A/N: Here's another chapter folks! To my recent followes/favourites, welcome aboard this ride, I'm so glad to have you with us! To my reviewers, thank you so much, I love reading your thoughts, they keep me inspired!

Guest Reviewer: Ladyaloysius: thanks, glad you're still loving it!

Now, I needed a bit of a laugh, so there are some light hearted moments in here :) I hope you enjoy!

Gibbs led Shannon into the assigned room, his eyes scanning the room finding 2 queen beds, a couch, a dog bed & various supplies for Buster, which he smiled at. along with a TV & all the other usual items one would find in a hotel room.

Shannon entered the room & had to admit now that she was about to have a shower, she couldn't wait. And fresh clothes, sounded wonderful, so she headed straight for the bags that were on the beds.

Gibbs saw where she headed & followed instantly "this one Shan" he said, motioning to the first bag on the closest bed, knowing it was the one with her stuff, because it was the only bag he didn't recognise.

Shannon gave a small smile & nodded, taking a breath she opened it up & looked to see what had been packed.

Gibbs was watching his wife out of the corner of his eye as he too dug out some clothes, he could see she wasn't exactly comfortable & had a thought & quickly rummaged around in the bags "Shan" he smiled as he passed her some stuff.

Shannon didn't really know why, but she wasn't too comfortable in putting these clothes on, she pulled out a pair of sweat pants when she heard her husband call her name. Looking over she saw her husband holding something out for her to take, she reached across & took hold of it. She smiled, it was one of his old marine t-shirts and a jumper, it was red too. There was also a pair of sweat pants, they looked to be Kelly's size, but she knew she'd fit into them, she lifted her head & smiled "thank you"

Gibbs pulled her into him with his one good arm "you don't have to wear a single thing from that bag if you don't want to. Wear this stuff for now, we'll get you new stuff when we're back in DC"

Shannon nodded, saying nothing & merely placing the clothes she'd wear down onto the bed. She turned back to him & placed a hand on his shoulder "let's get this off you darling" she said, as she unstrapped his sling. They'd already agreed with the medical team that she'd take care of the unstrapping & helping him keep the wounds dry,and they'd only come once he was redressed to check his dressing & re-strap his sling.

Shannon pulled on the green marine t-shirt & held the top of it over her nose, as she breathed the scent of in, she smiled as she smelt sawdust & a hint of coffee, the familiar smell she always associated with him "boat?" she smirked at him.

Gibbs smirked "half done, you going to help finish this one?" he grinned.

Shannon walked up to him with a t-shirt for him to pull on "maybe, you want to help redecorate?"

Gibbs just laughed as he pulled her close, their joint shower, while complicated with the various wounds he had to keep dry, was ever so satisfying, it had broken the tension & then some. "no time apart, everything together, I'll even help cook" he finished with a cheeky grin.

Shannon gave him a sly grin "only if your skills have improved"

"Cowboy steaks?" Gibbs smirked

Shannon rolled her eyes "a balanced diet requires more than just meat"

"Says who?" Gibbs asked shocked but with a glint in his eye.

Shannon pulled the t-shirt over his head, it was another marine one "me!" she exclaimed when his head popped through, she gave him a quick kiss too, she was a lot more relaxed after the shower with him & now wearing clothes that was encasing her in his scent.

Gibbs grinned, he was loving that she was wearing his t-shirt, just like she used to and they were bantering like used to, they were already falling into their normal roles with each other. Still having the use of both arms he wrapped them around her waist "together forever babe, never going to leave you again. I promise you that" he said more seriously.

Shannon nodded as she caressed his head, loving the feeling of her hand through his hair again "you've gone silver on me, marine"

Gibbs knew she'd heard him, but didn't want get drawn into the emotional aspect "and you're more radiant than ever"

The pair finished getting ready, including having one of the medical team check his wounds & replace the sling, much to Gibbs's dislike.

Shannon wasn't really sure where her kids were & she was concerned with how they both were copping, her eyes scanned the area & finally rested on her son & she was surprised to say the least. Her son was with Ted & they were with another gentleman, and all three looked to be concentrating deeply on the tractor that she'd not noticed before. It looked to her as if they were trying to repair it, as she could see the lid of its engine was raised "let's leave him be" she suggested. He looked to be enjoying himself, and had noticeably relaxed. It reminded her of when they'd visited Mike's grandparents farm in Austin, she flashed a look to her husband, best to keep than one under wraps for a short while.

