They were a team.
They were family.
Sure they bickered, teased, played jokes, played one-upmanship games.
But that didn't matter.
That's what family did.
It didn't mean they didn't care about one another.
It didn't mean they didn't support one another.
It didn't mean they didn't love one another.
It was them against everyone else.
So when Gibbs and Ducky made the true nature of their relationship known, the kids closed ranks around them.
Supported them.
Stood up for them.
Dared anyone to criticize, laugh, scorn, show disgust, try to hurt them.
That's what family did.
And they were family.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Gibbs's team is family.