McGee unwillingly kept glancing at the elevator, waiting for Bella to walk through. She was supposed to be on normal duty today. Gibbs had given her the week she was hurt and most of the following week off. Not that he was surprised now that he knew she was his niece.

The gruff voice of Gibbs invading his thought, "Are you expecting somebody McGee?"

"Sorry Boss. Bella hasn't arrived for work yet. She seemed a bit off yesterday."

Taking a gulp of coffee, Gibbs turned to his computer. "She will not be coming in today. She asked for a personal day."

All three of the agents glanced at Gibbs, all worried. "Is she alright boss? I mean, her shoulder. Is she having problems?"

"She asked for the day off. I didn't feel it necessary to ask her twenty questions McGee. Get to work."

"Yes boss." Swallow your feelings and get over it. It's not your place to worry anymore. Returning to the paperwork in front of him he could not help but glance at the calendar. Today was July 30th. Nothing sticking out in his mind, he shrugged and started his paperwork.

(Bellas pov)

Bella was curled up on her couch, the television on.

Woman: Bella, smile for the camera!

Young Bella: "Mom, knock it off. You're going to embarrass me."

Man (behind the tape): "Embarrass you? Our little bells? I don't think it's possible. What do you think?" A mans face is in the video, making faces. The face looks similar to that of Gibbs.

Young Bella: "Dad! Would you stop please?"

Jackson (Gibbs father): "Bella darling, you may hate it now, but you'll laugh later.

Young Bella: Grandpa, I really doubt it. They are just so…weird."

Man: "And where do you think you get it from sweetie? Your Uncle Jethro?"

Young Bella: Beams to the camera, "Yep."

They all start laughing.

Man: "Bella, your mom and I have a surprise for you. Your Uncle is coming up for a visit tomorrow as a late birthday surprise."

Y.B.: "Really?" She jumped up and down excited. "Why didn't you tell me sooner Dad?"

Man: "He wasn't sure until yesterday if he would make it."

Woman: "Nathan, are you watching the food?"

Man: "Of course I am Lorelai."

Woman: "Then why is the grill on fire?"

Man: "Oops."

The camera shuts off and Bella stops the tape. Ejecting it, she places the video back on a shelf of videos. I miss you. Another tear rolls down her face as she stares at the photo of her parents. Sighing, she glances at the time and heads for her bedroom. Time to go get dressed.

(Back to NCIS)

Tony watched his boss carefully. He was awfully quiet today. He had yet to smack him or anyone for that matter. His snappiness to Tim earlier was not normal. Something is not right.

His phone rang, "Gibbs." She watched as his eyes darted upward to see Jenny Sheppard standing on the catwalk. Getting up, he went up the stairs and watched the two of them talk before heading into her office.

"Something is wrong with Gibbs, yes? He does not seem himself."

Tony nodded, "Something is definitely wrong. He gave Bella a personal day but didn't ask why. That doesn't make any sense."

Ziva nodded, "She has not answered any of my phone calls."

Giving her a swift nod, "She hasn't answered any of mine either Ziva. She didn't seem like herself yesterday either. Do you think something is wrong?"

Tapping her pen on the desk, "I think Gibbs would tell us if it was important; she is one of us."

Sighing, Tim shrugged, "Oh cares. Maybe she didn't feel like coming in, that's none of our business."

Both of his teammates stared at him like he had just admitted he didn't truly graduate from MIT. "You realize that this is Bella we are talking about right McGoo?"

Tim shrugged, "Bella was navy right? Maybe it is just a military thing. Wasn't there some kind of incident some years back on a base?"

Ziva opened her mouth as she saw Gibbs and Jenny. Clearing her throat she looked back down at her papers. Walking over to his desk, Gibbs grabbed his coat and headed to the elevators. Knowing of his sudden departure, she kept her gaze at her desk. It was Bella and Gibbs' secret to tell to the agents.

(Gibbs)

Gibbs got in his car and headed out of the base. Jenny knew better then to pull him out like that. The team already knew something was up, this just confirmed it. Bella did not need twenty questions today, not today. Sighing, he dialed her number. "This is Bella Woods. I am either busy at work…" She has her phone off. He drove a little longer before stopping and shutting off his car. Climbing out, he made his way through the gate and down the familiar walk he memorized years ago. Glancing up he saw her standing, a bouquet of orange roses and purple lilies in her hands. Even in black, her beauty was apparent. She looked so much like her mother and it tormented her, he had no doubt about that.

"Bella,"

She glanced up at him, the sight of her breaking his heart. Her eyes red from crying, dark circles under them enhancing the fact she did not sleep the night before. "Oh bells, come here." Burying her face into his chest, he held her as she cried. "Shh, Bells its ok. They wouldn't want you to cry. They would want you to remember the happy times."

"It's all my fault. If I had let them come to the airport too, they would still be here."

"It was never your fault. You couldn't have known." Rubbing her back, he held her close remembering that day.

(flashback)

He had come later then he originally thought. Bella had eagerly waited for him at the airport, while her parents stayed at base. As they got to base, the naval police unit stopped them. A military office back from the war had gone on a shooting spree inside the base. Many military officers were killed; some still, were unknown conditions. He would never forget the look of horror that passed her face as her parents' names were called off or trying to hold her back from running into the base to try to save them.

