Please see Chapter 1 for warnings and disclaimers.
Chapter 2
Standing behind Gibbs in the elevator, Ashlynn curbed a smile as she thought about the man briefing his team back at the coffee shop. They had sent the boys off for one more romp since they would be confined inside NCIS headquarters for the rest of the day. Upon hearing the news the team members had reacted differently. Ziva had seemed suspicious, Tim utterly dumbfounded, and Tony, well, he had sported a grin stretching from one ear to the other. The senior field agent had not been able to resist a dig at his boss.
"You know, boss, there's this modern invention, it's called a condom."
Tony didn't even try to avoid the slap to the back of his head that he knew was coming. Ashlynn burst out laughing, and was barely able to rein in her mirth when confronted with a steely glare from Gibbs. Unable to resist, as soon as Gibbs' back was turned she whispered to Tony, "I think they had them back in his day but way back then they called it a French purse."
Gibbs spun around nailing the girl with a frightening look, one she chose to heed this time.
The elevator doors had just opened when a loud squeal assaulted everyone's ears. Gibbs, the boys, Ashlynn, and McGee stepped out of the elevator only to be pounced upon by one very excited Abby Sciuto. "Oh my God! It's true!" She exclaimed coming to a halt in front of the group. "Giblets! I can't believe it! Welcome, welcome, welcome!"
"Abs," Gibbs warned. He should have known when he sent Tony and Ziva to the hotel to pick up Ashlynn's and the boys' belongings that Tony would immediately phone Abby.
"Oh right," she said, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "Hi, I'm Abby. I'm a forensic scientist who works with your dad and I am so, so, so happy to meet you. We are going to be great friends. The best. Do you like to bowl?"
Taking in the Goth's black pigtails, tattoo, studded dog collar, and skull and crossbones t-shirt nicely matched with a pleated plaid skirt as well as black platform shoes, Cameron gave Abby a huge smile. "Hi, I'm Cameron and you are really cool!"
"Awwww, thank you," Abby said. "I knew I was going to like you," she stepped forward to give the boy a hug.
"I'm AJ," the younger of the two boys said, still clinging to Gibbs hand. "Do you have a lab?" He knew scientists were supposed to have labs.
"I sure do," she said grinning down at AJ. "It's a really excellent one, too."
"I like doing speriments," he informed her brightly. "Ash helped me make a volcano and we made it 'splode by mixin' white powder with vinegar."
"Oh, I love that experiment! You know if you change the ingredients a little you can make it even better. It will smoke and –"
"Abs," Gibbs interrupted.
"Oh, yeah, well, we'll talk about it another time," she said giving the boy a wink.
"This is Ashlynn Connley," Gibbs said.
Ashlynn held out her hand with a grin, quite certain that she was going to like the rather unique forensic scientist. Abby was having none of the formality, however, and threw her arms around the girl "You poor thing! Welcome to the family."
"Oh, uh, no," the girl stuttered, as Abby released her. "I have a different father."
"That doesn't matter. So do I," Abby stated brightly.
Their conversation was interrupted as a group of men descended the stairs. Everyone was given another surprise when the boys eagerly ran to one of the men as he approached.
"Uncle, Trent!"
"Hello lads," the CIA agent said with a smile as he tightened his hands into fists and took pretend swipes at the two boys, who responded by giggling and putting up their own fists in mock defense.
Ashlynn's eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms offering the man a scowl, which was nothing compared to the look Gibbs was sending his way. "Uncle Trent," Ashlynn said, her tone clipped. "What are you doing here?"
"Come now Ashlynn, put that brilliant mind of yours to good use. Who did you think they would send?"
"Perhaps, we should move this discussion to my office," Director Vance suggested looking around meaningfully.
"The boys could probably do with a snack," Ashlynn was quick to point out looking at Gibbs who gave a nod of understanding.
"McGee, Abs, do you think you could take Cameron and AJ down and find a snack?"
"Sure boss," McGee answered having watched the drama with quiet fascination.
"Of course we can! And then they can come see my ultra cool lab," Abby suggested. Gibbs's hands quickly signed a discrete message to the Goth scientist and she responded in kind.
Up in Vance's office Gibbs practically exploded. "What the hell is going on?"
"I was Deirdre's agency contact. My periodic presence needed to be explained somehow, so I was presented as the children's uncle."
