Chapter 10

Two months had passed since Tim had met the kids, they, as Madeline had said, had warmed up to him. He could even say they liked him. And were even calling him Grandpa ( Abby had told them to ). And, of course, the kids were introduced to the team. It took them a while, but they grew to like them too.

The team was finishing their reports, it was the middle of the day, but they have been working that case for days. A couple of seamen were found dead in an alley while they were on leave. It took them a while to track down the killer, so when they finished the report Gibbs was giving them the rest of the day off.

So, Tim was taking Madeline and the kids to the movies. It was originally Tony's idea. The agent started talking movies with Madeline, and she said that she didn't remember the last movie she had seen, and had never been to the movie theater. She was worried that he have had a stroke. After the shock, he had not stopped bugging Tim until he had promised to take Madeline and the kids to the movie theater.

Tim was still checking his report when the elevator dinged and they saw two small children running out, a tall woman with long dark hair following.

" Hey! Is my favorite dynamic duel! "

" Hi Uncle Tony! " The kids said, passing through his desk and waving at him.

" Hi Aunt Ziva! " They passed by her desk, and Robert stopped to give the woman a hug.

" Hello, little ones! "

" Hi Uncle Gibbs! " They said.

Then they ran to Tim's desk, jumping on the man and hugging him.

" Hi Grandpa! "

" Hey! " He looked up from the kids to the woman in front of him. " Hey Madie. "

" Hey Tim. "

" Really? Hey Tim? I'm right here! " Said Tony from his desk.

" Hi Tony. " She said turning to him. " Hey guys. " She said to the others.

" And another thing. Why is Ziva the only one who gets a hug? I'm not worthy of a baby Bobby's hug? "

" I like hugging Ziva better. " Said Robert, getting off Tim's lap and walking towards Ziva's desk, sitting o her lap and leaning on her.

Ziva grinned at the other agent and hugged the little boy on her lap. The little boy smiled and hugged her back.

Tim grinned at his senior agent's face. Madeline just shook her head.

" Man, he's gonna break a lot of hearts. " She said.

" Looks like you have a little DiNozzo on your hands. " Said Gibbs from his desk.

" More like a little Dean. " She muttered.

" Madie, I'm still finishing this report. Why don't you take them to see Abby and Ducky ? "

" Sure thing. " She looked at the girl in Tim's lap. " Come Mandy. " She looked at the little boy. " Come on baby Bobby. Let's say hi to Abby and Ducky. "

The boy took a second to move, but he got down from Ziva's lap and ran to his mother, jumping only to his mother catch him in mid-air and hold him.

" I want too! " Said the little girl, her arms up in the air.

Madeline crouched, picked the girl up and stood back up.

" Uff. My snickerdoodles are getting too big! " She said, walking out of the bullpen. Gibbs stood and walked after her.

When they reached the elevator Madeline turned to him.

" Going down too? "

" No visitor walking around alone. "

" Oh right, forgot. "

The door opened and they stepped in.

" Uncle Gibbs? " Asked Amanda, little hands playing with her mother's hair.

" Yes? "

" How are you our uncle if you're a lot older than Grandpa? "

Madeline let out a laugh before controlling herself.

" Sorry. " She said under a small glare from Gibbs.

" I'm more of a family by proximity. "

" Family like Uncle Bobby says is family? "

" What does Uncle Bobby says about family? "

" Family don't end in blood, kid " Said the two kids and mother together.

Gibbs smiled a little.

" Smart guy. "

The elevator doors opened to the sounds of loud music. They got in the lab and Madeline put the kids back on the floor. They ran to the goth standing and working on the computer.

" Aunt Abby! "

The woman turned and looked at the two kids. crouching and giving them both a hug.

" Hey! How are my two favorite kids? "

Madeline and Gibbs stood closer to the lab's doors, watching the kids being entertained by the goth.

" Gibbs? Can I speak with you for a moment? " Madeline said to him.

" Sure. "

" Abby? Can you watch them for a moment? " Madeline asked.

" Okay! I'm sure we can find something to do. "

Madeline left the lab, walking towards the end of the hallway, Gibbs following her. She stopped and looked straight in to his eyes.

" I should have done this earlier. But I guess is better late than never. I never got to thank you and apologize to you. "

" Thank me for what? "

" For saving my family, when Johnathan tried to take me in the hospital. My whole situation pushed you passed a line. You were forced to kill him, to save my family and myself. You saved them. And I will never forget that. I don't know what kind of person does that make me, thanking someone for taking a life. But I am. Thank you Gibbs. And I'm sorry that you had to do it, I wish you didn't have to carry a human life in your conscience like that. "

Gibbs looked in those huge green eyes. They were honest, filled of gratefulness. And regret, she really did feel bad, and responsible, for all that happened.

" No need to thank me. I was doing my job. "

" Not important. Is necessary nevertheless. " She said, with a small smile. " But I guess I could be thanking you also for the fact that you're so good at it too. That you take it so seriously. That somehow you get paid to do something that is a part of you. Protecting people. "

She gave him a quick hug. Gibbs wasn't expecting it. She never hugged anyone. Besides of course her kids, she was very affectionate towards them. And Tim, but even him, her father, it was always quick hugs. It was to be expected for it to be awkward, but it wasn't, he could feel it was honest.

" You're welcome. " He said, hugging her back just as fast.

She then started walking back to Abby's lab. He followed.

" And don't apologize. Is a sign of weakness. "

" You'll never convince me of that. "

" Then, you shouldn't apologize for what happened. It was not your fault. "

She didn't say anything, just walked into the lab, taking the kids by the hand.

" Hey. How about we go to see Ducky now? I bet Jimmy is going to be there too. "

" Ahhh. We were having fun! " Said Abby.

" Come too. " Said Amanda, reaching for her with her hand.

" Ah. I can't I have to work. "

" Come on, sweetie, you can have fun with Abby another day. "

They left the lab and walked into the elevator again, this time going to the Autopsy room.

Half an hour later, Tim stood from his desk, his computer already turned off. Madeline and the kids were not back to the bullpen yet. He assumed that she would already be at the autopsy room.

He had assumed right, one elevator ride later he found the three in the autopsy room.

Madeline standing next to one of the tables, the kids sitting on it and leaning against her. All three completely absorbed by the story told by Ducky.

Tim walked in, and stopped next to Gibbs.

" Long story? " The young agent asked.

" I don't think they even blinked since he started talking. Almost 25 minutes ago. "

Tim laughed silently.

" At least now he has three people who will listen to all his stories. "