A/N: Hi folks, sorry for the absence, but life! To all my newest favourites & followers, welcome aboard! So glad to have you with us! To my reviewers, thank you so much for your support! Reading all your reviews keeps me inspired! Knowing so many people love this story, fills me with utter joy, so thank you!
I've had this chapter written for a while, but just haven't had a chance to get it up until now.. so here you go! Let's find out who the visitor is!
Tony just stared wide eyed, what the heck? What on earth was she doing here? He could see Ziva & Tim were just as surprised to see her as he was, taking a deep breath he stood. He had no idea who the other woman was, but he had no idea what she was doing here? Nor how her presence would be received! He could see though that she was looking just as surprised to see them as they were to see her.
Tim watched as Tony approached her, he had no clue what she was doing here & his thoughts suddenly turned to how on earth she would be received? This could get interesting.. not to mention sticky!
Tony approached, sucked in another deep breath before speaking "Colonel Mann, what can we do for you?"
Mike was intrigued, this was the person who'd caused the racket downstairs & now it seemed Tony & the others knew her? He also couldn't work out who exactly she was, Tony had referred to her as 'Colonel', yet she was in civilian attire?
"Tony, what are you doing here?" Hollis asked quietly, she was utterly shocked to see them here, what were they doing in Naples?
"We work here" Tony answered "so, what can we do for you?" he asked again.
"You've all moved from DC?" Hollis asked back "even Jethro?" she added softly, she wondered why & where he was.
Tony suddenly got the sense that where ever she'd been she hadn't heard anything, he turned to McGee "Call Gibbs, tell him to come down alone" he knew that it wouldn't be wise to have Kelly & Nix come down too.
Silva wondered just who this Col Mann was? She could see Tony, Ziva & Tim were all on tender hooks, she watched as Tim had the hushed & rushed conversation.
"McGee will get him, but what can we do for you?" Tony added, he really wanted to know what she was doing here.
"I'm with the DOD now annddd…" Hollis replied, she would have continued but suddenly caught sight of Jethro coming down the stairs & my gosh! Look at the man! What on earth?! He looked… well, he looked amazing! He was wearing, was that Armani? Whatever suit brand it was it was magnificent, a beautiful grey suit with a dark blue dress shirt underneath & a grey tie to boot! since when did he wear that ensemble? But it was more than that, he looked.. different, she just couldn't work it out.
Gibbs headed out of his office, he didn't quite know what to make of McGee's cryptic message to come down alone. He considered it was to do with the lady that had ranted down in the lobby, if so, she was going to get a rude greeting! He was checking his phone as he walked & got halfway down the stairs before he lifted his head to survey the scene & stopped dead in his tracks, what the hell? What on earth was Hollis doing here?
Ziva watched as Gibbs stopped dead in his tracks, the shock was evident, it took him a few moments to realise he needed to keep walking, she just watched as he very carefully approached Tony & Col Mann.
"Hollis" Gibbs greeted quietly "what are you doing here?" she retired, to Hawaii! What was she doing here? And clearly on the job?
"I'm with the DOD now, here to see an Agent Silva" Hollis answered "but what are you doing here?" what on earth was going on that would have his entire team here.
Gibbs was going to answer but he could see Vella had approached but was now hanging back, clearly wanting something "Need something Vella?" he'd welcome a distraction right now.
"Signature boss, need to board the Sea Hawk to speak to a few Seamen about the Post Office break in" Vella answered, he'd noted the mood in the area & wasn't going to interrupt; but he also wasn't going to not answer Gibbs,.. that never ended well!
Gibbs nodded & took the paperwork "don't forewarn Vella, and make sure you're done by 22:00, don't need you getting stuck on there when they depart" he instructed.
"Yes Boss" Vella nodded
"Wrapped up with 24 Vella" Gibbs added, he needed his teams clear of other major cases.
"Yes Boss" Vella nodded, his mind raced, he had 24 hours to wrap this up? The midnight oil was definitely going to be in order for his team! He wouldn't complain though, he knew why they had to get it wrapped up.
Mann just watched as the man walked away, she was rather taken by the conversation, just what was going on here?
Gibbs turned back to Hollis, this was not good timing! "So, why you here to see Silva?" he asked.
"What about you answer my question first, what are you all doing here?" Hollis asked.
