Title: A Daughter's First Love
Summary: A set of 8 snapshots from both Charlotte and Allison's lives with their fathers. From birth to when the girls start their own careers and relationships.
Disclaimer: I only own Charlotte and Allison.
A/N: This is my favourite story that I have written so far. I really enjoyed writing this. I hope you guys enjoy it just as much.
"A Daughter's a precious thing." – Gibbs, Engaged Part 1
Welcome to The World, Charlotte Joan Gibbs
September 3rd 1988
The quiet in the hospital was nice. 6-year-old Kelly sat next to him, asleep against his chest. Shannon was sleeping quietly. Their new daughter, yet to be named, had been taken to the nursery. Very carefully, Jethro lifted Kelly from his side and laid her next to Shannon and, dropping a kiss to each of his girls, he left the room. He'd never been overly fond of hospitals. But then, he supposed, no one really liked hospitals. He'd seen his mother here when he was young and had hated seeing her look so weak and tired. She'd been at home when she made the choice to end her own suffering her own way. She died the way she wanted to, on her own terms.
He quietly and quickly made his way to the nursery. He stood at the window looking in at the babies. He was always amazed to see just how many babies were there. He looked over all the pink and blue blankets. His eyes hovered over a tiny little girl near the window. He could see that she didn't have a name card yet.
"Mr. Gibbs?" He looked up at see a nurse standing next to him looking in the nursery too. She turned and gave him a small smile.
"My wife didn't name her yet?" he asked, she shook her head slowly.
"No. She said, since she named your other daughter, she'd let you name this one." The nurse giggled. Jethro smiled and chuckled to himself.
"Charlotte." He said softly, when they were pregnant with Kelly, Shannon and Jethro had chosen Kelly for their little girl, but if she had been a boy, she would have been Charles. So, Charlotte was the feminine form of Charles – it fitted.
"Pretty." The nurse agreed, "you can go by the Nurse's station on the way back to your wife's room and fill out the birth certificate if you want."
"Charlotte Joan." Jethro said with more confidence. That was the perfect name for his new baby girl. The name that he and Shannon had agreed on, and honoring the friend he had formed at boot camp as she tried again and again to beat his times on the course, she got close, but never really did.
I Love You, Daddy!
Charlotte was now 5 and it had been her and Jethro from the last 3 years. Her father was sad and hid away in the basement a lot. He'd joined something called 'NIS' and he had told her it was like being a policeman but he looked after the Navy and Marines. She wasn't sure what that meant but she knew he was taking care of people and that was important.
Today, she decided that she had to tell him something important and something all little girls should tell their father every day, but she'd missed him when he was at work.
"Daddy?" she said when he came in that night to kiss her goodnight and tuck her in. He always tucked her in and kissed her goodnight.
"What is it Charli?" He asked pausing to give her his full attention. He'd never once not paid her the attention she deserved. He never wanted her to feel as if he didn't pay her enough attention or give her enough affection.
"I love you, Daddy." She said with a wide grin, Jethro chuckled and kiss her cheek softly. He had missed hearing it today, the innocence of a child's love. Limitless and unconditional.
"Oh, I love you too, Baby girl." He told her tucking her in and switching on her night light. He looked back to her as he pulled her door closed, she was hugging her stuffed bunny tightly, it had been a gift from her mother on her 2nd birthday – just months before Shannon and Kelly had been killed, it was the sole reminder of happier times.
I Miss Mommy and Kelly
7-year-old Charlotte Gibbs sat down on the stairs that led their basement. Her father was building a boat. Charlotte didn't understand why or how he was going to get it out, but he seemed to like doing it. So, she didn't question him too much about it. It was for him to know and her to find out. As she watched her father sand the boat and sip bourbon, she thought about the two missing members of their family. She was 2 when her sister and mother were killed. Charlotte had been sick a lot in her short life, trips to the hospital were frequent when she was an infant and toddler. She had been in the hospital the day of the crash, suffering from a severe bout of Bronchitis. Her father had never been so thankful that she got sick often as a child – even after Shannon and Kelly he took time away from the Marines and took care of his little girl every time she got sick.
"Are you going to sit there and stare at me all day? Or do you want to help me?" He asked, turning to look at her daughter on the stairs.
