A/N: So glad you're all still loving this, to my newest followers & favourites, welcome aboard! To my reviewers, you rock! I really love hearing your thoughts/comments!

Now, I think it might be time for some coffee? Yes?... yes!

"Can I finish yours?" Nix asked his sister.

Kelly raised her eyebrow "no, you've had 2, think that's enough"

"I'm a growing boy" Nix retorted, he was still hungry.

Kelly laughed "you haven't grown in ages squirt"

Nix nudged his sister, not liking that she said it in front of everyone.

"Phoenix" Gibbs called, motioning him to come closer.

"Can I have yours?" Nix asked with a small grin.

"no" Gibbs chuckled "if you're still hungry you can have some of the fruit Ducky bought"

Nix screwed his face, he didn't like that option.

Gibbs had to smile at his reaction, but he brought his son closer to him, he was standing right between his legs, he leaned in & whispered "what I wanted to say is, like you I was short, really short, then I turned 16 & shot up. You'll grow son, just wait"

Nix pulled back from his dad "really?"

Gibbs nodded "uh huh"

Nix smiled, loving the sound of that.

"So, want some fruit?" Gibbs asked.

"Can I have some of your coffee?" Nix countered.

"F17" Kelly stated quietly.

"Why do you have to ruin things?" Nix asked his sister.

Gibbs tapped his son on the shoulder "young man she didn't, she's right. Tell me what F17 is?"

Nix sighed "No coffee before you turn 15"

Gibbs nodded "uh huh & that has been in place since before your sister was even born. Mum & I both had similar restrictions"

Tony flashed a look to Ziva, she was right, their rules had F's, he wondered what it meant. He also couldn't help but notice how calm Gibbs was in this parental role.

"You mean there was a time the great Gibbs didn't drink coffee?" Abby asked, with a wry smile.

"I'm shocked boss" Tony added.

Gibbs just shook his head as he swallowed the last of his current cup, empty, drats! He eyed his girl's cup.

Kelly saw where her dad's eyes had travelled, she grabbed her cup "I don't think so, this is mine"

Gibbs leaned into her "just let daddy have one sip" he said quietly.

"And are your one sips anything like one bites? Cause if that's the case, there's no chance" Kelly replied.

Gibbs laughed at the memory it stirred, he always asked for one bite, but made a spectacle of trying for a massive bite "small sip"

Tony was again taken by Gibbs's laugh, he'd never heard this kind of laugh from his boss, hell he'd rarely heard his boss talk so much. It was a little off putting, this wasn't the Gibbs he knew, he had a feeling though, the Gibbs he knew was disappearing.

Ziva couldn't believe Gibbs was wanting someone else's coffee she looked at Kelly "how do you take your coffee?"

Kelly looked away from her dad to Ziva "as is, with nothing but coffee, anything else just ruins it" she turned back to her dad as she took a sip "now this, all mine & besides, you've already had 2 this morning"

Gibbs's eyes widened in shock "you can't..."

Kelly smirked "I can't? But I do... it's now a rule, F18. Guess mum thought I was too addicted as well"

Abby shared a look with the others, all were eager to hear this, but none of them knew how to ask, she was surprised but glad when Ducky did the honours.

"Might I enquire what that rule is?" Ducky asked gently, he could see that Gibbs was shocked & wondered what it was.

Kelly smiled "Sure Ducky, the rule is no one is allowed more than 2 cups of coffee per half a day, until nightfall. You can have 2 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon but only 1 after nightfall & it has to be before 21:00"

Nix let out a laugh, the looks on their faces were priceless, they were all shocked.

Gibbs couldn't believe it, Shannon had made it an official rule? He always managed to keep it off the list, hmmm... "Think I'm going to veto that rule"

Kelly grinned, she finished the last of her 2nd cup "more please"

Gibbs eyed his girl "I didn't say I was going to, I said I was thinking about it"

"So that means no more coffee for you either then for another ohh, hour or so" Kelly countered.

Tony's eye's widened Gibbs on no coffee... not exactly good news! He shared a look with Tim, neither knew what to say.

"you have to follow those rules too?" Abby asked quietly, she'd never known Gibbs to ration coffee.

Kelly eyed her "ahh yea, Family rules, we all follow them, don't we dad?" she finished with a smirk.

Gibbs just nodded once, yes they did... crap! While he wanted to veto the rule, it would then mean allowing his girl to drink more coffee & he wasn't sure he wanted that.

Jenn walked in & saw the nearly everyone was looking a little off "is everything ok?"

Gibbs looked at her, he really didn't know what to say "Fine, ...your roll might be a little cold, Abs, why don't you warm it up for the Director"

"Sure" Abby replied.

