Hi Readers!

Surprise, I edited another chapter.

Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! You are all so amazing!

This chapter really wore me out...I plan my characters and their backstories well before I even begin writing. I knew this part of the story would throw readers for a loop...I hope you enjoy it. Riley's backstory is complicated.

Gibbs laid on the bed with Aimee listening to her ramble about a movie she'd watched with Tony recently. She didn't need much encouragement to chatter, with Gibbs only needing to say an occasional 'yep' or 'wow' along the way. It suited him just fine to enjoy the sound of her sweet voice while he snuggled with her. Gibbs smiled as he thought about how much his team loved his daughters. Ziva, Tim, Tony and Abby had spent as much time with Aimee as he had, each of them vying for alone time with the little girl. He also knew that Ducky and Palmer had made more than a few appearances as well. He felt so blessed to have such great friends in his life. After Shannon and Kelly had died, he'd felt so alone. There had been times when he didn't think he could get out of bed one more day, but he'd done it anyway. At first, he just went through the motions but with time, he'd let people in again. Looking down at his daughter, he was glad he'd allowed himself to love again.

"Daddy?" Aimee's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Uhumm," he said pulling the blankets up over her.

"Are you mad at me?"

Gibbs lifted a brow and looked into Aimee's eyes with concern.

"Have I acted like I'm mad?"

Aimee shook her head. "Well, no…"

"Then why do you think I am?"

Aimee shrugged and rested her head on Gibbs' chest. "Because I ran away…" she hesitated for a moment then continued, "and you haven't mentioned it even once."

"I guess I didn't know what to say yet, so I was waiting until you're home and feeling better. I suppose you and me are gonna need to talk about it at some point."

Aimee squirmed under the blankets. "I was afraid of that," she mumbled making Gibbs bite back a smirk.

Gibbs cleared his throat. "Aimee, I'm not mad at you, honey. I can tell you this much though; you scared me half to death. Janessa was telling the truth when she said you made everyone sick with worry. You have to understand that we're family now…you, me and Janessa, not to mention Tony, Tim, Abby and everyone else at NCIS. They all love you! You don't need to protect me or Janessa. That's my job. I'm the daddy and I get to do the protecting. You got it?"

Aimee nodded. "Tony and Tim said that too."

"Good, I hope you listened to them. You're one lucky little girl to have so many people who love you. Aimee, I was so afraid you'd be hurt or killed out there on your own. You really don't have any idea how lucky you are that Riley found you and not some creepy bad guy. Do you know what I'm saying?"

"I think so."

Gibbs tipped her chin up and looked deeply into her eyes. "I think you know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm so thankful Riley's a good guy and he felt responsible enough to keep you safe. If it wasn't for him and his quick thinking…" Gibbs swallowed a few times and released the child's chin. He didn't want to allow his thoughts to go that route. It led him to a dark place he never wanted to visit again. "I'm just thankful you're in my arms right now and nothing bad happened."

Tears shimmered in Aimee's eyes. "Are you going to spank me?

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Do you think you deserve it?"

Aimee fidgeted and pulled away from Gibbs, resting her head on the pillow. "I'd be lying if I said no, but I don't want a spanking."

This time Gibbs chuckled and he snuggled down further in the bed, placing his head on the pillow beside Aimee's. He looked at her and said, "Yah, I know."

Aimee was quiet a moment and then she moved her head against Gibbs. "If you're gonna, can you just get it over with? The waiting part makes my tummy ache."

"My tummy hasn't stopped hurting since the day you ran away."

Aimee was quiet again.

Gibbs scrubbed a hand over his face. Lying close to Aimee and feeling her warmth made him want to stay beside her forever. For once, life felt the way it should be. Aimee was safe and recovering well. The doctors had said she would be released to go home on Monday. David Brody, surprisingly enough, gave up custody of Aimee. Apparently, a few of the higher-ups were persuasive enough to get through to the man. Gibbs wasn't asking any questions. He was happy to be rid of the headache. With Brody's signature, the final stage of adoption for his girls had been completed. The only thing left to do was sign some paperwork with a judge and Janessa and Aimee were his forever. Gibbs' heart was full to overflowing.

