Cassie, Jack, and Leroy all worked in the store for the morning. They sorted items and Jethro priced them. Cassie told her grandfather stories of life at school and what she planned on doing once she figured out what grad school she wanted to go to. Jethro was beaming with happiness at the two of them getting along so well. Mostly just seeing Cassie smiling was enough. Jethro recognized most of the older customers and younger kids of the people he grew up with. By midmorning they were slowing down and Cassie found a book to read as she manned the cash register. She heard the bell above the door chime and she looked up to see Eric walk through the door. He stopped in front of the counter and smiled at her.

"You need help with your list?" asked Cassie

"No, but I thought you might be in need of a little fun. A couple of friends are throwing a party for the wedding and I thought you'd like to join in. It's my cousin's wedding so it's mostly her friends. Figured we could keep each other entertained,"

"Did my Dad put you up to this?" asked Cassie eying him

"Huh? No, but if you don't want to go I'm sure we could find something else to do,"

"NO, I'm sorry. I guess being a federal agent's daughter I kind of think of the worst of everything. What time is the party?"

"7 tonight. Thought that you might want to get out of here for awhile. You want to go check out the lake?"

"I don't know"

"You're done for the day Cassie. I can handle things from here. Go on get out of here," said her grandfather

"You sure grandpa?"

"Yes, I'm sure, now get," he said smiling at her.

"OK, I'll see you later,"

"Take your jacket!" yelled Jack as he walked to the back of the store.

"What's going on Dad?" asked Jethro coming around the corner

"Nothing Cassie just got invited to go out with Eric for awhile"

"She took a jacket?"

"Yeah, she did. Now that she's not here you want to level with me son? What is really going with you?" asked Jack staring at him. Jethro swallowed and looked at him. How was it that his father managed to make him feel like he was twelve and in trouble when he said that?

Eric and Cassie were walking through the wood on their way to the lake. Cassie had started to get tired, but refused to let that stop her. She liked Eric and didn't want her illness getting in the way of spending some time with him. Mostly she didn't want him to see her weak and feel sorry for her. She knew that she could talk to Eric about anything. Eric saw she was struggling and slowed his pace.

"You OK?" he asked falling in step beside her.

"Yeah, guess I forgot how long of a trek this was. That and how beautiful it is out here. Don't get this kind of view in the city,"

"What's new with you Cassie? I know you've been up no good always have,"

"I remember someone being right there with me every hare-brained idea that came along,"

"Only because I didn't want to be left out and I was afraid you'd think I was a wimp,"

"How are you Eric? School must be pretty interesting. Girls?"

"You know me a real woman pleaser. No, in all seriousness school is hard. I love it, but it's very tough. Woman are even harder. What about you? Guys must be lining up at the door to get to you,"

"Flattery nice touch, but no I actually think I'm taking a break from dating for right now,"

"Bad break up?"

"Yeah, complicated and messy. Two things I hate,"

"He's a fool to let you go,"

"Thanks, but I think we are here," said Cassie as they stepped out of the trees.

"Wow, it's a lot smaller than I remember,"

"Yeah, look there's the rock."

Meanwhile back at the store Jethro and Jack were trying to talk or rather Jethro was avoiding talking about anything to do with Cassie. He knew that Jethro was hurting and hated that he was hurting alone. Jack loved Cassie and the idea of losing her was absolutely devastating for him, but for Jethro it would be a thousand times worse.

"Leroy, what are the doctors really saying to you? Are they giving you anything?"

"A lot of statistics, but with the aggressive treatment she's got a shot at beating this. I hate watching her go through the treatments and being so weak and hurting. She's being strong for both of us. I told her that nothing was going to stop me from being there for her, but she insisted that she would be fine,"

"You know that I'm here for you both,"

"I know Dad. I just want her to have everything possible right now," he said as a customer came in. It was someone he recognized.

"Hey Leroy Jethro Gibbs, what a nice surprise," said Henry

"Hey Henry, how are you?" asked Jethro

"I'm good. I didn't realize you were going to be in town,"

"Yeah, needed to get away from the city for awhile. How's the family?"

"They are good. Kids are growing up fast. Mark just got accepted to Annapolis,"

"That's good to hear. He'll be a great addition,"

"How's your daughter?"

"She's doing well. She actually with me. She is out with a friend right now,"

"It was good to see you. If you're here in town for awhile we'd love to have you over for dinner," said Henry

"That would be nice, thanks,"

Cassie was sitting with Eric on the rock. Every once in a while she would steal a glimpse at him from the corner of her eye. She often wonder what would have happened if they'd hooked up when they were younger. Would life be simpler, easier than it was right now? All she knew was sitting next to him was right where she wanted to be.

"We should probably start heading back," said Eric

"Can't we just stay like this?" said Cassie pulling her jacket around her

"You'd get cold," he teased playfully shoving her with his knee

"No, I mean you and me right here like this. Just us and leave the rest of the world behind,"

"He really did a number on you didn't he?" whispered Eric

"What?"

"Nothing. Listen tomorrow we'll come back and have a picnic just us. You know you can talk to me about anything right?"

"I know. Come on lets head back," she said taking his hand as he helped her off the rock.