Different Harry New Life

Thanks to my Beta Charmedbaby11

Chapter 4

In the morning Gibbs woke at 5:30 like usual. After his shower he saw that Harry was waking up, and waited after getting dressed. He got Harry into the shower with his new clothes ready to be worn. When he was making breakfast he heard the stairs creak, telling him that someone was coming downstairs and called out "In the kitchen Harry." While Harry sat down at the table and said good morning, Gibbs was getting him some milk to drink with breakfast.

They ate, quickly with Gibbs telling Harry how he wanted him to stay close today. He also made sure that Harry knew that he could ask questions, and that if he needed or wanted something then all he had to do was ask. Gibbs told him that all of what he said last night and today was true with Abby and Ducky too.

With Harry buckled in the back seat, Gibbs started heading to the NCIS building. During the drive he told Harry what had to be done today.

"We are meeting with Keith Brow first. After that I have some paper work to finish regarding your case. Then I have the rest of the day off so we can get you settled. We will need to go shopping to get some food, more clothes including something for you to go to the funeral in, and some things for you to play with. Do you have anything you want to do?" Gibbs asked watching Harry's reaction in the mirror.

Harry looked hopeful for a second then a guarded look over took his face. When Gibbs saw that he sighed, and said

"Harry remember what I said to you this morning? That hasn't changed in the last ten minutes, if you have an idea as to what else we can do today or there is something you want to do then tell me please." Gibbs finished gently waiting to see if he would get an answer.

When none was forthcoming at the moment, Gibbs focused on driving while he remembered something Abby had told him last night.

"At times he spoke freely about what he liked and what he thought, then he seemed to remember himself and would only answer direct questions." Abby had then warned him about not pushing Harry to much to quickly. He looked in the mirror to see Harry in thought and shifting in his seat a little. While Gibbs was looking Harry seemed to decide something. He asked softly

"Would you mind if I painted your quest room." Harry flinched after getting the sentence out but made sure he didn't try to take it back. Gibbs knew Harry was testing him, to see if he would be punished. Gibbs made a mental note to talk to Harry after he had proven himself to him about rules and punishments.

"I don't mind at all Harry, but we will be painting it together. It is your room for as long as you want it, so it should be the color you want. What color would you like your room to be? Would you like to ask Ducky and Abby if they would like to help us paint your room?" Gibbs asked.

Harry liked that idea but was hesitant to voice it. He trusted Gibbs after last night but he still was uncertain. Thinking it wouldn't hurt to ask them he said

"only if they want to. I like the color blue. Can I pick the color after seeing some different blues?" Harry also wanted some books but decide to test this before asking. Gibbs smiled a little and answered

"we can ask them before we leave the office. The choice of color is yours, you can pick any color blue you like. We will go to the hardware store to get the paint after the clothing store but before the supermarket, that way the food we buy wont go bad before we get it home." While Gibbs had said this he pulled into his parking space.

Harry and Gibbs walked to the stairs to go up to the office where Keith Brow was waiting for them. After introductions Gibbs brought them into a conference room on his floor making sure Harry stayed close. He knew it would be difficult for anyone to get into the navy yard, but he wouldn't take the chance with Harry. Gibbs sat Harry on his lap after offering a seat to Keith, and taking one himself. Gibbs had been making sure he could get to his gun just in case, while keeping Harry close to him in case he need to protect him. Gibbs explained what happened to Keith's brother choosing his words carefully because of Harry. After everything was explained Harry spoke up unexpectedly,

"Max saved me, and I'll never forget that. I hope you don't blame me, and that you are proud of your brother." Harry looked down sure that Keith would blame him when he felt a hand under his chin. When he looked up Keith was kneeling next to Gibbs who had an arm tightly around his waist.

Keith was shocked at what Harry had said, and did what he could to reassure him.

"Harry you are not to blame for Max's death. He could have called social services to handle it but he knew that wouldn't likely work out as well as calling NCIS would. He choose to help you knowing the consciences because that was the right thing to do. I am very proud of my little brother, I always have been. I don't want you blaming yourself and neither would Max. Okay?" After Harry nodded that he understood Keith went back to sit in his chair. They discussed what would happen at the funeral, and what time it was before Gibbs had an agent bring Keith down to Ducky to make arrangements. Before Keith left he knelt down to Harry again and said

"I would like to keep in touch with you Harry, I'll give my numbers to Gibbs at the funeral so that you will have them. If you ever need anything just call." He finished looking at Gibbs and Harry.

