Disclaimer: Of course NCIS… characters… and such belong to the powers that be & not ME!!! Story created for purely entertainment value.
You know the drill… I haven't purchased the rights in the last 24 hours… I still don't own it!
Warning: THIS STORY will CONTAIN NON-SEXUAL SPANKING; ABORT THE MISSION… DO NOT READ… TURN BACK NOW IF THIS ISN'T YOUR THING.
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After recovering from the bone crushing hug his little sister had put him in for the fourth time that day Tony grabbed her chair and pulled it close to the bed where Kate was surrounded by clothes. When he attempted to kick his feet up she swatted at his legs.
"Take off the sneakers unless you'd like to spend all that hard earned money from Grandpa Jack on dry cleaning."
Removing said sneakers with great flair the college jock took a whiff then tried to wave them pass his sisters nostrils. Her response was another swat, as she pulled a face to show exactly how disgusted she was with him. Abby had disappeared into the closet and now reappeared in an outfit that was supposed to be for what Tony could only guess.
"So, why are we playing dress up?" Tony asked arms folder across his chest.
Katie slid off the opposite side of the bed and stepped on a downed Burt-the-Hippo. Farting noises escaped allowing Tony to make a big deal about the sound and non-existent smell he pretended came from his sister. The honeymoon was over and the torment had begun. Kate just rolled her eyes and Abby giggled.
"Okay Abs the skirt isn't terrible, but the shirt will not pass inspection. You have to go dressier."
"I gotta say I like the look Katie." Actually Tony could care less about the look really he just liked being contrary.
Turning back to her sister she gave a stage whispered reply. "You wanna listen to big foot or someone whose wardrobe doesn't usually get her sent back to her room to change?"
"Fine, pick another shirt. I'm not wearing Christmas colors."
"Alright, so I think I'm all caught up. You don't want to shop with mom again after the almost reveal of the tattoo, so you're shopping from the closet of the junior Junior Leaguer? Nice preemptive strike Abs."
Kate held up a satin printed blouse with red and white swirls. It was more business attire for when she worked in the Dean's office, but with the skirt and some jewelry she thought it could be dressed up enough to satisfy her mother.
Abby scowled and Tony shook his head back and forth. "What?" Kate asked annoyance lacing her tone.
"You really spent your own money on that? I mean you bought it of your own free will?"
Looking at her sister Kate pleaded with her eyes for Abigail Grace to MAKE this work. Taking the hint out of sheer exhaustion from the process Abby sighed in resignation to her fate saying, "I'll make it work. You got a problem with me making a few cuts?"
She was heading out her room when Kate went after her screaming, "YES! YES I DO HAVE A PROBLEM… ABBY…."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gibbs and Jack had been waiting to leave for the last half hour. After the third outfit the fashion stunted Gunny left his wife to her decisions for fear of having something else hurled at his head. You make one comment about a shirt seeming a little snug and all hell breaks loose. Deciding that two fingers of bourbon and Jack's incessant chatter was better than another wardrobe encounter with his wife Jethro Gibbs took off for friendlier surroundings. He'd already called out to his son and daughters twice. Oddly enough Kate ended up being the one closest to being ready. He would have to have another chat with his son. No boy should spend as much time fussing with his hair as his sisters.
"Leroy did you hear anything I just said."
"Was just waiting for a lull to respond," Gibbs sipped and smirked.
"So, what is going on?"
"Jen's fine dad we've just had a lot going on that's all. She's just distracted I guess."
"I love that daughter-in-law of mine, but she's a damn sight more than distracted. She put a tablespoon of salt in her coffee this morning."
Tossing back his drink Gibbs stood up and exited his study putting a definite end to the conversation. Calling up the stairs, "If you three are not down here in the next 60-seconds there will be hell to pay."
Each displaying their own style and sense of holiday cheer the three Gibbs children came down the stairs full of merriment the last few weeks no longer weighing them down in one way or another.
"Now, if those aren't two of the most gorgeous creatures I ever did set my eyes on." Jack started right in.
