Her early life OR From calm to crazy a few times over
1981
Gibbs residence-Washington D.C.
Shannon Gibbs reached for the phone as she was drying the dishes.
“Hello?” she said.
“Is this the residence of Leroy Jethro Gibbs?” an older women’s voice said.
“Yes it is.” Shannon replied.
“My name is Sister Ann and I am afraid I have some bad news. The orphanage I am afraid is closing and we were hoping someone could come for Genevieve. “
“I am sorry- who is Genevieve?” Shannon asked truly confused.
There was the sound of rustling papers “oh dear I apologize I’ve called the wrong number have a blessed day”
Before Shannon could intervene the women had hung up and all she heard was a dial tone. She just looked at the receiver in confusion and slowly hung it up.
‘That was strange’ she thought to herself shrugging her shoulders and decided it must have been a wrong number went about her day.
A few days later Shannon got another strange call- this time it was from her father-in-law. He was in a panic because he had come home from work and a toddler was waiting for him. There was a nun waiting there saying that they were told the child was a Gibbs and that she had no other place to go. When Jackson told Shannon the toddler’s name she jumped in the car and made it to Pennsylvania in a few hours.
She found herself sitting in Jackson’s kitchen watching the girl color.
“Could she be one of your distant relatives?” Shannon asked.
“I don’t think so” he said shaking his head “I mean I had a few cousins but they were all older than me and I am last one.” Jackson said.
Shannon nodded remembering the stories of Jackson’s famous cousin who was a Howling Commando and Captain America’s best friend. Jack had raved about him on the rare occasion Jethro brought her to meet him- before they were married.
“Jackson could she be yours? Or maybe (pause) maybe Jethro’s?” She asked.
“Why would you ask that?” he asked.
“Because someone called a few days ago asking for Gibbs and then explained the situation. When I asked who Genevieve was she panicked and hung up on me.” Shannon answered with a shrug, “not a big believer in coincidences.”
A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Genevieve had been trying to reach for the crayon box but it was out of her reach. Shannon watched as the girl stretched out her finger and the box moved across the table until she could reach it.
“Genevieve?” Shannon asked
“Yes” the little girl replied.
“How did you do that?” She asked.
“Do what?” the girl asked confused.
“You moved the crayon box without touching it!” Shannon exclaimed.
The girl looked guilty-she had been caught. “Mr. Charles says I am not supposed to do that.”
Jackson jumped in “whose Mr. Charles?”
“He’s a nice old man that came and talked with the sisters about my gifts.” She answered.
“What are your gifts?” Shannon asked.
The little girl shrugged “I don’t know-the sisters called them gifts-Mr. Charles called them (she paused scrunching up her face in thought) powers.”
“Powers?” Shannon asked.
The little girl nodded pig-tails flying with the motion, “Sister Ann saw me move the crayons like you did and - and then a few days later Mr. Charles came to talk to me. He came and we walked-well I walked because he can't walk he's in those chairs with wheels. He says I will be strong one day and maybe when I am old enough I can go to his special school and he can teach me.”
Neither Shannon nor Jackson knew what to say to that. Part of them just thought it was a little girl's wild imagination-if they hadn’t just seen what happened. But they figured they had more important things to worry about and if they ever needed to find this man they figured someone in the convent would able to help them if and when the time came.
Shannon looked at the girl then at Jackson “Jackson I want to keep her.”
“Now wait a minute Shannon- Leroy barley speaks to me as it is” Jackson exclaimed.
“Jackson don’t you worry about Gibbs-leave him to me. Jen honey,” Shannon continued looking at the girl, “Do you want to come live with me and Jethro?”
The little girl jumped up and down nodding her head.
Shannon looked at her father-in-law “it’s settled then.”
Outside in an unmarked car
Hetty Lange and Peggy Carter watched as Shannon packed Genevieve’s meager belongings and start the drive back to D.C.
“Looks like your plan worked. How did you know she would take her?” Peggy asked in bewilderment.
“I didn’t” Hetty answered “But I had hoped.”
“Did you know Charles Xavier came to talk to her?” Peggy asked.
“No I did not-but that might be a good thing”, Hetty said, “she might need him in the future.”
“Are you still going to keep an eye on her?” Peggy wondered.
“Yes” Hetty said nodding “I have a feeling this isn’t the last time we see her.
Peggy smirked and looked sideways at her “How can you wear that without bursting into flames?” looking at Hetty with her nun outfit on.
Hetty smirked back “No flames just a little sizzle.” And joined in with Peggy’s laughter.
When Jethro came back from basic training he blew a gasket at Shannon’s news.
“You did WHAT!” he yelled.
“SHHH you’ll wake her!” Shannon warned.
“My father called you because he had some toddler on his front porch! I can’t believe him-take her back!” he demanded.
“Take her back? She’s not a stray dog Jethro- I will not take her back!” Shannon yelled.
“Dammit we can’t have children right now Shannon!” he exploded.
“Can’t or won’t-because you should have told me that before this” she said thrusting her wedding band in his face. “I am not your buddies and you are not in the field-raise your voice to me again gunny and see what happens” she growled at him.
