The following morning we called all the kids out of school so that they could meet baby Shannon and baby Ryan. Jen and Jethro said that they would meet us at Kelly, Jason and Shannon’s apartment. They said that there was something that they wanted to share with everyone.
Shortly after Jen and Jethro arrived, it was time to play the guessing game. It was a bit annoying as we tried to figure out why both Jen and Jethro were hiding their left hands from us. When I had noticed this, there were only ten of us at the apartment; Jen and Jethro, Nick, myself and our girls then of course Kelly, Jason and the baby. It was obvious that my sister and Jethro were trying to buy time for themselves as we waited for the rest of the team to arrive.
I already kind of knew what Jen and Jethro were hiding. Part of me was more than thrilled that after all this time they had finally done what they were trying to hide. But then again I wasn’t at all happy that they did this without me. By ten after nine that morning, the rest of the team finally joined us at Kelly and Jason’s. The kids were off in the family room with baby Shannon, baby Ryan, Addie and Jake while the adults stayed in the kitchen. Jackson, Franks, Leyla and Amira were with us as well.
“There is something; Jethro and I would like to share with all of you.” Jen said.
“Jen and I are married. We eloped early this morning.”
Jen and Jethro were instantly congratulated by everyone, but there was a slight bit of hesitancy coming from me and Kelly; of course Jackson picked up on our hesitancy.
“Kelly, your father is happy; Jenny makes him happy. We both know he hasn’t been this happy since your mother.” Jackson said imparting some wisdom to his granddaughter.
Kelly nodded.
“And you, Jay; you should be thrilled that your sister has finally gotten one of the things she has always wanted.”
“Jack, I am thrilled for them. It just kills me that they didn’t want me there.”
“Jay, you know that isn’t true.” Jackson said.
After Jackson spoke I turned to Kelly.
“Looks like you and I are family now.” I said.
“Sure does, Aunt Jay.” Kelly said with a smile on her face.
It was kind of weird to be called Aunt Jay, by Kelly since we were the same age. But like all other things that preceded it and were likely to succeed it, I would become accustom to being Aunt Jay, to my brother-in-law’s forty-five year old daughter from his first marriage. At this point I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my sister was wife #5 and was hoping against hope that she would have more luck at being Mrs. Leroy Jethro Gibbs than Jethro’s three ex-wives in between her and Shannon had. Hell, Jen had made it further than Hollis, Holly and M. Allison had; which was a feat in of itself.
After our little get together, we went to work. AJ and Kelly were on maternity leave. Addie and Jake were taken to Abby’s brother’s for the day while the older kids went back to their respective homes. Once at work; Jethro, Ducky and Jen made sure Palmer, Tony and I were settled into our new positions. Admittedly it was kind of nerve racking being the new Director. Jen saw my nervousness and went into big sis mode instanteously.
“You’ll be fine, Jay. I am more than sure that you’ll have a better first year as Director than I did.”
“I know, at least I won’t have to fend off Jethro like you did.”
Jen smiled a bit and let out a slight chuckle before she responded.
“You’ll just have to fend off Nick while you guys are on the job.”
“I know, and I can’t use your “no off the job” line with Nick.”
Jen and I chatted for a while before I found a file on the desk that Jen had purposely left behind. It was a case that required two agents to go under cover as a married couple in secluded mountain retreat. Jen instantly volunteered herself and Jethro for the op. It was obvious that she partially saw this op as their last hoorah as agents and as their honeymoon. There was just something about sending my sister and brother-in-law on an op when they were about to retire. It even bugged me that sending them undercover on what could be a dangerous assignment was my first act as Director.
While I stalled for time before giving Jen the go ahead for the op, both our cell phones went off. Kelly had sent us a picture of baby Shannon in her crib about to fall asleep.
There was a caption underneath both pictures.
Baby Liza just wanted to say good night to her favorite Great – Aunt.
Baby Liza wanted to say good night Grandma Jenny.
Later I would learn that Jethro got the same picture message that had the same caption as Jen’s, but had Grandpa Jethro instead.
“I guess we’re calling the baby Liza now.” I said.
“Just so that none of us get confused.”
“Okay well whatever their reasoning maybe at least they are giving a nod to Liza Minnelli.”
By that evening it was time to send Jen and Jethro off on their op. Everyone said good-bye to Jen and Jethro. I was the last to say good-bye. I knew this wasn’t the official good-bye. That was still pending and those of us that were staying could wait for the official good. Jen and Jethro were standing before me. The others had stepped away to let Jen, Jethro and I have a moment to ourselves. This had to be one of the hardest things I had to do. In my mind I chalked this up as being as hard as it was for Abby when Jethro’s retired years ago but on the level that Jethro’s retirement had hit Jen that night.
I felt like that worried fifteen year old, I was when Jen and Jethro were sent to Marseilles by Morrow. Jen and Jethro could see the fear as well as the uncertainty.
“Promise me that you two will do everything in your power to stay safe. Promise me that you will check in no matter what’s going on. And please whatever you do keep each other safe. I don’t want to lose either one of you.” I said.
“We will, Jay; we will come home safe.” Jen replied as she hugged me good-bye.
I t was obvious she could see that I wasn’t too thrilled about this op, then again Jen was always able to read me.
“We will be fine, Madame Director.” Jethro subtly slid in.
I loved how he thought he could get away with calling me Madame Director when he knew that in respect I was just like Jen.
With my goodbyes done Jen and Jethro left for their op. The worry officially set in once they had stepped into the elevators.
Ducky saw the worry in my eyes and placed a comforting arm around my shoulder.
“They are veterans, Director. They know what they are doing and they will be safe.”
I smiled at Ducky as we all returned to the busy work we had.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Baby Jilson Arrives
The following morning as far as work went was a bit slower than normal. For the first time in the thirty-seven years as a federal agent, Jethro was late. Now we all knew why he was late although we also knew that Tony was thinking along a different line of thought. Jethro was being the ever doting grandfather. When Tony found out, his thoughts of an early morning stolen moment between Jen and Jethro were instantly dashed.
After being in labor for nearly twenty-four hours, Kelly gave birth to her and Jason’s daughter; Shannon Elizabeth Beckett. When we first saw Shannon, those of us who were mothers desperately tried to fight back tears of happiness. Of course with all major family events there was a debate on if baby Shannon was going to have her maternal grandmother as her namesake or her paternal grandmother as her namesake. Mrs. Beckett didn’t like the fact that her granddaughter was being named after a woman who had been dead for nearly four decades. This nearly sent Kelly to tears. Those of us that were clued for longer than Jason’s parents had been knew why it was so important to Kelly that her daughter was named after her mother. When JD was born I faced a similar predicament that Kelly was facing and so had Ziva when Hannah first arrived eighteen years ago.
Along with Jethro, Ziva and I fought inch by inch with Jason’s mom for baby Shannon to be named after Shannon. If there was anyone who was backing Kelly the most it was Jethro. The endgame, Kelly and Jason’s daughter was to be named after her maternal grandmother so that when she was old enough to inquire about her grandmother that she would understand the significance. There wasn’t a doubt that on some level baby Shannon would call Jen, Grandma; once she was able to talk. On a subconscious level Jen looked forward to being Grandma Jenny, but she knew that she couldn’t replace a blood relative.
While Jethro and Jen took their time coming into work, the rest of us followed suit. At my house while the girls took turns in the shower and got ready for another day of school, Nick and I spent some time together in bed. Thankfully JD had her license now and we had brought her first car, so she was able to drive her sisters into school when she went in. Nick and I had waited eighteen years for the day JD would get her license. I needed these little morning moments with my husband. It was our chance to reconnect with each other. So Nick and I laid in bed, under the covers.
The bedding barely reached Nick’s perfectly sculpted and well maintained abs as they sat just at his waist, which made me quiet happy. Nick and I had fallen into our routine quiet easily, Nick would go to bed in just his lounge pants as I would end up yanking my lounge pants off the second I was in bed and I had Nick’s warm body next to mine. But with all that aside, the moment we were in was absolutely perfect. I laid in bed looking at my ever increasingly handsome husband of almost eighteen years wondering what I did in life to be given the reward of being married to the greatest guy ever. The chorus “Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good,” which was the song title from the classic Sound of Music; kept playing in my mind as I fell in love with Nick all over again. After the lyrics stopped playing in my mind, I couldn’t help but think that at times I was the female/younger version of Tony with all of the random pop culture trivia I had stored in my mind.
Kate and Drew were getting their kids together for school as Abby and McGee got their kids together so that Sarah could watch them for the day. Tony and Ziva sat down together to have breakfast together as Hannah and Leah grabbed breakfast as they walked out the door for school.
Later on after everyone got to work, Nick had come over to the squad room before Jethro had left for coffee. Tony had brought up the time that Ziva had pointed her gun at him while they were undercover as married assassin, which from what I had seen had put a smile on Jethro’s face. Of course Tony couldn’t help but remind everyone that Kate also slept with her gun under her pillow like he had years ago. This in turn prompted Nick to share some information about me.
“Kate and Ziva aren’t the only ones that sleep with their guns, Tony. Jay does the same thing.”
I just rolled my eyes. Jethro had that look in his eyes like he was about to say that Jen did the same as me, Kate and Ziva; but thought better of it. Tony, on the other hand picked up on Jethro’s not so subtle look as I had.
“Ha! The Director does the same too, doesn’t she boss?” Tony said.
“Smack him for me, Ziva.”
It was easy to tell that Jethro was quite pleased that the women he worked with and saw outside of the office took such precautions. Seeing Jethro thrilled with the fact that Jen, Ziva, Kate and I slept with our sigs and Jethro knowing that Abby was able to kick some butt in order to defend herself gave Jethro some peace. It also seemed to give him the reassurance that once he, Jen and Ducky retired next month that we were able to protect ourselves.
A little while later we were all back on the labor and delivery floor of Bethesda Naval hospital. Needless to say it was a packed house on the labor and delivery floor. Palmer’s parents had flown into DC for the birth of their grandchild just as AJ’s parents had. Leyla had stayed behind with Amira, Franks and Jackson back at Jen and Jethro’s. As we waited in the waiting room I let my mind wonder off, which most of the time was okay.
Even though they had been living together for years now, it was still hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that it was Jen and Jethro’s home and not just Jethro’s. It didn’t seem to affect the others as much as it did me, probably because I was the one out of me and my teammates that has known Jen and Jethro the longest. As I drifted back to reality I had realized that Nick had put his arms my waist and was behind me as we waited. I also noticed Kelly waiting with us with baby Shannon in her arms. It was safe to say that we all would agree, whether we were a parent or not; there was something sentimental about a new mom holding her baby.
When Kelly had shifted baby Shannon to her arm that had been supporting the baby’s butt it was easy to tell by the expression on my face that I missed the days when mine and Nick’s daughters were that small. Eventually the waiting progressed, the kids had returned home from school while we remained at home. The older kids knew what to do and where to reach us in case of an emergency. At one point I had texted JD to tell her that Leyla, Franks, Jackson and Amira were only a phone call away if she or the others need anything.
