A/N: Sorry for the delay, I had to visit the hospital & get my lovely gallbladder out :( Hopefully the worst of the pain is behind me now!

To my newest followers/favourites, welcome abroad, so glad to have you with us! To my reviewers, you all rock!

Now, let's see how everyone goes hearing the information & how the introductions go.. this chapter is a littler longer than the norm, didn't really know where to stop it, so yea..

Tony steered his teammates, as well as Ducky, Abby & the Director all to the other end of the bullpen, glad when he saw the Director shooing everyone else away, he waited until they were all there. He saw that Nix was now sitting in his dad's embrace as well. "So, anything exciting happen in the navy yard today?"

They all looked at him not quite knowing what to say.

Jenn came out of her shock "umm... what on earth happened? His wife & daughter died"

Tony, Ziva & Tim all looked at her in shock.

"wait, you knew he had a wife & daughter Director?" Tony asked.

"The director & I only unearthed that gem the other day when Jethro was in his coma, but I'd have to agree with her statement, I thought they were dead, but we didn't know about any son" Ducky said, he was taking in his friend, not quite knowing what to think.

"Not even Gibbs knew" Ziva commented.

"you knew Ziva? I didn't know about any of it!" Abby said.

"Shhh!" everyone replied.

Abby swallowed.

"Jethro didn't tell anyone, it was obviously too painful" Ducky said, he looked at his friend, he had his daughter in his lap & his son next to him, he was trying to comfort them both.

"Could we get back to how they're alive?" Jenn asked, she was dumbfounded.

Tony & Tim both looked at Ziva, she was the one that the knew the most.

"Ok" Ziva said taking a breath "This is what I know. When Gibbs got back after he was told they died, his step-father in-law, a man named MacDonald Fielding convinced him not to go see their bodies, saying it would be easier for Gibbs, he was also the man that ID'd their bodies. What Gibbs didn't know was that neither Shannon or Kelly had actually died, Mac somehow got them from the accident scene & took them to a farmhouse before anyone was the wiser"

"That's impossible, NIS investigated their deaths, they would have done autopsy's, we would have realised" Jenn insisted.

"According to Kelly, she remembered the accident, and the next thing she knew she woke up at his farmhouse, her mum had been injured, but instead of taking them to a hospital, he brought a doctor in" Ziva replied.

Jenn still couldn't believe it "from the notes I read.."

"Director, you can't explain away a live human being!" Ziva said just a little louder than the whisper she'd been going in.

"Go on Ziva" Ducky said, he too was very surprised at this.

"A few days after being at the farmhouse Mac told them both that Gibbs had died on deployment, handed Shannon a death certificate & dog tags" Ziva explained, seeing no one had gone to say anything she kept going "he convinced Shannon that moving away to a brand new place would give them the best fresh start, he moved them to Houston & didn't even bring them back to pack up their things."

Abby felt horrible for them all "wait, where'd the boy come from?"

Ziva smiled "Shannon was pregnant when Gibbs deployed, but she didn't tell him the news, something about being a surprise & not wanting him to worry about her while he was away"

Ducky nodded, he could understand the statement.

"How'd they go from Houston to here?" Tim asked.

Ziva winced.

"This is the really really bad part isn't it?" Tim asked.

"What's the rest been Agent McGee?" Jenn challenged.

"Horrible ma'am, but.." Tim stuttered.

"McGee is right Director" Ziva said, coming to her teammate's aid "Shannon had been trying to get them all away from him, apparently he's a real bastard to live with."

"That's obvious" Tony remarked.

"She was finally able to get Kelly & Phoenix away from him, without her though, and there was a catch" Ziva stated.

"Catch?" Abby asked.

"Phoenix had to think that Shannon had...died" Ziva finished in a whisper.

Abby covered her mouth in shock.

"oh my" Ducky whispered.

"now his reaction makes sense" Tony remarked, the kids reaction back at the campsite, suddenly made sense.

Ziva nodded "They've only been out here 5 months"

"ok, so I know we heard she was at the hospital when Gibbs got admitted, but what happened in the car park & where did Gibbs dive into?" Jenn asked, the fact that the young girl had been there when she went in & had obviously left after seeing her, brought a feeling of both guilt & curiosity, she'd seen a photo of Shannon but apparently, she wasn't alone in thinking they looked alike.

"Well, as Gibbs & I were leaving the hospital he thought he heard something, I heard nothing, but he heard it" Ziva commented, she still didn't understand how he heard anything. "we split up & did a patrol of the immediate area, turned out Mac had some men who were keeping Kelly from going back into the hospital. By the time I got on scene Gibbs had knocked two of the men out & was in a stand off with a man named Trent Quinn, who was holding Kelly in a neck hold"

"That guy had Kelly in a neck hold? and he released her?" Tim asked, that surprised him.

