Tony tugged on Tim's arm, motivating him to leave the security of his hiding place. Tony exited first, finding Abby's gang all standing in front of Gibbs' fileting counter, curious to meet the small boy that faced Butch and his gang, single-handedly and survived. Tim was slow and dazed; sloppy... as he slowly crawled out backwards then stood; unaware of the other kids. He stretched, the edge of his shirt lifting to reveal a small cut just to the right of his belly button.
"Hey, is that where Butch stabbed you?" Jimmy asked, pointing.
Tim regarded the boy wearing spectacles blankly then pulled up his shirt to inspect his stomach to where he was referring to.
"Hhmm." He dropped his shirt, "Yeah, but Jefro stopped him, in just a nick of time-"
"He did that!?" Tony then pointed towards Tim's face. "And…Did Butch give you that black eye, too?"
Tim's hand gingerly touched his upper cheek then his fingers sprang back, evident it still smarted. "I...'Spose he did. Him or another one of them kids he was with." Tim shrugged; unfazed by the name he created for himself now rapidly spreading like wildfire among the orphans that roamed the streets.
Jethro looked down at Tony as he filleted and gutted a silver-skinned fish across his table. "I applied ice to reduce most of the swelling." He looked over the gang as he worked, "Could you kids promise me you'll keep a good eye on this little one? He did a good job confronting Butch and his posse' but he was out numbered; let's just say he was lucky I came along when I did." Gibbs whipped a pile of entrails into a nearby wastebin. "As a matter of fact I want you all to stick together like glue and make sure everyone is accounted for at all times."
They all agreed, barking 'okays' and complying with agreement.
"Where's Butch now, Jethro?" Abby asked.
"I told them to skedaddle. They shouldn't be bothering you for a while. I put the fear of God in them." Jethro smiled, reassuringly.
Tony brought his attention back to his brother and reached over; squeezing his shoulder. "Hey, I just want you to know it's okay if they stole the money from you, Tim. I'm just glad you're okay."
Tim raised a closed palm in front of Tony then slowly opened it. "Who said I lost the money, Tony?" Tony's face lit up with a toothy grin then he pulled Tim to his chest as he beamed towards the others while they witnessed their reuniting; their obvious strong relationship. "That's my brother…"
Tony wanted to tell him how proud he was of him but was too choked up to speak. He felt his eyes fill from tears as the last twelve hours of anguish released. He caught Jethro eyeing him and cleared his throat as he sniffled, rubbing his nose. Jethro gave him a wink.
"Come on guys, let's get some breakfast." Tony talked to everyone, including Jethro. "It's on me."
"Thanks, but I'll be manning my station here for the next ten hours."
"But, I owe-"
"All I want is for all you guys to stick together from now on. I'm too busy guttin' these fish to keep my eyes on all of yous all day." Tim stepped closer to the man and wrapped his arms around his thigh, hugging him with silent gratitude. Jethro ruffled his hair, "Now, go on."
Tim's head leaned back as he admired the man that helped him when all other strangers walked past in a time of dire need. "I…Love you…Jefro."
"Now what'd I say? Go on." Gibbs waved him off but Tim waited. Gibbs finally winked at Tim that initiated a big smile from the small boy just before he turned and joined the others.
Abby saluted Jethro and Tony could see Gibbs smile to himself as soon as Abby turned away, guiding everyone back towards Canal Street.
"I'm starving-" said Ellie.
"Me, too." said Tim looking at the small blonde by his side as they walked. "What's your name?"
"Ellie."
"Ellie? But, you're a boy!"
Ellie shoved Tim hard enough to push him off the sidewalk.
"Hey, careful. I almost got runned over by a streetcar."
"Then it'd serve you right!"
"How do you figure?!"
Jimmy walked in between the two squabbling children. Tim and Ellie were close in height and he towered over them being four years older. He pulled Ellie's cap from her head revealing her long, straight, blonde hair.
"Hey! Do you know you're a girl?" cried Tim.
Ellie kicked Jimmy in the shins then grabbed her cap back from the perplexed boy.
"Hey! What was that for?" asked Jimmy.
"You revealed my identity! And it wasn't yours to reveal!"
They walked further in silence until Tim nudged his shoulder into Ellie's. "Why do you want to be a boy Ellie?"
