According to the officer's GPS, Kaylin was almost an hour away from home. She was amazed that she had made it that far but not surprised. She used to take long walks with her mom and sometimes she would wake up early to run with Tony. The cop had given her a blanket and his cup of coco. Still she was freezing and filled with dread. Over the drive home, she learned that the officer's name was Barry Evans and he had three children of his own. Five year old twin boys and a ten month old girl. She also learned he decided to be a cop after being sentenced to shadowing an officer as a teenager. Kaylin remained silent until the sights became familiar again.

"I want you to take me to a foster home." Kaylin blurted out.

"How come? Are you being abused or did you just have a falling out with daddy?" Barry questioned.

"I was threatened by a bad man and they sent my family to a safe house. It's a tiny, crappy apartment. Everybody is miserable, my adoptive parents fight all the time. I swear their marriage is going to fall apart over this and my baby sister cries all the time. I know that it is all my fault." Kaylin explained.

"How long have your parents been married?" Barry asked.

"Like six months." Kaylin replied.

"Ah well I can safely say they are not getting divorced over this. If they do then something else was happening and it was inevitable. The thing is grown-us fight all the time. Especially when you are married. You go through the honeymoon phase but that typically ends after about six months. If it weren't the house it would be her hair or his favorite tie. Don't take it to heart. My wife and I fight all the time but she is the love of my life and I am hers. Now my first wife and I never fought. The tension just built and built, until we ended up hating each other." Barry explained.

"What about Tali? She misses her toys." Kaylin asked.

"How old?" Barry asked.

"Two" Kaylin replied.

"Two year old's cry all the time. They always miss their toys. If you bring twenty they will miss the five they have in the car." Barry laughed.

"They deserve their old lives back. I don't want them to resent me." Kaylin admitted.

"They wouldn't have done this if they did not love you and love overcomes all." Barry assured.

Nightfall and the rain had only added to Tony and Avery's fear. Kaylin was a strong girl but she had no defense against the elements, against the bad people out there. Tony was especially fearful. He had seen too many dead kids in his day. His greatest fear was that his own child could become one of those statistics. Avery had heard and seen her share of horror stories too, but nowhere near as many as Tony. Tony skipped dinner and went to bed early. While Avery stayed awake and prayed that her daughter would come home. Around seven, red and blue lights flashed up the street. The car came to a halt outside of the DiNozzo's home and Avery's heart crashed to the ground. There was a knock at the door and there was Barry standing on the porch. Kaylin was standing by his side. The girl was shaking, soaking wet, and covered in new bruises; but she was alive. Avery screamed and pulled her daughter into a tight hug. Avery's scream sent Tony running downstairs. When he saw Kaylin he raced to the door and threw his arms around his girls.

"Oh Kaylin, where were you?" Tony asked.

"I found her eating out of a trashcan. She said that she had run away from home." Barry explained.

"Why would you do that?" Tony asked.

"I didn't want you to live like this anymore. You deserve better than this house and having to live in fear." Kaylin sobbed.

"Oh Kaylin" Avery sobbed.

"We love you and are doing this for you. It is not easy but you do what you have to for the ones you love." Tony explained.

"You deserve to be home." Kaylin sniffed.

"Until that bastard is caught, this is home." Tony replied.

After Barry left Tony and Avery lectured Kaylin about running away. They were obviously pissed at her for running away but understood her motives. Still they had to take action and Kaylin was grounded for the rest of the week. Kaylin couldn't say that she cared all that much. She never did anything anyway and being grounded kept her away from the world. Yes she had tried to run away but she was still terrified of Senior. After the lecture Kaylin got into the shower, put on her pajamas, and climbed into bed. She was just starting to fall asleep when her door opened and Tony walked inside.

"I just want you to know that I don't hate you." Tony stated.

"I know you were just protecting me." Kaylin finished.

"Bingo" Tony replied.

"So what do you want to talk about?" Kaylin asked.

"I am sorry that I upset you. Avery and I tried to shield you girls from the fighting. It is not your fault. We are just tired and stressed, not a good combination." Tony explained.

"What if your marriage can't last this?" Kaylin asked.

"When I proposed I was still a federal agent. Safe houses and protection detail were just part of the deal. If she would do it for me, if we would do it for me. Then of course we would do it for you. You are our world." Tony assured.

"What about Tali? She deserves better." Kaylin argued.

"She has her family, that is all she needs." Tony assured.

"I am sorry." Kaylin apologized.

"Don't apologize, you came home safely." Tony replied.

AN: Can Kaylin work her issues out? New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.