Bound by Blood, Forged in Fire

Initiative

Jace, his father, and Ziva were walking into the conference room with Captain Patterson, Sharon, and Agent Taylor behind them. They were discussing the further activities of the Taskforce, Ziva was included because the State Department wanted to use her status as a Mossad Liason Officer to the operation's advantage in combating Middle Eastern terror groups.

"MARSOC Captain Jackson Hale and Gunnery Sergeant Caleb Maxwell are overseeing the set up in Afghanistan," said Julian, wanting everyone up to speed. "Once we're cleared for travel we'll meet up with him and get to work."

"Who else will we be coordinating with throughout the operation?" asked Ziva.

"My platoon leader Lieutenant Xavier Holloway is prepping the other SEALs, the military elements will be headed by Colonel Sampson and Commander Blackwell."

"Sampson's my C.O.  he's prepping the other members of my ODA to work with the FBI's and DEA's tactical elements." voiced Josh.

"I've already spoken to the State Department's RSO and they're almost done getting everything in order," said Sharon.

"As the initial task force gains the wanted results more will be activated, " said Taylor. "Until then, we'll make do with what we have."

"Won't be a problem." said the older Gibbs

Julian poured himself a cup of coffee before he sat down.

"I just want to make something that will be vital as we progress clear." the SEAL wanted to get to the point. "Inter-agency rivalries won't matter the moment we begin FBI, DEA, NCIS it doesn't matter who gets point or the collar."

Everyone looked at him, he had their full attention.

"All that matters is that the job is done effectively and correctly, " he continued. "As long as we work cohesively and productively we'll get our guys."

"I agree with Little Gibbs, this is a joint venture, and as long as we remain cooperative we'll get the job done," said Captain Patterson.

The room was silent, no one challenged this. They understood that they weren't going to be dealing with run-of-the-mill gangsters, they were going after trans-national organized crime syndicates with major resources.

. . .

Jace was in the breakroom grabbing an energy bar from the vending machine, talking to Lieutenant Holloway on the phone.

"Yes, sir, the DOJ components have been briefed," Jace thought that the briefing had gone better than expected. "I just spoke to Gunny and he said that the MARSOC MSOT and DSS elements are almost completely prepped."

"Are you certain that the current roster is up to the task? They were selected based on your recommendation."

"I am confident in them, sir. I selected them based on my previous work with them," responded Julian. "I worked with the Pattersons and Agent Taylor in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"Good to know, speaking of which your recommendations for the second roster came through. I look forward to working with Chief Grayson and Lieutenant Victors, based on how highly you speak of them."

Julian smiled, Chief Petty Officer Ben Grayson and Lieutenant Hal Victors were his platoon leaders from his time in Team 3. They were both new to their roles, but they had clawed through the ranks together. Ben wasn't just his direct superior, he was a close friend. The call concluded and Jace sat down waiting to speak with the NCIS Agents.

"Everything set?"

It was Jace's father, He was carrying two cups of coffee. The two often enjoyed their time together, it was very rare for their work to intertwine. When they were together people immediately saw how similar they were. For the MCRT team, it was like time travel or as if someone had managed to clone Gibbs.

"At this time we're just waiting for the go signal from administration," responded Jace. "How about you, ready to deploy like old times?"

"Makes me feel like I'm still in the Corps," said the older man. "Though having you around does that already."

Jace smiled, whenever he worked alongside his father's fellow leathernecks from way back when they always went on about how they were alike. "You'd make one hell of a Marine, Little Gibbs."

"So, how's Kat doing? I know from personal experience that two kids are one thing, but triplets."

Julian chuckled, when he first saw the sonogram his first reaction was 'How am I ever going to look out for three kids at once?'. But once he saw the glint in his wife's eyes every worry he had dissolved, one way or another it would all be okay.

Just then Ziva came into the room, hands behind her back and a smile on her face.

"Zee, after spending time with the Shayetet Thirteen seeing an Israeli with their hands behind their backs tends to make me nervous," said Jace, not knowing whether to see where this goes or to take cover.

Ziva placed a rectangular box with silver wrapping paper on the table. "Kathleen shared the news with me."

After the first meeting with Kathleen, she and Ziva became fast friends. They went from texting to mid-day phone calls to doting Facebook buddies.

Julian opened the box, glancing at Ziva, and pulled out a blue t-shirt with bold yellow letters in all caps, underlined.

'TRIPLE THREAT!!!'

"Triplets! uhh!" Ziva hugged Jace from behind, shaking them both with joy. "We're all so happy for you!"

"You two just gonna stand there or join the party?" Said Julian.

With that, the sailor turned around and saw Josh and Sharon attempting to sneak up on the trio. Their father had been a Special Forces soldier that had served with Gibbs in Kuwait. Both men had gotten out of the service around the same time as each other, Joseph Patterson had moved to a neighborhood not too far away from the Gibbs residence. Josh and his younger sister had become close friends with Jace and Kelly, they moved away three weeks before the latter's death.

"Congratulations," said Sharon. "Triplets, how'd you manage to do that?"

"I don't know," responded Julian.

"Good genes would be my guess," said Jethro.

The four laughed, and Julian pondered on his future. He was going to be a father and at the same time, he was going to take on not only the worst of the Middle East but the international criminals helping them. He looked from his father to Ziva and the Pattersons, he thought about his platoon and the other operators that'll be with him. Jace exhaled, he was surrounded by good people and they were going to have his back. He'll be fine, Julian knew that much.