Here's the 16th story in my series. If you haven't read the other stories, then I advise you to not proceed until you do. This is a series. It runs in sequence. To understand certain things (especially where Jamie came from), it's best to just start at the beginning. This series is kind of like my very own NCIS season 4. As of this point, the series consists of: story 1 A Link to the Past (comes in 3 parts)… story 2 Wrong Place, Wrong Time… story 3 Second Job… story 4 Daughters… story 5 A Personal Vendetta… story 6 Bless the Children… story 7 Eyes of the Condemned… story 8 Disturbing Affection… story 9 No Man Left Behind (story that introduces Chioke; aka Kid)… story 10 Finger Swap… story 11 Imperfect Heist… story 12 The Color of Skin… story 13 Death to the Jedi… story 14 Brotherly Love… story 15 For the Love of a Child… story 16 Devil's Playground (current story). Hope you enjoy it.

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Monday

Chapter 1

Tony is in the bathroom on the third floor of NCIS Headquarters. After walking away from the toilet, it automatically flushes. He walks to the sink and stares at his reflection in the mirror. Tony becomes lost in the trance of a couple flashbacks from when he was tortured in North Korea over a month ago. Time is lost to him.

"Tony…" McGee tries to get his attention. Tony snaps out of the trance. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Probie." Tony said. He turns the knob on the sink. Water pours out. He begins washing his hands.

"You're not fine. You've been in here for fifteen minutes." McGee said. "There was a problem at Chioke's school..."

"What happened?! Is Chioke okay?!" Tony becomes overly worried.

"Apparently a water pipe burst just minutes before they arrived at the school. The parents of the children who were already there were called to pick up their children. So Jamie is at your desk with Chioke right now. She needs you to take him because…"

"I know she has class and her interview today!" Tony exclaimed in a snippy tone of voice, though he's unsure why it came out the way it did. He sees the expression on McGee's face. "I didn't mean it, McGee. It's just…"

"You don't have to explain anything to me, Tony. I don't really know what went down in North Korea, but…"

"You know where I find my strength in dealing with what happened?"

"Burritos?"

"No… Not burritos." Tony said. "Chioke really wasn't affected at all by what happened in North Korea. I see the innocence in his eyes… See the smile on his face… And everything feels fine. It all goes away. I don't think I could've gotten back to normal so quickly if it wasn't for him."

"I hate to break it to you, Tony… But you're not your normal self. You've been in here staring at yourself…" McGee begins to say but stops because Tony smacked him on the back of the head. "Or I can be more supportive and agree with you."

"When you love someone… Whether the person is a parent, a sibling, a friend, a partner or your child… You feel at peace just by looking at that person. No matter how much the storm surges in your mind, all you feel is peace. I find the strength in my love for Chioke." Tony cracks a smile. "Things are close to being normal again. Thanks for listening, McGee." Tony said as he walks toward the door. The door opens and Tony leaves the bathroom. The door closes.

"You're welcome." McGee said softly.

Tony walks leisurely in front of the elevator. At the desk, Chioke is sitting on the chair eating a late breakfast. Jamie is standing nearby. Tony enters into the bullpen. He gives Jamie a quick kiss and walks to the chair.

"I was just told the school closed today." Tony goes to sit down on his chair. With his little hands, Chioke playfully taps Tony on the butt. "My chair hit me. Did you see that?" Tony turns around to look at his chair. Jamie giggles at Tony's silliness. Chioke smiles cheerfully as Tony examines the chair with him sitting on it. "That's odd… There's nothing wrong with my chair and it didn't suddenly come to life." He turns around and goes to sit on the chair again. His butt is once again tapped. Tony turns around and looks at the chair. "Chioke… I didn't see you there. When did you take my chair?"

'I be here whole time.' Chioke signed with his hands and with a smile on his face. 'Silly daddy.'

Tony pushes the chair closer to the desk so Chioke can reach his breakfast. Jamie brings a chair over so Tony can sit. Tony and Chioke are both sitting behind the desk.

"We arrived at the school to find it being closed down for the day and children being sent home. More than half of the rooms in the school are flooded." Jamie stated. "The school will reopen on Wednesday."

"You hear that buddy." Tony looks to Chioke. "You get to join me here at work for two days."

Chioke claps his hands in excitement. Tony looks back to Jamie.

"Are you ready for your interview?" Tony asked.

"I'm nervous, but it'll be fine." Jamie said.

"I remember when I got my assessment done."

"Let me guess… The agent who interviewed you was cute and you asked for her phone number several times."

