Tony was so excited. Friday had finally arrived and he was going to pick up David. He hadn't told the child about him coming to live with Tony for a bit, wanted it to be a surprise. Jessie had agreed to the idea and was happy that both Tony and David were going to live together. She had even hinted to Tony that if he was interested, she would recommend him to be the adoptive parent for David after the case was closed. Tony was happy with that- he had every intention of adopting David once the team had closed the case. The child was someone that Tony truly cared for and wanted around, and he knew that having David around would help him to start healing. Tony wondered how Rachel would react, or, indeed, Mandy. He knew that Mandy wanted children, and that she was looking at adoption, so he hoped that she would understand his need to do this. And, as for Rachel, Tony thought that there was likely going to be some surprise at his actions, but that, ultimately, she would be happy for him. She'd be able to see that he was benefiting from it.

"Hi, Tony," said Jessie as Tony stepped into the boys' shelter. "How are you this evening?"

"Great, actually. I can't wait to take David with me. I've got a whole fun weekend planned for us. Gibbs has given me the three days off to spend with him, and the rest of the team is going to work on this. It's looking like we might get the people David saw before the end of the weekend, which will end the case. I've been thinking about it, and I would like to keep David with me forever."

"David would love that, but don't say anything until you're sure it's possible and going to happen."

"Of course."

"Well, David's just finished dinner, so we can go and get him, if you like?"

Tony's smile was answer enough. He followed Jessie through a corridor and into David's room. The young boy was relaxing on his bed, but Tony could see that he was sad.

"Hey, David," said Jessie, "someone's here to see you."

David glanced over at the door. Tony watched as the sadness in the child's face disappeared, and was then promptly replaced by pure delight. He jumped off the bed and ran into Tony's open arms.

"Hi, David," laughed Tony.

"Tony! Have you caught those people?" asked David once he had let go of the agent.

"Not yet, but my team is working this weekend and they think they'll be able to arrest them soon."

"Are you working too?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I have special plans that I couldn't skip."

"With who?" David asked curiously.

Tony smiled. "You."

David looked confused. "Me?" he asked.

"You." A grin spread across Tony's face. "We are going to have a wonderful weekend together."

David looked shocked for a moment, then slowly smiled. "Does that mean...?"

"That you're coming home with me? Yes. And, not just for the weekend, possibly."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, until the case gets closed, you're going to stay with me."

"Why?"

"I'm going to protect you. You are a witness, and I can't have anyone hurting you."

David grinned. "Is it just going to be me and you?"

"It certainly is. Although, if you are still with me on Tuesday, you do have to go to school."

"Okay!" David smiled excitedly. "Where are we going?"

"Right now? We're going to my apartment. It's been a long few days for the both of us, and I think a movie is in order."

"Yes! What movie?" David asked as Jessie picked up his overnight bag and led them to the carpark.

"I was thinking that we could watch something cartoonish? Maybe like Finding Nemo?"

"Nemo is boring. How about Aladdin?"

Tony smiled. "I love Aladdin, although, please don't tell that to anyone. They'll think it's funny."

"It could be our movie!"

"I like the sound of that, David," said Tony as he started his car and drove them home.

David was sound asleep by the end of the movie. Tony was yawning himself, but he was reluctant to go to sleep. Looking at his young charge sleeping peacefully on the couch next to him melted his heart and he wanted to stay there forever, watching as the child slept. Tony knew better, though. The couch was extremely uncomfortable after an entire night on it, so he carefully picked up David and took him to the spare room that Tony normally used as storage. He was going to have to clear the room out if he adopted David, but maybe that wouldn't turn out to be so bad. The boxes in the room held items that Tony couldn't even remember putting away, so it would be the chance he needed to get cleaning. Maybe David would help him? He'd have to see about that once he knew what was going to happen.

"Night, David," Tony whispered before stepping out of the room and heading to his own bedroom.