Summary: When Gibbs is called in to help with an interagency operation, he's confronted with the death of someone from his past and the tumultuous secrets that she left in her wake.

Author's Note: As promised, here is my first attempt at writing an NCIS fiction. Since it is my first attempt at this genre, I would greatly appreciate feedback. I will of course be working on finishing the Firefly story that I've been posting but this piece has been distracting me for some time now so I thought if I got it started maybe it would give me some peace. I will update as often as I can, but this one may take awhile to finish...it has the potential to be rather long.

Warning: This story will contain the non-sexual disciplinary spanking of minors and possibly adults; if you do not like or approve of this PLEASE DO NOT read this story. Some harsh language.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the NCIS characters nor do I make any money from writing this; it is strictly for fun.

Note: I do not speak any of the foreign languages represented in this story but have used online resources for those infrequent uses. I apologize if they are incorrect. I do actually know American Sign Language, however, since it is easier to write (and read), I have written out the signed conversations using standard English rather than using actual ASL syntax. Please consider it a translation.

CHAPTER 1

"Because, Zi-va," Tony's edgy tone could be heard as he exited the elevator. "We wanted him to admit to his part, not faint from terror."

"Ha!" the former Mossad agent scoffed, "He was dough in my hands."

"Putty," McGee corrected. "He was putty in your hands."

"See," Ziva said with a triumphant smile, "McGee agrees with me."

"Puddle would be a more accurate description, Ziva. Couldn't you have waited until after we transported him here to employ your intimidation techniques. I could have done without the stench on the ride back."

Ziva just shrugged as she took a seat behind her desk. "We got the information we needed."

Their bickering came to an abrupt halt when the elevator dinged and Gibbs exited, a fresh cup of coffee in hand.

"Okay, people, let's tie up the loose ends," he instructed curtly.

"Gibbs," Director Vance's voice carried through the bullpen, "A moment, please."

Gibbs paused to look up at Vance speculatively. The tension in the director's voice indicated that something out of the ordinary was underfoot. Their eyes met and it almost seemed to the bystanders that the two men communicated something silently. With a lift of his eyebrows Gibbs headed up the stairs.

As the two men approached Vance's office, Leon quickly briefed Gibbs on the situation. "Sec Nav has requested our help, or rather your help, on a sensitive interagency op."

"Requested?" Gibbs said with a knowing grin.

Vance returned the grin and opened the door to his office to reveal three men sitting at the conference table inside. Gibbs immediately recognized Fornell and Kort, but not the third man dressed in a tailored black suit.

"Special Agent Gibbs, I don't believe you have met Agent Drew Hiatt, Secret Service."

Gibbs shook the man's hand and nodded to both Fornell and Kort. More than a little bit curious. He then took the empty seat to Vance's right.

"So what's this about?" he asked. The men shared a look and then Fornell opened a file and took out a picture, tossing it in front of the NCIS agent.

Gibbs looked down at the photograph of the lovely redhead and shook his head, "I've told you before Fornell, I have no idea where you can find Deirdre."

The FBI agent's eyes looked down to the table before rising to meet Gibbs questioning gaze. "I'm afraid we found her, Jethro," he said tossing another picture in front of his friend.

"Damn," Gibbs said quietly, before pressing his lips tightly together and running his hand through his short hair. "What happened?"

"You know we had been after her for years," Fornell started. "She was suspected in multiple robberies, mostly white collar stuff with a few exceptions, but we could never get close to her. We always seemed to hit a brick wall," Fornell turned to glower at Kort.

"As you may know, Deirdre was a CIA agent for two years. After she left the agency, she periodically consulted on various operations," Kort explained in his clipped British accent.

Fornell snorted.

Ignoring the gray-haired FBI agent Kort continued, "She was retrieving a very important and delicate piece of intelligence for us and helping to unmask the one responsible for leaking this information when she was killed."

"You forgot to mention that she originally stole the chip in the first place!" Fornell stated heatedly, scowling at the CIA agent.

