The rest of the shopping crew joined Tony, Gibbs and Jessica. Palmer was helping Abby carry the bags.
"We might as well just eat here." Gibbs suggested.
"I guess. I could go for a smoothie. How about you?" Tony asked Jessica.
"I suppose, what kinds do they have?"
"Let's go see." Tony answered leading her to Orange Julius. "I like the Pina Colada."
"Me too, we can share." Jessica offered.
"No we can't, because you deserve one all to yourself."
"But you have already done so much for me." Jessica pointed out.
Tony smiled at her. When he was her age, he thought his mere existence was a burden to everyone, so why should anyone ever spend money on him. That was until he met Gibbs in Baltimore.
FLASHBACK
Baltimore
Tony is sitting in the car next to Gibbs; they had just finished questioning a witness and was calling it a night. They couldn't do any more tonight anyway.
"Come on we should get some dinner." Gibbs suggested.
"Yeah that sounds good, you should definitely do that. Could you please just drop me off at the police station before doing that?"
"Aren't you going to get some dinner."
"Not tonight. I get paid on Friday; that is still 4 days away. I will eat then."
Gibbs just stared at him; luckily they were at a red light. This kid couldn't possibly be considering going 5 days without food; especially not in their line of work.
"Why on Friday?" He finally asked.
"I have no money until then."
"Well, in that case; I'm buying." Gibbs offered. No way was he going to let his current partner starve.
"Agent Gibbs, I can't let you do that. Don't worry about me. I've done it before; so I'm used to it by now."
Gibbs wondered how many times this kid has gone without food because he couldn't afford it. Gibbs doesn't have a lot of money and he has 2 alimonies he has to pay. The only good thing that came out of one of his ex-wife marrying his so-called friend at the FBI is that he no longer has to pay her alimony. But he always has money for the basic necessities. He knew that Detective DiNozzo would fight him every step of the way if he makes it about him.
"I'm not worried about you, I am worried about me. How could I possibly trust you to watch my six if you're hungry? Plus I don't want to hear your stomach rumbling for the next 4 days or until we wrap this case up." Gibbs answered.
"Alright, but I will pay you back on Friday. I swear."
"We'll face that bridge when we come to it."
Gibbs had no intention of taking money from the young Detective, but he also knew if he told him that now he will never agree to dinner.
Gibbs couldn't believe the stupid stunt that DiNozzo pulled landing him in the hospital. Gibbs knew one thing he had better keep an eye on this kid so he offered him a job with NCIS. Tony reluctantly agreed since he was considering leaving Baltimore anyway.
"Oh and DiNozzo, there will be none of this no eating nonsense. If you are short on cash and can't afford to eat, you come to me. I will not have anybody on my team that is starving themselves because they are short on cash. You got me."
"Yes Boss."
Several times Tony has gone to Gibbs for a loan. He keeps on trying to pay it back, but Gibbs won't take it back. Other times Gibbs has invited the kid over for dinner so he can be sure that Tony is actually eating and eating something else besides pizza.
FLASHBACK ENDS
"You never really get used to people offering to support you. Gibbs has been supporting me more or less since I met him. At first it made me uncomfortable, now it doesn't bother me. So what are we getting 2 large Pina Coladas?"
Jessica nodded and Tony handed her a 10 so she could pay for them. As they were waiting for their drinks, they heard a voice from behind them.
"I like the Strawberry one."
Tony turned towards the voice and saw that it was Emily Fornell standing there with her father.
"Hello Fornell, fancy running into you here. Jessica this is Agent Fornell, he is with the FBI and his daughter Emily. Guys this is Jessica." Tony introduced.
"Hi Jessica." Fornell and Emily said at the same time.
Gibbs came up behind them. He didn't want his friend to make Tony uncomfortable by asking about the brace or Jessica, plus he needed a favor from him anyway.
"Hey Tobias, why don't you join me at Fusion Express. I was just about to get some Chinese for dinner." Gibbs suggested.
Emily made a pout face. Chinese is okay, but she wants something else.
"Dad, I wanted to go to Hot Dog on a Stick for dinner." She whined.
"I can take her over there if you would like?" Jessica offered.
Fornell wasn't so sure about letting someone he doesn't know watching his daughter, even if she is with DiNutso.
"Let her. I promise you Emily will be fine and I need to talk to you in private." Gibbs whispered.
"Okay, but I will just be right over there if you need me." Fornell said pointing to the Chinese place after handing Emily a 10 so she can get her drink and dinner.
"So what is going on? Who is that girl?" Fornell asked as they walked to the Chinese place.
"Jessica is Tony's foster daughter and they will be moving in with me. We had to remove Jessica from a bad home today and she and Tony just hit it off. So the Social Worker assigned to Jessica suggested that Tony take her in." Gibbs explained.
"What happened to DiNutso's arm?"
"That is actually what I need from you. I know you guys have access to the voice activated software, I need you to install it on a computer for me." Gibbs responded.
Fornell just looked at him.
"Tony's computer. He had broken his wrist in the past and I am concerned about him doing too much writing or typing. Besides his handwriting is awful." Gibbs told him with a look that said keep this to yourself or else.
"A small break shouldn't affect things too much for him to be needing that." Fornell replied. Gibbs' look told him that he better cooperate. "I'll do it tomorrow."
"Glad we understand each other."
"So Emily, Hot Dog on a Stick." Tony said after they got their drinks.
"Yup, my favorite."
"I'm going to go to Charley's they have an absolutely delicious Philly Cheese steak. Where do you want to go to Jessica?"
"I don't know." She answered as they headed towards the 2 places. In front of Charley's an employee was giving out free samples. Tony and Jessica each grabbed one.
"I'll take that." Jessica answered as she finished her piece.
"Alright why don't you take Emily to get hers and I'll order ours." Tony suggested getting in line.
He watched the 2 girls go to the Hot Dog place from his place in line.
The restaurants I used are all in the Mall where I shop.
Please Please Review they make me so happy and encourage me to update sooner. When I decide which story to update next, I base it on how many reviews the story is getting.
