Here's the 6th story in my series. If you haven't read the other stories, then I advise you to not proceed until you do. This is a series. It runs in sequence. To understand certain things (especially where Jamie came from), it's best to just start at the beginning. This series is kind of like my very own NCIS season 4. As of this point, the series consists of: story 1 A Link to the Past (comes in 3 parts)… story 2 Wrong Place, Wrong Time…. story 3 Second Job… story 4 Daughters… story 5 A Personal Vendetta… story 6 Bless the Children (current story). Hope you enjoy it.

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Thursday

Chapter 1

It's Thursday morning and the team is basically just showing up to work. McGee and Ziva arrive at the NCIS building at the same time and go into the elevator together. They step off the elevator and walk to the work area where they see Tony and Jamie already there. Tony is sitting in his chair and Jamie is sitting in his lap with her arms around his neck and her legs dangling over the left side of the chair. Ziva and McGee walk into the area and stand near Tony's desk.

"You do realize what Gibbs is gonna do when he sees you two like this." Ziva stated.

"Dad is like a cuddly puppy dog." Jamie said.

"More like a Pit-bull." McGee said.

"Don't worry about it people. Gibbs is alright with me and Jamie being together. So it won't bother him. And if it bothers him, then I'll just tell him how this relationship works and how he can't do anything about certain things." Tony stated.

"So in other words… You've already made funeral plans?" Ziva asked.

"More like wedding plans." Tony laughed.

Jamie swings her left hand up toward Ziva and McGee in order to show them her engagement ring.

"Wow, nice ring." McGee said.

"Yes it is a nice ring." Ziva said.

Jamie brings her hand back toward her body.

"So when did this happen?" Ziva asked.

"Tony asked me to marry him about three weeks ago. The day he took my place in the bomb vest." Jamie stated. "He finally gave me this ring a couple days ago."

"You do realize Gibbs is still trying to get used to the fact of you two being together." McGee said. "Or did you two forget?"

"Does Gibbs know about this?" Ziva asked.

Tony and Jamie look at each, trying to come up with an answer or avoiding the question.

"He doesn't know." McGee stated.

"And it's gonna stay that way… For now." Tony said.

"Dad still needs time for this to sink in." Jamie said.

"Your Dad's, sink in time, is gonna be long. He's not like a sponge." McGee said.

"He definitely doesn't have square pants." Tony joked.

"And his name isn't Bob either." Ziva added.

"Are you all five years old? Can we please not start a discussion about SpongeBob SquarePants." Jamie stated.

"Actually, SpongeBob SquarePants isn't such a bad show…" McGee begins to say.

Tony, Jamie and Ziva all look at McGee.

"Not… Not that I watch it or anything." McGee quickly defends himself.

"Sure you don't McGeek." Tony said.

Suddenly, Agent Fornell of the FBI steps off the elevator. The team watches as he walks toward them.

"What are you doing here Fornell?" Tony asked.

"I came to speak to Gibbs… Is he here?" Fornell answered.

"Gibbs is at a conference today." Tony stated.

"No I'm not DiNozzo." Gibbs stated as he's walking down the staircase that leads up to MTAC and the Director's office.

Jamie quickly takes the ring off her finger and stashes it in her purse. Gibbs finally walks into the area. He glares at Tony. Tony gently pushes Jamie off of his lap. Jamie stands up like they weren't doing anything. Gibbs looks toward Fornell.

"We don't need your help on this one Fornell… Nor do we care for it." Gibbs said.

"You seem to not have a choice Gibbs… Your Director called us in." Fornell said.

"Elevator." Gibbs stated.

Gibbs and Fornell walk toward the elevator.

"What do you think actually goes on in the elevator with those two?" Tony asked the rest of the team.

"Don't know… But they never really liked each other." McGee stated.

Gibbs and Fornell step onto the elevator. Gibbs pushes one of the buttons to make the elevator starts going down to the next floor, but then he hit the stop button. Gibbs and Fornell are now in the elevator, stopped between two floors.

"The children of military families are the ones who have been abducted here, which makes it our jurisdiction. So NCIS takes lead on this investigation. All forensic evidence goes to my Forensic Specialist, and I mean everything. If you don't like it, then you can walk Tobias." Gibbs stated.

"I have no problem with NCIS being lead on this investigation, Jethro." Fornell said. "You can expect our full cooperation."

"You usually don't cave this easily Tobias."

"When my Director was looking for a volunteer, all I could think about was my own daughter. A person who abducts children… The more of them we can get off the streets, the safer it is for my Emily." Fornell stated. "I'm just interested in finding those kids. And all I ask is that the FBI gets copies of all records that pertain to this case."

"At least we understand each other."

"So we got a deal Jethro?" Fornell extends his hand.

"Only under one condition, Tobias."

"What?"

"Don't bring Agent Sacks in on this."

"I know DiNozzo has a problem with him and his presence may affect his work, so I never planned on bringing him in."

"Good… Then we have a deal." Gibbs now extends his hand.

Gibbs and Fornell shake hands. Then Gibbs hits the button to restart the elevator. They step off the elevator at the floor where they left the NCIS team. Both of them start walking toward the team.

"Just cuz we're under-manned at the moment, doesn't mean I'm gonna enjoy this Fornell." Gibbs stated.

"The only reason I was put on this case is cuz I'm the only agent who would even remotely consider working with you Gibbs." Fornell stated. "And right now, I'm started to regret it."

"Then this should work out perfectly."

Gibbs and Fornell finally walk up to the team. Gibbs looks at them.

"What do we got Boss?" McGee asked.

"Nine children were abducted last night and we're the only available team. There are nine crime-scenes in total and we're under-manned. So Director Shepard contacted the FBI for assistance." Gibbs stated.

"Who has lead?" Tony asked.

"NCIS has lead." Gibbs said as he walks to his desk to grab a few things.

"You must love the fact that we have lead, Fornell." Tony said as he looks toward Fornell.

"Not as much as you'll love the fact of working with Agent Sacks, DiNozzo." Fornell responded.

"Are you serious!" Tony exclaimed. "Come on… Do you really expect me to work with that guy!"

Gibbs walks over to Jamie. He kisses her on the forehead. He then looks to the team.

"Grab your gear. Ziva, call Ducky. Fornell… Catch." Gibbs stated as he tosses the keys to him.

"Haha!" Tony laughs. "Looks like you're gassing the truck Fornell."

"You seriously want me to gas the truck?" Fornell asked Gibbs.

"No… I just wanted to see DiNozzo's reaction to you telling him to gas the truck."

Fornell tosses the keys to Tony.

"Gas the truck DiNozzo." Fornell said.

Gibbs smirks as he sees the look on Tony's face. Both Gibbs and Fornell walk to the elevator as Tony is left with a slightly mad expression upon his face. Ziva and McGee follow them to the elevator. Tony gives Jamie a quick kiss on the lips then runs to the elevator. The elevator door closes.