A/N: I added a little something in the middle. Its a conversation between Gibbs and Sherrie. Thank you so much to KellyRoxton for pointing out that it was missing!

"Private Melanie Conway. 18 years old. Graduated May 2008. Enlisted in the Marines the day after her 18th birthday. She was found this morning here leaning against the dumpster." McGee listed off the few facts that he knew. Ziva was still talking to the sanitation worker who found Private Conway. Tony took pictures and sketched the scene. Gibbs was squatting next to the body with Palmer.

"What you got, Palmer?" Gibbs asked. Ducky was currently at his mother's nursing home. There had been an 'incident' but didn't say what it was.

"TOD was 1:30 this morning. Maybe."

"Maybe? What the hell do you mean maybe?"

"I don't think she died here, Agent Gibbs. And depending on where she was when she died, the varying temperatures, I only have an educated guess for now."

"Why don't you think she died here?"

"Well, look here," Jimmy said. He opened one of the girl's eyes. There's some hemorrhaging here indicating lack of oxygen; suffocation. But there aren't any ligature or strangulation marks on her neck. No bruises on her face from something being pressed against it. There is, however, some vomit on the corner of her mouth. There isn't any on the ground around her though. Add to that the fact that she reeks of alcohol. I think she fell asleep, chocked to death on her own vomit, then somebody moved her here."

"Why would someone move her if it was an accident?" McGee asked.

"She's underage. Whoever she was with last night probably was too," said Jimmy.

"And they panicked," Gibbs said. "That's great work, Palmer." Gibbs stood and stretched his back. Time for an Advil, he thought. He turned his head at the sound of tires screeching coming from the street. He found it hard to believe that he was never going to see John and Tina again. He thought about JJ and how the poor boy must feel. He obviously felt bad enough to leave New York for a while. He wondered what was going to happen with him.

His mind flashed to when John asked him to be JJ's godfather. Gibbs had asked him what exactly that meant. Among other things, John said, "If anything happens to us, would you take care of him?" At the time, Gibbs didn't think anything would happen. It was never possible. He also had a wife and child of his own. Now he was alone. Just like JJ.

Then he remembered what JJ had said this morning. Aunt Sherrie is trying to get the paperwork together for guardianship. He wondered if JJ knew Gibbs was now his guardian. Or if he even still was. The answer was most likely yes. That was why he came down here. Gibbs was jarred from his thoughts when Tony grabbed his shoulder.

"Boss? You alright?"

"Bag and tag everything. Load the body. Let's get out of here."

"Whatcha up to, JJ?" Abby asked. She sat in the seat in front of her desk. JJ was at her desk using his laptop.

"Making a memorial video."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Who's it for?"

JJ took a deep breath. "My mom and dad."

"What? I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

"Its alright. Jethro just found out this morning, too. That's why I'm staying with him for a bit."

"Do you need anything? Any help? What type of music are you using?" She moved her chair around the desk and sat next to him.

"Some music I created using a program on my computer. Took some electronic music files and put them together. So far, its 43 minutes long. I'm trying to trim it down for the service. Its just…how do you know which ones should be left out? I just don't know."

"I could help. I mean, I know I only met your mom that one time and your dad twice, but they were so nice."

"Thanks, but I think this is something I should do myself."

"Sure," Abby said. She got up from the chair and patted his shoulder.

"Abby?" She turned back to face him. "I really was just looking at your tattoo."

"McGee," Gibbs said, getting out of the van and walking around to the back, "take the evidence down to Abby."

"Let me help you, McGee!" Tony offered.

"DiNozzo! David! Go upstairs and see if Private Conway's parents knew where she was last night."

Ziva giggled. "You shouldn't have appeared so eager," she told a sulking Tony. He was very curious about this JJ kid. He had gathered that his parents were friends of Gibbs and they most likely died. That would explain the scene this morning anyway. But that was all he knew. The need to find out more consumed him.

Gibbs walked outside into the sun. He opened his cell phone. "Yes, I need the number for Sherrie Bensen in New York." With all that had happened, this was the first chance he had to call her. He waited while the operator looked up the number. "Yes, connect me."

The phone rang three times before it was answered. "Hello?"

"I'm looking for Sherrie Bensen."

"Who is this?" the voice said rather annoyed.

"This is Jethro Gibbs."

"Oh, yes, Mr. Gibbs. This is Sherrie. You are on my calling list. I assume you are calling because Jon is there with you?"