"She was clearly leading me to believe she was interested."

"Tell me again why I put up with you?"

"Cause you love Lucky Charms and I'm magically delicious." Tony grins. Jamie rolls her eyes. He looks to the desk to see what Chioke is eating. "Are you going to share?"

'No.' Chioke signed with his hands and with having a smile on his face. He picks up the bagel and breaks off a piece. Chioke lifts the piece toward Tony's mouth and gently places it inside.

"Thank you." Tony said while chewing on the bagel. "You can have some of my waffles."

'No talk with mouth full.' Chioke signed.

"Chioke…" Jamie tries to get his attention. "You need to help me teach daddy some manners."

"I don't have bad manners." Tony stated while chewing on piece of a waffle. Jamie and Chioke both shake their heads.

"Alright, well… I have to go to class before coming back here for my interview." Jamie stated. "I'll see you later." She leans down and kisses Tony. After kissing Tony, she kisses Chioke on the forehead. "You boys behave yourselves today."

Jamie walks away. She waits at the elevator. The door finally opens. Gibbs steps off the elevator and Jamie tries to get on. Gibbs steps in front of his daughter. Jamie steps to the side in order to get passed him but once again he blocks her path.

"I'm going to be late for class if you don't move." Jamie said.

"There was a batch of waffles on the table this morning…" Gibbs begins to say.

"Oh yeah… You can find the waffles on Tony's desk. He stole them before leaving this morning." Jamie said. "I know living with Tony for the past three weeks has been difficult because you're not used to live-in company and sharing. But thanks for letting us stay while we're waiting for our house." She kisses him on the cheek. "I love you Daddy."

Jamie moves to the side and walks into the elevator. Gibbs walks in the direction of the bullpen. Tony moves the container of waffles from the top of his desk.

"There's no point in hiding my waffles, DiNozzo." Gibbs said as he enters into the bullpen.

"Sorry, Boss." Tony apologized for stealing Gibbs' breakfast. "Your waffles are just so good. I didn't realize you can actually cook."

"Ziva made the waffles."

"I should've known you could never make something this delicious." Tony said. He notices the expression on Gibbs' face. "Not that you don't know how to cook or that anything you make tastes like garbage. Not that I really even tried your cooking before, which I'm sure doesn't taste all that bad…" He paused for a couple seconds. "I'm just digging myself a hole here."

"You think, DiNozzo."

Ziva, along with McGee enter into the bullpen. As Gibbs is walking to get out of the bullpen, Ziva approaches and hands him a coffee cup. Tony observes this behavior as he has ever since they got back from North Korea over a month ago. Gibbs walks away. Ziva grabs something from her desk and also leaves the area. Tony, McGee and Chioke are left alone in the bullpen. McGee sits at his desk. Tony takes out an MP3 player and headphones.

"I need to chat with McGee." Tony said to Chioke. "Listen to your music, okay." He places the headphones onto Chioke and pushes the play button. Chioke is now listening to music. Tony walks over to McGee's desk and sits on the edge. "Have you noticed how much Ziva has been kissing Gibbs' ass for over a month now?"

"No I haven't, Tony." McGee replied. He continues working.

"You can't tell me you haven't noticed she comes to work with a coffee for him and also when coming back from lunch. She even makes him waffles. Very good waffles, I might add."

"Does this have a point? Cause I have a lot of work to do."

"Gibbs and Ziva are doing it."

"So in your warped mind; coffees and waffles equal sex."

"Probie, Probie, Probie…" Tony shakes his head in disappointment. "You have a lot to learn to about women."

"So do you, DiNozzo." Gibbs said while standing near the window.

Tony's face cringes from being caught. He refrains from turning around to face the direction of the window, hoping Gibbs will leave the area. A minute passes.

"Is he still there?" Tony asked. McGee looks up toward the direction of the window and sees Gibbs standing there.

"He's gone." McGee answered. Tony turns his head and sees Gibbs glaring at him. He quickly turns to McGee and smacks him on the back of the head.

"DiNozzo…" Gibbs tries to get his attention. Tony turns his head and smiles innocently. Gibbs points in the direction of the elevator. Tony's head turns even further in order to see what Gibbs is pointing at.

Tony's hearts beats rapidly. His breathing becomes deeper and heavier. Tony looks at Chioke then back to the elevator. The eyes of the man at the elevator lock onto Tony in recognition. Arthur, the man who Chioke lived with for two years after his family was murdered, smiles and waves at him. Tony is frozen as he stares at Chioke.

