Gibbs stared, unseeing, at his computer screen. It had been three days since their world had been torn part, and he was waiting for someone from social services to arrive to discuss Sarah. In his mind it wasn't up for discussion. Sarah was family. He would take care of her. He, Abby and Andi were the only family Sarah had left. Well, unless you could count Eli David, who had never so much as seen his grandchildren. Gibbs miled slightly at two memories. One of Ziva mixing up social services and social security. The other was of Tony saying "He doesn't like me very much, does he?" about Eli David, after the director of Mossad had ranted to Ziva about marrying Tony in an MTAC call.

He was brought back to the present by the ringing of a cell phone. It wasn't his. Andi had hers in MTAC with her. It sounded like it was coming from Tony's desk. He frowned. DiNozzo's cell was in the evidence locker, along with Ziva, McGee, Rachel and Nathan's. So why was there a ringing coming from the bottom drawer?

Gibbs opened it, digging through the boxes of medals Tony had accepted for him over the years. Hidden at the bottom, he found the ringing cell phone.

"Hello?" he said, flicking it open. "Hello?" No reply. Then whoever was on the other line hung up. Gibbs frowned at the phone. The number wasn't in the contacts, there was no caller ID. He sat back down at his desk, trying to find who the phone was registered to. Eventually, after taking three times as long as it would've taken McGee or Abby, he found it. He stared at the screen, pulling back involuntarily. A name from the past stared back at him, a long forgotten name from a long forgotten mission:

Tony DiNardo.

XOXOXOX

By the time the social worker arrived, Andi had returned from MTAC, angrily declaring that Eli David was a heartless bastard for not caring that Ziva, Tony, Rachel and Nathan were dead and that if she ever had the pleasure of meeting him she would gladly put a bullet in him, making Gibbs smile properly for the first time since hearing they were dead. He didn't doubt she would make good on her threat. Andi may be the newest member of "the family" as Abby called them, but she was already a firm part of it, and fiercely loyal to them. He wouldn't like to be Eli David if he ever met her.

"Agent Gibbs? I'm Mandy Peterson from social services," the petite brunette introduced herself. Gibbs nodded.
"Please, sit down," he said, indicating to the chair he'd pulled round to the front of his desk.
"Thank you," Mandy smiled. "As you're aware, this is about Sarah DiNozzo. Can I ask where she's staying currently?"
"With me," he replied. Andi was reclined in her chair, staring at the ceiling, rubbing her neck, only half listening to the conversation.
"I only ask because you are not family, so perhaps it would be better if she stayed with a member of social services until-"
"No," Gibbs interrupted. "I've known Sarah since she was a few hours old. She's stayed with me for long periods of time before. Her parents trusted me with her. And they are family."

"Well, in that case, are you planning on becoming her legal guardian?" Mandy asked.
"If that's what I have to do to take care of her."
"It's just.." She hesitated. "Well, you have quite a demanding job, and you live alone?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Well, perhaps she would be better with her family. Her grandfathers perhaps?"

Behind them Andi snorted at the suggestion. Gibbs smiled.
"I don't think so," he replied.
"But, how do you propose to give her the care she needs when you work such long hours?" Mandy asked. Andi's eyes flashed angrily.
"I'm a single mom to a daughter not much older than Sarah and I manage perfectly fine," she snapped.

"In that case, would you like me to begin the paperwork for you to adopt Sarah?" Mandy asked, looking slightly unnerved by the daggers Andi was glaring at her.
"Yes," he replied.
"Very well," she said, gathering her things. "I'll be in contact soon."

"Andi," Gibbs said once the social worker had left. "Do you know an Tony DiNardo?"
"Never heard of him," she replied. "Why?"
"Never mind."

XOXOXOX

"Abby..." Gibbs shook his head, as he spotted the forensic scientist sitting in her lab. Her normal music had been replaced with the same durge she'd played after Kate's death. Her face was streaked with tears and black eyeliner as she stared into space like he had been doing a few hours ago. He put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"I can't stay at home Gibbs," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "it reminds me of him too much."

"I know Abs, I know," he whispered as she clung to him, using all his willpower to stop himself from crying.

NCISNCISNCIS

Any theories on who the letter and phone call are from are welcome! My surprise will be revealed in the next chapter! Mwahahaha! Reviews make me smile.

Christina x