The next morning they packed up and headed toward Stillwater. The trip was something they both needed. They listened to the radio and talked. Gibbs didn't want to push anything on Cassie afraid that she'd totally shut down on him. He knew that she was still reeling from the outcome of Palmer, but he just hoped that a few days with family would help lift her spirits. By mid afternoon they were about halfway there. Cassie went into the gas station they were at while her Dad filled up. Her phone rang and she wished she would have left it behind.

"Two waters," said the cashier ringing up her purchase.

"Gas on pump 3 also," said her father walking in

"I got it Dad," she said grabbing the water and heading back outside. When she walked out there was a young man standing near their car. She didn't recognize him at first until she got closer.

"Hey Cassie," said the guy smiling at her

"Erik," she smiled at him. Erik was a guy she'd met in Stillwater when she was little. They used to hang out all the time. She hadn't seen him since she was twelve.

"Hi, how are you?"

"I'm good. I'm shocked to see you it's been a good ten years or more. What are you doing?"

"Getting gas," he joked.

"Right, but seriously, are you going to school?"

"Yeah, Penn state actually. I was heading home for the weekend. My cousin is getting married. Where you on your way from or going to?"

"I am going to see Jack with my Dad."

"Crazy, well, I will definitely call you sometime this weekend. You look incredible by the way. Hey Mr. Gibbs," said Erik.

"Erik, how are you? Jack said that you'd be in town for your cousin's wedding. We're headed there ourselves."

"Yeah, Cassie said that. I'll let you get going, but I'll see you later," said Erik walking inside.

They got in the car and got back on the road. Gibbs saw the smile creep across Cassie face and it made him smile too.

"Erik, huh," hinted her Dad.

"Daddy, don't start," she said glaring at him.

"What? It's been ten years since you saw him last,"

"Yeah, and I know how you think. This is a vacation, not a dating service."

"Hey, just saying," he said getting smacked in the arm.

They finally arrived in Stillwater in front of the store by early evening. Jack came out to greet them.

"Hi, Leroy, Cassie," he said getting hugs.

"Hi, Dad,"

"Hey Grandpa," said Cassie.

"You been feeding her? She's so tiny Leroy," said Jack

"I'm fine Grandpa,"

They got the bags inside and sat down to talk. Jack knew something was up with the two of them, but he didn't quite know what it was.

"What's new around here grandpa?"

"Same old stuff. You never answered my question outside. What's been going on with you Cassie?"

"Working a lot and school keeps me busy."

"Something is seriously going on here. Leroy what's going on with you two?"

"Dad, we wanted to visit and get away from the city for a few days. We have all week to talk," said Jethro squeezing Cassie's hand under the table.

"I'm kind of tired. I think I'm going to turn in," said Cassie.

"You need anything?" asked her Dad.

"No, not right now," she said kissing him on the cheek. "Night grandpa,"

"Night honey," said Jack watching her head upstairs.

"Leroy something isn't right with that girl," said Jack.

"She's just had a lot going on Dad. We ran into Erik earlier at a gas station," he said changing the subject.

"Erik, really?"

"Yeah, so there is a wedding this weekend,"

"Yeah, his cousin Susan is getting married to a guy she met on a trip. You hungry?"

"Yeah, sounds good Dad,"

The next morning Cassie got up early and walked downstairs. She grabbed the paper and sat down at the table. Her Dad came down a half an hour later dressed in shorts and shirt and running shoes in hand.

"Morning, how'd you sleep?"

"Really good actually," she said seeing his shoes.

"You doing ok?" he asked seeing her face fall.

"Yeah, but I'm starting to miss the little things," she said pulling her robe tighter around her.

"You should probably tell Jack fairly soon about what's going on,"

"I will. Dad?"

"Yeah baby?"

"Thanks,"

"Your welcome. I shouldn't be long," he said heading out the door.

About fifteen minutes later Jack came downstairs. He put on the coffee and gave Cassie a cup.

"Grandpa, there is something I need to tell you," said Cassie.

"I'm listening."

Cassie told her grandfather everything that had been going on the last few weeks. Jack was nearly in tears after she finished. He hardly knew what to say to her. He told her he loved her and if there was anything she wanted or needed just to ask.

"Thanks grandpa, but I just want a week without any problems. I'm going to go get dressed," she said heading back upstairs. Jethro came in a minute later and saw his Dad.

"She told you," said Jethro standing there catching his breath and taking off his shoes.

"Why didn't you call me Leroy? I should have been there,"

"It wasn't my place Dad, she didn't want pity. The doctors are positive she'll beat this. The treatments are going well. It's what she wants it's her life. All she wants is everything as normal as possible."

"How are you handling all of this?"

"It's hard, but the team is really rallying together and Jen's been nothing but supportive. She's got a lot of people behind her. That was part of the reason we didn't come sooner. Her hair fell out the other day and it was pretty tramatic.

"Her hair? She's wearing a wig?'

"Yeah, you can hardly tell," said Jethro as Cassie came back downstairs.

"You guys Ok?"

"Yeah, darling we're great. What do you say we get the store opened?" said Jack standing up and heading toward the main part of the store.

"Yeah, I'm right behind you,"

"He's Ok, he's just scared like me,"

"Dad, I'm ok, I promise. Hey do me a favor?"

"Yeah, anything,"

"Take this for the week," she said handing him her cell phone.

"Yeah, what if people call?"

"Let it go to voice mail. I already told the team to call your cell,"

"Ok, I'll be in after I shower," said Jethro finishing his coffee. He smiled seeing how happy his girl was. He just wished his heart would stop dreading something bad happening and be in the moment, but there was something nagging at him. He couldn't put his finger on what it was. Cassie was happy why couldn't he just let things go the way they were? Probably because when something felt off or wrong it usually was. Things were going too well with Jack. He just hoped that he wasn't planning on setting his granddaughter up with anyone while they were in town.