CHAPTER 3

"Today has to be one of the busiest days ever." Kate sat down; exhausted from the tours she had given. Over one hundred tours to people whoa had filled out applications for possible job openings.

"I know. I'm finishing up the guest list, starting to put invitations into envelopes, running around, calling the florist, the caterer, hair dresser, and the preacher. The closer the wedding gets, the more nervous me and mom get. Oh, yeah, don't forget the dress fitting at 1500 hours today. I'll tell Abby. Cynthia already knows." Rebekah sat down and began writing names down frantically, hoping she wasn't leaving anyone out...

"Have you slept at all recently?" Kate asked as she got up and walked over to Rebekah's desk with a bottle of water and an apple. She put them on the desk in front of Rebekah, who didn't eat lunch.

"Not really. I have to get this done in time for everyone to receive their invitation so they can

R.S.V.P on time. I haven't eaten much either."

"Here, eat this apple, drink some water, take a break, and just try to relax. Kate took the pen and the folder away from Rebekah and moved the apple and bottle of water into their place.

"Okay. It will feel good to relax. I've been trying to lessen the stress on mom. I kind of fell like a bride myself."

"Not at your age young lady." Gibbs came in and head slapped Rebekah as her passed her desk.

"If you ever think about getting married at 16 or 17, I'll kick your ass so hard your great grandchildren will feel it."

"I wasn't planning on it, so don't worry. I'm not gonna jump into something that serious without making sure he's mister right. And not before I had your approval of course." Rebekah mirrored her fathers look, but she had a bigger grin on her face.

"Just making sure. Raising a sixteen year old girl is a new thing for me. Just the protective side of me."

"I know about my sister Kelly. I think I can manage to cover for both of us."

"Oh, I'm sure you can." Gibbs sat down and began checking his email when Rebekah asked him a question he never expected.

"Hey dad….What would say if I would decide to go into the military?" Rebekah bit her lip nervously, trying to read her dads expression.

"Well, you can join. That's your personal right. But, as a father, I wouldn't want you to. But, if you choose to go that path, I'll support you 100% of the way."

Gibbs looked up from his desk, resting his chin in between his thumb and index finger…which was usual when he was thinking of something…or studying someone.

"Well, I was thinking about it. I have a duty to serve my country. I want to help our wounded men gain as much of their old lives back as they can." Rebekah sat back in her chair and bit her lip. "I just hope mom sees it that way. She's the one I have to worry about."

"Who's the one you have to worry about?" Jenny came down the stairs and walked up to Becky's desk. "Do you the guest list done?"

"Yep, and I need to have a serious talk with you later. When you get the chance." Rebekah handed her mom the guest list as her mom gave her a questioning look.

"Certainly you're not gonna try to have 'the talk'. I had that talk with my mom when I was twelve, and I think I know how things work by now." Jenny glanced down the guest list, nodding her approval.

Rebekah chuckled. "No. we had that talk when I was twelve. I don't need any clarification. But, it has to do with me and my future." Rebekah reached under her desk and stood up holding a pink bag. "While I was on break, I picked you up an early gift. But, I wouldn't open it in front of you know who." Rebekah moved her eyes over to her father, hoping her mom would understand.

"O… Okay. I'll wait till I get back up to my office before I open it." Jenny took the bag from Becky. "Do you want to go up to my office now and have this 'serious talk'? I have some free time." Jenny was getting a worried felling in her gut. She hoped that Becky wasn't gonna say she was pregnant.

"Sure…might as well. You'll find out eventually anyways. You always do." Becky looked at her dad, and followed her mom up to her office.

"When they got upstairs into Jenny's Office, Rebekah shut the door behind them to give them plenty of privacy.

"You know, if someone says they need to 'have a little talk', they actually…..talk." Jenny put the bag down on her desk and walked over to the conference table and motioned for Rebekah to sit down.

"Mom, I'm trying to make a big decision. I've weighed all of the facts, and listened to tons of people and what they had to say." Rebekah paused, and took a deep breath. "I want to join the Air Force. And I need to know that you are okay with my decision."

"Wow…didn't see that one coming. Well, you understand that I'm not huge with that idea…but, that doesn't mean I'm against it. I absolutely support going into the military…but, why the Air Force, and not follow in your dads footsteps with the Marines?"

"Well, the Air Force is 8 weeks basic training, and you only have to run a mile-and-a-half in 14 minutes, whereas in the Marines are twelve weeks of basic, and you have to 3 miles in 14 minutes. I'm not in that good of shape. I want to join the Air Force. I can still work here in D.C. at either Bethesda Naval, or Walter Reed Medical Hospital. And, the best part is that they can't send me overseas. So, what do you think?" Rebekah folded her hands in front of her, biting her lip, which was a habit she hoped to break. She studied her moms face, trying to see what she was thinking. But, her mom was really good at hiding what she was thinking or feeling. 'She learned that from dad' Rebekah thought.

"I think…..that, if you want to follow in your Fathers footsteps, sort-of, then I will support you 100%. After all, you've followed in mine all of these years. Joining the military is a good choice. By the way, how does Jethro feel about this?" Jenny placed one of her hands on top of Becky's and gave her a sincere smile.

"Well, that's what I had just got done asking him when you came down the stairs. Amazingly enough, he is fine with it. Of course, he told me, that, as his baby girl, he wasn't crazy about the idea, but if I chose to go in, he would back my decision. He's just being a protective father. That's all."

"Wow. Ever since I introduced you two, he has changed a lot in 72 hours. This is a good thing. But, it could also be a bad thing."