"Gentleman, please," Vance said his dark eyes disapproving. "Apparently, this stolen microchip contains critical information involving several government agencies," the director continued.

"We have reason to believe that the president's safety might have been compromised as well as," Hiatt added.

"What does this have to do with NCIS?" Gibbs wanted to know.

"Not so much NCIS as you, Gibbs," Fornell stated his eyes darting away.

"Me?"

"You had a relationship with Ms. Connley?" the Secret Service Agent's question was almost more of a statement.

Gibbs looked down one corner of his mouth lifting in a grin. "We knew each other."

"Intimately," Kort added, his own lips twitching.

"How is this relevant?" Gibbs demanded.

"Deirdre successfully retrieved the microchip," Kort stated. "Now there is only one person who knows where it is. She also knows who killed Deirdre and possibly who the traitor is."

Gibbs eyed the bald CIA agent curiously. Trent Kort was always very aloof and removed from a situation. As the man spoke, Gibbs had detected something different. Something he couldn't put his finger on. His gut told him that Kort had a personal interest here.

"And she will only talk to you," Fornell finished.

Gibbs gave Tobias an incredulous look. "Why me?"

"Apparently," here Fornell offered another glare to Kort, not bothering to mask his frustration at the lack of interagency cooperation and communication there had been before recent events, "Deirdre Connley has a daughter, Ashlynn Connley. And she insists that she will only deal with you."

"How old is she?" Gibbs queried.

"Just turned eighteen," Fornell answered, his lips quirking, aware what Gibbs was probably thinking. The FBI agent knew that Gibbs had first met Deirdre roughly sixteen years ago.

"You mean to tell me that the efforts of three government agencies combined couldn't bring in an eighteen-year-old girl?"

"It's complicated," Kort answered tersely.

Gibbs smiled. "Okay, so where am I supposed to meet the kid?"

XXX000XXX000XXX000

Leroy Jethro Gibbs relaxed comfortably in a corner booth at Sam and Harry's Steakhouse. He recognized the girl immediately when she entered. Her face was a younger version of Deirdre's, though her hair was coppery auburn rather than her mother's flamboyant red and her eyes were bluish green rather than Deirdre's emerald. The girl didn't pause, but walked straight to the table.

"Agent Gibbs," she said with a soft smile. There was no question in her tone and the NCIS agent could easily see the recognition in the girl's eyes.

Standing he held out his hand, "Ashlynn?"

Accepting his hand her lips quirked. "It must have been awhile since you'd seen my mother if you're having to ask."

Gibbs smiled and motioned politely for Ashlynn to take a seat, then reseated himself. Having noticed her arrival the waitress was quick to come with menus and to take their drink orders. Gibbs raised his eyebrow when the girl ordered an expensive Bordeaux.

"We'll both have water," he amended smiling charmingly at the waitress, who carefully schooled her features not betray her amusement.

"I have traveled extensively abroad with Deirdre," the girl said when the waitress had moved away, "We often shared a bottle of wine."

"Deirdre didn't care much about rules," Gibbs nodded. "I do."

Ashlynn rolled her eyes, but a smile played at her lips.

"So?" Gibbs started. "Why me?"

"My mom always told me that if something went wrong, I should come to you, and only you."

"So what went wrong?"

The girl pursed her lips and her eyes hardened in obvious anger. "In case you hadn't heard she was murdered."

Gibbs leaned over the table and touched the girl's hand. "I'm sorry for your loss, Ashlynn. Can you tell me what happened?"

"You weren't briefed?" she asked with a note of sarcasm that the man could tell was a defense against the moisture collecting in her eyes.

"I'd like to hear what you have to say."

"My mother was many things, but she was not a traitor," Ashlynn stated heatedly her eyes flashing. "She may have danced to the beat of a different drum, but she loved this country."

"Okay."

"She was wanting to retire. One more big job," the girl shook her head, "She wanted to pay for my college and ensure that we could live comfortably. She made a mistake, but she was trying to fix it. She got the microchip back, and any trace of the information was erased from the client's computers." The girl paused as the waitress came back to take their orders and bring their waters. When the woman left again Ashlynn continued.