"You knew about them?" Gibbs demanded heatedly. "This whole time? Did you know they were mine?" To find out that Trent Kort, of all people, had a relationship with the sons he never even knew that he had was beyond infuriating.
Both Vance and Fornell were speechless at this new information, but Kort still did not have the opportunity to answer. "What he did or did not know, he couldn't share," Ashlynn commented acerbically. "He was under direct orders from his superiors not to. And you always tow the agency line, don't you Uncle Trent?" Her tone held contempt and sarcasm. Then Ashlynn smirked and cast Kort a knowing look, "You see Deirdre had a deal with the agency that they would keep quiet about us and she had a bit of insurance to make sure they kept their part."
"Yes about that," Kort answered raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, no," the girl shook her head. "I'm here to bring in the microchip, and provide the information relating to my mother's death and those responsible. That's all."
Kort glared at the girl he had known since she was an infant. Had he not been acting under direct orders, he would have dealt with her quite differently. He knew she blamed him for her mother's death, but even still the girl was beyond overstepping her bounds.
"So, you have it then?" Agent Fornell interjected.
"Yes." The girl turned her back on the men and took a step away, reaching into her shirt as discreetly as possible. Turning back around, she held it out to Gibbs who smirked at her obvious snub to the other men in the room. After that she held up a 32G USB flash drive. "This holds all the information I have regarding the people Deirdre was dealing with as well as a video clip of the night she was killed."
"How did you get that?" Fornell wanted to know.
"I was there," she stated simply ignoring the astonished looks of all the men in the room.
By lunchtime, Ashlynn was exhausted. After answering what seemed an endless stream of questions, she was finally given a break while Director Vance retreated to MTAC to conference with the directors of the other agencies. She had the chance to check in on Cam and AJ who had been having a blast with Abby and Tim down in Abby's lab.
Grabbing her hand, AJ had pulled her forward to point out various pieces of equipment. "And that's Major Mass Spec, he's our favorite. He can tell you what somethin' is by looking at the smallest little mol'cool. And Abby has a really cool mike'scope and we looked at my hair, and skin, and even a drop of my blood!"
"How exciting! I'm glad you've been having fun." Ashlynn looked over to her other brother who sat at a computer with Agent McGee.
"And Tim has some really cool games! He's really good, too, Ash! And I bet he's as good as you with computer's."
"I'm sure he's better," Ashlynn said with a grin, noting the blush on Tim's cheeks as he looked as his boss. "I have to say Agent McGee, I am thoroughly impressed. It takes a special person to keep Cam entertained in a nonphysical pursuit that is not a movie."
Tim cleared his throat and offered a sheepish grin. "It seemed a good way to keep him occupied and Cam catches on really quick."
Ashlynn wasn't sure if Tim was talking to her or to Gibbs. He seemed anxious to explain the fact that he was sitting, playing computer games with a ten-year-old.
"Oh, that's nothing compared to Ash," Cam said with a grin. "She's really good with computers. She used to help Mom-"
"Cam," Ashlynn warned her brother, offering a glare which served to shut him up.
"Hey, what do you guys say to some lunch?" Gibbs offered, his hands signing a quick question to Abby, which she answered with a flash of her hands.
Both boys had inherited their mother's gregarious nature, so Gibbs had no trouble getting to know them better over lunch. Each boy was practically clamoring for his attention.
"I've had classes in Jiu Jitsu and Karate," Cam was telling his dad. "And that was really cool! It'd be great to keep doing that but what I really always wanted to do was play sports, but we moved around too much. Now that we're going to live with you, maybe I can join a team." The ten-year-old looked hopefully up at his hero before tossing a fry into his mouth.
"I think that's something we can arrange," Gibbs replied with a smile.
"How about camping? Will you take us camping?" AJ demanded not bothering to swallow his bite of hamburger before voicing his question. "Mom wouldn't take us. She said it was a guy thing."
"Swallow before you talk or you'll choke," Gibbs admonished gently. "And, yes, I'm sure we can plan a camping trip sometime in the future." The boys' exuberance was almost overwhelming and he wondered that they weren't showing more signs of distress over their mother's death. He would have to ask Ducky about that. The medical examiner was expecting them after lunch.
"That will be great!" Cam was just as enthused as his younger brother about the prospect. "Will you teach me how to shoot a gun? Mom was freaky about guns."
