Hi EVERYONE!

I see sunshine today! It's +5 and so windy, it knocked my poor toddler on her butt on the way to the car this morning. And icy? Oh my goodness! I slipped and did the splits for the first time in 15 years. I'm telling you, my body doesn't work like that anymore!

Anyone else enjoying this wonderful winter as much as I am?

I've been trying to bring this story to a close but it seems like my characters have more story to tell...so poor Gibbs is not quite finished yet.

After this story, I may take a hiatus from writing fanfiction to focus on editing my original novel.

I love all your reviews and your thoughts...they make me smile!

Have a fantastic day and enjoy!

(If you enjoy reading about Josh Marshall ...be sure to read "The Cadet" by 90TheGeneral09 - his depiction of life in military school is both realistic and interesting...just a warning that the language is a bit more gritty.)

Riley restlessly tapped his fingers on the table, anxiously looking up at Gibbs. Gibbs noted that he looked better rested than he'd looked in a long time. Some decent nights of sleep, along with some nutritious meals had put some pink in his cheeks again and it was good to see. Gibbs gave Riley a reassuring look which made the teenager offer him a small smile in return. The kid seemed to trust him and that was what Gibbs had been aiming for. Every kid needed to know he had someone in his corner and Gibbs was alright with being that for Riley. The conference room wasn't the most ideal place to question Riley but it was the best Gibbs had at NCIS. Riley would remain in NCIS custody until they got his statement regarding Adams and what went down at the crucible. Since Riley was a minor, his guardian, in his case his mother, would need to decide if she was going to press charges against Adams. Regardless of whether she did or not, Adams would still stand accountable for his misdeeds. Too many recruits had spoken out this time for it to be brushed under the rug.

"Nervous?" asked Gibbs, handing the kid a mug of hot chocolate. Warm beverages always seemed to relax Gibbs so he figured he'd try it with Riley.

Riley accepted the mug and set it on the table with a shrug as he looked at the woman in the room. "Why's she here?"

The robust, dark-haired woman smiled at Riley kindly. It wasn't the first time NCIS had to question minors and Belinda Fairhaven was the one Gibbs trusted the most. "I'm here to make sure Agent Gibbs behaves himself."

Gibbs laughed and winked at Riley. "She can be awfully mean to me."

Belinda laughed, "Only when you deserve it, Agent Gibbs."

A smile pulled at the corner of Riley's lips but then he stiffened and stood to walk to the window, opening the blinds so he could look out. He remained stiff and silent as he did. Gibbs offered a coffee to Belinda and sat down at the table, keeping an eye on Riley. Gibbs knew that Riley wasn't happy about anything that was happening. He was still denying his age and feeling very vulnerable.

"Sit down, Riley. I want to explain a few things…"

"I'd rather stand," said Riley as he turned and sent a pleading look in Gibbs direction.

Gibbs nodded. Riley was used to being his own man, and Gibbs was okay with giving the teenager his autonomy. "In a few minutes, an agent is going to come in and ask you some questions. Mrs. Fairhaven is here as your guardian until your mother arrives. If you don't wish to answer the question or cannot, just let her know. She will speak on your behalf. Understand?"

"Why are you here?"

"That's a fair question. I'm here because I want you to feel safe. You've known me a little longer so I thought my presence would help you feel more comfortable. If you don't think that's true, I can leave."

Riley's eyes widened a little, looking on the verge of panic. "N-no, uh, please stay Agent Gibbs."

Gibbs nodded.

"What kind of questions?"

"Well, he will ask questions about your background, about your parents, specifically your father. Also, he may ask you questions about enlisting in the Marines. All you need to remember is to answer honestly. Tell him the truth as you know it."

"What about my DI?"

"The agent will not ask you anything about your drill instructor."

"Are you sure?"

Gibbs nodded. "Positive," he assured. The discussion regarding Adams would take place another day and with General Marshall personally. It was something that Gibbs needed to prepare Riley for but not now and not today. Josh Marshall was sympathetic to Riley's plight but he was still pissed off a kid snuck his way into basic training and messed with the status quo. Parris Island was going to be suffering for a while, and Gibbs couldn't help but think that Marshall was going to be placing a huge chunk of the blame on the kid.

Just then a knock was heard at the door. Gibbs rose to his feet and opened the door to the conference room. He hadn't known who Jenny would assign to question Riley and was surprised to see McGee standing in front of him. McGee looked uncertain as he waited on Gibbs to say something.

"McGee."