"Deirdre wanted to retire stateside, so she needed the FBI off her back. Besides, she didn't like being lied to and used, so she went in, pretending to negotiate for more money. She was trying to find out who within the United States government and military was making the information available. She ended up dead for her efforts."

"That sounds pretty close to the story I heard," Gibbs nodded. "Do you know who killed your mother? Where the microchip is? Who the traitors are?"

"I do, but I want a few things in return."

"Like what?" Gibbs asked sharply. This girl seemed a bit young for this political dance.

Relaxing a bit and taking a sip of her water Ashlynn grinned at the stern NCIS agent before her. "For starters, I want you to tell me about you and my mother."

Gibbs cocked an eyebrow at the girl.

"Not intimate details. Just," she paused and looked away. "What were your impressions of her when you first spent time together? I know she visited you a few times over the years? I just want you to tell me about the Deirdre that you knew."

Gibbs leaned back, eying the girl speculatively. He supposed that given Deirdre's profession, the girl had often been left with caregivers for long periods of time. The girl probably wondered about her mother's other life.

"Well, we met about sixteen years ago. She had recently gotten out of the CIA. She was," he paused and chuckled. "Unique. Incredibly beautiful of course, and smart, but more than that. Deirdre was so full of life and energy. Despite two years in the CIA she was amazingly childlike."

Ashlynn chuckled and nodded her agreement.

"We enjoyed each other's company, but didn't really have much in common. She was," he paused, "Whimsical, some might say free-spirited."

"And you were an NCIS agent dedicated to his job. A Marine with very little whimsy," the girl observed smirking. "And the last time you saw her?"

"I found out what she did for a living and I told her that if I ever saw her again I would turn her over to the FBI," he stated bluntly.

"Did you…care for her?"

"Ashlynn," Gibbs started to say something, shaking his head.

"As a friend?" the girl interrupted.

"Yes, but she was a suspected thief wanted for questioning by the FBI."

"I understand."

"What does this have to do with anything?" Gibbs asked, his voice riddled with an undertone of impatience.

"I wanted to get to know you a little," Ashlynn answered simply. "Before I made my demands."

Gibbs lifted his eyebrow at her choice of words.

"I will tell you everything that you want to know. Help you in anyway I can if you promise protection for two individuals."

Gibbs met her gaze steadily, allowing the girl to continue. She was practically vibrating with agitation and he could tell that they had finally come to the heart of this meeting.

"My little brothers. Deirdre said you would protect them. If you promise me that you personally will see that no harm will come to them I will give you everything you ask."

Gibbs' eyes widened. Learning that Deridre had a daughter had been surprising. Finding out that she had two more children was positively astounding. Part of him wished the woman were alive so he could throttle her! What kind of woman tried to raise three kids while juggling a career as a renowned international thief and sometime consultant for the CIA? Yeah, that would be Deirdre Connley.

XXX000XXX000XXX000XXX

This time Ashlynn was the first to arrive at their meeting place, Laugh a Latte . Well, probably not first, really, but she was seated when Gibbs arrived at the coffee shop designed for parents with children. A supervised inside jungle gym, trampoline, ball pit and extensive labyrinth of tubes to climb through provided entertainment for children of various ages, while adults could enjoy a cup of their favorite gourmet coffee.

The previous evening had ended with an element of tension. For her own safety, Gibbs had wanted to take her into immediate protective custody. She adamantly refused, however, and insisted that he would never get the information that he wanted if he didn't do things her way. Ashlynn had been well aware that they were being listened to and watched closely. What was infuriating to Gibbs was that she had actually been able to slip past the extensive web of agents set to watch and follow her.

Ashlynn's "way" had been to meet him the following day at the coffee shop. She demanded his assurance that no one would be listening in to their private conversation, but allowed that she wanted excellent security since she would be bringing her brothers. The girl requested that he bring only his team or those people for whom he had the utmost trust, but said she would willingly concede to protective custody if her demands were met.

