A/N This started out as a simple one-shot. Then a couple of reviewers asked if I planned to add to it. I really hadn't; but, at work today, I began to wonder what life would be like for the new neighbors. This idea popped into by head and wouldn't go away until I wrote it down. It's short and not incredibly good; but, I like it.

Disclaimer: Of course I don't own them and I'm not making any money off of this. If I did and I was, I wouldn't have been at work today.

Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs sat on the top step of his front porch and sipped from his coffee cup. The Sunday paper lay scattered on the step next to him. Ms. Gillam's cat, Tigger, had wandered over from next door and was asleep on his lap.

To any passersby, he would appear to be a middle aged man enjoying the peace and quiet of an early Sunday morning. But, appearances can be deceiving. At the moment, he was a Federal agent on a covert mission. The coffee, the newspaper, and even the cat were camouflage. He had chosen this strategic location to do recon on his other neighbor.

His wait was a short one. At promptly 0600 he heard the front door open and then close. Seconds later he saw his target jog down her front walk and turn onto the sidewalk. She jogged in front of his house and paused when she saw him sitting there.

Running in place she smile and called to him, "Good morning, Gibbs. Care to join me?"

He returned her greeting and answered her question, "Not a chance. Haven't been jogging for fun since I left the Corps."

"I will see you later then, yes?" she asked.

"Got to meet DiNozzo for batting practice this morning. I'll be back this afternoon. How about I grill steaks for dinner?" he replied.

"That sounds good. Try to take it easy on Tony. You know how he will pout tomorrow if you make him look bad." With a wave his newest agent jogged down the sidewalk and out of sight.

Gibbs gave it a few minutes to make sure she wouldn't return. He knew her routine and he knew she would be gone for at least forty-five minutes. When he was satisfied the coast was clear, he drained the remainder of his coffee. He moved the cat off of his lap, gathered the newspaper and stood.

He would have to work quickly if he wanted to make his escape before the young woman returned. Stepping into the house, he dropped the paper on the entry way floor and sat the coffee cup on top of it. He opened the door to the hall closet and retrieved the items he had stashed there earlier.

Gibbs exited the front door again and strode down his front walk and around to Ziva's house. At the front of the house he paused briefly to survey his target. The column on the right, as he had decided earlier, would be the perfect place.

He took the front steps two at a time and deposited his cargo on the porch. He whipped the tape measure off of his belt and with an efficiency born from years of wood working, measured the proper height. Taking the pencil from behind his ear, he marked the spot and then let the tape measure snap back into place.

The hum of the cordless drill broke the silence of the morning. Four holes soon appeared in the wood. Next he opened a package and removed the brass bracket. A quick change of the drill bit for a screw driver attachment and he was able to screw the bracket into place in minutes.

Gibbs had already unwrapped the long, oak pole. He took the fabric out of it's plastic package and carefully unfolded it. Threading the pole through the loops on the fabric was simple. He securely tied the fabric to the pole.

Standing on the top step, Gibbs stretched and settled the staff into the bracket. Moving back, he let the fabric unfold. A gentle breeze stirred the material and it opened gracefully. The former Marine stood back and smiled as he watched The Stars and Strips flutter in the early morning light.

He gathered up his tools and the trash and made his way back to his house. Tools went to the basement. The trash and the newspaper went in the bin. The coffee cup was deposited in the sink. Less than twenty minutes from when it commenced, the mission was successfully completed.

Grabbing his baseball gear from the hall closet, Gibbs left his house again with plenty of time to spare. As he drove the bright yellow Charger in front of Ziva's house he slowed and looked at his handy work.

The flag looked right flying there on her home. He knew Ziva had been disappointed when he had missed her swearing-in ceremony. He had broken his own rule and apologized to her. He knew she understood. But, the apology hadn't lessened the hurt. Gibbs just hoped this simple gesture showed how incredibly proud he was of her.

It was after 1300 when Gibbs returned home. He had spent longer with DiNozzo than he had planned. Batting practice had turned into a good natured competition with each agent trying to hit more baseballs than the other. He had out scored Tony; but, not by much.

As they walked to the cars parked in front if the sports center, DiNozzo had suggested lunch. They had sat for an hour and talked over tacos and cheese dip. After parting with his senior agent, Gibbs had stopped at the market and picked up the steaks for dinner.

As he once again drove slowly past Ziva's house, he smiled at the sight of the flag. This had been one of his better ideas. He turned into his own drive and as he looked at his house, he brought the Charger to a complete stop.

Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs sat and stared in open mouthed shock. It wasn't often he was taken by surprise. Leave it to a former spy to know how to do just that.

Fluttering in a gentle breeze, a flag now hung from the right column of his own front porch. The deep red blended in perfectly with the maroon trim and front door. As the wind increased, the flag unfolded fully. Standing out in vivid contrast was the golden emblem of the United States Marine Corps.