Jethro took another long sip of his beer. Tony was cozied up next to him holding Victoria nibbling at one of the chocolate, triple chocolate chip cookies Breena had made. McGee and Palmer were working on Tony's TV. They had liberated Tony's large flat screen from the garage and had placed it on a table. McGee was hooking his laptop up to it while Palmer ran one of Gibbs' long power cords from the basement. Since it was so nice, the family had decided to watch the Memorial Day Concert around the patio fire.

Zuma squirmed tucking Rocky in against Jethro and he stroked the pup's head as Zuma cuddled his toy. Jethro smirked. If anyone had told him two months ago that he would be sitting on the patio with his husband and their extended family getting ready to watch a concert, he'd have called for a psych consult, yet here they were sitting around the fire.

Late in the afternoon, the family had started gathering. Abby, of course, bounced in first and threw herself into decorating the patio in red, white and blue bunting. Tony and Jackson put the finishing touches to the side dishes. When McGee arrived, he was drafted into helping arrange the chairs and set up tables she had borrowed from the church. By the time Ducky and the Palmers arrived, the backyard had taken on a festive atmosphere. Breena opted to help in the kitchen while Palmer lit the torches he had brought to drive away the insects.

Jethro had watched in amazement has the yard was transformed. With skill he had built up a large bed of coals and had started cooking a variety of steak, burgers, veggie burgers and Tony had served a variety of side dishes. Rather than sit around in groups, the family had sit down at a long table. They had eaten family style with platters making circles and zigzags around the table. Nearby Zuma had chewed on his leather bone and watched over Victoria who kept cooing at him.

Now everyone had drifted to the patio where large tubs of ice get sodas and beer cold. A tray of cookies sat on a patio tray in easy reach. Conversation was languid but comfortable; everyone enjoying the sensation of filling stuffed by the food and the deserts Breena had insisted on providing. Jethro couldn't believe how right it felt.

Abby's squeal of delight caused Zuma to lift his head and snarl. Jethro patted him. The pup had had a long day. He noticed that McGee now had a picture on the TV, which had evidently been the reason for the squeal.

Tony had soothed Victoria. "Hey, Abs. Sleeping babes here."

"Sorry!" Abs clapped her hand over her mouth. She pointed apologetically to the ice bins and brought Tony another soda and Jethro another beer in an act of contrition. "Turn it up, McGee."

"It hasn't started yet."

"I want to see the news. They always cover the monuments on the mall and Rolling Thunder." Abby insisted.

"This is Debra Alfarone. Tonight, I am not reporting live from Arlington or the mall as usual on Memorial Day. While the Memorial Day was established to honor those who died while serving in the Armed Forces, many people also use this day to remember others that have been lost. This year, I'm here at the four hundred block of E street, northwest. Many people I'm sure aren't very familiar with that address for it isn't as prominently featured like the military monuments and cemeteries."

Tony looked at Jethro with a panicked look. Jethro shook his head slightly. It was coincidence, he thought, totally ignoring rule 39.

Debra motioned to her cameraman who pulled back showing the entrance. "This is The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors the many federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people. Earlier today, for this year, someone made sure that they were all remembered."

"This is Tish McReynolds, of Tish's Wishes a flower shop in Georgetown. Tish usually sets up a portable stand here for people wishing to buy flowers for on the memorial. Thanks for talking with us, Tish."

"It's my honor."

Tony was horrified. He couldn't believe it. It was the lady from the flower wagon. His free hand scrambled to grasp Jethro's knee."

"I understand this monument was the site of … let's say 'a blessing' here today. Could you tell us about it?"

Tish looked nervously at the camera before focusing on Debra. "I set up my stand this morning, like normal. It was around mid-morning when a gentleman stopped and purchased two bouquets of roses; one red and one peach. He said the red were for his sister and the peach a friend. I watched as he and two other gentleman entered the memorial. I remember he was pushing a stroller because he laid the flowers carefully on top. They went about a third of the way down the side and they stopped."

"I didn't mean to watch but you could see how sad they were. He knelt down and placed the red roses while the other men watched. I figured the elder gentlemen must have been her father and the other two her brothers. I see things like this a lot."

"I'm sure you do. Can you tell our viewers what happened next?"

