a/n: No, Jenny isn't off to California in this chapter - we've actually skipped right ahead to November, at this point.
Stillwater, Pennsylvania: 1985/1986
Without You Here
Gravel crunched under the tires of his truck as he rolled up the rough drive behind his father's store. He was exhausted from a day at the mines, and he was late - but he was glad to be here. As he parked, someone's dog ran happily up to the door - in Stillwater, he never quite knew whose dog was running around.
He slammed the truck door and tossed his hat into the back of the truck, bending down to scratch the dog's ears - it was a hound, and to his surprise, he realized it was one of Jasper Shepard's police hounds - a retired one, that he kept around occasionally.
"Leroy!"
Gibbs looked up, blinking in the sun, and tried to wipe at his face a little. His mother waved him over, looking extremely put together and pretty in the chilly November air. He approached her, and she rose on her toes to kiss his cheek.
"You made it," she said, with a warm smile.
He nodded - his supervisor had tried to keep him longer, but Gibbs had used what little seniority he had to put his foot down.
"Wouldn't miss it," he promised gruffly. "Where is she?"
"Oh," Ann turned, and then gestured.
Gibbs looked up - Chief Shepard had the birthday girl in his arms, but right as Gibbs caught his eye, Jenny had strolled up and taken the baby, turning and setting her down. She crouched down next to her, and whispered something encouragingly.
As Gibbs got closer, Jenny let go of Natalie, and she started to walk towards him. Gibbs stopped in his tracks, his eyebrows going up. He realized quiet a few eyes were on him, and that was understandable - last time he saw Natalie, two days ago, she'd still only been crawling.
She put her small hands out and started to run.
"Ohhh, Jethro!" called Jenny, catching her breath.
"Da Da!" Natalie cried, and promptly fell forward, scuffing her hands and her knees.
Gibbs swept her right up, reaching up to wipe her eyes before the tears could fall. Natalie's face crumpled, and she put her little arms around his neck.
"Da Da," she screeched unhappily.
He shrugged.
"Don't cry," he encouraged, smiling at her. "You can walk?" he asked, widening his eyes theatrically. He bent his head and kissed her, closing his eyes a moment. When he opened them, Jenny was standing right there, reaching up with anxious hands to paw at Natalie's hands and knees.
"She's going to be one of those kids who always has scrapes," Jenny sighed.
"When did she start walking?" Gibbs asked.
"I swear, Jethro, maybe thirty minutes ago - she got up and chased Dad's dog," Jenny said breathlessly.
Natalie laid her head on Gibbs' shoulder and snuggled up close, blinking wide eyes at Jenny.
"Da Da," she said contently.
"Yes. See? I told you he'd come," Jenny said soothingly. "He's all dirty," she laughed, brushing at his sooty shirt.
He shrugged.
"I didn't want to miss more'n I had to," he said.
He hoped Jenny didn't mind too much that he looked like he'd just crawled out of some dark hole in the middle of a mountain - even though he kind of had. He nodded his head subtly, lowering his voice.