"Aw, come on Grandpa Jack Kate looks pretty good too. Ow!"
A scowl from below put an apology on her lips. "Ooops, sorry. You know this tennis elbow causes the strangest spasms."
"Well, get on down here so I can put the prettiest things on my arm."
Abby loved Grandpa Jack for this exact reason. He seemed to embrace her constant quest for individuality. Her dad didn't embrace it, but at least he didn't verbalize his judgment of it.
"Is that a mom approved look Abs?" That was her dad's only question.
"It'll pass dad trust me."
Kate herself was wearing an adorable wrap dress in red with patent leather boots that gave her a very youthful Mrs. Claus look. Tony had opted to do the sweater with a blazer look since both his dad and granddad went with the tie and dress shirt. Abby's look was a combination of looks. She wore her black three tiered ruffle skirt (length yet to be debated with her mother), Tony's snazzy suspenders hanging down, Kate's top with a corset like top over it and on her feet platform lace-ups with red and white ankle socks (lace peeking over the edges). She went with four knots atop her head in place of the two pigtails she normally sported. Gibbs seriously believed the conversation with his wife could go either way. He wasn't anxious to start any version of it.
Tossing the keys to his son, "Tony take my truck and head on out with Jack and your sisters."
"Dad, this is not a truck look I'm sporting here. I should really be driving my car." If looks could kill they would be heading to a memorial and not a Christmas party. His son had read it exactly the way it was intended. "Truck sounds perfect dad. Alright, you heard the man let's pile in."
As the door closed behind them Leroy Jethro Gibbs took the steps two at a time to figure out what was wrong and keeping his wife.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Jen," he called as he gently opened the closed door.
"Jenny what the hell is going on? Look I sent Jack and the kids ahead." He could hear the sniffling from the other side of the door. His wife wasn't a crier.
"Jennifer Shepard-Gibbs open this door right now or I'm kicking it in." Being tough usually got results… never from his wife, but he didn't see his other options. Slowly the door crept open and his puffy eyed bride appeared.
She was angry with herself and with him and she wasn't sure why on either counts. The fact that she'd gotten the test back saying she wasn't pregnant was supposed to be good news yet she felt like she'd lost something she never even wanted. Jenny was also carrying around a lot of guilt for not telling Jethro what was going on with her. Actually she was feeling most guilty about the negative thoughts she was having during the entire week she thought she might be pregnant. Of course she was being ridiculous about the whole stupid thing, but it didn't stop her from being emotional about it.
Pushing away from his protective arms Jenny literally sucked it in and up. "I'm fine Jethro. It's just been an emotional week is all. You sent Jack with kids? What was Abby wearing? I swear if that crazy old lady starts in tonight I cannot be responsible for what I might say to her."
"She looked great and Jack will keep Victoria plenty occupied tonight." He kept staring at her as she reapplied her make-up. Her green satin blouse setting off her flaming red tendrils.
Laughing Jen added "between the two of them and Ducky it'll be a miracle if anyone else gets a word in edgewise."
"We gonna keep pretending Jen?"
"Jethro, it's nothing I promise. I was just… who knows."
"I guessing you know so talk to me Jen."
Turning around she let it spill from her without pausing for breath fearing if she stopped she wouldn't know how to start again. "I thought I was pregnant. I'm not it's just a moderate case of hypoglycemia. The doctor is running test and will get me on a plan. This is not a big deal and I don't want it ruining our evening. I mean it!"
"Should I be worried Jen," her attentive husband asked.
What a control freak she was being Jen thought. She wanted some sort of control, but knew not being straight with him wasn't fair either. Walking over to their bed Jen took off her shoes and climbed up to sit across from her husband. Taking one of his hands she needed to anchor herself to him to take this journey on the train of truth.
"Jethro I thought I might've been pregnant. I wasn't even handling the possibilities of that well. My thoughts were negative and even though the symptoms seemed to get worse I refused to deal with it or tell you. I am so sorry." Gibbs made to interrupt but was stopped. "I was worried about work, Mike's reaction, your reaction, the kids… I just needed to shelve it for a little while. Strange thing is when Dr. Hayden told me I wasn't I felt bad about that too."
