Disclaimer: Everything belongs to CBS and the people who created NCIS.

A/N: Some piece might be out of character for Gibbs and of character for Tony, but this is for the purpose of the story and I always thought he acted differently when it came to dogs and kids.

The puppy really does exist, just so you know.

Thanks to finlaure for her beta work.

Thanks to Mark Harmon, Pauley Perrette, Michael Weatherly, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray, David McCallum and all the others for giving life to the wonderful characters of NCIS. Thanks, Laci, as always.

Thanks for all your great reviews!

Four

Small Miracle

Abby and Gibbs had made the arrangements for Aubrey to be out of the hospital as much as possible. She stayed at Gibbs's place most of the time, and as they saw the positive changing in her, since she didn't spent so much time in the hospital anymore the doctors decided to let her stay there and sent the nurses to take care of her at Gibbs's house.

DiNozzo was there more often than not. There was a strong bond between the two of them. When they had to go back to the hospital because they couldn't do a specific test at the house, Tony always accompanied them.

He was always there when she had to endure her chemotherapy holding her hand, telling funny stories. Knowing Tony was there for their grandchild was a great relief for them, they loved Aubrey but seeing her so weak, broke their hearts and sometimes it was too much for them.

And as Abby and Gibbs had explained the situation to them: how she felt, they had been hurt at first but then they understood and tried to be there without really being there. When it was very difficult for Aubrey and she would be very sick because of her chemo they'd send a card telling her how much they loved her.

Aubrey loved them even more for that, they had understood it. They knew she was safe with them.

McGee and Ziva left Tony alone most of the time now when they were working, Ziva had gone to Gibbs's house to take a look after she and Tim had been lectured by Gibbs and Abby. Things were difficult enough already the way they were right now.

One night when he was sure, the girl was asleep; Tony slowly exited the house via the back door and stood there, trying to keep his emotions at bay breathing in deeply, but tears started to shine in his before rolling down his cheeks.

Aubrey Swanson was doing better or at least it looked as if she was, but when she just had her chemo she was so weak that Tony just wanted to cry. He had reassured her, the best he could, made her laugh in hopes to make her forget just a little bit about her cancer, but the fact was, he wearing a mask.

The same mask he had worn so often to protect himself from being hurt in a case he was working, wasn't doing his job so well anymore. It hurts. Watching her fight like she did hurt because no matter how hard he tried, and did, his best to support and be there when she needed it, there one thing he couldn't do no matter how much he wanted to. He couldn't take the cancer away from her.

He had trouble accepting that, even if he knew that there was nothing else to do. Aubrey had the Damocles sword above her head and there was the possibly that it might fall. He would pray anything or anyone for it not to be so. Aubrey was too sweet and too gentle to go so soon, she deserved a long and happy life, definitely not a short and suffering one.

The tears kept on rolling down his cheeks, letting his emotions come out, he was so absorb by his sadness that he didn't hear the footsteps coming up behind him which was the reason why he jumped slightly surprised by the feel of a hand on his left shoulder.

Turning his head slowly, Tony saw Gibbs standing behind him. For some reason DiNozzo instantly thought something had happened to Aubrey, but reading his expression as he often did, Gibbs reassured his agent.

"She's still sleeping peacefully, DiNozzo and Chocolat is with her."

DiNozzo's figure instantly relaxed.

"Sorry, boss."

"It is okay, Tony."

"If something was wrong with Aubrey, Chocolat would have come and gotten you. The dog is still young but his pretty smart. There are lots of things he's helping the kid without anyone of us teaching him."

"I know" Tony said in a small, weak voice that was full of sadness.

"Come on, let's go inside and have a little talk." Gibbs told him, leading him back inside the house.

Gibbs motioned for Tony to go sit on the couch while he went to get a shot of bourbon. Tony took a few deep breaths while waiting for his boss. Gibbs came back with two glasses. Handing him one of the glasses, his boss came to sit next to him.

Tony took a good gulp of the amber colored liquid then sighed heavily. "I feel as if I'm betraying her, Gibbs."

"What are you talking about, DiNozzo?"

"I promised her everything was going to be okay. I shouldn't have, but I did. Who am I to promise a ten year old that she's gonna be better while in reality I have no idea if she's going to be better. I'm scared, Gibbs."

"I know you're scared, we all are, and it's true, you did promise her she was going to do better and maybe you shouldn't have, but you did what you did for a good reason, Tony. You want her to feel better. Sometimes a little white lie is better than the harsh reality of life. To be honest with you, I would have said the same thing to her. No one knows what tomorrow will be made of. There is indeed a possibility that the worst might happen, but there is also a strong possibility that she might make it. We are all here for that."

"I know, Gibbs, I know that. I try to... But I can't help but feel bad about the little lie."

"Tony; you didn't do anything wrong with telling her that, the reality for that kid is already difficult enough and it helps her stay in a better state of mind so hang on to it with her. Thanks to you, Aubrey thinks there is still hope so don't let go of that sparkle that still is there, DiNozzo."

"It's so hard to see her like this."