Mike just watched, the team were clearly still on edge about this woman, he noted that the other lady was keeping a little back, but she was taking in as many people in the surrounding area as possible, she looked a little tense.
"We work here" Gibbs answered.
"You all just decided to up & move to Naples, or did Vance reassign you?" Hollis prodded, he still didn't answer questions fully, but he looked good! Damn good!
"Family decision" Gibbs replied, he wanted to see if she really knew nothing because it sure seemed so.
"You have family here?" Hollis asked, she was getting more & more confused by the minute.
"You meant apart from this lot" Gibbs remarked motioning to the bodies behind him.
Tony couldn't help but smile at that, he noticed Mann was looking a little surprised at his comment.
Gibbs knew he'd have to give her a quick overview, but not yet "Why we're here, isn't really you concern anymore Hollis. let's get back to what you're here to see Silva for" he had a strange feeling it was Tony-related.
Hollis wanted to keep prodding, she'd thought about him often, but she knew the look on his face, he wasn't going to explain further until she did "We're here to see Agent Silva regarding a search she did on Andre Withers, we have an interest in the man & need to know why NCIS is looking for him. Any chance you can steer me in Silva's direction?"
Silva wanted to step forward but a sharp look from Tony & Tim had her hanging back.
Gibbs knew it was Tony related! But what interests did the DOD have with him? "What interest does the DOD have with Withers?"
Ziva just watched, she was mighty curious as to what interest they had with Withers but she suddenly saw Kelly & Nix heading out of Gibbs's office "ahh Gibbs" she said quietly & flicked her head upwards.
Gibbs looked up to see his kids heading down, they were clearly discussing something good, cause they both had grins across their faces, he just smiled & then swallowed, this is gonna be interesting!
Nx saw his dad from the stairs "Dad, I'm going to drop Kells over at the car place on my way to the club" he remarked to his dad as they approached.
"Mum wants you to call her about dinner tonight" Kelly added before she realised the tense atmosphere, she saw that her brother was now eyeing the 2 new women.
Hollis's eyes widened "Dad? Mum?" she asked in shocked, this young kid, the one who'd walked straight through security without needing to show ID was who? Jethro's son? What on earth?
Gibbs took a deep breath "Kelly, Phoenix, this is Hollis Mann, she's apparently with the Department of Defence now. Hollis, this my daughter Kelly & son Phoenix"
Kelly & Nix's eyes widened at her, they knew that name!
"ahh, hi" Hollis got out, what on earth?
"Hello" Kelly & Nix replied formally.
Hollis was utterly confused! Kelly? That was the name of his dead daughter! She had no clue what was going on? "Ah,,, what is going on?"
Gibbs could see his kids were now tense & he really didn't want get into right now, he turned back to Hollis "that's too a long a story for right now, why don't you explain who your friend is & what you're interest in Withers is" he asked motioning to the other lady, he wanted to know who she was before they went any further.
Hollis was utterly gobsmacked! But she took a breath "Special Agent Gibbs this is…"
"He's not a Special Agent anymore!" Kelly & Nix both interrupted her curtly.
Silva had seen how tense both Kelly & Nix had gotten when introduced & they'd interrupted her very quickly & pointedly, she really wanted to know who this lady was.
"He's not?" Hollis asked back, but her eyes rested on Jethro, she went back to her previous thought, what on earth was going?
Tim could see just how tense the pair of them had become, but had to give a small smile to Ziva & Tony at their interruption & it was a smile he got in return from both of them, he was now intrigued at how Mann would take Gibbs's new position?
"He's now Deputy Special Assistant Director Gibbs" Nix replied eyeing her.
"Which means he easily outranks you" Kelly added, her dad was high enough that he outranked the majority of people they dealt with.
Hollis's eyes widened at Jethro "you? You took a promotion?" deep in the recessed of her mind, the interaction she saw before made sense now & explained to why the boy had walked through security so easily. He'd never been interested in climbing the ranks before? What had changed?
"Yes" Gibbs answered, he really didn't want to get into anything right here & now, he turned to the other woman "name" he instructed.
"Delilah Fielding" Delilah remarked stepping closer.
Gibbs eyes widened & narrowed extremely quickly at the woman, Fielding? He changed his footing to place himself directly between her & his kids, what now? Seriously? He wasn't sure he could handle much more.