Pulling himself up into a sitting position, Gibbs leaned against the backboard of the hospital bed. Aimee sat up as well looking at him expectantly.

"Okay then, let's get it over with, and we'll save the talk until we get you home. How does that sound?"

Aimee chewed her lip as tears rolled down her cheeks. "O-okay."

Gibbs pulled the little girl across his lap; his heart broke a little when he heard her soft cries and he rubbed her back to help ease her mind. Gibbs didn't plan to really spank her. In his own mind, he'd already decided that everything she'd been through was punishment enough. But when Aimee asked him, he figured it was because she expected it and maybe he ought to follow through for good measure. He was willing to do just about anything to put the running away behind them.

He bit back a smirk when he saw the thick, blue flannel Little Mermaid pyjama bottoms Aimee wore, compliments of Abby. The Goth had thought of everything. Abby had brought in games, stuffed animals and who knew what else. Aimee's hospital room was beginning to look as cozy as her bedroom at home. Gibbs waited as she fidgeted to get comfortable, then he raised his hand and swatted her once firmly on the backside. "Don't you ever run away from me again, Aimee Gibbs," he said sternly.

Tears filled his eyes. He'd been so paralyzed with fear and dread that he hadn't even dared to allow himself permission to acknowledge it. He raised his hand again, this time deciding to swat her hard enough to punctuate his words and leave a lasting sting behind. Aimee let out a shriek and then dissolved into sobs. "I'm sorry! I-I won't," she cried, throwing her hand back to cover her backside.

Gibbs knew he'd made his point so he pulled her up into his arms and hugged her.

"Shhh…"he crooned, rocking her in his arms. "It's over and you're safe."

Aimee continued to cry, releasing her own fear and guilt. "N-nessie was really mad at me."

"She was scared, Aimee. I think being five years old is really hard sometimes. No one tells you anything and most of the time, you've pushed aside while all the adults figure stuff out. Ness did a good job at hiding how she felt."

"No one tells nine-year-olds much either," Aimee pointed out quietly, sniffling.

Gibbs pulled her in closer and pressed a kiss on her head. "Yah, I guess that's true too."

"I'm sorry, daddy. I thought by running away I could protect you and Ness and everyone from Brody."

"I know you did, honey, and you're forgiven. You have to stop that stinkin' thinking. It's not your job to protect me. Thank God, that chip is out of your head and life can get back to normal." He kissed the spot that was bandaged gently. "Director Shepard made sure that every news outlet in the country reported about that chip being recovered intact. No one has any need to come after you anymore and David Brody is tucked away for good."

Aimee shivered. "Did it help?"

Gibbs rested his cheek on her head. "What do you mean?"

"Did it tell you who the bad guys are?"

"That chip wasn't worth your life, Aimee. I don't care what was on it."

"I know that but did it help you catch all the bad guys who steal kids?"

Gibbs nodded grimly. Aimee could have lost her life over the stupid piece of computer circuitry. It didn't matter to him how many lives were saved as a result of the microchip. Yes, he knew many people would think him selfish to pick his child's life over 100s maybe 1000s of other woman and children, but he didn't care. Aimee's life was priceless to him.

"A lot of bad people are going to jail for a very long time thanks to that chip," answered Gibbs softly.

A smile played on the lips of the little blonde girl in his arms. "I'm glad of that. At least something good came from it. I know running away mightn't have been the best way, but…"

"No buts! It wasn't the best way at all, so how about you don't finish that thought and risk making me cross with you," Gibbs interrupted with a frown.

Aimee closed her mouth and nodded, looking sheepishly at him.

Just then Aimee's door opened and a young looking nurse came into the room. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," she said with a friendly smile.

"Nope," said Gibbs, returning the smile. "Aimee and I were just having a heart to heart."

