Summary: Gibbs has to readjust his life to the unexpected additions to his family, but will his eldest be able to temper the changes without catastrophic fallout? Sequel to Legacy of a Thief

Author's Note: If you have not read my story "Legacy of a Thief," the OCs in this fiction (Ashlynn, Cameron, & AJ) will be unfamiliar and certain references may not make sense. I have dragged my feet on the sequel, unsure exactly how to proceed. I decided to start posting because sometimes feedback helps to spur my muse and/or kick up my drive to write. I do have less free time for writing of late so please be patient … I will update as I am able.

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.

Beyond the Legacy

Chapter 1

Sitting behind a newspaper, Gibbs watched surreptitiously as Ash shamelessly embellished upon AJ's bedtime story. His youngest son was curled up against the teen giggling at her rather liberal interpretation of the library book in her hands. Ashlynn's return had made a world of difference in the young boy who hadn't had a nightmare in three nights. Deirdre's violent death had taken a toll on all three of her children and each seemed to deal with the loss differently. In addition to nightmares, AJ suffered episodes of intense insecurity and sadness where he would seek out a sympathetic adult and curl up next to them, crying silent tears. Knowing his sister had come home to stay had reinstated the five-year-old's confidence and disposition, much to Gibbs's relief.

The NCIS agent's attention shifted to his eldest son who was adding to his sister's improvisation with silly antics of his own. Cam too had improved since her return, though his mischievous nature and smart mouth were ever present regardless of Ashlynn or anyone else being around. Still he had lost a certain angry edge for which Gibbs was thankful. Cameron's way of dealing with loss was to act out and increase his already overdeveloped penchant for recklessness.

As the story drew to a close, Gibbs folded his newspaper, "Alright guys, up to bed."

"Aw, Dad," Cameron started but Gibbs cut the ten-year-old off with a shake of his head.

"Arguing just makes bedtime fifteen minutes earlier tomorrow night."

"I'm going, I'm going," Cam responded without further dispute, having already tested his dad on this point before. After a few very early bedtimes he'd learned not to argue. AJ was quick to follow after giving Ashlynn a goodnight kiss.

Ashlynn smiled and laid her head back on the couch, trying to relax her sore, overtaxed muscles. She must have dozed off because she awoke with a start at the hand on her shoulder. Gibbs neatly avoided her swing, having learned quickly that Ashlynn tended to awaken rather violently. He offered her a glass of water and two small tablets.

"This should help some," he said matter-of-factly.

"Thanks," she said accepting the pills and chasing them down with the water.

"Drink the whole glass. Hydration will help, too."

"Oh, now, you're all sorts of helpful," the auburn-haired girl groused. "What happened, 'No pain no gain'?" she demanded derisively.

Gibbs lifted a brow at her insolent tone. His blue eyes providing the one and only warning the girl was likely to get this evening. She'd brought on her own woes and he had no intention of putting up with attitude.

Ash sighed and drank down half of the water. "Is it okay if I crash on the couch tonight?" she asked, not caring to climb the stairs and make her way to her attic room.

"Yeah, but we need to talk first," Gibbs answered taking a seat on the coffee table in front of Ashlynn.

"About?" she asked, her blue-green eyes looking at him warily.

"Few things. You're grounded for the next two weeks-"

"Nine days," she corrected, wanting credit for time served.

"Okay," he agreed inclining his head. "After that there are going to be certain expectations. Essentially, you have the same rules as your brothers. You know what those are. You'll also have a curfew. Right now that's nine O'clock."

"WHAT?" Ashlynn was incredulous. "I'm sixteen!"

"Fifteen," Gibbs corrected. "And you haven't exactly proven yourself trustworthy. You prove to me I can trust you to make responsible decisions, we can renegotiate. If there's a special reason, you can ask and I might extend the curfew for one night."

"Well, gee thanks," she replied sarcastically.

"We can always cut it back, too," he warned sternly holding her gaze until she looked down. "We've already discussed no alcohol, no fake IDs, and no clubs or bars. Obviously no drugs or other illegal activities." Ash rolled her eyes but nodded her understanding and Gibbs paused. She wasn't going to like this next bit. "Until you have a valid license, no driving either."

"You have got to be fucking kidding me!"

