Out of habit, Gibbs woke up at 0700 even though it was Sunday. He rubbed a hand over his face and a glimmer of a smile crept over his face as he realized he'd have slight trouble getting out of bed. Jenny's head was resting on his chest, and she was using him as a body pillow. His fingers found her red locks, playing in her hair before kissing her head. "Jenny," he whispered.
She murmured in her sleep and moved her head onto his shoulder, keeping her green eyes shut.
"Want coffee?"
"I want sleep."
"Coffee's better."
"Not when I want to sleep late," she muttered and rolled over, settling herself onto her side of the bed.
Her husband smirked and slipped out of bed, throwing on a well worn NIS t-shirt. In two hours, he'd come back into the bedroom and get her out of bed whether she liked it or not. He padded into the bathroom for his morning routine then down the stairs. His first stop would be to get the paper from the doorstep, and the second stop would be into the kitchen for coffee. Despite the cold weather, the final stop would be on the back patio to read the paper and enjoy the noises of the morning. He opened the front door and furrowed his brows. In a small heap and curled into a tight ball, Katie was asleep on the steps. He shook his head and bent down. "Katharine," he said sharply.
Katie's eyes jerked open. The morning light didn't help the pounding of her head. "Oh God," she muttered.
"Should I even ask?"
"What?" she asked, sitting up and putting a hand to her head. She was quickly learning that being hungover was nothing to brag about to your peers or parents especially the latter.
"C'mon," her father spoke gently as he grabbed under her arm and pulled her up. Gravity wasn't her friend, and she felt woozy on her feet.
"Daddy."
"I gotcha." In seconds, his arm was around her waist tightly. She leaned against him and closed her eyes as he took her into the warmth of the house. In the kitchen, he sat her down and put a glass of water in front of her along with two aspirin. "You'll need those."
"Thanks." Katie popped the aspirin into her mouth and took a drink of water.
"Did you learn anything?" he asked, sitting down across from her and sipping his coffee.
"I don't have a tolerance for bourbon." Next time, she would rethink going out with the guys and drinking what they drank.
"It'll grow on ya."
She smirked and looked at him in all seriousness. "Don't think so. I'm going to crash."
"I think your bed would be a better place than the doorstep."
Katie mildly glared at him, but he was right. Her father was almost always right. She shook her head and walked out of the kitchen only to reappear moments later. "Daddy?"
He looked up from his coffee cup. "Yeah?"
"Mind if we keep this between us?"
"If that's what you want." He watched her walk away from him, letting her think she was in the clear. "Katie, I want answers later."
She winced at the thought of an interrogation from him especially when she was fighting a hangover. The only positive aspect was not getting the third degree from both parents. Gibbs chuckled as he stood up and walked to the front door to retrieve the paper, hoping he wouldn't find Lizzie on the doorstep. He tucked the paper under his arm and adjusted the bottom of his flannel pajama pants as he walked to the patio. He sat down and took a sip of his coffee. If Lizzie hadn't gone out with Katie, she had other plans. Plans with that boyfriend he knew nothing about. He threw the paper onto the table and was in the master bedroom minutes later, poking Jen in her side.
Jen groaned and smacked his hand. "Jethro!"
He continued poking her in the side like a five year old begging for his mother's attention. She opened one eye with a murderous look coming over her features. "If you intend to keep that hand and those fingers, I suggest stopping."
"Jen, this is serious."
She mumbled under her breath and sat up, drawing her knees to her chest. "What?"
"If Katie didn't have plans with Lizzie, that means Lizzie had plans with that damned boyfriend."
"Is this really why you woke me up?"
He nodded his head. "Katie is here...in her bed! She didn't go back to the apartment."
Jen stared at her husband. Was he really a NCIS agent? A child could put that together. "Your point, Jethro."
"Katie didn't go back to the apartment because she knew she'd be interrupting. That bastard has deflowered my little girl!"
She buried her head into her knees and stifled laughter. Jethro would believe Elizabeth was a virgin. Slowly, she lifted her head up and leaned over, holding her husband's wrist and looking into his eyes. "Honey, I hate to tell you this...but Lizzie hasn't been a virgin for quite some time now."
"WHAT!" His blue eyes intensified. "Some other bastard deflowered my little girl? Who, Jen? Who did it? I'll hunt him down."
"JETHRO! She was eighteen for God's sake! Calm down!" She shook her head, mumbling and burying herself under the covers.
"Jenny!"
She felt like hitting him over the head with the lamp or calling Ducky for a bottle of Xanax to spike her husband's coffee. It was going to be a long day until he met Lizzie's boyfriend. She heaved a sigh and looked at her husband. "Jethro, there are some things that a daughter does not feel comfortable talking with her father about. Also, I don't think you would have been comfortable if Lizzie or Katie had come to you about their first time."
