Please see Chapter 1 for warnings and disclaimers.
Author's note: Okay, the resounding vote was to live with a few technical errors in favor of posting as soon as possible. I will do my very best to improve my editing skills, but no promises.
Chapter 11
Saturday evening, Ashlynn went about preparing sour cream chicken enchiladas in Gibbs's kitchen, using the time to collect her thoughts. Though Gibbs had informed her it was unnecessary, Ashlynn had been insistent, likening her time in the kitchen to his down in the basement with his boat. He had relented and taken the boys outside for a ride on their brand new bicycles.
She had to smile at that. Both boys had been so excited when part of the afternoon plans included a trip to the bicycle shop. Ash was quite certain that they had each tried out every bike in their size range. Cam had chosen a blue BMX style bike with matching helmet while AJ had opted for a simpler red and black dirt bike and a Spiderman helmet. After stopping to get some burgers, Gibbs had taken them to a park designed primarily for cyclists.
Gibbs had patiently worked with AJ to gain balance and confidence since they had opted for no training wheels. Ashlynn had been skeptical of this decision but AJ had been determined and Gibbs believed the boy could quickly learn to ride without them. Sure enough before long he was racing off after his brother. Watching her brothers play and laugh with their dad had gone a long way towards calming Ashlynn down. Despite her own issues with the man, there was no denying that he was a great dad who loved his sons.
Once the boys had been given the chance to expend some energy, they loaded up the bikes so that they could run a few errands before heading home. Gibbs stopped off at Ashlynn's hotel to gather the rest of her things and get her checked out. As promised, Gibbs immediately confiscated her backup phones with a grim warning should any others mysteriously turn up. He also took her computer, promising she'd get it back as soon as McGee was finished with it.
Though the incident did rekindle her irritation, Ash did not want to ruin the boy's day with their dad so she worked hard to hold her temper. They wrapped up their afternoon with stops at the butcher's to get steaks for the following day and the grocery store to get drinks and side dishes. That's when Ash had offered to make dinner if he would get the fixings.
Finishing up she popped the pan in the oven and set the timer. Interestingly enough, as she replayed the day in her head, she found she was more frustrated than truly angry. This was little more than a bump in the road. One she'd find a way around soon enough, although there might be one small hitch. Gibbs hadn't known about Vance's machinations before the meeting and Ashlynn could tell that the director's news had not truly affected his plans. Gibbs had already set his course. Her mind drifted back to his words last night.
"You are a part of my family. Your brothers are my sons. They are your family and that makes you mine….You have a lifetime of bad habits that need breaking, kiddo."
Gibbs already intended to take an active role in her life prior to the custody information. Ashlynn was utterly conflicted about that. On the one hand she adamantly believed he was being overbearing and had no right! Yet there was something else playing at the edge of her emotions, something she did not want to acknowledge. Putting a few ingredients back into the fridge, she slammed the door with a scowl. Just then the backdoor slammed with far more force than the fridge had and an obviously angry Cam entered.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Ashlynn asked.
"I have to come in early to vacuum and set the table!" he complained. "Part of my stupid extra chores to pay for AJ's stupid pants!"
"Well, you did glue his zipper shut so they had to cut the pants off," Ash replied with a disapproving look.
"Why couldn't I do it later? We just got the bikes! It's not fair!"
"I don't know, Cam, but word to the wise, you'd better rein in the attitude before Gibbs comes in."
Cam glowered at her.
"Hey," she raised her arms as if in surrender, "Just a word of advice from a concerned party. How about I give you a hand?"
"Still won't be able to go back out and ride," Cam grumbled.
"No but you'll be finished and he'll probably let you watch a movie tonight."
"Okay," he agreed.
"How about I get the table set. If he asks, I'll say I did it before you had a chance to."
With Ashlynn helping, the chores were done in short order and Cam's temper had cooled.
"Thanks," he offered.
"No problem. I owe you remember?"
"Yeah, you do," he said with a grin. "Big time and I plan to collect."
"Hey, now, I shouldn't have gotten you involved, but you didn't have to go all out. Playing sick would have done the trick and NOT landed you in so much trouble."
"Where's the fun in that?" he laughed. "So what happened?"
"Looks like it was a good lead. They're watching the guy now; hopefully he'll take them to the one they really want."
"Dad said these guys were really dangerous."
"Yeah, Cam, they are."
"But you said you weren't in any danger," he accused with a glare which scarily mirrored his father's.
"I wasn't. The lead I was following was just a college dude. His dad's the scary one."
"So what did Dad do to you?"
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, come on, Ash!"
"Did Daddy do something to you, Ash?" a high pitch voice asked from the doorway. "Was it 'cause you got Cam in trouble and runned away from the FBI?"