Chioke's eyes lock onto Arthur. The expression on his face changes drastically. To Tony, he doesn't think he's ever seen Chioke so happy before. Chioke quickly takes the headphones off and runs to Arthur in excitement. Arthur lifts Chioke into his arms. Chioke holds onto Arthur as tightly as he can.

"Hello, Agent Gibbs." Arthur greeted Gibbs by shaking his hand.

"Good to see you again, Arthur." Gibbs greeted him back. "How are things in Nigeria?"

"The work in my homeland is done. But I can't go back. I am looked upon as being a traitor. For my work, I have been granted asylum in the U.S." There's a couple seconds of silence as Arthur looks at Chioke. "I missed you, Kid."

'Miss you too.' Chioke signed his hands. 'I have name. I know how tell you. My name, Chioke.'

"What are you doing?" Arthur wondered because he has no idea what Chioke's hand motions are.

"He's communicating with you through ASL; American Sign Language." Gibbs answered because Tony is still frozen in shock. "He's telling you he missed you too. And that his name is Chioke."

"Your name is Chioke." Arthur acknowledged the name and is happy to finally know the boy's name. Chioke smiles and nods his head. "It's good to finally know your name after all this time." Chioke wraps his arms around Arthur's neck. Tony looks down as his heart continues racing. Arthur approaches the desk where Tony is sitting. McGee stands and walks away in order to give them space. "It is good to see you again, Tony."

"Yeah… It…" Tony speaks nervously, though he tries to hide it. "It's good to see you too, Arthur."

"Has my boy been much trouble?"

'I no trouble.' Chioke signed with his hands while still being held in Arthur's arms.

"He says he's no trouble." Gibbs translated for Arthur.

"He's always been a good boy." Arthur said. "Tony…"

"Yeah?"

"I'd like to ask for your permission…" Arthur begins to say. Tony is now thinking Arthur will ask for guardianship of Chioke so he starts to feel lightheaded. "Are you alright, Tony?"

"I'm fine." Tony replied as he slides from the desk to the chair.

"I'm wondering if I can take Chioke for the day. To spend time with him."

Chioke turns his head to look at Tony. Tony wants to say no because, but he doesn't want to deny Chioke's happiness of seeing and spending time with the man who saved him from the creek in Nigeria almost two and half years ago after being shot.

"Yeah… Yeah, sure." Tony answered. "That'll be fine."

Chioke wraps his arms around Arthur's neck.

"What is your address, Tony?" Arthur asked. "So I may drop him off later today." After Arthur saying this, a thought comes to Chioke so he leans back.

'I not have school tomorrow.' Chioke signed with his hands. He looks to Tony. 'Can stay with Arthur at night?'

"What did he say?" Arthur asked.

"He wants to know if he can stay with you tonight." Tony said, even though he's opposed to it due to the fear of Chioke possibly wanting to stay. "If it would be a hassle than…"

"It's no hassle." Arthur said. He looks at Chioke. "I'd love for you to stay at my place tonight." Chioke's smile becomes bigger with excitement. Arthur sets Chioke on the floor so he can grab his stuff from Tony's desk. Arthur looks at Tony. "I'll bring him back tomorrow afternoon."

"Yeah, sure." Tony said. "Chioke…" He tries to get his attention. Chioke looks at him.

'Can take music?'

"Yeah… You can take the music box."

Chioke is done gathering his things from Tony's desk. Gibbs' cell-phone rings so he walks away and answers it. Arthur, Tony and Chioke are left alone in the bullpen. Chioke walks over to Arthur and places his hand into Arthur's. Tony sees the big smile stretched across Chioke's face. Arthur and Chioke walk away. Before leaving the bullpen, Tony thinks of a final thing to say.

"Chioke…" Tony tries to get his attention. Chioke turns his head. "I love you." Chioke smiles at Tony and waves with his free hand. Arthur lifts Chioke into his arm and carries him away. Tony watches as Chioke is carried further and further away; in the direction of the elevator. He remains standing near McGee's desk. Tony's surroundings are completely lost as all time stops for him. Nothing, other than Chioke, matters to him at this point. They're finally on the elevator and out of Tony's sight.

Gibbs smacks Tony on the back of the head. Tony comes out of his trance.

"What was that for?" Tony wondered.

"I said grab your gear three times already." Gibbs stated.

"Oh…" Tony stands and walks to his desk in order to grab his stuff. Gibbs realizes with the return of Arthur into Chioke's life that Tony is worried about losing him.

McGee and Ziva enter into the area and grab their gear too. The four of them walk to the elevator.