"I know Kelly used to. I've seen photos." She said.
"Do you want to help me, Charli? Come on, I'll show you how to sand." He offered, she stood up and began to descend the stairs.
"Ok…and Daddy?" She said as she took the sanding block from her father and he lifted her up to kneel on his workbench.
"Yes, Charli." He asked, putting his hands over hers and showing her the right way to sand it.
"I miss Mommy and Kelly." She whispered, dropping the block and turning to him wrapping her arms around his neck and snuggling into his warmth.
"I know, honey. I do too." He replied wrapping his arms tightly around her and pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Graduation (High School)
Jethro stood near the back, but he stood out like a sore thumb. Not him exactly, it was more the pair of adults that stood at either side of him. On his left was a man with the largest cheesiest grin on his face and camcorder in hand, his still camera was in his pocket. On his right was a woman dressed to the nines, but it was the outfit she wore that made her stand out.
She wore a black and red mini-skirt, a black top with ruffles on the sleeves, with her trademark knee-high socks and three inch platform heels, it made her tower above all the other woman but she matched most of the men in height. Charlotte could see her family from her position from side-of-stage where she stood as Valedictorian. She'd practiced and practiced her speech while her father was at work. It was a surprise for her family.
"And now we'd like to invite our Valedictorian of our graduating class – Miss Charlotte Gibbs." Charlotte cringed slightly at the over excited squeal she heard, alongside a whoop of joy. They could only be Abby and Tony. She could see Abby jumping up and down and Tony holding the camcorder higher. She knew they were happy for her, she just wished she could see her father's face.
"Good afternoon, honored guests, family and friends, teachers and staff of the upper, middle and lower school, our Dean Mr. Powers, and most of all, the distinguished class of 2007. It is my honor to have been chosen as this year's Valedictorian. I am honored, also, to be standing in front of all of you to commemorate the memories and accomplishments of our class." Charlotte was articulate and she spoke slowly and didn't rush her words. It was an hour later that she could make her way to the back of the room. To her family.
"Hey, Abby." Charlotte said at the sight of her big sister.
"Baby Gibbs!" Abby threw her arms around Charlotte and hugged her tightly.
"We're proud of you, Munchkin." Tony said as he took Charlotte in his arms. Charlotte always loved her big brother hugs.
"You filmed the whole thing?!" she laughed.
"Yeah, but it was a memorable thing. Valedictorian? Wow." Tony looked almost like he was proud father, instead of a proud platonic big brother.
"Daddy?" Charlotte turned to her father, to see his eyes shining with tears.
"I'm proud of you, Charli." He murmured pulling her to his chest in an embrace.
"I love you, Daddy." Charlotte whispered.
"I love you too, Baby." He replied just as quietly.
College
The car was packed and she was ready. Her father stood by the front door letting the rest of their family say goodbye first. Ducky and Palmer told her that if she ever needed an ear to listen or for any medical advice to call and they'd be there for her. Tim, Tony and, new member, Ziva enveloped her in a group hug. Even if Tony lingered longer as big brother. Abby was sobbing as she grabbed Charlotte in her arms and squeezed her tightly. Only releasing when Charlotte needed to breathe.
"Daddy?" Jethro looked up at her voice, now directed at him.
"You all ready to go, Sweetheart?" He asked, trying to hide that fact that he was soon going to start crying.
"Yeah, there's one more person to say goodbye to. Well, it's more like, See you later. Not really goodbye." Charlotte said, as she stepped up to stand in front of her father.
"Four years can be a long time, Charli." Her father murmured, the tears threatening to fall any second.
"I'll be back before you know it, and it'll be like I never left." She grinned, "and we'll work on the boat and go fishing, and do all the stuff we do together."
"I'm not sure what it is you want me to say to you, Charli." Jethro said.
"Just tell me you'll miss me, Dad." She whispered.
"Always." He replied, kissing her forehead and pulling her in for another embrace. And as she drove away, Jethro was the one who stood there long after the car disappeared remembering her last words to him: I'm only a phone call away, Dad.