"I know the feeling."

"How's Abby holding on?"

"She tries her best not to let it show, but she's like all of us. She loves that kiddo so much."

Both men sighed heavily then. Taking another gulp of amber liquid, Tony decides to go and check on Aubrey before going to bed and trying to get some sleep. As he is standing before the door that is ajar he takes a deep breath and slowly and carefully pushes the door further open, Chocolat, who's lying on the bed at Aubrey's feet, lifts his head to see who's entering the room. When he sees it is Tony he lays his head down again.

He entered the room trying to makes as least noise as possible, knelt down next to the bed and watched her sleep for a moment.

Tony woke up to Aubrey's voice calling him. The moment he opened his eyes he didn't really know where he was, His body was feeling sore, looking at his surroundings, he quickly realized where he was. He must have fallen asleep here last night, his eyes caught Aubrey's and she smiled down at him.

"Morning sleepy head." She giggled.

"Morning, girly. Why are you giggling?"

"Your hair looks funny; it's standing in all directions."

Chocolat came to tell, Tony good-morning as well with a few good licks in the face. When he was done DiNozzo wiped his face clean with his hand. "Thanks, boy, but I'd prefer doing that on my own next time with some soap and a washcloth."

Aubrey giggled again.

"You seem to be in a good mood. I'll be right back, and then I'll bring you down for some breakfast."

"Sounds like a plan."

Tony exited the room then and went straight to the bathroom to wash his face and comb his hair a little, Chocolat followed him. DiNozzo had noticed the dog at first and almost fell over him.

"What is it boy?"

The dog wiggled its tail and looked over his shoulder at the door then at Tony again.

"Yes, I know she needs breakfast, so do you, but so do I. Let me just dry my face and then we'll be going down stairs.

Seven minutes later everyone was sitting around the table eating breakfast. It was a new sunny day that was about to start in each other's life. Aubrey was more enthusiastic each day that past by and slowly seemed to gain a little strength in her legs even with the chemo, drawing her strength from the love she was surrendered with. Chocolat was an amazing dog, who played with everyone in the house, in different ways. With Tony, Gibbs and Abbs he was more active, running around everywhere, and driving them nuts, but when he played with Aubrey, he was all calm and soft. She would drop something on the floor and he'd pick it up for her, it was amazing to watch it. The dog simply knew he had to be gentler with her.

A routine life had settled in rather quickly. After a while they had even managed to "forget" about the cancer.

Tony was more and more a big brother to Aubrey, they had lots of fun together, and they were planning something for Abby and Gibbs. Aubrey had a plan for them but Tony was really eager to help his "little sister".

As she had been observing them without them noticing it, she had seen the chemistry and love they shared so she decided to give them a little push in the right direction. Abby and Gibbs would end up together no matter what it took for her to do or how long it would take, they will be a couple.

000

Six months later, they were all anxious because they were waiting for her blood results of the tests,. Aubrey was sitting on the couch surrendered by Tony and Chocolat watching Chiti Chiti Bang Bang. Tony was watching because Aubrey had fallen asleep against him, while Gibbs and Abby where in the kitchen preparing lunch when the phone rang.

DiNozzo picked up almost immediately as he had the phone set next to him. He listened to the doctor on the other end of the phone as he was telling him what the results of the blood tests revealed.

His eyes brimmed with unshed tears when the doctor told him the news, he couldn't believe it and ask the doctors to repeat it to be sure he had understood him correctly before thanking him and hanging up the phone.

Abby and Gibbs looked at him as they were stranding in the living room as well. Waiting somewhat anxiously for him to repeat what the doctor had said, both their heart sinking slightly when they saw the tears in his eyes, but instantly beating faster when a radiant smile appeared on his face.

"There is no trace of leukemia anymore. She's done it! She's done it."

Abby jumped at Gibbs's neck and before running to the couch to sit next to Tony so she could put her arms around him.

Aubrey moaned slightly as she woke up. "What is it?" The girl asked in a sleepy voice as she pushed her long hair that had came back out of her face.

Gibbs slowly walked toward the couch and slowly picked her up in his arms, leaning in to kiss her cheek, he then murmured the amazing good news in her ears. Instantly Aubrey pulled back to look him in the eyes.

"For real?"

"Yup." Gibbs smiled, before he brought her head closer to him again to murmur something else in her ear, as a reaction he giggle before almost yelling, "Yes!"

Gibbs let her go then and she ran toward Abby hugging her waist tightly.

"Thank you so much!"

Then it was Tony's turn. To hug the girl, or rather Aubrey's turn to hug him so tightly he could hardly breathe.

The next one she hugged like crazy was Chocolat. "Have you heard that, boy, I'm cured! It's a MIRACLE! I'm cured! The dog's tail wiggled like mad, and some how he'd found a way to free himself from her embrace and was now licking off her face, making her laugh.

Tony was laughing too at the scene not noticing that the two other persons present in the room where coming closer together, and were sharing their first real kiss.

TBC...

A/N: One chapter left. I hope you enjoyed this one.

Thanks for reading.