Gibbs nodded, he didn't want to interrupt his boy when he was obviously in the middle of something & he could tell had relaxed. He was about to say something when he heard a loud series of barks, that was promptly followed by a yell of 'Buster' & he saw a bunch of birds take flight, what the? He hurried himself & Shannon towards them.

Kelly & Harry were now just watching Buster, trying to move on from the hectic talk they'd just had & Buster had now taken note of a few birds that were on the other side of the pond, as well as the fish in the pond, he was mildly barking at them, but what happened next wasn't something they were expecting!

"Buster!" Kelly & Harry exclaimed through laughter, he'd dived into the pond!

"Buster! Get out of there boy!" Kelly called, trying to keep her voice sounding stern

Harry was bemused, he then saw Kelly flash him a look "No way! I'm not going in there!" he turned to the dog, his head was below the water line "get out boy!"

Kelly knew she couldn't reach him "come on Harry, pleeease, he's not coming out on his own"

Harry huffed, knowing she was right, this dog was being stubborn & was now swimming trying to get to the birds, that had already taken flight & the fish that were frantically swimming for an escape. He toed his shoes off as he stripped his top off "you owe me!"

Kelly just nodded, keeping her lips pressed together, she feared she'd laugh too much.

"Buster!" Harry called as he lowered himself into the pond "come here you damn dog" he huffed, shit this water was cold!

Ted had heard the barks & the yell & while it didn't sound like a usual 'high alert' bark, he was curious as to what was going on. He hopped down from the tractor & seeing Nix was doing likewise, helped him the final step before heading towards the pond he saw he wasn't alone. Gibbs & Shannon were approaching, as was his Sgt, Evans and even Jackson, who'd just returned, this could get interesting!

The sight he saw though was not what he was expecting, he looked down at his son, his son who was in, in, the pond, trying to shove the dog out, what on earth? "Ahh, Harry?"

Shannon was just as confused as Ted & knew her husband was likewise, she looked to her daughter who while looking shocked, was doing her best to keep a straight face.

Gibbs had been concerned, hearing Buster bark had given him cause for angst, but from what he could see, there was nothing wrong. He was just damn curious about how the dog & Harry had ended up in the pond, he watched as the pair finally came out of the pond, he was with Ted, huh? He flashed a look to his wife before looking at his girl, it looked like she was doing her best to not laugh "ahh?"

Kelly did her best not to laugh "thanks" she smirked to Harry who was now dripping wet.

Shannon was about to say something when she saw Buster approach herself & her husband, she watched as he promptly went right up to her husband, opened his mouth and….. and dropped a fish! A now dead fish! At her husband's feet, what on earth?

Nix's eyes widened at what Buster had done, he flashed a look to his sister who was showing the same shock, yet a bemused look on her face. He'd done this before at their place, with the odd bird & he'd always been the one to deal with it, he wondered how his dad would handle it.

Gibbs stared down at the dead fish & then looked at Buster, he was sitting on his heals just staring up at him. He had no idea where to go with this?

Evans had been enjoying a lie down in the sun, he'd given Woods first go on the shower, so he wanted to grab some rays. He was just lying there when he heard the dog's bark & knowing dog's he knew the sound wasn't an alarming bark, but an excited one, he was curious, so he headed over to see what the situation was, and situation seemed to be well, a puppy. He could see that Gibbs had no clue as to what to do with the 'gift' he'd be given "ah sir, he's brought you a gift, you need to accept it & thank him"

Gibbs raised his eyebrow at Sgt Evans "Thank him? For a dead fish at my feet?"

Jack had just returned when he'd heard the bark, and saw Ted & his grandson head towards the pond area, being curious himself, he went to see what happened. He'd watched as Buster presented the fish to his son & had to smile, but his son should have remembered this "Blitzer did the same with rats & birds Jethro, don't you remember?" Blitzer was one of their cattle dogs when his son was just a boy.

Gibbs flashed a look at his dad, he could stay mad, but now wasn't the time & he suddenly recalled the memory, crap! He crouched down "thank you boy"

"Whoof!" Buster barked happily, jumping in the air briefly, before standing up & shaking his fur to dispel the excess water.

Gibbs stood back up just in time to be sprayed with water "Buster!" he called, but he wasn't alone.

"He's just trying to dry himself" Nix laughed, his parents, Kelly, Harry, Ted, even his grandfather & Sgt Evans had all called Buster for spraying them.