"Yes, he is twisted" Ziva replied "He thought he could beat Gibbs to the campsite where Phoenix was, so he decided that giving Gibbs some time with Kelly only to take Nix would be some how more satisfying"

"and Gibbs let him leave?" Tony asked not quite getting how his boss would allow that.

"Gibbs had something more urgent to deal with while he made his escape" Ziva said, she took a breath.

It clicked "That's when Quinn threw Kelly off the pier?" Tony asked.

"Yes, he dove in after her, she was gaged & he'd tied her wrists. Gibbs had to give her mouth to mouth" Ziva explained.

Ducky's eyes widened that was quite serious "mouth to mouth? Did he get her checked out?"

"They both felt it more important to get to Phoenix before being checked" Ziva answered.

Tony knew that was certainly true "guess that's when the boss called us to get there?"

Ziva nodded "yes & it was a good thing too" she could see curious looks "Quinn arrived at the campsite Phoenix was at, but we managed to push him back & he took off again" she took a breath "he's threatened to speak with Mac & they'd move Shannon before Gibbs would have a chance to get there"

Jenn was utterly shocked & had to admit, a little jealous, she always felt like there was a slight chance they'd get back together, guess that wasn't going to happen anymore. She stowed those feelings, it was her responsibility to make sure they could get Shannon back safely, she was after all an NCIS dependant. "I'll call our Houston office, they'll..."

Tony interrupted her "Ahh Director.. Gibbs has already organised for some help in getting her, they're on their way there now"

"What kind of help Agent DiNozzo?" Jenn asked.

"Well, his neighbour, a Lt Taylor is with DC SWAT & currently in Houston on some kind of task force, he's leading his team & at least 3 others to get her. Kelly gave them a route into the property that's undetectable" Tony reported.

Abby was a little surprised "Gibbs is ok with letting someone else go & get her?" she would have thought he'd want to do it himself, he was always so protective.

Tony, Tim & Ziva all exchanged looks.

"If he went it would mean leaving his children behind Abigail" Ducky said, by the look on Tony, he knew he was right "but I must admit, I'm surprised that he would trust someone with something like this, even if the man is his neighbour"

"I think the guy has known Gibbs for a while, Kelly knew the guy & I think was friends with his son. Gibbs said he was one of very few people that he'd trust with this.. something about the Park Pact" Tony said.

"Park Pact?" Jenn & Abby asked.

"No idea" Tony said, he saw shrugs come from Tim & Ziva too.

Jenn just looked at her former partner, her former lover, he hadn't moved, neither had either of kids... my gosh, he had 2 children! She always thought he'd have been a great father & was heartbroken when she read his file about his wife & daughter. Part of her was glad he was getting this second chance, part of her was horrified as to how it came about & yes, part of her was both jealous & intrigued as to what Shannon was like..

Gibbs was doing his best to cradle both his daughter & his son, she was sobbing & while he wasn't, he knew his boy was upset at what had just transpired. His heart ached from the pain his girl was feeling, what killed him the most was that she was right, he should have realised, and he should have been there for her her whole life, been there for both of them their whole lives. He just get held them "shhh, shhh"

Gibbs wasn't sure how long it took but eventually let his head rest on his girl's head with his eyes closed. He knew they'd have things to work through, but this was painful, he hoped they could get through it all without totally crumbling. "I'm so sorry my angel" he whispered into her ear.

Kelly couldn't believe what she'd done, but all her emotions had just come pouring out & she just let fly. She just sat in her dad's lap, thankful for his comfort as she sobbed, gosh she'd missed him! Hearing him say sorry though made her realise she probably needed to say it as well "sorry" she whispered.

Gibbs took hold of her face, he wanted to look her in the eyes "Look at me Kell" after she finally opened her eyes, he almost broke down again, her eyes were swollen with tears, he took a breath & continued "there is nothing, nothing you need to be sorry about, nothing you need to say sorry for. You have feelings to get out, you both do" Gibbs said softly looking between the two & continued "that's ok, it needs to happen, so don't say sorry kiddo" he finished giving them both a kiss on their heads. While he would have much preferred this meltdown to have happened in private, he knew it had to come out, so he wouldn't let her think that was wrong or required an apology.

Kelly tried to collapse back into her dad, but he didn't let her.

"I know I have a lot to make up for & I know there's things to work through, but I want you to know that the promise I made to get us all through this is one I will keep. We're going to be ok, we're going to be a family & everything else will sort itself out" Gibbs spoke the words gently, but determinedly.

