I Do Not Own NCIS

Well, the little family is back. Hope to be able to update on a regular basis, again. Thanks for waiting.

xxxxx

"Dony?"

Tim whispered his name. He could feel the small boy tremble in his lap. His eyesight began to adjust to the dark making out shapes in the closet they were told to hide in by Uncle Mike. Tony could now see frightened features on Tim's face. He held on to him for security and hoping to keep him calm; he wanted him to stop shaking. He didn't like the thought of Tim being scared, he figured the small boy had been scared enough in his life. He silently vowed to try his best to protect his little brother.

"We gotta wait, Timmy. Dad is coming, I know he is and...Uncle Mike's a cop and dad is too, so it's okay." There was another loud thud as both boys jumped.

Tim frantically struggled to break Tony's grasp on him, whimpering.

"Quiet Timmy, it's okay."
"Stay wid Gibbs." Tony fought to keep a firm hold of Tim as he struggled to reach towards the door, squirming from his lap. The door suddenly opened with a whoosh introducing the bright light of the bedroom into the closet, causing the boys to cower and squint.

A figure kneeled in front of them, as his eyes adjusted to the light.

"Boys."

He could hear his father breath a sigh of relief, his arms opened wide, towards them, a reassuring smile on his face. Gibbs reached out and grabbed a hold of Tim, pulling him into a hug then gathered Tony along with him. Tim clutched him fervently as Tony tried to explain the events of what happened, from his point of view before his father had arrived.

"We were hiding, dad. Uncle Mike told us to, do you know why? Dad, what happened? Why was there loud noises? Where's Uncle Mike?"
"Where's Ungo Mike?" Tim had perched on Gibbs' thigh, sucking his thumb, his arm wrapped around Gibbs' neck as he began to relax in the protection of his presence. He played with Gibbs' hair, soothing himself as he listened to the conversation.

"He's fine. He had to make sure it was safe for you guys-"
"Why, dad? I kinda got just a little scared, there for just a minute, no actually it was just a second... really."

Gibbs carried the boys to the kitchen where Mike paced, agitated. Jenny had just entered the living room slowly sitting on the couch having just come in from the car. Gibbs placed the kids on the floor as they ran to the couch to be close to Jenny and watch Gibbs and Mike in the adjoining room, discuss what had happened.

The cops had already come and gone due to Gibbs' phone call from the fair, alerting them there were possible trespassers on his property and there was a chance they could be a physical threat to the kids and Mike. The cops had apprehended the two suspects, one that was indeed, Steve Willington and another man. Willington claimed to have been 'going for a walk in the neighborhood.' They arrested him for trespassing and for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Gibbs knew it was just a matter of time before the charges increased after further investigation. Gibbs was glad to know he would no longer be a threat to Tim's life.

"Mike, what were you thinking? When I called the cops from the fair, they said they hadn't received a call from you, yet requesting backup."

"As I see it, Jethro-"

"I can't believe you didn't call right away!" Gibbs ran his hand through his hair, perturbed.

Jenny pulled the boys close into her arms. She kissed the top of their heads, coddling them.

Tony was unfazed with his father's behavior, having seen his father angry before and finding no threat with his display. He began to talk to Jenny about the fun they had, had with Mike and 'doing art'.

Tim's bottom lip poked out as he cautiously watched Gibbs with concern, uncertain of his cross approach with Uncle Mike, not knowing what he was be capable of in a bout of anger. Jenny noticed and stroked his hair.

"Jenny, I'd like you to leave. I will call you later." Jenny broke her attention on the boys, releasing them, then standing; a confused look on her face. She placed her hand on her hip then looked down at the boys' faces to help modify her temper. "But, Jethro-"

"Jenny, I'll call you. You shouldn't be here." Gibbs was very agitated, his expression serious.

She glared at him, momentarily then stormed out the door. Gibbs sighed rubbing his face, leaning to one side with a hand on his hip. He lowered his voice when he realized how angry he was.

"Mike, you can't go 'cowboy-ing it' when it comes to my kids." Gibbs pleaded.

"I just figured I could have handled those two bozos. We've been in worse predicaments. I was just gonna call-"

"If something had happened to you Mike...then the kids would have been alone with no one to protect them... don't you get it?"

Mike could see the earnest plea in his eyes. Probie had never confronted him before like this. These kids obviously meant everything to him and he goofed. How could he have been so dense?

"Yeah, I get it. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." Mike rubbed his chin. "I'm relieved nothing happened due to my stupidity."

Gibbs grabbed his shoulder and squeezed. "Lesson learned." He cracked a smile. "Sorry for yellin'. I think I got carried away."

"I had it comin'. But, word of advice, probie. You're going to have to send the biggest bouquet of roses to that little lady of your's. I think you ruffled some feathers."
Gibbs looked at the door. "Yeah. Looks like I blew it tonight, too."

"Why'd you make her leave?"
"I didn't want her to see me so angry and yelling at you-"

"Hey, life is messy. If you guys are going to make it as a couple you're both going to have to face the ugly along with the pretty."
"I was hoping it wouldn't have been so soon..."

"I think she's tougher than you think."

Gibbs darted to the door. "I'm going to go see if I can still catch her." He opened the door just in time to see her car leave. "Darn."

Gibbs closed the door then turned to the kids. His eyes widened as he instantly searched the room with his eyes. "Hey, Tony. Where's Tim?"