"Director Shepard sent a message." McGee handed Gibbs a piece of paper and stood aside as another agent walked up. Gibbs looked up to see Micah Stevens step forward. Micah worked for another MCRT team and was known to be a hard-nosed agent. He wouldn't have been Gibbs' first choice.

"Stevens."

The man acknowledged Gibbs with a brief smile. "Are we ready to begin, Agent Gibbs?"

Gibbs nodded but then looked to McGee. "His mother arrive yet?"

"Not yet, Boss, but I will let you know as soon as she does."

Gibbs nodded his approval and McGee walked away. He glanced at the paper quickly to see it regarded Makayla but didn't allow the contents to sink in. Gibbs stuffed the note in his breast pocket so he'd remember to read and respond to it later. It wasn't directly regarding related to the business at hand, so it would need to wait. Gibbs noticed Riley stiffen when the other agent reached out a hand to shake his. Riley hesitated for several moments, debating whether to extend his hand or not but then did. Stevens gave a firm handshake and ushered Riley to sit down.

"I'd prefer to stand," replied Riley, firmly.

Agent Stevens blinked as if surprised by the response but then sat down. Gibbs walked across the room and leaned on the wall adjacent to Riley. If the boy felt safer standing at a distance, that should be his right.

"Okay, then. Let's get started, shall we?" Stevens opened the folder he'd brought with him. "Riley, you're 16 years old. Is that correct?"

Riley looked at Gibbs a moment. "No, sir. I am 18."

"Riley," said Gibbs softly. "Remember I said you that you need to tell the truth. No one here is going to give you any trouble or lecture you about choices made. We just need to get to the truth so we can help you."

Riley turned his back to them and looked out the window once again.

"How about this then," suggested Stevens, "I will tell you what we think we know about you and you can correct me if I say anything that is incorrect."

Gibbs nodded his approval. Maybe Stevens was a good choice after all. Diplomacy was definitely what was needed with Riley.

Riley kept his back to them.

"Riley, are you okay with Agent Stevens doing that?" asked Mrs. Fairhaven, looking concerned with Riley's behaviour. Riley didn't acknowledge them. "We need you to answer, Riley, either by saying or nodding yes or no."

Riley shrugged.

Gibbs, Stevens and Belinda looked at one another as they waited, silent messages being exchanged between them. None of them wanted this to become explosive or out of control. They had all been briefed on Riley's mental stability at the moment.

"Riley?" prompted Gibbs.

Riley turned around and threw his hands up in the air in frustration. "It's not my fault!"

"What's not your fault, Riley?" asked Belinda.

Riley's chest was heaving and Gibbs could see that he was already beginning to panic.

"My dad was in Serbia during the Kosovo war. He told me and Ryan to take care of my mom. We always did. Ryan got in with a rough crowd of guys at school and my mom didn't know about it. He made me swear not to tell her. Ryan was cool, so I didn't. They went to check out this dam and they weren't supposed to go near it. The water was always so damned high in the spring. The stupid thing burst and they all died." Riley choked back a sob and his hands shook as he wiped at his eyes.

Gibbs held his breath. They didn't have any details on how Ryan Janssen died. They only knew he'd died in 1999.

"Oh, Riley," said Belinda, warmly. "I'm so sorry to hear that."

"I didn't want him to get in trouble." Riley's eyes were pleading for understanding.

"Makes sense, Riley," said Gibbs. "No one wants to be a tattletale."

"How old were you?" asked Stevens, jotting down notes in his file.

Gibbs rolled his eyes. Riley was lost in the memory and wasn't going to respond to questions.

"Ryan died. He's dead." Riley said the words in a hollow voice with tears running down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Riley. You must miss him," said Belinda sympathetically.

Riley nodded. "My dad couldn't get home right away because he was on active duty. Eventually, he got home and all hell broke loose. He said it was my fault because I should have told someone where Ryan was going. Keeping my mouth shut is the same as lying, he said. My dad started drinking a lot after that, and we moved around because of him being in the Corps. He kept getting in trouble with his commanding officer. My dad said the guy hated him and would call him out on every little thing. I guess it made my dad even madder and he started taking it out on my mom by smacking her around and then he got arrested. I don't know how it happened exactly but one day he came home and said they kicked him out of the Marines. After that, everything went to shit."

"Did your dad hit you too, Riley?" asked Stevens, not looking at Riley but continuing to take notes.

Riley cleared his throat and wiped his nose with the back of his hand. Gibbs grabbed some tissue and set it on the window sill in front of Riley. Riley looked at Gibbs for a moment but then continued staring out the window.

"Do you need to take a break?" asked the social worker.

