Hey guys! So I finished chapter 2 which I'm really happy with and I hope you guys like it!

In this chapter, months have gone by and the NCIS team comes back, however one soldier did not. As Tasha starts to grieve and blame herself for not bringing everyone back, the guilt starts to hurt her. When they get back home, they are welcomed with open arms from the rest of their team and ordered to be on leave for a month by Director Vance. The NCIS team takes it, but will it help Tasha get over the guilt?

Chapter 3 is being worked right at this moment and will be up probably tomorrow, if not then soon.

I do not own NCIS! I own Anastasia Tasha Hunter and friend Duke!

Hope you guys like it!

Hugs and kisses!

Chapter 2: Returning Home

6 months later

Tasha's POV

I would never have thought I would be here instead of bring in the silver casket in front of me then sitting on the plane returning home. We managed to find the Army base that was being held hostage and took down the terrorist group. However, we lost one of our own that day. Sergeant James Edward Barnes was killed, pushing me out of the way when a bullet hit him in his heart. He died instantly. I promised to bring everyone back alive, my promise has been broken. I was wearing minus the long sleeve shirt and the jeans and replaced with dark green shorts and a brown tank top with my black combat boots. I was covered in sweat and dirt, everyone else was the same as well. We were all sad and depressed that a comrade died in action for protecting me and this unit. James died with honor and we are certainly going to honor him. The pilot told us we'd be landing in D.C. soon, some of us helped each other out by cleaning up their wounds and the dirt off their faces. I just sat and continued to stare at the silver casket that held James in. I felt a wash cloth on my face and saw it was Gibbs. He gave me a small smile and all I could do is finally let the tears stream down my face as I mourn a fallen comrade.

We finally landed in Washington D.C. as the soldiers salute to Sergeant James Edward Barnes as his casket is lead towards the car. I saluted as well as his casket went by and the tears continued to stream down like a river that never stops flowing. I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders and I knew it was Gibbs. Ever since dad died, Gibbs as been a father figure to me who made me happy and he made a promise to my dad to watch over me. Gibbs pulled me into a hug as I silently sobbed in his chest. The pain I felt two years ago came back and it was never going away.

We finally made it back to NCIS headquarters and on the way up to our floor, the elevator ride was silent. McGee, Tony, Ziva and Gibbs were all in their own thoughts as am I until Tony decides to break the silence.

"Good to be back Boss, good to be back." We couldn't help it, but smile. Yes it was good to be back, however I wondering if everyone has gotten my letter which made me concerned, but I pushed that aside when the elevator made the ding sound and the doors opened. Everyone was working and doing their own business went walked toward our desk only to be met by Ducky, Jimmy and Abbey waiting for us. Up on one floor was Director Vance who was waiting as well smiled and clapped for our return. Everyone else noticed us and started clapping and cheering for us. They were all happy that we returned home safe and sound, I was overwhelmed by all the cheering and clapping that I didn't noticed Abby giving me a hug. I returned the hug as she pulled back and stared at me. She notices the dried up tears and the sadness in my eyes. She gave me a small smile and I did too. Gibbs walked past us and up the stairs to talk to Director Vance. He then motioned us to come up and join him and I knew we would be debriefing, but I didn't know it would be this soon. We all walked up to Director Vance's office as he was standing behind his desk waiting for one of us to talk.

"From what I heard from the unit, I say you all did a fantastic job especially you Agent Hunter, the determination to bring everyone home to their loved ones and the determination to bring your team home, I say you did a pretty damn good job." He paused for a moment studying my face expression; he knew I didn't bring everyone home. We lost James. "I know we lost Sergeant James Edward Barnes, but he wouldn't want us to dwell on his death, he would want us to honor him. We can't change the past, but we can change the present and the future as well." It's easy for Director Vance to say that, but I know I have debt I owe James. "I'm giving you all a month's leave, you all deserve it, gets some rest, spend some time with your loved ones. I don't want to see any of you until your well fit for duty, that goes for you Agent Hunter," My head snapped towards Director Vance, he was giving me one of his looks that he gives to Boss. "You will be taking two months leave since you were the leader of this group, I know your beating yourself up for not bring James home and now you need to stop and focus on future ahead. Plus, it will give you a clear head before returning to duty." He walked over to me as I look straight ahead; he put a comforting hand on my shoulder and sighed. "You did a great job out there, your father would be proud. I just know it." All I did was nod as a lone tear ran down my cheek. He patted me on the shoulder and walked back to his desk. He stood straight so did we. "You are all dismissed. See you in a month." We all nodded and started walking out of his office. "I will see you in two months Tasha." I glanced at him and nodded and walked out of his office. As we walked down the stairs from Director Vance's office, we saw Abbey, Ducky and Jimmy waiting for us. There was also another man waiting as well, he was in Marine Corp formals and he looked familiar to me. I looked at him for another moment and then I recognized him.