Tony pointed to the back of the couch. Gibbs walked towards Tony, then peered behind the couch to find Tim huddled behind it hugging his teddy bear and blanket.

"Tim?" Gibbs crouched down to his level. "Uh, oh. Did I scare you, little guy?"

Tim answered him by inching away further.

"It's okay, Timmy. I was mad but that's all. I got it out of my system."
"Mad at... me?" Tim barely whispered to Gibbs.

"No. Timmy. Of course not. It's okay. I was mad at Mike but we talked it out. Everything is fine. Come here." Gibbs held out a hand. "It's okay."

"Pease don't be mad at me." Tim crawled to Gibbs letting him pick him up.

Gibbs kissed his neck then tickled his tummy. "Now why would I be mad at you, kiddo. I'm sorry, if I scared you, but everything is okay now."

Tony latched onto his father's leg looking up at them both. "See, Timmy. Dad's okay. He blows his stack once in a while but it's all right. He just growls a lot like a bear, but then he's good."

Tim giggled. "You a bear!" Tim pointed to Gibbs then hugged him.

Gibbs kissed Tim's cheeks, kissing away the faint trace of tears. He understood why he would be scared to see him so angry. "You poor little guy. No one is going to hurt you, okay?"

"You mad at Junny?"

"No. But, I have a feeling she is pretty mad at me right now."

xxx

Gibbs was worried. He had called Jenny the night before, a few times leaving messages that he hoped conveyed his concern over the fate of their relationship. He took Mike's advice and had ordered a huge bouquet of flowers to be delivered to her doorstep in the morning. Now, all he could do was wait. He couldn't believe how his deep worry over the kids' safety had sent him into such a tizzy. Showing his anger towards Mike, dismissing Jenny then scaring Tim was just not acceptable behavior and he now felt embarrassed because of it. Something he would have to keep in mind in the future; he was never one for having a bad temper and wanted to make sure he never would be.

Gibbs, Tony and Tim were busy and having fun making pancakes in the kitchen. Tim was standing on a chair in front of the kitchen table holding a wooden mixing spoon. Tony was able to reach the table from the floor, as he poured a cup of flour into a big mixing bowl. A puff of flour dust rose causing Tim to sneeze over the bowl.

"Dad! He con..tamee..nated..ed it."

Gibbs giggled at Tony's attempt to broaden his vocabulary.

"Yeah. I'd say that is inedible."

"Oops." Tim shrugged then wiped his hand across his nose then looked at his open palm. He grimaced, wiping his hand across the front of his pajama shirt.

Gibbs looked at Tim's innocent face, covered with flour; he couldn't help but chortle.

The doorbell rang and Tony moved quickly hopping from the stool then bolting into the living room to answer the door.

"Tony! What did I tell you about answering the door without me?" Gibbs yelled across the kitchen not wanting to leave Tim's side so he didn't fall. "Boy! Is he fast." Gibbs commented to Tim.

"Yup." Tim cracked an egg, spilling its contents onto the table. "Oops."

"That's okay, Tim."

Jenny walked into the kitchen just as Gibbs began to mop up the egg with a towel.

"Hey dad, maybe the flowers worked; look who's here."

Jenny raised an eyebrow eyeing Jethro with a defensive smile.

Gibbs chuckled embarrassed, "Uh, um. Did they Jenny?"

"I don't know Jethro. Was that your way, last night of shoving me out of your little men's club?"

"I didn't want you to see me mad. I really wanted to lay into Mike and thought it might get ugly...which it didn't, but I didn't want to take any chances-"
"So, you didn't think I could take it?" You wanted to... shelter me from seeing...you mad? So, you plan to hide situations from me when they don't make you look good?"

"Everything about us was going so good, Jenny. I didn't want to...mar it."

"Jethro, I think you don't know enough about me yet. I am a very committed, strong person. I know you and the boys are a package deal. I'm fine with it. As a matter of fact I'm falling for...all of you." She swallowed hard then continued. "Whenever there is a problem with you or either of the boys I want to be a part of it. I will not let you push me away."

"You're right. I was just scared that I was going to mess this up." Gibbs smiled, shyly gaining some confidence that they would be able to work it out. He began to relax as he leaned his hands on the table. "Can you forgive me? Do you have it all out of your system now?"

"Hhhmmm. Well.." Jenny bit her bottom lip.

Jenny felt her anger for Jethro dissipating and wanted to make light of the incident. She had never felt this mad at anyone she had ever dated in the past and she began to realize why that was. She impulsively grabbed the bowl of flour and dumped it over Gibbs' head.

Jenny was shocked in herself, covering her open mouth, gasping as she waited to see how Gibbs would handle her reaction to their tiff.

His perplexed expression quickly turned into a big smile and loud, hearty laughter. Jenny erupted into hysterics as Gibbs, first placed Tim on the floor, then ran around the table to hug her and cover her with some of the flour that was cascading off of him. "I can't believe you just did that." He laughed wholeheartedly as he spoke in her ear, his arms wrapped around her, from behind, playfully.

"I can't believe I did it, either."

I'm sorry. If you really don't mind going through the tough stuff I'll never kick you out again. We're really just beginning this relationship and I didn't want to scare you away with the... bad stuff. I really like you." Gibbs blushed.

Jenny felt her stomach do flip-flops with his response, her smile coy.

The boys stood by, astounded, then worked their way to the bag of flour to throw fistfuls at himself and Jenny. Gibbs was finding it difficult to find it in his heart to tell them to stop, seeing their happy, laughing faces.