A/N – I wanted to take this opportunity to Thank gaben for her suggestions regarding the direction in which CJ and Steven would head and Truman's Shell for the naval academy application process. Ladies I do hope that I have done well by your suggestions and instructions but still want it said that I know NOTHING personally about the military or it's customs and may have used incorrect wording or such!

Christmas came and went with family gatherings, sharing of gifts and food and no time to be alone or discuss anything. With school about to start again Steven weighing his options decided to ask CJ if she would escort him on a little trip to Maryland.

Sitting in the DiNozzo living room as it had quickly become the more comfortable place to hang out once again, Steven carefully approached the subject of a little road trip.

"CJ?"

"Ya"

"I was wondering if you wanted to go on a little road trip to Maryland with me" his quiet and worried tone concerned his girlfriend.

"Sure" she carefully answered but asking "Why what's in Maryland?"

"I … I got an interview" he stated matter of factly.

"An interview! For what?" her interest peeked she wasn't good at waiting for details.

"Before I tell you, you have to promise me you won't tell anyone else what it is for and you won't…. freak out either…" looking at his hands that were rubbing his own thighs up and down nervously.

"Ok … I promise" CJ easily answered.

"No… that was too quick… I mean a real promise and a real effort to stay calm" knowing how his friend had a tendency to sometimes fly off the handle, her broken hand still in a cast to prove that.

"O.K. I. PROMISE" her words slow, deliberate and overly exaggerated as she held her right hand over her heart making the sign of an x she added "cross my heart."

"The interview is for Annapolis" he sort of whispered.

"Annapolis… Annapolis" it took several repetitions before it hit her as to what that meant. "Steven that's the military college!" her voice taking on a shrill sort of sound.

"You promised you wouldn't freak out" his words falling out of his mouth quickly in hopes of keeping CJ calm.

"I'm not freaking out" CJ's voice still 2 octaves about what it should have been.

"Well then what do you call what you're doing right now?" he asked with a smile in hopes that she would see the humor in the situation.

"I call it being reasonable when one finds out that your friend wants to sign themselves up for something like THAT!" she spat.

"Ceejj… please listen to me…" it was the look in his eyes that had her quiet down. They were sort of sad, which rarely happened, and so she listened.

"Look, I don't know if this is what I want… But I do know I want it to stay an option… and just because I was granted an interview doesn't mean that I will get appointed… please CJ I know I've kept everything a secret but I told you because I really need the support from someone right now…. This interview is a big thing… and… I want you there… I want my best friend to support me…" he trailed off again scrubbing his hands on his lap watching the coffee table and not CJ.

"I'll come with you… if this is what you want…" CJ said in her best I support you tone. But inside CJ was being torn to pieces, in all of her years as Steven's friend, his best friend, he had NEVER once mentioned he had any inclination to join the navy or any other military organization for that matter. She would be there to support him, after all he was her best friend, but deep down she hoped that the interview didn't go well.

Explaining that she would be out of the state for the day, with Steven and no she couldn't give more details didn't initially go over very well but eventually Tony and Ziva relented. More because they both knew CJ was going with or without their consent and at least having some knowledge of whereabouts and ETA would be beneficial. They were going to have to get used to the fact that they were not going to know her every move in the very near future.

The drive to Maryland was a quiet one. CJ was at the wheel as Steven's nerves were so tightly wound he wasn't in much of a state to concentrate on the actual driving. A few times CJ tried to start a light hearted conversation and with every effort the discussion quickly petered out. Choosing instead to listen to the radio CJ sang along with the tunes. Steven internal conflict raged. Was this what he really wanted for his life? What did her really want for his life? Who did he want this for? He surreptitiously took side long glances at his girl friend, he loved her with all of his heart and he knew that this choice was one she didn't approve of, did that mean he shouldn't do it?

CJ caught him looking and asked "Whatcha thinkin'?"

"Just… a lot of things… I… nothing really" turning back to stare out the passenger window fist clenched against the side of his cheek leaning on the door.

"You know I'm not going to tell anyone about this … you know … right?" CJ was worried that he regretted telling anyone one of his choices. He was still holding out, even with CJ, his other application locations. He was still planning on getting all the acceptances and then deciding what it was he really wanted to do.

"I know. It's not that… I'm just nervous I guess" he said with a tense laugh proving how he was actually feeling.

Pulling into the parking lot they both sat waiting for the other to say something. CJ finally took the plunge and spoke first "Good Luck, You'll do great!" her enthusiastic degree belying her deeper want for this to go oh so poorly, removing the Navy as a choice for Steven. Knowing that was a selfish wish CJ ensured all her outward showings were positive and helpful.

"Thanks CJ, I'm going to need it" his down hearted reply came in return.

Turning her body fully in the seat so that her right knee was laid across the seat CJ took Steven's chin in her casted hand, as a parent would a child, and said "KNOCK it OFF… you are going to do great…you're brilliant, you're funny AND" she emphasized the and more than necessary" you're like the third generation of naval officers if not the fourth… I don't keep track of your family history all that well!" she finished with a flourish of hand waving and facial expressions in true CJ style.

His laughter could be heard as he exited the car and slammed the door. CJ waved to his receding back "good luck Stevie" she whispered. And then the waiting began. Neither CJ nor Steven had any idea how this process would go, or how long the interview would last; at the hour and a half mark CJ stopped reading the book she'd brought and walked around the grounds for a bit. It was a good 2 hours before Steven returned to the car, a smile on his face and a spring in his step that wasn't there when he'd left.

"Go ok?" CJ asked somewhat disheartened herself at his positive mood shift.

"Ya, I think it went very well" he was so excited it was hard for CJ to stay upset.

The trip home was much more animated and full of dialogue. Steven replayed the interview for CJ and his thoughts and feelings about his answers and the questions asked. As they approached home Steven caught a glimpse of the worry in CJ's eyes. In that moment he understood how hard it was for CJ to be supportive and yet she was trying with everything she had in her. He also understood how much he really wanted this, but to appease her as well as keep his own hopes in perspective "you know, only 1200 kids get offers of appointment, in the whole country… the likelihood that I get in … is REALLY low…"

His smile and raised eyebrows hoping for some sort of an answer. Tussling his hair she said "ya.. horrible odds really".

Knowing someone for as long as they had known each other meant that you could say words you wanted the other person to hear but they knew which ones you really wanted to speak. Both kids understood the other explicitly.