Hello all again! SORRY about the delay in posting I TRULY AM SORRY! i had to figure out what i was going to do, and today i was on a roll! i would write more, but i am going out tonight, so shall finish the shopping trip later...i PROMISE they WILL get to California. Most likely the next chapter..who knows!

thanks again to everyone who has reviewed! please keep on reviewing, they make me smile, and keep me writing!

Dedicated to Theo...because she has been waiting the longest for this update...as my lovely Beta...i would have advanced this chapter to you, but you weren't online, and i decided not to keep you all waiting!

Brit, i hope that this inspires you to get cracking on YOUR fic! LOL

Disclaimer: see earlier chapters. and i dont own the Rogue Traders!

0730

Gibbs Residence

Gibbs Bedroom

It was 0730 Monday morning when a bright-eyed Grace dive-bombed onto Gibbs bed.

"Rise and shine! It's a beautiful morning, the sun is shining the birds are singing and You kind sir need to finish packing. Here's some coffee, the shower is all yours. Chop Chop!"

She scrambled off the bed and yanked back the curtains, allowing the sunlight to stream into the room, and opened up a few windows.

Gibbs groaned, and pulled the covers over his head. "Why are you awake? Go be a teenager and go back to sleep."

What a role reversal. Normally it was Gibbs trying to drag Grace out of bed, not the other way around.

She yanked the covers off the bed, thankful that her dad wore boxers,

"Because I've been possessed by the I don't sleep demon, And YOU haven't packed yet OR got a tux!"

From the foot of the bed, she put her hands on her hips with the infamous Gibbs glare in place. Gibbs was not moving, he was having second thoughts about going to California with Kate, and the idea of being stuck in 'Hollywood' with her entire, large family was daunting. He didn't know enough about them, and that made him nervous. Not that he'd ever admit it of course.

Grace seemed to sense what he was thinking about and sighed, "Dad come on, it took Kate enough guts to ask you, you can't back out on her now. Especially after what happened between the two of you that night."

Gibbs raised his eyebrows at her as he scooted up and leant against the headboard.

"Sorry, sworn to secrecy" Yup, Abby called as soon as she left Kate's last night.

With one last glare she threw his shirt at his head.

"On your feet Gunny!"

Breakfast was a fast affair as Grace practically shoved the plate of bacon, and eggs down his throat, in her rush to get them out the door. They fought over whether to do the dishes or not (Gibbs for them, Grace against them), and finally, at 10 am, Grace pushed him out the door towards his black Dodge Avenger.

Gibbs absolutely refused to drive Grace's car, it was too small and too 'girly' for a man of his 'stature' to be seen in.

"Wait, you're not driving my car." Gibbs held out his hand for the keys.

"Daad! You're going to drive at a slower rate than you usually do on purpose because you HATE the mall! And we don't have time for you to drive slow, and take 'short cuts' that are really 'long cuts'."

"Grace, it's 10 in the morning, the mall is open ALL day."

"That's not the point, we have to get a good parking spot, and you need to not only get a Tux, and boardshorts, but clothes fit for California, the old Hawaiian shirt does not count – besides I threw it out. AND you need to get your hair trimmed!"

Gibbs grumbled, "I thought I raised a daughter, not a wife." Grace's jaw dropped in indignation, she was not acting like a wife, she was – "HEY!"

Gibbs grinned as he snatched the keys from her hand, "Gotcha!"

Grace glared at him, and she got into the car,

"Fine, we're listening to my CD's then!" as she slid The Rogue Traders album into the car CD player.

"I don't have a CD player"

"Dad, see this thin slotty thing above the tuner, that's we people call CD player."

They arrived at the mall, to find that the car parks were full up, which only served to irritate Gibbs more. Grace laughed as she read a sign on one of the billboards, "Hey dad! Nordstom's is having a sale! Isn't that great!"

Gibbs scoffed, "So that's the real reason why you wanted to get here early."

Grace grinned sheepishly, as Gibbs parked the car, "Nooo of course not! You need new clothes!"

The made their way into the store, and found that the mall was packed with people. Teenagers, and young adults, coming in and out of stores, parents, pushing prams with screaming children or tugging along the wily ones.

Grace and Gibbs were slightly overwhelmed. She tugged on his arm, and he tore his gaze away from the animalistic scene in front of him.

"Maybe you should frown, or glare some more, it might make everybody run away."

Gibbs couldn't help but smile at her taunt, then he looked around, "So, where first?"

"Nordstom of course!"

Gibbs shut his eyes and inwardly groaned, missing the appreciative looks, that some of the women were giving him, and the 'Aww, would you look at that' looks that some of the grandparents were giving them, as Grace dragged a protesting Gibbs into the department store.

They had been there for almost an hour, and Gibbs arms were laden with several different polo shirts, pants, and calf length trousers. Grace was now looking for a changing room that did not have a line that was heinous. Gibbs was incredibly irritable, while Grace was having the time of her life. This was almost more fun than making Gibbs go prom dress shopping with her, and making him sit though each dress fitting, getting is bored opinion. Gibbs' irritability increased to the tenfold when in the first 10 minutes of this 'outing' he was sprayed by a cloud of Tommy Hilfager manfume, Grace quickly dragged him out of that section before he yelled at the lady.

"Grace…are you telling me that I have to buy ALL of these clothes?" Gibbs wanted to leave, and get coffee.

"Only the ones that look good and that fit you."

"Do we have to buy them all Here?"

Grace looked mortified "Daddy! I can't believe you just said that! You can't say that, especially with.the.lady.who.works.here.standing.over.there!" she said the last part through clenched teeth.

"I was just wondering. I don't need to pay $40 for some undershirts."

"Daddy those are not undershirts, and stop exaggerating, I promise we'll go to Sears for your precious undershirts. Now go try them on…oh and this blue shirt, with this tie, and then come out and show me. I don't trust your judgment."

Gibbs looked at her with a 'You want me to parade around in a department store, where people can see me?' look on his face.

Grace grinned and nodded, and pointed towards the change-rooms.

"GO!"

The elderly woman standing at the rack smiled. "Men are so hard to take shopping aren't they?"

"You're telling me! We still have to go and get him fitted for a tuxedo!"

The elder woman chuckled.

"Your father is very lucky to have you to shop with."

Grace gave a brilliant smile, "Thank you! If only he'd appreciate it more."
"Oh I'm sure that when you're mother sees him, he'll be very thankful."

"Actually, it's his girlfriend. I don't have a mother."

The elderly woman, petted her shoulder gently, as if to say I'm sorry.

"Oh, no! It's ok. They're divorced, and I don't speak to her often. I'm actually very excited about this all!"

The woman smiled, and went to say something, when Gibbs came out of the change-room, with a huge frown on his face, unaware that he looked like a pouting child, and absolutely adorable.

"So…it fits. Can we go now."

Grace and the elder woman burst out in giggles,

"Go try (laugh) the other stuff (giggle) on!" Grace managed to say, before collapsing in the chair.

Gibbs, grumbled and stalked back into the change room, muttering all sorts of curses under his breath.

please dont forget to hit the purple button on your way out!

Prinnie xxx