Well I realize it took me a looooooong time to update this, and I apologize. But here's the final chapter, I hope it's a satisfying end. I'd love some feedback about a possible sequel, and please please please review!

Lt. Colonel Joel Evans was finally laid to rest three days after Shiloh was attacked by Matt Johnson. The ceremony was brief, and took place on a brisk, bright morning. McGee and Abby stood protectively, with Shiloh in the middle. She cried only once, when the flag was removed and solemnly folded. She took it into her arms and hugged it to her heart. McGee watched her swallow several times very quickly, and her eyes were clear when she looked back up.

After the casket was lowered into the ground, the small group of attendees began to drift away. Men and women that had served with her Father stopped to offer words of consolation before they made their way to their vehicles. Shiloh stood for a while watching the cemetery workers shovel earth into the open grave. When the cold wind started to pick up she turned to McGee and Abby with a sad smile.

"I suppose we should get going."

"Only if you're ready to leave." McGee said gently. He pulled her closer to him so he could wrap his coat around her. "You take all the time you need." She was quiet for a moment and then started to laugh.

"If he were here he'd tell me, 'go the hell home. It's cold, and I'm dead.'"

"Why don't we go have a late breakfast?" Abby suggested.

"That sounds great." Shiloh took one more look back at the grave. "I think I'm in the mood for French toast."

The restaurant was quiet. It was that in between time where it was too late for breakfast but too early for lunch. Only a few people still sat at the counter nursing bottomless cups of coffee and reading the paper.

"The sisters and I get dinner here sometimes before bowling." Abby said as they sat down in a corner table. "They have great food."

"Hey, do you mind ordering for me? I need to step into the ladies room." Shiloh left without waiting for an answer. McGee dropped his head into his hands.

"Is she alright?" Abby asked.

"Yeah. I think I'd be more worried if she didn't need a minute to collect herself."

"I hate this whole thing McGee. We solved the case, but I don't feel better." She turned to the waiter. "Two coffees, one root beer float, and Three French toast platters."

"What if I wanted eggs?"

"You didn't." Abby shot back.

"Damn. But you still could have asked."

"Whatever." Her expression softened. "I've never been this close to someone involved in a case."

"And I have?"

"What about that girl that saw the guy get killed across the street? You almost shot that guy point blank."

"Weren't we talking about you?"

"Sorry. I've been so short with you lately." McGee covered her hand with his.

"You never have to apologize to me, Abby. I understand." They grinned at each other.

"Am I interrupting?" Shiloh sat back down and started adding cream to her coffee. McGee's ears turned red.

"No, why would you think that?"

"Abby you slut. I leave you alone for five minutes and I come back to this?" She laughed and stirred in some sugar. "Well I guess I won't stand in your way, but do you mind tearing yourself away from Tim so we can go shopping tomorrow?"

"I love this girl McGee. Don't mess this up or I'll be forced to make you disappear."

"I'm just going to keep my mouth shut."

"Good idea, I've seen you chew on your ankle a few too many times for it to be funny anymore." Shiloh's face lit up as their food was delivered.

"Cheers. I am way too hungry to pretend I'm a dainty eater. Tim, I hope you still love me after you watch me destroy this French toast."

Late Halloween morning, Abby arrived at the apartment to pick Shiloh up. McGee answered the door.

"Are you here to free up my bathroom?"

"She's been in there for awhile?"

"Yes. About an hour and a half."

"All worth it." Shiloh sailed out of the bedroom and kissed his cheek. "I hardly spend much time in there on normal days, so don't bitch about my Halloween habit." McGee's jaw fell when he looked at her.

"Your show is a Lady Gaga tribute?" Shiloh laughed and adjusted her glasses.

"Of course not. This is my day look. I just get to have some fun in this. Not that performing isn't fun, but this is just for me to enjoy. Too bad Gaga isn't a red head, but I couldn't find the right blonde wig." He tore his eyes away from her Pokerface get up and looked at Abby.

"How come you aren't in costume?"

"Because I need your lady to help me with it. Don't worry, you'll get to see it tonight at the club. Make sure you, Tony, Ziva, and Gibbs are on time."

"You got Gibbs to come?" Shiloh asked in surprise.

"I have my ways." Abby replied. "Ducky might come too. He wants to get to hear you sing. I think Palmer and his girlfriend might make an appearance, but I'm not certain."

"Wow." Shiloh's face got real thoughtful. "Well, lets go." She paused and gave McGee a real kiss. "I'll see you tonight." He grabbed her hand.

"One question. How do you get into those pants?" She laughed and linked arms with Abby as the two women walked out the door.

A sudden knock on the dressing room startled Shiloh, and nearly sent her eyeliner into her eye.

"Come in, I'm decent." Abby peeked in. "Hey! Are they here? What did they think about your look?"

"I think Tony may like Betty Page more than Marilyn." The Goth did a quick spin. "Are my nylon's straight?"

"Yep. Now what's wrong."

"Nothing. Someone wanted to come back to see you before the show."

"Abby! McGee is NOT allowed to peek!"

"I know! It's not McGee."

"Alright, who then?" Gibbs strode into the room. "Oh. Hi." Abby squeezed the older man's shoulder and shut the door after her. "Is something the matter?"