Mike reacted instantly, he'd been leaning against Ziva's desk & behind Nix & Kelly, but as soon as he'd heard the name he pulled the pair behind him & presented himself right behind Gibbs flaring his nostrils at the woman.
Tony's eyes widened at both the name & Mike's reaction, clearly there was zero love lost for the guy & Mac, just like the rest of them felt. He moved a little closer & saw that Tim had basically come to stand right next to Kelly, but shielding her as he did.
"Is there some problem?" Delilah asked gently seeing them all converge on her.
"Jethro?" Hollis asked, what had got them all so riled by her mere name?!
Gibbs just eyed her menacingly, he could feel how close Mike was to him & he'd seen the guy pull his kids further back too, he clearly did not like the revelations any better than him. He noticed too that Tim, Tony, Ziva, had moved closer & were ready for who knew what. Giving a quick flash around the office he actually noticed that all the agents in the near vicinity were now giving this lady a death stare, it made him feel comforted to know how close they all considered each other to be.
"Is there a problem?" Hollis asked again, she could feel the weight of the entire room on them now.
Gibbs ignored her, he just eyed this lady, as he decided which avenue to go. They'd run down as many connections family or otherwise of Mac's as he could find, he'd known the man only had one sibling, a sister that died when still a child, but that didn't mean they couldn't be related, besides the guy was unfortunately a pro at hiding all this stuff. He considered that they could be cousins through his parents "what's your father's name?" he demanded, those cousins he'd spoken with & determined they knew nothing.
"I'm sorry?" Delilah asked confused "what does that have to do with anything?"
"Answer the question" Gibbs demanded curtly.
"Liam" Delilah answered.
The name didn't ring a bell with him, but Gibbs shot a look to McGee, he'd done a lot of the grunt work for their investigation & wondered if that name rang a bell.
Tim had basically planted himself right next to Kelly & was eyeing this lady, the name wasn't familiar to him but given Gibbs & Mike's tense standoff wasn't going to relax. He'd done a lot of the system searches for any of Mac's relatives that may have helped the man, but they'd found almost none, there were some cousins, but they'd not had any contact with Mac since his youth. He then heard Gibbs's question & focused, Liam? He searched his memory banks & came up with nothing, he shook his head in the negative.
Tony breathed a sigh of relief & saw Ziva do likewise, he saw Gibbs was still tense, he knew why, overprotective to the hilt. He felt it too, but the name Fielding wasn't exactly uncommon, he stepped closer to his boss "Boss, it's a common name, there's no relation, think it's ok" he said gently. He knew it would take something to get Gibbs to come down from what they now referred to as his 'Rambo overprotective headspace' and he knew he was the only one who could do that.
Gibbs looked his charge firmly in the eye.
"It's ok boss" Tony said again as he held his boss's gaze.
Mann was extremely intrigued at this new sort of dynamic between the pair, she knew Jethro cared for his agents, but this was something else entirely.
Gibbs let out a long breath, Tony was probably right, it was a common name, he couldn't go Rambo overprotective every time.. but still.. he cast his eyes around & saw that Donnelly was one of the agents watching on "Donnelly, escort them to the conference room, go through why they're here" she was one of his best interrogators.
"Yes boss" Donnelly replied & moved to towards them.
Gibbs motioned to Ziva to come closer "you go too & take Silva, find out what they want, but no discussion on any other matter"
"Of course" Ziva nodded, she turned to Col Mann "this way"
Hollis looked at Jethro taken aback "you're palming me off?"
"Didn't know you were coming & I have one or two other things to take care of, including a NSA Senior Management meeting, which I'm chairing. My SFA's are more than capable to handle the situation" Gibbs replied, he didn't normally assert his rank, but he felt doing it now was appropriate. "I will call in when I'm done" he added, trying to finish a little more gently.
Hollis couldn't help but flash a surprised look, he was not only attending a meeting like that but chairing it? He'd never wanted a promotion before & now it seemed it taken more than small jump up the command chain. What on earth had transpired?
Gibbs didn't wait for her to move, he'd get his kids moving "let's go" he said to them, they'd both stayed very quiet & wanted to make sure they were ok but there was something else he wanted "McGee, Bond" he beckoned.