Slowly the hours vexed on as we waited. We had grown accustomed to the late nights due to cases and our respective kids waking up in the wee hours of the morning. Palmer’s mom and AJ’s mom went down to the hospital caferteria to get coffee for themselves and their respective husbands. When they returned they were taken aback a bit. Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Wilson had found all of us sleeping in the waiting room just outside AJ’s delivery suite.
All the men from Ducky to Nick had propped themselves up against a chair on the waiting room floor as my four best friends, myself and Jordan rested our heads on our respective significant others’ laps. Nick and I were right next to Jen and Jethro; Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Wilson smiled when they saw us. They knew Jen and Jethro’s story, they knew my fairytale. Within a few minutes they zoned in on Jen and I. Later on I would learn why they had zoned in on us.
Before long Palmer and AJ’s son, Ryan James was born. AJ and Palmer shortly settled into their new roles as mom and dad as we all returned home. We were all beyond tired and our beds were more than welcoming. JD had put her sisters to bed after they had finished their homework. JD had fallen asleep on the couch with her copy of Pride and Prejudice while she tried to stay up until Nick and I got home.
“Baby girl, time to go bed.” I said softly as I tried to wake JD up.
JD was like me when she was woken up, cranky as all hell. After JD was in her bed, Nick and I collapsed in our bed. While we all slept, something was going on with Jen and Jethro that come morning we would all find out.
After being in labor for nearly twenty-four hours, Kelly gave birth to her and Jason’s daughter; Shannon Elizabeth Beckett. When we first saw Shannon, those of us who were mothers desperately tried to fight back tears of happiness. Of course with all major family events there was a debate on if baby Shannon was going to have her maternal grandmother as her namesake or her paternal grandmother as her namesake. Mrs. Beckett didn’t like the fact that her granddaughter was being named after a woman who had been dead for nearly four decades. This nearly sent Kelly to tears. Those of us that were clued for longer than Jason’s parents had been knew why it was so important to Kelly that her daughter was named after her mother. When JD was born I faced a similar predicament that Kelly was facing and so had Ziva when Hannah first arrived eighteen years ago.
Along with Jethro, Ziva and I fought inch by inch with Jason’s mom for baby Shannon to be named after Shannon. If there was anyone who was backing Kelly the most it was Jethro. The endgame, Kelly and Jason’s daughter was to be named after her maternal grandmother so that when she was old enough to inquire about her grandmother that she would understand the significance. There wasn’t a doubt that on some level baby Shannon would call Jen, Grandma; once she was able to talk. On a subconscious level Jen looked forward to being Grandma Jenny, but she knew that she couldn’t replace a blood relative.
While Jethro and Jen took their time coming into work, the rest of us followed suit. At my house while the girls took turns in the shower and got ready for another day of school, Nick and I spent some time together in bed. Thankfully JD had her license now and we had brought her first car, so she was able to drive her sisters into school when she went in. Nick and I had waited eighteen years for the day JD would get her license. I needed these little morning moments with my husband. It was our chance to reconnect with each other. So Nick and I laid in bed, under the covers.
The bedding barely reached Nick’s perfectly sculpted and well maintained abs as they sat just at his waist, which made me quiet happy. Nick and I had fallen into our routine quiet easily, Nick would go to bed in just his lounge pants as I would end up yanking my lounge pants off the second I was in bed and I had Nick’s warm body next to mine. But with all that aside, the moment we were in was absolutely perfect. I laid in bed looking at my ever increasingly handsome husband of almost eighteen years wondering what I did in life to be given the reward of being married to the greatest guy ever. The chorus “Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good,” which was the song title from the classic Sound of Music; kept playing in my mind as I fell in love with Nick all over again. After the lyrics stopped playing in my mind, I couldn’t help but think that at times I was the female/younger version of Tony with all of the random pop culture trivia I had stored in my mind.
Kate and Drew were getting their kids together for school as Abby and McGee got their kids together so that Sarah could watch them for the day. Tony and Ziva sat down together to have breakfast together as Hannah and Leah grabbed breakfast as they walked out the door for school.
Later on after everyone got to work, Nick had come over to the squad room before Jethro had left for coffee. Tony had brought up the time that Ziva had pointed her gun at him while they were undercover as married assassin, which from what I had seen had put a smile on Jethro’s face. Of course Tony couldn’t help but remind everyone that Kate also slept with her gun under her pillow like he had years ago. This in turn prompted Nick to share some information about me.
“Kate and Ziva aren’t the only ones that sleep with their guns, Tony. Jay does the same thing.”
I just rolled my eyes. Jethro had that look in his eyes like he was about to say that Jen did the same as me, Kate and Ziva; but thought better of it. Tony, on the other hand picked up on Jethro’s not so subtle look as I had.
“Ha! The Director does the same too, doesn’t she boss?” Tony said.
“Smack him for me, Ziva.”
It was easy to tell that Jethro was quite pleased that the women he worked with and saw outside of the office took such precautions. Seeing Jethro thrilled with the fact that Jen, Ziva, Kate and I slept with our sigs and Jethro knowing that Abby was able to kick some butt in order to defend herself gave Jethro some peace. It also seemed to give him the reassurance that once he, Jen and Ducky retired next month that we were able to protect ourselves.
A little while later we were all back on the labor and delivery floor of Bethesda Naval hospital. Needless to say it was a packed house on the labor and delivery floor. Palmer’s parents had flown into DC for the birth of their grandchild just as AJ’s parents had. Leyla had stayed behind with Amira, Franks and Jackson back at Jen and Jethro’s. As we waited in the waiting room I let my mind wonder off, which most of the time was okay.
Even though they had been living together for years now, it was still hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that it was Jen and Jethro’s home and not just Jethro’s. It didn’t seem to affect the others as much as it did me, probably because I was the one out of me and my teammates that has known Jen and Jethro the longest. As I drifted back to reality I had realized that Nick had put his arms my waist and was behind me as we waited. I also noticed Kelly waiting with us with baby Shannon in her arms. It was safe to say that we all would agree, whether we were a parent or not; there was something sentimental about a new mom holding her baby.
When Kelly had shifted baby Shannon to her arm that had been supporting the baby’s butt it was easy to tell by the expression on my face that I missed the days when mine and Nick’s daughters were that small. Eventually the waiting progressed, the kids had returned home from school while we remained at home. The older kids knew what to do and where to reach us in case of an emergency. At one point I had texted JD to tell her that Leyla, Franks, Jackson and Amira were only a phone call away if she or the others need anything.
Slowly the hours vexed on as we waited. We had grown accustomed to the late nights due to cases and our respective kids waking up in the wee hours of the morning. Palmer’s mom and AJ’s mom went down to the hospital caferteria to get coffee for themselves and their respective husbands. When they returned they were taken aback a bit. Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Wilson had found all of us sleeping in the waiting room just outside AJ’s delivery suite.
All the men from Ducky to Nick had propped themselves up against a chair on the waiting room floor as my four best friends, myself and Jordan rested our heads on our respective significant others’ laps. Nick and I were right next to Jen and Jethro; Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Wilson smiled when they saw us. They knew Jen and Jethro’s story, they knew my fairytale. Within a few minutes they zoned in on Jen and I. Later on I would learn why they had zoned in on us.
Before long Palmer and AJ’s son, Ryan James was born. AJ and Palmer shortly settled into their new roles as mom and dad as we all returned home. We were all beyond tired and our beds were more than welcoming. JD had put her sisters to bed after they had finished their homework. JD had fallen asleep on the couch with her copy of Pride and Prejudice while she tried to stay up until Nick and I got home.
“Baby girl, time to go bed.” I said softly as I tried to wake JD up.
JD was like me when she was woken up, cranky as all hell. After JD was in her bed, Nick and I collapsed in our bed. While we all slept, something was going on with Jen and Jethro that come morning we would all find out.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Pregnancy Scare and the Grandfathers Visit
The start of the New Year, started like any other day. All the kids with the exception of Addie and Jake had returned to school after their winter recess ended. And as usual work was the same. Franks, Leyla, Amira and Jackson were still around; which made all of Jen and Jethro’s kids quite happy. Today I had busy day, busier than normal. The day started with Kate, Ziva, Tony, McGee and I squeezing into Observation to watch one most entertaining things ever. A Jen and Jethro interrogation. To the five of us the only thing better than a Jen and Jethro interrogation was a Franks and Jethro interrogation. Besides our current form of entertainment, I had to go over to the set of the CBS’ Early show so they had background on me just like they did with Jen back in 2005 when she succeeded Morrow. Now it was my turn as the day I would succeed Jen was right around the corner. Thankfully the CBS thing wasn’t until midday, so I had time. I was more than grateful to have some time to get my nerves in check for the thing with CBS.
I had spent the past twenty years of my career as field agent who didn’t have to worry about being in the limelight. Who was cautiously protected and sheltered from the scrutiny of the job as well as the politics by her sister’s boyfriend and her sister. In a few days that would all change. But in a few hours the change in administration would begin; at least in the public persona of the agency. It was an understatement to say the nerves were running in overdrive. I knew I that I had to figure out a way to calm down, so I started running through the possible ways to calm down in my mind while we continued to watch the pros before us.
Going down to the shooting range came to mind, but I really didn’t have time to go today. Then the thought of being pampered ran across my mind. The last thought that came to my mind was sneaking away from the office with Nick for an hour or to. Our house was empty until the girls came home from school at 3pm. Of course that left me to figure out how we would sneak out without some eyebrows being raised. So that would leave me to spend time with Nick after everything was done for the day.
Little did any of us know but things were about to get more insane. But that was the least of my concerns at the moment. All I cared about was not making an ass out of myself while I was with the Early Show. The people at the Early Show said to come as myself, but I knew if I gone dressed like myself then I would be in a whole boat load of trouble. Even though I am in my forties, I still had a bit of my twenty-four year old rebellion left in me. I guess it was my way of keeping connected to a simpler time in my life as well as keeping the memories of my parents alive.
Before I knew it the time between watching Jen and Jethro do one last interrogation and the thing with CBS had past. It was time for me to cowboy up and do this interview, no matter how much I detested it. After a tedious drive to the station and I had gone through all the necessary things to have done before the tapes started rolling, I was sitting in a chair on the set.
Of course I was still nervous as hell as I sat in the chair and waited for the person who was interviewing me. Within minutes Barbara Sanchez – Rodriguez sat down in the chair across from me. At this moment I knew it was now or never and it was time for the nerves to dissipate. All I had to do was picture myself being as confident as I was when I was in the field with my sig in my hand.
“Hello Mrs. Balboa. I’m Barbara Sanchez- Rodriguez and I’ll be asking you some questions, a little get to know you; if you will.” Barbara said introducing herself.
“Okay.”
The cameras began to roll, Barbara did her little news broadcaster intro before she and cameras turned their attention to me. I knew that the team and all of the kids would be watching this.