"Because it's safer on the streets if you're a boy."
"Oh. Well…I'm not so sure about that. You might want to rethink your strategies." Ellie pouted then stuck her tongue out at Tim. He answered her by rolling his eyes; a look of confusion.
They came upon a restaurant and Tony waved them to go inside but Abby confronted him. "We can't go in there; did you see the sign?" She pointed to a small wooden sign nailed next to the entrance. "No Vagrants"
"What's a vagrant." asked Tony.
"Well…You are." said Abby trying to coat her words with a touch of compassion. "We live on the streets-"
Tony stormed past her, "We'll see about that. My money is as good as anyone else's."
"Excuse me…Sir?" An older man dressed in a crisp, white dress shirt and black slacks with a black apron tied around his waist blocked Tony's path before he could enter the restaurant. All the kids walked into him as they halted abruptly.
"Hey!"
"Watch out!"
The man had his hand on Tony's chest to stop them from taking one step closer into the dining area.
"We'd like a table sir; one of your finest." Tony calculated in his head how many there were of them. "A table for six…No! Five." He had thought of Dornie then realized he was left behind selling newspapers.
"I'm sorry sir, but apparently you cannot read or you would not have entered."
Abby stepped forward, "We can read perfectly fine…And we ain't no vagrants." She gritted her teeth glaring at the man with her bottom lip, plump and pursed.
"I see-"
"Excuse me, Walter?"
Tony was shocked to see Earnest step alongside…Walter. "Earnest? What are you doing here?" asked Tony.
Earnest raised a finger to Tony to let him know he'd handle it. "Walter, this is my brother Tony and…My other brother, Tim and their friends. I assure you, they are not vagrants."
"Oh. Excuse me…My mistake. Please. Do come in. Earnest will show you to your table. Hope you all enjoy your meal." Abby kept her eyes on Walter, her arms tightly crossed over her chest as she followed the others to their table.
Tim had run to the head of the small group to hang onto Ernest's trousers, excited to see him. "Hi Ernest. I missed you. Know what? I saw a duck…And it was green…"
Tony felt a sudden anger towards his half- brother and he wasn't sure why. He watched with contempt as Ernest tousled Tim's hair; he wanted to slap his hand away; he had no right to touch Tim.
"That's great Tim. Was it at Turtle pond? The one in the park?"
"Uh-huh. I fed him bread, too."
Tim kept talking but Ellie chimed in gaining Tim's attention as they carried on a conversation of their own.
Earnest squeezed Tony's shoulder, "How's it going Chief?" Ernest had always called Tony chief when he wanted a heart to heart. He had always treated Tim and himself with respect and compassion. He didn't want to be mad at his big brother but he felt…Hurt. Why didn't he come looking for them? Why didn't he intervene when he had the chance or at least check up on them? He was especially curious to why his brother was now working as a waiter at this restaurant.
They walked through the dining room to a table against the far wall. Tony could feel his older brother's eyes on him but ignored his question and his observing eyes. What he really wanted to do was turn to him and hug him. He had missed him, too.
Tim again, tugged on Earnest's trousers. "Look, Ernest." He had lifted his shirt to expose the cut on his torso. "A kid stabbed me but a nice man saved me."
"Wait…What?" Ernest crouched in front of Tim to study the minor knife wound. "Shouldn't that be bandaged?" Tony could see Ernest's face fall when he could now, clearly see Tim's black eye. "Is that how you got the black eye, too?"
Tim nodded. Ernest sighed then stood, running a hand through his hair, "Hey. I'm going to get you all some water. I'll be right back to take your orders."
Tony, Abby and Jimmy read the menus out loud for the younger kids then relayed the orders to Ernest when he returned with the water pitcher, pouring them all a glass. "When your done eating, I want to talk to you, Anthony." Ernest was crouched by his side, quietly talking in Tony's ear.
They all ate, shoving down their food and satisfying their hungry appetites, each pleased with Tony's generosity. Tony crunched on the last crust of bread just when Dornie entered the restaurant, out of breath, "Hey, I just saw Butch and he's looking for you!"
Tony turned towards Tim to see him suddenly cower behind Ellie.
"Good. 'Cause I have something I need to say to him." Tony stood, counting his money to pay the tab then started towards the door.
"Tony, no!" Tim yelled.