In a fluid movement Gibbs took her arm, lifted Ash to her feet and landed a solid swat on her rear, "Last warning on language."

Ash fell back to the couch, biting her lip and blinking to keep the tears at bay. She wanted to scream at the man before her that she was nearly sixteen and NOT a child, but Ash knew that a tantrum would only serve to win her a trip over his knee and she couldn't even contemplate a spanking on her aching glutes.

Taking a deep breath, she whispered, "I've been driving for three years."

"Not with a valid license."

"Actually, I do have a valid license." Granted she had started driving prior to getting it, but she didn't feel the need to highlight that little piece of information.

The NCIS agent looked skeptically at his daughter. She had her mother's penchant for obfuscation, but as he scrutinized the girl, he didn't think Ash was lying this time.

"Really, no joke. It's from South Dakota. Deirdre got a wild hair… wanted to see if I could actually pass a drivers test. You can get your learners permit at fourteen there. The only thing she forged were residency papers. Swear to God."

"Fair enough," he nodded, "But no driving while you're grounded and you'll need to get a DC license as soon as you turn sixteen." You had to be sixteen in DC to get even a learner's permit. "Don't make me regret that concession," he warned pinning her with a hard look before moving on. "Now for tomorrow, the boys have school and I have work."

"I'm not a baby. I can look after myself. Been doing it for the better part of my life." Last week she'd been expected at NCIS for additional statements on that FBI case but she'd been anticipating some time alone this week.

"Mmm hmm. I'm not overly impressed with how that's worked out. So until I can trust you not to pull any of the stunts you have been for the last several weeks, you'll come to NCIS during the day."

"This is asinine! What exactly am I supposed to do? Sit and twiddle my thumbs all day?" She had found out that grounding in the Gibbs household meant no computer and no amount of entreaty seemed to alter that edict.

"Thought you might take Vance up on his internship offer." Gibbs had given a fair amount of thought to what Ashlynn would do for the rest of the spring and summer. An idle teenager with nothing to do seemed hazardous under the best of circumstances. Add into that that the teenager was Deirdre Connley's daughter… not something he even wanted to contemplate.

Ashlynn's eyes narrowed, but Gibbs held up his hand before she could say something she would regret.

"The circumstance is different now. It's not a matter of them trying to keep tabs on you."

"No, it's a matter of you wanting to keep tabs on me," she responded with a mutinous glare.

"Yep," Gibbs responded resolutely. "You haven't given me much reason to trust you, Ash, and some of your decisions just haven't been that good. This would give you something to do during the days and prove to me that you can be responsible. You want more freedom, you earn it." He sounded every bit the Marine Gunnery sergeant as he spoke to his oldest child. She might not like what he had to say but he was her father and he would be damned if he'd let her run rampant like Deirdre had.

Though she hated to admit it, and never would aloud, Ash knew he had a point. Since she had first met Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Ashlynn Connley seemed to be fighting a never ending internal battle between retaining her independence and self-reliance and giving in to the desire to allow her dad to take over burdens that had often been overwhelming.

"Three days a week," she finally said. "I get two days a week to myself."

Gibbs had to repress a grin at the girl slipping into negotiation mode. "Those two days are still spent at NCIS until you prove yourself to me. You can hang out with Abby if you want."

Ashlynn sighed, "For how long?"

"Let's say until your birthday."

A month. She could do that. "And curfew?"

"Ten O'clock on weekdays after you turn sixteen. Weekends I might consider eleven."

"Dad," she replied in exasperation, "Do you have any idea how unreasonable that is?"

"Not really." He was done negotiating and his tone told her as much.

"I'm going to be in college," she pointed out.

"All the more reason to have boundaries," he replied standing up.

Ash just shook he head. Maybe she could get Abby to talk some sense into him. She still had several months before she'd be attending Georgetown.

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"Uh, why are you walking that way, Ash?" Tim asked as he watched a stiff-legged Ashlynn make her way from the elevator into the bullpen.

Abby who had been talking to McGee turned a questioning gaze upon the teen while Tony sat at his desk with a smirk on his face.

"Because, I'm in pain McGee," she answered in irritation.

"You got in trouble again?" Abby demanded incredulously.

