In the states, waiting on the winter storm that is supposed to be coming my way. I forgot to upload this months ago and thought why not now, it is cold. Enjoy and I hope you are all comfortable wherever you might be.

I read a title that made me think of 'So this is Christmas' by John Lennon and this is what came to me. I also use 'Last Christmas' by Wham.

I'm still working on my other stories.

I do not own NCIS only an over active imagination and the love of music.

Agent Jennifer Shepard sat on a crappy seat of the airport as she waited for her flight to depart. Her body ache and her mind was running thinking of every scenario that could go wrong but the song playing over the airport speakers helped her slow down.

It was Christmas or that is what she saw around her all of a sudden. The shops decorated in wreathes and garlands, ornaments of every color, stockings and Christmas lights… yes it was Christmas.

Another year over and here she was once again in an airport, waiting to head to her next assignment. Jennifer let herself slump a little in her chair as she slid down it only slightly, her body needing rest.

Christmas had stopped meaning something to her a long time ago. Even before her father past, Christmas was not something the Shepard household celebrated. She let herself remember though, their Christmas in Paris a year ago. A smile appeared in her face as she remembered the snow, the lights, the feeling of complete happiness. Her smile soon faded though as she heard the song come to an end.

A New Year without any fear… she only ever felt fear, especially because of her job. Even with 'him' she felt fear. Fear of being rejected, fear in being hurt, fear in being betrayed, fear in being left behind…

The war can be over if you want it to, the song told her and as she sat in the airport alone, she realized she wanted the war to be over. She wanted to return home, to stop feeling scared and just take a chance. She grabbed her small backpack and ran to the nearest store, buying a long distance call card and getting quarters for change. She searched for a payphone and was glad to see one not far away from her terminal.

As she dialed the number she had ingrain in her mind years ago, she hoped he would answer. But as the phone rang and the answer machine picked up, she knew it was too late.

"Hi, you have called Jethro and Stephanie Gibbs; we're not home right now but leave a message after the beep." Jennifer let her head fall to the wall behind her as she let tears slowly fall down her eyes. She was too late and ironically the world knew it too.

- Hours later

Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs was not having the greatest day, he had come home once in the past twenty four hours and his wife of almost six months was already breathing down his throat. As he opened his door, which was locked because of his wife, he made his way in. Taking his keys out of his pocket and his change as well and dropping it off on the bowl that was on the side table beside his door.

He made his way to the kitchen, finding it empty and wondered where Stephanie was. He moved towards the room, ready to take a shower and change but the blinking light in the answering machine stopped him. He went over, pressing the play button and waiting on the cassette to rewind and play the message once more.

"Hi, you have called Jethro and Stephanie Gibbs; we're not home right now but leave a message after the beep." He heard Stephanie said and he wondered when had she changed the message but he stopped when he heard the message… actually not a message at all only the low song of 'Last Christmas' by Wham. He found himself on the floor beside the recorder and let himself listen to the song and the memories of the last Christmas in Paris a year ago.

"Happy Christmas, Jethro," he heard her whispered and then the dial tone.

"Merry Christmas, Jenny," he whispered to her from his spot on the floor. Not realizing that the first thing that popped in his mind when he heard Christmas was not of his decease wife and daughter but of the woman he let walk out of his life months ago.

Review if you have a quick minute.

So this is Christmas- John Lennon

Last Christmas- Wham

I own neither the songs that inspired this story or NCIS.