Tony watched as Gibbs put a hand on each of kids back's & walked them to the stairs, Tim & Mike had both fallen into step behind them, he looked back to Hollis who was still rooted to the same spot, he was going to say something but Wu caught his attention, so he'd make it brief "Gibbs will tell you, when he's ready, so don't try to ask Ziva or Silva otherwise you deal with me! And if you ask Donnelly, well… good luck!" he really liked his fellow SFA, she certainly knew how to hold her own in any circumstance, but he'd seen very few people work an interrogation like her!
Donnelly smirked "Ms Mann, Ms Fielding this way" she motioned.
Gibbs got down to the lobby, he wanted to speak to his kids, but had one thing he wanted to set in motion first "McGee" he beckoned again.
Tim wanted to make sure Kelly was ok, but he went over "boss?"
"Full background on that Fielding lady, everything from birth til she walked in, got me?" Gibbs asked, he needed to 100% sure she had nothing to do with him.
"Yes boss" Tim replied, he'd actually considered doing that very thing already.
"Start with the ID she checked in with" Gibbs motioned.
"Right boss" Tim agreed.
Mike followed Tim realising the family would want some privacy, but he was curious as to what Gibbs wanted with him.
"You two ok?" Gibbs asked the pair as he took them to a quiet area of the lobby.
"Think I was more thrown by Mann than that Delilah lady" Kelly admitted, personally she had more of an issue with Mann showing up than some lady with the name Fielding, especially after hearing the name rang no bells to her dad & Tim.
"Me too" Nix added "she's arrogant"
"Thought she retired" Kelly remarked, their dad had told them about his 'other' women, it wasn't a pleasant session, but she was glad he trusted her enough & respected them to share the information.
"That's what I thought" Gibbs agreed, "she's the one that had the issue with you walking through security wasn't she?"
"Yes" Nix answered "she's definitely stuck up" he loved putting her in her place with regards to his position & the look on her face when his dad told her about the meeting, just brilliant!
Gibbs had never considered an arrogant person, he'd speak to Lt Andrews & suss out exactly what happened "Just forget about her pal, you've got bigger things to concentrate on, alright?" he smiled.
Nix gave a small smile but decided to tackle the question he'd been wanting to ask all day, looking at his dad as he spoke quietly "you're coming aren't you?"
Gibbs eyes widened in surprise, then his heart sank, he put a hand on his son's shoulder & cupped his chin "I will not be anywhere else Phoenix, you'll see me front & centre, nothing & no one is going to keep me from coming to your game, ok? What's our motto?" he asked, he'd obviously thought everything going on with Tony would keep from the game.
"Family First" Nix answer, glad for the reassurance, he had reservations that his dad wouldn't be able to make it, he'd been working so hard & now his reward was here he'd been concerned his dad wouldn't make it "but Tony…" he tried to say.
Gibbs had to cut him off "Tony will understand, I'm sure he's even torn about the fact that he can't make it himself" he could see his son needed a bit more "You've worked your socks off, you really think I'm not going to be there to see the payoff? I wouldn't miss something like this Phoenix, I'll be there son, you can count on that" he assured his boy before giving him a kiss to his forehead.
"Thanks" Nix replied with a small smile as he leaned into his dad's hold.
Gibbs just smiled, he had a question that would change the subject completely & he knew it would lighten the mood "so, what car we hiring?"
Kelly grinned "well, we were thinking a Porsche, or maybe Ferrari"
Nix let out a grin "Lamborghini?" he suggested
Gibbs eyes widened "I'm sorry?" were they nuts?
Kelly laughed, the look on his face was priceless! "Chill dad, that was a joke! We're just going to get an Alfa Romero or maybe BMW"
"What about something like a Toyota or Hyundai, we're only getting it for a few weeks, just until Christmas" Gibbs remarked, why'd they always go high end & it was only a short term hire too.
"Cause we're car snobs, I freely admit that. I am not driving a Toyota when we can easily afford a better car" Kelly answered, she knew she was a car snob, but they could afford this kind of luxury, so why not?
Nix nodded in agreement "She's right, why should we settle if we can afford the cars we like?"
Gibbs just shook his head, they did have point "A BMW then" he had to admit, he always wondered what those were like to drive.
"What happened to the Toyota?" Kelly smirked.
"You're right, we can afford it & this one I choose" Gibbs smirked back, he'd let them choose the Range Rover & Lexus, so he'd take this one "silver" he added.
"The BMW blue is really nice" Kelly remarked, she really liked it.
Gibbs could see the look in her eyes "ok, blue, if they have, silver if they don't, but not black!"