"Yeah. You put him on a plane by himself to get here?"

"Well, I couldn't very well go with him. He said he could find you on his own. He knew where you worked and had your cell number just in case. He grew up in New York, you know. He's a pretty tough kid. He got there alright?"

"Yeah, he's fine. I just wanted to check in and see what you need me to do."

Sherrie sighed. After a somewhat short pause she said, "He just needs to be back in time for the service. I should be finding out soon when it will be. I will call him on his cell and let him know. I could call you too, if you would like?"

"No, its alright. JJ will tell me. But if you need to talk to me, this is my cell. I usually always have it with me."

"Alright, Mr. Gibbs. Thank you so much for watching him for a couple of days. I really do appreciate your help. Its really tough on both him and me."

"I understand. Its no problem at all."

McGee walked into the lab pushing a metal cart topped with two boxes of evidence and one more on the bottom. He saw the kid Tony was talking about earlier sitting at Abby's desk. Tony hadn't said much about him before Gibbs stepped off the elevator. Abby was standing in the main lab in front of her computer. She turned around when he entered. "Oh! Look at all my presents!" she said gleefully. "What's the case?"

"18 year old Marine Private apparently choked to death on her own vomit. At least that's what Palmer thinks so who knows."

"I wouldn't discount him so quickly, McGee. This should be a quick case for you guys then, huh?"

"Not so sure." McGee started setting the boxes on the table. "Palmer thinks she died somewhere else then was moved. Ducky, or Palmer, should be bringing the girl's clothes soon." Abby started unpacking the evidence boxes. McGee looked back at the kid. He had his face in his hands. "What's with the kid? He alright?"

"You mean Jethro Junior?" She turned and looked into the office.

"Jethro Junior?"

"He's Gibbs' godson, Jon Jethro. He goes by JJ though. His parents just died."

"That's terrible," McGee said looking to Abby.

"He's staying with Gibbs for a while."

"Gibbs gets custody of him?"

Abby tilted her head. "I hadn't thought about that. He said he was only staying for a while." JJ looked up and through the glass door. Abby smiled and motioned for him to come out. When he did, she introduced him. "JJ, this is Agent Tim McGee. He's one of Gibbs' people."

"Hey," said JJ.

"Hi. How's it going?" Abby elbowed him in the ribs. "Ow! What?"

"I think she doesn't want you talking about me being an orphan," said JJ.

"Sorry," McGee said.

"Don't apologize."

"Let me guess," McGee started, "it's a sign of weakness?"

"I was going to say it wasn't necessary, but that's true, too."

"Ready to go, JJ?" Gibbs asked. He was leaning on to the doorframe. Abby and McGee were unable to see his left side. JJ went back into the office to grab his stuff.

"You're leaving already, Gibbs?" asked Abby.

"You got evidence to go through and Ducky won't be done with the autopsy for a few hours."

"But I haven't gotten my Caf-Pow!." Gibbs stepped fully into the doorway. In his left hand was her signature drink. Abby went to him and grabbed the oversized drink with both hands. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She took a quick sip then kissed his cheek. "I'll try to have something for you by the time you get back."

"I will take that drink back, Abbs."

She held the drink away from him. "I will have something, Gibbs. I promise."

"You shouldn't make promises you can't keep," JJ said, holding his bags. Gibbs stepped forward and took one of them. "Thanks." He caught sight of the cup in Abby's hands. "You have Caf-Pow! here?" he asked in a stunned voice.

"Not you, too," Gibbs said. "Let's get going."

The car ride to the house had been a silent one. Neither had minded. Both wanted some quiet time to think and let things sink in. Gibbs opened his front door and ushered JJ inside. "Guest room is upstairs." He led JJ to the room. He set the bag down on the end of the bed. "I'll try to be back around 1900."

"7?"

"Yeah. There's some food downstairs. I'll bring home a pizza or something for dinner and we'll talk. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen in the mean time. The bathroom is the next door down. There's a TV in the basement, but it only gets three channels."

JJ nodded his head and sat on the edge of the bed. For a few moments, there was just silence. Gibbs said he had to go. As he was leaving, JJ called to him. "Jethro?" He turned back around. "Thanks for letting me hang here. I know I'm a bit of a stranger. I really appreciate it though."

"We'll talk more later."

JJ looked at the floor between his shoes. "Yeah. Sure."