It had only been a few hours since Tony was unaccounted for and Gibbs was starting to get frustrated. He glanced at his watched, and grabbed his keys quickly.

"McGee…you call me as soon as you hear from him."

He looked up from his desk. "Sure thing boss…but where are you…"

He was gone before he could finish. "…going."

Ziva approached McGee's desk after Gibbs had passed her rather quickly.

"Where is he going?"

He shrugged his shoulders, and then suddenly snapped his fingers as it came to him.

"To pick up Jake from school."

---

Leroy Jethro Gibbs didn't bother to sign in at the Front office and made his way to Jake's classroom. A secretary saw him come in the doors and pass by so she raced out after him.

"Excuse me sir, you have to check in at the main office!"

Gibbs turned around quickly, and flashed his badge. "I'm here to pick a kid up."

She stopped dead in her tracks. "Not without checking in at the main office sir!"

"Listen lady, this is an NCIS investigation, top priority, now either you get off my heels, or I'm gonna kick you upside the head with 'em."

She huffed and turned around quickly. "I'm calling the police, I don't care who you are!"

"Have them send over an ambulance while you're at it…"

"For who…?"

He turned around and pointed. "For you…the psych ward has a BOLO out on you…"

"A what?"

He didn't answer and only continued on his way. As he arrived at the door he didn't knock.

"I'm here to pick up Jacob DiNozzo."

Jake looked up from his work and went to grab his things.

"Not so fast, Mr. DiNozzo…I didn't receive a call from the main office, did you check in sir…?"

He took out his badge again. "This is my hall pass."

She grabbed the phone and started to dial.

"Hi Uncle Gibbs, what's up?"

"Hey Jake…"

Just then Miss Bellicino and two uniformed officers appeared behind him in the doorway.

"You're not going anywhere." She stood with her hands on her hips.

Gibbs smiled and took Jake's hand.

"Yup that's her boys."

The officers nodded and directed her out into the hall way. "Got it Gibbs thanks."

"This is an outrage…" she continued to holler, and Gibbs covered Jake's ears.

"Come on Jake, she's having a little breakdown…"

"Yeah I know, Dad says mom has those all the time." He nodded in understanding.

Gibbs laughed. "Uh huh, and I bet he's the reason for 'em."

"That's what she says too."

---

Gibbs tossed Jakes bag in the back seat and shifted the car into gear.

"Why am I leaving school early today?"

Gibbs put the car back into park. "Jake, there's no easy way to tell you this, so just try and listen carefully okay?"

He nodded, and started to get nervous. "Your dad is missing."

He swallowed hard. "Where is he?"

"That's just it son, we don't know. But I promise, I'm going to do everything I can to find him."

His eyes were beginning to fill with tears. "Promise?"

"I promise."

As the boy began to cry, Gibbs lifted his chin to meet his eyes. "Jacob, listen to me, I promise." He slowly wrapped his around him. "I'll find him." And in a way, Gibbs was also trying to convince himself.

----

"Anything McGee?" He walked in and pointed to Tony's desk for Jake to sit down.

"Nothing yet boss…" McGee knew that wasn't an acceptable answer, but he hoped Gibbs knew he was trying his best.

"Keep at it." Gibbs offered and picked up his phone.

"Hey….How's my favorite VIP?!" Ziva entered the bull pen and went quickly to Jake's side for a hug.

"I'm okay." He shrugged.

"We're gonna find your dad soon…"

"I know, Uncle Gibbs promised."

She turned back to see Gibbs looking over McGee's shoulder, and saw Abby headed in her direction.

"Jakey!!!"

Jake got up and met her half way for a hug and their secret hand shake. "Hey Abs."

"Gibbs said you need something to keep you busy, and I got just the thing down itn he lab…come on."

He looked at his Uncle for permission.

"Go ahead." He waved and gave Abby a look that could kill.

"Don't worry Gibbs, its all PG."

"Don't you take him to Ducky's, understand?"

Abby nodded. "Of course, Uncle Gibbs." She smiled.

Jake took her hand and they headed towards the elevator.

"How did he take it?" Ziva asked.

"He's alright…but he won't be for long if we don't get him back…you got anything?"

Ziva shook her head. "Its like he fell off the face of the country."

"Earth." McGee suggested, but felt wistful for a moment, as Tony would normally be the one who would correct her.

"What?" She looked back confused.

"Never mind…" McGee shrugged. "I'm still hoping he'll turn his phone on so we can get a GPS signal…"

"Hope will get us no where McGee." Gibbs said as he sat down at his desk, punching the keyboard harshly in frustration.

Hours passed slowly, and still nothing. With Danielle out of town, Gibbs was preparing to take Jake home for the night.

"You two can go home, get some rest." But neither of them moved from their desks.

As he threw Jakes back pack over his shoulder he nodded in understanding.

"You call me if anything comes up."

"Will do boss."

Gibbs passed Tony's desk and paused for a second, then headed slowly towards the elevator.

---

After a dinner of scrambled eggs and sausage, and some video games, it was finally time for bed. As Gibbs tucked him in the covers, Jake sat up.

"Aren't we gonna say our prayers?"

Gibbs smiled and knelt down slowly. "Of course."

Jake folded his hands, bowed his head, closed his eyes and slowly grabbed his Uncles hand.

"You can start Uncle Gibbs."

Gibbs nodded. "Right…God, thank you for getting me…us…through another day. Help us to be better people tomorrow than we were today…Amen."

Then Jake began. "Dear Lord, thank you for my mom and dad, and my friends and teachers…and for me and Aunty Abby having fun today…thank you that Uncle Gibbs promised to find my dad and that I know you are going to help him out. Cuz its cool sleeping in my Uncles bed, but I'd like to go home soon and have my Daddy there too…and help me to have nice dreams… oh and for Uncle Gibbs to have them too…Amen."

Gibbs opened his eyes as Jake released his hand. "That was sweet Jake."

"Yeah, Mom always said God always keeps his promises…just like you."

Gibbs smiled slightly, not sure how to respond except to kiss his forehead.

"Good night Jake."

"G'night."

---

As Gibbs got comfortable on the couch, he laid there for a moment before closing his eyes.

"PS Lord…" He stopped himself as he searched his mind for the words he wanted to say then continued.

"Help…Amen."