A/N: Happy New Year People! Hope you're all having a great time! To my latest followers/favourites, welcome aboard this magical ride, so glad to have you with us! To my reviewers, thank you so much! I truly appreciate your words, they keep me inspired!
Guest Reviewer: Thanks for your review, and I really appreciate how good a writer you think I am! that means a lot. However, I'd like to reiterate that while at times & in certain chapters there is a heavy focus on the family, the team are very much still apart of this story, Gibbs will not just shove them out of the his life & this chapter starts to deal with some this very thing in actual fact, so I hope you stick with us on this adventure!
Now, lets see how things are going back in DC...
Martha looked around, she really didn't know where to start, she'd snuck over occasionally and did a few things around the place, she was sure Jethro knew but given he never said anything, she just kept doing it. Not that it was a lot, just a small tidy & clean, and the occasional grocery run, he couldn't always have only steaks in the fridge.
Looking around now however & knowing she needed to sort a fair amount before they got back, she really wasn't sure where to begin. She had to check the bedding situation upstairs, sort out the kitchen & get food in the fridge & do a clean up, not because it was dirty, but she thought that Jethro would prefer certain things moved or put away, like the couch bedding moved for one. Heading for the stairs she was surprised to see the front door open "Henry, Barbara! What are you doing here?" what were Ted's parents doing here?
Barbara gave her sympathetic look "after everything you & Ted have told us, did you really expect us to stay away? We're here to help" she'd known Jethro & the Gibbs family since her son had moved into the house, and she really couldn't fathom what she'd been told earlier.
"Ted said you were struggling to get in contact with Jeff at the hardware store. So we stopped off on the way, he said he would drop by soon with the possible set of keys from the last lot they had on file, if it doesn't fit, he's bringing a re-key device. We'll also check the back door" Henry added, he'd had a very tense conversation with his son & was feeling nothing but disgust towards MacDonald, he never did like the man "what else do you need to do?"
"Thank you both" Martha couldn't help but smile, she was glad for the reinforcements "well, the bedding situation needs checking, the kitchen & run to the grocery store needs to be organised & just a general tidy up. I don't want to do too much, but I think this place could use a quick once over"
"Well, why don't you go upstairs and look into the bedding situation, I will check on Jethro's fridge situation & Henry can start looking at the backdoor" Barbara suggested.
Barbara watched as Martha nodded in agreement & made her way upstairs, she headed for the kitchen with her husband & decided to start with the fridge, she opened it and then the freezer, she just shook her head & looked over at her husband "you know, I believe this is what our fridge looks like whenever I go & visit Gail"
Henry looked over her shoulder & smirked, there was a single steak in the fridge, with 2 more in the freezer, along with some beers "yea, looks about right, but he does have a tomato & a carrot, that just way too much vegetables for my liking" he chuckled
"Hellooo" came a voice from the hall.
Henry headed back towards the front door "Jeff, thanks for coming" he greeted
"No problem Henry" Jeffrey nodded, he wasn't quite sure what to make of what he'd been told, he saw Martha come down the stairs "Martha" he greeted
"Hi Jeff, thank you very much for coming" Martha greeted.
"No problem" Jeff replied "is this really true? Shannon, Kelly are alive?" he really needed further confirmation
"Yes, they're both alive, Ted's with Jethro and the family now, they're hopefully going to be back in DC tomorrow" Martha confirmed
"And Jethro's got a son?" Jeff asked
"Yes, his name is Phoenix, he's about Stacey's age" Martha confirmed, she knew why Jeff was asking these questions.
"I don't even know what to say" Jeff remarked.
"There's nothing anyone can say Jeff" Barbara said "all we can do is be there to give whatever assistance they need"
Jeff nodded "whatever Jethro and the family need we'll be happy to help with, where should I start?"
"Why don't we check the locks on the doors" Henry surmised
Jeff nodded in agreement & set his tool box down, best to look at the front door first "I kept telling Jethro he needed a new lock, I put this one in when Shannon was still pregnant with Kelly"
Henry nodded "I don't think he really cared about it, he didn't see the need to keep the place that secure, as there was nothing he really valued inside" while he hadn't seen Jethro that often, he'd been a topic of regular conversation with his son, as he attempted to help his son help Jethro.
Jeff sighed, he understood what Henry was saying & was going to respond when he caught sight of a lady fast approaching, he wasn't sure who she was, but she was dressed in all black & was definitely of the goth persuasion.