"Thank you Abby" Jenn said, she looked back at Gibbs "I've heard from Dayle"

Gibbs stood instantly "and?"

Jenn took a breath before replying "His team are at the truck stop in Spring, they've asked around & a woman matching Shannon's description hopped a ride about 3 hours ago with a truck driver, he's an independent & they think he was either headed for Atlanta or Kansas City"

Gibbs considered the two destinations "Kansas City"

Jenn eyed him "wouldn't Atlanta be more likely, I mean it's more on the way"

"That's exactly why she wouldn't go that route" Gibbs replied, taking a breath he continued "can they get the truck on the radio?"

"They don't know what company the independent was working for I'm afraid" Jenn replied

"DiNozzo, get me Taylor" Gibbs ordered.

"Right boss" Tony agreed.

"Ducky may I have some tea?" Kelly asked, seeing him pour some.

"Of course my dear" Ducky replied, moving to pour it.

Gibbs who'd gone into the other room poked his head back in "Nope"

Nix laughed.

"It's tea, not coffee" Kelly replied.

Gibbs eyed her "caffeine limit has been reached" he considered something "ok, you can have it now, and that will be one of your 2 for the arvo"

"Shouldn't you be speaking with Ted about getting mum?" Kelly asked.

"I will, as soon as you tell me what you've decided" Gibbs replied.

Kelly got an idea "Can't today be an F1 emergency situation where we need extra caffeine to keep us going?"

Gibbs stared at his girl in amazement, he loved that idea! He grinned "Done!"

Kelly grinned "sooo?"

Gibbs turned to Ducky "Isn't Palmer due to start soon?" he received a nod "Tell him to stop & grab some more coffees & hot chocolates" he finished, knowing his son would want more of his drink too.

Ducky didn't really know what F1 was, but wasn't going to say no "of course Jethro"

Nix shared a grin with his sister "nice!"

Kelly high fived him "I thought so"

Jenn had no idea what the conversation that had just occurred was about, nor what F1 was, she was next to Ziva "what's F1?" she asked quietly.

Ziva just shrugged, she had no idea.

Jenn headed back out to where Gibbs was, she heard Gibbs was already deep in conversation.

"not sure which route Ted, get Dayle & another team to go one & you and the other to go the other main route, pull over any independent truck that matches the description" Gibbs said.

Jenn just waited.

"yea, all comms off the radio's through phone's only, we don't want anyone listening in nor being able to track you guys. I agree but she's 3 hours ahead bud, peddle to the meddle" Gibbs finished & hung up.

"Shouldn't we put some units on finding Mac & his men?" Jenn asked cautiously.

"Two of Taylor's men are watching his residence for anyone who returns" Tony reported.

"Ok, but why don't we use some more resources..." Jenn had started to say, but got interrupted.

"Ziva!" Gibbs barked, an idea coming to him.

"yes Gibbs" Ziva replied instantly coming into view.

"I want a BOLO issued for Mac & all his men, from Texas all the way to the coast, including Quinn" Gibbs instructed.

"On what grounds Gibbs? Which..." Jenn asked cautiously...not sure what angle he'd go for.

Gibbs looked at her in shock "Beats me Director, maybe kidnapping, maybe falsifying documents, maybe even interfering in a federal investigation, should I go on?" he demanded, was she serious?

Jenn sighed "If you had let me finish you would have realised that all I was going ask is which avenue, I know there are many things he'll be held accountable for"

Gibbs turned to Ziva "pick one"

Ziva nodded "I will get them issued Gibbs, we'll find them" and with that she left the lab, it was easier to do issue them from her desk.

Tony watched as Gibbs stared Jenn down, the tension was extreme, it could be cut with a butter knife. He flashed a look at Abby, both wanted to help but neither knew how.

Nix could see his dad wasn't really in a good mood, but… "Ahh dad?" he whispered.

Gibbs kept his stare on the director for one more minute before turning to his son "yea pal?"

"Where's the nearest bathroom?" Nix asked, he was busting!

"This way bud, let me show you" Gibbs said, glad he was getting a moment away, he realised very quickly that the mere sound of his son's voice had helped calm him, he smiled at that, gosh this was nice.

Jenn could see she had upset him, she'd have to get a moment alone with him so they could talk, but she had to admit she was surprised at the way he 'turned off' the foul the mood, because as soon as he turned towards Phoenix he was smiling. She'd never seen him turn it off as quickly.

Kelly wanted to avoid Jenn & moved around the room the other way approaching Tony from behind "Tony" she said softly.