Gibbs smiled to his boy "I can see…." but he stopped mid-sentence & just stared at his son, he asked himself the same question he'd asked before, what the?

Shannon looked towards her son & knew exactly why her husband had stopped mid-sentence he was covered in, she didn't even know what! "What on earth have you been doing over at that tractor?"

Ted smiled "we've been helping to fix it Shan, can't do that & stay clean" both him & Nix had grim & muck all over their arms, Nix even had a grease smudge on his cheek.

Nix grinned "I changed the oil & we found 3 dead rats in the engine"

"Eww!" Kelly complained

Gibbs chuckled "sounds like fun pal, is it running yet?"

"Almost" Nix replied

"Should we go back & give him some more help?" Gibbs suggested

"Yea!" Nix replied, he'd really been enjoying working on the tractor, Ted was heaps of fun, and now to have his dad help, that would be awesome!

"Well, I need a shower" Harry remarked, he was a tad cold.

Kelly pressed her lips together "yea, you kinda do" he did look in need of a shower

"Thanks Harry, I really appreciate you diving into the freezing cold pond after my damn crazy dog" Harry smirked looking at his friend squarely in the eye.

Shannon flashed a look between the two of them "how did you end up in the pond anyways?"

Harry's eyes rested on his friend "this damn dog caught sight of the birds on the other side of the pond & then noticed some of the fish, he started barking & next thing he dived in & I, I was expected to go in after him"

"I said thank you" Kelly retorted with a smirk.

"And right now that doesn't seem enough" Harry smirked, before he grinned.

Ted knew that grin on his face & wasn't surprised, he just laughed, he'd grabbed Kelly around her waist & threw them both back into the pond.

"Argh!" Kelly exclaimed shocked as she fell straight into the pond, she went under & came back up, she shoved her friend "Harry!"

Gibbs couldn't help but laugh at the pairs antics, he was glad his girl was laughing & that the tension had dissolved. His eyes though darted to Buster who was now darting around them & barking excitedly at the pair in the pond. No wait he spotted the fish that were now frantically swimming after the kids entry into the pond. He saw him madly running along the edge of the pond & wondered something, he had Evans next to him "he's not going to?"

Evans smirked "within 30 seconds, unless you stop it, don't forget, he's a pup, he still gets very excited" Buster was so going right back into the pond, if he had his way! Yea, this pup was just like his brother! A definite handful when in pup mode.

Gibbs just shook his head, this dog in front of him was not the same one from earlier, gone was serious all business german shepherd, and instead was basically, well, a child who looked excited at catching a moving target, this was going to be fun! "Buster!" he called, when he got the dog's attention he continued "here" he ordered, pointing to the spot at his feet.

Nix was laughing, not only had Harry pulled a seriously good trick on his sister, but Buster was now rooted to his current spot on the edge of the pond as he tried to decide if he should obey his dad, or go right back after the swimming fish "swim boy!" he just couldn't help himself.

Ted laughed, he saw Gibbs give his son a look of utter shock "yea, good luck with that four legged kid"

Shannon couldn't help but chuckle, but she saw that Director lady approach with two men, she knew she had to do something "Kelly, Harry, time to get out & get him out too" she finished flashing a look at her husband.

Gibbs saw where her eye's had travelled & his eyes widened, crap! "All three of you out!" he added, this probably wasn't a pond that one swam in.

Ted had also seen where the eyes had travelled & had instantly moved forward to help the pair out, and he wasn't alone, Evans had also stepped forward instantly to help.

Jenn had no idea what was going on, but why on earth were Kelly, Harry & Buster for that matter all rising out of the pond, she flashed a look to either side of her, both Allen & Mason weren't looking all that happy. As she got near, she saw a look on Gibbs's face, she'd never thought she'd see on him, he genuinely looked stuck for what to say. She also wondered just why he was out of his wheelchair, when she'd ordered him to stay in it until they at least returned to DC.

Jack could see his son, and daughter-in-law had no clue as to what to say, it was quite the situation, he'd take care of the situation "Joe, Lance, I'd like you to meet my son Jethro, his wife Shannon & their kids, Kelly & Phoenix. Also, Lt Ted Taylor & his son Harry" he finished pointing each of them out "This is Joe Allen the owner of the hotel & his son in-law Lance Mason"

Kelly shared a look with Harry as they stood soaking wet on the edge of the pond, her eyes had widened at the arrival of these people & that Director lady, she wasn't sure what their reactions would be & grabbed Buster by his collar to stop him going anywhere close to them.