"No. I have something for you." He handed her a box. It wasn't wrapped.

"What's the occasion?" She asked weakly.

"It's something you need." She pulled the lid off and gasped. It was a beautiful triangular box. It gleamed in the harsh dressing room lights. "It's for your flag. From the service."

"Oh, Gibbs." Shiloh felt her heart thump in her throat. "I can't accept this, it's too lovely."

"I don't make things to be turned away."

"You made this?"

"It's good solid oak. I stained it a nice dark shade so the flag will stand out."

"I don't know how to thank you. I don't know how to tell you how much this means to me. My Father would be honored." Gibbs stepped towards her and kissed the top of her head softly.

"Break a leg." He left her alone, and she took a full five minutes before she set the frame back into the box and finished her makeup.

McGee felt nervous. He'd seen her perform before, but his stomach rolled uneasily as he nursed a lonely beer.

"Jeez McGee, calm down. Her first number is only a few minutes away." Abby patted his hand.

"Tony, stop staring at Abby. It is starting to become indecent." Ziva knocked back a shot of whiskey.

"Don't worry Ziva, he doesn't mean anything by it."

"I must say I'm thrilled that I finally get to hear that girl sing." Ducky smiled and popped a few peanuts in his mouth. "Such a sweet young lady."

"I don't know how sweet she's going to look tonight, Ducky." Abby warned.

"Please. I may be older, but I'm not a prude. How many numbers will she be performing?"

"Just two." Abby told him. "The opener and the closer. She didn't have time to get a third one together."

"Not surprising after what she's been through."

"OH! It's starting!"

A man dressed as Hugh Hefner walked to the center of the small stage and tapped the microphone. Abby bristled with excitement beside McGee. He felt all of his nerves drain away as Shiloh was introduced. As Hef walked off, a single smokey blue spot light appeared. A trumpet in the house band played the intro for "All That Jazz". Shiloh stepped in the light.

A portion of his brain piped up somewhere during the song, asking himself if he should feel uncomfortable with the back up dancers putting their hands all over her half clothed body. He ignored the thought and let himself get swept away in her voice and her movements.

"You are one lucky S.O.B. McGeek." Tony said, as the applause died down. "That girl is smokin' hot." Abby grinned and pinched Tony's chin.

"You just wait."

The other performances were enjoyable, but most of the unbiased club patrons were in agreement that they couldn't touch Shiloh's act. Everyone stayed because she closed the show. Hef led the second to last girl off the stage himself and tipped his captain's hat to Abby.

"If you would excuse me." The slightly Goth Betty Page got a lot of wolf whistles as she made her way to the stage. "Now now, settle down. For the final act of this lovely Halloween night, a certain lady would like to remind all you ladies and gentlemen, that she isn't bad. She's just drawn that way."

"Sweet Jesus, she isn't." Tony groaned. "God that is hot."

"Watch it Tony, I'll help McGee get rid of the evidence." Abby murmured, sliding back into her seat.

You had plenty of money in 1922/

You let other women make a fool of you…

A spot on Jessica rabbit slinked onto the stage. From the dress to her gloves she was perfect.

"She spent all last week on it." Abby told them.

"Every hour well spent." Tony was openly staring at her.

"She is not a sex object Tony."

"Don't worry Ziva, I know who she's going home with." McGee replied.

"You smug bastard." Tony breathed.

The spot light followed her as she made her way into the audience. Knowing full well that DiNozzo's eyes were glued to her she glided over and pulled his neck tie through her fingers, finally willing him to stand before playfully pushing him back into his chair. Abby and Ziva shared a short laugh. She peeled the silk gloves off her arms seductively and tossed them to Gibbs before stopping behind McGee to run her bare fingers through his hair.

Why don't you do right?

Like some other men do?

On the last note she made her way back on stage to applause. She made a small curtsy and blew a kiss out to the audience, and the lights went out.

"She was magnificent!" Ducky exclaimed. "She should record!" Ziva yawned and nodded.

"I agree. She really should. Please tell her I loved the show, but I really need to get home." She waved to the group before leaving for her car.

"No hard feelings right McGee? You can't blame me for staring when she looks that hot."

"Don't worry about it Tony." He lightly punched DiNozzo's shoulder. "Just don't make a habit of it." He felt nervous again, as Gibbs and Ducky took their leave.

"Yeah, I got to get going too." Tony said and left McGee and Abby alone outside the club.

"You look scared! Relax!"

"I guess I just feel like she's too pretty to be with me sometimes."

"Don't be an idiot." She kissed his cheek. "I got to get home. I'm exhausted."

"Alright, see yeah Abs."

"Have a good night, and stop being stupid." He laughed and waved her off.

"What are you being stupid about?" He turned, and all his doubts vanished. She was in yoga pants and a hoodie. Her hair was combed out and pulled back into a sloppy bun. Her face was scrubbed clear of makeup. His heart retripped and fell deeper in love.

"You know what? It doesn't matter." He put his arm around her and slung her backpack over his other shoulder.

"Okay." She pulled his face down for a kiss. "Home?" He gave her another lingering kiss.

"Yeah. Lets go home."