Tony had been so caught up in watching the stand-off that he hadn't even realised Kelly approach him, he jumped "Sheez!"

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you" Kelly smiled.

Tony looked at Kelly "I didn't think I'd have to expect it from you, but I guess it's in the genes"

Kelly looked at him puzzled "huh?"

"your dad's sneaking up on people is legendary" Abby commented happily.

"He was a sniper, they kinda need to be sneaky" Kelly replied curtly, she really didn't like the cut of this chick.

Abby swallowed, she'd never really experienced that kind of Gibbs stare before, it was.. ouch! She was really trying to be nice, but was still getting the feeling she wasn't liked.

"He's definitely that" Tony commented "So, what ya need?" realising she'd obviously wanted something.

"My car... it's still down in Portsmouth" Kelly said.

Tony wasn't sure why getting it right now was so important, it wasn't like she'd be going anywhere without her dad.

"I'll have it brought up here for you Kelly" Jenn interjected, she wanted to help & show she cared, besides they still had some agents down there.

Kelly's eyes momentarily widened, she was surprised at the offer to help "thank you director"

"Your welcome" Jenn smiled, she could see some tension releasing & wanted to relieve some more "would I be correct to say that you drive like your dad?"

Kelly had to smile "according to my mum, pretty much. Got his sneakiness too"

"was he always like that?" Tony asked, he was eager to learn more about his boss.

Kelly smiled, she was getting comfortable with Tony, then a memory hit "yeap, he'd sometimes freak mum out totally by sneaking up on her, though he learnt to not do it while she was cooking, this one time..."

"Shush!" Gibbs said urgently, having covered her mouth so she couldn't say it, though he was glad she remembered it, what he was more glad about was having arrived back into the room just in time.

Kelly chuckled, she pulled his hand away "it's funny"

Gibbs eyed her "for those whose name is Gibbs yes, but not for anyone else" he whispered "unless, you want to end up with a similar fate" he finished with a grin.

Kelly was standing in her dad's hold & turned her head up to look at him "I'd like to see you try! I'd especially like to taste it" she grinned.

"Oww! Can we? for dessert?" Nix asked with excitement pouring out, he knew exactly what they were talking about.

Gibbs chuckled "Not right now & besides you just ate!"

The team & Ducky and even Jenn were sharing looks with each other, none could really believe their eyes. Gibbs rarely smiled, let alone laughed or diverted his attention from a case, especially a big case like this, yet here he was laughing & playing around with his kids.

"I finished eating over 20 minutes ago!" Nix grinned "hungry"

Kelly patted the arm of her dad that was gripping her waist "welcome to world of trying to keep up with his hunger"

Gibbs smiled "there's plenty of fruit to fill that stomach young man, no dessert, especially with pizza on the menu for lunch"

Jenn was still getting used to this new side of Gibbs, she'd always thought he'd have been a great dad, but this... something else entirely! She was shaken from her thoughts when her phone beeped with a message 'He's here'. Jenn took a breath, maybe she was going to get some more answers "I have to go take care of something, I'll check in shortly" she said before heading out.

Gibbs stared after her wondering what on earth could be taking centre stage from the situation at hand.

"Ah boss?" Tony interjected, he needed to check something.

Gibbs saw it was case related, time to try to distance his kids again "why don't you go put some fruit into that stomach pal, I'll be in in a minute"

"Fine" Nix sulked "pancakes would be better though"

Gibbs had to smile, his eyes then fell to his girl.

Kelly sighed "Let me guess? Go with him?"

Gibbs nodded.

Kelly rolled her eyes, this was getting old..

"What ya got?" Gibbs asked Tony once the pair had vacated the immediate room.

"Question really, when you were speaking with Lt Taylor you said something about 'I know', what are you thinking?" Tony asked, if he was to stay on top of things, he'd need to know as much as possible.

"That she might not stay with the truck for the entire trip to Kansas City, she may very well jump off & grab a new ride along the way, she wouldn't stay on a particular route the entire way" Gibbs said.

The conversation got interrupted by Tony phones "DiNozzo" he answered, his eyes widened "hold on" he said into the phone, he turned to Gibbs "the taxi driver boss."

Gibbs took a deep breath & took the phone, he didn't know what to expect from the person, the only thing he knew was that this was the last person to have spoken to his wife & he'd get every little bit of information he could.

A/N: I tell you, Gibbs veto'ing a rule about coffee consumption limits? Yea, sounds about right, lol.

Who though is Jenn going to see? and how will a simple video game put father & daughter at odds until an unexpected phone call shakes them?

I always love to hear your thoughts, so review away! More up soon :)