Grandpa Gibbs
Jackson had come from Stillwater to be with his son for a while. He missed Jethro and he hadn't seen the team for a long time and truth be told he missed the house and he was hoping that Charlotte was home. She wasn't when he got there and he'd been disappointed. But he knew she would be there soon. Her school semester had ended not too long ago.
He was sitting at the kitchen table early one morning, before his son got up – he was sleeping longer and Jackson was happy to see Jethro actually getting some sleep. The older man was startled when he heard the sound of a car pulling up, car doors opening and closing, laughter – from a woman – the sound of a trunk closing and then the sound of a car door again – before the car left again. Jackson thought he could hear the woman talking to herself as she approached the door, muttering about stupid cab drivers. He listened as she opened the door and when he heard the voice he smiled. Only one woman would have the audacity to speak of Jethro that way she did. And that he hadn't been married to.
"I keep telling him to lock that damn door." The voice muttered, "Dad?" Jackson shook his head slowly; they were always telling him to but he never did.
"Sorry, darling. He's not up yet. But I can step in for now." Jackson said, getting to his feet and smiling.
"Grandpa? Grandpa!" Charlotte appeared in the archway and she raced to her grandfather wrapping him up in her arms, "Oh I missed you! When did you get here?"
"Just a week ago." Jackson told her, hugging her tightly. He had missed his granddaughter while she'd been at college – but she was doing what she wanted to do and for that, well he was proud of her just as he was proud of Jethro.
"Oh, and dad is still sleeping? But it's 6am!" she said.
"I know…I'm glad he's sleeping again. It means he's either exhausted or he's drugged. Tony told me that it's one way to get him to sleep for eight or nine hours." Jackson said, Charlotte laughed.
"Do you think I should wake him?" Charlotte asked.
"No need…I'm awake. Hey, Charli." They turned to see a still sleep disheveled Jethro come into the kitchen.
"Hey daddy. I keep telling you to lock that door you know – you never who could wander in." she laughed as he poured his coffee.
"I'll keep that in mind, the next time I have a daughter coming home early from College." He said, as his eyes brightened and he seemed to wake up a bit more as he drank his coffee.
"I passed my exams; thought I'd head home one day early." She grinned.
"It's good to see you, Charli. I missed you." He said pulling her into a hug.
"Missed you too, Dad." She replied, before shooing him back upstairs to have his shower and ready for work.
Help Me!
The fear that gripped the hearts of Jethro and Tony were nothing compared to the fear that was plastered in Charlotte's face, an arm around her neck and the other pointing a gun to her side. A gunshot there, would tear through her insides and most likely kill her. But she had her two heroes there; she would be fine, she knew it. But it was still a situation she had never had to experience before now and it terrified her. The arm around her neck tightened slightly making her gag. She could hear the two men calling out 'Clear' as they searched the house. She took her chance to help them out a little. They had to find her and sooner rather than later.
"Tony! Tony, Help!" Charlotte called as she heard her big brother's voice, "Daddy!"
"Shut-up! Or Daddy is going to find you bleeding out here on the floor and me long gone." She was silenced.
"I'm coming, Charli." The reply came from her father, "Let her go!" he shouted as he rounded the corner of the room and saw her there.
"You shoot me, you shoot her." The gunman snarled; he cocked the pistol against her side.
"Your finger even twitches you're dead." Her father shouted, "LET HER GO!"
"Shoot me if you like, but you'll kill her too." The gunman taunted.
"Tony!" Charlotte hadn't seen him but she heard him.
"I'm here, Charli." She felt the gunman stiffen as she caught a whiff of Tony's cologne, "Let her go, dirtbag." He snarled the barrel of his Sig pressed into the back of his skull.
Lieutenant Charlotte Joan Gibbs
Charlotte ran her hands down the uniform…her uniform. She looked down at herself in the mirror. This was going to be her life for as long as she chose or fate decided. The Marine uniform was something she didn't think she'd ever get to wear. With all her illnesses as an infant – it had been unlikely (when she'd heard about them) that she would get accepted. But they had all cleared up, she had been given a clean bill of health.
"It looks good on you." Tony said from behind her. She turned giving him a smile, Tony, Abby and Ducky were the only ones she'd told. She hadn't even told her father. It was a surprise.
