each day he'd gotten in Tony had been there, and each day he'd left the office Tony had still been there, the guy was clearly putting in a lot of hours. But throughout the week Tony hadn't looked tired at all, in fact as the week went on he'd looked more & more energised, and then there was those moments when he'd just stare out the window. It was odd watching him at those times, he looked deep in thought & it wouldn't last long, he'd then refocus & look even more energised as he kept ploughing through it all. And that doesn't even touch on the days they were at Gibbs place.. Tony seemed… he didn't really have the words for it.. but Tony seemed to be in a state of, well… utter happiness, which was strange given the stress he was under!
Tim finished doing his tie up & slipped his jacket on, he was ready to go support Gibbs, to support Tony. If only his father could see him now, he was doing something meaningful, something more than deserving of a man, his dad had no idea what it meant to do this job, but he'd show him eventually.
"Viv, do we have everything?" Michael called out from their home study.
"Yes Michael, everything is packed & Jim is bringing what he has to" Viviane answered as she poured their coffee's into their travel mugs. She saw him head in "what about that witness you were following up? Have you been able to contact him?"
"Yes" Michael confirmed as he finished preparing their breakfast rolls "he's on his way as we speak, he'll hopefully get here before the end of the day, and we can add him as late witness"
"Good" Viviane responded, "we don't want to give their side any favours, but I have to say, they've got 4 lawyers between them & but only one of them seems to have any clout"
Michael smirked "that's because without the head man, the staff have all been left to carry the bags without any assistance." He moved to the hallway & looked up the stairs "Jo! Daniel! We're leaving in 5, so either be ready or make your own way!" he called out.
Viviane smiled, both of their kids had been aghast at what they'd heard & were both keen to attend court to learn more about it, so she was sure the pair would be ready, and sure enough..
"We're all ready to go dad" Jo responded hurrying down the stairs.
"I had breakfast before the shower, so I'm ready too" Daniel added following his sister down.
Michael looked at his son "go brush your hair again Daniel, and tuck your top in" he turned to his daughter "looking lovely as always"
"And your tie needs fixing Michael" Viviane added "both you boys hurry up! We're leaving in 2!"
"You ever known a case to go this quickly to trial" Lt Robertson commented as he made himself a coffee.
"Never" Lt Peters admitted as he secured the top to his coffee "I heard Gibbs has friends in high places & they helped push it through"
"Like who?" Robertson asked as they started walking to the exit of the breakfast lounge.
"Like the Commandant of the marine core, a high up at Homeland & a Senator or two amongst others" Peters answered.
"That'd do it" Robertson admitted, he turned to see the rest of the group all still all in the breakfast lounge "hurry up! We're moving out in 5!"
"Yes sir!" came the call from the rest of the SWAT officers.
Peters looked down when he felt his phone go off & he read the message "message from Taylor, he's asking us to all head for front of the court house & not the back"
"I thought we were going to the rear sir, to help oversee the transfer of the assailants?" Sgt Mitch Abrams commented as he approached the 2 LT's.
"We were" Peters agreed "Taylor says that there's enough personal there & he thinks we should head straight for the court room to make sure Gibbs' family feel safe for when the men enter the courtroom"
"Easily changed" Robertson nodded, he saw that most of the men were already with them "we're moving out, meet at the front of the courthouse!" he called out to the group, they had a good few SUV's to go over to the courthouse in from their hotel.
"You been able to reach dad yet?" Myles asked his brother as they finished getting ready.
"Not yet" Mike conceded, he took a breath, he was really getting concerned that he couldn't get in touch with him "Spoken to Pop again, apparently he managed to get word to dad, but after that, he hasn't heard anything. Said dad was in the middle of some big classified thing, but was trying to get home as quickly as he could."
"Still" Myles murmured "strange that he hasn't called you"
Mike couldn't disagree with that "yea, it is"
"You two ready?" Atkins asked as he entered the room.
"We're ready" Mike confirmed as he picked up his cover, they had to get to the court house on time, he wanted to be there for Kelly & the rest of the family.
"Mads! Do you want some breakfast?" James called, getting no response he headed to her room, he knocked once before opening. The image that he got made him smile, she was still sound asleep, he hated to wake her but she needed to get up, she needed to start her final day of study. He leaned down & gently shook her "Mads kiddo, wake up" he called gently.
James saw her turn & yawn "morning kiddo"
Maddie just smiled at her dad, it was soo good to have him home!
