A/N: Hi All, I'm so sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out folks, but what can I say, Reg Life has been crazy! To my recent followers/favourites, welcome aboard, so glad to have you with us! To my reviewers, thank you so much, i love hearing your thoughts!

Guest Reviewer: Momcat: Glad you've got the differences sorted out for the 2 stories. Kelly will be a great Lawyer one day & Gibbs will be fine with it, in the end! Nix, yea, he's a typical brother, but he's a caring one :) Buster scene's are fun!

Now, this chapter did finish where I had planned it to, but I wanted to get out what I had written, so here you go..

Tony sat at his desk checking his emails, he flashed a look across to Ziva and then to Tim, both were doing similar to him, he then looked to the desk diagonally across from his, and it was empty, vacant & that had never happened before. The team had never beaten Gibbs into the office, he'd never, ever been late! And add this to the fact that he'd given them all a sleep in, it was even more surprising.

"Good Morning" Jenn greeted the team as she entered the bullpen

"Morning ma'am" Tim replied

"Good Morning Director" Ziva greeted

"Morning" Tony replied.

Jenn looked at the trio, they looked rested & a little better than yesterday, but one chair was missing "Gibbs in the conference room?" she'd reserved it all week for his family to camp out in knowing full well that Gibbs would bring his family with him.

"Ahh, no Director" Tony replied, he flashed a look to his teammates before continuing "He isn't in yet"

Jenn looked at Tony startled "Gibbs isn't here?" surely not! She looked at her watch, it 10:25, he'd never been late in his life!

"No" Tony shook his head, glad she was as shocked as they were "Ducky did message to say he was at Gibbs place at 09:30, and they may be a tad late"

Jenn just couldn't believe "Late? Gibbs?" was there was a problem? Why would they be late, especially after giving the team permission to arrive late.

Tim saw the utter shock on her face, he was right there with her, Agent Lane had them all at work at 09:55, he would have assumed that Gibbs and his family would have been there already, but they'd found an empty bullpen, an empty conference room too, then they checked downstairs & he hadn't signed in yet.

Tony just nodded "yupp" he said popping the 'p' "you ever known him to be late?"

"Never" Jenn replied, not even when they were in Paris and were well, otherwise occupied, did he allow them to be late for a meet or surveillance requirement, it wasn't Gibbs to be late.

"Maybe it took his family longer to get up?" Tim suggested, maybe the family weren't morning people.

"Maybe Gibbs insisted on stopping for coffee at his diner, it is out of the way from Kelly's place" Ziva mused, she was finding it rather odd that Gibbs was late, even with family in tow. Wouldn't he get them all sorted in time to be on time?

"Maybe they slept in" Tony offered, he could have quite happily slept longer himself.

Jenn just looked between the trio, she didn't even know what to say, but she saw Abby approach & she looked quiet, which wasn't Abby "Abby, are you ok?"

Tim saw her walk in, he hadn't wanted to go down yet to see her, he'd been waiting for Gibbs to get in before disappearing, she was still though looking off, at least she wasn't ranting anymore.

Abby flashed a look around, she saw Tony, Ziva, Tim, and the Director, but no Gibbs, Tim said they'd be at 10:00, but that had come & gone "I was just coming up to say hi, Tim said everyone would be in half an hour ago, and Gibbs hasn't come…. He normally…"

"Gibbs is running late, I'm sure he'll come & say hello when he gets in" Jenn replied trying to sooth her, knowing full well that the first thing Gibbs did of a morning was to go say hello to Abby. One thing she had already spoken to Ducky about was Abby & her reaction to it all. Abby had been Gibbs's surrogate daughter for so long, and she knew that Gibbs dropped everything to help her, so she was going to clearly feel the change in pecking order for Gibbs's priorities.

Abby's eyes widened in shock "Gibbs never runs late!" she whispered "what if there's a problem?" she asked more loudly.

"Ducky message Tony to say they may be a little late & if they're not here within 15 minutes, he will call Ducky, ok?" Jenn replied, she had had the same thought, and had considered getting him to call already. She had taken a breath though, and realised that if it had been anyone else that was late, she would wait at least an hour before starting to call, she was only waiting 45 minutes, so that was something.

Abby nodded as she chewed her bottom lip.

Jenn gave her a small smile "I think Balboa is about to get back with some evidence, why don't you go get ready. I'll tell Gibbs to come see you, I'm sure he'll be in soon"

Ziva watched Abby head off, she looked upset & wondered what that was about.

Jenn turned back to Tony "If he's not here in 10, call Ducky"

Tony nodded "I'll call in 5" he was about do it anyway.

Jenn gave him a nod & headed off back up the stairs.

