Join the Club

An NCIS Story

by Rox Rolls (MAHC)

Chapter 1: Earmarked

Jack Sloane sighed happily and smiled across the table at her daughter. It still amazed her that Faith had not only accepted her and forgiven her for perceived rejection, but had ultimately shown compassion about the way she was conceived and what Jack had to go through. Not one to use the term "blessing" often, Jack nevertheless saw their relationship as one she would never take for granted. And now, she had been blessed not only to have the chance to be a mother – in a way – to Faith, but also to be a grandmother to the most beautiful and perfect blonde-headed little boy she had ever seen.

She could not have imagined five years ago that her life could seem so complete…or at least almost complete. But that "almost" was something that would never be resolved, so she worked every day not to let the 'what-if" that lingered in her mind – in her heart – overshadow what she had.

"Thanks for meeting me on short notice," Faith said, her smile so familiar.

"Are you kidding? You made my day! All I had to look forward to was case files and a leftover turkey wrap." They had mutually chosen Little Pete's, their favorite diner in the Philly neighborhood of Fairmount where Faith and her husband had recently moved.

Ever since her return from Afghanistan, Jack had struggled to find balance between relief from the constant, heart-pounding danger she had left and the monotonous, boring safety she had come to. It was a no-brainer to settle – at least temporarily – in Philly, and now her highlight of any week was getting to see Little Jack, along with Faith and her husband, of course.

Her daughter looked at her with misty eyes and reached over their half-finished plates of the special – corned beef, cole slaw, and Russian dressing on rye – to squeeze Jack's hand tightly.

Worry darted through Jack's mind. "What is it? Are you o – "

But Faith's smile quickly reassured her. "I just wanted to thank you. It's hard to express how incredible – I mean, you really didn't have to, but, well – " She laughed and shook her head. "I can't tell you how much what you did means to us."

For a moment, Jack mentally thumbed through a number of things she had done that could have prompted this emotional reaction. She had bought several baby items for Little Jack and had helped out with meals after Faith's mom had left from her two-week stay when the baby was born. Otherwise, she couldn't imagine anything that would merit Faith's teary gratitude.

With a bemused smile, she squeezed back and shook her head. "Well, you're welcome, but…to tell you the truth, I'm not sure what you are talking about."

Faith chuckled and lifted a finger to wave. "I know it was you. Had to be you."

Confusion clouded Jack's brain further, as she prompted, "What had to be me?"

Giving her birth mother a "duh" expression, Faith said, "The ten thousand dollars in my bank account, of course! Earmarked for Little Jack's college fund?"

Jack stared at her.

"I mean, it's already incredibly generous, but by the time he gets college age, the interest will have gained enough to cover just about anywhere he want to – "s

"Faith," she interrupted, finally finding her voice, "I – I didn't. I wish I had, but it – it wasn't me."

The smile froze on her daughter's pretty face, and Jack was really wishing she had been the one to do that.

"But, what an amazing gift!" she continued. "It must have been your parents."

Faith shook her head, her eyes shifting to the side in contemplation as she sat back in her chair. "No. I asked them first. They said they didn't." Looking back at Jack, she said, "If they didn't, and you didn't…?"

"Maybe your husband's parents?" Jack suggested.

"They died when he was in college."

Jack had not known that and made a mental note to do a better job of getting to know her son-in-law. "Other relatives?" She tried for a little levity. "You have a rich uncle anywhere?"

It worked, bringing a smile to Faith's lips. "I just can't imagine who…I mean, who would do that for someone's child that wasn't theirs or at least their grandchild?"

Squinting in thought, Jack ran through a brainstorm of possibilities. "I don't know. Do you have a relative without heirs? Maybe someone who didn't have a child to – " She froze, her heart jerking. 'Oh, my God."

Faith's eyes widened, and she leaned forward. "What? What is it? You think you know who did this?"

Jack's mind told her it couldn't be. Her heart told her it was.

TBC