Jack just watched as a round of tense hellos were exchanged.

Allen saw that the group was tense, but he caught sight of something on the ground & suddenly it all clicked, he smiled "let me guess, your fella there couldn't resist this pond full of fish?" he asked looking at Kelly, the dog that was next to her was soaked & still very excited.

Kelly flashed a look at her parents before answering "I'm really sorry! We got him out as quick as we could" she finished making sure she had a solid grip on Buster, she was scared they would be upset with him.

Mason finally smiled understanding what had happened "It's fine, he's not the first one to go for a swim, though I commend him on catching a fish, must be a talented fella"

Nix breathed a sigh of relief, he was worried that these men wouldn't like what Buster had done & demand they leave

Gibbs let out a breath, thank heavens! "We're happy to pay for the fish & any cleaning of the pond you might need to do" he wasn't sure if the pond would need cleaning after the kids & Buster had been in it.

"No need" Allen waved off "it's scheduled for a clean tomorrow anyway" and maybe a small fence too he thought to himself.

Jenn was shocked at what had obviously just happened & really didn't know where to go with it! She saw Ziva & Ducky a short way away & decided to make a quiet exit.

"If we can just ask that he doesn't go into any of the rooms while he's still wet" Mason asked

"Of course, we'll make sure he's perfectly dry before he steps foot inside any of the rooms" Shannon replied, she was ever so glad they didn't have a problem with what had happened.

"Thank you" Allen remarked "you folks need anything, we'll be around" he said before he & Mason headed off.

As the pair headed off Gibbs, Shannon & Ted all let their eyes fall to their kids.

"I think I'll go for a shower" Kelly decided "here squirt, you dry him off" she finished pushing Buster towards him.

"Think I'll grab a shower too" Harry agreed

Shannon wanted to go with her, but the pair of them had walked off instantly, guess the talk would have to wait, "well then, how do you suggest getting him dry Nix darling?"

Nix considered it when he saw a few of the SWAT men approaching, and Abrams was carrying something, he grinned "we play soccer!" they were bringing a soccer ball with them, clearly intending to play!

Evans looked at the men, Abrams, Migel & Samuels were throwing the ball between each other, he smirked "Nix, let Buster go" he waited until Nix had released Buster before looking down at the dog "Fetch!" he ordered pointing at his fellow SWAT officers, this should be fun!

Ted watched carefully as the dog ran a full speed straight for the trio & let out a bellowed laugh, they'd all, but especially Samuels had freaked out.

"Shit!" Samuels exclaimed, he'd just been bouncing the ball in his hands when Buster had appeared out of nowhere & just launched himself at him, pure instinct had him throw the ball in the air, but the sheer force Buster had charged at him with, had him falling backwards.

"What's the matter Samuels?" Evans smirked as he approached "afraid of a little puppy dog" he remarked as he patted down Buster, who'd had the ball now between his front paws "good boy, good boy"

"That aint no puppy dog!" Samuels retorted.

"Yea he is, this fella isn't even 1 years old yet" Evans smirked "so teams, you three against, me Nix & Buster" he finished with a grin "how's that sound Nix?"

"Great!" Nix replied "Buster loves soccer!" the pair of them had already spent heaps of time playing it together.

Shannon smiled, as she watched them agree on boundaries & makeshift goal posts, her son was now clearly in his element. She'd seen that Ted had taken himself off towards his room, but her husband & Jack were standing right by her "allow me to introduce the pair of you to the sport your son & grandson is obsessed with, there's only one type of ball he kicks around, so get used to it"

Gibbs smiled, while didn't really know anything about the sport, gridiron had been his sport growing up, he was happy to know & see it, and if he recalled correctly, the sport wasn't that heavy on contact, so it was safer that some of the other ones. He just watched, annoyed he couldn't partake himself but that would come but for now he just watched as his son played with these men, who'd all taken to his family like they were their own, he owed these guys a lot!

A/N: Me thinks that Buster is going to be good for bringing laughter to this family :) And Gibbs makes a very good point, these guys are definitely good men.

I'm not sure if I'll get another chapter up before the holidays, so I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays & to stay safe! More up as soon as I can, so please review away, you know I much I love reading your comments!