“I am sitting here with one of NCIS’ finest agents, Special Agent Jaylyn Emma Shepard-Balboa. Mrs. Balboa, how long have you been an Agent and what inspired you to join the agency?” Barbara asked.
“Please call me Jaylyn. I joined the agency twenty years ago when I was twenty-four. As far as what inspired me to join the agency, it’s more like who inspired me. So to answer your question; Director Shepard and Special Agent Gibbs were the ones who inspired me to become an Agent.”
“It says here that not only are you an Agent, but your husband is too and you two have three children.”
“Yes, Nick and I are agents; although he’s been at it a lot longer than I have. And yes we do have three children, three daughters to be exact.”
“How long have you and your husband been married?” Barbara asked.
“We’ll be married for eighteen years this May.”
“Back to your children, care to tell us more about them.”
I was a bit hesitant, protective if you will. I didn’t want to divulge too much about JD, Jayden and Jocelyn. I guess it was the whole protective mother bear syndrome all mothers went through at one point or another.
“Nick and I have three daughters. Jennifer Delaney who is a high school senior and then we have our twins Jayden Sophie and Jocelyn Reese who are high school freshmen.”
“Where do you think your eldest will be attending college in the fall?”
“Well I hope she chooses to go to Georgetown like Director Shepard and I did.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, but what do you like to do in your spare time outside of the office?” Barbara asked.
There was a slight pause before I answered the question. Things had changed quite a bit in the past twenty years. I wasn’t the reckless, care-free, sleep with any guy that crossed my path twenty-four year old I once was. I guess getting married at twenty-five and having our daughters at twenty-five and twenty-nine respectively helped me grow up.
“Care to answer the question, Jaylyn?” Barbara asked snapping me back to reality.
“Sorry, I like to spend my spare time outside of the office with my husband and our daughters. Sometimes I like to spend time with my sister; we’ve been close since our mother died.” I answered.
The interview ended shortly after I answered Barbara’s last question. As I drove home my phone buzzed in the cup holder in the middle console. I had linked my cell phone to my car’s hands-free device so with the press of the hands-free button on the steering wheel I answered my phone. Once I was at a stop light I noticed that it was my sister calling me.
“What’s going on Jen? Something wrong with the girls?” I had asked.
Since JD’s birth, almost eighteen years ago; I had morphed into another variation of myself. I liked to think that what the kind of mother that I had morphed into all those years ago was the kind of mother, my own mother would have been like with me and Jen if she was alive today.
“The girls are fine. JD, Hannah and Leah are all watching the younger kids at mine and Jethro’s with Leyla and Amira.”
“Then what’s wrong? Why did you call? I’m on my way home from the CBS Early show thing.”
“I called because we’re all at Bethesda. AJ was brought in cause she thought she was in labor and Kelly is in labor as we speak. I need you to pick up Jason’s parents from the airport and bring them here.”
“Okay, I’m on it. And Jen.”
“Yes, Jay.”
“Don’t worry, Kelly will be fine. She has Jethro’s tenacity.”
“See you in a bit.” Jen said.
A little while later I was walking through the labor and delivery floor of Bethesda with Jason’s parents in tow. I knew that since Ziva, Kate, Abby and I were able to get through the deliveries of our respective children that Kelly would be more than able to as well.
Once we had found the others and some time had passed while we waited, things got a bit interesting.
“So you’re Kelly’s parents.” Mrs. Beckett said to my sister and Jethro.
Ziva, Kate, Abby and I looked at each knowing full well that this subject was never one that was discussed. McGee, Palmer, AJ, Ducky and Jordan had the same look on their faces as we did. Tony on the other hand was trying his hardest to hold back a laugh and muttered something to McGee.
“Isn’t it obvious, Probie; that Kelly isn’t the Director’s daughter? They look nothing alike, if anything Kelly looks more like the boss.”
Ziva had heard what Tony muttered and elbowed him.
Now we all stood there waiting to see how Jen and Jethro would respond to the inquiry.
“Kelly isn’t my daughter, I am merely just her father’s girlfriend.” Jen answered.
“Kelly’s mother died in a car crash in the early nineties when she was eight years old while I was overseas with the Corps during Desert Storm.” Jethro said.
There was an awkward silence now; those of us within the NCIS collective knew how much it bothered Jethro when the subject of Shannon’s demise was brought up. During the silence the waiting continued and I couldn’t help but think that the last inquiry wasn’t the last that my sister and Jethro would have to answer while Jason’s parents were around.
I had spent the past twenty years of my career as field agent who didn’t have to worry about being in the limelight. Who was cautiously protected and sheltered from the scrutiny of the job as well as the politics by her sister’s boyfriend and her sister. In a few days that would all change. But in a few hours the change in administration would begin; at least in the public persona of the agency. It was an understatement to say the nerves were running in overdrive. I knew I that I had to figure out a way to calm down, so I started running through the possible ways to calm down in my mind while we continued to watch the pros before us.
Going down to the shooting range came to mind, but I really didn’t have time to go today. Then the thought of being pampered ran across my mind. The last thought that came to my mind was sneaking away from the office with Nick for an hour or to. Our house was empty until the girls came home from school at 3pm. Of course that left me to figure out how we would sneak out without some eyebrows being raised. So that would leave me to spend time with Nick after everything was done for the day.
Little did any of us know but things were about to get more insane. But that was the least of my concerns at the moment. All I cared about was not making an ass out of myself while I was with the Early Show. The people at the Early Show said to come as myself, but I knew if I gone dressed like myself then I would be in a whole boat load of trouble. Even though I am in my forties, I still had a bit of my twenty-four year old rebellion left in me. I guess it was my way of keeping connected to a simpler time in my life as well as keeping the memories of my parents alive.
Before I knew it the time between watching Jen and Jethro do one last interrogation and the thing with CBS had past. It was time for me to cowboy up and do this interview, no matter how much I detested it. After a tedious drive to the station and I had gone through all the necessary things to have done before the tapes started rolling, I was sitting in a chair on the set.
Of course I was still nervous as hell as I sat in the chair and waited for the person who was interviewing me. Within minutes Barbara Sanchez – Rodriguez sat down in the chair across from me. At this moment I knew it was now or never and it was time for the nerves to dissipate. All I had to do was picture myself being as confident as I was when I was in the field with my sig in my hand.
“Hello Mrs. Balboa. I’m Barbara Sanchez- Rodriguez and I’ll be asking you some questions, a little get to know you; if you will.” Barbara said introducing herself.
“Okay.”
The cameras began to roll, Barbara did her little news broadcaster intro before she and cameras turned their attention to me. I knew that the team and all of the kids would be watching this.
“I am sitting here with one of NCIS’ finest agents, Special Agent Jaylyn Emma Shepard-Balboa. Mrs. Balboa, how long have you been an Agent and what inspired you to join the agency?” Barbara asked.
“Please call me Jaylyn. I joined the agency twenty years ago when I was twenty-four. As far as what inspired me to join the agency, it’s more like who inspired me. So to answer your question; Director Shepard and Special Agent Gibbs were the ones who inspired me to become an Agent.”
“It says here that not only are you an Agent, but your husband is too and you two have three children.”
“Yes, Nick and I are agents; although he’s been at it a lot longer than I have. And yes we do have three children, three daughters to be exact.”
“How long have you and your husband been married?” Barbara asked.
“We’ll be married for eighteen years this May.”
“Back to your children, care to tell us more about them.”
I was a bit hesitant, protective if you will. I didn’t want to divulge too much about JD, Jayden and Jocelyn. I guess it was the whole protective mother bear syndrome all mothers went through at one point or another.
“Nick and I have three daughters. Jennifer Delaney who is a high school senior and then we have our twins Jayden Sophie and Jocelyn Reese who are high school freshmen.”
“Where do you think your eldest will be attending college in the fall?”
“Well I hope she chooses to go to Georgetown like Director Shepard and I did.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, but what do you like to do in your spare time outside of the office?” Barbara asked.
There was a slight pause before I answered the question. Things had changed quite a bit in the past twenty years. I wasn’t the reckless, care-free, sleep with any guy that crossed my path twenty-four year old I once was. I guess getting married at twenty-five and having our daughters at twenty-five and twenty-nine respectively helped me grow up.
“Care to answer the question, Jaylyn?” Barbara asked snapping me back to reality.
“Sorry, I like to spend my spare time outside of the office with my husband and our daughters. Sometimes I like to spend time with my sister; we’ve been close since our mother died.” I answered.
The interview ended shortly after I answered Barbara’s last question. As I drove home my phone buzzed in the cup holder in the middle console. I had linked my cell phone to my car’s hands-free device so with the press of the hands-free button on the steering wheel I answered my phone. Once I was at a stop light I noticed that it was my sister calling me.
“What’s going on Jen? Something wrong with the girls?” I had asked.
Since JD’s birth, almost eighteen years ago; I had morphed into another variation of myself. I liked to think that what the kind of mother that I had morphed into all those years ago was the kind of mother, my own mother would have been like with me and Jen if she was alive today.
“The girls are fine. JD, Hannah and Leah are all watching the younger kids at mine and Jethro’s with Leyla and Amira.”
“Then what’s wrong? Why did you call? I’m on my way home from the CBS Early show thing.”
“I called because we’re all at Bethesda. AJ was brought in cause she thought she was in labor and Kelly is in labor as we speak. I need you to pick up Jason’s parents from the airport and bring them here.”
“Okay, I’m on it. And Jen.”
“Yes, Jay.”
“Don’t worry, Kelly will be fine. She has Jethro’s tenacity.”
“See you in a bit.” Jen said.
A little while later I was walking through the labor and delivery floor of Bethesda with Jason’s parents in tow. I knew that since Ziva, Kate, Abby and I were able to get through the deliveries of our respective children that Kelly would be more than able to as well.
Once we had found the others and some time had passed while we waited, things got a bit interesting.
“So you’re Kelly’s parents.” Mrs. Beckett said to my sister and Jethro.
Ziva, Kate, Abby and I looked at each knowing full well that this subject was never one that was discussed. McGee, Palmer, AJ, Ducky and Jordan had the same look on their faces as we did. Tony on the other hand was trying his hardest to hold back a laugh and muttered something to McGee.
“Isn’t it obvious, Probie; that Kelly isn’t the Director’s daughter? They look nothing alike, if anything Kelly looks more like the boss.”
Ziva had heard what Tony muttered and elbowed him.
Now we all stood there waiting to see how Jen and Jethro would respond to the inquiry.
“Kelly isn’t my daughter, I am merely just her father’s girlfriend.” Jen answered.
“Kelly’s mother died in a car crash in the early nineties when she was eight years old while I was overseas with the Corps during Desert Storm.” Jethro said.
