Again I don't own anything

The bull pit was a rush of activity, everyone was desperate to get everything wrapped up, after all it was 11am on Christmas Eve, the latest people wanted away was 3pm. Gibb's team was desperately trying to finish their paperwork. Meanwhile Abby was bouncing in and out double checking and then triple checking that everyone would be turning up tonight.

'McGee please, please tell me that you bought the marshmallows?'

Tony looked up from his mountain of paperwork with a look of barely disguised glee, 'Marshmallows McFairy, were they pink and fluffy?'

Abby's hand swiftly connected with the back of Tony's head, 'Almost half the group is driving, so I am making hot chocolate'

'Your'e not allowed to hit me'

'Yes she is Dinozzo, lets face it you really are asking for trouble today', Gibbs wandered into the centre of this impromptu gathering, 'And get back to work, unless you want to spend Christmas finishing everyone's paperwork'

'Ever heard of Christmas spirit Jethro?'

Without even turning round, Gibbs replied, 'Ever heard of not sneaking up on people Jen? It's rude and next time you try it don't wear heels'. He finally turned to face her, taking in the slightly dishevelled red curls, the amused look in her sparkling eyes, the emerald wrap around top, black trousers and finally the skyscraper like heels.

'That's kind of rich from the man who seems to have a phobia of knocking on doors, God forbid you conform to polite society', she laughed. 'Now I have a meeting with Sec-Nav after that debacle you called your last case, so I'm afraid you'll need to talk to Dinozzo about manners, I imagine that will be a very short conversation'

The team was watching the exchange with interest until Abby butted in, 'Director before you go, you will be there tonight, I know you're busy but we can't have Christmas without mommy, so please, please, please…..' 'Abby I will be there, just for a few hours though, I really do have a lot to catch up on', Abby nodded happily at the older woman and then hugged her ecstatically. 'That is completely acceptable, see you around 4', and bounced out the room. Jenny shook her head laughing and headed for her office.

By 2pm the floor was just about empty, even Gibb's team was packing up. Hearing a door slam, the team looked up to the catwalk to see the director storming through the doors that lead from her office, rapidly flicking through papers as she went.

'Ever seen a woman walk that fast in heels?'

'Only after a really hairy date probmister'

Gibbs looked slightly warily up to where his teams attention was currently focussed, knowing without a doubt he was the root cause of her anger. Her feet were practically a blur she was walking so quickly, she stepped onto the stairs, her attention elsewhere as she quickened her pace even more, not noticing the loose piece of carpet. It was like watching something in slow motion, Gibbs wanted to yell out, to catch her, but he couldn't do a thing to stop it. The papers flew into the air as she desperately reached out for something, anything to steady herself but found nothing but air, her head cracked off the banister and she tumbled down the stairs, landing in a heap at the bottom. Gibbs rushed over calling out her name, he bent down next to her crumpled form, her neck was at a slightly odd angle and her eyes were open and staring blankly. He checked for her pulse, knowing the answer, there was nothing, the pain ripped through him, as though something was tearing at him, pulling him apart from the inside out, her lifeless eyes haunting him.

He jumped awake, the alarm read 2am, it was still Christmas Eve, this was a hellish night, he ran a hand over his clammy forehead.

'Ready to listen yet Jethro?'

Gibbs looked up, he swallowed hard and gazed at the figure standing at the end of the bed, 'You're really here?'

'Yes, we need to talk'