"You think Dad will like it?" Charlotte asked, she always hoped her father would approve of her career choice whether she became a banker or a Marine.
"No doubt. He's downstairs now. Waiting to see what your 'surprise' is." Tony said, with a bright smile – Charlotte had called this his 'DiNozzo Dazzler'.
"Well…let's go and see what he says." Charlotte said.
"Come on, Munchkin." Tony held out his hand to her, ready to lead her down the stairs.
"Daddy?" Charlotte called as she stepped out into the lounge room, where her father had waited.
"Charli…Lieutenant Gibbs." He said, taking note of her rank on her shoulders. He gave her a salute at which she stood to attention and saluted him in return.
"Gunny." She replied with a grin.
"I think this is going to be the hardest goodbye I'll ever say. Harder than Shannon, harder than Kelly, harder than Kate and harder than Jenny. Do you know why?" He asked.
"Because aside from Tony and your team, I am the only family you had have left. Next to that, I am the only child you have left that shares your DNA." She said.
"That's right…I gonna miss you, baby." Jethro said pulling her into his arms.
"I gonna miss you too, Daddy." She whispered.
Welcome to the world Allison Sophia DiNozzo
November 2nd 1996
26-year-old Tony stood outside the delivery room. She hadn't wanted him in the room. He hadn't meant to get her pregnant, he knew she didn't want kids even if he did. So, standing outside the room, listening to her scream and cry as she struggled to deliver the baby. They had been told it would be hard on her, her family had all gone through the same problems. So, when her screams fell silent as the cry of a newborn killed the air, Tony froze. He was a father. A single father. If she never wanted kids, it was hard to believe she'd want this one.
"Mr. DiNozzo?" He looked up at the nurse that stepped out, she was holding a bundle of pink blankets, "meet your daughter…unfortunately…her mother has passed away."
"I…Sarah? Uh…ok…thank-you." Tony accepted the bundle from the nurse and looked down at the tiny face within the blankets. As he'd expected – he'd be left as this child's sole provider.
"Have you thought of a name?" Another nurse asked. Tony nodded slowly still gazing at the tiny person he had helped create. It was an incredible feeling to know that he had a part of creating this tiny human life. This tiny little person. This tiny creature that would depend on him for the first 18 years of her life at least.
"Yeah. Allison. Allison Sophia DiNozzo." He said, glancing up at the nurse. She smiled at him and stepped back a little from him.
"Pretty – we'll give you a moment with her." Tony nodded and the nurse walked away to fill out the certificate and make sure all the paperwork was ready for Tony to fill out.
His gaze returned to his daughter, "Well, peanut, it's looks like it's just you and me," he smiled as she yawned and snuggled in close to his chest, "Yeah, my sentiments exactly."
Higher, Papa!
At 2, Allison had one thing she enjoyed above all else. And that was spending time with her father. Her world revolved around him and she was Tony's everything. Anything he did, he was doing for her. On a rare day off from work (new posting Baltimore PD), Tony took her to a nearby park. The morning was spent running around – Tony chasing after Allison, who squealed with laughter when he grabbed her hauling her up into his arms and tossing her up before catching her and cuddling her in close.
"Papà! Swings!" she cheered as he followed her to the playground. They'd had a lunch of sandwiches that Tony had made early that morning before Allison woke up. He grabbed her up and got her onto the swing. He gave her a small push to get her started and she giggled.
"Hold on tight now, Ally. You don't want to fall off."
"Higher, Papà! Higher!" She called. Tony had taught her how to say 'Papà' early on, instead of 'Daddy' he chose to teach her the Italian title. He'd given her an Italian name so why not get them to speak it on occasion. He pushed her harder making her go higher, she squealed with laughter and begged him to send her higher and higher.
"Higher, Papà!"
"I don't think I can get you higher, Ally. Papà's arms are tired." Tony said, playing like he was puffed. She giggled and let him slow and stop her motion. She jumped off the swing and ran around to him, throwing her arms around his shoulders when he bent to catch her.
"Sorry, Papà. Slide, now?" She asked.
"Let's go." Tony agreed, putting her down again.
"Tony! Hey, Tony!" The pair turned. Allison looked up at her Papa to see him smiling at the newcomer.