"The two younger men came back to my stand. They told me that they wanted to buy every flower I had. I thought they were nuts." Tish admitted ruefully. "I didn't believe him until the younger gentleman wrote me a check and pulled up his bank balance, then he handed me a credit card and brought up his limit on his cell phone."

"So the two men bought every flower you had with you."

"Yes. They said they wanted to lay flowers for everyone. I told him that we didn't have enough and he asked if I could get more. So, I called back to the shop and they grabbed all we had in the cooler. I closed the shop and started helping them distribute them."

"They bought flowers for every foot of the wall?"

"If they had didn't have flowers already, yes."

"I talked to staff at in visitors center and found that the memorial has three hundred and four feet of wall. So they bought what a hundred bouquets?"

"Closer to two hundred and fifty, actually we had a couple left other. They asked if I would hand them out to the mothers along the wall."

"Amazing. How did you manage all of this?" Debra gestured and the camera showed the flowers lining the monument.

"Once the gentlemen and I started, other visitors came up to ask what was going on. When I explained, they pitched in."

"Do you know who they were?"

"Yes." Tish smiled. "I do."

"Who were these good Samaritans?"

"They asked that their names not be released and I promised I wouldn't."

"This sounds like a once in a lifetime experience."

"I thought it would be, but after they left other visitors kept coming up to me. People had tried to contribute and help pay the bill. The two men said no. They suggested that they contribute next year. After they left, a lot of people came up to me with cash, checks, so I plan to put it in a separate account and use it for next Memorial Day. These heroes will be remembered next year."

"If anyone wanted to donate, could they send it to you?"

Tish nodded. "I don't want anyone to feel that they have to, but if anyone is interested, I'll be happy for the help."

"Sounds like a very worthy cause." Debra smiled. "Since we've been working this story, the staff at the station who heard about what happened here today wanted to contribute. The station manager helped put it together and the station owner added to the total. I have here a check to help out next year."

Tish took the folded check opened it and her eyes opened in shock. "Are you serious?"

"Completely. We all want to ensure that these heroes are not forgotten."

Breena sniffed and dug a tissue from her pocket. "Can you imagine? What a wonderful thing to do."

McGee spoke up. "I stopped on the way over here. I saw all the flowers when I left some for Kate but I didn't know the story behind them."

"As did we, dear boy." Ducky said. "Jimmy offered to lay them for me this year."

"Shhh." Abby shushed them.

"I've spent several hours here this afternoon. Earlier I ran into a State Trooper Wesley Thomas who was here to lay flowers on his partner. He was part of the group that assisted in the magnanimous mission. He graciously agreed to be interviewed."

"Thank-you for agreeing to stick around for this live interview."

The trooper in full dress nodded formally. "My pleasure, ma'am."

"Now you are a trooper in Pennsylvania is that correct."

"Yes, ma'am. I'm out of the Lewistown barracks."

"You came all the way to Washington to see this memorial."

"Yes, ma'am. My partner's name was added this April and I couldn't be here."

"Your partner was Trooper First Class Edward Belling, is that right?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I know this is hard for you, but if you will bear with me, I'd like to bring the viewers up to speed." The camera focused on Debra. "Trooper Belling and Trooper Thomas were both shot during a traffic stop in late March. At the time of the dedication, Trooper Thomas was still hospitalized for injuries sustained in the stop."

"When I talked to you earlier, you mentioned that you wanted to help the men who were here earlier."

"Yes, ma'am. I know that some people don't hold us on the same level as the military but we're out there fighting, too. These men were showing such respect, I wanted to be part of that."

"Do you know who these men were?"

"No, ma'am."

"Thank-you for your service and dedication, Trooper Thomas."

Debra became the focus of the camera again. "We talked with several people but no one could give us the names of these two good Samaritans. We did however find a person who had captured a photo has this occurring." A still photo appeared. "The gentleman here by the stroller was with the two gentlemen who purchased the flowers. You can just see them in the background here. Gentlemen, I can't reveal your names and I'm not sure I would if I could, but tonight for myself and the families of this brave heroes, I say thank-you for remembering."

McGee turned to look from the still photo to Tony. "That looks like the stroller I got for Zuma."

"That was Grandpa Gibbs at the stroller, wasn't it?" Abby demanded.

Tony and Jethro exchanged looks of resignation before Tony ruefully admitted. "It was us."

"What a wonderful gesture. Kate would be so proud of both of you."

"Actually, neither Jethro or I can take the credit."