Riley shook his head. He reached out and put a hand on the window. "How many floors up would you say we are, Agent Gibbs?"

Gibbs walked towards Riley and stood shoulder to shoulder with him, gazing out over the scene out the window.

"4 stories."

"So this building is what? 50 or 60 feet tall?"

"Give or take," said Gibbs.

Riley put his other hand on the window and attempted to peer downward. "Ryan fell about 50 feet that day."

Gibbs didn't reply but planted his hand on Riley's shoulder. He knew what it was like to lose someone he loved. Sometimes there just weren't words to make things better. Gibbs felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and as discreetly as possible, he glanced at who was calling him. He recognized the number to belong to Makayla's phone.

"I need to take this, Riley. You okay if I step out for a minute?"

Riley's eyes widened in what looked like a mixture of fear and panic.

"It's Makayla," offered Gibbs, feeling a little torn about leaving.

The mention of Makayla's name seemed to appease Riley a little and he nodded his permission. Gibbs identified with Riley's ability to put others needs before his own. Riley was first and foremost a gentleman. Not always good but admirable all the same. Gibbs tossed Belinda a troubled look as he walked out of the conference room. He was hoping Agent Stevens wouldn't start heading in another direction while he was gone. He trusted that Belinda could head off anything too unruly but he wasn't sure how Riley was going to handle things if it got too intense.

Gibbs answered. "Yah, Gibbs."

He was greeted by silence and some faint sniffling in the far distance. Gibbs clutched the phone tightly in his fist. His gut was beginning to churn in anticipation of the worst.

"Mak? You ok?"

"T-they kicked me out, Agent Gibbs."

Gibbs frowned in confusion. "Who kicked you out?"

"T-the school."

"Why?" What could Mak have done to warrant such drastic action?

"Aunt Jenny is going to kill me and so are my parents. I need to go."

Foreboding crept up his neck. "No, you need to tell me where you are so I can come get you."

"I-I can't take it anymore." Makayla dissolved into sobs. His heart ached for her as he listened to her weep and gasp for breath.

"Awe, Mackie…" he said softly, feeling at a loss for words. She didn't need his condemnation at the moment. It didn't make sense. What could Makayla have done to get her kicked out of school? Her timing could not have been worse. How many different directions could he be torn? He leaned against the door, hoping that things inside the room were still under control. He couldn't shake the haunted look in Riley's eyes.

"I-I don't k-know what to do. I-I-I," she tried to explain.

"Tell me where you are, Mackie."

Makayla sniffled and hiccupped at the same time. Gibbs could hear her trying to calm herself down. He knew she was a smart kid and her wheels were be churning to try and make sense of her situation.

"Mak?"

"I ch-cheated, Agent Gibbs. I knew I would get caught but I didn't care…but when I got caught…I did care," Makayla's voice sounded distant like she wasn't holding her phone to her mouth.

Gibbs sighed as he digested the information. He'd had a hunch that things would get worst with Makayla before they'd get better. Too much had happened and Makayla suddenly acting compliant was more a cause for concern than anything else. As much as she was a good kid, compliance had been her mantra for a little too long. You could only expect a kid to go with the flow for so long before exploding. Makayla had toed the line too long.

"Where are you?"

She sniffled again. "Are you mad?"

"Depends on why you did it." Gibbs shook his head in annoyance. Why did he say that? Why couldn't he have just said he wasn't mad? The thing was Gibbs knew she would know if he was being anything less than authentic. He wouldn't win either way.

Makayla was silent on the other end of the line.

"Mak?"

"I'm sorry, Agent Gibbs. I let you down. I-I tried…"

Gibbs felt his heart rate pick up again. That tone of defeat in her voice told him she was going to run again. She felt like she had nothing left to lose now. She'd already been grounded by her aunt. Jenny threatened to board her at the school or call her parents. The worst scenarios were playing out in Makayla's head. There were no options. Gibbs pinched his nose feeling equally desperate. He couldn't have the 14-year-old girl traipsing off somewhere on her own.

"Damn it," he muttered to himself. "Makayla, listen to me, you didn't let me down, okay? Where are you? I promise to help you figure this out."

"Y-you can't. No one can."

Gibbs felt his frustration level skyrocket. Why couldn't he catch a break? When was the universe going to decide this test was over? Every time he turned around he was being pummeled to the ground. How much more would he have to endure?

The sound of a door closing caught his attention and he looked behind him to see McGee walking in the opposite direction, heading towards the MTAC. Gibbs propped his cell phone to his chin with his shoulder and started patting down his pockets to find something—anything—he could use to get the man's attention.