Tony turned his attention back to his emails when he heard the lift ting & then he heard that voice he knew.

"Come on" Gibbs urged, he couldn't believe they were 35 minutes late, he was never late, it was really rubbing him the wrong way.

Shannon shook her head "Jethro honestly, calm down, I'm sure its not the end of the world to be a little late, one day" he literally tried to throw her through a shower, throw them into the car & they'd had a standoff as to who would drive, how he thought he could drive with a bump shoulder & arm was beyond her!

Tony watched as a very flustered looking Ducky emerged from the lift, he'd never seen the man so… out of sorts.

"I have to say my dear, you are correct" Ducky said looking at Shannon as he got off the lift, he turned his gaze to his friend "I am never driving you again Jethro!" that was not a pleasant experience! The man just never stopped trying to tell him how to drive.

Gibbs smirked "you were going to slow Duck"

"He was doing the speed limit Jethro, he can't go faster than that!" Shannon retorted

Gibbs shook his head "come on" he urged his family again, they were still half on the lift, he was trying to herd them, but they just weren't budging!

"Kelly, Phoenix, move out of your father's way. He apparently wants to run to his desk" Shannon retorted

Tim shared a look of surprise with Tony, he was very taken by the conversation they could hear, he was stunned more like it! He saw the same shocked surprise on the faces of those around & looking up, he saw Jenn was staring just as surprised as they were.

Kelly & Nix both stepped to the side, neither could say that they really enjoyed the experience of their dad trying to throw them about.

Shannon held her left hand open "there you go motor mouth, motor your way in the right direction"

Gibbs finally stepped off the lift & smiled at his wife "I know exactly where I want to motor you to, Mrs Gibbs" he finished with a grin & raised eyebrow.

"Thought you were running late Mr Gibbs" Shannon replied with just a big of a grin.

Ziva shared a look with Tony, huh? She was confused!

Gibbs shook his head, but this time he smiled as he brought her into his side, he pulled her close & whispered "soon Mrs Gibbs, soon"

Shannon just smiled, she looked forward to it.

Gibbs led his family towards his bullpen and as he approached he saw Jenn approach too "Morning Director"

Jenn's eyes widened, firstly, she was surprised that he'd been late, secondly she'd been surprised at the conversation they'd just heard but now he was smiling at her & actually said good morning to her, and not just grunted? Interesting! "Good Morning Agent Gibbs, Mrs Gibbs, Kelly, Phoenix" she had to remember to play nice, be professional.

"Good morning" Shannon greeted "I apologise for being late, took us a little while to get going this morning"

"Not a problem, we've just never known your husband to be late, ever" Jenn replied, she had to say something.

"And I never will again" Gibbs remarked

Shannon said nothing, but looked at her daughter giving her a smile with a raised eyebrow.

Kelly pressed her lips together, she knew exactly what her mum was thinking.

Gibbs looked between his girls and saw their unspoken exchange "one time, you two can't forget that can you?"

"Apparently today makes twice" Shannon smirked.

Tony & Ziva just looked at each, neither could work out what were they talking about & what was going on with Gibbs?

Shannon ignored her husband's smirk & turned her attention to someone else "good morning Anthony"

Tony had no idea why she'd singled him out, but knew he had to reply "Good morning ma'am" he answered

"How are you feeling?" Shannon enquired, she'd made her husband text him reminding him to take his pain meds.

"Fine thanks" Tony answered, but he felt her steely gaze resting on him, it was as bad as Gibbs's stare "a little sore, but the meds help, I'll be fine" he said correcting his statement.

Shannon was glad for the amendment "glad to hear it, make sure you keep taking them" she turned her attention to Ziva.

Jenn watched as Shannon enquired about the well being of all three, she had to admit surprise at how much the woman was concerned with the team, she barley knew them. Granted they'd helped track her down & get her out of the mess, and yes they helped retrieve her children, but she'd only been around for what 2 days worth of interactions really, and she was already what? Playing mother hen, what sort of person did that?

"I'm glad you were able to get some rest Timothy" Shannon replied, all of her husband's team had looked utterly dead on their feet yesterday & she was glad they were all looking somewhat more rested this morning.

"Me too ma'am" Tim replied, but he flashed a look to Tony as soon as she shifted her focus, she was really, really interested in them already? But he saw Kelly move closer & she seemed better than the day before "hi"

Kelly smiled "hey"

Shannon flashed a look between the pair, she was again getting a little feeling about her girl's feelings.

"Taylor & the other teams here yet?" Gibbs asked his SFA.