"More like a hand to butt," Aimee mumbled disgruntledly, just loud enough for Gibbs to hear.

Gibbs rolled his eyes with a chuckle and tickled her until she burst out laughing.

"Well, Agent Gibbs, if you wouldn't mind leaving us alone for a bit, us girls need to get freshened up and pretty, plus I'd like to change the bandage on Aimee's head."

Gibbs rose from the bed and straightened his clothing. "It's okay with me, if it's okay with you, Aims. I can stay if you want me too."

Aimee sat up. "It's okay, daddy, Katie is super nice plus she braids my hair better than you. You should teach my dad how to braid, Katie. He's awful!" teased Aimee.

Katie laughed as Gibbs attacked Aimee with kisses all over her face.

"I'll tell Riley you said hi," said Gibbs as he grabbed his dress jacket from the chair. "Tony is visiting with him now. I'll come back at supper and bring you something tastier than hospital food. How does that sound?"

Aimee grinned as Katie began to remove the bandage on her head carefully. Gibbs grimaced when he caught a glimpse of the bruised incision area. It looked like it was healing well, but it still looked tremendously sore.

"Sounds good. I like pizza in case you forgot." Aimee had an impish look on her face.

Gibbs laughed and winked at her. "I haven't forgotten, silly girl, but I think Papa Jack made something much healthier for a growing girl."

"Better not be meatloaf," groaned Aimee, making a sour face, "That stuff tastes awful."

Gibbs laughed again and left the room. He had to agree; Jackson's meatloaf was not his best cuisine, but there was no way he was going to tell him that.

XxXxNCISxXxX

Riley smacked his head and laughed. "You've gotta be kidding me."

"Nope," said Tony seriously, "I wouldn't joke about such things."

Riley furrowed a brow at the man sitting across from him. In the past several days, he'd gotten to know Tony really well. He'd discovered that Tony was a walking encyclopedia when it came to movies, and there wasn't a single movie the guy hadn't seen. Well, at least when it came to movies Riley knew about. Riley didn't know why the older man was spending so much time with him while he was in hospital custody except that maybe it was Tony's way of keeping an eye on him. He figured NCIS was making sure that Riley didn't conveniently disappear on them.

"C'mon, no one owns a black and white television anymore."

"Jethro Gibbs does."

Riley laughed. "Who the heck names their kid Jethro? It sounds like a name for some hillbilly in the Appalachian mountains somewhere."

Tony chuckled and shuffled the deck of cards in his hands. "Almost. Gibbs originates from Stillwater, Pennsylvania: home of the homemade blueberry muffin. True story. Up for another game, kid?"

Riley raised his hands in surrender. "No way, as it stands now, I owe you my firstborn. Not sure if I want to give up my second born just yet; my future wife might not appreciate it."

Tony smirked and returned the cards to their package. He looked at his watch and whistled. "Time sure flies fast when you're having fun. I should get going. I wonder where Gibbs got to anyway."

Riley stood from the chair he was sitting on and stretched the kinks out of his back. He'd been under the care of a mental health physician ever since he'd collapsed when his father visited him. He didn't exactly remember everything about his dad's visit, but he'd been told he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, whatever that was.

"I take it Gibbs wants to talk to me."

Tony nodded. "Yah, he does. You should really confide in him, Riley. He's a good guy, and he has connections that might be able to help with your case. Going UA wasn't the best of ideas, but I know you had some extenuating circumstances."

"He's been cool. I like him," replied Riley walking over to his bed and sitting down once again. "Do you think he'd let me see Aimee?"

Tony pulled on his dress jacket and straightened the collar of his shirt. "I know he will. Talk to him, Rye. I know he's rough around the edges, but he's really more bark than bite."

"Is that so, DiNozzo?"

Riley laughed when he saw the colour drain from Tony's face. The man spun around to see Gibbs walking up behind him. Tony had mentioned more than once that he thought Gibbs was some kind of ninja. The older man seemed to show up out of the blue just when Tony said something he probably shouldn't have. The teenager enjoyed seeing the playful banter between the two friends. It was plain to see how much the two men respected one another.