Gibbs hung his head taking a few deep breaths “I am sorry Shan. I want kids-I want your kids. I just can’t believe this is happening.”
“Gibbs she has no one but us-you me and Jackson are her family now. Deal with it soldier” she said with a small smile.
A small whimper was heard coming down the stairs “Aunt Shannon I heard loud voices.”
“Oh Jen I am sorry did we wake you?” She said as she met the child at the bottom of the stairs and lifted her into her arms. “Do you want to come met Uncle J?”
The little girl nodded shyly and extended her hand at the man in the kitchen.
“Uncle J this is Genevieve-Genevieve this is your Uncle J” Shannon made the introductions.
Jethro knew he wasn’t going to win this fight.
1991
CIA Headquarters
Hetty knew the moment the agent knocked on her door and handed her the file that it wouldn’t be good news.
Sighing she read the contents of the file with resignation. Apparently Shannon, Kelly and Genevieve Gibbs were traveling from D.C to a meeting with Xavier when the driver of their van was shot and caused an accident. Shannon and Kelly died instantly yet Genevieve was nowhere to be found. NIS agent Michael Franks suggest that the purpose of the accident was so Shannon wouldn't testify against a Mexican drug lord.
“Oh bugger” she mumbled reaching for her phone and was slightly surprised when it rang.
“Hello Margaret” Hetty said, "we have a problem."
“I just heard-what do you want me to do?” Peggy asked.
“I think if you pull strings in Shield and I pull strings here in the CIA-we can combine our resources and fine Genevieve faster.” Hetty said.
Peggy laughed “I am an old women Hetty-you have more pull than I do in Sheild now!”
Hetty smiled “But they like you much more than they like me”.
Peggy chuckled “just keep me informed.”
“I will” Hetty said.
It took three months of them pulling strings and calling in favors and before a newly trained handler by the name of Phil Coulson was sneaking into a secure compound searching for the teenager. After searching he found her chained to a wall in a deserted cell. She was badly beaten and unconscious so he scooped her up as carefully as he could and crept toward the exit. Unfortunately he must have tripped a silent alarm on his way because suddenly he heard shouts and stomping boots of guards coming after him. He ducked into a doorway and came face to face with a Russian holding a gun.
They blinked at each other “Are you Coulson?” the man asked.
“Who are you?” Phil demanded
“Arkady” he said “follow me there’s a plan waiting for you.”
Phil watched as the man walked away from him. He knew he shouldn’t trust him but he had no other choice. He took a deep breath and started after the Russian hoping he was making the right choice. After an hour of walking they broke free of the trees and Phil saw the plan waiting for them. As he climbed in Arkady handed him a file.
“This file has what was done to her. Tell that vicious pixie we are even” Arkady said slamming the door signaling that the plan could take off.
Phil knew he shouldn’t but he read the file during the trip. He was just about to doze the girl still clutched in his arms when suddenly they were descending and Fury was opening the door.
“Coulson glad to see you alive” Fury said extending his hand.
“Thank you sir” Phil said still clutching the girl and the file, “She needs to get to medical right away she’s been unconscious the entire time.”
A few nurses came with a stretcher and carried her off to medical then Fury motioned for Phil to follow him to his office. Once inside Phil noticed two older ladies sitting waiting for them.
“Phil Coulson this is Peggy Carter and Henrietta Lange.” Fury made the introductions.
Phil looked up “Peggy Carter as in THE Peggy Carter? Ma’am I am a huge fan” he gushed extending his hand.
Peggy smiled politely and shook his hand while Hetty just shook her head in amusement.
“Where did you get this file?” Fury asked.
Phil looked at Fury “A Russian by the name of Arkady. He rescued us and led me to a waiting plane. He wanted me to tell the vicious pixie that they were even.”
Peggy snorted as Hetty cleared her throat “The vicious pixie is me Agent Coulson. Thank you I will take Arkady’s suggestion into consideration.”
Fury turned slowly glaring at the small women “Care to explain yourself Henrietta.”
“Arkady was just a backup plan Nicholas. You always need a backup plan if you remember. Now if you will excuse us,” Hetty said as she and Peggy stood up to leave, “Agent Coulson thank you for your hard work. Nicholas, it’s a pleasure as always.”
The two women walked into the medical bay and left with the drugged teenager despite the doctor’s orders.
“So are you going to keep her this time?” Peggy asked breaking the silence once they were in the car.
“Yes I think I will” Hetty decided, “Jethro is so distraught at the moment-besides I have a feelng after this ordeal she will need some special attention.” She said looking at the huddled vacant eyed teenager in the backseat.
“Oh no Hetty the file!” Peggy exclaimed.
“Come now Margaret you act as if this is my first extraction” Hetty said with a cryptic smile.
Back in Fury’s Office
Fury walked back into his office and went straight for the file. Upon opening it he found pages of blank computer paper-nothing of any use.
“That women” Fury fumed throwing the file sending papers flying everywhere. He just sat there wondering how those two women just played him as well as they did. He smiled-as much as he hated to admit it he was a little impressed.