Kelly collapsed back into her dad's check, she wasn't crying anymore, but the tears were still coming down her face.

Nix just sat under his dad's arm, he still trying to process everything that both his dad & his sister had said, it was just soo... screwed up! He was thankful though that Kelly hadn't stormed out, cause he really didn't know what he would have done if she had, it was one thing to say he wanted to stay with their dad, but another if she actually left..

Gibbs was holding onto them both when he realised that his girl had started coughing again, he felt her body start to convulse a little too, he knew what that meant & it seemed so did he son, cause he scooted back & jumped up.

Nix heard his sister start to cough & heard a bit of wrenching, he jumped up & closed the small distance to the bullpen, he came to the first desk he saw, Tony's, and grabbed the trash can.

"Shh Kelly, it's all ok" Gibbs soothed "hang on"

Kelly couldn't believe this was happening now, she'd made it the whole ride back to DC & nothing, and now she felt like she was going to be sick again.

Ducky's eye's widen at Nix's hasted actions to grab a trashcan & saw his friend place it under Kelly, they then all heard her empty her stomach, he presumed this was a result of her time under the water.

Gibbs held his girl's head & rubbed her back as she let it all out, this wasn't good! This wasn't from motion sickness, so it had to be from the incident at the pier, Ducky needed to check her. He was glad when it finished though & was surprised but grateful when he was presented with a wet cloth, he looked up, it was Ducky, nodding his thanks he helped his girl clean herself up.

Jenn & Ducky were the only one's left, having sent the others up to MTAC to get the hook up with the SWAT teams in place. Jenn was leaning against Tony's desk & didn't quite know how to do this introduction, maybe it would be best to let them go with Ducky before she introduced herself, she quickly made her way in the opposite direction to get to MTAC.

Gibbs allowed his girl a few moments to get herself together "Can you get up for me Kells? I want to take you to see a doctor, it's not far" he said softly.

Kelly was still feeling a bit crappy & just looked up at her dad.

Gibbs saw something & then a memory hit, she always hated doctors when she was a child, did she still? "I'll be with you the whole time, wont go anywhere. He's a friend of mine, I trust him, can we go see him?"

Kelly finally gave a nod bringing relief to Gibbs, he rose as steadily as possible doing his best to help her too.

Gibbs saw Ducky was standing in between Tony's & Ziva's desk, obviously wanting to give them space, taking both kids under his arms he moved closer to Ducky "Duck, I'd like you to meet my daughter Kelly & son Phoenix. Kells, Nix, this Doctor Mallard"

Ducky put on his best warm smile "Call me Ducky & it's truly a great pleasure to meet you both. I can see that you have your father's eyes Kelly & you dear boy, I would guess have his smile?"

"Hi" Kelly said softly.

Nix smiled "hi".

"Ahh, that's it right there" Ducky smiled.

That made Nix feel a little more relaxed, he was curious though "Ducky?" he whispered.

Even though Gibbs was glad his son had the courage to talk to him, he couldn't help but roll his eyes "That's a story too long to get into now pal. Maybe another time"

"I'd gladly regale you of the story another time, perhaps over malt ice cream & a soda" Ducky remarked.

Nix smiled, he was starting to like this older guy "we prefer Ben & Jerry's"

Kelly let out a small smile at that.

Gibbs smiled, liking the sound of that, but he had more pressing matters "Duck, I need you to check her out please"

"of course Jethro" Ducky agreed as he led the way to the lift.

As they entered autopsy Kelly was starting to feel a little better, physically that is, she looked around "Ahh..what kind of doctor are you exactly?" she asked, this wasn't exactly a doctor's surgery.

Ducky flashed Gibbs a look before answering "I'm a medical examiner, but I assure you my dear I treat the living as well"

"Medical examiner as in... dead people?" Kelly asked, a little shocked.

"Cool!" Nix added, looking down the end of the room "is that where you keep them?" he asked making a move.

Gibbs grabbed his son by the scruff of the back of his t-shirt "I don't think so"

"Oww" Nix sighed.

Gibbs smirked, but looked back his girl, he could see was now nervous "Kells, angel. I just want to make sure you're ok after... I trust Ducky with this"

Kelly sighed "but I'm fine now, we need to see how Ted's going, he might need directions"

"Tony will let me know as soon Ted's contacted him" Gibbs replied reassuringly "I'm not going anywhere, will be here the whole time, ok?"

Kelly just chewed her lips, she hated doctors & this one wasn't even a proper doctor.