"Uh, hi Boss, how goes it?"

Gibbs smirked as he reached out and rewarded Tony with a playful smack in the back of the head.

Tony winced in his usual overly dramatic way while Riley laughed.

"How's the little rug rat doing?" asked Tony, tucking his dress shirt in and grabbing his keys from the hospital side table.

Gibbs sat in the chair Tony vacated and stretched out his legs. "Good. She's being released Monday."

"That's fantastic!" Tony's smile lit up his face. Gibbs smiled as well.

"How are you doing, Riley? Sleep okay last night?" asked Gibbs.

Riley chewed on his bottom lip a moment not wanting to discuss it. He had nightmares every night. The dreams seemed to be a melting pot of his father and his DI. He couldn't seem to separate the two men in his head anymore. One picked up from where the other left off.

"I slept okay enough,' he answered, figuring the answer was the safest bet.

Gibbs and Tony exchanged a knowing look.

"Well, I'm gonna head out," said Tony heading towards the door. "Got some time to play tomorrow, kid?"

Riley sighed. "I'm kinda a captive player here."

"True dat…anything you're good at?"

"Obviously not poker."

Tony chuckled obnoxiously. "You can say that again."

"Shut up, DiNozzo!" said Riley, laughing as well.

"Oh, is that how it is now? Well, just for that, I'm going to teach you to play Blackjack."

Riley frowned. "What's that?"

An evil smile washed over Tony's face that reminded Riley of the Cheshire cat. "Wouldn't you like to know." With those final words and another evil snicker, Tony disappeared from the room.

Riley looked at Gibbs with a laugh. "Is he always like that?"

Gibbs nodded. "I'm 'fraid so."

Riley got into bed and leaned against the headboard, adjusting the pillows behind him. "So, Aimee can go home. That's so great to hear. She's really okay?"

Gibbs adjusted the chair so he was facing Riley and made himself comfortable. "Yep. She's doing really well."

"She's a good kid."

Gibbs nodded. "Yah, she is. A handful sometimes but I wouldn't trade her for the world."

"Do you think I could see her before she leaves?"

Gibbs leaned back in the chair and scrubbed a hand across his face, but he didn't answer right away. Riley felt a lump grow in his throat when the man didn't answer him. The thoughts in his mind instantly assaulted him. You're stupid to believe he'd ever let you near his kid. You thought he'd beaten her up or something. He probably hates you for not calling him as soon as you found Aimee again.

"I'll tell you what. You answer my questions truthfully, and I'll bring Aimee to visit you tonight after supper, but that means you need to be honest with me. Deal?"

Riley worried his bottom lip a moment. He wasn't sure what kind of questions the man was going to ask him. Up until now, Gibbs hadn't hassled him about much of anything except confirmation that Roy Janssen was his father.

"As long as I get a pass to refuse a question," negotiated Riley.

Gibbs smiled. "I'll do better than that; I'll give you two passes."

Riley swallowed the lump in his throat. He wasn't sure he wanted to talk to Gibbs or anyone for that matter, but he did very much want to see Aimee before she left the hospital. It might be the last time he'd get a chance since he figured he was going to be spending some time in jail when everything was said and done.

"Ok, deal," He said with a sigh. He felt defeated before they even started.

Gibbs nodded.

Riley watched as the man pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. He held it out towards Riley. Riley looked at it and felt his heart rate increase. His mouth went dry as he stared at something he'd gone to great lengths to cover up.

"Where'd you get this?" asked Riley, his hands suddenly clammy. The information had the potential to mess things up for him substantially.

Gibbs seemed to ignore his question. "There seem to be some discrepancies."

"It's not important. Just let it drop, alright?"

"You're a bit of a conundrum, Mr. Janssen."

"Ask your question or drop it," snapped Riley, feeling sweat forming on his upper lip. No one could know about this and he'd do just about anything he could to keep it under wraps. It was none of anyone's business but him.