"We never get black cars" Nix said, to him black wasn't a safe colour on the roads, and it was something his sister agreed upon, they all did.
Gibbs could see Mike & Tim both standing a little away trying to give the trio some space, he beckoned them over "Michael, go with them, they're going to pick up a spare car, then I want you & you" he said looking at him & his daughter "to follow Nix to the club" he knew once at the club his son would be fine.
"Why?" Kelly asked.
Tim had a feeling he knew why, that Fielding lady had put him on edge.
Gibbs didn't want to upset them by bringing up that lady again, they seemed to be in a better mood "just to satisfy me that he gets there, big game, big day, just do it for me please"
"Okaaayy" Kelly replied, she had feeling now why.
"Certainly sir" Mike agreed, he knew why Gibbs wanted him to go & was more than willing to do so.
Gibbs nodded "McGee see Kelly to their car" he knew he wanted a moment, but he looked to his girl "when you two get back, straight up to Tim, he's not there & up to my office"
Kelly just nodded, she knew she'd have to let her dad's 'Rambo' mode play out by itself.
Gibbs turned his son "have a good night sleep, if you're restless, can't sleep for whatever reason you just call us ok?" he wasn't sure he'd be able to sleep with his nerves, so he had hunch his son would be likewise.
"I will, thanks" Nix smiled, he wasn't too nervous yet but it was definitely building!
Gibbs shook his head as he took him into an embrace "that word, never necessary son, I'm so proud of you, just relax & enjoy it all, you deserve it. Mum, Kells, gramps & I will be front & centre for the game, we're right there with you"
Nix just let his dad hold him, he could scarcely believe that not even a year ago he didn't know his dad was alive, so to have him with him was special in itself. But knowing he had this kind of support.. was beyond words, he loved it! "Love you dad" he whispered into his dad's neck.
Gibbs smiled & pressed a kiss to his forehead "Love you too son" pulling back he could see Mike was giving them a little space, which he was glad about, a thought then came to him, he patted his son's chest "and get this one a jersey, I'm sure he'd more than happy to don the sky blue of Napoli for you" he finished with a smirk.
Mike gave a sly grin "different emblem"
Nix grinned "it will be satisfying seeing you in sky blue"
Gibbs just smiled "go on bud" he motioned "oh & no telling your mum about our guests, ok? Let me tell her" he wanted to tell her about Mann first & foremost.
Nix smiled & nodded "sure thing dad, I wont say word"
Mike nodded at Gibbs "they'll be fine sir"
Gibbs nodded at him "make sure of that Captain" he knew there was no reason for him to be nervous based on what they knew, but his gut was still unsettled & he never liked that!
"I will sir" Mike nodded again & followed Nix, he nodded at McGee as they passed each other & hopped into the backseat of their car, it took a moment but soon he was joined by the pair.
Nix allowed his sister to drive, the road to the car place was fairly windy, but he immediately brought up the contacts on their navigation screen "need to call mum" he grinned.
Mike raised his eyebrow "Squirt"
Nix flashed a look back & then saw the inquisitive look he was getting from his sister "dad said I can't tell mum about the guests, he never said to tell you you couldn't" he finished with a grin.
Kelly grinned "sounds about right" loving her brother's thought pattern, this should be good!
"No telling your mother!" Gibbs remarked briskly opening the drivers side door & looking pointedly at his daughter, he turned to his son, who he could see was shocked by his deduction "nice try Phoenix, I still know everything" he smirked.
Mike chuckled, both Nix & Kelly had for the slightest moment thought they'd get one up on their dad….. boy were they wrong!
A/N: Ow! So Hollis Mann has shown up, that's certain to bring some interesting moments! But we've got another visitor too, a certain Delilah Fielding , but is Delilah a good person, or could she be somehow related to Mac?
(I was & still am intrigued about the writers decision to use the same surname for Joanne & Mac to Delilah, so I just have to play with it! ;)
What exactly is the DOD's interest with Andre Withers? And how will things go for Nix? Can Nix & Kelly get around their dad's insistance that they NOT tell mother?
I will be honest, I'm not 100% sure when I will get the next chapter up, but I will do my best to get it up soon! To those also on the ride I call 'A Chance Encounter' please know I am doing my best to get a new chapter up as soon as I can!
Please review away! I love to read them!