There was an awkward silence now; those of us within the NCIS collective knew how much it bothered Jethro when the subject of Shannon’s demise was brought up. During the silence the waiting continued and I couldn’t help but think that the last inquiry wasn’t the last that my sister and Jethro would have to answer while Jason’s parents were around.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Retirement Party for Jenny, Jethro and Ducky
The next few days were going to be busy for all of us. Within the next few days we had the surprise retirement party we had skillfully planned on the sly, the annual NCIS/MCRT Christmas party and of course Christmas; which meant a world of travelling for some of us. Besides the planning for the surprise retirement party and the planning for the NCIS/MCRT Christmas party; NCIS’ Femme Fatales as East Beat’s Elyse Barrett had called us, were left to coordinate where each family would spend Christmas this year. Tony and Ziva had come home from their little rendezvous early in the morning. Kate was still impressed by how much Tony had changed; she still half expected him to be the childish, frat boy working for the government she had met all those years ago instead of the down-to-earth man that never kissed and told.
Kate credited the transformation all to Ziva. Soon my fellow teammate, partner and fellow Probie as McGee like calling Kate, Ziva and I; would learn the truth behind Tony’s transformation. Kate thought that Ziva was the mastermind behind Tony’s transformation. She would soon find out that Ziva was the closer, Jeanne was the middle of the game relief and Jen had been the starting pitcher. Jeanne had the heavy lifting and Ziva definitely reaped the benefits of the transformation.
The retirement party would be starting in a few minutes. We had left Jordan in charge of getting my sister, Jethro and Ducky back to NCIS for the retirement party under the pretense of the four of them going on a double date; but they had to make a side trip to NCIS first because Jordan had accidentally left her keys on Ducky’s desk. Thankfully Jen, Jethro and Ducky went along with Jordan’s rouse, but Jethro was usual a bit suspicious. After a while our three retirees were at the office and soon realized that the double date was just a façade. Shortly after their arrival Tony stood up to give his speech before I gave mine.
“I'm going to start by saying that Gibbs, Ducky, and Director Shepherd have all helped to make me the agent I am today. All three are amazing role models that every employee at NCIS can look up to, and we are lucky to have them. I'll start with Director Shepherd; as Director, she gets involved with cases and makes sure the job gets done. One thing we all love about her is that she has faith in all of her employees, whether they are agents, scientists, or maintenance workers. She believes in all of us, and even thought enough of me to offer me my own team many years ago. But in my opinion, the greatest thing Jenny has ever done for this agency was bringing us one of the best agents NCIS has ever seen. If it wasn’t for her, Ziva wouldn't be living the life she is today, and none of us would know her. But Jenny saw potential in her, and brought her to us.
Next I'll talk about Ducky. Ducky is one of those guys that you can always go to for advice. When I was team leader many years ago, Ducky encouraged me every step of the way. He's the smartest person you will ever meet, and he's the easiest person to get along with. I've never met anyone with a bad word to say about Ducky, because it's impossible not to love him. He's always got a story to tell, whether you ask for one or not! And last, but definitely not least, there's Gibbs. Leroy Jethro Gibbs is the very definition of an excellent agent and team leader. He taught me everything I know about being a federal agent. I know I can speak for everyone here when I say that we look up to Gibbs and respect everything he does. He is willing to risk his life for his team, and for the people he works to protect. He has stood up for all of us when others doubted us. He's protected us, even when it meant putting his job or even his life in danger. And let's not forget that famous gut of his. He has a way of reading people and communicating with them like no one else I have ever met. I only hope that I will be half the team leader that he was. NCIS is going to miss Gibbs, Ducky and Jenny. Good luck to you in the future, and thanks for everything you've done for us.” Tony said.
Everyone applauded; both Jethro and Ducky shook Tony’s hand while Jen hugged him. It was my turn now and I had the thought of following Tony with a speech like his was going to be a tough act to follow no matter how hard I tried.
“Now as we all know by now I am one of the few people here tonight that has known our three retirees for quite some time. Obviously I’ve known Jen the longest out of all three. Jethro and Ducky aren’t that far behind my sister in that category.
The day Jen became a field agent back in 1999 was the day I met the man that would be her partner and her mentor amongst other things. That day, Jethro Gibbs became a staple in our lives. Because of Jethro and Jen, as a child; I wanted to be an NCIS agent when I grew up. While other girls my age didn’t dare to dream about becoming a federal agent, like I did; I wanted to be just like my sister and Gibbs. Like my teammates and my sister; I can say with great pride that I was taught by the great Leroy Jethro Gibbs. I think it’s safe to say that Gibbs is as much of a legend inside and outside these walls as his mentor Mike Franks is. So before I go on; thank-you for teaching Jen and I, most of all thank-you for being the brother I never had.
What can I say about Ducky? I think my sister would agree with me on this, Ducky is and always will be a father to us. Like my colleague stated, Ducky is a great person to go to for advice. I’ve gone to him a few times for advice throughout the years since I started as an agent. Most of the advice was to help me figure out how I was going to get along with Jen or even how to deal with my girls. Ducky is very wise. I will always cherish the memories I have of Ducky.
Now you are all probably wondering why I left my sister for last. Who knows why, but I did; so with that here we go. For most of you she is just your boss, the woman running the agency. But for me she is my boss and my sister. But to the nine of us, Jenny Shepard is more than the boss. She has covered and vouched for us on various occasions for countless things. She has our back no matter what it is, even if it means she has to risk her job to protect us. That is something she definitely picked up from Jethro, just as my teammates and I have. Like her co-retirees and Franks, Jen is one of us; and she always will be.
If I have learned anything from Jethro over the years just as my teammates and Jen have it is that your own by all means. We are going to miss all of you. Things definitely won’t be the same without you guys.” I said.
Now we had stayed for a bit longer before we returned to our respective homes and families. Tomorrow night we’d be repeating the festivities, but on a casual level instead of the dressed up level tonight’s festivities had been. For some of us, once we had gotten home; it was a chance to catch up on much needed sleep. As Jen and I settled into our respective beds next to our respective lovers.
Jen had been lying on her back when Jethro had noticed that Jen’s negligee was barely covering her hips just as the bedding seem to fall flat in hide every part of her body that he loved. Before long Jen noticed that Jethro was tracing her tattoo on her hip with his calloused hands. Jen knew full well what Jethro was subtly hinting at.
Meanwhile at my house, the girls were in bed; things were nice and quiet. I was lying on my stomach with my lower back and shoulder blades exposed. Just as Jethro had done with Jen’s Eiffel Tower tattoo, Nick started to trace my heart on my lower back. His hands kept getting dangerously lower every time he traced the heart that held his initials with mine.
Jen and I were tired after a long, tedious day of work followed by the retirement party. Jethro and Nick on the other hand were embracing their teenage boy side. Before anything happened both Jen and I fell asleep in our respective spouses’ arms, much to their dismay. Now I knew just as well as Jen did that by this time tomorrow night Jethro would attempt to persuade Jen into sleeping with him just as Nick would do with me. As far as Jen and I were concerned it was going to be wait and see what mood I’m in tomorrow night before we do anything.
Kate credited the transformation all to Ziva. Soon my fellow teammate, partner and fellow Probie as McGee like calling Kate, Ziva and I; would learn the truth behind Tony’s transformation. Kate thought that Ziva was the mastermind behind Tony’s transformation. She would soon find out that Ziva was the closer, Jeanne was the middle of the game relief and Jen had been the starting pitcher. Jeanne had the heavy lifting and Ziva definitely reaped the benefits of the transformation.
The retirement party would be starting in a few minutes. We had left Jordan in charge of getting my sister, Jethro and Ducky back to NCIS for the retirement party under the pretense of the four of them going on a double date; but they had to make a side trip to NCIS first because Jordan had accidentally left her keys on Ducky’s desk. Thankfully Jen, Jethro and Ducky went along with Jordan’s rouse, but Jethro was usual a bit suspicious. After a while our three retirees were at the office and soon realized that the double date was just a façade. Shortly after their arrival Tony stood up to give his speech before I gave mine.
“I'm going to start by saying that Gibbs, Ducky, and Director Shepherd have all helped to make me the agent I am today. All three are amazing role models that every employee at NCIS can look up to, and we are lucky to have them. I'll start with Director Shepherd; as Director, she gets involved with cases and makes sure the job gets done. One thing we all love about her is that she has faith in all of her employees, whether they are agents, scientists, or maintenance workers. She believes in all of us, and even thought enough of me to offer me my own team many years ago. But in my opinion, the greatest thing Jenny has ever done for this agency was bringing us one of the best agents NCIS has ever seen. If it wasn’t for her, Ziva wouldn't be living the life she is today, and none of us would know her. But Jenny saw potential in her, and brought her to us.
Next I'll talk about Ducky. Ducky is one of those guys that you can always go to for advice. When I was team leader many years ago, Ducky encouraged me every step of the way. He's the smartest person you will ever meet, and he's the easiest person to get along with. I've never met anyone with a bad word to say about Ducky, because it's impossible not to love him. He's always got a story to tell, whether you ask for one or not! And last, but definitely not least, there's Gibbs. Leroy Jethro Gibbs is the very definition of an excellent agent and team leader. He taught me everything I know about being a federal agent. I know I can speak for everyone here when I say that we look up to Gibbs and respect everything he does. He is willing to risk his life for his team, and for the people he works to protect. He has stood up for all of us when others doubted us. He's protected us, even when it meant putting his job or even his life in danger. And let's not forget that famous gut of his. He has a way of reading people and communicating with them like no one else I have ever met. I only hope that I will be half the team leader that he was. NCIS is going to miss Gibbs, Ducky and Jenny. Good luck to you in the future, and thanks for everything you've done for us.” Tony said.
Everyone applauded; both Jethro and Ducky shook Tony’s hand while Jen hugged him. It was my turn now and I had the thought of following Tony with a speech like his was going to be a tough act to follow no matter how hard I tried.
“Now as we all know by now I am one of the few people here tonight that has known our three retirees for quite some time. Obviously I’ve known Jen the longest out of all three. Jethro and Ducky aren’t that far behind my sister in that category.
The day Jen became a field agent back in 1999 was the day I met the man that would be her partner and her mentor amongst other things. That day, Jethro Gibbs became a staple in our lives. Because of Jethro and Jen, as a child; I wanted to be an NCIS agent when I grew up. While other girls my age didn’t dare to dream about becoming a federal agent, like I did; I wanted to be just like my sister and Gibbs. Like my teammates and my sister; I can say with great pride that I was taught by the great Leroy Jethro Gibbs. I think it’s safe to say that Gibbs is as much of a legend inside and outside these walls as his mentor Mike Franks is. So before I go on; thank-you for teaching Jen and I, most of all thank-you for being the brother I never had.
What can I say about Ducky? I think my sister would agree with me on this, Ducky is and always will be a father to us. Like my colleague stated, Ducky is a great person to go to for advice. I’ve gone to him a few times for advice throughout the years since I started as an agent. Most of the advice was to help me figure out how I was going to get along with Jen or even how to deal with my girls. Ducky is very wise. I will always cherish the memories I have of Ducky.