"How old are you, Riley?"

Riley's hands stopped shaking and he looked boldly at Gibbs. "I told you. I'm 18."

"That paper says otherwise."

"It's fake…"

"It's a government document."

"So, what's your point? Are you telling me they can't be faked? I've got an ID in my wallet that says I'm 21. Are you telling me it's authentic? It's a government document."

Gibbs' face hardened. "Tell me about Ryan."

Riley crumpled up the paper in his hand and fired it at the window. The questions had hardly started, and he was already angry. His brother was no one's business. Ryan was dead, and Riley wasn't willing to talk about him.

"Who told you about my brother? My dad? He's a drunken bastard. Don't believe anything he says."

"How old were you when he died?"

Riley stood to his feet and turned to face the window. He forced himself to concentrate on the activity going on outside to help him calm down. He saw teenagers skateboarding on pathways, people riding bikes, mothers pushing baby carriages, and children playing happily in the last warm days of autumn.

"It doesn't matter."

"When did you steal Ryan's identity?"

Riley spun on his heel to face Gibbs. "Shut up!"

Gibbs stood up and pulled another document from his jacket. He held up a birth certificate. "How long did you think you could get away with the charade? I grew up in a small town too, Riley. I could sweet talk the clothes off of any pretty young clerk in the county office too."

Riley's heart beat hard against his ribcage. His breathing became rapid and he felt like the room was spinning around him. Keep it together, Riley. He doesn't know anything! He's bluffing. Riley had guarded the secret so long that he'd almost forgotten what was real and what wasn't. His mother had been so busy fearing for their lives that she stopped keeping track of him, and as time passed, it had just gotten easier because people forgot.

Gibbs read the document aloud. "Riley Andrew Janssen, born August 15th…"

Riley lunged forward and snatched the certificate from Gibbs's hand, ripping it to pieces.

Gibbs didn't seem concerned by the action. He dropped his hands to his side. "You realize your age changes everything, don't you?"

"Why should it? I'm still UA. I still assaulted my drill sergeant. What changed?"

"Tell me the truth, Riley. How old are you?"

"Pass," Riley said. "You said I get two passes."

Gibbs nodded silently moving onto his next question. "Why did you join the Marines?"

Riley turned back around and watched a little kid climb a tree to reach a kite. The kid seemed to have no fear as he climbed to the highest branch he could reach. Meanwhile, the child's parent or whoever was with him watched anxiously from the ground. "Roy was a Marine. He used to tell stories to my brother and me about his days in the Corps. He made it sound like a dream. He said Marines are the most respected branch in the military. Pretty sure it's the only thing he ever loved." Riley shrugged, watching the kid outside retrieve the kite and drop it to the ground triumphantly. "I guess, even though he's a bastard, there's still a part of me that wants him to be proud of me. I thought if I was a Marine he just might; you know what I mean?"

Gibbs nodded sympathetically. "For what's it worth, Riley, most kids want their parents to be proud of them. It's normal."

Riley shook his head. "Doesn't matter."

"Did you know Roy attacked Makayla?" asked Gibbs.

Riley felt the colour drain from his face, and he grabbed onto the window ledge for support. It wasn't that he was surprised by anything his father did; it just took the wind out of his sails when he heard it. When he was a kid, he always heard rumours about the stuff his dad did. It just felt like he was sucker punched to hear Gibbs tell him to his face. Riley licked his dry lips resorting to making excuses for his father like he always did. Of course, no one knew the real truth but Riley and even he had a difficult time telling the truth from fiction anymore. "I'm pretty sure he was drunk. He does dumb stuff when he's drinking. Is she okay?"

"He was definitely intoxicated," agreed Gibbs. "He didn't hurt her, but he sure gave her a good scare." Gibbs' extra information seemed like a gift and Riley accepted it as such. Riley liked Makayla, and he sure would have felt terrible if his father had hurt her. Damn it, why did he always feel responsible for what his old man did?

