Author's Note:

Hi all!

Here's the next chapter in Tali's story of her Weekend with Grandpa Gibbs. Thanks again for all the reviews and support. And a big shoutout to MaidenMoonshine for her expert editing. Please read and review. Anyone have any guesses as to what will happen next with Tali?

Chapter Five

Gibbs's phone rang just as the team got to the crime scene. A petty officer's body had been found in a wooded area by a couple of joggers.

Gibbs flipped open his phone as he silently directed Tim to start taking pictures and collecting evidence. Ducky was on his way as well as two agents from another team since Tony and Ziva were off.

"Gibbs."

"Mr. Gibbs? This is Mary O'Neil, Madison's Mom. Madison and Tali are best friends."

Gibbs was looking at McGee taking pictures as he tried to figure out why this woman was calling him.

"Mrs. O'Neil, is there something I can do for you?" Gibbs asked, consciously curbing his abrupt nature so that he didn't startle this woman, who already seemed upset.

"Well, not really. I just..I'm calling because I know you have Tali while Tony and Ziva are away and… she and Madison have gotten into a bit of mischief."

Mary's concerned voice got Gibbs's full attention. He moved further away from the crime scene to hear her better.

"What did they do?" Gibbs asked, his gut already churning as he thought about Tali's odd behavior the night before.

With a lot more patience that Gibbs normally had, he managed to get the full story out of Mrs. O'Neil, who at one point broke down in tears as she explained her older son's part in this whole fiasco.

The vein in Gibbs's neck was pounding hard as he took in the details, particularly about Tali stealing as part of a game. He couldn't believe his granddaughter would be tempted by a dare to act so foolishly. She knew better.

"So you see, Mr. Gibbs," Mrs. O'Neil said, trying to downplay the situation because she felt guilty that her kids instigated it. "It's really not that big of a deal. It's just a little mischief."

"A little mischief?" Gibbs barked back, unable to hold his tongue any longer. "Pulling a harmless prank is a little mischief. Stealing is a crime! I don't know how you intend to raise your daughter, but I assure you, Tali won't ever think about stealing again once she faces consequences for her behavior."

"Well," Mrs. O'Neil huffed. "Madison and Jacob were both punished. Not that it's any of your business! But I thought I should call and let you know what was going on before this went any further."

At that, Gibbs softened a little. He had met Madison and actually liked her quite a bit. She and Tali were inseparable. And he understood how hard it could be to raise a child.

"I appreciate that, Mrs. O'Neil. Thanks for the call."

As soon as Gibbs hung up he waved McGee over and tossed his phone to him.

"This thing kept beeping while I was talking, McGee," Gibbs said impatiently. "It stopped now. But what was it?"

Tim quickly opened the phone and realized Gibbs's call waiting had been making the noise.

"You missed a call while you were talking, Boss," Tim explained. "That's what that beeping was. And it looks like it was Tali's school."

Gibbs sighed and took the phone back. He had a pretty good idea what that call was about now that he had spoken to Madison's mom.

Gibbs put his phone in his pocket, knowing he could call the school back in just a few minutes. The team was close to finishing with the crime scene and he had a feeling he would be spending the rest of the day dealing with Tali.

She's going to be one sorry little girl, Gibbs thought. The churning in his gut had stopped, only to be replaced by a strong yet dreaded resolve that he was going to have to discipline his granddaughter.

It wouldn't be the first time, but that wouldn't make it any easier, he thought grimly as he rechecked the area to make sure the team was done.

—NCIS—

Ms. Wilcox, the school secretary, hung up the phone after trying Gibbs's cell phone for the second time.

"I'm sorry, Tali. Your grandpa isn't answering and his voicemail is off. Should we try your mom or dad now?"

"No!" Tali shook her head forcefully. "They're on a weekend vacation. Can we try my grandpa again?"

Ms. Wilcox looked at the distraught little girl in front of her and wanted to hug Tali and tell her everything would be okay. Instead, she gave the little girl a small smile and told her they could try again in a few minutes.

She motioned for Tali to take a seat on the couch in her office. Tali sat down and willed herself not to cry. She needed to talk to Grandpa Gibbs and explain everything. Hopefully, he could keep her from going to jail like the people who stole that Ima and Abba had told her about.

Tali's stomach was hurting bad. She wished she had never taken that dare. At this point Tali didn't even care what consequences she faced for stealing. She couldn't live with herself knowing she stole something any longer.

Just then the office phone rang and Tali immediately looked up. She couldn't hear what was being said as Ms. Wilcox answered the call and briefly talked.

"That was your grandfather," Ms. Wilcox said. "He said to stay here in the office. He will be here in 10 minutes."

Tali immediately started to feel better knowing Gibbs was on his way. Her relief was short lived though as the minutes passed quickly and Gibbs walked in and looked at his granddaughter, showing his disappointment and anger without words.

He quickly signed her out and turned back to face her, a stern look on his face.

"Let's go," he said, grabbing Tali's backpack and not waiting to see if she would obey. "We need to have a discussion."