Now you are all probably wondering why I left my sister for last. Who knows why, but I did; so with that here we go. For most of you she is just your boss, the woman running the agency. But for me she is my boss and my sister. But to the nine of us, Jenny Shepard is more than the boss. She has covered and vouched for us on various occasions for countless things. She has our back no matter what it is, even if it means she has to risk her job to protect us. That is something she definitely picked up from Jethro, just as my teammates and I have. Like her co-retirees and Franks, Jen is one of us; and she always will be.
If I have learned anything from Jethro over the years just as my teammates and Jen have it is that your own by all means. We are going to miss all of you. Things definitely won’t be the same without you guys.” I said.
Now we had stayed for a bit longer before we returned to our respective homes and families. Tomorrow night we’d be repeating the festivities, but on a casual level instead of the dressed up level tonight’s festivities had been. For some of us, once we had gotten home; it was a chance to catch up on much needed sleep. As Jen and I settled into our respective beds next to our respective lovers.
Jen had been lying on her back when Jethro had noticed that Jen’s negligee was barely covering her hips just as the bedding seem to fall flat in hide every part of her body that he loved. Before long Jen noticed that Jethro was tracing her tattoo on her hip with his calloused hands. Jen knew full well what Jethro was subtly hinting at.
Meanwhile at my house, the girls were in bed; things were nice and quiet. I was lying on my stomach with my lower back and shoulder blades exposed. Just as Jethro had done with Jen’s Eiffel Tower tattoo, Nick started to trace my heart on my lower back. His hands kept getting dangerously lower every time he traced the heart that held his initials with mine.
Jen and I were tired after a long, tedious day of work followed by the retirement party. Jethro and Nick on the other hand were embracing their teenage boy side. Before anything happened both Jen and I fell asleep in our respective spouses’ arms, much to their dismay. Now I knew just as well as Jen did that by this time tomorrow night Jethro would attempt to persuade Jen into sleeping with him just as Nick would do with me. As far as Jen and I were concerned it was going to be wait and see what mood I’m in tomorrow night before we do anything.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The team's plan
While everyone scrambled to get Christmas gifts together and to decorate their respective homes for the holiday there was a bit of last minute planning going on. The major planning was the planning of a surprise retirement party for Jen, Jethro and Ducky. The other planning was basically just everyone trying to decide where the Christmas celebrations were going to be. Ducky as usual had Thanksgiving, hell he’s had Thanksgiving since the year Ziva got her U.S. citizenship and became an NCIS Agent. Christmas had always changed with each passing year. It was so much easier for my family, Jen and Jethro’s little family, Kate and Drew’s family, Ziva and Tony’s family, AJ and Palmer; even Ducky and Jordan to go to another team members’ home than it was for Abby and McGee. Transporting infant twins two months out of the year to other homes for holiday festivities and dinner with your work family wasn’t an easy task.
Of course as usual Ziva was decorating their house for Christmas and Hanukah. Hannah and Leah had grown up observing both holidays that fell in December. I remember one year when I had taken Jayden and Jocelyn over to Ziva’s with me for awhile as Nick wrapped Christmas gifts that Jayden and Jocelyn noticed that their Uncle, Aunt and cousins’ house looked different than ours.
“Mommy, why is there a Christmas tree and a Menorah up here?” Jayden asked.
“Yeah mommy, why? Doesn’t Aunt Ziva celebrate Christmas like Uncle Tony and the rest of us?” Jocelyn asked.
Of course when they asked their questions I wondered how I was gonna tell my inquisitive twin four year olds that Ziva was Jewish and that she celebrated both Christmas and Hanukah for her daughters so that they experience both of their parents’ holidays.
“Well girls, Aunt Ziva is Jewish; she was born and raised in Israel so she celebrates Hanukah just like she celebrates Christmas.” I remembered saying.
“But why does she celebrate both? Why doesn’t she just celebrate Christmas like the rest of us?” the twins inquired.
“She celebrates both so that your cousins experience both her holiday and ours.”
“Why doesn’t she just celebrate Christmas?”
“Your Aunt wants to celebrate both because of your cousins and so that she can retain some of her other life before she became a U.S. citizen. It makes it comfortable for her.”
Thankfully now Jayden and Jocelyn were older; and they understood what Tony and Ziva did this time of the year a little better so I didn’t have to answer any questions this time. Tony was planning on taking Ziva to a nice romantic dinner at the restaurant in the hotel they were at during their undercover mission years ago. Of course Tony had reserved a room just in case. Even though Hannah and Leah were more than old enough to stay home by themselves for a night or two, Tony figured that if someone from the team stayed with them then they wouldn’t have a party while he and Ziva were out.
Tony and Ziva left as soon as the girls and I got to their house. Hannah was lounging in the living room on one end of the couch with her computer resting on her lap as Leah relaxed on the other side of the couch with the final installment of the Twilight book series; Breaking Dawn. When I had walked over to one of the arm chairs in Tony and Ziva’s living room I had noticed that Hannah was reading Midnight Sun online. From the looks of it Tony had successfully converted his girls into Twi-hards. Of course Hannah and finished all four of the published books and she always reminded Leah of it. Leah was taking her time and enjoying Breaking Dawn. Tony was hoping that this little outing would last for a day or two so he made sure that I would stay with Hannah and Leah for the duration.
Meanwhile Tony and Ziva had just arrived at the hotel restaurant. Tony was thanking every star in the clear December night sky that the Marine Corps birthday ball had come and past. And as usual we had all thought that Jethro was going to skip it again, but to our surprise; Jethro insisted on escorting Jen to this year’s Marine Corps birthday ball. Anyway as Tony and Ziva waited for their entrees to arrive, Ziva ate her salad as Tony munched on a breadstick.
“I reserved a room for us upstairs just in case we don’t or can’t drive home after dinner.” Tony said.
“Nineteen years of marriage, twin eighteen years old later and you are still as eager as you were then to get me into bed. Some things never change; my little hairy butt.”
Tony and Ziva shared a look before Tony said something to his the love of his life.
“Did you bring that bikini you wore twenty years ago?”
“There is no safe answer that question; if I say yes then you will take pictures of me like you did then and we’ll go through the same song and dance that we went through twenty years ago. If I say no then you’ll be disappointed. There is no good way to answer that.”
“After nineteen years and twin eighteen year olds later, you are just as evasive as you were when we first met.”
“Cute Tony.”
Dinner for Tony and Ziva progressed as the minutes ticked by. Of course the night had gone the way that Tony had wanted them to. Just as he had hoped Ziva had a bit too much to drink just as Tony had. By the time 1am rolled around Ziva and Tony had fallen asleep after the countless endeavors that followed dinner. Much to Tony’s amused look on his face while he slept their endeavors had pleased him quiet a bit. Tony enjoyed watching Ziva swim laps in the hotel pool, they enjoy their time in the hotel’s hot tube which leads to countless physical pursuits in the bedroom.
Tony fell asleep before Ziva did.
“Damn my wife is just as gorgeous as she was twenty-three years ago.” Tony said unconsciously.
Ziva couldn’t help but smile as she drifted off to sleep as their second day at the hotel began.
Of course as usual Ziva was decorating their house for Christmas and Hanukah. Hannah and Leah had grown up observing both holidays that fell in December. I remember one year when I had taken Jayden and Jocelyn over to Ziva’s with me for awhile as Nick wrapped Christmas gifts that Jayden and Jocelyn noticed that their Uncle, Aunt and cousins’ house looked different than ours.
“Mommy, why is there a Christmas tree and a Menorah up here?” Jayden asked.
“Yeah mommy, why? Doesn’t Aunt Ziva celebrate Christmas like Uncle Tony and the rest of us?” Jocelyn asked.
Of course when they asked their questions I wondered how I was gonna tell my inquisitive twin four year olds that Ziva was Jewish and that she celebrated both Christmas and Hanukah for her daughters so that they experience both of their parents’ holidays.
“Well girls, Aunt Ziva is Jewish; she was born and raised in Israel so she celebrates Hanukah just like she celebrates Christmas.” I remembered saying.
“But why does she celebrate both? Why doesn’t she just celebrate Christmas like the rest of us?” the twins inquired.
“She celebrates both so that your cousins experience both her holiday and ours.”
“Why doesn’t she just celebrate Christmas?”
“Your Aunt wants to celebrate both because of your cousins and so that she can retain some of her other life before she became a U.S. citizen. It makes it comfortable for her.”
Thankfully now Jayden and Jocelyn were older; and they understood what Tony and Ziva did this time of the year a little better so I didn’t have to answer any questions this time. Tony was planning on taking Ziva to a nice romantic dinner at the restaurant in the hotel they were at during their undercover mission years ago. Of course Tony had reserved a room just in case. Even though Hannah and Leah were more than old enough to stay home by themselves for a night or two, Tony figured that if someone from the team stayed with them then they wouldn’t have a party while he and Ziva were out.
Tony and Ziva left as soon as the girls and I got to their house. Hannah was lounging in the living room on one end of the couch with her computer resting on her lap as Leah relaxed on the other side of the couch with the final installment of the Twilight book series; Breaking Dawn. When I had walked over to one of the arm chairs in Tony and Ziva’s living room I had noticed that Hannah was reading Midnight Sun online. From the looks of it Tony had successfully converted his girls into Twi-hards. Of course Hannah and finished all four of the published books and she always reminded Leah of it. Leah was taking her time and enjoying Breaking Dawn. Tony was hoping that this little outing would last for a day or two so he made sure that I would stay with Hannah and Leah for the duration.
Meanwhile Tony and Ziva had just arrived at the hotel restaurant. Tony was thanking every star in the clear December night sky that the Marine Corps birthday ball had come and past. And as usual we had all thought that Jethro was going to skip it again, but to our surprise; Jethro insisted on escorting Jen to this year’s Marine Corps birthday ball. Anyway as Tony and Ziva waited for their entrees to arrive, Ziva ate her salad as Tony munched on a breadstick.
“I reserved a room for us upstairs just in case we don’t or can’t drive home after dinner.” Tony said.
“Nineteen years of marriage, twin eighteen years old later and you are still as eager as you were then to get me into bed. Some things never change; my little hairy butt.”
Tony and Ziva shared a look before Tony said something to his the love of his life.
“Did you bring that bikini you wore twenty years ago?”
“There is no safe answer that question; if I say yes then you will take pictures of me like you did then and we’ll go through the same song and dance that we went through twenty years ago. If I say no then you’ll be disappointed. There is no good way to answer that.”
“After nineteen years and twin eighteen year olds later, you are just as evasive as you were when we first met.”
“Cute Tony.”