"When you're old enough, after you've passed a weapon's safety course, I will teach you how to shoot a gun."
"I'm old enough," the boy argued.
"Cam," Ashlynn interjected with a shake of her head. This was an argument she had heard over and over. One point her mother had been adamant about was 'no guns.' Deirdre insisted half the reason she got out of the CIA was that she hated guns. Ashlynn didn't feel the same way, and had actually purchased a semi-automatic handgun without her mother's knowledge, but she did agree that Cam was far too young to be thinking about them.
"You are not old enough," Gibbs stated firmly, not missing the sibling interaction but wanting to make this point quite clear to his son. "And you are not to touch a gun, ever, without my permission. Understood?"
"Yeah," Cam answered, somewhat dejected but unwilling to argue given the tone of voice his newfound father was using.
Gibbs looked over at AJ, who was busy slurping down his root beer. Noticing his dad's intense look the five-year-old shook his head. "I don't really like guns. Well, I like water guns. Water guns are okay, right?"
Gibbs smirked, "Water guns are okay."
"How about a puppy?" the little boy asked excitedly.
Gibbs blinked. Keeping up with these two was definitely going to be a challenge. "I think we'll shelve that one until we're all settled in a bit better, buddy."
The young boy gave a nod. "Are you going to take us to your house now?"
"Not yet. We're going to go back to NCIS headquarters and you're going to meet a friend of mine, Dr. Mallard."
"We're not sick," Cam was quick to inform his dad.
"I know. I just want you to meet him, and maybe let him take a look at you so he can tell me how strong and healthy you are."
"I'm really strong," AJ answered with a proud smile.
"You are not," Cam scoffed. "But I am."
"Well neither one of you is going to get any stronger if you don't finish your lunch," Ashlynn admonished.
Noting the parental tone she took with her brothers, and not for the first time, Gibbs smiled. Deirdre had been a big kid herself. Most likely Ashlynn had been more of a mother to these boys than she had. It made the man abundantly aware how much confidence the girl had placed in him by entrusting them to his care.
They finished up their lunch. Gibbs came away from the meal knowing that AJ liked swimming, reading, and 'speriments'. Ashlynn had explained that the five-year-old already read on a second grade level. Cam cared little for books but enjoyed physical activities and was enamored of most anything to do with guns, soldiers, or fighting.
They returned to NCIS headquarters and made their way down to the morgue. Gibbs had of course let Ducky know that they were coming so that the group did not walk in on anything inappropriate for the children.
"A medical examiner?" Ashlynn asked skeptically. "No offense Dr. Mallard, but I have to question your level of expertise in the area of pediatrics."
"It's Ducky, my dear, and no offense taken. Though, I do not claim expertise in the field of pediatrics, I am a medical doctor and as such I can put Jethro's mind at ease so far as the health and well-being of his children."
Ashlynn cast a glance over at Gibbs and he raised an eyebrow. She shrugged. Not unlike the rest of Gibbs's team, she found that she liked and trusted the doctor who spoke with a Scottish accent.
Ducky had Cam jump up on one of the tables first, hoping to put the younger boy at ease. "This is cool! So, you lay out dead people here right? To cut them up and stuff?"
"I do generally perform autopsies here," Ducky answered with a smile for the boy's enthusiasm.
"Wow! Can I see one of 'em. I mean the dead people."
"No," Jethro was quick to answer.
"Aw! Why not?" Cam demanded.
"Because I said, no," Gibbs answered with a tone of finality that ended the discussion.
During the boys' examination, Ashlynn took out two files from her leather laptop satchel. "These are the boys' medical records, immunizations, educational transcripts, and passports."
Accepting the files, Gibbs thumbed through them. "What is a 'virtual academy'?"
"We moved around a great deal. For consistencies sake, it made the most sense to take advantage of a technological based method of education. School via computer if you will. The international virtual academy that the boys and myself attended provided curriculum exceeding both national and international content standards."
"So they've never actually been to school?" Gibbs asked.
"Not in the traditional sense, no."
Gibbs just shook his head. This might have provided an adequate academic base but he seriously questioned socialization opportunities. Of course, the boys did seem fairly well adjusted. Moving on to another point, he pulled out the passports.
"I want the rest of these," he stated somewhat darkly.
