The weather was still warm enough for an outside lunch at the McGee household, despite it being early October. The sky was a bright blue with the sun shining brightly above.

It reflected the mood of each one of the extended family as all of them relaxed in the garden, drinking beer (fizzy drinks for the children and teenagers), talking and laughing with each other, playing games and enjoying their day off.

It had been over a week since Zach had been kidnapped, his bruising on his face had disappeared, his cut on his chest was healing nicely and Ducky was planning on taking the stitches out soon. And thankfully for him the stinging of his backside had vanished.

"Please tell me what happened Zach!" Jayden begged with him like he had been doing the past week, kicking the football over to him.

"Jay, I told you already" He kicked the football back to the twelve-year old "I don't really remember what happened, one minute I was in the principles office, the next I woke up and I was in NCIS"

"You must remember something!" Jayden insisted. He was a smart kid; he didn't buy what his cousin was saying for a second.

"Joe said Walters tied you to a chair, then you got out of the ropes without him noticing, and when he held a gun to your head, seconds, you pushed him to the floor and grabbed the gun. Shooting him and shooting Jason in the feet so he couldn't chase after you"

Joe didn't know the full story, only a few people did which included Sarah, Tom, Jared and Amelia. But Joe had taken it on himself to spread rumours around the school, from Zach purposely getting captured and leading the Walters family into a trap, to Zach running through the basement of the school while Walters, who were wearing Halloween masks in this story, chased him with knifes.

"Joe was making it up, that's why they're called rumours" The blond teen chuckled, a lot of the rumours going around the school were quite far fetched, but still people believed them.

He had become a hero of the school, but not because of the rumours, it was because of the truth in them. He had gotten rid of the much hated Principle Walters and his irritating son Jason Walters. And after the superintendent had heard about everything, he had banned caning from their school.

"Please Zach! Tell me!" He whined, being careful to keep his voice low enough so the adults and his little sister didn't hear. His dad, mom and grandpa had already told him a few times to stop bugging Zach. And his sister still didn't have any idea what occurred last week.

"The stories Joe is making up are better than the truth, just pick which one you want to believe Jay. 'Cus I'm not telling you what happened" He was not going to tell his young cousin how terrified he had been when the man had started carving in his chest, or how he had cried like a little girl and clung on to his father for dear life.

"So you do remember! I knew it!"

The blond groaned, realising his mistake "Yes, and I wished I didn't. So let's leave it at that yea?"

Jayden thought about it for a minute "Okay, but just so you know, I'm going with the story that you led them into the basement, where NCIS, the FBI, CIS and a black ops team from the Marines were waiting for them."

"CIS weren't there. But we cannot either confirm or deny the Black Ops team involvement in the investigation." Tony grinned, coming over to them to play football.

They passed the ball for a short while before Gibbs called them all over for lunch. All the food was piled up in the middle of the table, waiting for everyone to help themselves.

Tony and Zach shared a look before they were off, dashing to the table to where the hot burgers were waiting for them, piling their plates high and not noticing the amused glances of the rest of the family who were already sitting at the table.

"You have to get some salad too Uncle Tony and Zachy" Kate called over to them, pointing at the large bowl of salad they had both ignored.

"I don't want any princess. What's the point in having salad, when I'm gunna be eating a big fat greasy burger?" The teen sat besides his girlfriend, saving a seat next to him for his Uncle.

"I'm an adult, I don't have to get any salad" The Italian man took the empty seat, taking a large bite out of his burger.

"That's debatable" Tim snorted from besides Abby

Tony mock glared at him "What's that supposed to mean McGoo?"

"It means you act the same age as Zach most of the time." The large smile on Tim's face showed he was only joking.

"Hey!" The teen protested "I act older than him"

"Do not"

"Do too"

"So do not"

"So do too"

"Sooo…."

Gibbs picking up the clippers in the salad and dumping a portion on each of their plates with a loud bang stopped their childish argument.

"Dad…"

"Boss…."

"Eat it or you won't get any desert" He interjected, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he saw the two wolf down the salad, even though he was only joking both were un-willing to risk the chance of missing out on their deserts.

"Ew, you both are pigs" Kate scrunched her nose up in disgust as she watched her uncle and cousin have a race to see who could finish their lunch the quickest.

There was always some competition going on between Tony and Zach, Gibbs mused, they never missed a chance to see who could up the other one. They were more like brothers than Uncle and nephew. But then he thought as Tony as his son, so they technically were brothers, as was Tim, and Abby and Ziva were his elder sisters.

Ducky was still defiantly the doting grandfather. Even though he had been mad at the teen, today he had brought him a gift for everything he had been through. It had only been books, but it was the thought that counted.

Sarah was his girlfriend, and as Gibbs started to get to see more of her, and get to know her better, he was starting to think of her more as another daughter than a niece.

Kate was more like Zach's niece than cousin. And Jayden was more like a little brother to his son and Sarah. While Jimmy and Ashlee were the cousins, who were starting to become closer to the family.

The NCIS family was a weird one, they all had their titles within the family, but in most cases they weren't the right title. They had all fit reasonably well before, but since his son had come along they had changed for the better, even if the spoken titles hadn't.

He couldn't even imagine his son not being apart of this family now, it had only been a month but he fit perfectly with everyone. There was defiantly going to be some hard times ahead, along with good times, sad and happy times. But he knew without a doubt that team Gibbs would see it all head on and come out better at the other end.

"A toast" Ducky called out, standing up with his glass in his hand once everyone had finished "To the newest member of our family, Zacharriah, I wish you the best and hope you do not cause to much mischief for your father"

Tim and Abby stood up next as one, Tim speaking for them "To Zach, thank you for being there for Jayden, and also putting a smile on my little sisters face."

The teen was smiling widely; even though he liked attention his ears were beginning to burn with embarrassment at everyone being so open about how much they liked him. It was nice embarrassment though.

Tony stood, holding his beer bottle "To Zach, my new partner in crime and our baby brother, for who we'd do anything to save, except cross 'dad' when he's angry"

"To Zach" Kate stood up on her chair so she could be the same height as everyone "For playing Scooby-doo with me"

Jayden looked like he wanted to say something so Sarah nudged him up, giving him the courage to speak "To Zach, for being the best cousin out there, and protecting me from bullies"

Gibbs stood up, looking directly at his son, his love clear in his eyes as he looked at him "To my son, for being himself"

Zach grinned, everyone else was standing up now, ready to toast for him. It didn't feel right, so he stood up, speaking aloud himself "To my family, for rescuing me and loving me unconditionally. You guys deserve this, not me"

Everyone raised their glasses, Zach took a look around his family, they were the best thing that had ever happened to him, even if it was under bad circumstances he landed there. He couldn't wait to see what life had in store for him; he could face anything when he had his family right behind him, backing him up every step of the way.

"To family" They all called out, glasses clanking against each other, every single member smiling widely at each other.

THE END