"Who are you!?" Abby demanded walking right up to the two men standing at Gibbs's front door "what are you doing here?! This is Gibbs's house! I don't know you! What are you doing here?!" she demanded again
Henry & Jeff just stared at her with wide eyes.
"I asked what you're doing here! What are you doing to his front door?!" Abby didn't like that these guys had tools out "Gibbs will hunt you down for being in his house!"
"Abby" Martha said trying to get her attention, but she just kept ranting "ABIGAIL!" she exclaimed
Abby finally quieted down as she saw Martha "Mrs Taylor?" she whispered, she suddenly realised that there was now 4 people staring at her, but what was she, they doing here?
Martha took a breath "yes, Abby these are my in-laws Barbara & Henry Taylor, and this is Jeff Johnston from the hardware store. Barbara, Henry, Jeff, this is Abby Scuito, she works with Jethro at NCIS" she said motioning to the various people now staring at Abby.
"Ahh Hi" Abby greeted quietly & received greetings in reply.
"What are you doing here Abby?" Martha enquired
"Ahhh…" Abby stuttered
"Well?" Martha prodded, she'd gone very quiet & unsure of herself.
"I wanted to check the place before Gibbs got back, I know he doesn't keep the place well stocked with food & I wanted to make sure it was presentable for his family. What are you doing here?" Abby asked back. Once she'd gotten word that they were all ok, she decided her mission for the rest of the day was to make sure Gibbs place would be ready and suitable for their return.
Martha gave her a sympathetic smile "the same thing, we're here to give this place a quick once over before they get back tomorrow" she was glad to know that some of Jethro's colleagues cared that much.
"Oh" Abby replied, she'd wanted to do this for Gibbs, she'd wanted to be the one to make sure the place was ready for him, this wasn't going according to her plan.
Barbara exchanged a look with her daughter-in-law, Abby didn't really look that happy "is there something wrong dear?"
"No ahh…" Abby stuttered "I just thought… " she said looking around the room "never mind".
"Would you like to help us? There's plenty to do" Martha offered, she wasn't quite sure what Abby's issue was.
"Sure" Abby replied hesitantly, guess that would have to do.
Martha smiled "great, come help me upstairs."
As Martha arrived to the top of the stairs she went to the already opened linen closet "I was just about to make the bed in Jethro's bedroom, could you grab one of the blankets & a couple of pillows from the cupboard from the guest room, it's the room on the left" Martha motioned down the hall.
Abby nodded & headed into the room, while she'd been in this house plenty of times, and she'd slept in Gibbs's bed once or twice, she'd never been in this room or the one opposite. Entering the room, she thought she'd find a bed, what with Martha calling it a guest room, but all that was inside were boxes & a cupboard, she approached it & opening she saw various different items, she took out a blanket & two pillows.
Heading back into the hallway Abby looked at the door across from her, she assumed it was Kelly's room, she hesitated for moment before stepping towards it, and curiosity got the best of her, placing a hand on the knob she was about to open it when she got stopped.
"Abby" Martha called "don't go in there please" she'd seen her ready to open the door into Kelly's room.
"It's Kelly room" Abby remarked quietly.
"Yes it is" Martha nodded "and it is a room that is off limits, even I haven't been in there since…" she left the ending open, knowing she'd understand
"But wouldn't Gibbs want us to…" Abby tried to say something but got interrupted
"While I'm sure Jethro will appreciate what we are doing here now, I will not go against his wishes that no one enters her room, it is for Jethro, and Jethro alone to change that restriction." Martha said interrupting her.
"He hasn't let anyone in her room?" Abby asked.
"No" Martha answered "her room is sacred & while she is now alive and the room will no doubt be used again, I will not be the one to cross the threshold or let anyone else do so, against his wishes"
Martha could see the girl was chewing her bottom lip "Abby? Something wrong?"
"I just want to help, I want to make this place all nice & welcoming, I want them to…" Abby started rambling
"And you are helping, we will give this place a once over, but we wont go overboard, it's not our place to give it a total makeover, that I will leave for Shannon. We should just make it decent enough, with some basic necessities" Martha remarked.
"But I don't want them to think…" Abby tried to say but got interrupted again.