"Grandpa…"

"Not my idea either, Abby."

"Then… who?"

Jethro motioned towards the snoozing Zuma who was cuddling Rocky. "It was actually Zuma's idea. Most of what the report said is true. We stopped by the stand and Tony bought some red roses for Kate and some peach for Cassidy."

"Red for love and courage." Abby whispered. "Peach for thank-you."

"Exactly. We walked along until we came to Kate's name. I sat Zuma down on the ground and Tony knelt to put the flowers down." Jethro drifted in to the memory, drawing their family in with him.

"These are for Aunt Kate." Tony laid flowers along the wall. "She would have loved you so much." He smiled sadly. Standing he reached out for Jethro who pulled him into a hug.

"She's still watching over us, you know."

"Her and Shannon and Kelly and Cassidy. I hate that so many of our family our watching over us."

"Me, too."

"I miss her. Some of those pranks." Tony looked down and happened to see Zuma trying to steal one of Kate's rose. "No, Zuma."

"Zuma, no." Tony was too late; Zuma had tugged a rose free. Taking a few steps, Zuma used his nose to push it up against the wall where there weren't any flowers. Tony was stunned. He looked from the rose to Zuma. There were no flowers on either side of Kate's section. None of those officers had been remember today. Tony scooped up Zuma. He gave him a big hug and kiss. "You are a very smart boy." Tony looked up and down the monument and then back at the flower seller. Then he looked at Jethro, "Could we…"

Jethro looked at the pup. Sometimes there was an intelligence there that spoke of great understanding and sometimes smugness. He wasn't sure the pup understood the significance of what he had done, but Jethro couldn't be sure. "Dad, could you watch Zuma a minute?"

Jackson wordlessly reached for the pup and leash. Jackson cuddled him close. "You are a very good pup. I'm so proud of you."

Tony and Jethro walked back to the flower stall. "Hi, I'd like to buy some more flowers."

"Certainly, which would you like?"

"All of them."

"Very funny, mister."

"I'm serious. I'm Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. I work for NCIS." Tony showed her his badge. "I would like to buy all the flowers to lay here at the memorial for those who haven't been remembered. So how much for your entire stock?"

"It would be a couple thousand dollars. You can't be serious." The woman's name plate read Tish.

"Tish, would that put flowers every foot?"

"I don't have enough here to do that."

"Can you get more?"

"There's some back at the shop. This can't be real."

Tony pulled out his checkbook and quickly wrote a check. "Would this cover the flowers and the cost to have the others delivered?"

Tish did a quick calculation. "Probably more than."

"Will you help us lay them?"

Tony saw the doubt still in her eyes. With quick moves, he pulled his phone and logged in to the bank account to prove the checks was good. Then he handed her a credit card and showed that the check could be covered there. "Will you help us?"

Tish took the check. "Let me make a quick call."

Jethro left the money to Tony. He started laying the flowers out while Tony was negotiating.

"Sir."

Jethro stood up and looked at the trooper. "Don't call me, sir, Trooper. I'm Gibbs."

"Can I ask what you're doing?"

"We're making sure that no one goes unremembered."

"Could I buy a bouquet from you? My partner, Wesley Thomas, was just honored."

Gibbs picked out a red, white and blue bouquet and handed it to him. He refused the money the trooper offered. "We're planning to do the entire memorial. Thank-you for your service and his sacrifice."

"Uh… After I finish, could… could I help?"

"We'd appreciate it. This is a bit of a big project."

"Will there be enough?"

"That's my Senior Agent. He has her bringing more. There'll be enough." Jethro smiled proudly.

Tony picked up his own bucket and started laying flowers. He worked his way towards Jackson. When he got there he paused a minute. He stopped and gave Zuma a hug and whispered, "Thank-you. You are such a good boy." Then he placed a bouquet of red roses next to Zuma's single flower. Then he continued on with his tributes.

Jethro came out of the memory. "The rest of the report was pretty accurate."

Tony and Jethro looked at the faces of their family and the emotions on display. "You would have done the same if you had been there."

"But we weren't." Abby said. "Do you think…"

"Think what, Abby?" Jethro asked.

"Do you think we could all go at Christmas? Make sure that they're remember than too."

Jackson looked at his boys and his newly extended family. "I think that would be a nice tradition for our family."

"Indeed." Ducky smiled. "To honor and serve those who have served so well."