Jack liked to pick Faith up from school whenever possible. Whether they went home or back to NCIS, the drive was an opportunity for Jack to hear all about what Faith was doing in school. It was a type of simple quality time that Jack cherished and was looking forward to as she left her office on a sunny afternoon in early April.

When Jack got to the elementary school, she noticed Faith was standing somewhat apart from the other children. Instead of playing with her friends like she usually did while she waited, Faith was anxiously scanning the line of vehicles entering the parking lot. Her atypical behavior concerned Jack. That concern was only slightly alleviated by the wide grin that appeared on Faith's face when she spotted Jack's car.

Faith ran to the car, yanked the door open, and climbed inside. She didn't bother to close the door before leaning into the front seat to wave a piece of paper in Jack's face. "Look it, look it, look it."

"It'd be easier to look if the paper wasn't moving," Jack admonished as she grabbed the piece of paper. "Close the door, please."

After doing as she was instructed, Faith dropped into her booster seat and buckled her seat belt. "Are you reading?" she demanded impatiently.

"Yes."

"My school is having a daddy-daughter dance."

"I can see that."

"I told my teacher that I don't have a dad and she said I can take a different special grown up. I've been thinking that maybe I could take Gibbs?"

"You can ask him. I'm sure he'll say yes."

The suggestion seemed to warrant a significant amount of consideration. Faith spent so long chewing her lip and twirling her hair that Jack gave up waiting for a response and began the drive home. They were halfway there before Faith asked, "Can you do it?"

"I could, but it'll mean more coming from you."

NCIS NCIS NCIS

Later, Gibbs showed up at Jack's house expecting a relaxing evening filled with dinner, homework, bedtime stories, and household chores, but, when Jack met him at the door, he immediately went on alert. He eyed her suspiciously as he stepped inside and took off his coat. "Everything okay, Jack?"

"Mhmm. Faith's in her room. She wants to talk to you."

"Should I prepare for grasshoppers or piranhas?"

"Nothing like that. I know what she wants to talk about this time and there aren't any threats."

"Want to clue me in?"

"Nope. I trust the two of you to work this out for yourselves."

NCIS NCIS NCIS

While she waited for Gibbs, Faith anxiously paced the length of her bedroom. Her back was to the door when Gibbs tapped on the door frame and said, "Heard you wanted to talk to me."

Slowly, Faith turned to look at Gibbs. Her face contorted as she tried to find the right words. When she couldn't, she just bobbed her head in a slight nod.

Gibbs sat down on the bed. He patted his knee and waited for Faith to climb onto his lap. "What's on your mind?"

"Uh, there's this, um, thing at school." Faith paused to take a deep breath, then launched into a recap of what she'd told Jack in the car. "It's a daddy-daughter dance. I want to go, but I don't have a dad. My teacher said I could take a different grown up, so I was, um, wondering, uh, would you take me?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Really."

With a squeal of delight, Faith threw her arms around Gibbs' neck and squeezed tightly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." She released him just before he was going to have to tap out due to a lack of oxygen. "Mom!" screamed Faith as she wriggled off of Gibbs' lap and raced toward the hallway. "He said yes!"

Jack stepped into the room and caught Faith in a hug. "I heard," Jack admitted, not bothering to try to hide the fact that she'd been eavesdropping from just outside the open door. "You two are going to have so much fun."

NCIS NCIS NCIS

On the day of the daddy-daughter dance, Faith put on her favorite dress and Jack curled her hair. When Gibbs arrived, Jack took a dozen photos, including one of Gibbs slipping a small corsage onto Faith's wrist, before she let them leave.

Once they were in Gibbs' truck, Faith jabbered happily about the dance, but, at the school, she grew quiet. She waited for Gibbs to open the door for her, then wordlessly hopped out of the truck and took hold of his hand. As they neared the building, she tugged on his hand to get his attention. "This is a bad idea," she said, her voice quavering.

Gibbs ushered her over to the edge of the walkway and crouched down to look her in the eye. "What's wrong? You were excited a minute ago."

Unable to meet Gibbs' penetrating gaze, Faith hung her head. She kicked at the pavement, scuffing the toe of her patent leather shoe. "I don't know how to dance," she answered quietly.

"You're not gonna learn standin' out here."

Faith's head snapped up. "Huh?"

"I can teach you," offered Gibbs, extending a hand to her. "But we have to go inside."

In all the time they'd known each other, Gibbs had never given Faith a reason not to trust him, so, without a second thought, she reached for Gibbs' hand and together they walked into the school. At the entrance of the gym, Gibbs asked, "Do you know the first rule of dancing?"

"Nuh uh."

"Pretend no one's watchin'."

"What's rule number two?"

"Rule two's more show than tell. Come on." Gibbs led Faith onto the makeshift dance floor and directed her to stand on his feet. "This is my secret trick guaranteed to teach any little girl how to dance."

"Does it work?"

"Let's find out."

Faith allowed Gibbs to lead her through a clumsy waltz while she balanced on his feet. Her initial skepticism faded with the final notes of the first song. After a few songs, Gibbs' toes were aching, but he figured a little pain was worth the joy he saw in Faith's eyes. By the last dance, he was holding Faith propped on his hip with her head lolling against his shoulder. She'd be asleep before he got her home.