"Abby, I'm sorry for interrupting you again, but I know what you're going to say. You don't want his family coming back & seeing how he lived in house? How he really didn't take care of anything or himself? Am I right?" Martha asked, she drew a nod "I'm afraid, it would not do him justice to change it, if we hide how things were, then it will take longer for them to heal as a family. Besides that, Jethro didn't want to change things the way everything was because that's how Shannon had it decorated, and I will not change anything" Martha realised it may have been a little harsh, but she'd heard about Abby's well, eccentricity & didn't want her to go overboard.
Abby knew Martha was right, but she really really wanted to do something to help.
Martha waited for a reply, but nothing came, though it looked like Abby was still struggling and was about to say something when she heard a voice.
"Martha dear, I've got the list together, I'm going to run to the store, is there anything you want to me especially get?" Barbara called up the stairs.
"One moment Barbara" Martha called, an idea had come to her, hoping it would help sooth some ruffled feathers "Abby, could I ask you for a favour? Shannon loves flowers, this place was always smelling divine, could I ask you to head to the store with Barbara & pick some up? She loves lilacs & roses"
Abby peaked up "I can definitely do that! I'll have this place smelling divine!" glad that she could do something herself, and that meant she could say she got them!
"Don't go overboard Abby, just a few bunches" Martha warned
Barbara arrived to the top of the stairs and saw the two women "what seems to be the hold up? Jeff needs me to stop at the hardware store & grab something he forgot, so anything else we need?"
"Abby here is going to come with you to help, and she'll grab a few bunches of flowers, besides that apart from the necessities for the kitchen, we do need some toilet paper and maybe some shampoo & conditioner" Martha answered
"Of course" Barbara replied
"Thank you for organising the plane Ducky, it will be good to get back to DC, for everyone" Jenn commented, glad they were able to head back tomorrow.
"No problem at all" Ducky smiled, he was glad he'd been able to use his connections to get them a medical transport & that he could organise it for tomorrow morning.
Jenn smiled "perhaps a rest wouldn't go astray, everyone seems to be taking one" she noted looking across the garden, most of the group had chosen to rest outside, under the sun rather than inside. On second thoughts, she realised that the people out here was just the various SWAT teams, Fornell, along with Gibbs' family & Tripoli's team. Jethro's team were apparently the only ones missing in action & that just didn't sit right "Ducky do you know where Tony, Ziva & Tim are?" she asked cautiously.
Ducky let out a breath "I believe Tony took it upon himself to have them all retreat to his & Timothy's room & work on the reports"
Jenn's eyes widened "they're run off their feet! Why would they…." She started to ask but stopped, she realised why & shared a look with Ducky "things are rather complicated"
"So it would seem" Ducky agreed, he had an inkling as to why Tony had done what he did, he saw her head towards the relevant room & followed.
Jenn knocked on the door & walked in when Ziva had opened it, she looked at the trio of agents, Tony was on one of the beds, sitting against the headboard, Tim was at the table & Ziva had just sat down next to Tony in a similar position.
"Something you need Director?" Tony asked, the shower had been wonderful, as had the fresh clothes and while he'd love to rest, he needed to keep himself busy, so he'd gotten the team together to continue to work on the reports.
"I think the reports can wait until we get back to DC, you three need some rest. We've got transport organised back to DC tomorrow at 10:30, once we're back in DC, we can start the reports" Jenn answered
"These need to get done asap Director, there are men alive that we need ensure get put away & leaving the reports…." Tony started to say, but got interrupted
"You taking the afternoon & evening to rest will do nothing to make the reports suffer & those men will be put away for life" Jenn said interrupting him "now, laptops away & rest, do I have to confiscate them to make sure you don't try to use them?" asked with a raised eyebrow.
Ziva & Tim both looked to Tony for the ok to do what she said, neither wanting to do anything until he agreed.
"I believe the Director is correct, I have no doubt the reports can wait until we return to DC, and it's a lovely day, why don't we all go and enjoy the sunshine. It's been quite a long few days and we certainly all need our rest" Ducky remarked, wanting to get them all to get some rest & maybe if they went outside, could start to break the ice with Jethro's family.
Tony took a breath & just nodded, he motioned for Ziva & Tim to go, and the pair did, they left the room along with Ducky, he was going to close his eyes & go to sleep but "I'm going to rest Director, like you asked, so if you don't mind"
"Tony" Jenn said as she took a seat diagonally across from him on his bed "why don't you go outside, the sun & fresh air would you the world of good"
"A bit hard for me to move around with my bum ankle & wrist, so I think I'll take the dark & quiet of the room instead" Tony replied.