"Boss must have really let you have it," Tony observed still smirking.

"Oh, this wasn't Gibbs. It was the Israeli she-devil from HELL!"

"Ziva spanked you," Abby gasped.

Ash rolled her eyes, "No! We missed all of our workout sessions last week so she asked Gibbs if we could train on Saturday. Silly me, I thought she was being nice to get me out of the house. Turns out she was pissed because she thought I was going after Covas on my own, which I had promised her I wouldn't. I tried to explain to her that's not how it was at all. She wouldn't listen. I lost my temper."

"And?" Tony demanded on the edge of his seat wanting to know what had happened.

"Let's just say that mouthing off to the scary ninja chick during Krav Maga training is a very bad idea."

"So…you're hurt because of sparring?" McGee queried still trying to understand exactly what had transpired.

"Not exactly. She made me do ten minutes of squats for disrespect and then two minutes of squats or lunges for every mistake she caught and believe me, she caught every single one. I can barely walk!"

"Which will teach you to show respect in the future. Yes?" Ziva stated unrepentantly as she entered the room with a predatory smile on her face. She had warned the girl that she would not cosset a younger sibling and now Ashlynn knew that she had more people to answer to than just Gibbs.

Ashlynn just glowered at the former Mossad agent and headed for the elevator muttering about going to see Ducky about something to ease muscle strain.

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On Tuesday, Ashlynn ended up in orientation, one of several she would have to attend before taking up her intern post, much to her chagrin. This worked well for Gibbs since they had a new case. As he examined the drops of blood at the crime scene, he wondered if this was just a robbery gone bad, but if so, where was the body? His concentration was broken by his cell phone.

"Yeah," he growled, displeased with the interruption. "Yes. I understand. Of course. I will make it very clear to him. Unfortunately I have a pretty good idea, but I guarantee you it won't happen again. Thanks for calling, Ms. Lerrin."

"Trouble, Boss?" McGee asked noting the storm clouds in Gibbs's blue eyes and hoping they had nothing to do with him.

Without answering Gibbs side stepped Tim and landed a hard smack to the back of Tony's head.

"OW!" Tony exclaimed totally unprepared for the assault. "What was that for?"

"When you took Cam over to your place to watch that movie, you policed the area first, right? Made sure it was appropriate for a ten-year-old?"

"Yeah sure, Boss."

"Then would you care to explain to me why Cam was showing his friends a playboy centerfold at school today, DiNozzo?"

"Oh, shit!" Tony's face lost all color. "I swear I put them away."

"Well, not far enough away."

"I'm sorry –" Tony broke off the apology, "It won't happen again, boss."

"Damn straight it won't DiNozzo because if I see it in your desk, on your computer, or in your apartment, anywhere one of the boys might accidently come across it, you and I are going to be having a very unpleasant discussion."

"Got it, Boss."

Gibbs yanked the camera from Tony's hands and shoved it at Tim. "You take the photos, McGee. Ziva will interview the neighbors. DiNozzo, check that dumpster outside…and be very thorough."

Tony's chin dropped to his chest. It was going to be a very long day. Probably a very long week after he told Gibbs that he had actually given Cam permission to borrow some of his magazines. Of course Tony had thought the boy meant the latest editions of Car Magazine that they'd looked at together. Somehow he didn't think this was going to save him the inevitable head slap when he explained this to his boss. Still he couldn't let Cam take the heat for stealing when for all intensive purposes he had been given the go ahead to take them.

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Cam fidgeted on the edge of his top bunk waiting for his Dad, who had not been pleased to be interrupted at a crime scene by Cam's teacher. Other than losing recess, he'd not gotten in any trouble at school but he knew he wasn't going to be so lucky with his dad. Cam just wasn't sure exactly how much trouble he'd be in. The door opened and a stern looking Gibbs pinned Cam with an unyielding gaze. Damn! A lot!

"Come on down."

Cam jumped to the floor, not daring to look at his dad.

"Look at me son."

The boy lifted his head.

"Why?"

Cam shrugged, "I don't know, it just seemed, ya know…cool."

"Taking something without permission from Tony's place is not cool. Looking at something you know you aren't old enough for is not cool. Sharing it with other boys at school is NOT COOL!"

"Tony said I could borrow some magazines," Cam mumbled in defense.