Ashlynn looked up quick relieved to see that it was just AJ and that Gibbs hadn't come in yet. It always amazed her how much her youngest brother really understood about what was going on. He might be quiet, but he was very observant. "Nothing happened. It's all over and everything is fine. I need to go check on dinner and pop dessert in."
Dinner was ready and the boys washed up by the time Gibbs entered. He sniffed the air appreciatively before going to wash his own hands. It looked as if he'd taken the opportunity to do a little yard work while he was out with the boys. They had a fairly quiet meal, after which Ashlynn brought out a fresh batch of brownies.
"Where'd you learn to cook?" Gibbs asked which was his equivalent to complimenting her on her efforts.
"A few summers ago, we were in Italy and the resort we were staying at offered a cooking class. After that, whenever I could find a class I would take it. If we were in a suite or condo, I cooked whenever I could which was fine with Mom. She wasn't much of a cook."
"I remember," Gibbs replied with a smirk. "Okay, Cam you're still on KP for another few days." The man had explained to the boys that they would take turns setting and clearing the table and then helping him wash dishes as part of their regular chores. However, Cam was expected to assume sole responsibility for the next few days as part of his extra chore assignment.
With a bit of a huff, Cam got up from his seat to clear the dishes. Ash immediately got up to help, but Gibbs wasn't about to let that happen.
"Nope, you cooked. Besides, Cam is working off a debt."
Ash started to argue, but a stern glare from Gibbs cut her off.
"Hey, Ash, what happened to your neck?" AJ asked suddenly.
Taken off guard, Ash was at a loss for words. All day and her little brother had chosen to ask now.
Cam started giggling as he cleared the plates, testament to the fact that his life experiences gave him far more knowledge than was appropriate for his age. "Yeah, Ash, how did you bruise your neck?" he teased.
"That is none of your business," Gibbs interjected shooting Cam a warning look before turning to AJ. "It's not something we're going to talk about. Your sister's okay and it isn't going to happen again," he momentarily shifted his gaze to Ashlynn before returning his focus to the young boy. "Now why don't you go make sure your toys are picked up so we can watch a movie tonight."
Once the boy was gone, Ashlynn rolled her eyes at Gibbs but didn't comment. Later that evening they did indeed pop popcorn and watch a movie, much to the boys delight. AJ fell asleep on his dad's lap while Cam had begged for another once the first was finished.
XXX000XXX000XXX000
The following day, a gentle drizzle doused the outdoor plans they'd had, though Gibbs still got the grill burning under the slight shelter of the back stoop. Trying to quell the boys' disappointment, Ashlynn suggested that they set up the Wii, which had arrived by parcel post the day before. She had sent the game and a few of the boys' bulkier belongings from the last place they'd stayed just before leaving for DC, knowing the package would take some time to arrive.
McGee had been more than happy to take charge of getting the game set up when he arrived. Laughter reigned as the group spent the time until dinner was ready designing each person's Mii, the digital avatar used to represent different players. It might have gone much faster, but Tony kept grabbing the controls to add what he considered necessary details to each individual's cartoon representation. With a shake of his head, Gibbs grabbed a beer and went out to man the barbeque.
The meal itself was a rather rowdy affair. Gibbs had brought up three sawhorses and laid a sturdy board across them so they would have enough seating. Ducky sat at one end of the table, which had been fully extended with leaves and Gibbs occupied the other. Everyone else found spots in between.
AJ watched everyone intently, and when Tony passed both the salad and vegetable platter without taking any he felt it his duty to comment. "Daddy says no dessert if you don't eat your vegetables," he warned his friend.
"Oh, yeah right. Well you see-"
"He's right DiNozzo," Gibbs said with a smirk, effectively cutting off whatever story the agent was about to feed AJ.
"Of course he is. My mistake," Tony answered taking the tray back from a grinning McGee and dumping a few fresh vegetables from the platter on his plate.
"So, Palmer, how are things progressing with Bree-na?" Tony asked drawing out the woman's name. He was still in a state of disbelief that the awkward autopsy gremlin had landed the attractive blonde, even if she was an embalmer.
"Oh, ah, just, just great. Really good actually!" Jimmy answered with a huge smile. "We went out last night as a matter of fact."
"Get to second base yet? Oomph!" Tony winced and rubbed his side scooting away from a glaring Ziva who looked pointedly at AJ and then Cam. Of course her look was nothing compared to Gibbs's and Tony was thankful that he wasn't seated next to his boss or he'd undoubtedly be seeing stars.
"You played baseball on your date?" AJ asked, really impressed.
"Ah, well, no not really," Jimmy sputtered.
"Then how did you get to second base?"
"He didn't," Tony said with a smirk.
"DiNozzo!" Gibbs warned. "Do you need to come sit next to me?"
"Uh, no boss, I'm good."
Recognizing his father's irritated tone as well as the sniggers around the table, AJ opted to drop the subject.
