"Tony, get your coat." Jethro peeked into the living room. "Let's go, quick."

"Go where. It's freezing out there." Tony stood and started towards Jethro.

"Shhh…" Jethro looked around and then grabbed Tony's arm dragging him to the door. "Hurry up before…"

"Leroy Jethro Gibbs."

Jethro froze in place, one hand on the doorknob.

"Just where do you think you're going?"

"Tony and I are just going to get some fresh air."

"Don't even it try it. I know exactly what you're up to. Don't think about taking my car." Jackson was frowning his tone abrupt.

"We're taking Tony's. We won't be long. Tony never had the chance…" Jethro coaxed.

"I better not get a call this year. Do you hear me?"

Pushing Tony, who was struggling to put his coat on, out the door, Jethro pulled the door shut and sighed in relief.

"Jethro, where are we going?"

"Just a little drive."

"Are you nuts? It's sheet of ice out there." Over night the temperature had plummeted. The snow had started to melt and now it was under a think layer of ice. Tony made to pass Jethro to get back inside.

Jethro reach out and stroked Tony's cheek. "Trust me?"

"This better not turn out like last year's skating trip." Tony grumbled remembering the green cast on his ankle.

"You won't even get out of the car. Please?"

Tony sighed unable to refuse him. "Fine."

Strapping themselves into the car, Jethro turned to leave town leaving Tony perplexed. A couple miles down the road, Jethro turned off the road into a wide-open field covered in ice. Giving a whoop, he stomped on the gas and began spinning across the field.

Tony's yelp gave way to laughter. He had never seen Jethro so open and carefree. After one last spinning pass, Jethro turned to Tony smiling at his bright eyes. "Have fun?"

"Yeah." Tony looked puzzled. "Why did Jackson say not to call?"

Jethro looked embarrassed. "One year I didn't realize that the farmer had planted a winter wheat crop. I may have… run a few plants down. Old man Whistine called dad first thing the next morning. Or it may be the year that the ice wasn't really sturdy and I might have got Dad's truck stuck. Or the year the sheriff caught me driving without a license…"

"Without a license?"

"I was fourteen." Jethro admitted sheepishly.

Leaning forward, Tony kissed Jethro gently. "One more spin before we go home?"

The car started across the field in circles. The silent night was broken by the sounds of the men laughing.