"Did you tell him which ones you were taking?"

"No."

"Do you think he would have let you take them if you had?"

"No"

Gibbs took a seat, motioning his son forward.

"But Dad," Cameron whined, really wanting to avoid the upcoming spanking.

"Do you want to lose the pants?"

Cam darted to his father's side without further hesitation and didn't struggle as Gibbs pulled him over his lap. Gibbs landed ten powerful swats to the jean clad bottom before he asked, "Cameron, why are you getting this spanking?"

"Because I took the magazines from Tony's and I let him think I was taking the car ones," the boy cried as the swats continued to fall. "And then I took them to school when I knew I shouldn't."

After several more powerful smacks the boy added, "I'm sorry!" Once he'd given the boy a good incentive not to repeat his offenses, Gibbs stopped and helped his son stand pulling Cam in for a hug, which the boy readily returned.

"Okay. All's forgiven. Don't let it happen again."

"No, sir," Cam sniffed.

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Later that evening, Ashlynn peeked over the top of her book at Gibbs, a mischievous smile playing at her lips. She thought he'd been a bit harsh with Cam, but had gotten her own little lecture when she'd tried to point that out. Maybe she'd have a bit of fun with dear old dad. "I got an interesting letter from Georgetown today."

"Mmm?" he looked up fro the case file he'd been studying.

"From the art department. They're looking for models for their summer painting class on the human form."

Gibbs eyes were narrowing but she ignored him as she continued her teasing, "Nice way for student's to make a little extra money you know. Good way to get to know people at the university. Apparently the best pieces will be part of a big exhibit. I was thinking-"

"Don't," he knew she was teasing but he wasn't amused, particularly after the discussion he'd had with his son earlier this evening.

"What?"

"You aren't going to be a nude model for a bunch of college boys to ogle!"

"Obviously. Like they would allow any one under the age of eighteen to apply. I thought DiNozzo might be interested in taking the class…he obviously likes to study the human form," she chuckled.

Gibbs just glared at her and returned to his case file.

"No, actually, I thought I'd tell Abby. Can you imagine-"

He put is file down and started to rise.

"Where are you going?"

"I've got a wooden paint stirrer in the kitchen. Thought I'd appease your sudden interest in art."

"Ah, that's okay. I'm good."

"You sure?" He demanded.

"I'm sure."

"Good," he answered before re-seating himself with a smug look on his face and picking up the file once more.

Ashlynn grabbed for her cell phone, knowing the forensic scientist would be willing to play along just to get Gibbs's goat. A quick text would do the trick.

"Abby mentions one thing about this to me tomorrow, and you, me, and the paint stick are going to be having a lengthy discussion when we get home," Gibbs warned without even looking up.

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"Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs!" Abby called excitedly running up to his desk waving her arms.

"Abs," he replied evenly thinking this better have absolutely nothing to do with an art class.

"Where have you been?"

"Right here at my desk, Abs."

"But I have something for you."

"Yeah?"

"But you always know," here her arms waved wildly around her head, "And you haven't even called."

"What is it Abs?" he demanded, his patience already worn thin.

"The blood isn't a match to Seaman Zablioni, but guess what?"

"Abs," the man growled.

"The blood belongs to a female with a fifty-six percent genetic match." Taking in the look on her fearless leader's face she decided it was time to cut to the chase. "Probably a sister."

"McGee."

"On it, Boss," Tim responded, tapping away at his computer.

Gibbs's cell phone rang.

"Gibbs," he answered "Oh, hi Dad. Sorry this isn't-" he held the phone away from his ear. Everyone in the room could hear the voice of one very pissed off Jackson Gibbs on the other end. "Dad I was going to call. Things have been-" Gibbs when silent again, a pained look on his face. "I know you've been patient. Of course I think you have the right to know. Dad! Listen…Yeah. Yes. No now's really not-" Gibbs was quiet again and reached up to rub his forehead. "Of course you have a right to meet your grand kids. Okay, okay fine! Next week. Yeah, I'll talk to you tonight."

Gibbs slammed his phone down on the desk, muttering a few words he really wouldn't want either his kids or his father to hear.

Abby sported a huge smile. "So Jack's coming to town?"

TBC…