"Breakfast to get you fuelled up for your last study day? Say some bacon & eggs?" James asked.
"Sure, but give me another 10 minutes please" Maddie asked with a yawn.
"No can do, I'm leaving in 15, got a meeting I can't be late for kiddo, so either now or you make your own" James offered.
"Ok, I'll be there in a few" Maddie conceded, she always did prefer her dad's bacon & eggs to her own.
James headed back to start frying it all, he didn't want to tell his girl too much about where he was going today, but as soon as her exam was over tomorrow, they'd talk. He continued with breakfast and was almost done "Maddie! Breakfast, now!"
"I'm here" Maddie responded as she came into the kitchen.
"There you go" James smiled as he put the 2 plates down on the breakfast bar, taking a seat he looked at his girl, gosh how on earth would he tell his girl about Kelly?
"Dad, are you ok?" Maddie asked, he looked spaced out.
"I'm fine darling" James assured her as he stood up "study hard today, just remember, 1 more day of study, and 1 more exam, and then you're done for the year."
"I can't wait!" Maddie sighed "me & some of my friends are thinking of going down to Miami to celebrate & let off some steam"
"We'll see Mads" James commented "let's get you through the exam & everything first" though he wouldn't stand in her way, he also knew as soon as she found out her plans would change. "I'm going, but I'll bring home dinner, message me later if you get a sudden urge for anything in particular, otherwise it will be your mum's spaghetti bolognese"
"Sounds good to me" Maddie smiled.
Jenn arrived at the court house, she'd gotten there fairly early as she knew there'd be people she could speak to. Apparently a few of the higher ups were coming along after having helped to push through everything, and she never missed an opportunity to network & work the rooms for NCIS, and maybe a little for herself.
"Tom" Jenn greeted as she approached the man in the hallway just outside the court room.
"Jennifer" Tom Morrow greeted "I trust that the agency is ready for this trial?" he'd been utterly floored when he'd heard what had happened. After the shock wore off though, he'd gone full throttle to help in any way he could!
"Yes we are" Jenn confirmed "everything's ready, those men will not get away with any of it"
"And DiNozzo is the man designated to testify for the agency?" Tom asked
"Yes, I admit, he's no Gibbs, but he'll do fine" Jenn answered.
"Oh, I know he will" Tom remarked "DiNozzo's one of the best young agents I've had the privilege of overseeing, and given I've now overseen agents at both NCIS & Homeland, that says something" he was on the same page as Gibbs as far as DiNozzo was concerned, the kid was good!
Fornell arrived at the courthouse right at the same time as Ziva "Agent David" he greeted.
"Agent Fornell" Ziva greeted "I thought you were helping to oversee the prisoner transport?"
"Banks & Wallace are taking that job" Fornell answered "how's DiNozzo doing?"
"I have not spoken to Tony this morning yet" Ziva answered.
"You saw him yesterday though, didn't you?" Fornell queried.
"Yes" Ziva responded
"And how was he?" Fornell prodded, he wanted to know what state of mind the guy was in, he hoped he was in a good one as he was going to take centre stage.
"He was…." Ziva hesitated, she wasn't sure how to describe him "strange"
"What do you mean strange?" Fornell asked "is he ok? He's testifying today probably, he has to be ok!"
"He was happy strange, he couldn't stop smiling" Ziva clarified, she'd found Tony's behaviour over the last few days pretty odd.
Fornell was a bit confused, but shrugged "as long as he's ok"
"McGee!" Abby greeted as she approached her friend.
"Abs" Tim greeted, he was standing out in the hallway waiting for the rest of the team before going in.
"Are they here yet?" Abby asked looking around eagerly.
"Not yet" Tim responded, he could see she was a little jumpy "Abs, have you already had Caf-Pow's this morning?"
"Of course!" Abby replied "I'm sooo nervous, and it helps keep me calm. I wanted to make sure I got here on time, you know to help the family feel ok & everything, you know?"
Tim wasn't sure how much help any of them would be to the family, he'd noticed that none really had interacted with the family when they'd been at his place helping out. Except maybe Tony, he thought that Tony had managed to start interact with Phoenix when they were working something out in his room.
A/N: So it looks like the family's support & back up are all ready for the trial, but what about Gibbs, Shannon? Are they ready for the trial? And how will Kelly & Phoenix go?
More up soon, so please stay tuned, I love hearing your thoughts, so keep those reviews coming!