"Katie isn't a virgin!?"
"No, Jethro. Go downstairs, drink another cup of coffee, and calm down. Do not wake me up unless the house is on fire."
He mumbled and removed himself from the bed, trudging out of the bedroom. "Leroy Jethro Gibbs, stop pouting!" Jen warned as she fluffed her pillow. Jethro only grumbled and walked downstairs to sulk and wait impatiently. Today would be his day of waiting. He had to wait for his wife to get out of bed. If he woke her up a third time, Jenny might send a stiletto to his head. He had to wait for dinner. He had to wait to meet Lizzie's boy toy. Patience had never been one of his virtues. At least, Cooper kept him company while waiting for Jenny to start her day.
To get him out of the house and to not wear a hole through her favorite rug, his wife dragged him out of the house to go grocery shopping. He was not a help in the grocery store at all. She decided to change the menu to give Jethro something to focus on. Instead of lasagna, dinner would be steaks. Jen didn't care if he froze to death grilling steaks in November. As long as he stopped asking her what time Lizzie would be getting to dinner and a million other questions, she might have peace until then she would continue counting to ten. Jethro wouldn't die by her hand considering he decided to work on the boat. In silence, Jen was enjoying a cup of coffee in the kitchen when she heard a loud clattering from the stairs. Cooper lifted his head and perked his ears forward, immediately seeking out the cause of the disturbance.
Katie entered the kitchen and plopped down next to her mother, taking her cup of coffee. Jen smirked and shook her head. "I didn't hear you come in last night."
"I didn't come in."
Her mother raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't make it beyond the steps."
"In that case, I hope you don't catch pneumonia."
"That's all you're going to say?"
"No," she replied nonchalantly. "I also hope you learned a valuable lesson."
"Mom, are you feeling okay?"
"Katharine, you're twenty-one years old. Some things you aren't going to take my word for...you are going to have to live and learn."
Katie cleared her throat and gently put her hand to her mom's forehead. Jen laughed and pushed her daughter's hand away. "I'm serious, sweetheart. If I had told you that a hangover was not something you ever wanted, would you have believed me without finding out for yourself?"
"Probably not."
"Exactly."
Katie was unsure of what to think about her mother's new parenting philosophy. She didn't dislike it, but she would need time to get used to it. At the moment, Katie wasn't going to analyze. She took the offer of a roast beef sandwich willingly and let Jen mother her. Thanks to Lizzie, Jen realized her girls had grown up. As much as she wanted, she couldn't keep them under her thumb. After lunch and a shower, Katie felt better but still not 100%. She called her father at 1500 to let him know he needed to be home by 1600. Dinner was at 1800, but Lizzie was coming around 1700.
As soon as Gibbs entered the house, Jen ushered him up the stairs to take a shower and get dressed. "Why do I have to shower? I'm clean."
"Jethro, you've been working on that boat. You need to shower and change into the clothes on the bed."
"You picked out my clothes?"
"Jethro!"
"Okay, I'll change into the clothes you picked out."
She grabbed his wrist, and he looked at her. "Jethro," she said softly and stood in front of him, resting her hands on his chest. "Don't make this difficult. Lizzie's nervous about your reaction. I'd like for you to be on your best behavior. Please."
He sighed softly and nodded, kissing his wife's forehead. "I'll be a good boy."
"Thank you. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Now, go shower." She watched him walk up the stairs and hoped he would be on his best behavior. Her husband's intentions could go out the window when he learned the identity of the boyfriend.
In the car, Lizzie fidgeted with her ring and glanced over at Tony. He smiled at her. He felt like his heart was going to explode out of his chest. He was driving to meet the grim reaper, and the grim reaper was named Gibbs. He was so nervous he couldn't think of a movie reference. At a red light, Lizzie leaned over and kissed his cheek, slipping her hand into his and squeezing gently. "Relax."
"Easier said than done, Liz."
"There is a silver lining, Tony."
"And what would that be?"
"I'm sure mom has threatened him within a centimeter of his life if he isn't on his best behavior. Daddy takes her threats seriously."
Tony nodded his head, slightly comforted as he pressed the gas. Closer to the Georgetown home, Lizzie fished her cell phone out of her purse. "Where's daddy?"
Katie walked into the study and flopped into the leather chair in front of the fireplace. "He's freezing his ass off grilling the steaks."
"We'll be at the house in about ten minutes. Answer the door."
"Got it. I'll tell mom to keep him distracted just in case."
Lizzie hung up the phone and instructed Tony on where he should park the car. She slipped into her coat and waited for Tony to open the door once the car was parked. Inside the house, Jen looked out the window from the bedroom and smiled. Katie was nearby the door, and Gibbs was unaware of the approaching guests. Before Tony could ring the doorbell, Katie opened the door. "Hey guys."