Gibbs took her by the arms "The sooner we start, the sooner it's over. But I'm not going anywhere, will be here every minute"

Kelly sighed "fine"

Gibbs breathed a sigh of relief as he moved her to sit on one of the tables "when you're done with her Duck, he's next."

"I'm fine!" Nix insisted.

Gibbs smirked "you fell through a bunk bed young man, you're being checked"

Ducky couldn't help but smile at this family interaction, but he heard Kelly cough again, he got to work straight away.

A little while later

"Both are perfectly healthy Jethro" Ducky reported "the cough is probably from her throat having to work hard getting the water back out, that will clear soon enough. I've got some throat lozenges she can use to sooth it"

"Her lungs clear?" Gibbs asked

"Yes, all clear, I'd say the last episode brought out the last of the water" Ducky replied

"What about her left ear?" Gibbs suddenly asked "we need to check that"

Ducky was momentarily surprised, he watched his friend walk quickly over to Kelly & grab her.

"Dad!" Kelly yelped, he grabbed her & bent her over.

"Have to check your ear, hold still" Gibbs answered, he made sure to support her against the table "Duck!"

"Is there something concerning about her ear?" Ducky asked confused.

"Yes" Gibbs replied "No" Kelly replied at the exact same time.

Nix laughed.

"Ducky, please just satisfy me" Gibbs asked "and hold still missy"

Ducky was confused but used his Otoscope to inspect the ear, he saw some minor scaring, but nothing that would be harmful, he finished up & stepped back to allow the young girl to stand up, though Gibbs still kept her down.

"Looks fine Jethro...except" Ducky started.

Gibbs got concerned "Except? Except what?"

Ducky saw both Kelly & Nix were a little concerned as well "just some minor scaring, doesn't look recent though.."

Gibbs breathed a sigh of relief "It's not...but it's ok?"

"Yes" Ducky confirmed.

"Can I get up now?" Kelly asked.

Gibbs nodded & allowed her up.

Kelly looked at her dad "Just for the record, my ear, fine, been fine all these years, no extra inspections required"

Nix laughed "but they're fun to watch"

Kelly shoved her brother "What are you laughing at, you'll get one soon enough"

Gibbs couldn't help but smile at the sibling interaction, they were both getting over the event upstairs, which was a good thing, but he saw Ducky staring at him "what?"

"If you'll be so kind as to take a seat, I'd like to check you" Ducky replied.

Gibbs raised his eyebrow "I don't think so Duck"

Kelly & Nix stopped their sibling banter & just watched on, eager to see the stand off that just started.

Ducky sighed "Jethro, please...you dove in after your daughter, meaning you were in the cold water too & that's on top of the fact that you'd just gotten out of hospital..."

Gibbs was about to reply when the doors opened, he saw Ziva enter, he knew what that meant. "Can't Duck, time for us to go"

"Ok, but you get a free moment, I want to check you" Ducky replied.

Gibbs just huffed, but he beckoned his kids & headed for the lift, Ziva followed. he was surprised but glad that Ducky followed too.

As they arrived at the squad room he took his kids to his desk "I want you both to stay down here, Ziva's going to stay with you"

"What?" Kelly asked "I wanna come! I can help!" she insisted.

"I wanna come too" Nix added.

Gibbs closed his eyes for a minute to calm down, he then looked between them "I think it's best if you both stay here. If I need to ask you guys questions I will come & get you" he didn't know what to expect, so he wanted to shield them from anything..

"I'm not a child, I can handle whatever it is!" Kelly insisted.

Gibbs didn't want to start another argument, but "I know you're not a child Kells, but I don't know the score right now & I don't want you exposed..."

"No, I'm coming, we're coming. We're the ones that know the place" Kelly interrupted, putting her hands on her brothers shoulders.

Gibbs really didn't like it, but he could see by the look on her face he wouldn't win a calm discussion, he looked down at his son, he really didn't want him in there.

"I want to come" Nix said, like his sister he did want to help, he knew his way around the place.

Ducky could see that his friend really didn't want them to go, but that he also didn't want to get into another argument. This situation wasn't exactly easy, they'd all have to undergo major adjustments.

Gibbs considered it for a moment, he could see they really wanted it, but what if there was a situation he needed to shield them from? He got an idea "Ziva" he beckoned, once she was close enough for a whisper he spoke "go make sure nothing is on the big screen, small screen only"

Ziva nodded & headed off.

Gibbs waited until Ziva had gone into MTAC before turning back to his kids "ok, we can all go, but I'm going to ask that if something happens & I ask you to leave that you do? I wont ask unless I truly think it's necessary, I need you both to trust me on this, we're going to get mum, but it might get a little tricky & if that happens, I don't want you there, I don't think mum would want that either" he knew she wouldn't.

