Gibbs sat on the bed, his duffel still sitting on the floor by his feet. It had been an hour since Leon had left him to unpack, and he hadn't had the energy to start. He flipped through a woodworking magazine that Tony had slipped into his bag, trying to take his mind off of everything.

It wasn't working.

A soft knock on the door brought his eyes up from the magazine. Kayla Vance stood in the doorway, holding a steaming mug.

"I thought you'd like some coffee. Dad said you always drink it."

Gibbs smiled and took the cup from the teenager.

"Thanks, Kayla." He took a long sip, and reveled in the taste. Leon always kept the best coffee in his house.

"Are you feeling better?"

Gibbs smiled at her.

"Yeah... a little. Thanks."

"Are you hungry? I can make you a sandwich."

"No, but thank you for offering, Kayla."

She smiled and left him alone with his coffee. He took a sip of his coffee and stared out the window as it began to snow. Christmas would be coming in a couple of weeks. He'd completely forgotten that it was coming... he was in such a daze over the past couple of months, that a few holidays had slipped past him without notice. He'd forgotten his promise to Abby to let her come over to his house and hand out candy on Halloween, and Thanksgiving dinner at Ducky's house had completely slipped his mind. He remembered Thanksgiving evening, when McGee had come over to bring him dinner.

-

-November 26th, 2015 -

He heard his basement door open, but he didn't stop work on the project in front of him. He'd been putting the finishing touches on the toys he'd donate for Christmas this year. He listened to the footsteps descending the stairs, and stop at the bottom. It wasn't until he smelled Turkey, that he stopped what he was doing, and turned around.

Tim was standing at the bottom of the stairs, holding a Tupperware container.

"You missed Thanksgiving Dinner," Tim said plainly. "Abby sent me over with this." he held up the container of food.

Gibbs scrubbed a hand over his unshaven face. He knew he'd forgotten something... how on earth could he forget that today was Thanksgiving?

"Thanks, Tim."

"What's going on, Boss? Is everything okay?"

Gibbs nodded as he set down his sandpaper and started toward the stairs. He nodded for Tim to follow him, and they silently moved up to the kitchen.

"Abby is pissed that you didn't come to dinner."

Gibbs took the container and set it down on the counter.

"I forgot-"

"That's not going to fly anymore, Gibbs," Tim said sternly. "You have been giving us that excuse for months. You missed Tony's Labor Day barbeque, you ditched Abby on Halloween, and you were supposed to bring the stuffing today for the Turkey, and Palmer had to go out to the store when you didn't show up and get a box of Stove Top. Telling me that you "forgot" is not going to work anymore."

Gibbs lowered his eyes. How had he become such an ass?

"You're right, Tim. I owe all of you an apology. I've been an ass."

Tim sighed.

"I'm sorry for shouting at you... but it needed to be said."

"You had every right to say it."

Tim looked at his watch.

"I have to go... Delilah is waiting for me."

"Thanks for bringing me dinner."

"Take care of yourself, Boss."

-

He remembered trying to call Abby to apologize, but she'd refused to speak to him. His team had also been giving him the cold shoulder. It had soon become apparent to him that everyone had given up on him.

A knock on the door brought him out of his reverie. Vance was standing in the doorway.

"Steaks are ready."

Gibbs finished the last of his coffee and followed his friend to the kitchen. The kids were already seated and serving themselves. Leon brought over a platter with four steaks on it, and everyone took one.

Gibbs ate in silence, listening to Jared excitedly tell Vance about his day at school. Every now and then, Kayla would interject, and Vance would have to stop an impending argument. Gibbs smiled as he finished off his steak... he felt so incredibly out of place in this house, but he knew Leon would never let him go home alone, at least, not until the Doc said he could.

When dinner was finished, the kids immediately started to clear the table and start rinsing the dishes for the dishwasher. Gibbs stood up.

"I can help with the dishes, Leon."

"It's all right... the kids can do it tonight. It's their turn on the chore schedule." He pointed to the refrigerator, where a detailed schedule hung, showing who had to do which chore, and when.

"Very efficient."

"It was Jackie's idea. The kids decided to continue with it on their own."

Gibbs nodded and stood to clear his plate from the table. After depositing it in the sink, he followed Leon through the living room and into his home office. He crossed the room and opened a small cabinet. From it he took two whiskey glasses, and a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue. He poured them each a drink and replaced the bottle.

"How eager are you to get back to NCIS?" Vance asked after a minute of silence.

"I'm not sure," Gibbs admitted. "I'm not sure how much respect my Team has for me these days."

"You've been through a lot in the past few days. Do you want to take some time off?"

"I need to keep busy, Leon. I can't sit around."

"Jethro, I can't clear you for field duty yet. If you come back, you'll be on desk duty, and I know you'll hate it."

Gibbs sighed.

"Fine, I'll take the medical leave."

"I thought you would."

Gibbs took a long sip of his whiskey.

Vance went and closed the door to his study, then turned back to his friend.

"I'm not keeping you prisoner in my home. Jethro, but I'm not going to let you stay here alone while I'm at the Yard."

"I don't need a babysitter, Leon."

"Of course you don't... but Kayla is going to be here in the house with you anyway."

"She should be in school."

"I talked to her teachers. They have given her all of her homework assignments for the next week. She's old enough to know what's going on, and she wants to help."

"Leon, I can't let one of your kids miss school because of a choice I've made. It's not fair to Kayla."

"Maybe not, but she wants to help. She's a smart girl, Jethro." Leon smiled. "She's getting more like her Mother every day."

Gibbs smiled. He was definitely right about that. He could see a lot of Jackie in Kayla.

"All right. You win."

"Good."

A knock on the door ended the conversation.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Jared stepped in.

"Dad, can you help me with my math homework?"

Vance smiled.

"Sure, Jared... bring it over and let's take a look."

Gibbs stood and set down his glass.

"I'm going to go finish unpacking."

Vance nodded, and Gibbs left the study. He retreated back to his room and once again picked up the duffel bag with his things in it. This time, he started unpacking his things.

TBC...