Dinner for Tony and Ziva progressed as the minutes ticked by. Of course the night had gone the way that Tony had wanted them to. Just as he had hoped Ziva had a bit too much to drink just as Tony had. By the time 1am rolled around Ziva and Tony had fallen asleep after the countless endeavors that followed dinner. Much to Tony’s amused look on his face while he slept their endeavors had pleased him quiet a bit. Tony enjoyed watching Ziva swim laps in the hotel pool, they enjoy their time in the hotel’s hot tube which leads to countless physical pursuits in the bedroom.
Tony fell asleep before Ziva did.
“Damn my wife is just as gorgeous as she was twenty-three years ago.” Tony said unconsciously.
Ziva couldn’t help but smile as she drifted off to sleep as their second day at the hotel began.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Baby Jilson's baby room
Over the next few days AJ consulted with Kate, Ziva, Abby and I on how to decorate their baby’s nursery. Now everyone but AJ and Palmer knew of a gift that they would be getting for the baby. Since we had learned of Baby Palmer’s impending arrival along with the impending arrival of Kelly and her fiancé’s, Jason Beckett’s little one; Baby Beckett as we had referred to the little one, there was a bit of secrecy that the expectant parents didn’t get. After learning that he was going to be an Uncle again as well as a grandfather, Jethro took to his basement and his hand tools once again. This time he wasn’t building a boat in the space that he had.
Instead he was building two cribs; one for his future granddaughter or future grandson and one for his future niece or nephew. We all knew Jethro had a soft side especially when it came to kids. Jen had seen his soft side countless times before. Now we all saw it whenever Kelly was around or when our respective children were nearby. Hell we all saw his soft side when Jen was at his side or when he affectionately kissed Abby on her cheek like all fathers do with their daughters.
It was lunch time and Tony insisted on debating with McGee about which one of them was going to pay for lunch for the team. Jethro as usual had escaped by going to get coffee for himself and Jen. So that left Kate, Ziva and I to deal with Tony acting like a child. I had noticed Jen going into MTAC just as Nick came over to the squad room. Nick kissed me on the head before I got up to join Jen in MTAC. Once I was at the top of the stairs, Jethro returned from his coffee run.
“DiNozzo, shut it. Where is Jaylyn going?” Jethro asked.
“My guess is MTAC, boss just like the Director.” Tony said.
Jethro looked up to MTAC and figured that no good could have come from the two of us being in MTAC.
“Cue up the picture, please.” Jen instructed the MTAC techs once I had taken the seat next to her.
“What picture?” I asked.
“You’ll see.” Jen answered as she handed me the file that contained the final case report on our father’s murder.
“A picture of dad.” I said as I noticed the picture on the screen in front of us.
“Just read the report, Jay.”
As I read the report, Jethro and Nick came into MTAC. Neither Jen nor I knew that our significant others were in the room with us at first so our little conversation continued on as normal.
“So Jeanne successfully completed her vendetta, we’re officially orphans.”
“Jay, we’ve been orphans since the day mom died; Jeanne killing dad was just the final body blow that was dealt to us.”
“Either way, body blow or cheap shot; Jeanne still managed to murder dad, we are orphans at 41 and 61.” I said.
At that point Jethro and Nick came to us. Jethro set the coffee he had gotten Jen in the cup holder that sat in the armrest in-between her and me. They could see the tears starting to swell in our eyes. Nick started to hug me but Jethro knew better, so he restrained Nick from hugging me. Jethro knew what Jen and I need to do. Just Jethro had twenty-one years prior when Jen had a picture of René Benoit on the screen during Jethro’s case that involved Ares being auctioned off; he and Nick let us be. Jen and I rose from our chairs just as Jen had all those years ago and we walked towards the screen until we were a few steps away.
That moment was when NCIS’ retiring Director and her successor became human, when all the invincibility we had attained throughout our respective careers came crumbling down as we looked at the picture of our father before us; it was the moment we let our tears flow freely from our eyes. Jethro dismissed the MTAC techs knowing that the last thing Jen and I wanted was to seen as women who didn’t belong in a man’s world when we were as vulnerable as we were. Once the techs were out the room, Jethro and Nick came to us once again. This time Jethro embraced Jen as Nick embraced me, our significant others were there to comfort us when we needed them to. Both Jethro and Nick were glad to see that we were finally showing some emotions when it came to losing our father since we had been bottling our emotions up.
Once Jethro had his arms wrapped around Jen, he cradled her head and let her cry her eyes out just as Nick did the same with me. Jethro hated seeing those emerald eyes stricken with tears just as much as Nick hated seeing the brown eyes he loved for nearly two decades, being overran with tears. But both knew that this was necessary so they let us drench their shirts with our tears without saying a word. After standing in MTAC for twenty minutes Nick thought that it would be best if he had brought me home for awhile.
When we got home the girls were in their respective rooms doing their homework. Just as he had before; Nick took me into his arms, started dancing and began to whisper something in my ear.
“Hang up that red dress, let down your hair, cancel those reservations don’t need to go nowhere.” Nick sang into my ear.
“How did you know?” I asked.
“As good as you’re looking right now, girl bet you're thinkin I’m crazy, there’s a side of you that I wanna see that never ceases to amaze me.” Nick said as danced across our dining room.
“I should start calling you miracle worker.”
“Gimme that girl with the hair in a mess, sleepy little smile with her head on my chest, that’s the you that I like best, gimme that girl.”
At that point I re-lifted my head from Nick’s chest and looked at him adoringly.
“Gimme that girl lovin up on me, old t-shirt and a pair of jeans, that’s the you I wanna see, gimme that girl, gimme that girl. Gimme that girl that’s beautiful, without a trace of makeup of on, barefoot in the kitchen, singing her favorite song. Dancing around like a fool, starring in her own little show, gimme that girl the rest of the world, ain’t lucky enough to know. Gimme that girl with the hair in a mess, sleepy little smile with her head on my chest, that’s the you that I like best, gimme that girl. Gimme that girl lovin up on me, old t-shirt and a pair of jeans, that’s the you I wanna see, gimme that girl, gimme that girl.” Nick finished as we came to a stop.
“Thanks for cheering me up with the song we first danced to in this house.”
“I’d do anything to see that smile on that gorgeous face of yours, my love.”
A few minutes later JD came in.
“Okay, I would say; get a room but seeing how if you guys do I may end up with two more siblings like the last time, I’m not gonna say anything.”
“Jennifer, what have I told you?” I asked.
“That you can match me wit for wit just like you can match Aunt Jen, Uncle Jethro and all my other relatives wit for wit; so I shouldn’t even bother.”
“Good, so what did you come into tell your father and I?”
“I just got off the phone with Leah and she said that Uncle Jethro is letting Uncle Tony throw family movie party in MTAC at 7pm; and we’re all invited. Aunt Kate and Uncle Drew are bringing their kids, Hannah and Leah will be there with their parents obviously, Aunt Abby and Uncle Tim will have Addie and Jake with them, Uncle Jimmy and Aunt AJ will be there obviously with baby in tow, Uncle Jethro and Aunt Jen will be there, even Kelly and her fiancé Jason will be there with baby in tow, Uncle Ducky and Aunt Jordan too. Leah said something about Uncle Jethro, Aunt Jen and Kelly bringing four surprise guests with them.” JD replied.
I looked at Nick knowing full well that he knew as well as I did who the four surprise guests were.
“I’m guessing Jackson, Franks, Leyla and Amira are the four guests that are coming.” I said.
“Probably.” Nick said.
“Delaney, hun; go call Leah back and tell her to tell Tony that we’ll all be there for family movie night in MTAC.” I instructed.
“Will do mom and please stop switching between my names before I get confused.”
I nodded and JD went into her room to call Leah.
“It will be nice to see Leyla and Amira.” Nick said.
“Yeah it will be, Emira just turned twenty-one I believe so it will be nice to see her as an adult instead of that gangly kid she was.” I said.
With that Nick and I each took one of our twins and helped them get ready for the family movie night we were going to. Knowing Tony the movie was going to be a classic, the only thing I didn’t know was how Tony figured how he was gonna fit thirty-four people in MTAC for the little tradition he was insisting on starting. I knew Jethro and Jen would put their two cents as far as the sitting arrangements went.
When we got to MTAC we found out who the surprise guests were. Just as I had predicted our surprise guests were Jackson, Franks, Leyla and Amira.
“Do my eyes deceive me or is that Jaylyn Shepard standing before me?” Franks said in what we all called his cowboy voice.
“Its good to see you Mike and you know that it’s Shepard-Balboa now.”
“Either way, you’re just as gorgeous as you were at twenty-five.” Franks said.
“That was years ago and three kids ago, Mike.”
“Well you, Ziva, Abby and Kate still have the bodies ya had back then.”
“Okay before this conversation veers off into an uncomfortable discussion, roll the tape; DiNozzo.” Jethro instructed.
“I second that.” Nick said from behind me as he placed a protective she’s mine hand on my shoulder.
Franks then turned his attention JD, Jayden and Jocelyn.
“You three are the spitting image of your mother.” Franks said to mine and Nick’s girls.
After that Tony went to put his DVD copy of A Miracle on 34thStreet into the control panel. It was very fitting for all us to be watching this classic Christmas movie. The snow was starting to fall outside and Christmas was just days away. Abby would remind us everyday that Christmas was coming up. Those of us that were mothers knew how important this Christmas was for her, it was Addie and Jake’s first Christmas as well as Abby and McGee’s first Christmas as parents.
While we took our seats the four oldest kids sat in the front four seats as the other six took to the floor. Addie and Jake weren’t quite sitting up on their own very well yet so Jayden sat behind Addie as Jocelyn sat with Jake. So the rest of us took to the remaining chairs that Hannah, Leah, JD and Benjamin weren’t occupying. Jethro and Franks let Jen go before them.
Jethro cautiously and protectively watched Franks as Franks watched Jen walk up the steps to the back row of seats.
“Hoorah, Gunny.” Franks said just as he had twenty-two years ago.
Instead he was building two cribs; one for his future granddaughter or future grandson and one for his future niece or nephew. We all knew Jethro had a soft side especially when it came to kids. Jen had seen his soft side countless times before. Now we all saw it whenever Kelly was around or when our respective children were nearby. Hell we all saw his soft side when Jen was at his side or when he affectionately kissed Abby on her cheek like all fathers do with their daughters.
It was lunch time and Tony insisted on debating with McGee about which one of them was going to pay for lunch for the team. Jethro as usual had escaped by going to get coffee for himself and Jen. So that left Kate, Ziva and I to deal with Tony acting like a child. I had noticed Jen going into MTAC just as Nick came over to the squad room. Nick kissed me on the head before I got up to join Jen in MTAC. Once I was at the top of the stairs, Jethro returned from his coffee run.
“DiNozzo, shut it. Where is Jaylyn going?” Jethro asked.
“My guess is MTAC, boss just like the Director.” Tony said.
Jethro looked up to MTAC and figured that no good could have come from the two of us being in MTAC.
“Cue up the picture, please.” Jen instructed the MTAC techs once I had taken the seat next to her.
“What picture?” I asked.
“You’ll see.” Jen answered as she handed me the file that contained the final case report on our father’s murder.