Riley exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Is he in custody?"

Gibbs nodded. "Between what he tried with Makayla and what I witnessed with you, your father is going to be detained for quite some time."

"I won't press charges if that's what you're thinking."

Riley would never agree to press charges against his father. He'd made a promise to his mother, and he would keep it until he died. His mother believed that Ryan's death changed his father and what the man did as a result wasn't his fault. Riley wasn't sure he believed it, but he knew his mother did, and he would never do anything to hurt his mother. His mother still loved Roy despite the fact the man beat her up so many times.

Gibbs quirked his eyebrow. "Why?"

"Is that your question, Agent Gibbs, because if it is, I'm about to use my second pass."

"It's not."

"Good. Change the subject."

Riley's clenched his fists together at his side still watching the tree climber. The child successfully reached the ground with a satisfied smile on his face. It took only a moment before the parent or caregiver was at the child's side scolding him. Riley could identify with the kid. No one saw his accomplishments either. Riley turned and leaned against the window ledge. Gibbs hit him with an intense glare and Riley stubbornly clenched his jaw. He wasn't going to open up much about life with his father. The counsellor hadn't gotten anywhere either. Somethings were better left unsaid.

"Tell me about your, DI, Adams."

Riley's face visibly paled. "What do you want to know?" Another topic he wasn't keen on discussing.

"I'm told he's a formidable man. Would you say that's true?"

Riley laughed cynically. "Sir, with all due respect, you're a formidable man. Adams is a prick."

Gibbs was quiet a moment, indifferent to Riley's words. "Care to explain?"

"Not really."

"Okay, let me rephrase that. Tell me why you think Adams is a prick."

Riley sighed, walking towards the bed and sitting down again. "I'm not stupid, Agent Gibbs. Gunnery Sergeant Adams has been around a lot longer than me, and he will be around for a long time after my sorry carcass is nothing but a distant memory. Nothing I say is going to change anything."

"Riley, you told me he waterboarded you. That's a serious accusation."

Riley closed his eyes and groaned. "Yes, he did it and in front of my whole platoon but you know what? Not a single guy who saw it will tell you I didn't deserve what I got."

Gibbs leaned forward. "I don't believe that, Riley. Those guys in your platoon will be the ones you fight alongside in combat. You'll never meet men more loyal in your lifetime. Being a Marine means you are part of a rare brotherhood. For life. Semper Fi."

Riley felt tears burn in the back of his eyes. He'd be the first to admit that he'd met a bunch of solid guys, ones that had stood up for him. One guy even ended up with a dislocated shoulder going up against Adams after he waterboarded Riley the first time. Others followed suit on additional occasions and each one lived to regret it afterwards. It got so bad that Riley warned them all to mind their own damn business. He didn't want friendships anyway. They were too complicated. Caring about people was risky, and he wanted no part of it. Letting people in only messed with his head.

"Who cares? Look, Adams saw me for a troublemaker the day I set foot on base. I don't know why and it doesn't matter. He pegged me as his whipping boy, and nothing's gonna change that. I knew when I signed up that being a Marine would be a tough ride. I buckled under the pressure. The Crucible isn't for cowards, Agent Gibbs, and I'm a coward. It's just that simple." Riley held out his hands. "Arrest me; I'm ready to face the music."

Gibbs looked at him dispassionately and Riley dropped his hands. "Geez, man, what do you want from me?"

Gibbs sighed and shook his head. "Riley, I'm amazed you even made it to the Crucible. Fourteen percent of kids older than you don't even make it that far. You're damned right, it's not for cowards and you, Riley Janssen, are no coward. You're a man in every sense of the word and a damned good one from what I've heard. Your fellow recruits reported that you made it to the final event right alongside them. They said you performed admirably and were a team player. They considered you an asset to the team. All you had left was the 9-mile hike, for Pete's sake. Riley, for all intents and purposes, you are a Marine. The rest was gravy." Gibbs reached into his pocket and held out his hand.

