Title: A New Life

A/N: This takes place about a year after Judgment Day. It will have multiple chapters. I'm not sure how many yet or how quickly I will get them up. I hope you enjoy reading this at least half as much as I enjoy writing it.

I don't own the NCIS characters, yadda, yadda, yadda.

***JIBBS***JIBBS***JIBBS***

It seemed to be just another day at NCIS. Gibbs and his team had caught yet another bad guy and were writing up their reports. The only thing different was that Gibbs wouldn't be coming back tomorrow.

"So, Boss, you still haven't told us where you're going on your two-week vacation. Will bikinis be involved?" inquired Tony, while smiling his usual Cheshire grin.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs glared at one very special agent DiNozzo.

"Right. None of my business. Can't blame a guy for wanting to live vicariously through someone lucky enough to take a vacation," Tony said.

Ziva shook her head, alerting Tony to the fact he may have said the wrong thing.

"You really have a problem with my leaving for the first time in over three years, DiNozzo?"

McGee couldn't resist smirking at Tony's discomfort.

"Course not, Boss. I guess I'm just tired. Saying things I don't mean."

"I could arrange for you to get a permanent vacation, if that's what you want," growled Gibbs.

"Won't be necessary," cowered Tony.

Gibbs grabbed his finished report and ran up the stairs to the Director's office.

"Here's the report on the Johnson case. I'm done," Gibbs announced.

Leon leaned back in his chair, chewing on his toothpick. "So I guess this means you're free to go. Whatever will we do without you?" he said, mocking.

Gibbs' lips turned up into a tiny smile. "Bet you can't wait to find out."

***JIBBS***JIBBS***JIBBS***

The next morning, Gibbs was at Dulles International Airport, awaiting his flight when he saw someone familiar.

"Well hello, stranger," he greeted the tall gentleman in uniform. Both men smiled and shook hands.

"Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Gunny, are you on this flight?" Gibbs nodded. "You know, I'm going to be your pilot."

"Again?" Gibbs laughed. "Daniel, you know I'd fly anywhere with you."

Daniel looked around and then asked, "Are you by yourself? YOU? What, no future ex-wife traveling with you?"

Gibbs shrugged. "Just me."

"Where are you sitting, Gunny?"

Gibbs showed Daniel his ticket. The pilot grabbed it and went up to the counter where he spoke with one of the attendants. "Are there any upgrades left? I'd like my friend here in first class." The woman nodded, reissued the ticket and handed it back to Daniel.

The pilot walked back to Gibbs and handed him the ticket. "Visit me in the cockpit when you get in there."

Gibbs smiled and shook Daniel's hand before watching him get on the plane. This vacation was already shaping up to be a good one.

***JIBBS***JIBBS***JIBBS***

Once on the plane, Gibbs settled into his seat in the back of First Class. As the plane began boarding the other passengers, he decided to make his way up front to the cockpit. He was about to speak with the flight attendant when he saw them preparing to remove the drink cart. Needing to get out of the way to let it pass, he stepped into the first row of seats. The attendant was called into the cockpit so he found himself trapped. Uncomfortable standing, he quickly sat down in the empty chair when he noticed another passenger seated next to him. She was facing the window, wearing a baseball cap that was covering her blonde hair, pulled up into a simple ponytail.

"Sorry to bother you; I'll get up as soon as they move the cart," he said.

The woman didn't say a word; he simply saw her do her best to scoot as close to the window as she could. What is happening outside that is so darn fascinating? Having nothing else to do, he looked at the woman and studied her small frame. He appreciated the way her low-rise dark jeans hugged her curves, the way her green blouse didn't cover her backside completely and was riding up, revealing a little bit of skin at the small of her back. He smiled to himself as he gazed upon it - that is, until he saw something that had him freeze on the spot, his heartbeat racing to the point the thought it would leap out of his chest. He felt himself having trouble catching his breath.

Gibbs saw that she had a birthmark, a little star, on her left side. He remembered the last time he saw a birthmark just like it. But that woman was dead. Could two women have the exact same birthmark in the exact same spot?