A/N: Just a fun little one-shot while you wait for an update on "Other Side of the Wall". Hope you enjoy!

"What," Jenny asked slowly, her voice low and dangerous, "is that?"

The younger girl in front of her pretended not to hear the question as she pulled her sweater on over her shirt, reaching for her purse as she made her way out of the room she had occupied until her nineteenth birthday. Jenny followed her into the hallway, her steps quick, and when she caught up to her at the stairs, she grabbed her arm, halting her steps.

"I asked you a question, Jillian. I expect an answer."

Jillian shrugged, swinging her bag to her shoulder, tossing her hair to one side, her voice carefully light as she spoke.

"It's an eyebrow piercing."

Jenny shook her head, staring at her daughter as though she'd lost her mind, and sighed.

"Your father is going to kill you," was all she said.

Jillian's luck held all the way until they were sitting in the kitchen, preparing to have their weekly dinner together, and as she sat down next to her mother, she caught her green eyes with her own. Jenny said nothing, merely nodding at her, and when her father joined them at the table, he leaned closer, kissing Jenny lightly before sitting. It was almost comical, Jenny thought, watching her daughter attempt to hold her head in a way that the small piercing wouldn't catch the light, and as they all began to eat, the elder redhead thought that perhaps the girl might just get away with it.

Or perhaps not. As soon as Jillian reached for her glass of water, the small diamond caught the reflection of light, and Gibbs frowned, unsure of what had caused it. He narrowed his eyes as he looked at his daughter and when he finally realized what he was seeing, he leaned forward slightly.

"Jillian, what's that in your eye?"

Jenny waited, curious to see how this would all unfold, and as Jillian shook her head, her mother fought the urge to smile.

"Nothing, Dad."

"Like hell it's nothing. What is it?"

Jillian shook her head, her long red hair falling into her face. She brushed it back slowly, meeting her father's gaze steadily. Jenny had to give her credit for not flinching and as she slowly reached for her glass of bourbon, she again fought the urge to laugh.

"It's just an eyebrow piercing. It's no big deal, and—"

"Take it out. Now."

"If I do that, the hole will close. I'm not taking it out, Dad. I like it."

Gibbs shook his head, his eyes flashing as he stared at the offending piece of jewelry.

"No daughter of mine is going to have a piece of metal in her face. Take it out."

Jillian looked to her mother, her eyes pleading.

"Mom, can't you explain to him that this isn't a big deal?"

Before Jenny could do so much as open her mouth, Gibbs pushed his chair back from the table, glaring at his daughter as he stood.

"Jillian Anreail, take that piece of metal out now."

The younger redhead didn't move save for the shaking of her head, and when Gibbs slammed his hands down on the table, Jenny jumped. He stormed from the room, his steps thundering as he made his way into the basement, and Jenny turned to look at her daughter with a look that was part pity, part triumph.

"I tried to tell you," she said, "but I'll talk to him tonight and see if I can get him to come around. Once it's healed, I wouldn't wear it around him, though. Can you at least do that?"

Jillian nodded.

"Thanks, Mom."

Gibbs didn't come up from the basement until well after midnight, hours after Jillian had left, and as soon as she heard his footsteps on the stairs, Jenny put her book down. She took a slow breath, preparing herself for the fight she was about to face, and ran her hand through her hair.

"You could have at least come up and said goodbye to her."

He didn't answer, pulling his shirt over his head, and as he walked closer to the bed, he could feel her eyes following him, watching his every move. Climbing into the bed next to her, he reached to turn out the light, pausing only when he heard her voice in the silence.

"It really is just a piercing, Jethro."

He glared at her, hardly able to believe the words she'd spoken.

"You can't tell me you approve."

Jenny shook her head, her eyes meeting his as she tried to think of a way to properly explain herself.

"Jethro, she's nineteen years old. We can't stop her from doing everything we disapprove of. Would I do it for myself? No. Do I think it looks cute? Also no. But it's not the worst thing she could have done. She's not out drinking illegally, she's not pregnant, she gets good grades…all things said and done, we've gotten lucky."

Still he said nothing, his eyes locked on hers, and when she finally broke his gaze, she sighed, running her hand through her hair slowly.

"What are you going to do, ignore her until she takes it out? You might never talk to her again."

"Jen, that's—"

"You stormed out of our kitchen and hid in the basement with your precious boat until you were certain she'd gone home! If you alienate our daughter over something as insignificant as a piercing, I'll never forgive you for it, Leroy Jethro Gibbs."

Jenny's voice was low, undeniably angry, and he nodded once, knowing deep down that she was right. He sighed, resigning himself to the fact that he'd acted immaturely, and when he spoke again, his voice was soft in the dim room.

"I'll talk to her in the morning."

Jillian Gibbs nearly screamed when she opened her front door and saw her father standing on the other side, his hand poised in the air to knock. She jumped back, startled, and gave him a glare worthy of his own.

"Damn it, Dad! Are you trying to scare me to death?"

"Watch your language," he said automatically, forgetting for a moment why he was there.

"Sorry," she said, "Look, I'm on my way to class, and I don't want to be late."

"Won't be long. I just…look, Jilly…I don't like it, bur if it makes you happy, you can keep the piercing. I…may have overreacted. A bit."

"You practically bit my head off," Jillian reminded him, "I just don't see what the big deal is. It isn't hurting anyone, and I'm not a kid anymore."

"I know you're not," he conceded, "but you're still my little girl, no matter how old you get. Even when you're married and have kids of your own. You'll still always be that little girl who used to play secret agent in the backyard with Zelda and your mother."

Jillian smiled.

"I forgot all about that. I'll have to ask Zelda if she remembers it."

"I'll never forget it. And neither will your mom. That's what I'm trying to tell you: no matter how much you grow, to us, you'll always be our baby girl. I know you're going out to live your life, be your own person. I just want to be part of it,"

Without warning, Jillian threw her arms around Gibbs, blinking hard to keep her tears from falling, and kissed his cheek, her voice slightly unsteady.

"I love you, Dad. You and Mom are the most amazing people I'll ever know, and I'm so lucky to have you as my parents. I'm not trying to shut you out, I just didn't think it would be such a big deal."

"Love you too, Jilly Bean. No matter what."

Hugging her father one last time, Jillian began walking farther down the hallway, waving as she did so, her smile so bright that the sun paled in comparison.

"Hey, Dad?"

He turned, looking at her expectantly, and she nodded at him, her voice unsteady in her laughter.

"Tell Mom I said thanks!"

His bewildered stare was the last thing Jillian saw as she rounded the corner, still laughing.

A/N: Poor Gibbs...