"What is it?" asked Riley.

"Go ahead, take it."

Riley's hand trembled as he reached for the insignia in Gibbs' hand. It was the coveted eagle, globe and anchor. Every Marine knew when he received it that he had finally made it. He was a Marine. Riley looked at Gibbs and this time tears did run down his face.

"That's my EGA. I want you to have it as a reminder of who you are. There's going to be some rough days ahead, but I've got your six, Riley. You keep that until we can get you your own."

Riley fingered the pin with the utmost respect. He looked up at Gibbs, "I just remember being so damned tired. He never let me sleep for more than an hour or two."

"You're supposed to be allowed four."

"The first night I don't think I even got two. He was hell-bent on making sure I failed. He even took one of my allotted MREs and accused me of not rationing them properly."

"How'd you know he took it and not another recruit?"

Riley scowled. "He took it out of my pack and ate it in front of me while he made me do push-ups in the middle of the damned night. I-I couldn't even think straight the next day," Riley fisted the pin and put it to his mouth as he choked on the lump in his throat. "He busted my ass the whole next day too, but I kept my eyes on the prize just like everyone else. We just kept telling each other there were only so many hours left. We collapsed the last night of exhaustion, but Adams woke me up again. I don't know how long I'd slept but I lost it, Agent Gibbs. I can't even remember what I did to Adams. I just remember running, and not looking back." Riley held the EGA back out to Gibbs. "I'm not Marine, sir. I'm a coward, plain and simple."

Gibbs' reached out and folded Riley's hand around the pin firmly. "No, you're a 16-year-old kid that survived a man's training exercise designed to simulate the rigours and stress of combat. I don't know how you managed it, Riley, but you earned the respect of every single recruit in your platoon that day and all of them are prepared to stand up for you against Adams. If you can survive the USMC Crucible, son, you can do anything."

Riley sat down in the chair and stared at the pin. "I'm 18, sir."

Gibbs walked across the room and picked up the crumpled paper from the floor. He smoothed out the document and went to stand directly in front of Riley. Gibbs put a hand on Riley's shoulder and shoved the paper in his face.

"This document says otherwise, Riley. Your brother, Ryan, would have been 18, but according to the public records you tried so hard to hide, you're 16 years old and a minor."

Riley shook his head. "I'm 18."

Gibbs knelt down in front of him and rested a hand on his knee. "I know you're scared of your father, Riley, but you don't have to be. Roy Janssen can't hurt you or your mom anymore."

"You don't know him like I do!"

Gibbs smiled at him. "And you don't know me. I can help you, Riley. You just need to let me."

Riley rubbed his thumb gingerly over the emblem in his hands. Every single thing that mattered in his life had been torn away from him. The only person he could ever count on was himself and he'd failed. There wasn't anything else left to lose.

Truth is stranger than fiction:

Usually, I enjoy including some "real-life" drama into my stories. Aimee and Janessa's adventures often mirror my own kids' escapades...to some extent anyway. I wasn't sure how to work this into a story so thought I'd drop it here for a smile.

Anyone here a drummer or know a drummer?

My hubby is a drummer. That man is constantly drumming a beat on something, especially if he's working on a new song for the church worship team. My kids think it's hilarious if he fips one of them over his knee and uses them as his drum. He will drum a beat on their back and they bust a gut laughing.

Recently we've been teaching our older kids about consent...things like no one has the right to touch, hug or kiss you without permission etc...my younger ones (2 and 1) are in the room with us but we don't often think they understand much of anything we are talking about. The other day my husband grabbed our two year, flipped her over his knee and began to drum a beat on her...she screeched at him "Stop, I don't give you "sent". I'm biting my tongue to keep from laughing as he picked her up and apologized for doing it without permission. She smiled sweetly at him and said, 'okay, you have "sent" now." She then leaned over so he could finish his drumbeat on her back. BAHAHA I'm laughing just typing that.

Gotta love kids!

Until next time,

Jenny Wrens