"Mak, listen, you can't take off on your own. It isn't safe! Where are you going to go? Running away just makes things worse. Remember? Everything is a choice. You can make the right one."

Finding his keys, he fired them down the hall, hitting McGee in the back of his legs. McGee spun around to see what hit him and Gibbs motioned to him.

"It's t-too late," she sobbed.

"No, kiddo, it's never too late until you make the wrong choice…"

Gibbs grabbed a pen and a scrap of paper from his pocket and starting scribbling a quick message to McGee. He needed the man to see if he could do a trace of where Makayla was calling him from. McGee looked at the paper and took off running down the hallway.

"I already did that, damn it!" she shouted loudly enough to make him wince and pull the phone from his ear.

Gibbs puffed out his cheeks as he watched McGee disappear into the distance. He needed to keep the teenager on the line long enough to give McGee time to get to MTAC and trace the call. Gibbs figured it would take McGee a couple of minutes. Most cell phones came complete with GPS trackers and even if Makayla's didn't, hers would be a cinch to trace. This is what they did every day.

"Makayla, tell me where you are right now!" he demanded, raising his voice. He was greeted by silence once more. He knew she was listening but he was hedging his bets that a little firmness might go a long way with her. He didn't dare take a wager though. It felt like everything he said or did with her was precarious. "You promised me you wouldn't run away again. Are you going back on that promise now?" Damn it, you know how much it pisses me off, he growled in his own mind but thankfully had the presence of mind not to say out loud. He was still met with silence so loud it deafened him but she was listening, hiccupping, and sniffling. Makayla was thinking and for better or for worse, he was glad it was taking time. He needed it and was stalling for it. "You can make the right choice, sweetheart," he softened his voice, making it less sharp and more placating. "Whatever happened at school isn't the end of the world. Let me help! You called me for a reason, Mak, and it wasn't to tell me you're running away. If that were true, you would have just left."

She gasped for breath. "I'm hanging up now."

Gibbs' heart pounded in his chest. Not yet, kid, he thought. We need a few more minutes.

"Mak, wait!" he said, switching tactics, appealing to her sense of kindness and honour. She wouldn't want to worry them if she didn't need to. "Just tell me where you're planning to go. After everything with Aimee, I just need to know you'll be okay. Please." Who was he kidding? He didn't even sound like himself now. Gibbs didn't plead with people.

"I-I can't tell you that."

"Mackie, think about your Aunt Jenn and your parents. I'm telling you that it was killing me a little every day when I didn't know where Aimee was or if she was even alive. What if it was Janessa who was running away? How would you feel if you didn't have any idea where she was or if she was even safe?" It was a long shot but he knew that Makayla had grown fond of his little sea urchin. It was hard not too because she was so stinking adorable.

Makayla sniffled again and Gibbs envisioned the girl having waves of tears streaming down her cheeks. The girl was allowing the weight of something that felt huge to her cloud her better judgement. Calling Gibbs was her one last ditch effort for clarity.

"I wouldn't like it."

"Yah, I know you wouldn't. You taking off is going to hurt Janessa too and she's already been through so much already. Do you want to add to it?" He sounded desperate now.

More sobs.

"Will you let me come get you?"

"It's too l-late, Agent G-Gibbs!"

"Awe, honey, it's never too late to come home," he assured her.

"I j-just can't," came one last reply and then the phone went dead.

Gibbs closed his eyes, pleading with whoever was in charge of the universe to keep Makayla safe until he could get to her. Looking down he glimpsed the paper he'd scrawled a message on to McGee. It was the note from Jenny that McGee had given him earlier. This time he read it allowing the words to sink in.

Jethro,

Makayla was expelled. I'm heading to her school to see what I can ascertain about the situation. Keep me abreast of things with Riley.

Jenn

Gibbs shoved the paper back in his pocket. He should have taken the time to read the note. He might have been better prepared for Makayla's phone call.

Gibbs' cell phone rang. "Gibbs."

"Boss." It was McGee. "I got her."

Gibbs heaved a sigh of relief as he headed towards MTAC. He'd grab the coordinates and head out as quickly as he could to get Makayla. "Can you keep a trace on it, McGee?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I'm on my way." Gibbs ended one call to begin another. He needed Tony to stand by for Riley in case anything went sour. The teenager would need a familiar face; someone he knew was in his corner. Tony and Riley had forged a friendship as well.

A sharp piercing scream made him freeze in his tracks. He spun on his heel, eyes wide and his heart thumping hard. The door ahead of him burst open and Belinda poked her head out, looking frantic.

"Agent Gibbs!"