Deciding to rescue a red-faced Palmer, Tim asked Abby, "How was bowling last night, Abs?"
"Oh, we didn't do so well. Sister Mary Elizabeth was sick and Sister Margaret was off her game because of her bursitis. Of course she's way into natural treatments so she uses these liniments and the smell of camphor and menthol was enough to throw nearly everyone else off their game. Not me so much of course because, you know I've endured much worse in my lab. Anyway, we still had a good time, of course."
"Tony, if your finger gets any closer to my roll, you will lose it," Ziva warned her eyes narrowing.
"What? I wasn't! Pft! You're imagining things," he insisted his hand moving quickly to his water glass.
"Can I have some more milk, please?" AJ asked.
"Sure, buddy," Ashlynn answered, starting to get up.
"I'll get it," Tim offered. "I need another drink. Anyone else?" Getting no other takers, McGee took AJ's glass and went to the kitchen.
"So, are you boys looking forward to starting in at your new school tomorrow?" Ducky asked.
Cam shrugged. "I guess so. I don't know if I'll like sitting in class, but it'll be fun to meet other kids for once."
"I can't wait!" AJ answered with far more enthusiasm.
"That's the spirit!" Ducky said with a wink as Tim returned with the boy's milk.
"Tony!" McGee said with exasperation as he took his seat.
"What?" Tony asked innocently.
"If I'd wanted more vegetables, I would have helped myself, and generally I prefer them NOT mixed in with my potatoes, and this carrot has a bite taken out of it!"
"You're such a picky eater, McGee."
"Daddy, does Tony get dessert if he doesn't eat his vegetables?" AJ wanted to know.
"Nope," Gibbs answered taking a bite of steak. After swallowing he continued, "And if he doesn't start behaving he's going to find out what happens to naughty little boys in this house."
This earned a giggle from both Cam and AJ and smiles from most of the adults around the table. Tony sheepishly took his vegetables back from McGee's plate. Stabbing one almost viciously with his fork he put it in his mouth while his eyes shot daggers at Tim. McGee just grinned back at his partner with no remorse whatsoever.
"Yuck it up, McTattler," Tony said under his breath as he envisioned filling McGee's desk drawer with vegetables.
After the meal, everyone helped to clear the table, and Ashlynn stowed the food that was left over. Gibbs stuck to his guns beyond that, insisting Cam would have to wash up. Though the boy grumbled about the unfairness of having to wash the extra dishes, he wisely kept his complaints to a minimum. Under the pretense of needing another soda, Ashlynn slipped back into the kitchen to give him a hand.
Abby won the argument over which game to play first and trounced everyone at bowling. When it was Ash's turn, she called out to go ahead and skip her. Of course everyone knew that she was helping Cam, but Gibbs let it slide. Cam and Ash joined them in time to get in one round of bowling. Tony insisted on basketball next and was infuriated when McGee beat him, his prowess with the gaming controls proving superior to Tony's experience with the actual sport.
Gibbs was actually cajoled into participating in the next game, which was Cam's pick. It was a shooting game of course and unsurprisingly both Ziva and Gibbs excelled. AJ's choice was racing and Tony was delighted when he came out the winner of that one. They tried golf next for Ducky's sake and the Scotsman did quite well with it. Jimmy too, seemed to have a knack for that one, which had him blushing in delight and Ducky going on about Jimmy needing to try the real thing.
Ashlynn and Abby took orders for one more round of ice cream and brownies while the group rummaged through the games they hadn't played yet. Not long after, the adults had settled back into various conversations, while the boys played their favorites over again. Before too long, Gibbs suggested Cam collect the bowls and wash them up.
"Dad," the ten-year-old whined. "I already cleaned up once."
"Yep, and the deal was you're on KP until Tuesday. Keep giving me attitude and it'll be until Thursday."
With a resigned sigh, Cam did as he was told. Once again Ashlynn disappeared to help.
"She must like doing dishes a whole lot more than I do!" Tony said with a shake of his head, just as Gibbs was getting up to intervene. He could understand her wanting to help out her brother, but this was part of Cam's punishment.
"No, she hates doing 'em," AJ piped in. "She just feels guilty."
That stopped Gibbs in his tracks. "Why would she feel guilty?" he asked the five-year-old who was still caught up in racing his car around the virtual track.
"Cause Cam got in trouble when she asked him to help her."
"Help her?"
"Yeah, you know, by keeping you busy so she could run away from the FBI," AJ replied as if this were common knowledge.
"You mean when Cam played all of those pranks?"
"Uh huh," the boy responded his focus now intensely taken up in the game.
The room had gotten very, very quiet and all eyes but AJ's were on Gibbs. One thing was certain from the look on the man's face, this was not going to bode well for the two in the kitchen.
TBC…