"Yeah. But wait till after the wedding. Then we'll be living with him 24/7. I just hope one thing."

"What's that?"

"That, when you two come back from the honeymoon, he won't start building a boat in our basement." Rebekah and Jenny looked at each other and laughed at the thought. Their basement was sort-of a girl's room. They went down there once a week or so for a girls day in. They did facials, manicures/pedicures, acrylic nails, etc.

"He does that, we'll have to move our spa to another room….and we would probably only see him around work and meal times. I don't think we could move it though. It's the only room that has enough space and is quiet and relaxing. Oh well, we'll figure things out eventually. It will take a little while to get used to it, but we still have time."

"Yeah, but I can't wait till we all get moved in together. He will be moving in with us right?

Jenny giggled. "Yes. We talked it over. This place is bigger, so he can move in here instead of us trying to squeeze in his place. Its only one bed, one bath."

"Yeah…that wouldn't have worked out. Not between me and you competing for adequate bathroom time." Rebekah leaned back and ran her fingers through her long red hair. She had straightened it today so she could put it back into a ponytail for work.

"Sometimes we act more like sisters rather than mother and daughter. When's our first dress fitting Hun?"

"Tomorrow at fifteen hundred hours. I have secured a private jet to fly me, you, Cynthia, Kate Abby, and Ducky to Klienfelds. You do want Ducky there, right?"

" Yeah, I mean, after all, he is closest thing to a father figure I have."

"Yeah, I didn't know dad, and I was going to get married, I'd ask Ducky. Becky stood up and cracked her back.

"Ready to go home for thee night?"

"Yeah. I have something for us to do. It goes along with the wedding plans." Jenny stood up

and gathered her things.

"Can I open your gift now?" Jenny picked up the little pink bag."

"Yeah. Sure."

Jenny reached into the bag, and pulled out something wrapped in tissue paper. She sat the bag aside and unwrapped the gift. What she found was a silky black, sexy nightie. She opened the card and read what Becky had written, trying not to blush.

"Hope you have 'fun' on your honeymoon mom! P.S. Don't do anything I wouldn't do! Just kidding! Love, Rebekah."

Jenny's checked turned red. Thanks Becky. I'm surprised you're not grossed out at the thought of me and your dad …..You know…"

"Having sex? No. You did before. And this is your honeymoon. I'm not gonna expect you not to. It's practically a tradition. You're adults…and you'll be married. Your choice.

Becky handed her mom her jacket, and, while outing her on, winked at her mom. She knew they were thinking of the same thing. It was typical of them. After all, similar minds think a like.

Later that night, Becky finally asked her mom the question that she had been hesitating to ask. "What do you think of Tony, as a person?"

"He's a good man. Likes to tease women, keep them on their toes. Cute, for 22…Why?"

"Well, I was thinking of asking him to be my escort to Junior Prom."

"That's coming up soon. Have you thought dresses?"

"Yeah. And, get this. Kate and I were talking about it, and dad was at his desk. All of the sudden, he got up, walked over to my desk, handed me his credit card, and told me to buy the dress that made me feel like a princess."

"Really? Wow. He really is going all out."

"He's never done that before?"

"No. He never gave his card out to anyone. Except me one time in Paris to go get some food."

"I wish he wouldn't spoil me. I want to be his daughter, ya know. Have to ask for the card or something. But, he's just giving it to me. Not making me work for it. I understand if he wants to make a good impression. But, he already has."

"Maybe you should tell him that."

"Yeah, maybe I should. I will. First thing Friday." Jenny gave Rebekah a serious 'Gibbs' look.

"Okay I'll do it tomorrow. I promise." Jenny giggled and shook her head. She knew where Becky got the famous line from. Abby. She spent so much time with her, she was starting to rub off on her. But in a good way.

Three long days had passed since her first week of TOD on her Fathers team. Today, Rebekah was turning 17. In twelve months, she would officially be an agent and publically welcomed by her mom and dad in a special ceremony. It wasn't that long, but to her, it seemed like a lifetime. She found herself sitting at her mom's desk, putting the last final touches on the details of the wedding.

'Beep'

"Yes Cynthia?"

"Mother would like to see you downstairs Rebekah."

"Thank you Cynthia."

'I wonder what she wants to see me about. Probably an interesting case they need help with."

Rebekah walked out of the office, and headed toward the stairs to find palmer standing there.

"Can I help you Palmer?"

"You sure can. Here, put this on." He handed her a blindfold.

"Um…okay." She put the blind-fold on, completely confused now.

"I'll guide you down the stairs. Just listen to me and you'll be fine."

Palmer guided her toward the stairs and told her when to step down. He guided her around to the desk area, where she could hear Abby saying, 'Shut up Dinozzo, or she'll know'.

"Okay, you can take off your blindfold now." As she lifted her blindfold, her mom and dad appeared from behind McGee and Tony holding a 2 layer white cake with pink and red roses all over it, and big letters saying 'Happy Sweet 17th Rebekah!' They all broke out singing, 'Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday Dear Rebekah! Happy Birthday to you!' "Make a wish and blow out the candles." She closed her eyes, wish in the one thing she really wanted. The wedding to go off without a hitch, and for them to be together for the rest of their lives. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and blow out the candles.

"Yay! Let's eat cake."

"Hold it. We'll go up to my office. That way, we can use my table."

Abby steeped forward and placed a diamond tiara on her head, and handed her a bouquet of 17 black roses. "When you turn twenty one, we're going to have the biggest blow out ever. Ill even bar tend."

"If you say so Abbs." They all went up to the office, laughing and giggling, finally with something else on their minds besides the wedding and the current case.