AN: Here is the last chapter I have pre-written for now. The next chapter should be ready soon and we will finally have the meeting with SecNav and Jenny. I hope you are enjoying the story. Either way please review and let me know so that I can make this even better with the future chapters. Fair warning the rating will be raising in a few chapters due to darker topics involving a character and 2 OCs as well as another situation of a similar variety involving one of the characters you would least expect.
Chapter 10 (Bonding Night)
[Gibbs' House]
"Jared, Kyle do you boys want to help be with something tonight? I have a big project downstairs that I could use some help on. I want to get it done soon so that I don't have to worry about it when I have to move and so I can spend a lot more time with you guys and mommy." Gibbs says with a sarcastic tone at the word 'mommy'.
"Does it involve the boat? I only want to do it if it involves helping with the boat." Kyle said.
"Yes Kyle it does involve the boat. I have it almost done but there are some spots where I need help sanding it because they are in small spaces but you both are just the right size to reach it. What do you say, want to do some male bonding and sand the boat with me?" Gibbs asks the boys.
The boys look at each other then answer in unison, "Okay let's go!"
[The Girl's Hotel Room/Adam's House Hotel]
"So sorry we are late Cynthia. Jethro and I got into a little bit of a discussion about the plans for the week mostly tomorrow while I am in my meeting." Jen says as she and the girls walk into the lobby of the hotel.
"It is no problem at all Jen. I just got here myself. I figured rather than going out to get the stuff for girls night later on I would just go home and get the stuff I was going to use last weekend with my sister and her two girls, but the girls were sick so we ended up cancelling leaving me with all the stuff leftover. So I stopped by my apartment to grab it." Cynthia said smiling at her friend.
"Well I am not surprised you thought ahead to all of that. Other than your loyalty, not letting Jethro get to you, personality, and work ethic one of the reasons I always liked you was your ability to plan ahead to make things go smoothly." Jen said in awe of the quick plan her assistant had come up with.
"Mommy, sissy pokeded me in the arm." Sophia said sounding tired and grumpy.
"Looks like someone will be crashing kind of early tonight. But before she does let's get her ready for bed using our usual girls night routine. Alexis will you help me with that?" Jen said waiting the temper the younger child was starting to show.
"I guess, then can I stay up with you two? I actually was able to sleep in the car until the others woke me up to have our little talk about calling Gibbs dad." Alexis replied.
"Sure I wanted to talk to you about something anyway." Jen said tucking a stray hair behind Alexis' ear.
~Time Skip~
"So Lex. I have noticed throughout the trip where I wanted to talk to you about how we can make it so you start having a little more fun. I have also noticed that you are the most resistant about letting Gibbs into our lives and family. I know you like your school back in Vancouver but we are going to be moving here soon. When I made the appointment I have tomorrow, the lady told me that tomorrow is just a formality that we have to go through so that she knows what I told her on the phone is true." Jen starts looking at her daughter waiting for an answer.
"Mom i am scared to move. I JUST started making REAL friends in Vancouver last year. Most of the kids at school tend to shy away from me for two reasons. One of those reasons is that I am adopted. The other is because of your job, the kids at school think I am a freak or weirdo because when we don't go home after school we go to the Police Department and down into the office of a Medical Examiner they tend to laugh at me." Alexis replied.
"Why did you not say something before? But here we are going to be starting fresh and I will be something awesome and not something embarrassing." Jen replies while looking into her oldest child's eyes.
"Before I decide more how I feel what exactly would it be that you do with your new job?" Alexis asked as Jen began braiding her hair.
"Well she gets to talk to all of the Senators and people in Congress to get funding for NCIS and other branches/offices of NCIS. To top it off if all goes well tomorrow she will be the ONLY female head of a government agency just like if you and your sister want to come hang out with me I can show you around the Agency and then we can go do other fun stuff until we can meet up with your mom after her meeting." Cynthia said convincingly.
"That is actually cool. And I do like Gibbs, a lot actually. But I don't like that it means that we need to move when I finally have friends. The first few years of my life that I remember I had already moved like four times before I got placed and adopted by you. Your seem to forget that I was not like the boys who came to you because both their parents died but that my parents did not want me at all." Alexis shared as she began eating her share of the junk food.
"Lex, I have not forgotten that at all. Is that why you are afraid to get close with Gibbs? Because you are afraid to get close with Gibbs? Because you are afraid he will be like your parents and not want you?" Jen asked her daughter.
"Yes! Now can we just not worry about that? I don't care about having to move so much as the fact I won't be able to have my talks with Aunt Angie when we move here. Those talks have helped me so much the last couple of years." Alexis replied trying to avoid the subject.
"I will be here for you no matter what Sweetie, so will Abby. Trust me these past few days we have been talking about what we plan to do all four of you more comfortable here. Anytime you need us we are here for you all." Cynthia said showing more loyalty for the young girl than even Jen had expected.
"Thank you Cynthia. I think I will let you guys get some time for yourselves or some sleep. I am tired so I am going to join Sophia in sleeping. Night." Alexis said hugging both of the adult women.
"Night Lex." Both of them replied as the young girl went over to the bed with her younger sister.
(Meanwhile at Gibbs' House)
"So boys this is coming along very well! I appreciate your help. What would you guys say if I told you that you get to spend the day tomorrow at NCIS with Abby?" Gibbs asked the boys.
"Do we get to help her out with her work?" Jared asked.
"It all depends on how much she has and what it is she has to do." Gibbs replied.
"I want to stay with you. Your job sounds cooler than Abby's does." Kyle answered sadly.
"My job is not something I want you guys to see at your current age. Maybe in a few years when you are older. Plus Abby is going to be taking you to your possible new school. Mommy does not know about this but Cynthia is going to be bringing the girls with her there too. The person in charge is a 'friend' of mine and there are six spots open at the school. There are two spots open in all of your grades and my friend told me as long as mommy says yes to the school you guys can start on Tuesday morning." Gibbs replied.
"But why can't mommy know?" Jared asked.
"Because my friend at the school is my ex-wife Stephanie who I married after mommy left me the first time. But it's time we get you two little monkeys to bed." Gibbs replied leading the boys up to the room where they would be staying for a while.