Ashlynn's cheeks actually turned a bit pink. She should have known that Gibbs would realize that Deirdre had multiple passports for her children, just as she did for herself. Not bothering to argue the teenage girl just gave a nod.
"Both in excellent health, Jethro," Ducky pronounced interrupting the somewhat awkward moment.
"Good. Your turn," Gibbs stated looking at Ashlynn.
"What? Oh, no," the girl shook her head. "I can assure you that I am in fine health."
Gibbs just continued to look at her evenly.
"And I am not a child."
Still Gibbs did not respond, only returned her look steadily
"And you hold no authority over me whatsoever."
"Oh, come on Ash!" Cam said with some exasperation. "It's no big deal. Ducky's nice. And you get a sucker," he said holding his up with a teasing grin.
"Fine," she acquiesced, "But this is silly."
Once Ducky had confirmed that Ashlynn, too, appeared to be in the best possible health, Jimmy offered to escort the boys back to Abby's lab and Ashlynn upstairs while Gibbs had a private word with the medical examiner.
"So what is it that has you worried Jethro?" Ducky asked as soon as they were alone.
"They just lost their mother, Duck, and they don't seem to be upset at all."
"Ah," the medical examiner nodded. "Well, I would say that most likely they expressed their immediate grief with their sister, when she first shared the news with them. They then had several days to process this grief and even sublimate it to some extent, which is not at all abnormal. They are also used to their mother being gone for periods of time. Ashlynn is actually far more important to them so far as physical presence. They know, in their rational minds that their mother is actually gone, and not coming back, but for now they have fallen back into a comforting routine of accepting her absence. In the future, when the time has passed when she would normally have returned to see them, that is when you are likely to see an elevation of their grief response."
Jethro nodded processing the information his friend was giving him.
"Of course they are also very distracted right now, by meeting you, something they have been anxiously anticipating for quite some time. I wouldn't worry, Jethro. Young minds are astoundingly resilient."
"Thanks Duck."
"Do not mention it, Jethro," he answered turning to wash his hands. "You know this reminds me of a situation during my residency. You see, I had been," Ducky turned around to find that his audience was gone. "Yes, well, a story for another time.
A short time later, Director Vance was addressing the same group that had assembled earlier that morning. "After conferencing with Sec Nav and various agency directors, we have agreed on a strategy to proceed. CIA will follow up on the foreign element of this investigation including the actual murder of Ms. Connley, since this did occur outside of the United States. They will also be investigating the international buyers. The FBI will be heading up the domestic investigation for those responsible for leaking information, with support from NCIS who will be looking into those implicated from the Office of Naval Intelligence. The secret service would like to remain in the loop, but is willing to allow our agencies to handle the situation for now. Ms. Connley," here Director Vance inclined his head towards the young woman, "Will remain in protective custody since she is currently at significant risk."
"Protective custody?" Gibbs queried.
"Since we're taking the lead on the domestic side of this case, she's our witness," Fornell pointed out.
"I'm not leaving my brothers until I'm confident they are settled," Ashlynn had informed the assembled men.
"Gibbs, your team is temporarily assigned to protection duty as well as looking into certain suspects within the Office of Naval Intelligence" Vance stated, holding up a hand to forestall Fornell's protest. "With an understanding that Ms. Connley's protective custody might be transferred to the FBI in the near future."
This seemed to placate most involved but there was a bit more discussion as far as the specifics and coordination of the case. After more than half an hour, Ashlynn excused herself to the restroom. She was surprised to find Gibbs waiting for her as she exited.
He held his hand out expectantly.
"What?" the teen asked.
Gibbs's brows knitted together in an exasperated expression and Ashlynn sighed. "Fine," she stated with a bit of a huff handing over Fornell's cell phone.
"Why?"
"I was bored and he's annoying," she said with a shrug. "I changed his ring tone to something…more interesting," she said with a grin.
Gibbs rolled his eyes. Now this was something he would expect from Deirdre's daughter. "This is not the time nor the place for childish games," he reprimanded.
"Fine," she stated with a slight pout, which indeed made her look the mirror image of her mother, not to mention a good three to four years younger.
"No more stealing," the man insisted.
"Oh, I wasn't stealing it," Ashlynn responded with exasperation. "It was just a joke."
"You know lock up would work just fine for protective custody," Gibbs said darkly.
"Fine," Ashlynn said, one more time. "I'll behave."