"Not yet boss" Tony replied "Lt Taylor said they'd be going into their department HQ before heading here, should be here soon though"

Gibbs nodded, but he wanted to get his family comfortable, well as comfortable as possible before he got down to work "Let me get you guys settled in the conference room, and we'll then get started"

"It's all ready for you, booked clear for the week" Jenn stated

"Thank you Director" Gibbs nodded in appreciated

Ziva blinked, first Shannon had enquired quite thoroughly about her wellbeing, but now Gibbs was being, well more polite to the Director that she ever seen!

"You're welcome" Jenn replied, but she was rather taken aback by his appreciative tone now.

"Let's go" Gibbs gestured towards his family "don't put the bag down pal, you'll need it, so bring it with us"

"It's heavy" Nix groaned

Gibbs himself had one bag on his good shoulder already, but knew he could manage it "Let me take it pal" he offered as approached his boy.

"I've got it darling" Shannon interrupted as he took hold of the bag and placed it on her free shoulder, she saw the quizzical look she was getting "your shoulder" was all she said in response to her husband.

Gibbs nodded with a small smile "come on" he motioned.

Leading his family down the hall & into the conference room Gibbs was surprised to see that the table had been shifted up one end of the room & the futon from Abby's lap was now laying across the other end of the room, someone had obviously gone to a small amount of trouble to make this room a little more comfortable for them.

Kelly followed her parents into the room, it was a simple meeting room "we're stuck in here for a week?"

"No Kell" Gibbs said as he placed the bag he was carrying onto the table "this will just be home base for you guys while we're here is all. You can go down to Abby's lab, come to the squad room, go outside for a walk. I just want you to have somewhere that you can spread out in & be a little comfortable" he took a breath "in fact, give me 10 minutes, and we'll go down & see Abby, still have to introduce mum to her, we'll then go outside for a quick walk so you can see what's around here & all, ok?"

"I'll meet you after you see Abby" Kelly answered, she still wasn't really liking her that much, she was just too in her face.

All that Shannon knew about this Abby was that she was the forensic scientist that worked for NCIS, but the way her daughter spoke gave her cause for curiosity as well as worry.

"Kell" Gibbs signed, he knew that both his kids were still very cautious about her, he could tell both felt she was too much, too exuberant, but he needed to try to bridge this dilemma. His girl probably more so given how she first saw Abby.

"What?" Kelly asked

"She means well Kelly & she helped us a great deal in tracking mum, she's just a little exuberant is all" Gibbs replied

"I know she did, but do you really think exuberant is the word for her?" Kelly asked as she raised an eyebrow " She's more than exuberant, she's…."

"Weird" Nix supplied

Shannon was really wondering what this Abby was like given her children's comments, but given her husbands comments about her helping them she did want to meet the lady & get her own assessment.

Gibbs was about to try to say something else when there was knock at the door, and it opened, he smiled at his friend.

"Morning" Ted greeted, as he led his wife & son into the room.

"Morning" Gibbs greeted

"Hey" Harry greeted his friend

Kelly smiled "Hey"

"Morning" Martha smiled "how'd you all sleep?"

"As well as can be Martha, thank you, hope you all got some sleep too" Shannon greeted

"We slept well" Martha replied "but I thought a few mouths might be a little hungry this morning"

"Remember me telling you about the wicked cheese & chocolate danishes squirt?" Harry asked

"Yea" Nix replied already eyeing the boxes that Harry & Martha were holding.

Harry grinned & beckoned Nix over to the table he'd placed the boxes on "take a look"

Nix looked inside & his eyes glazed, one Danish, two pockets, one with cheese one with chocolate, yumm! He immediately reached for one.

"Excuse me, did we not just eat?" Shannon asked her son

"Don't we need pastries with our coffees & hot chocolates?" Ted countered as he laid the tray of drinks down.

"We do" Gibbs agreed

Shannon rolled her eyes at the pair, but far be it for her to curtail this right now "very well, but I think I shall have.." she considered it as she looked over the pastries and saw one thing she wanted "think I'll have that red velvet cupcake" she knew that was one his favourite cake fillings.

Gibbs gave her a small smile as he surveyed the various items Martha had brought "you can have that, I'll have this vanilla slice" he grinned, that was one of her favourites.

"I was going to have that!" Kelly sighed, she'd eyed already, it looked delicious!

Shannon gave her husband a smirk "well Jethro?" she knew he couldn't deny her it.

Gibbs looked across at his girl, typical! "Let's share" he offered

"Fine" Kelly agreed, but she smirked "but I get first bite, and I'm also going to have one of the danishes then" she wasn't going to let her dad take first bite & consume it all!

"She's got your number already" Shannon chuckled, the look on his face said it all!