"Hey Danny. Out at a park on your day off? Thought you'd be watching the game with a couple of cold ones?" Tony laughed.
"Not today. I heard you had a little one you were taking to the park. I thought I might come and meet her." Danny Price replied.
"Ally, come here." Tony picked his daughter up to rest her on his hip and she stared at the man she didn't know for a long moment.
"Allison, this is Papà's friend. His name is Danny. Say Hello."
"Hello, Danny." She whispered giving him a small, timid wave.
"Hey there, Allison." Danny replied giving her a wide smile.
"All right, sweetheart, you run off to the slides, Papà will be there soon." They watched as she ran off, "she's a handful, but I wouldn't have her any other way." Danny nodded, approving of the way his new partner was handling this.
"You're a great father, Tony. Don't let anyone tell you different." He said.
Sing to me, Papa
Tony woke to a scream. He knew her screams now very well – and she could now tell him when she was hurt or hungry. But when she was scared, she still screamed – particularly after a nightmare. And this was one such time.
"Papà!" Tony was up and out of bed and heading for Allison's room in record time.
"I'm here, Ally. Papà's here." Tony said opening her door and sitting down on the edge of her bed. His hand started to run up and down her back to calm her tears.
"Papà, I'm scared!" She said sitting up.
"I know, honey. Come here." He pulled her up onto his lap.
"Papà! You were gone!" Allison sobbed.
"I'm not going anywhere, Ally. I'll never leave you, ok? I'm not going anywhere." He promised.
"Can you sing to me, Papà?" She whispered as she buried her head in his shoulder.
"What would you like me to sing to you, Ally?" He asked.
"Sinatra?" She asked.
"Sinatra it is, close your eyes honey. I'm right here." Tony held her close and he started to sing and he didn't stop until the song was finished even when Allison was asleep just one verse in.
Bullied
Tony knew something was wrong when Allison came home and didn't answer his inquiry about her day except for slamming her bedroom door shut. She was now 10-years-old and she seemed to have just discovered bullies.
"Ally? What happened?" He called.
"Go away, Daddy!" It hurt when she used the English term instead of the Italian moniker. He frowned; she wouldn't use 'Daddy' unless she was really upset.
"Allison Sophia DiNozzo, you open this door right now!" He snapped, he was using his 'I'm-your-father-and-you-will-do-as-I-say'.
"No! Go away!" She yelled back.
"Ally…honey come on. Please. Talk to me." All anger was gone from Tony's tone. He didn't want to yell at her, she needed his love right now, not his judgement.
"Papà, please. Leave me alone." She pleaded.
"I just want to know what's wrong." He said. He stood straight as he heard the lock on her door slide open.
"Why are they so mean, Papà? What are the girls so mean?" She whimpered as she let him wrap her up in a hug.
"I can't change how they act Ally. But I can tell you that there are a couple of girls who will never be mean to you. One who really misses you." He told her.
"Abby and Kate?" She asked.
"Abby and Kate." He agreed.
High School
Allison looked around for her father. He wasn't there. Must have a case – she knew her father was a busy guy. He was the Team leader now that Gibbs was on medical leave. She scanned the crowd of parents again and saw no one. She took a seat on the steps outside her school and waited. One-by-one the parents came to collect their children but by the time 4:30 rolled around she was left by herself and her father hadn't arrive nor had he sent anyone to get her. She had been joined by one of the teachers that called Tony's cell but he hadn't picked up.
"Do you want me to walk with you?"
"It's ok, Miss. Dad's a busy guy. It's not far to walk and I've done it before."
"Only if you're sure, Allison. I don't want to hear about a girl getting attacked on her way home on the news tonight." Just as the teacher stood up, a familiar car pulled into the carpark. Allison shook her head slowly and stood up.
"My father has arrived." She said indicating to the agency car that had pulled into the carpark. Tony got out of the passenger side and rushed towards them.
"I'm so, so, so sorry, baby girl. I didn't forget you. Timmy and I were interviewing witnesses and Palmer was caught up with the autopsy. I should have called Gibbs and asked him to pick you up. I'm so sorry." He said wrapping her in his arms.
"You're here now, Dad." Allison said.
"Yeah…I'm here now. Thank-you for sitting with her." Tony said to the teacher.