XXX000XXX000XXX000
Later that evening Ashlynn sat back in the front seat of Gibbs's car, watching the city lights fly by in the darkness. She could smell the pizza that they had picked up, but she wasn't so much hungry as very, very tired. Not sleepy or drowsy, but a deep kind of tired that probably meant it would take hours before she could actually relax enough to fall asleep once they had arrived at Gibbs's house. Her eyes darted to the rearview mirror. Tony, Ziva, and McGee were in a car behind them. One of them would be staying to help provide protection tonight. The FBI would have people posted outside.
As it turned out Gibbs was a fast driver and they arrived at his house in relatively short order. Tony and Tim carried in the kids' suitcases while Ziva secured the perimeter. They settled the boys' things in the spare room, which Gibbs had just recently turned back into a guest room. Ashlynn insisted that she was not taking Gibbs's room and that she would take the couch. No one was quite certain who won the ensuing argument.
They all shared pizza, then Tony and Tim headed out leaving Ziva as Gibbs's backup. Ashlynn got the boys ready for bed. Gibbs stood silently in the doorway as she tucked them in, wanting to give her some time with the boys before he went in to offer his own goodnight.
"So we're really gonna live here now?" AJ had asked excitedly.
"Yep," Ashlynn answered.
"But where are you gonna sleep?" AJ had asked, his voice full of concern.
"On the couch."
"For always?"
"I won't be staying for always, bud," she said, trying to keep her tone light.
"What do you mean?"
"She means, she's gonna leave us," Cam said sourly, glaring at his sister.
Ashlynn sighed. "I won't leave for awhile and I'll still be close by."
Tears were brimming in AJ's eyes. "But why would you leave us, Ash?"
"Well, I'm probably going to be starting college next fall," she explained.
"Why can't you live here and go to college?"
"I think Agent Gibbs might get a little tired of an interloper on his couch for that long. Besides, the two of you need time alone with your dad to get to know him better."
"But you need a daddy, too , Ash," the little boy insisted.
Enveloping her youngest brother in a hug, Ashlynn just held him. "Let's not worry about it just yet, okay? You just need to get a good night's sleep." She kissed the top of his head and reached over to offer Cam a poke in the ribs. He had long since scorned goodnight kisses from his big sister, though he wasn't opposed to a hug now and again so she offered him a quick one. Ashlynn exited, turning to smile at Gibbs.
"They're all yours," she said with a false brightness, but the trained agent could hear the quiver in her voice and see the wetness in her eyes.
It was much later that night that Ashlynn made her way down the steps to the basement, smiling at the wooden frame of an unfinished boat. Her mother had told her about Gibbs's hobby. Apparently some things didn't change.
"Need something?" the man asked.
"Well, I was thinking that you were at somewhat of a disadvantage. The boys know far more of you than you of them. She held up two leather bound albums. "I knew we would be meeting soon, so I put together some pictures of them growing up. There are video clips on a DVD as well, but I didn't see a DVD player. It will work on your computer at the office. I, ah, didn't see a computer here."
Gibbs smiled moving to take the albums from her. "Thanks."
She took a seat, then and looked at the man. "The boys have their own laptops but you might want to think about getting high speed internet."
Gibbs cocked his head and looked at the girl. "I'm not criticizing," she was quick to say, but…"
"I'll talk to McGee," Gibbs said with a smile.
"You know, Deirdre was already planning to move back. She had realized just how much the boys needed you in their lives. Especially Cam." Ash smiled looking down at her bare feet. "He's all boy and always has been. I'm glad you set him straight first thing about your sidearm. He loves guns." The girl looked around. "You'll want to talk to both of them about your tools, too, because first thing tomorrow they'll be down here exploring and this is going to seem like heaven!"
Gibbs chuckled. "I think I'm in for a few eye openers."
With a laugh Ashlynn nodded, "You have no idea. Cam once tried rappelling out of a hotel window, luckily there was a balcony right beneath. One time I caught him just before he was ready to jump off the roof with a homemade hang glider."
No longer laughing, Gibbs eyes grew wide. "And what was Deirdre's reaction?"
"Oh, she was horrified of course and scolded him, but like most interactions with Deirdre it all ended with us going to get ice cream."
The NCIS agent shook his head.
