Sorry for the long wait. School started up again and my life has gotten exceedingly busy over the last few weeks. On top of that I'm still recovering from ACL surgery and I decided it wouldn't necessarily be a good idea to write while I was high on medication. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter.

Stef's POV

"Just say it." Callie's voice was emotionless and her expression matched. "Whatever it is, just say it. And don't you dare sugar coat it." She stood completely still. Almost like her feet had been cemented to the ground.

"Well, we reviewed the security cameras with the local police department. Luckily everything that the students have told us and what you and your brother have been saying match up to what the tapes are showing us. You acted in self-defense and in the defense of others. The DA is going to look at all of the evidence but she has already been in contact with Director Vance. She doesn't plan on bringing any charges against you or Jude." Gibbs smiled weakly. We all knew that there was more to be said.

"But…?" Callie was growing impatient. I touched her arm to urge her to be remain calm.

"But… Director Vance has some concerns. He thinks that trouble seems to follow you. He believes that, for the time being, it will be detrimental for you to continue working at NCIS. I'm sorry, Cal. But he put in your paperwork for termination." His eyes fell to the floor clearly upset by the news he had to deliver.

Callie remained stoic. Her jaw clenched and her eyes flared with rage, but she did not breakdown or act out in anger, even though she had a good reason to.

"You are always welcome to come by, Callie. We want to remain in your life and we want you to remain in ours. You're a part of the family." Ziva cupped Callie's hand in her own, but Callie retracted it immediately.

"I'm going to go upstairs and get some blankets for everyone." She turned on her heel and disappeared up the dark stairs.

"Stef, we're so sorry. Vance said he would reevaluate in a year. But for right now it just isn't going to work. If she needs letters of recommendation, we would all be happy to write a book for her." DiNozzo stepped forward with a look of genuine sorrow on his face. "We really love that girl."

I wiped a tear away before it had a chance to fall. "I'd like to say it's okay, but I just can't right now. I know that your director is doing what he believes is best for the agency, but this was good for her. She really felt like she was going to make a difference. And we are so thankful to all of you for everything you've done for her. You have made such a huge impact on her."

"Cocoa is ready!" Lena's voice called from the kitchen. We all shared sad smiles and filed into the slightly warmer kitchen. The kids, save Callie, came down soon after with loads of blankets, sweaters, and pillows. Everyone gladly excepted the extra layers and savored the warm drinks.

DiNozzo glanced around the room looking for his son. "Where are Jude and Connor?"

"They were upstairs talking when we came down." Jesus chugged his hot chocolate and filled it back up immediately.

"Well, at least they're talking again." Tony inhaled the sweet smell of the cocoa and was completely oblivious to the worried looks he was receiving.

"What does that mean? Were they fighting?" Lena's face grew concerned.

"Connor said that he and Jude had a minor falling out a little while ago. They apparently didn't talk for a few days. Connor wasn't exactly sure what happened." Tony looked genuinely blindsided. "I figured Jude would have talked to the two of you about it."

The room quickly fell silent, concerned for the two youngest members of our troupe upstairs.

"I should go check on them." Lena set her cup down but I grabbed her hand to stop her.

"We should let them try and work it out. If they need something one of them will come get one of us." I rubbed her hand gently to try and calm her nerves. "Jesus, B; why don't the two of you go find the air mattresses. We're going to have a full house tonight and it would be nice if everyone were comfortable."

The boys nodded and slowly climbed the stairs.

"We don't have to stay. We really wouldn't want to put you out." Ducky shook his head. The entire team was worried that we would be inconvenienced by their overnight presence.

"You are absolutely staying. It would worry us sick if you tried to drive in this blizzard." Lena put the conversation to rest and the room became silent once again.

Jude's POV

After mom asked to get the blankets I soon realized that Jesus wasn't the only company I had in my room. I turned around and saw Connor awkwardly standing in the doorway.

"Dude, you can come in if you want." Jesus invited him in and he slowly walked to my desk and sat in my chair.

We remained silent while Jesus and I gathered blankets and warm clothes.

"Cocoa is ready!" Mama's voice rang up the stairs and filled the awkward stillness that was between us.

"Okay, well I'm going to go down and hand these out. You guys coming?" Jesus peaked over the mountain of blankets in his arms waiting for our response.

I glanced over at Connor and his eyes pleaded with me. "We're going to stay up here and talk for a little bit."

Jesus left without another word leaving Connor and me to the conversation that I had been avoiding.

"Jude, I'm sorry if I caught you off guard the other day. I know that I just threw it out there but it was killing me to keep it inside." Connor stood up from my desk and took a step towards me but I retreated closer to my bed. "Have I done something that made you uncomfortable?"

I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. "Connor, it's not you. You are so great and I really like you too. But, I have so many demons in my closet. My life is so screwed up and I'm most likely going to get arrested for what happened today." I sat on my bed and hung my head in my hands. "I don't want you getting mixed up in this disaster."

"No! You don't get to do that!" Connor became angry. "I get to decide if your life is too much for me. And I can tell you right now that it isn't. My dad has been a cop for my entire life. I know what danger is. Hell, I've lived through my fair share of it." His face softened and he knelt in front of me. "Jude, I've never had a connection to anyone like I do to you. You make me smile. And for the first time in a long time the smile is real and it isn't forced."

I looked up to this boy who I had only known for a short while and knew he was telling me the truth. I felt the connection too but I was too afraid to do anything about it.

"Connor, I have to tell you something. It isn't going to be easy for you to hear but if you want this to progress then it is only fair for you to be aware of this." I took a deep breath and curled in on myself. "The night that you and Tony found me… I wasn't mugged. I know that's what I told you, but I was too embarrassed to tell you the truth. I was… I was raped that night." A tear sped down my cheek and stopped on my chin.

Connor remained silent. Fear, anger, and sadness flashed in his eyes like lightning. "Who did that to you? I'm going to find that son of a bitch and shove my foot down this throat." He jumped to his feet and started pacing the floor.

I was surprised by his immediate anger. We really didn't know each other that well but his fury over my attack was surprisingly comforting. "Connor, just sit down." I grabbed his wrist and pulled him to my bed. "Just listen to me. I don't want to give specifics because it's still just too painful, but I'll try to answer any questions you have."

Connor seemed to calm down a bit and was finally regaining his composure. "What's happening to him? They arrested him, right?"

My heart sank to my stomach. "No, he wasn't arrested. He fled to France which is non-extraditable. They can't deport him back to the United States. But if he leaves France any time in the next five years he'll be arrested." A tear slipped down my face and rested on the bow of my lip.

"Jude… I-I'm so sorry that that happened to you. I hate that you're hurting. What can I do to make it better?" Connor's voice was soothing. All I wanted to do was cry with this boy that I had only known for a short period of time.

I smiled sadly. "I want whatever we have to grow. I want to know you, the good and the bad. I want you to become a bigger part of my life. But I want to take it slow. I know you have feelings for me and I do for you too. I want to be more than friends with you, but I don't think we should jump right into a relationship. Can we do that?"

Connor looked up at me with wet hazel eyes. "Nothing would make me happier."