“A picture of dad.” I said as I noticed the picture on the screen in front of us.
“Just read the report, Jay.”
As I read the report, Jethro and Nick came into MTAC. Neither Jen nor I knew that our significant others were in the room with us at first so our little conversation continued on as normal.
“So Jeanne successfully completed her vendetta, we’re officially orphans.”
“Jay, we’ve been orphans since the day mom died; Jeanne killing dad was just the final body blow that was dealt to us.”
“Either way, body blow or cheap shot; Jeanne still managed to murder dad, we are orphans at 41 and 61.” I said.
At that point Jethro and Nick came to us. Jethro set the coffee he had gotten Jen in the cup holder that sat in the armrest in-between her and me. They could see the tears starting to swell in our eyes. Nick started to hug me but Jethro knew better, so he restrained Nick from hugging me. Jethro knew what Jen and I need to do. Just Jethro had twenty-one years prior when Jen had a picture of René Benoit on the screen during Jethro’s case that involved Ares being auctioned off; he and Nick let us be. Jen and I rose from our chairs just as Jen had all those years ago and we walked towards the screen until we were a few steps away.
That moment was when NCIS’ retiring Director and her successor became human, when all the invincibility we had attained throughout our respective careers came crumbling down as we looked at the picture of our father before us; it was the moment we let our tears flow freely from our eyes. Jethro dismissed the MTAC techs knowing that the last thing Jen and I wanted was to seen as women who didn’t belong in a man’s world when we were as vulnerable as we were. Once the techs were out the room, Jethro and Nick came to us once again. This time Jethro embraced Jen as Nick embraced me, our significant others were there to comfort us when we needed them to. Both Jethro and Nick were glad to see that we were finally showing some emotions when it came to losing our father since we had been bottling our emotions up.
Once Jethro had his arms wrapped around Jen, he cradled her head and let her cry her eyes out just as Nick did the same with me. Jethro hated seeing those emerald eyes stricken with tears just as much as Nick hated seeing the brown eyes he loved for nearly two decades, being overran with tears. But both knew that this was necessary so they let us drench their shirts with our tears without saying a word. After standing in MTAC for twenty minutes Nick thought that it would be best if he had brought me home for awhile.
When we got home the girls were in their respective rooms doing their homework. Just as he had before; Nick took me into his arms, started dancing and began to whisper something in my ear.
“Hang up that red dress, let down your hair, cancel those reservations don’t need to go nowhere.” Nick sang into my ear.
“How did you know?” I asked.
“As good as you’re looking right now, girl bet you're thinkin I’m crazy, there’s a side of you that I wanna see that never ceases to amaze me.” Nick said as danced across our dining room.
“I should start calling you miracle worker.”
“Gimme that girl with the hair in a mess, sleepy little smile with her head on my chest, that’s the you that I like best, gimme that girl.”
At that point I re-lifted my head from Nick’s chest and looked at him adoringly.
“Gimme that girl lovin up on me, old t-shirt and a pair of jeans, that’s the you I wanna see, gimme that girl, gimme that girl. Gimme that girl that’s beautiful, without a trace of makeup of on, barefoot in the kitchen, singing her favorite song. Dancing around like a fool, starring in her own little show, gimme that girl the rest of the world, ain’t lucky enough to know. Gimme that girl with the hair in a mess, sleepy little smile with her head on my chest, that’s the you that I like best, gimme that girl. Gimme that girl lovin up on me, old t-shirt and a pair of jeans, that’s the you I wanna see, gimme that girl, gimme that girl.” Nick finished as we came to a stop.
“Thanks for cheering me up with the song we first danced to in this house.”
“I’d do anything to see that smile on that gorgeous face of yours, my love.”
A few minutes later JD came in.
“Okay, I would say; get a room but seeing how if you guys do I may end up with two more siblings like the last time, I’m not gonna say anything.”
“Jennifer, what have I told you?” I asked.
“That you can match me wit for wit just like you can match Aunt Jen, Uncle Jethro and all my other relatives wit for wit; so I shouldn’t even bother.”
“Good, so what did you come into tell your father and I?”
“I just got off the phone with Leah and she said that Uncle Jethro is letting Uncle Tony throw family movie party in MTAC at 7pm; and we’re all invited. Aunt Kate and Uncle Drew are bringing their kids, Hannah and Leah will be there with their parents obviously, Aunt Abby and Uncle Tim will have Addie and Jake with them, Uncle Jimmy and Aunt AJ will be there obviously with baby in tow, Uncle Jethro and Aunt Jen will be there, even Kelly and her fiancé Jason will be there with baby in tow, Uncle Ducky and Aunt Jordan too. Leah said something about Uncle Jethro, Aunt Jen and Kelly bringing four surprise guests with them.” JD replied.
I looked at Nick knowing full well that he knew as well as I did who the four surprise guests were.
“I’m guessing Jackson, Franks, Leyla and Amira are the four guests that are coming.” I said.
“Probably.” Nick said.
“Delaney, hun; go call Leah back and tell her to tell Tony that we’ll all be there for family movie night in MTAC.” I instructed.
“Will do mom and please stop switching between my names before I get confused.”
I nodded and JD went into her room to call Leah.
“It will be nice to see Leyla and Amira.” Nick said.
“Yeah it will be, Emira just turned twenty-one I believe so it will be nice to see her as an adult instead of that gangly kid she was.” I said.
With that Nick and I each took one of our twins and helped them get ready for the family movie night we were going to. Knowing Tony the movie was going to be a classic, the only thing I didn’t know was how Tony figured how he was gonna fit thirty-four people in MTAC for the little tradition he was insisting on starting. I knew Jethro and Jen would put their two cents as far as the sitting arrangements went.
When we got to MTAC we found out who the surprise guests were. Just as I had predicted our surprise guests were Jackson, Franks, Leyla and Amira.
“Do my eyes deceive me or is that Jaylyn Shepard standing before me?” Franks said in what we all called his cowboy voice.
“Its good to see you Mike and you know that it’s Shepard-Balboa now.”
“Either way, you’re just as gorgeous as you were at twenty-five.” Franks said.
“That was years ago and three kids ago, Mike.”
“Well you, Ziva, Abby and Kate still have the bodies ya had back then.”
“Okay before this conversation veers off into an uncomfortable discussion, roll the tape; DiNozzo.” Jethro instructed.
“I second that.” Nick said from behind me as he placed a protective she’s mine hand on my shoulder.
Franks then turned his attention JD, Jayden and Jocelyn.
“You three are the spitting image of your mother.” Franks said to mine and Nick’s girls.
After that Tony went to put his DVD copy of A Miracle on 34thStreet into the control panel. It was very fitting for all us to be watching this classic Christmas movie. The snow was starting to fall outside and Christmas was just days away. Abby would remind us everyday that Christmas was coming up. Those of us that were mothers knew how important this Christmas was for her, it was Addie and Jake’s first Christmas as well as Abby and McGee’s first Christmas as parents.
While we took our seats the four oldest kids sat in the front four seats as the other six took to the floor. Addie and Jake weren’t quite sitting up on their own very well yet so Jayden sat behind Addie as Jocelyn sat with Jake. So the rest of us took to the remaining chairs that Hannah, Leah, JD and Benjamin weren’t occupying. Jethro and Franks let Jen go before them.
Jethro cautiously and protectively watched Franks as Franks watched Jen walk up the steps to the back row of seats.
“Hoorah, Gunny.” Franks said just as he had twenty-two years ago.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Ducky's successor
Now we all knew what was gonna happen in a few months. Jethro was officially stepping down as team leader and he had chosen Tony as his successor. Jen was stepping down as Director so that she could be with Jethro without any distractions which made me her successor. With Ducky retiring with my sister and Jethro in a few months it was finally time for Palmer to cowboy up like Tony and me. Jethro, Jen and Ducky were more then ready to retire so the intervening months between now and then was absolute torture for them. But those intervening months were a God sent for Tony, Palmer, Abby, McGee, Kate, Ziva and I.
We weren’t quite ready to say goodbye to our Mommy, Daddy and our lovable Grandpa as Abby would say. So the seven of us enjoyed each of the remaining days we had with Jen, Jethro and Ducky. Now Abby and I were affected the most by what was going to happen in a few months. We were the emotional ones on Jethro’s team without a doubt and we knew that Kate and Ziva right behind us on the emotional scale of things.
Palmer benefitted in a way that the rest of the NCIS dads and us NCIS moms were as lucky to have when we had our kids. Palmer would have a few days between the arrival of his and AJ’s baby and the day that Ducky retired to be able switch gears. By now the rest of us had learned that Kelly was engaged, moving in with her fiancé and they were expecting their first just as AJ and Palmer were. It was rare that anything was kept a secret at NCIS. It was even rarer for anything to remain a secret within the team. Since Kelly came back we considered her to be part of the team despite the fact that she wasn’t an NCIS agent, just the fact that she was the boss’ daughter instantly qualified her as a team member.
With the news of Kelly being pregnant; Kate, Ziva, Abby and I prepared ourselves for an onslaught of questions from Kelly and AJ. Jethro prepared himself for meeting Kelly’s fiancé and for his questions of fatherhood. Tony, McGee, Drew and Nick knew that there was a likely chance that Palmer was more likely to ask them for advice since he still feared Jethro.
So the following day I began my month long personal hell of desk work while Kate, Ziva, Tony and McGee had the enjoyment of being out in the field with Jethro whenever we got a case. Needless to say I wasn’t happy being chained to my desk. It didn’t help much when Jethro got a call from DC Metro saying they had a case that was right up our jurisdiction. Once Jethro got off the phone he uttered the words we had all become quite accustomed to over the years.
“Grab your gear.” Jethro said.
Instinctively went to pull my gun out of the draw and grab my backpack like the others did completely forgetting about my personal hell. But with one glaring look from Jethro, I was snapped back to reality.
“Get information on this Marine and send the information to McGee.” Jethro instructed as he tossed the piece of paper he had written the dead Marine’s name on to me.
“Fine.” I said.
Jethro laughed as I had reminded him that Jen and I had the same temper.
“It’s not funny, Jethro.” I called after him.
“Kind of is, Jay.” Jethro said before the elevator doors closed.
“He’s very lucky to be dating Jen cause if they weren’t together, I would have let loose on him; whether he was my boss or not.” I thought to myself as I began to look up Lance Corporal Mikaya’s record and personal information.
“Desk work sucks.”
“It wouldn’t suck if you hadn’t shot Eli; it would have been better if you had just let Jethro and I deal with Eli.” Jen said as she came over.
“Will you stop that? You know I hate when you use what I am thinking against me.”
As Jen and I stared at each, neither one of us wanting to concede to the other in this minor argument we were having; Palmer and AJ came over to us. It wasn’t until they were standing a few steps away from Jen that I had noticed that they had been debating something themselves. In a few weeks AJ would be asked by her doctor if she and Palmer wanted to the sex of their baby or not. AJ and Palmer were obviously at odds so they decided that it would be best to ask the team.