Gibbs just smiled as they all took their pickings, he of course allowed his girl to have as much of the vanilla slice as she wanted.

Shannon could see they were all fairly relaxed & approached someone whom had been a very good friend quietly "Martha, I was hoping we could ask you & Ted a favour"

"Of course Shannon, anything, what do you need?" Martha replied, she was happy to help with anything.

"Kelly was due to start work today, and I'm sure you can understand that isn't really something she can start today" Shannon started, she saw a look of understanding between the pair so she continued "her boss's have actually agreed to come into the navy-yard this afternoon after lunch to talk, and I, we were wondering if you could both could sit in with her initially, they….."

Gibbs could see she wasn't quite sure how to say the rest "they don't really know about" but couldn't even say it.

Martha turned to Kelly who she could she was looking a little flushed & she understood what her parents were getting at "we're happy to sit in with you Kelly, and be there in whatever capacity you want"

"More than happy to do that" Ted added.

Gibbs nodded, but he had to get on with a few things, he looked at his kids "I'm going to take mum down to Abby, we'll then come back upstairs & as soon I can, we'll go for walk outside to see what's around, ok?"

"Yea" Kelly nodded, but she looked at her friend "you staying?" she wasn't sure if he had to go to work, he wasn't in uniform, so maybe not.

"I'm off duty for the next few days, but I need to write out my report, which I can do here, so yea I'm hanging around" Harry finished with a grin.

"Just remember you're in a federal building please" Martha requested, she knew that grin her son was sporting.

"You too" Gibbs added, his girl had mirrored her friends grin, and the two of them grinning like that together, back then, yea that meant trouble!

"What could we possibly get up to in this room?" Kelly retorted

"I'm not even going to reply to that comment" Gibbs replied as he shared a look with his wife & friends.

Ted smirked "I'm heading next door, but Marth can stay here until you get back"

"More than happy to" Martha offered "I have to duck back to the bakery for a quick visit, but will then be free all afternoon"

Gibbs nodded his thanks "we shouldn't be too long Martha"

"Take your time" Martha replied before she looked at Shannon "she's an interesting young lady"

Shannon was now really wondering just what this young woman was like, but she looked at her kids "we'll be back soon, and Phoenix darling, please don't eat too much of the pastries, we can space it out throughout the day"

"oww" Phoenix sighed "but can't Martha just bring more for the afternoon?" he finished with a cheeky grin.

Kelly put her hand over her mouth to cover her smile, the amount of cheek her brother had, was just never ending!

Gibbs looked at his son with wide eyes utterly surprised by his cheek, he saw Ted was fairly taken by it as well.

Shannon just smiled, she walked up to her son & crouched down. She placed her hands on his arms and brought him closer to her "don't ever change darling" she smiled at him & was glad for the grin in reply, she gave him a hug, but as she came out of it she looked at him again "but no, Martha wont be bringing more, sorry darling"

Gibbs couldn't help but smile at the latest pout on his son's face, but he led his wife out of the room & towards the lift, upon entering it, he took hold of his wife, but before he took full hold he couldn't but grin at her "you stole that move off me!" she'd stopped the lift.

"Ow please Jethro, I was the first of us to do this, you freaked out the first time I did it back on that university campus" Shannon smirked as she came up right in front of him.

"I did not freak out" Gibbs protested

Shannon raised her eyebrow "like you said to Kells, I won't even reply to that comment"

Gibbs just smiled at his wife, he leaned in & gave his wife a kiss, he enjoyed the rare moment alone with her.

Shannon returned the kiss, it wasn't that she wasn't enjoying it, she was, but she'd stopped the lift for a reason. She pulled back after a moment "what's this Abby lady like?"

"Unique" Gibbs answered "she's one of the best in the business for what she does, but she's, well, eccentric & can be fairly full on, she's also very big on hugs" he was a little caught up still that his kids had said they don't hug.

Shannon considered it "ok, its just I've never known Kelly to be so off-put by anyone, nor has Phoenix, they're both fairly open to people & their differences"

"For Kells it may have to do with how she first saw Abby at the hospital" Gibbs suggested, he'd managed to give her a brief catch-up on the events.

Shannon nodded, that would have given her cause for caution most definitely, but still….

"Ready?" Gibbs asked as they arrived at the floor.

A/N: hmm.. wonder if Gibbs will be late again? hehe And it's nice that Martha & Ted will sit in with Kelly when she speaks to her boss's. Seems though that both Kelly & Nix are still a little weary of Abby, but just how will Shannon go with the intro to her herself?

I'm sorry to say that I'm not sure when I will be able to get another chapter up as I've got some major university assignments & exams, but i will try to get one up soon..

You know I love hearing your thoughts, so review away!

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