Gibbs approached the girl who was sitting in a corner, close to the play area, sipping from a steaming cup.

"Good morning," he said taking a seat beside her on the leather settee that helped to contribute to the ambience of the coffee shop.

"Good morning," she replied leaning down to a low table in front of them to push a cup of coffee towards him. "Black, extra dark."

He smiled and picked up the coffee.

"Were you able to talk the bureaucrats into doing things my way?"

Gibbs tilted his head and gave her a disapproving look.

Ashlynn lifted her eyebrow stubbornly.

Gibbs nodded. "My people are in place, and though I am wearing this," he tapped the earwig in his ear, "For communication purposes, they won't be able to hear unless I turn it on."

"Alright," she said with a nod, deciding to trust him.

"Did you bring your brothers?"

"They'll be here shortly."

"Was all of this really necessary?"

"I needed to get to know you. My mother trusted you, but I wanted to meet you myself."

"How did you manage to slip away last night?"

"I learned a thing or two from my mother."

"Not too much I hope," he answered with a smirk.

Ashlynn chuckled. Then her eyes were drawn to the door and a middle-aged woman entered with two boys who looked to be around ten and five. She smiled and by the softening of her eyes Gibbs knew that these were her siblings. If there was any doubt, that was erased moments later when the younger of the two ran forward, throwing his arms around the girl. She returned the hug and ruffled the boy's lighter auburn hair. Ashlynn gave the woman a nod and a wave and she went her own way, obviously having completed the task to which she was assigned.

The older boy approached more slowly and his eyes were glued to Gibbs' face the entire time. Sharp blue eyes, below a fringe of brown hair in need of a trim seemed to record every feature of the NCIS agent. Ashlynn watched her brother and looked to see Gibbs' reaction. She saw the recognition flash across his face, the question in his eyes before he schooled his expression to one friendly but nondescript.

"This is him!" the boy in her arms said excitedly.

"Yes, it is," she answered. "This is NCIS Special Agent Gibbs. And this is my brother AJ," she said, ruffling his hair again. "And my other brother Cameron."

"It's good to meet you," Gibbs responded holding his hand out first to Cameron and then to AJ." The younger of the two looked at him with the excitement of someone seeing Disney World for the first time and Gibbs wondered exactly what the boys had been told.

"Um, guys, do you think you could go play for awhile, so Gibbs and I can talk?" Ashlynn asked, offering them some wristbands that she had purchased which would allow them onto the playground. "I'll order you some cocoa and you can come back in a few minutes. Okay?"

"But-" AJ was obviously going to complain, but Cameron was quick to take his brothers hand and pull him to the playground, whispering something in his ear.

Ashlynn cleared her throat as she watched her brother's leave, then nervously took some papers from a black laptop satchel. "Cam is ten. His full name is Cameron Jethro Connley and AJ's is Aiden Jackson Connley. He's five." she paused not daring to meet the eyes of the man sitting next to her. Finally getting the nerve to face him, she handed the man the blue documents she held.

Gibbs accepted them silently.

"This is why I wanted a bit of privacy," she said quietly. "I didn't know exactly how to tell you, but I thought you should know before anyone else. This is one of the reasons Deirdre told me to come to you if anything happened."

"Both of them?" He demanded, voice tight with barely contained fury.

"Yes. When Cam was a bit more than four, she decided she wanted another child. You know how oddly eccentric Deirdre was…."

"Eccentric?" Gibbs barked. "She gave one of them my name and the other my father's?" he asked in quiet anger. "Put my name on the birth certificates?" His voice was getting louder. "Yet didn't bother to tell me that I have two sons? One apparently by design."

Ashlynn winced. She looked away. Finding her brothers on the playground she waved, and took another sip of her coffee before turning back to Gibbs.

"I'm sure you'll want to do a DNA test," she said. "But just looking at Cam, it's obvious. I mean you could exchange your elementary school picture with his," she said playing with her coffee cup.