"I think she understood, though, that both of the boys needed more clear boundaries and she knew that she didn't have what it took to provide them. That's why she planned to come back. She even had an apartment leased. I'll move in there, once this whole mess is cleared up."
"You are more than welcome to stay here for as long as you want."
"Thanks. That's very kind of you, but I think you need some time with the boys."
"You're a big part of their world. They are going to need you, too."
"I'll be around."
Gibbs nodded and moved to return to sanding the boat. After a short time of silence he asked, "What about your dad?"
"Deirdre told me some about him. Apparently he was a real bastard."
"Some people say that about me," Gibbs smirked.
"Well, he's never been in the picture, and I don't expect he ever will be."
The man nodded and she watched him for a time before quietly heading upstairs where Ziva had just finished walking around the small house to be confidant that all was secure. Ashlynn eyed the former Mossad agent speculatively.
"You don't like me," she observed quietly.
"I do not know you," the dark-haired woman answered with a shake of her head.
"You don't trust me," Ashlynn amended.
"I do not trust anyone," Ziva responded with a shrug.
"Except Gibbs," the girl said with a smile. "I understand that my mother's actions were inconsiderate, but I guarantee you she never meant for him to be hurt. She wasn't mean spirited, just thoughtless," Ashlynn tried to explain. "Given his history, I understand your concern for Gibbs, but I'm not here to cause him heartache. My only concern here is the safety and well-being of my brothers," the teenager paused. "It's easy to see that his team has been his family. I hope, given time, you will be able to accept my brother's into your close knit group."
Ziva stared at the girl, taken aback by her frankness. "It is not my place."
"Of course it is. I'll be gone before too long. Please, just give my brothers a chance. Cam would love for you to teach him some of what Tony calls your 'Ninja moves,'" the youth said with a smile remembering an earlier comment by the senior field agent.
"You are leaving?"
"Sometime after the case is resolved, once the boys are settled in."
"But will that not be difficult for your brothers?"
"They will have their father, and hopefully his friends as well."
"It is my experience that the more family surrounding a person to offer support in times of difficulty, the better." In Ziva's own mind her 'family' had long since changed from that of her birth to those at NCIS, but she did not bother to explain this to the girl.
Ashlynn shrugged. "I think it might be for the best." With that she moved to the couch to make up the bed. Gibbs had continued to insist that she sleep in his room, but she had no intention of giving in and she seriously doubted that he would move her if she was asleep when he came back upstairs.
The next morning, Ashlynn awoke late to the smell of coffee and bacon. It took her several moments to place her surroundings. When she did, the young woman realized that she was lying in the bed of one Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. She hadn't even awakened when he moved her!
Chuckling a bit she threw her legs over the edge of the bed, running fingers though her deep auburn hair. Her luggage had been moved in as well and she thought about throwing on some clothes, but decided that sweats and a t-shirt were fine for now. She would want to grab a shower and brush her teeth shortly, but a cup of coffee sounded good.
Upon entering the kitchen, she found her brothers sitting at the kitchen table each with a glass of milk in front of them, chattering away at the man standing in front of the stove. They were already dressed and her eyes darted to the clock. It was indeed quite late in the morning; she couldn't believe that she had slept so late.
"Coffee?" Gibbs asked holding out a cup to Ashlynn which she gratefully accepted.
"Where's Ziva?"
"Work."
"Shouldn't you be there too?"
"My assignment is right here," the man answered.
He turned to dish eggs onto the boys' plates and lifted a questioning eyebrow at Ashlynn. She shook her head. "Toast and coffee are fine."
"Can we see your boat after breakfast?" Cam asked excitedly.
"We're going to sit down and have a little talk after breakfast, and then I'll take you down to show you the boat before we head to the office."
True to his word, once the dishes were cleared away and washed, with much splashing of soapy dishwater since AJ had insisted on helping, Gibbs sat the boys down to talk. "Things are going to be different for you living with me than they were when you lived with your mom. To be fair, I want to make sure you understand the rules right up front. Okay?"
Both boys nodded, though the chagrin on Cam's face was evident.
"Rule number one. You are to obey me or anyone I leave in charge of you," Gibbs looked the boys in the eyes as he spoke to make sure that they clearly understood his words. "Rule number two, is safety. So this is going to include something we talked about yesterday. You do not touch my sidearm, my gun, ever. You also don't go downstairs unless I'm with you or I'm already down there and you don't touch my tools unless I say that it's okay. Another point of safety is that you don't go with strangers." Gibbs paused and looked at the boys to make certain they understood and had no questions.