While Gibbs finished the paper work for Harry's case, Harry was looking around not having been to this floor yesterday. He stayed close to Gibbs like asked, and after looking around Harry decided to look at the books behind Gibbs desk. He was fascinated with the things in the office, but was scared to brake them if he got too close. Gibbs saw Harry looking through some of his books that should be to advanced for a kid that shouldn't be able to read yet and knew he would have to set up his testing soon. After setting an appointment for Friday morning Gibbs called Ducky and Abby to see if they wanted to help Harry and him paint Harry's room. Hearing this Harry looked up, hoping they would but telling himself they wouldn't. After getting the answers Gibbs hung up the phone, and said to Harry

"they said they would love to, and will meet us at the house in two hours. We should have enough time to do everything and get back to paint in that time. Ready to go?"

Gibbs put on his coat watching Harry do the same after he had put the books back. Taking his hand, Gibbs led Harry to the elevators and got him settled into the back set before heading to the mall. At the mall Gibbs walked slow so Harry could take in things he had never seen before. They went to the formal store first because Harry had gotten enough clothes for a week yesterday and if needed they could wait a couple days until getting more. Telling Harry that they just needed to find a suit in his size, a tie and dress shoes before they could go to the next store, they walked in. Getting everything need for the funeral they continued to the next clothing store. Gibbs thought they had a pretty good wardrobe for Harry after leaving that store and on the way out of the mall he bought Harry all the necessities. Since it was only 10 Gibbs figured they would have lunch before painting and headed toward the hardware store. Harry picked a dark blue but not the darkest color to paint his room, and Gibbs bought another sander for his boat. They had a hour before they were to meet Ducky and Abby to paint so they went to the food store quickly because Gibbs had forgotten to bring Harry to the toy store in the mall. Gibbs wanted Harry to have something to play with, and didn't want to go back on his word to Harry.

At the toy store Gibbs told Harry they had fifteen minutes at most so they could get back to meet Abby and Ducky to paint. Making sure Harry picked out a lot of toys as well as books, Gibbs grabbed some third, fourth, and fifth grade testing books curious as to how far ahead Harry already was. Back at the house Abby and Ducky were already waiting, and helped bring everything inside after agreeing to have lunch before painting. Gibbs told Abby in sign language how Harry kept saying thank you almost constantly and Abby passed it on to Ducky.

During lunch, all three of them got Harry to open up more, and by the time they were all done Harry talked more then he had so far. They hoped it would keep up while they were painting. Getting everything set up the started right in knowing that once done the first coat the would have to wait until it was dry to apply the second coat. An hour later the first coat was on the walls and themselves. Gibbs decided now would be a good time to show Harry the boat and work on it some. Opening the window to get rid of the chemicals and smell before going down to the basement where Abby and Ducky sat down and Harry helped Gibbs work on the boat. Harry asked questions about the boat and Gibbs answered as well as he could aware of Abby and Ducky smiling at them.

The paint took about an hour and a half to dry and after the second coat was applied Abby and Ducky left. Instead of working on the boat again while the paint dried Gibbs got Harry's toys and books out in the living room for him to amuse himself with while he shorted through everything else they got for Harry today to put in his room when the paint was dry. Harry, Gibbs noticed played with everything for a little while before reading a little from each book and starting again. Gibbs had no idea why but since Harry was smiling and laughing decided not to ask why in case he thought he was in trouble. Once everything was ready to go into Harry's room Gibbs went to make dinner after telling Harry he would be in the kitchen.

Harry wanting to be helpful brought all of his new things to his room, knowing that since it had been two hours the paint would be dry. After putting everything away and closing the window Harry went back down stairs to see if he could help with dinner. Gibbs let him help a little bit while deciding that the rules and punishment talk would happen during dinner as well as making sure Harry knew he didn't have to help and thank him all the time. The talk went well in Gibbs opinion considering Harry only tried to apologize four times. After dinner when Harry let Gibbs do the dishes alone he went into the living room to reed one of the books he had left down stairs. Gibbs sat down and read a book as well knowing the only TV was in the basement and not wanting Harry down there by himself all the time. He thought he could get Abby's help with getting another one for the living room along with a cd player and cd's for Harry to listen to, a vcr and movies for him to watch. At nine thirty Gibbs told Harry it was time for bed and got him tucked in. In about five minutes Harry was asleep after the long day he had, so Gibbs went down stairs to look the door, and went to work on his boat for about two hours before going to sleep himself.