A/N: Some of the following information is AU. Let's see what the busybodies have uncovered shall we?

...

"What is it, Abby?"

"Bossman has definitely been holding out. Even part of his file has been blacked out."

"Why would it be blacked out?"

"Timothy, I believe that Jethro my have been involved in some highly sensitive and classified cases. So the need for a blackout."

Kate was getting anxious. "Abby what does the unblacked out part of the file say?"

"Well, I pulled up his military and personnel file. Let's start with his military background."

She clicked the file open and put it on a plasma screen so she wouldn't be crowded. Gibbs' photo from his enlistment and a current shot popped up. In the photos he wore his dress blues.

"Damn, Bossman was hot and still is!"

"Abby, stop drooling over Gibbs," said Tim.

"Sorry, Timmy. Anyway, let's see what we have. Gibbs' rank is certainly not a Gunnery Sergeant. He's a Sergeant Major. He is a sniper and has a career record of 247 confirmed kills."

"Damn, now that is just plain scary."

"I know right. Guys, did you know that he's still technically in the service?"

"What do you mean, Abby?" said Ziva.

"He was never discharged. So he's still in the Corps. Plus, it says here that he holds the record for the farthest shot made at 1,739 yards."

Everyone turned to look at her.

"Don't look at me. Gibbs has some crazy shooting skills."

"He could have worked for Mossad," thought Ziva.

Kate turned back to the screen. "Ok, so Gibbs lies about his time in the service. Why would he do that?"

"I believe, Caitlin, that Jethro may have made some powerful enemies during his lifetime and is protecting himself."

Tim said, "He may not be protecting himself."

Everyone looked curiously at him.

"Think about it. Gibbs lies about being still in the Marines. Ducky said that he was protecting himself. But what if he was protecting someone else, namely a significant other."

"You could be right, McGee."

"What does the rest of the file say?"

Abby clicked to another section. "He has multiple ribbons and medals including the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and the Purple Heart. Um, he served three tours in Desert Storm and was deployed to Panama and Colombia. Hang on, there's a citation."

She clicked on another link. Her eyes got wide. "Wow, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor!"

Tim's jaw dropped. "He really is a hero."

Kate blinked. "I worked for the Secret Service. How did I not know this?"

"As I said, Jethro keeps these things close to his vest."

"Duckman's right. It says that it was awarded in 1991, but the reason why he got it was blacked out."

"Well, this is a certain turn of events," said Ziva.

Tim replied, "Abby what does his file at NCIS say?"

She typed a few keys and it popped up. "There's nothing much to go on. He joined in 1992 and was Mike Franks' probie. The first few years was spent overseas undercover in Paris and Moscow. Those files are also blacked out. He inherited the MCRT when Franks retired and has been the recipient of several commendations and civilian service medals."

"That's not much of a surprise."

Abby said, "It is when your clearance is as high as the Joint Chiefs of Staff."

"Can this get any creepier?"

"Yep, it just did Timmy." She opened another document labeled beneficiaries. "If he is seeing someone, their name would be listed as the recipient of his benefits when he either retires or gets killed."

"It says an Anthony D. Gibbs. Does Gibbs have a brother?"

Tim had moved to another computer. "No living relatives, but he does have 3 dependents and their names have been blacked out."

"Tim was right. He is protecting someone else."

"I ran Anthony D. Gibbs through the database. There's only a marriage license."

"Pull it up, Timmy!"

He put it on the plasma. They were stunned to see that their boss, Leroy Jethro Gibbs had married an Anthony Dante DiNozzo in December 2001.

...

It was 0400 when Gibbs got out of MTAC. He jogged down the stairs to the bullpen and picked up the duffel that was laying next to his desk. He opened a two drawers in his desk. In the first he grabbed the box that was sent to him this morning. In the second, he took out a velvet bag and put it in his pocket. He had to hurry if he was going to make it to the restaurant on time. He was excited about tonight.

Gibbs got in the elevator and pushed the button for the basement. He hoped Abby would let him use her office to change since he didn't have enough time to go all the way to the locker room.