Nix considered what his dad said "ok"

"Thank you Phoenix" Gibbs replied, he looked at his daughter, who was just staring back, she was always a stubborn kid.

Kelly just looked at her dad, she realised he might be right but still...

"Kells, please, I need you to trust me with this" Gibbs said gently.

Kelly let out a breath, she just nodded & made her way for the stairs.

"Dad" Nix spoke softly just as his sister neared the stairs.

Gibbs looked down at his boy "yea pal?"

"Might want to take something into consideration" Nix said.

"What's that?" Gibbs asked, genuinely curious.

"Her stubbornness is always heightened whenever she has her monthly visitor" Nix smirked.

Gibbs's eyes widened at that comment.

"I heard that!" Kelly called.

Nix swallowed "yea.. welcome to the pit" he chuckled softly, at least now he wasn't on his own dealing with this part of his sister!

Gibbs eye's widened as he smirked "thanks for the warning pal, let's go."

Ducky followed, he saw Nix was a few steps ahead & was curious, he couldn't help himself "the pit?"

Gibbs smirked & nodded "family joke Duck" he used to say that time of the month with Shannon was like walking through a pit of white hot coal... he was surprised at his son's comment, but maybe this explained part of her stubbornness, he'd have to leave his thought processes about her having them in the first place for another time.

Gibbs led them into MTAC, he saw the team was there, as well as Jenn & Abby.

Jenn saw Gibbs enter & was a little surprised that he'd brought his kids in with him, she wasn't sure that was really appropriate but she wasn't going to go there. She realised that she'd have to introduce herself, taking a deep breath she stepped forward "It's a great pleasure to meet you Kelly, Phoenix. My name's Jennifer Shepard, I'm the Director here at NCIS... and don't worry about before, I like to have heated discussions, though they're usually with your dad, I can see you're a lot like him" that was more than obvious!

Kelly swallowed, even though she was still very weary about her, she got a sudden feeling that being the Director meant she was in charge, whoops! She couldn't but smile when she was told she was like her dad "Hello" she said softly.

"Hi" Nix added, he didn't really know what to make of her.

Jenn just smiled & headed back towards the computers.

Gibbs gave a internal sigh of relief, glad it went as smoothly as possible, he looked over at Abby and could see that even though she was nervous, she was bursting at the seams.

"Kells, Nix this is Abby Scuito, our forensic scientist. Abs, this is my daughter Kelly & son Phoenix" Gibbs said, he could feel tension all through his daughter's body, he rubbed her arm trying to calm her.

"It's sooooo great to meet you both!" Abby said moving forward, yea she was nervous about what Kelly thought of her, but she was just wayyy too excited.

Nix saw her approach & moved closer to his sister, she was way too... he didn't even know what.

Kelly saw her approach "Back up!"

Abby stopped abruptly 'I..."

"No offence but while you might work for my dad, I don't know jack about you, so please back up from me & my brother" Kelly said defensively, not only did she not like her presumptuous nature to want a hug, she was still cautious about her given her feelings from earlier.

"I just wanted to say hi" Abby replied, my gosh that stare was so off putting, it was Gibbs!

"you can say hi from there, we don't hug" Kelly replied.

That caught not only Gibbs, but everyone by surprise. Abby stepped back, she'd never met anyone that didn't hug.

Gibbs turned to Abby & motioned her to the desk before he turned to his kids "why don't you two take a seat"

"Perhaps I might regale them of the story" Ducky said, trying to relieve some tension.

Gibbs nodded his appreciation & turned to Tony who he could see was trying to get his attention, he wasn't sure of much at the moment... he just needed a moment to breath.. but that wasn't going to be anytime soon..

Tony took a deep breath, unsure what his boss would make of this news "Lt Taylor's on the comms boss, they've already swept the place"

"and?" Gibbs asked, he would have thought sweeping the place would have taken a lot more time, he also thought Ted would get him before they went in, something wasn't right.

"She's not there Boss & neither is Mac, in fact the place deserted" Tony reported, quietly.

Gibbs eye's widened, his clenched his fists, damn! What the hell was he going to do now?

A/N: Ohh Owww! Where's Shannon? Was Gibbs too late?

Shame that Kelly was sick again, but looks like she's ok now. The introductions were a little tense, but I think that's to be expected.

What will Ted find that will bring some comfort? Is Shannon ok? How will Kelly & Nix react to hearing their mum isn't there? What will Gibbs learn?

More up soon, you know I love to hear your thoughts/comments, so review away!