"That's what they invented wheelchairs for" Jenn remarked
"You mean the wheelchair that Gibbs should be in?" Tony retorted, he'd seen his boss walking since they arrived here, clearly against her orders.
"I know, but he can actually walk & I'm seriously doubting his wife is going to let him go gallivanting around the place" Jenn replied, she wasn't going to get in between Jethro & his wife.
The pair just stared at each other for a few moments.
"I will leave you to rest, but I don't want you couped up in here all evening" Jenn remarked finally.
Tony just nodded & pushed himself down into a lying position, he closed his eyes & wished for sleep, maybe he'd sleep until morning? Because he really didn't want to go out there, he couldn't work out why, but he felt like he had to keep his distance.
Tony was annoyed, he'd been lying here for well over an hour & just couldn't fall asleep, he was exhausted but his mind just wouldn't shut off. He cast his eyes to the now closed laptop, he shouldn't do it, he was too tired to do anything that wouldn't need to be redone. He could go outside, but he'd either have to use the stupid wheelchair & call McGee to come & push, or he'd limp around & he knew that wasn't very smart, even if he'd done it before. And there was also this nagging feeling that he should keep his distance from Gibbs & his family now, he couldn't quite work out where it came from but he felt like he had do it. He kept musing for a while until he was interrupted.
"DiNozzo!" Gibbs called.
Tony's eyes flew open, shaken from his musing instantly "Boss! What are you doing in here?"
"Checking on you" Gibbs said, eyeing him carefully, he was concerned that he hadn't come out with the others.
"I'm fine boss, just grabbing some shut eye" Tony replied.
"You weren't asleep" Gibbs stated not letting up on his stare.
"I was resting" Tony tried.
Gibbs took a breath "you weren't resting either, you were deep in thought & what's that doing out?" he asked pointing to the laptop on his bed, he then saw 2 more laptops sitting on a table & the other bed, he just eyed his SFA.
"I thought we could start the reports boss, there's lot to do" Tony explained "but the Director just vetoed that until we get back into DC tomorrow" he quickly added.
Gibbs considered both statements before answering, "There is a lot to do, you're right Tony. But doing it right now, in the state we're all in wouldn't be beneficial, so the Director is right about not doing it right now. Besides, when we do the paperwork, we do it together, as a team, like we always do DiNozzo"
Tony blinked at Gibbs a few times, and after a few moments found his voice "right boss" he was sure Gibbs would just leave the paperwork to him & the others, because he wouldn't want to be away from his family. But he was saying.. he was saying that he would go into work & be there, with them. He suddenly worked out what his nagging feeling was, he was worried that Gibbs would just forget about them, him & put everything aside to be with his family & only his family. But was Gibbs now saying that he wouldn't do that?
"Good" Gibbs nodded "now, you are going to come outside, because while you need rest, you can do that outside while you speak with my wife" he finished with a sly grin.
"Your wife wants to talk to me?" Tony stuttered, why'd she want to do that?
"Well yea DiNozzo" Gibbs replied moving towards him "now, up you get"
"Ah boss, I can't exactly walk all that well" Tony remarked, what on earth was going on with Gibbs?
"That's why I'm going to help you" Gibbs replied "your good arm, on my good shoulder" he saw Tony hesitate "now DiNozzo!" he asserted, he kept the smirk off his face at Tony's instant reaction.
Tony instantly shot his arm onto Gibbs's good shoulder as he steadied himself upright "ahh boss, you're not exactly…"
Gibbs turned his head & glared at Tony "I can walk a right sight better than you, and between us, we've got 2 good arms & hands, so I think we can manage, no? Or are you not my loyal St Bernard?" he finished with a smirk.
"Yes boss" Tony replied, he couldn't stop the grin from forming, he was feeling a lot better than a few minutes ago, Gibbs wasn't just going to ignore them, him. Gibbs wanted him with them, him and that felt just great!
A/N: Well, Abby seems a little uncertain about how she's feeling but she wants to help, I'm sure between her & Martha, the place will be well fit for their return. And as for Tony, i think he's feeling a little better about himself, all he needed was a talking too, well maybe a headslap would have worked, but I figured with his concussion, that would be too cruel of Gibbs to dish out.
You know I love to hear your comments, so review away! More up soon!