"Tasha,"

"Duke," I walked up to him and he hugged me tightly, he was from my dad's unit a long time ago. Chris was never fond of him because he had a trouble past. I didn't care Duke was probably the second best friend I ever had. Yeah he was two years older then me, but Chris is like well I shouldn't be talking about his age. Anyway, it's been a long time since I've seen Duke. I pulled away to look into his beautiful blue and green eyes, he's handsome, in high school he was an outsider just like me. We both had a lot of common his father was in the Marines and he was gone most of the time as well. We would hang out after school, go into the city of Boston and do whatever as long as we were with each other. I know Duke had a little bit of a crush on me and I kind of did too. I think I still do. "How are you here? I thought you were in California?"

"I got transferred, I was promoted captain and since you don't have a captain here at NCIS so, here I am."

"You are full of surprises Duke, but I'm glad you're here. I missed you so much." I hugged him again and he hugged me back. It's been a long time, I'm glad he's back. I felt him kissed the top of my head and leaned his head against mine.

"I missed you too so much. I'm so happy your home." I felt tears running down my cheeks. I'm gonna guess he knows I was gone on a mission. I pulled away and he rests his hand on my cheek. His handsome face smiling down at me and I smiled back knowing he's back in my life again. "I heard about your father, I'm so sorry I couldn't be at the funeral. I was out of the country and they told me about it but they couldn't get me home because we were on lockdown and I tried so hard, but they just couldn't let me go home,"

"Duke its okay, it's okay, I know and I even tried to get you home as well, but they said that they couldn't and I understand. You tried and that's all that matters, I'm just glad you're here now." He smiled and our foreheads touched each other.

"So I'm guessing you like your birthday present right?" I turned around and saw Abbey smiling and so was everyone else even Gibbs was smiling.

"Present?"

"Yeah your birthday is today and we're having a party at Tony's apartment. You know because his apartment is bigger and it's better and he barely has company over." Tony interfered before I could say anything.

"Excuse me? I do have company over,"

"Your father doesn't count DiNozzo, when was the last time you had actually company at your apartment like actually company?" We all laughed at what Ziva said was kind of true, Tony doesn't have a lot of company over at his apartment. I only was there a few times. Tony's shoulders sagged and sighed in defeat.

"Fine, but just this once." We all laughed and Abbey came up to me and pulled me away from Duke and dragged around the corner of the stairs.

"So do you really like your present? Be honest, you know I hate it when friends don't like their presents of any kind." I couldn't help, but laugh and I hugged Abbey.

"I love my present; I haven't seen Duke since he enlisted in the Marines and left to go training. So I thank you Abbey, thank you so much for bringing Duke home."

"Your welcome and I'm happy that you're happy again." We were still hugging each other, I pulled away and smiled at Abbey and she smiled back at me. She took my hand and I trailed behind her as we walked back to the others. I walked towards Duke and Abbey walked back towards McGee. Duke wrapped his arm around my shoulders and kissed the side of my head.

"So what do you want to do?" I thought about that for a minute and then it hit me. The whole plane ride home, I was thinking about Chris, Tom, Hemsworth, Robert, Scarlet and everyone else. I just hope they read my letters when I was gone for six months. I would think it would give them time to read it and to think about it, but then again some of them wanted to stay out of it so they probably didn't read the letters yet. However, that doesn't mean I can't tell them that I am home. I looked up at Duke and at everyone else, they were confused at first, but Gibbs knows what I was thinking about it and he nodded.

"I need to find the Avengers."