"We know better than that," Cam replied, almost affronted.
"Good. The next rule kind of goes along with safety. Rule number three is I always need to know where you are at. That means you stay where I leave you and don't wander off." Gibbs noticed Cam's grimace and guessed that the boy had a penchant for exploring. "If for any reason, you need to go somewhere else, this is my card. It has my work and cell number on it and I have written my home phone on the back. It would be good if you could memorize those numbers." The man gave each of the boys a card and then offered one to Ashlynn as well.
"So, if we call, then we can go?" Cam asked.
"If you have my permission or are with an adult that I trust. That would mean Tony, Ziva, Tim, Abby, Ducky, or Jimmy." Jethro expected he would add a few people to that list, but tried to keep it simple for the boys. He could tell Cam still wasn't happy.
"And Ashlynn," AJ added seriously.
"And Ashlynn," Gibbs agreed with a grin before continuing. "Rule number four is no lying. I want to be able to trust you and I want you to trust me. We can't do that if we lie to each other. If you need to talk to me about something, I'll listen and if there's a problem we'll work it out, but do not lie to me." Once again the boys' heads bobbed in understanding and Gibbs took a drink of his coffee.
Normally, this next rule was not one he would have worried about bringing up the first day, but given Deirdre's profession, he thought he had better. Rule number five is no stealing. You do not take anything that doesn't belong to you without first asking the person it belongs to. We are going to start with those five rules. There will be more eventually, but we are going to start with those five. Do you think you can remember those?
"Yes, Dad," the boys said in concert, bringing a smile to Gibbs's lips.
"What about Ashlynn?" AJ wanted to know. "Does she have to follow the rules?"
"Yes she does," Gibbs nodded with a smirk, ignoring the dirty look that the young woman was directing his way. "As long as she's staying here."
"Uh, what happens if we, uh, do break one of the rules?" Cam wanted to know.
"Well, that's going to depend upon the situation," Gibbs answered. "I understand that you aren't used to my rules, so if it's something small I might give you one warning. Sometimes you might have to do some extra chores or you might lose a favorite toy for a while or a privilege." At the boys' confused looks Gibbs clarified, "Something like TV time or playing computer games."
Once he realized that they understood what he meant by this his look grew very serious. "But you need to understand that these first five rules are very, very important so there is a good chance that if you break any of them you will get a spanking."
Two sets of blue eyes grew wide as saucers at this information. "Gibbs," Ashlynn said in obvious disapproval but the NCIS agent held up his finger and shook his head giving the girl a warning look. He watched the boys faces go from shock to acceptance and clapped his hands together. Now, why don't the two of you go straighten up your room and grab a few things to keep you occupied at the office." He knew that their suitcases had held various electronic devices that he assumed were for some kind of amusement. "Then I'll take you downstairs to look at the boat."
As soon as they left the kitchen Ashlynn started in on the man, "You are not going to hit my brothers."
"No, I'm not. But I will spank them if they break the rules."
"No."
"Yes." Two pairs of eyes locked in silent conflict for nearly sixty seconds. Gibbs broke the tense silence. "Ashlynn, you have done a wonderful job with your brothers, but it's my turn now and I have to do things my way."
"Not this."
"Yes, this. I will never beat them or abuse them in any way, but this is nonnegotiable. I will use other punishments for lesser infractions, but if they put themselves in danger they will get spanked."
The girl shook her head, her eyes glinting in anger.
"You know, maybe it would alleviate some of your concern if you knew exactly what it was they were facing."
Standing and retreating a few steps Ashlynn's eyes narrowed to slits. "If you lay a finger on me Agent Gibbs, I will bring you up on battery charges."
"Really? So then I guess we would need to bring you up on larceny charges for stealing Tobias's phone."
"That was a joke."
"Stealing isn't a joke, and I think quite a few people would agree that spanking isn't battery."
Ashlynn sighed heavily. "Point taken, and I already told you it wouldn't happen again."
"Oh, I know it won't."
For one split second Ashlynn was worried the man would follow through with his threat, but then they heard the boys coming out of their room and she relaxed some.
"Why don't you grab a shower while I show the boys around downstairs, then we'll head in to the office."
TBC