“Why aren’t you with Jethro and the team?” I asked Palmer when I had noticed them.
“AJ had a check up with her Doctor today, so I stayed behind.”
“So what do you two want?” Jen asked.
“Well my doctor said that in a few weeks, she’ll be able to tell us whether we are having a girl or a boy. Jimmy and I cannot agree on whether we want to know or not know. I want to know what we are having and he doesn’t.” AJ said.
“We would like to know what you two think and what the others think.” Palmer continued.
I knew this was going to be interesting and I had to wonder how divided the team would be on this subject.
“Well Director, would you want to know what you and Agent Gibbs were having if you were in our position or not?
“I’m not sure; I think I would want to know what I would be having.” Jen answered.
“And you, Jay?” Palmer asked.
“Sorry Jimmy, but I have to agree with AJ and Jen on this one. I wanted to know whether JD and the twins were boys or girls.”
Palmer wasn’t quite thrilled with the results they had gotten so far. Jen and I had learned that before we were asked Palmer and AJ had asked Abby the same question. Abby had basically agreed with Jen, AJ and me. Palmer didn’t like the way things were stacking against him so far.
When the team got back, things were pretty much in a chaotic state. Abby had come up from her lab to collect the evidence that had been brought back. As could be expected Jen and Jethro got intone of their arguments after Palmer and AJ had asked the rest of the team the question they had asked Jen and I before. Surprisingly Jethro along with Tony and McGee had agreed with Palmer on waiting to know the sex of the baby. Ducky sided with Jen, AJ, Abby and I just as Kate and Ziva had. Drew and Nick decided to stay neutral. So Jen and Jethro’s argument was over their difference of opinion.
They were so engrossed in the argument that none of us could get through to them. So a wicked thought came to me and Abby. We had both remembered the time where she had imitated Jen and Jethro arguing in her lab when her sister-in-law was a suspect in sailor’s untimely death twenty-two years prior. With that idea in mind as a possibility to distract our extremely stubborn bosses, I took on the part of imitating my sister as Tony eagerly jumped at imitating Jethro.
“How can you not want to know your child’s sex? It would make everything, including decorating the nursery a hell of a lot easier than working blind!!!!” I said imitating what Jen had yelled at the start of the argument.
“Knowing takes all of the surprise out of it, Jen.” Tony shouted back as Jethro.
Now Tony had been standing on the one side of Jethro as I had been standing on the one side of Jen facing Tony as Jen faced Jethro in the middle of the squad room. Kate and Ziva were amused by the entertainment before them as Abby took her place on the other side of Tony and me in the center of us. Palmer had slowly backed up to end of the squad room as AJ remained by Ducky, Nick, McGee and Drew.
"You obviously wanted to know if Kelly was a boy or a girl when Shannon was pregnant with her. What makes having a baby with me different than having a baby with Shannon?” I said fully embracing Jen’s anger.
This was the point in their argument that Jethro had realized that there was no safe answer to her question. We could all see it in his eyes; he had Shannon on one pedestal while he had Jen on another.
"This is ridiculous, Jen; why the hell do you insist on making everything into an argument?”
“It’s my prerogative to. Just as it should be up to the expectant mother to decide whether or not her and her significant other find out the sex of their unborn child since she is the one who carries it for nine months and gives birth to the baby!!!!”
With that being said as Jen and Jethro realized what was going on and why Ziva and Kate were holding back laughs while AJ hid her face in Palmer’s chest; Abby stepped in.
“The kids don’t like it when Mommy and Daddy fight.”
Jen and Jethro couldn’t help but smile, Abby was always able to diffuse a tense moment between them.
“Now my dears, that you have your answers; what are you going to do?” Ducky asked AJ and Palmer.
“I think we’ll wait and decide then, Doctor.” Palmer answered.
“See how ridiculous you two were arguing over a hypothetical scenario?” I asked my sister and Jethro.
Their answer to my question was simple. A stare from both of them told me to shut up and get back to work.
We weren’t quite ready to say goodbye to our Mommy, Daddy and our lovable Grandpa as Abby would say. So the seven of us enjoyed each of the remaining days we had with Jen, Jethro and Ducky. Now Abby and I were affected the most by what was going to happen in a few months. We were the emotional ones on Jethro’s team without a doubt and we knew that Kate and Ziva right behind us on the emotional scale of things.
Palmer benefitted in a way that the rest of the NCIS dads and us NCIS moms were as lucky to have when we had our kids. Palmer would have a few days between the arrival of his and AJ’s baby and the day that Ducky retired to be able switch gears. By now the rest of us had learned that Kelly was engaged, moving in with her fiancé and they were expecting their first just as AJ and Palmer were. It was rare that anything was kept a secret at NCIS. It was even rarer for anything to remain a secret within the team. Since Kelly came back we considered her to be part of the team despite the fact that she wasn’t an NCIS agent, just the fact that she was the boss’ daughter instantly qualified her as a team member.
With the news of Kelly being pregnant; Kate, Ziva, Abby and I prepared ourselves for an onslaught of questions from Kelly and AJ. Jethro prepared himself for meeting Kelly’s fiancé and for his questions of fatherhood. Tony, McGee, Drew and Nick knew that there was a likely chance that Palmer was more likely to ask them for advice since he still feared Jethro.
So the following day I began my month long personal hell of desk work while Kate, Ziva, Tony and McGee had the enjoyment of being out in the field with Jethro whenever we got a case. Needless to say I wasn’t happy being chained to my desk. It didn’t help much when Jethro got a call from DC Metro saying they had a case that was right up our jurisdiction. Once Jethro got off the phone he uttered the words we had all become quite accustomed to over the years.
“Grab your gear.” Jethro said.
Instinctively went to pull my gun out of the draw and grab my backpack like the others did completely forgetting about my personal hell. But with one glaring look from Jethro, I was snapped back to reality.
“Get information on this Marine and send the information to McGee.” Jethro instructed as he tossed the piece of paper he had written the dead Marine’s name on to me.
“Fine.” I said.
Jethro laughed as I had reminded him that Jen and I had the same temper.
“It’s not funny, Jethro.” I called after him.
“Kind of is, Jay.” Jethro said before the elevator doors closed.
“He’s very lucky to be dating Jen cause if they weren’t together, I would have let loose on him; whether he was my boss or not.” I thought to myself as I began to look up Lance Corporal Mikaya’s record and personal information.
“Desk work sucks.”
“It wouldn’t suck if you hadn’t shot Eli; it would have been better if you had just let Jethro and I deal with Eli.” Jen said as she came over.
“Will you stop that? You know I hate when you use what I am thinking against me.”
As Jen and I stared at each, neither one of us wanting to concede to the other in this minor argument we were having; Palmer and AJ came over to us. It wasn’t until they were standing a few steps away from Jen that I had noticed that they had been debating something themselves. In a few weeks AJ would be asked by her doctor if she and Palmer wanted to the sex of their baby or not. AJ and Palmer were obviously at odds so they decided that it would be best to ask the team.
“Why aren’t you with Jethro and the team?” I asked Palmer when I had noticed them.
“AJ had a check up with her Doctor today, so I stayed behind.”
“So what do you two want?” Jen asked.
“Well my doctor said that in a few weeks, she’ll be able to tell us whether we are having a girl or a boy. Jimmy and I cannot agree on whether we want to know or not know. I want to know what we are having and he doesn’t.” AJ said.
“We would like to know what you two think and what the others think.” Palmer continued.
I knew this was going to be interesting and I had to wonder how divided the team would be on this subject.
“Well Director, would you want to know what you and Agent Gibbs were having if you were in our position or not?
“I’m not sure; I think I would want to know what I would be having.” Jen answered.
“And you, Jay?” Palmer asked.
“Sorry Jimmy, but I have to agree with AJ and Jen on this one. I wanted to know whether JD and the twins were boys or girls.”
Palmer wasn’t quite thrilled with the results they had gotten so far. Jen and I had learned that before we were asked Palmer and AJ had asked Abby the same question. Abby had basically agreed with Jen, AJ and me. Palmer didn’t like the way things were stacking against him so far.
When the team got back, things were pretty much in a chaotic state. Abby had come up from her lab to collect the evidence that had been brought back. As could be expected Jen and Jethro got intone of their arguments after Palmer and AJ had asked the rest of the team the question they had asked Jen and I before. Surprisingly Jethro along with Tony and McGee had agreed with Palmer on waiting to know the sex of the baby. Ducky sided with Jen, AJ, Abby and I just as Kate and Ziva had. Drew and Nick decided to stay neutral. So Jen and Jethro’s argument was over their difference of opinion.
They were so engrossed in the argument that none of us could get through to them. So a wicked thought came to me and Abby. We had both remembered the time where she had imitated Jen and Jethro arguing in her lab when her sister-in-law was a suspect in sailor’s untimely death twenty-two years prior. With that idea in mind as a possibility to distract our extremely stubborn bosses, I took on the part of imitating my sister as Tony eagerly jumped at imitating Jethro.
“How can you not want to know your child’s sex? It would make everything, including decorating the nursery a hell of a lot easier than working blind!!!!” I said imitating what Jen had yelled at the start of the argument.
“Knowing takes all of the surprise out of it, Jen.” Tony shouted back as Jethro.
Now Tony had been standing on the one side of Jethro as I had been standing on the one side of Jen facing Tony as Jen faced Jethro in the middle of the squad room. Kate and Ziva were amused by the entertainment before them as Abby took her place on the other side of Tony and me in the center of us. Palmer had slowly backed up to end of the squad room as AJ remained by Ducky, Nick, McGee and Drew.
"You obviously wanted to know if Kelly was a boy or a girl when Shannon was pregnant with her. What makes having a baby with me different than having a baby with Shannon?” I said fully embracing Jen’s anger.
This was the point in their argument that Jethro had realized that there was no safe answer to her question. We could all see it in his eyes; he had Shannon on one pedestal while he had Jen on another.
"This is ridiculous, Jen; why the hell do you insist on making everything into an argument?”
“It’s my prerogative to. Just as it should be up to the expectant mother to decide whether or not her and her significant other find out the sex of their unborn child since she is the one who carries it for nine months and gives birth to the baby!!!!”
With that being said as Jen and Jethro realized what was going on and why Ziva and Kate were holding back laughs while AJ hid her face in Palmer’s chest; Abby stepped in.
“The kids don’t like it when Mommy and Daddy fight.”
Jen and Jethro couldn’t help but smile, Abby was always able to diffuse a tense moment between them.
“Now my dears, that you have your answers; what are you going to do?” Ducky asked AJ and Palmer.
“I think we’ll wait and decide then, Doctor.” Palmer answered.
“See how ridiculous you two were arguing over a hypothetical scenario?” I asked my sister and Jethro.
Their answer to my question was simple. A stare from both of them told me to shut up and get back to work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)