Chapter 52 – A Visit to NCIS
Washington, D.C. – NCIS Headquarters
Jason Gibbs adjusted his leather jacket as he climbed the steps of NCIS headquarters in Washington, D.C. The building hadn't changed much, but for him, it always brought a certain nostalgia.
It was strange to think that, for over 20 years, his father had worked there solving naval crimes, while he was on the other side of the world, hunting terrorists and eliminating high-value targets.
Now, he was back.
It was time for a visit.
Entering the Building
As he passed through the metal detector at reception, the security agent looked up from her desk and frowned at him.
"Can I help you, sir?"
Jason smiled slightly and pulled out his wallet, showing a special visitor badge.
"Jason Gibbs. I'm here to see my father."
The agent looked at the name and then at him, noticing the resemblance to Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
"Ah…" she chuckled lightly. "So you're his son."
Jason raised an eyebrow.
"I hope that's a good thing."
She smiled and gestured for him to enter.
"Elevator to the right. Third floor."
Jason nodded and went ahead.
As he exited the elevator and entered the Major Case Response Team (MCRT) office, he felt all eyes turn to him.
It was understandable.
He hadn't been there in years, and now there were new faces on the team.
McGee was the first to recognize him.
"Jason?!"
Jason smiled and opened his arms.
"McGeek! How are you?"
McGee rolled his eyes, but smiled as he stood up to shake Jason's hand.
"It's been years since anyone called me that."
Jason looked around and noticed the new agents.
Ellie Bishop, blonde, with attentive eyes and an analytical expression, seemed to be measuring every detail of him.
Nick Torres, with his leather jacket and carefree air, seemed to already know who he was.
Clayton Reeves, British, with a more refined manner, but clearly experienced.
And, in the back, a woman with short hair and a perceptive look, whom Jason knew to be Dr. Jack Sloane, the team's forensic psychologist.
Jason smiled at everyone.
"Well, I see there are new people here."
Bishop was the first to speak.
"Jason Gibbs. The legendary Delta Force sniper."
Jason laughed.
"I think that part of my life is over."
Torres crossed his arms, looking at McGee.
"Is that the chief's son?"
McGee nodded.
"Yes. And believe me, he's as intimidating as he looks." Torres whistled.
"Wow… So you're not just an urban legend?"
Jason smiled slightly.
"Sometimes, I prefer to be."
Before the conversation could continue, a familiar voice echoed through the office.
"Jason."
Everyone fell silent immediately, and Jason turned to see his father descending the mezzanine stairs.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs still had the same firm gaze and the same commanding presence.
But, to Jason, he was just his father.
Jason smiled.
"Hey, old man."
Gibbs approached and shook his son's hand, needing no further words.
"What are you doing here?"
Jason shrugged.
"Ziva's with a friend. I thought it was a good time to visit."
Gibbs nodded, indicating that he should follow him.
"Let's go to my desk."
Jason and Gibbs sat at the MCRT leader's table, away from the curious eyes of the team.
Jason looked around and noticed an interesting detail.
An extra mug of coffee on the table.
A woman's coat hanging on the chair next to him.
And a certain psychologist looking in their direction with a small smile.
Jason smiled slightly and looked at his father.
"So… you and Jack?"
Gibbs took a sip of coffee, saying nothing.
Jason laughed.
"Dude, I totally support that."
Gibbs rolled his eyes.
"It's none of your business."
Jason raised his hands, still smiling.
"Hey, I'm just saying… You deserve some happiness."
Gibbs looked at him for a moment, then gave a small, almost imperceptible smile.
Jason noticed.
And that was enough for him to know that his father was okay.
After a few more conversations about life, work, and memories of the past, Jason finally stood up.
"It was good to see you, Dad. Don't expect me to disappear for so long next time."
Gibbs nodded.
"The door is always open."
Jason smiled and patted his father on the shoulder before leaving.
He walked past the team, waving to McGee and the others.
Before leaving, Jack Sloane stopped beside him and smiled.
"I enjoyed meeting you, Jason. Now I understand where your father got that stubbornness from."
Jason smiled back.
"Nice to meet you, Jack. And… keep looking after him."
She nodded slightly.
"Always."
Jason gave one last look at the team and left, knowing that, no matter where he was, NCIS would always be a part of his life.
Chapter 53 – Living in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia – Summer 2017
The sound of waves gently breaking on the sand filled the morning air as Jason Gibbs and Ziva David ran side-by-side along the Virginia Beach coastline.
The sun was still rising on the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. The salty ocean breeze brought a pleasant coolness, cutting through the summer heat.
Jason looked at Ziva with an amused smile.
"Trying to leave me behind, David?"
Ziva, who was running easily beside him, smiled slightly, showing no signs of fatigue.
"If I wanted to leave you behind, Gibbs, you wouldn't even be looking at me anymore."
Jason laughed and picked up the pace, but Ziva kept up effortlessly.
When they reached a small wooden pier, they stopped to catch their breath. Jason rested his hands on his knees, taking a deep breath.
"Okay, I admit… you're good at this." Ziva smiled victoriously, taking a sip of water from her bottle.
"And you only realized that now?"
Jason shook his head and looked at the ocean, feeling a tranquility he hadn't experienced in years.
Virginia Beach was becoming more than just a place to live.
It was becoming a home.
After their morning workout, they returned home, a beautiful single-story house facing the sea.
It was simple, but perfect for them.
The walls were decorated with travel photos, some mementos from their time serving their respective agencies, but the atmosphere was far from military.
For the first time in their lives, they weren't living amidst weapons and strategic plans.
Jason picked up two cups of coffee and handed one to Ziva, who was sitting on the porch, her bare feet resting on the wood.
She accepted the cup with a smile and sighed as she watched the ocean.
"You know, Gibbs… I never thought I could get used to this."
Jason took a sip of coffee before asking,
"This what? Peace?"
She looked at him, her dark eyes shining with a mixture of feelings.
"Yes. I've spent most of my life on the move. Always going to the next objective, always preparing for the next fight. But now…" she gestured toward the sea, "we're just… living."
Jason smiled softly.
"And are you enjoying it?"
Ziva was silent for a moment before smiling back.
"Yes. More than I thought I would."
Little by little, Jason and Ziva became part of the Virginia Beach community.
They discovered local bars where veterans gathered to tell stories of missions that no one else would hear.
Jason started attending an operators' academy, where he trained alongside SEAL veterans and former Delta operators.
Ziva found a cozy coffee shop where she sometimes spent the mornings reading books and chatting with the owners.
They also explored the region, taking short trips to the Virginia countryside, visiting farms, wineries, and natural parks.
What had once seemed an impossible life for two warriors accustomed to battle was now becoming the new normal.
One night, sitting on the sand under a starry sky, Ziva turned to Jason and asked:
"Do you miss it?"
Jason knew exactly what she was talking about.
He was silent for a moment, looking at the sea before answering.
"Not as much as I thought I would."
Ziva nodded slowly.
"Me too."
Jason looked at her, his eyes softer than usual.
"But you know what I'll never stop missing?"
Ziva raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
He took her hand and squeezed it lightly.
— The certainty that I am finally where I should be.
Ziva smiled softly, feeling the same.
They had spent their entire lives chasing something a purpose, a mission, a cause.
But now, for the first time, they were simply… living.
And that was enough.
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