(end flashback)

Slowly loosening his grip, he looked down at her. "They would be so proud of who you are Bella. You are so beautiful, both inside and out. They wouldn't want you to blame yourself."

Slowly nodding she looked at him, "I just miss them so much."

"I know you do sweetheart. I miss them too." Kissing her temple, "Why don't you give them the flowers?"

She pulled away and laid the flowers down. Standing up, she stood next to Gibbs again. "Thank you."

Her thanks catching him off-guard, he gave her a confused look. "For what Bells?"

Slowly inhaling trying to control her breathing, "For coming out here with me."

Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, "I will always come for you Bella. Nothing would have kept me away. Come on, why don't you start walking to the car. I'll meet you there."

Watching her walk away, he glanced down. "She's a good girl Nathan. You raised her right. She misses you and Lorelai like crazy." Lightly touching the top of the memorial gravestone, he turns to catch up with his niece.

(Back at NCIS)

Tony, Ziva and McGee were getting antsy. "Where in the world could he have possibly gone for an hour? He didn't even say he was leaving." Tony grumbled

Getting irritated by Tony's obsession with wondering where Gibbs went and where Bella was, "Your guess is at good as mine Tony. Maybe he had an appointment or something."

"Right, like he ever gets sick. Brilliant one there McSherlock."

Tony sat at his desk deep in thought. Tim said something about a military incident. Maybe that's where they went, they could have known someone who died. Tony started typing on the computer, intent in his search.

Ziva caught his sudden demeanor change. Trying to keep her voice neutral, "Tony, you think of something?"

"Shh, Ziva. I have a feeling about something." Finding what he was looking for, Tony's eyes widened. "I know why Bella is not here."

Tim and Tony looked at each other before Tim slipped over, crowding Tony's desk. "What is it?"

"Eleven years ago today, there was a gun slaughter at a navy base not far from here."

"Yea, what's your point Tony."

He glared up at Tim, "Look at the names of those killed Probie." He pointed to two names towards the middle of the list. Nathan and Lorelai Woods.

Tim's mouth dropped open, "You don't mean-"

Ziva, finally fed up of the two boys across from her, "Today is the anniversary of her parent's death. That is where Gibbs went and why she is not here."

McGee felt like he had just been hit in the gut. She never said a word, not that he was surprised. Talking about her parents was always a subject they shied away from. Now I know why.

Tony stared up at Ziva. "You knew? You knew and you didn't tell us? We are supposed to be a team Ziva."

Snapping her attention to Tony, she gave him a surprised look. "It was not my secret to give Tony. She told me in confidence. I am sorry." Hearing the elevator ding, they turned to see Abby getting off. Walking up to Ziva's desk she looks down at her; "Are you ready to go, Ziva?"

Ziva smiles sadly at the scientist, and grabs her jacket. "Yes, let's beat the road."

Abby giggles, "Hit the road, Ziva, not beat."

With a shrug, Ziva smiles, "Whatever, let us go to Bella."

(Bellas house)

After parking the car, they resisted the urge to fly up her stairs as fast as they could. Mentally debating if they were doing the right thing, Abby knocked on the door. Waiting what seemed like forever, the door finally opened to reveal a Bella like the two girls had never seen. She looked so sad, so vulnerable.

"Could we come in?"

Bella nods, sadly, letting her friends slip by her.

Ziva grabs Bella's hand and squeezes, "Bella, we know what today is."

"What are you talking about?"

"We know about the shooting on the naval base, and about your parents," Abby says, pulling her into a hug, motioning for Ziva to join.

"So what, you decided to stop in to say "hi" or make sure I didn't do anything?" Bella asks bitterly.

Reaching out, Ziva pushes a strand of hair from her face, "We care about you Bella. We came on our own accord. I-I know it is hard Bella, but you do not have to be alone."

Looking away from her, "I deserve to be alone."

"No one does, least of all you," Abby says, looking at her face, "Bella, have you eaten at all today?"

Shaking her head, "No, not really."

"Come on, I'll go make us some sandwiches," Ziva says, leading the girls into Bella's kitchen.

"Guys, you don't have to. I don't want you to out of pity."

"Bella, we want to do this. You're hurting. We just want to help," Abby says with a slight shrug of her shoulders, "This is what friends are for."

Having time to register her movement, she felt her wrap her arms around her neck. Holding her close, she barely heard her whisper, "Thank you, Abs."

Abby giggles watching Bella's father on the homemade movie they were watching. "So that's what Gibbs looked like before he became the silver-haired fox he is now."

Rolling her eyes, "Abby they were brothers not twins. My dad looked nothing like Uncle Jay."

"No, but he is pretty close in likeness," Ziva says, pointing to Nathan on the screen.

"Okay, fine, Uncle Jay and Dad look alike," Bella says, showing the first sign of a smile for the first time that day. "You girls are both nuts."

(Outside)

He smiled as he heard Abby and Ziva's voice through the door. Turning away, he headed back down the stairs and climbed into his truck. He should have known the girls would come visit her. At least she sounded better then she did at the graveyard. Maybe this year, she could finally forgive herself.