The last things the DiNozzo's needed was more drama, but that's what they got. Tali had disappeared from the stable where her horse was kept. They initially assumed she had gone down her favorite trail. It was closed to horses due to an issue with the terrain but people still hiked down there. They did not find her on the trail or anywhere on campus. They were searching high and low, and they had notified the police. Due to circumstances she was considered an endangered child.

Gibbs' heart ached. He was missing Sig like hell. He'd bought that old horse after his last marriage ended. Sig was twenty years old when Jethro adopted him. He was too old to race any more and unable to sire. The owner cast him off and nobody wanted an old horse. Jethro had identified a lot with the old guy. His heart was broken but very little of it had to do with Sig. His heart was breaking for Tali. He was worried for the young girl and he could not imagine what she must be going through. That girl had been through almost as much as he had. At least most of his tragedies happened in adulthood. He wondered if things would have been different if he had gone to the stable alone and had Jimmy bring Tali. If he could have dealt with Sig before Tali arrived. She would have to know eventually but he could have broken the news in a more gentle way.

"I wish that I had done things different. Tali didn't need to see Sig's body or see me upset." Jethro commented.

"It wasn't your fault. The past few months have been hard on all of us. Jack takes up most of our time and Jake, Austin, and now Annalyse take up the rest." Tony explained.

"Being pregnant doesn't help either." Maggie sighed.

"Tali's always been out of place in this family. Jack was always her ally and now he isn't able to do more than sleep." Tony added.

"Aren't the kids seeing a therapist?" Jethro asked.

"Currently only Jake and Annalyse but I think Tali will be going too." Tony replied

Maggie felt guilty for sleeping but she was just so exhausted. Pregnancy was hard on her and the day before had been harder. Tony was downstairs unable to sleep. Maggie could hear him crying through the vent and that broke her heart. She wanted to be supportive but she had the baby to think of. Not only the baby but also herself. The nurse was tending to Jack and Claire was dealing with her brothers. Annalyse was sitting up with Tony. Maggie climbed onto the bed and placed her hand on her belly.

"Please come home Tali." Maggie pleaded

Tony's mind was racing a million miles per minute or however you measured it. He was terrified that they would find Tali dead. That he would have to bury two of his children. Just one would be hard enough. He could not imagine having to lose two. The stuff with Jake was an uphill battle and Annalyse was struggling. Tali had actually seemed OK and that was why he did not worry. Now he wished that he had paid more attention.

Claire's night was spent making sure that her brother's stayed in line. Not an easy task. Austin was in the terrible two's and Jake was having his issues. She had just sent Austin back to his room for the tenth time. Now she was dealing with Jake.

"You are not going out!" Claire snapped.

"Why not?!" Jake demanded.

"For one thing it is past curfew. For another thing we already have one child missing. We don't need you off with your friends." Claire explained.

"You know where I will be!" Jake spat.

Jake did not care what Claire said. He waited until she had headed downstairs to deal with Austin. Before climbing down the emergency ladder Tony had placed in the attic bedroom. He let out the signal as soon as he was on the ground. Jerrod and Danny emerged from the bushes. They rode their bikes until they came to the nearest vacant place. The smoked a couple cigarettes and drank another beer. Then they headed back. Jake was back and getting ready for bed before Claire returned to the attic.

"Good night" Jake yawned feigning exhaustion.

"Good night and I am telling Tony you snuck out." Claire replied.

Annalyse did not make a sound as she sat beside her dad. She prayed that they would find her little sister soon and bring her back to the family. She could not stand the idea of losing Tali and Jack. Tali drove her crazy but she did not deserve to be dead, hurt, or afraid. She deserved to be happy and help the family cope with Jack's death. Tali was strong and she would be a key part of helping the family survive.

It's was late and dark. Tali knew that as hurt as she was. She needed to get home. She wanted to go back to the stable but she had lost her way. She did not recognize anything around her. She just knew that she was far away from both home and the stable. She turned and walked the way she had come but that didn't look familiar either. Maybe it was because it was dark or maybe it was because she had already tried turning back. All she knew was that she would not be getting home any time soon. She did all that she could. She walked and walked until she became too tired. She remembered the lesson from girl scouts. About what to do if you had to sleep outside and it wasn't camping. She curled up under a tree and used her light jacket as a blanket. The sun rose and she felt a tap on her cheek. She woke and looked to see Filly standing beside her.

"Filly, what are you doing here?" Tali yawned.

Filly neighed and then began to walk. Tali pulled herself up and followed after the small horse. Tali and Filly walked for what felt like forever. Until finally the world began to appear familiar again. It did not take long for Tali to recognize the road to the stables. She turned down the road. She heard horses and dogs in the distance. She did not stop until she had crossed through the gates. Filly came to a stop and began to frantically cry until the door swung open.

"Tali darlin'! You have no idea how worried we all were!" Davis cried.

"I know and I am sorry. I just want to go home now!" Tali sobbed.

"Oh we are not mad. We were just worried. I don't remember your dad's number. So I'll call Jethro and they will be here for you in no time." Davis explained.

"OK" Tali sniffed.

A/N: At least Tali has been found safe. New chapter will be up soon. Thanks for reading and please review.