"And now… how do you feel now Jen?"
"I hope this doesn't hurt you, but I am glad I'm not pregnant. We have three wonderful kids, but I don't want to start all over again."
Reaching over to kiss her forehead Leroy Jethro Gibbs, man of few words, conveyed his feelings about everything in one sentence. "No more secrets Jen."
Smiling she hopped off the bed feeling lighter and padded down the hallway after him with her shoes in her hands."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Night Before Departure
Abby was curled up on one half of the soft brown sofa with Kate in front of her on the floor wrapped in a blanket. She was always cold. Abby was enveloped in her father's jumbo NIS sweatshirt. Tony was supposed to be putting in the movie. Both agents Gibbs were in the kitchen making popcorn and hot chocolate (coffee of course for Jethro).
Kate and Tony were taking off for school in the morning. Abby would start at the local prep school in a couple of days. Jenny wouldn't even entertain the thought of public school in DC, so it was one of the local private prep school, or back to Hilton. After the trip back for the great apology Abby had a feeling her reception back wouldn't be that warm hence the reason she acquiesced to Allenington Prep with little to no protest. At least she'd be able to hang out with her own friends on the weekends.
Tony was headed back to Ohio with a promise to find and keep a job. He also agreed to meet with some of the career counselors on campus. Ash was picking Kate up for the drive back to Georgetown and to help her with the move to her new dorm. Gibbs suspected he volunteered because it would be one of the last times he'd get anywhere beyond the lobby which suited the suspicious father just fine.
Jenny was put on a regiment for her hypoglycemia making sure not to go too long between meals. She and Gibbs also discussed permanent ways to make sure there weren't anymore pregnancy scares. No decisions had been yet, but they were in talks. Gibbs had said only two words to Mike when he checked in earlier in the week… 'She's not.' Things on the team immediately went back to normal.
"Tony I am not watching that again."
"Come on T-man seriously we've seen it at least once a week since you've been home."
"Abs I've only been home like a week and a half."
"Um, must just seem longer." Kate said as she jumped up to snatch the remote from her brother's hand.
"Ah, ah, ah Katie now play nice." Tossing it to Abby he reached out to block his other sister's advance.
They both dove for the sofa. Abby squealed as they came down on top of her. There was tickling, laughter, shrieks of one decibel or another and far too much wrestling in the heirloom filled space. Flinging her hand back the remote still in Abby's hand collided with the lamp shade making it wobble a bit.
The piercing whistle caused them all to pause where they were. "I can promise you if you break anything car rides tomorrow will be highly unpleasant."
Bodies slowly returned to appropriate postures on the furniture and floor. Abby extending her arm to give the remote control to her mother since her father was carrying the tray. Tony was sitting on the ottoman to his dad's chair while Jenny sat next to Abby on the sofa.
Putting the tray down Gibbs asked, "Did someone put the movie in?"
"Yes I did." Tony replied.
"Dad he put in The Fugitive… again." Kate was whining but her brother's behavior always mad her resort to that when they were each trying to get their own way.
"It's a classic. Come on who doesn't like Tommy Lee Jones in this flick. You know I almost have the speech down."
"Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades." Gibbs rattled off.
Jenny put a stop to it all. "Tony won Kate he gets to pick. Just make sure this goes back with you to Ohio son. Pretty soon we'll all be able to recite that speech."
Turning off the lights they watched the opening scene and settled in for the movie. Gibbs took his eyes from the screen for a moment taking in the picture before him of his family. Abby with her whip cream mustache, Jenny resting her head on the arm extended across the back of the sofa, Kate trying to toss scowling looks at her brother only to crack up because of the faces he made back and Tony, never too old for a snuggle, had slid the ottoman close enough to the sofa to rest his head against his mother's lap. Running his hands through his hair, sipping on his coffee Gibbs settled in to watch the hunt for the one armed man comfortable in the fact, as he looked at the people he loved most, that he had found everything he'd ever need.