"My pleasure." Allison could tell her teacher was a little flustered by the appearance of her father, it wasn't every day that a student's very attractive father thanked you for doing your job.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Miss. Thank-you for keeping me company." Allison said, "Let's go, Dad." Allison gripped her father's arm and they walked back to the car where Tim was waiting.
College
Gibbs carried out the last box to Allison's car. Her father had bought her a classic car a 1966 Classic dark blue mustang, just like the one he had when he had been accused of murder – only the colour was different.
"Daddy? Are you prepared to let me go?" Allison asked, as she gave her father a hug.
"If I'm honest? No. I know you are ready to go and I'm incredibly proud of you. But I'll never be ready to let you go." Tony said, "But I am unbelievably proud of you."
"Yeah. We'd have thought. It may not be Ohio State but at least it's not MIT or Johns Hopkins." Allison laughed.
"University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Well, at least you're looking into the sciences. Which ones are they again?" Gibbs asked.
"Double Major – Psychology and Criminology and minor in forensics." Allison grinned.
"You're a brain box, baby girl. We'll miss you." Gibbs said embracing her tightly.
"Thanks, Uncle Leroy. I'll miss you too." Allison said.
"I love you, Ally. I'll miss you so much." Tony said pulling her tight to his chest, holding back his tears.
"I love you too, Dad. I'm only a phone call away, remember that. And I'll be back for Spring Break, Summer and long weekends." Allison said, also holding her own tears back.
"I know…you just won't be here." Tony said, Allison whispered something in his ear that made him smile before they let go and Allison gave Gibbs one last smile before she got in her car and the two men watched her drive away.
I'm Home
Tony had worked late and he hadn't expected to hear someone enter his home. He stood and had made to reach for his weapon when the voice called out.
"Dad? You home?" He brightened immediately.
"Ally!" He jumped up from the couch, he was itching to go and hug her, but she hated to be crowded so he'd let her come to him.
"Hey…what are you doing? Have you eaten yet?" She called out.
"No. Wasn't really hungry." He replied.
"Well, I can remedy that. Pizza?" She appeared around the corner, two pizza boxes in her hands, "two large 'DiNozzo Specials'."
"Pepperoni, sausage and extra cheese?" He asked, taking one.
"Is there any other topping to have on pizza?" She asked, with a playful frown.
"I missed you, Ally." He grinned.
"Missed you too, Dad. No one at school liked my pizza." She said.
"All the more for you. Gibbs would share mine. But it wasn't the same." He sighed as they relaxed to eat pizza, drink beer – in Tony's case – and Soda – for Allison – and watch the basketball game that Tony found.
Very Special Agent Allison Sophia DiNozzo
Tony looked up when he heard his daughter coming down the stairs from their modest two-story Alexandria house. Gibbs stood next to him and the rest of the team: Tim, Kasie, Ellie, Jimmy, Ducky, Torres and even Vance – all stood in the lounge waiting for her to emerge.
"Daddy? What do you think?" She asked as she stepped down into the room.
"I think you look better in that uniform then I did!" He laughed. Tony had always said to his team mates that he made the police unform 'look good'.
"Thanks, Dad." Allison said honestly hugging her father.
"When do you start?" Ducky asked.
"Next Monday. First shift…it's going to be so weird going to a crime scene and maybe having to call NCIS if their Navy or Marines. So weird." She laughed.
"That's the job." Tony said.
"Who knows? Maybe someone will 'choose' me for their Government team. Because I'll tackle them in an alley way and after they punch me in the jaw, I'll point my pistol at them." She giggled.
"Funny, Ally. Really funny." Tony said, sarcastically, she shrugged with a grin at her godfather, Jethro shaking his head at her comment. Recalling the cocky young cop who tackled him in Baltimore all those years ago.
"She's gonna make a great cop, Tony." Gibbs said clapping Tony on the shoulder.
"Yeah…I just hope it's really what she wants…" Tony said.
A/N: I really did enjoy writing this and I honestly hope you guys enjoyed it. And as I enjoyed this so much, I really don't care if you didn't like it. If you did drop me a line and let me know – if you didn't…well it's up to you if you want to tell me.