"My elementary school picture?" Gibbs asked with a frightening edge to his voice.

"Yeah, we have a copy. Actually, we've been to Stillwater, even met your father," she added quietly biting her lip. "He didn't know who they were of course and the boys didn't know until later who he was. You don't know them, but they know you. Almost everything about you. Deirdre made sure of it. You're their hero."

Gibbs stared at the girl in shock. As if it wasn't enough to find out that he had two sons that he never knew existed, to find out that they had been raised to know him. That they had actually met his father and been to his hometown. What all had the former spy found out about him? Exactly what did these children know? His mind drifted to Kelly and Shannon and he felt his chest tighten.

How could Deirdre have done this to him? His mind conjured up the varied times spent with the beautiful, carefree woman who had always been so full of life and fun. She flouted social convention, even the law. At times she had been like a spoiled preschooler unwilling to accept that there were any boundaries she could not cross. When he'd learned of her occupation, he had made it clear to the woman that their periodic dalliances were done.

"I know this is really, really weird. I can't begin to explain to you why she did it and I am in no way excusing her actions. I mean, it's like you said, she was whimsical. She wanted a family and she wanted the boys to know that they had a father who was a wonderful man, but she was afraid that you would take them away if you had found out."

"Damn straight! She was a thief for God's sake! WHIMISICAL? Intentionally bringing children into the lifestyle she lived was completely irresponsible and selfish!"

His yelling brought interested stares from other patrons, but he was beyond caring. His own team members showed concern, but stayed at their assigned posts watching the drama unfold and wishing they had been able to hear what had roused Gibbs magnificent temper.

"I know. She was eccentric and could be self-serving, even childish. But she was my mom," Ashlynn's lip quivered and her voice broke, "And she loved us and I loved her." The girl dashed tears from her eyes. "And I love my brothers."

Gibbs rubbed his hand across his face and calmed his anger, letting out a long slow breath. The look in his blue eyes softened and he put his arm around the girl, regretting his show of temper. This wasn't Ashlynn's fault. All she was doing was trying to protect her brothers. His sons. There really was no doubt in his mind that they were in fact his sons.

"I know. You're all going to be just fine. I promise. Everything is going to be just fine."

Accepting comfort for a few moments Ashlynn finally rose, excusing herself to go to the restroom after checking to make certain her brothers were okay. When she returned the boys were coming off the play area. They stopped just short of Gibbs, eying him with excitement and trepidation.

"So, I guess, you know who I am?" he said gently, tilting his head to the side with a small smile.

"Yeah," Cam said a large smile coming to his face. "You're our dad."

No longer able to contain his enthusiasm, AJ launched himself at Gibbs, throwing his small arms around the man's waist. "I've waited my whole life to meet you!"

Wrapping his arms around the boy Gibbs found himself having to swallow forcibly and blink rapidly to ease the burning in his eyes. He looked at Cameron and opened one arm invitingly. That was all the ten-year-old needed. He too, gave his dad the hug he had been longing to deliver nearly his entire life.

Ashlynn had to wipe at her eyes yet again. She seldom cried but to say their lives had been wrought with emotional turmoil lately would have been the understatement of the century. This was a day her brothers had anxiously awaited for years. They had begged Deirdre mercilessly to meet their father. The woman had always responded with "Someday. When the time is right."

In all fairness that was the impetus behind her retirement plans. She wanted to come back to the DC area and settle down so that the boys could be near Gibbs. It had become increasingly evident that the boys not only wanted, but needed their father in their lives. Since Deidre was used to giving her children nearly everything that they wanted, she had been making arrangements for the last year. Even had an apartment leased.

"Boss?" a tentative voice interrupted the poignant moment.

Loosening his hold on the boys, but leaving his arms draped casually on their shoulders, Gibbs answered his senior agent, "Yeah, DiNozzo?"

"Everything okay?"

"It's good," he replied looking down at the boys with a smile.

TBC