"Where's your car? I didn't see it."
"Long story...but can I get a ride home with you?"
Tony smirked. "Someone couldn't handle going out with the guys...could she? Ow!" He doubled over when Katie's elbow found his ribs. He hadn't been jabbed in the ribs like that since Kate years ago.
"Hey, play nicely!" Lizzie admonished both of them.
"She started it."
"You did!"
"Katharine," Jen reprimanded from the stairs. She walked down and smiled at Tony. "It won't be as bad as you think," she whispered as she hugged him. Lizzie smiled and glanced at Katie.
"Jenny! I need a plate! C'mon! Hurry up, Jen!" In his opinion, the steaks would be ruined if they remained on the grill any longer. Tony froze at the sound of his voice and swallowed hard. Jenny darted off to assist the grill master. She and Jethro entered the kitchen moments later. He rubbed his hands together and heard voices from the den.
"They here?"
She nodded her head. "They are. Got here about five minutes ago."
He waited for her to follow him into the den. He saw Lizzie and her boyfriend standing in front of the fireplace. Gibbs knew the back of that head anywhere and cleared his throat.
Lizzie turned around as did Tony. "Hey Daddy."
"Boss," Tony acknowledged him with a nervous smile.
"DiNozzo, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here for dinner."
He looked at Lizzie then to his wife. "That's her boyfriend? She's dating DiNozzo!?"
Before he started yelling more, Jen quickly pulled him out of the room and into the study. She closed the doors and braced herself for the conversation. "Let her rip."
"Anthony DiNozzo!? That's who she's been dating? Jen, he's not right for her!"
"How would you know what's right and not right for her?"
"I'm her father! He isn't right! He chases any skirt that he sees!"
"And so did you!"
He stopped and stared at her. "What?"
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Jethro, you and Tony are so much alike."
He scoffed, rolling his eyes to the side and glaring. "We are not alike."
"Yes. Don't tell me you've forgotten your reputation."
"Jen, you need to start making sense."
"You were known for chasing leggy redheads."
"And I chased you."
"Before me, you chased Diane, Stephanie," she paused as he winced. "I don't need to keep going...do I?"
He shook his head.
"Jethro, you found me, and you were done chasing. Lizzie is in love with Tony. Tony is in love with her. They look at each other like we do. Now, you are going to go out there and be happy for your daughter," she told him, walking to the doors of the study.
"Jen?"
"What? she asked, turning around on her heels.
"Does he really look at her the way I look at you?"
"You'll see for yourself."
Jethro nodded his head and pushed himself off the desk, following behind his wife. Both of them slowly approached the study and peeked in. Lizzie was sitting in Tony's lap and talking quietly, but he could hear the conversation.
Tony rubbed her back in circles. "Is that the fireplace?"
Lizzie nodded her head. "That's the one."
He traced the scar on the side of her wrist and picked up her hand, kissing the place lightly.
She laughed softly. "It happened when I was four. It doesn't hurt anymore."
Tony shrugged. "What if I wanted an excuse to kiss you?"
"You never need an excuse to kiss me. You can always kiss me."
Her parents knew what scar they were talking about. Lizzie's grandmother's cat had ran under her feet and tripped her, and Lizzie fell in front of the fireplace. The reminder of that accident was the scar from the hearth and glass when she took the tumble. Jethro swallowed slightly and looked at Jenny. She smiled and nodded her head. His wife was right. Tony was in love with his daughter. For Lizzie's happiness, he would have no choice to accept, but acceptance wouldn't stop him from threatening DiNozzo's life if he hurt his little girl.
Katie approaching shook her parents out of watching the couple. She popped two tylenol and swallowed them. "When are we going to eat? I'm hungry."
Gibbs laughed. "Go set the table."
She nodded her head and disappeared to the dining room. Jen and Jethro entered the den and smiled at Lizzie and Tony. "Katie's setting the table, so we'll eat soon."
Lizzie slid out of her boyfriend's lap and looked at her father. "You okay?"
He nodded his head. "As long as you're happy."
"I am," she answered, returning a smile to him and glancing back at Tony.
He hugged her and kissed the side of her head, whispering that he loved her.
Jen let out a sigh of relief. She and Lizzie walked out of the den. Tony stood up and looked at Gibbs as he stepped closer to him. The older man looked him in the eyes and leaned in close to his ear. "DiNozzo, Lizzie's my little girl. One of the parts that makes up my whole world. If you hurt her, I will find a spot for a sniper's nest and wait for the perfect moment to kill you." Gibbs grinned and slapped him on the back. "Let's go eat," he said, walking out of the room.